Let's face it: we're all busy--even our kids. As they get older, they're juggling homework, activities, sports, lessons, chores (ahem. . . ), and friends, so when our kids carve out the time to create a handmade gift, it really means a lot. Believe it or not, friends, now is an ideal time to start thinking about the holidays. So we've got some cool handmade gifts that tweens will love to make. Really. Huge thanks to my friends at Klutz who just keep designing these cool books that … [Read more...]
halloween bookmarks: make your own
I'm always looking for quick and easy Halloween crafts, ones that are perfect for class parties and playdates. And this year, since we're doing a little something different with our class party (more on that later!), we only have a few short minutes for a hands-on activity. No crazy pumpkin match games like last year. No super cool game stations. No GHOST Bingo. No spooky treats. Not for grade four. This year, the kids will make some Halloween … [Read more...]
craft and wear: 2 new, must-have craft kits for kids
I'm so excited to have had the opportunity to work with Klutz this year through my writing with Scholastic, and now? Now I am thrilled, over the moon, totally beside myself now that I get to finally tell you more! This summer we were super busy with our tabletop surprises, and the kids had an absolute blast with them. But we were also busy jaunting around New York City helping our friends at Klutz host a super-cool blog event where kids and parents could chat and craft it up. Believe … [Read more...]
7 ways to get kids writing (and cool writing prompts for kids!)
Friends. It's summer, and if your kids are anything like mine, they want to be outside and they want to be at the pool. Or, okay. They want to be on their iPads playing Minecraft or the computer playing Animal Jam. So writing--actually putting the ole pencil to the paper--is far down on their list of fun things to do while school's out. But I've got a few ideas for you to get our kids writing again. A few fun, totally cool, ways. Honestly, the kids and their neighbor buddies … [Read more...]
learn to make cookies or cupcakes: online courses from Craftsy
I never would have imagined these courses could be quite so fun, but they are. This summer, Maddy, Owen, Cora, and I have been exploring the crazy insane range of online classes that Craftsy offers. We love them. The videos are clear, they're comprehensive, and they're fun. Online classes are a super idea for the summer--or any time--and the format of many of the courses really works well for upper elementary aged children. So one of the things I'm going to surprise the kids … [Read more...]
fun summertime learning for kids: tabletop surprises
Week two of tabletop surprises is in the books, and it was a blast! Because my crew was busy fighting off some pretty awful summertime colds, we did a bit of re-arranging with our tabletop surprises calendar this week. But you know what? That's the awesome thing about it: you can do what you want. When you want. And the freebie 10 week resource guide includes a whole bunch of awesome extra ideas to use if one day doesn't work for you. This week, we drew, built, wrote, and … [Read more...]
kids make their own commercials: creative, techy fun
As part of our tabletop surprises last week, my kids became movie-makers. Though it really didn't start out that way at all. The little tabletop surprise note challenged them to create commercials for a product. That was it. But what they did with it was a whole other ballgame. It was a good reminder for me that kids really, truly need free time to explore and play on their own, no matter the platform. I didn't step-by-step teach them how to use these movie-making … [Read more...]
10 cool ways to read the Percy Jackson series
Friends! I’m always so thrilled to share with you fun literacy-related events and celebrations, and this summer, we’ve got a big one: it’s the 10th Anniversary of the publication of The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan. WOOT! And, as part of the team of bloggers who will be celebrating all summer long the awesome that is Percy Jackson and the Olympians, I’ll be writing a bit each month about why this series rocks and why you—and your kids!—should get on … [Read more...]
fun summertime learning for kids: tabletop surprises
Every weekday in the summertime, I start the day by sharing a #tabletopsurprises post. Just one quick picture of what's in store for Maddy, Owen, and Cora for their tabletop surprise that day. Are you on Instagram? If so, I'd love to follow you. And if you're joining us in our tabletop surprises this summer, I'd love, love, love for you to share your photos tagged with #tabletopsurprises -- it's so cool to see what everyone is doing! Use #tabletopsurprises on your photo, and … [Read more...]
teacher gifts for the last-minute parent
This week, my kids are out of school, but before they busted out of those doors, we wanted to give their teachers a tiny token of our appreciation for their hard work and dedication. But we didn't have a whole lot of time. We were away last weekend. We were preparing for Maddy's 5th grade recognition this week. We are in the middle of a basement renovation. We're finishing up spring activities and moving into summertime swim and dive. It's a lot. So we had to think of … [Read more...]
cool instagram accounts for tweens and new users to follow
Oh, friends. How I've fought the hard Instagram battle with my tween this year, and finally I let in. Under many, many conditions: We signed an updated Family Media Agreement. We still use Screen Time Cards. Phone use is restricted to our main floor of our house (not used upstairs). We approve only followers we know personally or that I approve. Her account is private--not public. The phone is ours--not hers--but it's being used by her, so any time we want to check on things, … [Read more...]
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