Tips & Tricks

10 Hospital Necessities for New Dads

March 2, 2021 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

Preparation is the name of the game when it comes to having babies, and here’s a hospital checklist for dads. While moms-to-be generally pack a hospital bag weeks before the due date of their babies, dads may not think to do so. It’s important for dads to pack a bag too since labors are usually long, and it would be a tragedy to miss the birth of your baby because you ran home for something. Here are 10 hospital necessities for new dads.

Halfpintpeeps.com is the best place to go to make parenting easier! Find tips and tricks to take answer all of your questions. If you're an expecting parent, make sure you read this list of items a new dad needs at the hospital.

Hospital Checklist For Dads

1.Bring a Watch

Not only should you bring a watch, but you should also bring one that features a second hand. The process of labor requires a reliable counting device.

10 Hospital Necessities for New Dads| Hospital Bag Checklist, Hospital Bag for Dad to Be, Parenting, Parenting Hacks, Parenting Hacks for Dad, Hospital Checklist For Dads

2. Clothing

Once you get to the hospital, you won’t know how long you’ll be there. In fact, you’ll likely be there for hours. Having a clean, comfortable change of clothes will make you feel better. You’ll also need things for your new baby.

3. Cell Phone and Phone Numbers

The hospital bag for the dad to be should include your cell phone and important contact information. When you get to the hospital, you’ll want to make a few phone calls to let everyone know that your baby is on the way. Once the baby arrives, another round of calls will be in order.

4. Water and Snacks

The hospital will keep your wife hydrated and fed, but you will be on your own. To keep your energy up, stock your hospital bag with water and snacks. Consider getting high-energy food items like energy bars, nuts and cereal.

5. Toiletries

Make sure that your hospital bag checklist includes toiletries, things like deodorant, toothpaste and your toothbrush. You may also want to add soap, styling products and shampoo.

6. MP3 Player

Consider bringing an MP3 player to listen to music. This will save the battery on your phone. Music is calming, and it will keep you entertained. Different devices with varying degrees of storage space are available at Amazon.

7. A Camera

This is an important moment, making it one that you’ll want to document. Don’t rely on your smartphone for your first pictures of your new baby. Instead, bring your nice camera to snap memories of this major event.

8. Smartphone Charger

Bring a smartphone charger. You’ll want to make sure that you have access to your phone while your wife is in labor and after she has the baby. Not only is it important to be able to stay in touch with your family and friends, but it will also keep you entertained.

9. Pillows and Blankets

The hospital will probably give you pillows and blankets, but they can be uncomfortable, so pack two sets in case you wind up spending the night at the hospital with your wife.

10. Cash

Your hospital bag checklist should include money. Cash always comes in handy. You may not have a hankering for the snacks that you brought, necessitating a trip to the vending machine. Or, you might need a soda or other cold beverage. Do everything you can to make your trip to the hospital as comfortable as possible.

I hope this hospital checklist for dads helps you out! Check out my post on 10 things to pack in your hospital bag for more ideas!

Homemade Play Dough Recipes For The Entire Year

February 17, 2021 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

With boys who love to build and construct, play dough has long been a favorite in our household. It didn’t take long for me to know that with how often the dough was being used, I needed to experiment with different recipes to find the best that would last the longest. After some exploring and testing, we found some great recipes. Our favorites, however, aren’t just the doughs that last the longest, but are ones that smell and feel the best too. Here’s our list of easy homemade play dough recipes that are perfect for every month of the year. June is a particular favorite of mine. Which one are you going to try first?

Halfpintpeeps.com is the best place to find fun ideas for kids of all ages! Find fun ways to stay creative indoors! These homemade play dough recipes are great no matter what time of year it is!

Easy Homemade Play Dough Recipes

1. January- Snow Dough

Make the most of those cold winter days spent stuck inside with glittery snow dough. This has sure saved us from boredom on a handful of occasions!

2. February- Valentine’s & Chocolates

Nothing says Valentine’s Day like pink and chocolate! Have fun playing with these scents of the season by making chocolate and strawberry shortcake playdoughs. These would make such perfect Valentine’s gift ideas instead of candy!

