Kid Stuff

Christmas Gift Ideas That Aren’t Toys

December 9, 2020 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

Thinking of Christmas gift ideas for kids can be tricky. You want them to enjoy their Christmas, but you don’t want to add too many toys to the pile they already never play with, right? This year, try giving your kids gifts that aren’t really toys at all. And don’t worry, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t fun! Check out the following Christmas gift ideas that aren’t toys.

Christmas Gift Ideas That Aren’t Toys

A garden tool kit might be the perfect thing to help introduce your child to the wonders of gardening. And what kid doesn’t really love digging in the dirt? This gives them license to do it, but learn and explore at the same time. Who knows? You may have a budding green thumb on your hands! This kit is available at Amazon for under $17.

This “toy” is certainly not meant for mindless fun! With the Lego Boost Creative Toolbox, your kid can learn all about coding and programming–useful skills in today’s technologically based world. This kit won a Toy of the Year Award for 2018. That’s how awesome it is!

Does your kid enjoy musical theatre? Give them tickets for their favorite Broadway show! Anytime you can give an experience rather than a toy, it’s a definite plus. Creating memories is always better!

Puzzles are one of my favorite Christmas gift ideas. Puzzles teach kids how to think analytically. The sense of accomplishment they can gain from completing a difficult puzzle is worth the time spent. Older kids might enjoy a 4D puzzle such as this Harry Potter 4D puzzle with over 890 pieces in three layers. Work on it with them for valuable family time!

Give your child the gift of art–an art class, that is. If they aren’t into art, give a gift that reflects their interests. How about a karate or dance class? Christmas gift ideas that encourage your kids to develop their talents are gifts they’ll thank you for as they grow older.

What Christmas gift ideas that aren’t toys do you have? Share in the comments!

5 Kid-Approved Desserts for Fall

October 26, 2020 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

Desserts for Fall | Kid-Approved Desserts For Fall | Recipe Ideas for Desserts for Fall | Fall Dessert Recipes | Dessert Recipes for Fall

Kids and Fall fun go hand-in-hand, so kids will love a few desserts for Fall that are specifically meant for them to enjoy, wouldn’t you agree? Good thing there are so many kid-approved desserts for Fall that the whole family can enjoy! Take a look at the following ideas I’ve come up with!

Caramel apples are a famously kid-approved Fall treat. But there is a way to make them even better {and less of a mess!}. Increase the caramel-to-apple ratio by coring and slicing your apples. Put each apple slice on a stick. Now dip them in caramel, chocolate, and other yummy stuff. Let the caramel apples set up and then enjoy! Hint: the kids will love dipping their own!

It’s no secret that kids love cupcakes anytime of year. Make some kid-approved Fall cupcakes in either a peanut butter or spice cake flavor. Peanut butter cupcakes are delicious with peanut butter buttercream frosting. Spice cupcakes are yummy with a cinnamon buttercream. Add some Reese’s pieces or caramel flavored M&Ms for an extra Fall flair. Here’s a delicious peanut butter cupcake recipe to try!

Do your kids love snickerdoodles as much as mine do? Then try a little Fall-flavor adjustment. Make some pumpkin snickerdoodles that the kids are sure to love. This recipe from Cooking Classy is a good one to try. The addition of pumpkin puree makes the snickerdoodles are extra soft and chewy. Yum!

Apple pie is a traditional Fall dessert, since Fall is prime time for apples! Take the kids to pick apples at an apple orchard, then use some of those delicious apples to make a kid-friendly apple “pie.” Just add some decorative pie crust to the top of your favorite baked apples before you put them in the oven. It’s a fun Fall dessert the kids will be happy to dig into!

Ingenious Ways To Manage Your Child’s Halloween Candy {Without Hiding It!}

October 26, 2020 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

Every Halloween, a lot of parents worry about how to manage their child’s Halloween candy. Do you resort to hiding it–and then re-hiding it every time your child finds it again? Well, there’s a better way. Today I’ve got some ingenious ways to manage your child’s Halloween candy–without hiding it. Free yourself from Halloween candy stress once and for all!

Ways To Manage Your Child’s Halloween Candy

As with anything else, the best way to manage is with a plan. Plan ahead for the Halloween candy you know you’re going to have to deal with, and you’re halfway there to maintaining control.

