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Back-to-School Traditions for You to Start

August 21, 2021 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

There are many different feelings associated with that back-to-school time of year. Whether you dread it or love it, there are ways to make it more fun and meaningful for the whole family. Back to school traditions provide positive associations that can ease the transition for your kids, year after year. Here are some back to school traditions to start!

Back To School Traditions

Help kids in need

While you’re filling backpacks for your own kids, start a tradition to fill up a backpack or two to donate to a local shelter or low-income school. There are so many kids who don’t have the supplies they need. Make it a fun tradition to let your kids plan out what needs to go in the backpack, and then let them help you shop.

Have a back-to-school feast

Many families enjoy holding a back-to-school feast for the whole family to celebrate all the good things the new school year holds. This can be done the night before, or the evening of the first day. It’s a time to make the kids feel special and let them share how the first day went. Let them help plan the menu. You can even toast to a fun year with non-alcoholic sparkling cider!

Personalized pencils

Another fun way to celebrate the start of a new school year is to give your kids personalized pencils. You can order them at Amazon for less than $1 per pencil. Your kids will enjoy having their own, clearly marked pencils to start each year.

Parents only

This is a fun one for parents–once the kids are off on the first day, celebrate with a parents-only breakfast. Whether you go out to your favorite brunch spot or just enjoy some time on the patio, it’s a great way kick off your first kid-free hours. No one will argue that you deserve it!

Before you go, check out this post on super simple tips for school picture day!

10 Musical Instrument Crafts for Kids

July 31, 2021 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

Kids, easy crafts for kids, and noise go hand-in-hand. Children love when things make noise, and while this can be annoying for parents, it’s a good way for them to use their creativity. Professional musical instruments are expensive, and kids may be too rough with them. Fortunately, instruments can be made. Here are 10 musical instrument crafts for preschoolers and toddlers.

Musical Instrument Crafts For Preschoolers and Toddlers

1. Container Drums

Empty oatmeal containers make the best drums, but potato chip containers work too. Encourage your kid to decorate the containers with construction paper. Then, add skins to the homemade drums. Pencils or wood dowels make perfect drum sticks.

2. Metal Washer Chimes

Easy musical instrument crafts for preschoolers and toddlers include making a metal washer chime. This one may be easier on the ears. To make it, collect metal washers that are different sizes. You’ll also need yarn and a ruler. Cut the yarn and tie it to the ruler. Be sure to keep space between the yarn strings. Then, tie the washers to the yarn strands, forming a chime.

3. Easter Egg Maracas

If you have old plastic Easter eggs lying around, turn them into maracas. Instruct your kids to gather pebbles from outside. The next step is to put them in the plastic eggs and tape them shut. Once your kids have decorated the eggs, they’ll be ready to play their maracas. If you don’t have any old Easter eggs, you can get them at Michael’s.

4. Shoebox Guitars

Crafts for kids include making guitars out of shoeboxes. The only materials needed for this project are an old shoebox, rubber bands and glue.

5. Musical Anklets

With musical anklets, you’ll know where your kids are at all times. Your toddler is sure to have fun wearing them since they make a thrilling jingly noise every time he or she moves. To make them, you’ll need felt, glue and bells.

6. Popsicle Harmonica

When it comes to easy crafts for kids, you won’t find many easier to make than this popsicle harmonica. Made from popsicle sticks, paper, toothpicks and a few rubber bands, a popsicle harmonica is sure to keep your little ones happy for hours.

7. Hardware-Inspired French Horn

An online visit to a hardware store like Hoss Tools is all that it takes to get the supplies for a hardware-inspired French horn. A funnel, some tubing and your favorite connectors can be turned into a French horn, one that will have your kids playing their own tune.

8. PVC Xylophone

You’ll have to help build a PVC xylophone, but this craft for kids is the real deal. To make it, you’ll need PVC pipe along with some wood for the frame. Consider marking the top of each pipe with colored tape to indicate the different cords.

9. Toilet Paper Roll Kazoos

Kazoos are noisy fun, the kind that inspire young musicians. Making toilet paper roll kazoos is simple since all you need are empty toilet paper rolls, rubber bands and wax paper. This homemade instrument is one that your kids can decorate, so be sure to break out the markers.

10. Singing Straws

Singing straws are a homemade musical instrument that is easy to make and affordable. At the store, pick up a box of multicolored straws and some yarn. Cut the bottom of the straws at an angle and be sure to cut each one a different length. Then, form holes lengthwise across the top of each straw. String the yarn through the holes and let your kids make beautiful music.