3. March- Rainbows & Pots of Gold

Celebrate the season of St. Patrick’s Day with gold treasure and rainbow sparkle playdoughs. No doubt those tricky leprechauns will want to join your kids in all the fun!

4. April- Spring Peeps Playdough

Whether you observe Easter or the season of spring in general, Peeps have become an American tradition around the month of April. I don’t really like to let my children eat these airy sugar bombs, but we compromise on using them in some super fun spring time playdoughs. To get more info on the recipe and directions, take a peep on Parenting Chaos. This is one of my favorite easy homemade play dough recipes!

5. May- Dirt Dough

The weather is drying out and summer is knocking on the door. It’s time to get outside and play! Just not in the dirt. But you CAN play inside with dirt play dough. This would also be great for school projects and models with biomes. Use coffee grounds to get the main color and texture with this recipe.

6. June- Coconut Quicksand

Welcome summer and the season of vacationing with coconut scented quicksand dough. All you’ll need is cornflour, sand, and coconut scented hair conditioner. Your kids will be ready to get out the sunblock and beach towels!

7. July- Patriotic Playdough

Skip on the heat of hot summer days by playing inside with these cool patriotic playdoughs. Each is scented for extra sensory fun. Get more information from Motherhood On A Dime.

8. August- Planetary Playdough

August is a time to spend your last days of summer under the stars. Have fun learning about the galaxy and then building your own with this perfect planetary playdough. Add lots of sparkles! Find the recipe and directions from Twodaloo.

9. September- Apple Cinnamon Playdough

To me, September is all about settling into a new school year. Fall is on it’s way, temperatures are cooling down, and evenings are best spent snuggled up with warm and pleasant pleasures. Apple cinnamon is the perfect flavor to represent all these things. Your kids will love the scent of this apple cinnamon playdough and will get hours of fun out of the soft and moldable recipe.

10. October- Spooky Sculpting Dough

Sometimes it’s all about the packaging! Take your favorite playdough recipe and put it into these adorable Halloween-inspired containers. I love this for a non-candy Halloween option to give to close friends and family.

11. November- Pumpkin Spice Playdough

Pumpkin spice and everything nice! What a perfect playdough recipe to make for the season of pumpkin pies. This is one of the softest playdough recipes we’ve made and we often choose to make it throughout the year. Get the directions and recipe from The Idea Room.

12. December- Gingerbread Playdough

Making gingerbread houses is a serious business in our house. We love everything about it from baking the dough to designing and constructing the house to decorating all the tiny details. It IS a rather expensive hobby though so sometimes we build our festive houses with gingerbread playdough instead. The best part is that unlike a real gingerbread house, you can deconstruct and build several houses each holiday season. We’ve also found that it makes for a fun neighbor and friend gift as well.

Which one of these easy homemade play dough recipes wil you try? Make sure you know how to clean play dough out of kids clothing!

6 Sensory Bottles That Will Calm Upset Kids

February 9, 2021 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

Sensory bottles are used to help children (and adults) calm down when they become upset or anxious. The idea is to give the individual a safe object on which to focus their attention, thereby diffusing anxieties within. It’s kind of like an interactive “I Spy” book inside a bottle. Grab an empty bottle and fill it with water and tiny objects that will interest your child. It really is just about that simple. Read on for 6 suggested sensory bottles for kids that will calm them when they are upset. You may or may not catch me using bottle #3 to calm down on rough days in my classroom…

Halfpintpeeps.com will give you all the inspo you need to become not just a regular parent, but a cool parent. Find activities and ideas you and your kids will love. Try out these homemade sensory bottles that are great for upset kids.

Sensory Bottles For Kids

1. Do You Want To Build A Snowman Bottle?

Rhythms Of Play shares a snowstorm in a tube with this Frozen-inspired sensory bottle. Fill the bottle with snowflake confetti, sparkles, glitter, and any other Frozen related items. This sensory bottle will be sure to help freeze all those anxious feelings.

Sensory Bottles, DIY Sensory Bottles, Sensory Bottle Projects, How to Make Your Own Sensory Bottles, Making Your Own Sensory Bottles, Crafts, Crafts for Kids, Craft Hacks for Kids, Popular Pin, Sensory Bottles For Kids

2. In A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Space enthusiasts and Star Wars fans in particular will get great use out of this galaxy sensory bottle. Use mineral oil, blue candy dye, glitter, and any space themed trinkets you can find. Read more from Preschool Inspirations.