One way to plan ahead is not to buy your Halloween candy too early. If your house is like mine, everyone knows it’s there, and that means we’re all fighting to stay out of it before Halloween. That just doesn’t happen! So don’t buy it too early and you won’t be tempted {and neither will the kids!}.
If you get the chance to have a say in your child’s class Halloween parties, push for healthier choices. So many times our kids get sugared up before they’ve even left school–and trick-or-treating hasn’t even happened yet! A party full of games and healthy snacks is just as much fun, and I’m sure other parents will thank you for it.
Hiding the Halloween candy isn’t actually managing it. What happens when you hide it? The kids just go on an all-out quest to find it and when they do they’re going to eat even more than if you just let them have it in the first place. So there’s something to be said for establishing rules over the candy.
Rules to manage your child’s Halloween candy are individual, but I find that when they include all the times the kids CAN have some of their candy, they’re much less likely to go crazy. For example, your rules may state that you child can choose a piece or two of candy after meals, or as part of their after school snack. You might let your child choose some candy to include in his school lunch.
Practice some swap outs. Have healthier choices in your pantry that the kids like and can swap out some of their candy to get.
Some parents establish a candy buy-out after trick-or-treating. This allows your child to give you some or even all of their candy in exchange for money. For some kids, money is preferred over candy!

Do you have any additional ways to manage your child’s Halloween candy {without hiding it}? Please share with other readers in the comment section. And before you go, check out these deliciously spooky Halloween snack ideas!

Toddler Halloween Costumes Not as Frightening as the Terrible Twos!

October 26, 2020 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

Toddler Halloween Costumes | Toddler Halloween Costume Ideas | Halloween Costumes for Toddlers | Halloween Costumes | Halloween | Toddlers

At least for one day, a two-year-old should look cuter than he acts sometimes. {We can hope!} Today we have some of the most adorable toddler Halloween costumes you can find, plus some DIY ideas if you like to make your own. This Halloween, your toddler’s costume won’t be as frightening as the terrible twos!

This dashing little Dracula is too cute! All you would need to sew for this costume is a little black cape with black ribbon ties. I don’t think anyone is going to be too afraid of this toddler Halloween costume!

Fashion a face mask out of felt for an easy superhero costume. Add a cape in a coordinating color and your toddler is set. You could take this toddler Halloween costume a step further and add a felt letter to the front of a t-shirt in a color that matches the face mask.

Is this the most terrifying shark you’ve ever seen? Well, it’s definitely the most adorable shark I’ve ever seen! You can find this plush {and warm} costume at Amazon for under $25. This is one of the comfiest and coziest toddler Halloween costumes on the market.

Loving this Wonder Woman costume in toddler girls’ sizes! It comes with everything you see in the picture–headpiece, dress & cape, arm bands and boot covers. Girl power!

Any little guy will feel pretty awesome wearing a cowboy costume. The set includes the hat, vest and chaps. Add a bandana from Dollar Tree in his favorite color, and this toddler Halloween costume is complete!

Now here’s a little witch who’ll stand out from the rest! The Disguise Storybook Witch costume is available at Amazon in size 2T, 3T or 4T for less than $30. It’s going fast, so don’t miss out if you want one!

Sock Monkeys are still cute–and even cuter as a toddler Halloween costume! It includes the costume jumpsuit, headpiece, boot covers and a detachable tail. You’ll also find this one at Amazon. Again, this is one of the coziest and comfiest toddler Halloween costumes out there, so it’s probably a great fit for your fussy two year old.

Happy Halloween!

12 DIY Christmas Gift Baskets for Kids

October 15, 2020 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

Book Basket

Of course I start with a book basket! Get your children caught up in the magic of Christmas by sharing all your favorite holiday books in their very own basket. Idea source.

Movie Night

Make it a cozy movie night at home with this holiday gift box. Your kids will love opening their favorite holiday movie, complete with a new pair of pajamas and favorite treats. Perfect for a snowy night at home! Idea source.

Advent in A Basket

Advent calendars are a favorite tradition in my home. Make your own “advent in a basket” by stuffing these adorable bags with all sorts of holiday cheer. Your kids will love the little surprises throughout the month! Find the bags here.