Looking for more craft ideas for kids? Check out this post on easy bird feeder crafts for kids!

Homemade musical instruments were found at Mom Junction, Moms and Crafters and Play Ideas.

12 Fun Things to Do With Toddlers During the Summer

July 24, 2021 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

As most of you know, it can be tricky to keep toddlers entertained during the summer. Here is a list of fun things to do with a toddler in summer! They will have so much fun.

12 Fun Things to Do With Toddlers During the Summer| Toddler Activities for Summer, Summer Activities for Toddlers, Kid Stuff, Educational Summer Activities for Kids, Summer Activities for Kids, Kid Crafts, Crafts for Toddlers, Popular Pin

Things To Do With A Toddler In Summer

1. CARdboard Drive-In Theater

Invite a few friends over this summer for a drive-in movie in these super fun cardboard cars! Kids would love to design and decorate their own cruiser! How fun are the popcorn trays?! Find more car building tips here.

2. Storytime At Library

Get your toddler excited about reading this summer by taking them to story time at the local library or bookstore. It can also be a great way to meet some new friends. You can find a map of all the local libraries in your area here.

3. Chalk It Up!

Chalk up some fun with your Little Picasso by creating chalk masterpieces on your driveway or sidewalk. For an extra bit of fun, make your own environment-friendly chalk paint.

4. Wet ‘n Wild

Get a little wet ‘n wild this summer by playing in the sprinklers with your toddler. No need to go to splash pads and water parks when you can have just as much fun in your front yard. For an especially fun time, you can make your own waterfall sprinklers. Check out the DIY instructions from from Lindsay & Andrew.

5. Star Tours

Go on a tour of the stars with your little Astronomer by spending an evening stargazing under the sky. Take some time before heading outside to read books about stars and have fun making or drawing your own constellation examples. Get more ideas and info from Edventures With Kids.

6. Make Way For Ducklings

Take your toddler to a nearby park or pond to feed the ducks. Creating happy memories of feeding ducks with Mom or Dad should be something every child gets to experience. But while you’re building those memories with your toddler, remember to also be careful of WHAT you feed the ducks. Most of the foods we traditionally think of sharing with our feathered friends (popcorn, bread, crackers, etc.), are actually the worst foods for them! Read more about how to better feed those duckies here. This is one of my favorite things to do with a toddler in summer!

7. Goat to the Farm

Spend an afternoon at a local farm. Many farms will offer tours and have petting zoos that you can enjoy with your little one. Check out the database of farms on Localharvest.org to locate farms nearest your home.

8. FAIRly Fun

Enjoy a night out at the country fair. While some of the games and rides may not be appropriate for toddlers, there are plenty of alternative activities made just for younger children. Try the carousel, pony rides, petting zoos, and inflatable bouncers. Visit Countyfairgrounds.net for a list of fairs in your state.

9. Man the Fort!

Man the fort this summer by, well, building the fort. I don’t know what it is about building a tiny space out of blankets, sheets, and pillows but it sure is a hit with Little Engineers! Turn the space into a reading nook, movie theater, or tent to create some extra special summer memories. Get some fort building tips here.

10. We’re Going On A Bear Nature Hunt

Head outside for a nature hunt! Your Little Explorer will love the challenge and you can easily turn it in to a learning activity as well. Double points for Mom! Download a free nature hunt card here.

11. No Scream, Ice Cream

I’ll admit that when I first heard the idea of making ice cream with a toddler, I scoffed. But after hearing how successful others were with the activity, I decided to give it a try and I have to say, it went pretty well! I recommend using zip-top plastic bags instead of regular push and seal bags. Read more tips and suggestions from Busy Toddler.

12. Come Fly With Me

Have a fun afternoon flying kites in the park. After having fun with a real kite, let your toddler have a turn as well. However, since flying a real kite will most likely be too tricky for little arms and legs, let them be more successful with a plastic bag. Plastic bag kites are surprisingly fun!

I hope you enjoyed this list of things to do with a toddler in summer! Looking for more ideas? Check out this post on dollar tree toys perfect for summer fun.

Science Fair Project Ideas for Kids

July 17, 2021 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

Science fair projects for elementary kids can be easy and interesting. Along with inspiring your kids to like science, these types of projects also teach them how to give presentations to others and explain how things work. Here are a few science fair project ideas for elementary kids.