3. Just Keep Swimming

Don’t let a meltdown get in your way. Keep your little Ocean Explorer swimming with an ocean-inspired sensory bottle. The sand is the best part! A Little Pinch of Perfect shares how to make your own.

4. It’s Nice With Rice

Keep everyone nice and calm with a rice-filled sensory bottle. The colorful pom poms are fun pops of color. Get the DIY tutorial from Mama Instincts.

5. Glowing Attitudes

This glow-in-the-dark sensory bottle will help get upset attitudes glowing again. Use a Sharpie to draw on a Jack-O-Lantern face at Halloween time for an extra haunt of fun. Get the directions here.

6. Where Bluebirds Sing

I don’t know if bluebirds really do sing “somewhere over the rainbow,” but hopefully your child will with a rainbow sensory bottle. Fill the bottle with colorful water beads to make the rainbow effect. Get more details from Ryan and Marsha.

Looking for more things to make? Check out my post on how to make a kid-approved lava lamp in 3 groovy steps.

10 Awesome Ways To Think Outside the Brick With Legos

January 26, 2021 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

There is no doubt about it… we are a proud Lego household! From my 14-year-old to my 7-year-old (and Mom and Dad too!), you’ll find Legos in bedrooms, the play room, on backpacks, playing on video game consoles and tablets, on t-shirts, ringing alarm clocks, on the wrist, and just about anywhere else you can imagine. But while building new sets with the instruction manual is fun enough, there are so many other ways to enjoy these amazing toys as well. Here are 10 totally awesome ways to think outside the brick with legos!

Halfpintpeeps.com just gets kids. Find countless ideas that will be fun for you AND them! Keep your kids busy and creative around the house with these original Lego ideas!

Ways To Think Outside The Brick With Legos

1. Run, Lego, Run!

Develop those engineering skills by designing a vertical Lego run maze. Challenge Little Builders to think of ways to incorporate moving parts and levers. Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls offers some great tips to get you started.

Ways To Think Outside The Brick With Legos

2. Zip Zap

Look out below! This Lego zip line is such a perfect building project to teach your Little Adventurers about gravity and the laws of motion. Who said Sir Newton couldn’t come along for some fun and laughter!? Source.

3. Bridge the Gap

Bridge the gap with this STEM activity. See if your Aspiring Engineers can defy the laws of gravity by constructing a bridge worthy of it’s heaviest foes. This is another perfect activity for teaching about forces and simple machines as well. Read more here.

4. Monster Mash Match

Grab your toddler for a game of Monster Match. Start by having your child create colorful paper bag monsters with open mouths. Then, learn all about colors by placing color-matching Legos in the appropriate monster’s mouth. Cookie monster has nothing on these monster friends! Read more from Toddler Approved.

5. Non Dispensable

This great activity is non dispensable for sure! Teach Young Builders all about simple machines with this candy dispenser project. Get the how-to here.

6. AlphaLegos

Keep Little Learners busy mastering their ABCs with this Lego activity. Have them replicate the Lego letters shown on cards by building one themselves. How many words can you think of to spell with that letter while you’re constructing what you see? Get the free printable letter cards here.

7. Count On It!

Little Mathematicians will have no problem mastering their counting skills with the help of Duplo Lego bricks! SHOW them representations of each digit by counting them out and stacking them in order. Similarly, 7-year-old and above can master their times tables by stacking Lego arrays and seeing how multiplying two numbers gives you a new product. Such a more exciting way to learn math than with worksheets!

8. Car Racers

Channel extra energy onto the racetrack for the afternoon. Have your Mini Mario Andretti’s design race cars to duke it out in some epic car races. Use balloons to give the racers their acceleration. Don’t miss the opportunity to teach about forces and motion with this fun activity!

9. Foosball

Athletes and competitors will enjoy this Lego build. Have them construct a DIY foosball game and then play for additional hours of more fun. Get a kick out of this activity here.

10. Weigh Your Options

Kids won’t need to weigh their options when it comes to building a neat Lego balance. What a cool way to learn about measurement and different metric scales. Get the instructions here.

