Kid Friendly Archives - Page 33 of 33

Feature Friday-Homemaking Fun (Kid Friendly Activities)

June 5, 2009 By Michelle Barneck 8 Comments

Today’s Feature Friday is Jadi from Homemaking Fun and she has come just in time with a whole bunch of summer entertainment ideas for the kiddos. I decided to do things just a little differently this time. In addition to featuring some of Jadi’s great ideas I have included the 1-minute interview just for fun.

· What is your favorite crafting tool or secret weapon?

I don’t know if a cricut machine counts for a favorite crafting tool but I LOVE my cricut machine.

· How do you come up with your party themes?

I get ideas for parties from books, seeing something cute at a store, or from the internet. I love trying new things.

· What is your favorite tradition or creative activity with kids?

I have a few favorite traditions. I like to bake a giant gingerbread man at Christmas time. We read the book, follow a trail of candies to find the missing gingerbread man, and then finish the evening with a craft. I also enjoy helping my kids decorate a treasure box to leave out for the leprechauns for St. Patrick’s Day. OK, I guess I have several favorite traditions because I also love Easter. The Easter Bunny hides my kids colored eggs and then leaves clues they have to follow to find their baskets.

· What’s on your front door?

I don’t have anything on my front door. I tried to put a wreath up when we moved in but the storm door wouldn’t close so I had to take it down. (Don’t you hate it when functionality hampers creativity)

Watermelon Sugar Cookies
Aren’t these so fun for summer? Jadi makes them using food coloring in sugar cookies and frosting. You could even take it a step further and dye the frosting using watermelon Jell-O. I have never tried this so it may be gross, just a thought. 🙂
A Teddy Bear Picnic
This is a great activity you could do with the kids when they get the “bored”s. Most of us already have everything needed around the house.
I love these little bear sandwiches. I did hearts on Valentine’s, but the bears are oh so cute!
A Bug Themed Evening
Oh how I love a good theme. How about lady bugs, worms, and ants for dinner? My little bug would LOVE this! I came around the corner to find him with his finger in a snail shell the other day. Yuck!

Cute little worm dog, but I’m not sure I will ever look at a hot dog the same again.

She kept the kids busy with this cute craft while she got dinner ready. Googly eyes are the best!

You could even add these treats from her other posts Butterfly apple snack or Spider Cookies.

Shaped French Toast
I just bought the same little dinosaur cutter for my little guy at Walmart! This just makes me love french toast that much more!

Dino Themed Storytime
A Super neat idea for your aspiring Paleantologist! There’s nothing like playing with your food!

Drive-In Movie Night
I adore these box cars! How fun for everyone to decorate and have their own little spot! I love the concession stand with fake money too!

If you cannot tell by now, I am totally biased toward boys. Since that is all I have (for now). But, Jadi had just as many amazing ideas with frilly girly themes so be sure to go check her out. There was so much more I wanted to share, but I guess I better stop so you have plenty to explore on your own!

Great ideas Jadi! You are now entered in to the Hall of Fame as Tipper of the Week!

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Make Your Own Kiddy Pool Ball Pit

June 3, 2009 By Michelle Barneck 1 Comment

Here’s a quick boredom buster for the kiddos. We bought a tiny pool for my little guy last summer for him to splash in. When the weather started to cool my friend Melissa had her’s in the house to corral her little girls stuffed animals which gave me an idea. Why not fill it with balls and make ball pit? It was a great way to make use of it over the winter months and I want a bigger pool for the little one now so I just left this one in the playroom and am on the hunt for a great new pool that both of us can splash in. I am a big kid at heart!

From what I found, Toys R Us had the best price. I got 100 balls for $10. But, do not be fooled, 100 balls is not a lot. It is basically one layer on the bottom of the pool, thus the addition of the balloons. you can get a pack of 250 for $25 if you would like a splashable amount. My little guy seemed content so I did not bother getting more. Plus, I wanted this to be a small budget transformation. It is a small pool for swimmers, but we had three little kids piled in it on Saturday for ball flinging fun.

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Last Minute General Conference Ideas for Kids

April 3, 2009 By Michelle Barneck 1 Comment

General Conference is a great time for the LDS faith as we get to hear from our beloved leaders speaking to us on inspired subjects. It is two days of uplifting and motivating talks delivered by wonderful Christlike examples.

That said and though it is televised for many of us in the comfort of our own home, it sometimes be hard on the little ones. So, why not make it fun for them by providing something for them to do besides sit and listen? I never was good at that when I was young.

I found some really fun General Conference packets to print out for the kids:

Deseret Book’s My Conference Booklet
Melanie from Sugardoodle’s 2009 General Conference Packet (Love her! She is great!)
Tara on Sugardoodle General Conference April 2009 Packet

Here is Conference Bingo from years past

When I was young, each of the kids would spread out a blanket and that was their “zone.” We would bring a few snacks and quiet entertainment like coloring pages, beads to make jewelry, etc. This kept us busy so we wouldn’t go crazy, but quiet so we could still listen. The zones worked out really well because every one would stay in their own space unless invited so there were no “she took my spot” or “she’s in my space” issues.

Have a great weekend and enjoy Conference!

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Fishful Thinking

March 31, 2009 By Michelle Barneck 2 Comments

My friend, Lolli over at Life is Sweet has been talking about Fishful thinking, which is a focus on helping your kids be optimistic. What a great characteristic! I think I could use a bit more of that. Today my hubby has the day off (Yahoo!) and I decided to make it a day full of fun and fish.

Here is our plan to make it a fun filled fishy day:
Breakfast: Marshmallow Mateys (Malt O Meal’s version of Lucky Charms with a nautical theme)
1st Activity: Visit our local Aquarium to learn about all kinds of fish. They even have a little area for the kids to touch starfish, stingrays, and a few other things. (I am getting a membership today. It is $16 for a year! It pays for itself in two visits!)
Lunch: Tuna Fish Sandwiches
We will fit a nap in here somehwere. 🙂
Snack: Goldfish crackers & Shark fruit snacks (picked these up at Macey’s a while ago for 88 cents a box!)
2nd Activity: Visiting Petsmart to pick up a new little friend (something that fits in our little fish bowl and is super low maintenance)
Dinner: Halibut and Fries from Arctic Circle(We have to be quick because I have to run to a meeting @ 5:30 and they are so yummy! Plus, we have a coupon!)