Kid Tested and Approved Earth Day Activities

Small hands can change the world... if we teach them how. Its been a rainy wet and cold week so we have been trapped inside. Since we had time and energy on our hands we did a few things that you could use for Earth Day or just for fun. Remember Earth Day is all about re using and recycling so get creative and use what you have. Here is a glimpse at some things we did and a few extra ideas at the bottom. Happy scrolling.

Earth Day Cookies

Sugar cookies with the dough dyed green and blue. Put the blue dough on the cookie sheet and then add little pieces of green to the cookie. Bake as normal.

Green Grass Crowns

 Add bug and flower stickers. Cut the top to look like grass.

Egg Carton Catapillars

Cut an egg carton flip it over and let the kids color as they like. Then add google eyes and antennas.

 DIY Watering Can

Poke holes in the lid of a milk jug. The kids loved using this.... I'm thinking I might keep it for baths for a few days. It would be fun in the tub as a tub toy too.

Make Earth Day Play Dough

Ingredients:
1 cup water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup salt
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
food coloring
1 cup flour
saucepan
Directions:
Combine water, oil, salt, cream of tartar and food coloring and heat until warm.
Remove from heat and add flour.
Stir and knead until smooth
Store in the fridge in an airtight bag.

 Make a Fairy or Troll Village

Pinterest has a million ideas for fairy villages but since I have boys we decided on a Troll village. We used small upside down flower pots to make little houses. Markers let you design them as you like, if you get small ones they are relatively inexpensive.

Other Earth Day Ideas

• Plant a flower. The dollar store has seeds and all kinds and sizes of plant containers, including hanging baskets. 
• Take the kids on an Earth Day walk with a garbage bag and pick up trash while talking to them about taking care of the Earth. 
• Use a pop bottle or container to plant seed and add a picture of the kids to the outside of it so when the plant grows it will look like their hair. (Try it with eggs as well. Click here to see our how to.)
• Go on an Earth Day scavenger hunt. Based on their age give them a list of things to find from leaves to sticks, to lady bugs and potato bugs. Visit the backyard, local park or trail, or head for the hills to see how many you can find. 
• Make Nature Prints using leaves and grass and your kids favorite play dough. You can also make your own dough. See our recipe above.
• Visit a local green house. 
• Use a paper plate to make an earth. 
• Visit the library for books on Earth Day.

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Unique Easter Egg Decorating

When we saw this idea on KSL Studio 5, (I believe they got it from @hello_wonderful on Instagram) we knew we had to try it because our kids are obsessed with showers mainly to use the shower squeegee while in there. 

All you need is paint (we used washable finger paint), a shower squeegee, poster board or pieces of cardstock paper, and a place to make a mess. We used a $1 dollar table cloth that we could fold up and throw out as soon as we were done.

On large pieces of poster board we made several egg shapes and cut them out.

Then we set up our work area with paints, squeegee and table cloth.

Let the kids choose what colors of paint they want on their egg and put little dots on the egg. Have someone hold the top of the egg and then let the kids drag the squeegee across the paint until all of the white paper is covered.

You can experiment with mixing colors to make other colors (blue and yellow dots make a blue egg etc.) or just play with different colors. 

Once the eggs have dried you can make a banner or let the kids color them with markers or whatever else your heart desires. 

Happy painting. 

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DIY Pottery Barn Heart Pillowcases

I recently have been drooling over this sheet set from Pottery Barn . . . ok more just the pillowcases. But who am I kidding, it's Pottery Barn and it's pricey, there is no way I am gunna pay $80.00 for a set of twin sheets. Looking at these I thought to myself that I could easily replicate them.

So here ya go . . .

What you need:
Black paint (non-washable/permanent)
Sponge brush
Heart stencil
White pillow case
Cardboard

Slip cardboard under before you start so you don't get bleeding!

Start a paintin'. 

TIP: apply a liberal amount of paint to get the full sharp heart shape

I left the folded creases in the pillow to help create a guide to aline the pattern. Be sure to line the hearts up horizontal, vertically, and diagonally with equal spacing between them all. (Lots of lining up, I know) 

And there ya have it!! Repeat on the backside. 

