Tag Archives: Age

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Rated: PG Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is a movie that the whole family will enjoy. It is filled with just enough peril and danger to make it exciting yet it teaches a lesson in taking care of your family no matter how differently your family may be or who your family consists of. The main characters in this movie were wooly mammoth husband and wife, Manny and Ellie, squirrels Scrat and love interest/nut competitor, Scratte, possums Crash and Eddie, weasel Buck, Sid the sloth, and Diego the sabre-toothed tiger. There is also Rudy, the feared dinosaur of gigantic … Continue reading →

Money Saving Decor Projects

Sure it would be nice to have a showroom of a home, complete with the finest accessories and decor, but hey, that just isn’t reality, or is it? I’ve come across some cool projects that we can do ourselves. For a hour or less and a little pocket change, we can wind up with stunning pieces to accessorize our homes. For some reason, I wanted to focus on home craft projects that involve glass. I think this is because my recycling bin always seems to be overflowing with glass jars and bottles. Why not turn all of that glass into … Continue reading →

Last-Minute Easter Games and Crafts

Peter Cottontail is prepping to hop down the Easter trail on Sunday, which means you have less than three days to prepare for his arrival. Forget about the traditional egg hunts and vinegar-based coloring parties; instead opt for these simple and affordable activities that will have your kids hopping with excitement: PIN THE EGG ON THE BUNNY Materials: Poster board Markers Construction paper Double-stick tape Scissors Directions: Use the poster board to draw a large Easter bunny, standing on its hind legs, and holding its paws out as if it were carrying an egg. Tape the drawing onto the wall. … Continue reading →

Easy and Affordable Easter Decorations

Why empty your wallet purchasing expensive Easter decorations when you can make adorable holiday decor on your own without breaking a sweat or the bank. The following simple Easter activities are ideal for festive families living on a budget: BUNNY PRINTS Once your kids are in bed grab an old shoebox lid and cut out big bunny paw prints and use them as stencils. Next, strategically place the stencils in various spots in and around your house and sprinkle baking soda in each. Lift up the stencils to reveal cute white bunny paw prints. (Note: The baking soda vacuums up … Continue reading →

Unique Spring Flower Crafts

Spring has not exactly sprung here in the Upper Midwest, which means it is highly unlikely that we will be seeing tulips or daffodils blossoming in time for Easter. However, instead of lamenting about our lack of flowers I’ve decided to make my own to use as decorations for the upcoming holiday. These candy floral creations are simple to craft, and best of all, they last a lot longer than real flowers. CANDY SUNFLOWERS Materials: 1 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup 1 package Reese’s Pieces Candy or M&Ms 2 yards of 1 1/2-inch wide wired yellow ribbon 1-12-inch length of heavy-duty … Continue reading →

St. Patrick’s Day Crafts for Preschoolers

St. Patrick’s Day is less than two weeks away, and while the occasion is not surrounded by as much pomp and pageantry as Easter or Valentine’s Day, it’s still a great reason to gather the kids for a day of craft making. The following green-themed crafts are ideal for younger children, who are eager to craft on their own, but don’t mind getting a helping hand from mom or dad once in a while: DECORATIVE SHAMROCKS Materials: Safety scissors Glue Green construction paper Fruit Loops (you can substitute with colored macaroni) Markers or crayons Glitter glue Glitter Sequins Directions: Draw … Continue reading →

Fun Ways to Get Kids Excited About Writing

I don’t have to cajole my daughter into writing anything. At 4 years old she is only too happy to print her favorite words on everything from construction paper to paper towels. However, if you have a child who would rather pick up the TV remote than a pencil, then this craft is for you. Writing is a lot more fun when you have a fuzzy friend keeping you company. The following project yields an adorable pencil pal made of chenille. This particular craft makes a perfectly pudgy pig to connect to the end of your child’s writing tool, but … Continue reading →

Making Mardi Gras Fun for Kids

Mardi Gras doesn’t have to be all about booze and boobs. Forget about partying in New Orleans. Instead, stay home and have some good clean fun with your kids. Here are some simple craft projects to help celebrate the countdown to Lent: MARDI GRAS CROWNS Materials: Metallic Crowns (available at party stores, dollar stores and other discount retailers) Sequins and/or Gemstones Craft Glue Glitter Stapler Directions: Glue sequins or gemstones to crown. Add dabs of glue to various spots on crown. Sprinkle glitter on glue. Shake off excess glitter. Size crown and slide tab into the slot. Staple to hold … Continue reading →

Fun Mardi Gras Craft Projects for the Entire Family

My daughter is counting down the days until Fat Tuesday. While we don’t have plans to party hearty in New Orleans, the day before Ash Wednesday is traditionally when I allow my preschooler to choose not one, but two treats at our local bakery. It’s not exactly, a gorge-fest with booze and beads, but she’s just four and the simple outing makes her happy. Another Fat Tuesday activity that makes her happy is listed below. I try to do at least a couple craft projects with her to celebrate the day. The projects are simple, affordable, and yield cute results. … Continue reading →

Homemade Valentine’s Decorations

Whether you are hosting a Valentine’s Day party, or you simply want to make your home more festive for your family, these easy Love Day decorations are sure to please. In fact, the paper crafts are so simple to make, your children could put them together themselves. When you are done display your handiwork in open spaces for everyone to enjoy. LOVE BUG Materials: Construction Paper Pipe Cleaners Googly Eyes Black Marker Paint Glitter Glue Doilies Directions: Trace and cut a large heart shape out of construction paper. Trace and cut a smaller heart shape out of a different color … Continue reading →