Kids

Summer Park Packs for the Kids


May 24, 2017

 I realize that the point of a trip to the park or the backyard play set is to let the kids play on park equipment and get out their energy. However, lately by kids seem to get bored rather quickly and/or start fighting with each other when they should be having fun. Shocking right.

So while cleaning up the house today, I thought it would be a good idea to put together some more "Park Packs" that we can use throughout the summer. I gathered up some small toys that either aren't being used much inside or would be fun to play with at the park or in the backyard. I put each group of things together in a sack or bag and put them all by the door so they are ready for me to grab when we are headed out.

 The other thing I like about these is its a good way for kids to really play, be creative, and use their imagination. It gets them moving, away from screens, and lets you either play with them or have a moment of downtime while they play nicely with each other.

Pirate goods to pretend any playground is a pirate ship. 

DIY capes with broken nerf guns makes for perfect Superhero play.

Make your own superhero capes out of Dads old shirts. Just cut the sleeves and front of the shirt off. Leave the collar to go around the kids neck. The sleeves make excellent masks! 

Bug Catchers from the Dollar Store that have a built in magnifying glass can be used for all kinds of fun.

 Dinosaurs, Sand shovels, and bug catchers make a great pack for a sandy park for dinosaur excavation.



Balls of every size work great for parks with slides or to throw, kick, (or roll with babies.)

Kaladiascopes, plastic toy dog bones, and plastic dogs for a pack about dog catching or hunting or whatever else they dream up. You can find packs of Kaladiascopes at Walmart for a dollar or two on the party aisle.


 Sandwich containers can be used for snacks or to keep smaller items in to take to the park. 

If you feel like you don't have anything to use head to the local dollar store. You can pick up a few things on the cheap and not worry about it spending the summer outside or getting lost. They also have all kinds of containers for snacks or to put your items in.


Our Best Easter Bunny Finds


April 3, 2017

Our best Bunny finds from around town this year and our favorite Bunny books in case you are looking for some goodies. Get out there if you haven't. Easter stuff is going quick. 

Best Bunny Books
Peter Cotton Tails Busy Day by Joseph R Ritchie
Big Bad Bunny by Melanie Joyce
Are You Ready for Bed by Jane Johnson
One More Rabbit by Margaret Wise Brown 
The Tale Of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
The Night Before Easter by Natasha Wing
The Biggest Easter Basket Ever by Steven Kroll
Its Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler

Stuffed Bunny Rabbits
Smiths has the cutest little stuffed bunnies that are the perfect size for an Easter basket for $1. They also have lambs, frogs, and pigs.

Some Bunny Loves You Treat Bag
Turn a brown lunch sack into a bunny perfect for Easter. See tutorial here. 

Easter Bunny Fruit Tray
Blueberries, pineapple, strawberries and kiwi shaped just so make the cutest edible bunny. Whiskers are pieces of string cheese. 


Rabbit Egg Grabbers
.98 cents at Walmart will score you a pair of these bunny egg grabbers that make egg dying a little more fun and hopefully a little cleaner for mom. 


Chocolate Bunnies
My kids informed me that one of the Easter Bunny's "Must Brings" is a chocolate rabbit so I snatched these up at Walmart for a dollar before they disappear.

Bunny Banner
This is from Target last year but you could easily cut these shapes or other bunny shapes and make a banner with small clothes pins and twine. 


Bunny Bags
Target for the win on these. Bunnies are $3, carrots are $1 each.

Ears
An Easter must have for little ones and pictures on the big day. Bunny beanie from Target. Ears from the dollar store.

Paper Plates
These are a Walmart find but I have seen plates at Target, the Dollar Store, Smiths and nearly every grocery store around town. Act quick and they are $1.


Target Finds
Best place for Holiday decor is Targets Dollar Spot hands down because you can get something new for the season without breaking the bank. The bunny on the left is there this year. The bunny on the right was from years past. $3 bucks each.

More goodies at the target dollar spot, both the stickers and the spring garland!! 

Golden Bunny Flats 30% off right now!! Momma and daughter LOVE them! 



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Saint Patricks Day Homemade Oreos


March 9, 2017

We make these cookies several times a year and they are usually gone in one sitting. They are just so good. So for St. Patty's Day we tinted the frosting green and called it a Holiday treat. ;) You are welcome.

Homemade Oreos

1 Devils Food Cake Mix
1/2 Cup Shortening
2 Eggs
Tub of Vanilla Frosting

Mix all ingredients together.
Roll the couch into dime-sized balls and place on a cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.
Cool cookies.

Place desired amount of frosting in-between two cookies.
Optional- use green food coloring for St. Pattys Day.





DIY Valentines Heart Tee Shirt


February 10, 2017




Surfing the internet last week for Valentine ideas for my boys and amid all of the Valentine goodness I found a grey and pink dress from Target and a pin on Pinterest for a DIY tote bag with a heart and paint dots. I ended up merging the idea together and helped my boys make a Valentine Tee for their cute little cousin. 

Pretty self explanatory from the picture. But......
Items Needed:
  • Colored Tee shirt of your choice
  • Craft Paints
  • Cardboard Heart
  • Pencils or Paint Brush
  • Magazine or Cardboard to go in between the shirt



Instructions:
  • Place the cardboard or magazine inside the shirt to avoid the paint bleeding through to the back.
  • Place the cardboard heart on the shirt where you would like it. I used a bit of masking tape on the back just to keep it in place.

  • Choose your paint colors and either the end of a pencil or the tail end of a paint brush and start making dots along the edge of the heart.

  • Keep the dots heavier on the edge of the heart and more spaced away from the heart.

  • Alternate colors until you have the desired look.






DIY Pottery Barn Heart Pillowcases


February 2, 2017

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
Megyn Jordyn © . Quinn Creatives .