Science Fair Project Ideas

Taco Sauce Cleaner

Your kids are sure to enjoy the taco sauce cleaner science project. For this experiment, collect a handful of dirty pennies, taco sauce, vinegar, tomato paste and small plates. The plates will be the petri dish. To complete the project, your little science experimenter will need to cover the pennies with different ingredients to see which one does the best job of cleaning them.

Milk that Changes Colors

This science project teaches kids about molecules. To give it a go, they’ll need milk, a plate, dish-washing soap, cotton swabs and food coloring in red, blue, green and yellow. The first step is to cover the bottom of a dinner plate completely. Then, add one drop of each color of the food coloring to the milk. Use a cotton swab to touch each color to see what happens. Next, apply a drop of dish soap to the cotton swab and touch the colors again. Your kids will be amazed by the results.

Science Fair Project Ideas for Kids| Science Fair Projects, Science Fair Projects for Elementary, Science Fair Projects for Kids, Science Fair Projects for Middle School, Science Fair Boards, kids crafts #ScienceFairProjectIdeas #ScienceFairProjectsforKids #ScienceFairProjects

Crash Test Helmets

If your kids decide to try this science fair project, they’ll be learning about how safety trials work and how to make a lab report. This experiment’s list of equipment includes a bike helmet, skateboard helmet, ski helmet and a small football helmet. You’ll also need to gather a camera, ladder, tarp and a measuring tape. Keep in mind that this is an outside project since your kids will be dropping helmeted melons from a height of about 8 feet to 10 feet. Fanatics sells a variety of helmets including football and bicycle helmets.

Make Fruit Batteries

Your kids might find it hard to believe that fruit can provide power. Because of this, they’re sure to enjoy experimenting with the alternate source of power. Lemons are a popular choice for making a fruit battery, but encourage your kids to try other kinds of fruit to see which one works best. Along with fruit, the project requires galvanized nails, a light to power, copper and alligator clip wires. You can order most of the things that you’ll need for this science project from Hardware World.

Lava Lamp

When it comes to science fair projects for elementary age kids, you can’t go wrong by encouraging them to try the lava lamp experiment. For this project, you’ll need a plastic soda bottle, food coloring, water, an Alka-Seltzer tablet and vegetable oil. The lava lamp project will teach your kids about the relationship between oil and water in the area of density. It will also let them experiment with the chemical reaction that occurs between a base and an acid. This is one of my favorite science fair project ideas!

Projects one, two and three are from Parenting.

Project four came from KidsActivities.com.

We found the lava lamp project at Home Science Tools.

Find more science projects for kids here:

Valentines Day Science Experiments for All Kids

Seriously Cool 5 Minute Science Projects for Kids

Super Simple Tips for School Picture Day

July 3, 2021 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

Picture day tips should make your life as a parent a lot easier and also help your child feel their best. Think back to how many times you have looked at your school pictures and cringed. You would have loved these tips.

Picture Day Tips

I’m a full time teacher when I’m not blogging. One of the unexpected roles that comes along with teaching is that of a hair and clothing stylist when it comes to school photos. I’m constantly asked to fix fancy hairdos and pull magic tricks to clean clothes that have become dirty throughout the day. I can’t claim any special skills but, nevertheless, parents ask me questions every year like I’m some kind of Nat Geo photographer or something.

I decided to be one step ahead of the questions this year and do some research on the FAQs I hear most often. Here are super simple tips for school picture day.

Picture Day Tips-Outfits

Help your child select clothing that will compliment their appearance. You want the focus of the picture to be your child, not loud colors, symbols, or slogans. Keep jewelry to a minimum for the same reasons. Also, don’t count on head or torso shots only. Many photography companies are now including body shots with their products.

Cute young man dressed for school pictures.

Glasses

Glasses are completely fine to wear for picture day! Professional photographers have learned how to work some magic when it comes to reducing glare and flash. And besides, if your child wears glasses, they will feel more comfortable wearing them for the photo.

Hair

Hair is probably the topic of 70% of the questions I answer for parents about picture day. Students can technically style their hair any way they’d like so long as it meets school dress code standards, but it’s recommended that you help your child look their best. Keep it simple but also well thought out. Leave the crazy, silly hairdos at home, especially in today’s digital world where you can take fun photos any other time you’d like. Depending on how your child’s hair grows, you might want to consider getting a haircut a week or so ahead of time to allow hair to grow back to a more natural look.

Picture Day Tips- Kids

It happens every year… a parent is so worried about their child’s pictures that the child becomes anxious as well. And trust me when I say that those nerves show up on camera every. single. time. Of course school pictures are meant to be more on the serious side, but there’s always makeup picture day or even photos simply taken at home on the same day. Do you best to plan for picture day and remind your child just to smile and have fun. Smiles, not strained “perfection”, always win out in the end!

