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Crafts & Activities

Simple New Year’s Eve Tradition for Families: Our Favorite Memories Celebration

This simple New Year’s Eve tradition for families is a fun way to remember your family’s favorite parts of the year in a meaningful way.

This simple New Year's Eve tradition for families is a fun way to remember your family's favorite parts of the year in a meaningful way.

I’m pretty sure everyone is in agreement by now: 2020 has been rough!

Our family, like so many others, has been turned a little upside down this year by pandemic-related challenges like cancelled family reunions, homeschool/virtual school, and going completely stir crazy from the isolation. Add to that the normal non-COVID-related challenges of life (like cancer) and I’m really looking forward to a fresh start for 2021.

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4-in-1 Christmas Scavenger Hunt for Kids (free printable)

This free printable Christmas scavenger hunt activity bundle is a simple way to get festive with the family this season. Print once, and use it four different ways for hours of holiday fun!

This free printable Christmas scavenger hunt pack is a simple way to get festive with the family this season. Print once, and use it four different ways for hours of holiday fun!

To all the tired moms out there (I’m raising my hand with you!), repeat after me:

Making Christmas memorable does NOT have to be complicated.

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Christmas Sudoku for Kids (free printable!)

Need a no-prep Christmas activity to entertain your little elves this holiday season? Challenge them to solve one of these free printable Christmas sudoku puzzles for kids!

Need a no-prep Christmas activity to entertain your little elves this holiday season? Challenge them to solve one of these free printable Christmas sudoku puzzles for kids!

Lately, I can’t seem to decide whether to be shocked that it’s already December or thrilled that 2020 is almost over.

Either way, Christmas is coming, and that means my kids are acting out “Santa Claus comes down the chimney” in their bedroom each night (which means they take turns putting on a Santa hat and squirming down through the space between their bunk bed and the wall to bring “gifts” to each other…I have no idea where they come up with these ideas).

It also means it’s time to break out the holiday activities!

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Gift Guide: Outdoorsy gifts for kids who love to explore

These outdoorsy gifts for kids are both practical and fun–perfect for budding scientists who love to explore the world around them!

These outdoorsy gifts for kids are both practical and fun--perfect for budding scientists who love to explore the world around them!
Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links to products discussed. As always, feel free to shop around for the best deals. See my disclosure to learn more.

Have you made your Christmas list yet? I have a goal this year to have all my shopping done by the first week of December. I want everything wrapped and done early so that I can focus on enjoying the season with my family.

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Halloween at home: How to make this year fun and memorable

Here are 14 simple ways to make celebrating Halloween at home just as much fun as trick-or-treating!

Here are some simple ways to make celebrating Halloween at home just as much fun as trick-or-treating!

Note: This post contains affiliate links to products that I have used and loved. See my disclosure to learn more.

This year has required us to do A LOT of things differently than we’ve done them in the past…including Halloween. Sometimes I get bummed by all the traditions that we can’t do this year, but I also have to remind myself that different can be good.

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Halloween Sudoku for Kids (free printable!)

Need a no-prep Halloween activity to entertain your little goblins this Halloween? Challenge them to solve one of these free printable Halloween sudoku puzzles for kids!

Halloween is approaching, and my kids are getting excited! We’re doing all the pumpkin activities and listening to Monster Mash on repeat.

In the name of combining learning with fun fall festivities, I created this simple Halloween printable activity that my kids loved!

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6 fabulous story podcasts for kids

Whether you’re looking for a way to keep peace in the car, fill the time until dinner, or calm down before bedtime, these story podcasts for kids will become your new favorite family pastime!

Whether you're looking for a way to keep peace in the car, fill the time until dinner, or calm down before bedtime, these story podcasts for kids will become your new favorite family pastime!

Are you a podcast-listener? I wasn’t…until about a year ago when I finally dipped my toe in the water. Once I’d had a taste, I jumped enthusiastically on the bandwagon.

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Free printable shape flashcards + 11 creative ways to use them

These free printable shape flashcards + hands-on learning activities give you everything you need to help your child master basic two- and three-dimensional shapes in fun and creative ways.

Note: This post contains affiliate links to products that I have used and loved. See my disclosure to learn more.

It’s back to school season! I usually love this time of year, with the hubbub and excitement of new teachers, new shoes, new friends, and new things to learn.

This year has been….hard. To say the least. We’re starting the year virtually, and everything feels a little uncertain and uncomfortable.

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Why every child needs an inventor box + how to create one

Forget buying kids expensive toys…instead, create a no-cost inventor box (AKA – tinker box) that will inspire endless hours of creative play and STEM exploration.

Forget buying kids expensive toys…instead, create a no-cost inventor box (AKA - tinker box) that will inspire endless hours of creative play and STEM exploration.

Note: This post contains affiliate links to products that I have used and loved. See my disclosure to learn more.

My six-year-old wants to be an inventor when he grows up. And, honestly, I won’t be a bit surprised if that’s exactly what he becomes. He is constantly creating, imagining, and experimenting with something.

Yes, sometimes it drives me crazy. His big ideas have no bounds (hooray!), but he has a habit of leaving behind a trail of debris (we’re working on that one).

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How to beat the heat: 9 ice play activities for kids

If you feel like you’re melting in the summer heat, these ice play activities will cool things off while you learn and play with your kids!

If you feel like you're melting in the summer heat, these ice play activities will cool things off while you learn and play with your kids!

Note: This post contains affiliate links to products that I have used and loved. See my disclosure to learn more.

I grew up in central California where summers literally got hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk. August was downright brutal, with highs that hovered near 110 degrees!

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