TIP: be sure to let the whole thing dry COMPLETELY before you take out the cardboard

Pottery Barn Version ^^^

Happy crafting. 

XO, Megs

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Water You Waiting For: Our Favorite Summer Water Activities for Kids

Its summer. Its hot. The kids are tired of the old garden sprinkler. We have tried dozens of activities for the kids and while we don't claim to be experts by any means, we love to by outside, especially in the summer and we want something fun but simple. Sooo to maintain our mom sanity during the summer we've found that WATER in many forms is a must. So read on for some of our favorite tried and true ways to keep the kids cool while playing in the great outdoors. Hope you and your kids like them as much as we do. Oh, and one more recommendation, next time you are at the grocery store hit the frozen food aisle and pick up a non alcoholic Bacardi mixer. Pop it in the blender with water and ice and enjoy a smooth treat while the kiddos play. You can thank us later.

Pop Bottle DIY Sprinkler

Take a 2 Liter bottle or other plastic bottle and poke holes in it with scissors and a knife. This should be an adults job for obvious reasons. Take it out and attach it to the end of the hose with some duct tape. Its just different enough from the boring old sprinkler that the kids will love it. More holes equal more water.

DIY Water Blob 

These water blobs as they are called are all over Pinterest with varying levels of difficult instructions. We used duct tape and painters plastic to make smaller "blobs" so each child could have their own. Simple buy some plastic, fold it in half so all the sides match and duct tape well around the edges. Leave a small hole for the hose and fill it up with water. Cover the hole with tape and let the kids jump and play on it. You can make these as big or as small as you'd like. 

Kiddie Pools For All Ages

Even if your child has outgrown the kiddie pool, which lets be honest we still stick our feet in them. You can still fill them up with ice, toys, small squirt guns, kitchen utensils, and/or any number of other objects to make it new and different and not just a pool of water. This time of year usually has some great sales on them too. So keep your eyes out.

Paint With Water

Stop by the painter aisle at your local hardware store or even at Walmart and pick up a few cheap paint rollers. Fill sand buckets or any other bucket with water and let the kids "paint" the driveway, sidewalk, or deck with water. It dries fairly quickly and results in no mess for you as it is just water, and the kids love it. Smaller children like the water and the roller, while older children can practice drawing shapes, letters, or anything else they wish.

Dollar Store Finds

Hit up the local dollar store for cheap pool toys, squirt guns, and giant water squirt swords and nearly anything else you can think of and then hit the local lake, splash pad, or pool. If and when the toys break you won't feel too bad about it as it was only a buck.

Water Balloon Fights

Walmart and the dollar store sell packs of 100 water balloons for 1.00. Stock up and every now and again fill them up for the kids to have water fights with you, dad, each other, or just to play with the balloons. We started doing it about once a week and ambush Dad when he walks in from work. It has become something fun we do that the kids really look forward to.

Trampoline Sprinklers

You probably remember doing this as a kid. Our only warning is to make sure that the kids are supervised well as trampolines are slippery when wet. Place a sprinkler underneath and let the kids bounce. As they jump down it creates a double splash that is fun.

Freeze It

Freeze colored water in plastic gloves, small toys in easter eggs or ice cube trays. Peel the gloves off and let the kids play with the hands while they melt. Place them in a small swimming pool or plastic tub full of kids toys and let the kids cool off. These make a fun addition to a sensory table while the ice melts.

DIY Fruity Pops

Popsicle molds can be found at almost any store this time of year. Target, Ikea, Walmart, Smiths, Dollar Store. You name it they have them. Pick them up for a few dollars and let the kids help you make their own popsicles. It can be as simple as freezing their favorite juices or lemonade. You can also freeze smoothies, shakes, root beer floats, strawberry milk, yogurt or the ones pictured below  are coconut water with strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries in them. 

 Bubble Blowing

Sometimes the old classics work best. Some days it is just too hot to be outside and its best to wait for the evening hours and cooler temperatures to head outside and have some fun. We have really liked the bubble bases that hold 3 wands at a time and let the kids blow bubbles on their own. You can refill when you like and it lets several kids (and/or) you play at once.