Can you come up with other ways to think outside the brick with legos? Leave a comment below.

Birth Stat Signs: Personalized Nursery Decor

January 15, 2021 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

The newest big thing in baby nurseries is personalized nursery decor. Birth stat signs take your baby’s nursery to a whole new level. Today’s post has inspiration to help you choose personalized nursery decor you can definitely live with. Once the baby grows, their name or birth stat sign will become an heirloom to treasure. Here are some of my favorite birth stats nursery decor ideas.

Birth Stats Nursery Decor

At Etsy, you will find tons of handmade, personalized nursery decor to love! One of my favorites is this personalized sign from Forever Wedding Crafts. This is a custom sign made from birch wood, and the price is insanely reasonable!

Personalized Nursery | Personalized Nursery Decor | Personalized Nursery Decor Ideas | Nursery Decor Ideas | Nursery Decor | Nursery Decor Personalization | Birth Stats Nursery Decor

You will also find this custom birth details wall art made by Little Lady Print Shop. This is a custom printable file which is sent to you for printing. There are a whole slew of colors to choose from, in a variety of sizes.

A growth chart is another option for personalized nursery decor. Wayfair has a ton of options to choose from, so no matter what your nursery theme is, there is a personalized growth chart to match.

Amazon is yet another place to find personalized nursery decor. I love this personalized decal you can easily install on any wall in the baby’s nursery.

A picture frame is a great way to showcase baby’s birth stats in a way you can save forever. This is a solid wood frame that is made to last.

At Oopsy Daisy, find lots of unique styles of personalized nursery decor, like this Happy Animal Herd personalized wall art. This is a large 24×18 canvas with a resin finish that gives your personalized wall art a really beautiful finish.

Finally, check out Paper Source for personalized prints perfect for baby’s nursery. Their designs are printed on #130 weight paper that is made of 30% post-consumer recycled content. If you are concerned about being environmentally friendly, these prints fit the bill.

Now that your nursery is all set up, don’t forget to check out my post on how to survive your first month as a new mom.

The Absolute Best Pets For Kids

December 19, 2020 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

So your kids are begging for a pet? There are great reasons to get a pet, including helping your kids to learn more responsibility. But it can be hard to know what kind of pet is right for your kids. Today’s information on the absolute best pets for kids will help you make what can be a tricky decision a little easier.

The Best Pets For Kids

Dogs are the number one choice in pets for many families the world over. There’s plenty of reasons for that. Kids tend to bond with dogs like no other, and dogs are wonderful companions for kids and adults. Just know that there are important considerations to make first:

A dog {particularly a new puppy} requires a lot of care and training.
Research what breeds are best for families, because some are not well-suited for young kids.

So your kids are begging for a pet but you don't know what the best pets for kids are. You're in luck. We have a list of the best pets for kids. Guinea pigs are a great choice.

Some families adore having guinea pigs as pets. Do you know that guinea pigs are actually quite intelligent, and will respond to a child? They also handle well because they generally don’t bite. Guinea pigs are very social creatures! One of the considerations to be aware of is that guinea pigs need an abundant supply of vitamin C to be healthy.

So your kids are begging for a pet but you don't know what the best pets for kids are. You're in luck. We have a list of the best pets for kids. Birds are a great choice but they do require a bit of work.

One of the best pets for kids is a bird. Many kids enjoy birds, because they’re colorful to look at and fun to play with. Some types of birds learn melodies and will copy certain behaviors from your child. But be aware that some birds are noisy. It’s also necessary to clean the bird cage at least weekly–and it can get pretty dirty.

So your kids are begging for a pet but you don't know what the best pets for kids are. You're in luck. We have a list of the best pets for kids. Cats are always a good choice.

Cats are up there on the list of best pets for kids, probably right after the dogs! The main difference between having a dog for a pet, or having a cat, is the playful level. Dogs are definitely more playful than cats, but cats still like to cuddle sometimes {on their terms}. Cats are mainly independent, which is a bonus since they tend to take care of themselves. The downside of a cat is the chance of begin scratched, as well as changing the litter box.

Whichever pet you decide is best for your kids, don’t be afraid of the additional maintenance and care. Just add things like cleaning the litter box to your family chore chart!