Baker’s Basket

Baking is such a wonderful way to spend time together during the holidays. I love sharing my mom’s secret recipes and baking tips with my children. They love hearing stories from my childhood. Continue these traditions and support the little baker in your family with a baker’s Christmas gift basket. Via.

Coke & Cocoa

Bring all of Santa’s favorite drinks into one gift basket for the soda sipper in your family. Combine glass bottles of Coca Cola with little mixers of cocoa and marshmallows. Candy canes and evergreens pull the whole gift together. Get more details here.

Gingerbread House Kit

Another favorite tradition we have in our home is decorating gingerbread houses. My little Lego enthusiasts have so much fun using their engineering skills to come up with some pretty unique house designs. But decorating is always our favorite part! Rather than buying a generic store-bought gingerbread house kit this year, surprise your kids with a DIY basket instead. Via.

Snowman in A Basket

Help your kids be all set to bring Frosty to life again this year with a ready-to-go snowman building kit. Just add water for hours of wintertime fun! Source.

Winter Cold Survival Kit

Help your little one get the better of those pesky flu symptoms with a winter cold survival kit. Get all the details from The DIY Mommy.

Elf ~~On the Shelf~~ In A Basket

Haven’t started the Elf on the Shelf tradition yet? Or maybe it’s just time to add some new fun ways to share in this cute holiday tradition? Here’s your chance! Your kids will be absolutely delighted with an Elf on the Shelf gift basket this Christmas! Find this kit from The Dating Divas.

Lego Advent Basket

Lego advent calendars are an absolute MUST in our home! We’re even guilty of buying one of each version because we love them so much! Have even more more fun building some unique kits with this Lego advent calendar basket. Source.

Activity Gift Basket

Keep your kids happily occupied with an activity gift basket while Santa and Mrs. Claus are busy wrapping presents in the other room. Pile in holiday coloring books, art supplies, toys, and treats to bring it all together. See the idea here.

Ice Cream Sundae Gift Box

It might be cold outside but it’s never too cold for ice cream! Put in everything you’d need to make the perfect ice cream sundaes. My favorite part is the topping-filled ball ornaments! Get more info here.

Fun And Easy Thanksgiving Crafts For Kids

October 13, 2020 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

During November when you’re busy with Thanksgiving prep, you may need some fun and easy Thanksgiving crafts for kids to keep them busy and out of your hair. Or if you’re in charge of your kid’s Thanksgiving class party, just snag a few of these ideas to help you put together a class party they’ll love. Either way, check out these awesome Thanksgiving crafts for kids!

Fun & Easy Thanksgiving Crafts For Kids

Take advantage of those beautiful Fall leaves!

Before you do any Thanksgiving crafts with your kids, send them outside to collect their favorite Fall leaves. The reason is because a lot of these craft ideas feature those leaves–there are just so many fun things you can do with them!

If you're looking for something to do with the kiddos during Thanksgiving, check out these Thanksgiving crafts for kids. They will love them.

Fall Leaf Art

Use those Fall leaves as the main component in works of art. Fall leaves are easily glued to paper to make a myriad of fun designs. Just let the kids use their imaginations.

Want to keep the kids entertained during Thanksgiving? Check out these Thanksgiving crafts for kids. They will love them!

For long time preservation of those Fall leaves, let the kids brush their designs with Mod Podge. It dries clear and keeps their artwork pretty and fresh for a long time. The Mod Podge can also be used as the glue to firmly affix the leaves to paper.

Toilet Paper Tube Figures

How adorable are these toilet paper pilgrims? Have the kids make these for your Thanksgiving table. They’ll be thrilled to have their crafts included in the festivities!

There are so many fun crafts that kids can create during the fall. Check out these Thanksgiving crafts for kids and keep them entertained for hours.

Pine Cone Turkeys

We’ve all seen paper turkeys kids make from their own hand prints. Take that craft idea a little further by letting the kids collect pine cones to glue their hand print turkey feathers to.

You don't have to spend a lot of money on craft supplies with these Thanksgiving crafts for kids. Just go outside and grab some of what Mother Nature supplies you with.

It’s also fun for the kids to glue craft feathers to a pine cone turkey. Add a pom pom nose and googly eyes for a silly Thanksgiving craft for kids they’ll love to create.

Need more craft ideas for the kids? Check out these Fall popsicle stick crafts!