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Love You SNOW Much :DIY Kids Snowman Valentine

Being housebound with sick littles will make you get creative real quick. After two weeks of being stuck inside we decided to make Valentines yesterday out of the pads I use to remove my makeup. Everyone has seen the snowmen out of cotton balls so when I noticed these on the bathroom counter I thought why not. 

So, we made a few for Grandma and Grandpa. I used a dot of hot glue on each of the circles and the eyes, and then drew the rest with crayon. When one of my little guys wanted to help I said, "sure" and handed him one of the circles with a dab of glue on it. Wouldn't you know he grabbed right where the glue was, got it stuck on his finger, started crying because of the heat, and as I removed it saw a tiny burn blister from the glue (of my low temp glue gun). Major mom fail! I thought being right next to him I could help him do it. Not so. Word to the wise, just let the kids stick to the coloring and taping on of suckers. Not worth a burn on a little one.

These don't have to be Valentines. They could just be snowmen, a and a fun art project to do with the kids anytime in the winter. I thought about going out for a walk to find small sticks for the arms and some type of buttons for the front of them but we had too much snow but that would have been fun too. Anyway, just thought we would share some of the product from our days of cabin fever.

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A Simple "I Love You" for Valentines Day

What's not to love about Valentines Day? Between the chocolate, new episodes of the Bachelor, and all the little I love you's its the one Holiday that has just the right amount of sweet. :) 

BUT, did you notice we said LITTLE I love you's? We just had Christmas roughly 6 weeks ago and yet somehow it seems the gifts we are supposed to be giving for Valentines Day are quite large, expensive, and can we say over the top?

So, while we won't judge anyone who goes all out.... hey, do what works for you and what you want to do. We will say this. Valentines, to us, is about saying I love you. Sweetly, simply, and creatively. 

We wanted to share a few things we will be doing this year to say "I love you," to those closest to us. 

Happy Valentines Day!

 Sole Mates

Leave a simple card or note where your Valentine might not expect it but will leave them smiling. On the driver seat of their car, on their pillow or in a shoe because after all, you are Soul Mates.

Ballon Bath (sans water)

No we haven't lost it. Yet. We have just been cooped up inside for the better part of two weeks with sick kiddies. You find yourself thinking of just about anything for a change of pace since you don't have a change of scenery. We filled up the tub with a pack of balloons from Walmart (.97 cents) and let the kids toss them around in the tub before getting them out and playing in the house with them for several days. Would be a fun surprise for Valentines morning with a little note as kids hit the shower to get cleaned up for the day. 

Be A Sucker

We found these suckers at Oriental Trading for a few dollars but have seen similar ones at Walmart, Smiths, and Target. Arrange them in a heart shape and leave them where the kids can find them with a Valentine card from you. 

Little Things Mean A lot

My husband has a million and one things going on as I'm sure everyone does. But he takes the time to wash my car in the deep of winter on a cold, cold, day. Sometimes we get so busy we forget the little things that make people feel special. So, whether you do an unpleasant task for someone, bake a plate of cookies, or just drop by for a visit, remember that the little things mean an awful lot.

Heart Attack

Give your husband, boyfriend, kids, or any other lucky recipient a "Heart Attack." Simply write little things you love about them on paper hearts and scatter them around or tape them to a door, wall, or mirror and leave for your Valentine to discover. We added balloons because, why not? Everyone loves them.

Mirror Message

Mirror, Mirror, on the wall. Leave the best love message of all. Use a marker that will erase, or a $1 tube of lipstick from the dollars store and leave messages around the house for little and big to find. It easily washes off when you are done.

Leftover Love

Mini candy canes leftover from Christmas can be put in the oven for 5-10 minutes (300 degrees) and then molded into hearts perfect for a sucker, cake toppers, or cocoa stirrers. Yep thats a word. They are hearts and adorable. Thats all.

Finding Free

Online printables that is. If you are not creative, don't sweat it. Browse the internet for Valentines that can be printed in no time. Bee Mine (below) and a few of our other favorites can be found here. Or simply search Free Valentine Printables on Google to find one you like.

Keep It Simple

Use what you have whatever that may be and realize that it doesn't need to be long, mushy, or perfectly written. A simple I Love You is simply that. I Love You!

Oh and of course.....

Pucker Up Buttercup

Don't forget your furry friends. Pets need love too so give them an extra pat on Valentines Day.

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