Picture Day Tips-Lunch

There should just be a rule that states that school pictures must be taken in the mornings before any recesses or lunch. If only that were practical in every situation. But as it’s not and some photos end up being taken after lunch, it’s best to take some meal time precautions. Pack a lunch free of any foods that commonly get stuck in teeth. Examples of no-go foods include broccoli, carrots, popcorn, beans, corn, orange, juices, and anything chocolate, (which has an uncanny way of showing up on faces on picture day). Stick with softer foods and items free of skins and seeds.

Skip the Makeup

It seems like every year there are girls in younger and younger grades who are wearing makeup as a serious part of their look. You’d think these kids were going to prom or something! While it’s cute for little girls to play dress up or take glamour shots, it’s really not necessary for anyone below 6th grade to wear cover up. What is there even to cover up?! Imperfections and flaws are PART of a child’s look. They’re part of the charm and cuteness of being a KID!

Young girl wearing make up. School picture day tips.

Now you know these picture day tips, read here for more back to school tips, and here for customizing your child’s school notebooks.

You Should Let Your Kids See You Do These 8 Things

April 21, 2021 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

Parenting can be so difficult sometimes. It’s hard to know what you should and should not let your kids do. Here is a list of things you should let your kid do to help them live their best life.

Halfpintpeeps.com is the ultimate resource for awesome parents! Stop worrying about what you're doing right with simple tips and tricks at your fingertips. Check out these things you should be encouraging your own kids to do.

Things You Should Let Your Kid Do

1. Care For Physical Health

Not just exercise, but let your kids see you taking care of your health in general. This includes healthy food choices, making regular doctor appointments, and taking care of your emotional and spiritual wellbeing as well. Children need to know that it’s good to be active and proactive when it comes to good health and disease prevention.

Things You Should Let Your Kid Do, You Should Let Your Kids See You Do These 8 Things| Parenting, Parenting Hacks, Parenting Tips and Tricks, Parenting Kids, Parenting Boys, Parenting Girls, Popular Pin

2. Serve Others

Giving of our time and talents to other people is, in my opinion, one of the greatest purposes in life. I have found that I am happiest in life when I am serving others in some form or another. It’s one reason I believe I enjoy teaching so much. But make it a point to also step out of your normal routine to volunteer and serve (without grumbling) so that your children can learn from your example.

3. Pursue Your Passions

Let your children see you actively pursue your interests and passions. Let them know that life is best when you are actively seeking to express your creativity and challenging the right side of your brain. Your example will also show them that there’s no need to be afraid of new and challenging pursuits.

4. Budget & Save

While I don’t at all think parents should put their financial stresses and worries on their children, it IS recommended that you show them the importance of creating a budget and living within your means. Help them understand the cost of day-to-day living as well as the cost of education, entertainment, recreation, and travel.

5. Learn

Of course the teacher recommends that you let your children see you learning something new. But I couldn’t believe with any more of my heart than I already do. Your children need to see that learning and personal growth don’t stop with graduation from high school or college. You are a person who continually seeks to improve yourself and your understanding of the world around you. Better yet, let your children see you learn from a source that isn’t computer-based. Knowledge and wisdom are most meaningful when we learn from other people. Finally, let your children see you enjoy what you are learning as well as the struggles that come with mastering new information.

6. Be Spiritual

However you practice spirituality, you should let your children observe you in times of quiet, inward reflection. It’s important for kids to see that life is at its best when we find a balance of both intrinsic and extrinsic stretching.

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7. Respect Opposite Sex

Whether married or single, it’s important to let your children see and hear you have healthy relationships with people of the opposite sex. Be affectionate with your spouse, showing your children how to love and be loved. If you are single or divorced, be careful not to project hurt, lonely, or angry feelings from past relationships out onto your kids. Help children see that although some relationships go badly, doesn’t mean they all will.

8. Love Yourself

In today’s hyper-photoshopped world, loving yourself is perhaps the hardest thing women struggle with. All the more reason that it’s more important than ever (!!!) to show your children, girls and boys alike, how to love themselves. This often requires a total mind shift in how we think and speak to ourselves. It likely won’t be easy. It’ll require persistence. But it’s worth it and it’s even more worth while when we consider the effect our efforts will have on our children.

I hope these tips on things you should let your kid do helps you out. Looking for more parenting advice? Check out my post on 10 discipline mistakes all parents should avoid making.