Winter is nowhere near over but chances are your kids are already going a bit stir crazy. Decluttering your desk may be the perfect way to both calm your mind and keep your little ones occupied. When it comes to sparking creativity, office supplies can be just as inspiring as craft supplies. Rubber bands, paperclips, and post-its are all full of potential – just ask your kids! And don’t be surprised if they start making requests for trips to Staples.
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Open the flap of an envelope and you have a tiny house! Make a few for a cheery wall hanging or turn a ton into a paper doll village. Find the houses above in the first Project Kid book.
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Cut up pieces of rubber bands to make all sorts of stripey stamps. Inspiration DIY recommends using blocks, wood shapes, or toilet paper tubes to make repeating designs.
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Office dots can’t be beat when it comes to making patterns that pop! Martha Stewart suggests layering them on paper tags to create custom jewelry and keychains.
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Another fun use for office dots is decorating origami stars. These folds look polished but they are simple enough for small hands. Follow the how-to from Hello Wonderful.
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Pegboards = possibilities, especially when you add in colored pencils and rubber bands. Younger kids can practice shapes while older engineers can construct bridges or even bookshelves. Project via Apartment Therapy.
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Without the fringe, piñatas go from overwhelming to piece-of-cake. Alex Evjen layers post-it notes on paper bags to create these tropical prize filled packages.
7. Paper clips + perler beads = bookmarks your kids will look forward to using. Follow the instructions from Perler to make a handful of your own.
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Create a magical expanding book by using an accordion fold to join envelopes. Fill the pockets with paper mementos and let your kids doodle on the pages to create a book that grows with them. Image via Pinterest, instructions via Mini Meg .
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From flat to fantastic, Kids Activities Blog gives manilla folders a makeover by turning them into a multi-level parking garage. Keep adding on for as long as your stairs, or folder supply, will allow.
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To craft your own cars to go with your new garage, cut and stack erasers. Add push pin wheels and get ready to burn rubber! Via Gente Miuda.
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Lastly, don’t underestimate the strength of the small but mighty binder clip. Stack a variety of boxes to create a freeform shelf that holds books, toys, or office supply art! Via Petit Monde
‘Tis the season for resolutions but instead of going it alone, why not make resolutions a team sport this year? Working towards resolutions as a family is not only a great bonding opportunity, it can be a teaching moment for your kids to learn about setting goals, navigating roadblocks, and celebrating successes together.
4 Tips for Setting Resolutions You Can Keep
Start with a Vision Board
Before you get to specific resolutions, allow yourself to daydream a little. Gather all those magazines you’ve been holding onto and cut out images that spark your imagination. Whether you choose pictures of things you want to make, adventures you’d like to take, or visions of your future self, seeing encouraging visuals will help manifest positivity. You can turn this into one collaborative board or let each family member make their own.
Make sure resolutions are easy for your child to understand, and therefore accomplish. When setting individual goals, younger kids can focus on smaller daily tasks while older kids can practice self care like identifying healthy activities they enjoy or finding positive ways to deal with stress. Nutritionist and Pediatrician Dr. Laura Jana says that, “Picking an unrealistic goal serves to make you feel bad about yourself, whereas a New Year’s resolution that is meant to be life-enhancing and long-lasting can be great for your family.”
Frame them Positively
Treat resolutions as an opportunity to treat yourself well, not trip yourself up. When you frame resolutions positively, rather than as a matter of self-sacrifice and denial, success is achievable. “Instead of a resolution like ‘No desserts this year,'” a family might choose something more attainable like ‘Eat healthier this year,’” says Paul Tough, author of “How Children Succeed.”
Include Kids in the Process
Kids will be much more invested in keeping resolutions that they’ve helped make. Go Ginghamblogger Sara Tetreault explains that in order for a resolution to be successful “you have to market it to your kids and get their buy-in. Instead of saying, ‘OK, the parents have decided this,’ we say, ‘Let’s think about how we can improve ourselves and spend more time together as a family in the process.’”
Our Favorite Family Resolutions Continuing with the theme of positivity, we’ve listed ideas for resolutions you can work towards as team. Each category has a few potential activities to get you started but put your personal spin on them to fit your family best.
Make time to share how each family member has practiced kindness that day
Write cards to far away relatives and friends to let them know you appreciate them
Acknowledge the people in your daily life with “hellos”, “goodbyes”, and plenty of “thanks”
DIY Charts to Keep you on Track
“Taking the time out to acknowledge successes throughout the year is an important way to motivate your kids to carry on,” says Jennie Lyon, a sustainable living blogger. Keep your team on course with a chart that helps them see their progress. Whether you make a giant board for the the entire family or one for each member, make sure to take the time to celebrate when you reach your goals.
Take inspiration from chore charts to break down goals into digestible steps. Here are a few of our favorites!
To literally stay “on track” create this clever race car board that’s sure to be a kid pleaser. (via Hot Wheels)
Let your kids stage pictures that represent each of their goals then turn them into magnets. They’ll feel a sense of accomplishment by following their own lead. How to from Sisters Suitcase Blog.
Patterned washi tape creates a cheery chart that can easily include the whole family. Give each family member their own row and write group goals across the top. Follow Grey House Harbor’s easy instructions.
Goals with tickets give kids something tangible to work towards. Hello Splendid suggests allowing kids to turn in tickets for prizes or treats but they could also add up to a family outing if everyone pools theirs!
Paper clips + perler beads = bookmarks your kids will look forward to using. Follow the instructions from Perler to make a handful of your own.
