Archive for the ‘Ideas and Inspiration’ Category
Halloween…The Countdown Begins
Monday, October 24th, 2011
Halloween is a week away. This means we have seven full days to celebrate all sorts of ghoulish delights. Here’s a list of 10 great ideas for you and your family to get your Halloween on.
1. Let’s start with the obvious—costumes. Heather had a great round up on (cool)progeny. I especially appreciated her thoughts on what being the “perfect parent” means to her.
2. I tucked some free printable lunchbox jokes into the kids’ boxes today. They made me laugh!
3. And how about these milkshakes for an after dinner treat? I don’t know if I have the patience to paint chocolate on the inside of a glass, but they sure are cute.
4. Here’s a little Halloween decorating inspiration from our friend Joya. Don’t you just love the playfully spooky effect?
5. Looking for some spooky movies to watch with the kids? Classic Play critics offer their reviews of popular family Halloween movies.
6. Thinking of doing a little Halloween baking? Try these mini muffin tin pumpkin pies from Marie Barron of Make and Takes.
7. Looking for some Halloween science-themed activities for a classroom or kids’ party? One Charming Party came up with some great ones.
8. Searching for Halloween themed games? We have you covered.
9. Try something new this year with the pumpkins—try using cookie cutters to carve them. Modern Kids Messy Parents shows you how.
10. And finally, looking for some amazing inspiration for lunch? Check out this amazing bento box.
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Family Motto
Thursday, September 1st, 2011
I’ve been playing around with the idea of adopting a family motto. Maybe I am inspired by yesterday’s manifesto or maybe I’m just feeling whimsical today. What do you think about these? It seems rather fun to have one, doesn’t it? (more…)
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Activities for When You’re Stuck Inside Because of a Hurricane
Friday, August 26th, 2011
It looks like many of us east coasters are going to be stuck inside this weekend. Have no fear, your self-appointed activities director is here with a list of 25 ideas (using stuff you probably already have around the house) to keep the kids entertained while riding out the storm.
1. Make instruments out of straws and form a band. Give yourselves a band name.
2. Make Paper Dolls, Robot Style
3. Pretend you’re going on a trip. Just bring this outdoor activity inside.
4. Give the kids your smart phone and a list and send them on an indoor photo scavenger hunt.
5. Become a milliner.
6. Make puppets and put on a show.
7. Transform a paper bag into something new.
8. Brush up on your walkie talkie lingo or make up a language all your own.
9. Grab a piece of paper, some crayons and draw a story.
10. Get your fortune read. Read someone else’s.
11. Have a staring contest.
12. If you have electricity, make a movie.
13. Throw yourselves a bubble party.
14. Tell stories.
15. Turn a room into a museum.
16. Make lava lamps.
17. Play a game of war, go fish or try your hand at building a house of cards.
18. Write each other notes in invisible ink.
19. See if you can make it through a maze of laser beams.
20. Write secret notes just like the ancient Greeks did.
21. Tell wacky, zany stories.
22. Watch movies.
23. Create a disguise. Don’t forget to come up with a cool alias too.
24. Play charades.
25. Make toys out of whatever you can find.
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The Best of Classic Play! Printables
Monday, August 22nd, 2011
Today I thought we’d have a little fun with archives. Below are links to activities you can print out for the kids to do on their own. They can use the lunch menus to play restaurant, Valentine’s cards to write sweet notes and postcards to write about summer adventures. Hooray for multi-purposing!
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Teeshirt + Fabric Crayons = An Exercise in Writing & Design
Tuesday, August 16th, 2011
This morning, my guy grabbed an old teeshirt out of his wardrobe and a package of fabric crayons. Then he raced over to me and asked if he could design his own teeshirt. “Sure,” I said. It’s an old tee and what’s the harm in him doodling a bit.
Posted in Arts & Crafts, Ideas and Inspiration, Parenting | 2 Comments »
Cars
Monday, August 15th, 2011
Have a car obsess kid? Me too. Here are three fun arts & crafts activities made especially for them.
1. DIY Play Mat
2. DIY Cars
3. Vintage Cars & Paper Mache Helmets
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Home
Sunday, August 14th, 2011
Late last night, we arrived home after a week long vacation in the Outer Banks. It was the first time we rented a beach house with another family. We had an amazing time. I can’t wait to share details and pictures next week, including our day trip to the island of Ocracoke, NC.
It’s good to be home, mostly. Of course there are clothes to wash, groceries to buy and preparations for a new school year to be made. For now though, I think I’ll let my mind stay in vacation mode for just a little bit longer.
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Harry Potter Party
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011
I am a big fan of JK Rowling and the Harry Potter series. So naturally, when my friend Cindy invited us to check out the Harry Potter party she and her daughters put together to celebrate the final film, we ran right over.
This is the second time Cindy has thrown this themed party—once a couple years ago for her eldest and then a couple weekends ago for both her daughters and their friends. I pretty much consider her an expert and bow to her creativity, attention to detail, and ability to make everything fun.
I asked Cindy if she wouldn’t mind me sharing some of the party here. Below are a few photos and links to help you plan a Harry Potter party of your own.
Posted in Features, Ideas and Inspiration, Parties & Celebrations | 5 Comments »
