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April 2, 2018
Age, Baby, Birthdays, Early Elementary, Favors, Older Elementary, Parties, Preschool, Toddler
Photo by Tara Donne for Parents.
I truly love planning my kids’ birthday parties—taking their theme of choice and running with it. But then it comes to the favor part and I am confronted with a personal conundrum—to give plastic junk or to not give plastic junk. I want to be known as the mom who gives killer goody bags, but I hate the idea of sending kids home with junk that’s bound for the land fill. I’ve tried so many work arounds (such that I could write a weekly column on this topic) and I feel there’s an economical, valuable solution for every single party.
We did some brainstorming and googling to find these ten goody bag alternatives that will thrill beyond the car ride home.
This post contains affiliate links!
1. 
Art Bar knows how to keep the fun going after a crafty birthday with a bag full of supplies. Include materials to make a specific project, or a random assortment to encourage creativity. For an added bonus, give the supplies in a muslin bag that can be decorated too!
2.
Kids may not be excited about soap but they’ll be eager to reach the prize inside! Homemade soap is a great way to incentivize hand washing, plus you can include toys to match any party theme. Follow the easy how to from Super Make It.
3.
For a cooking birthday buy kid sized aprons in bulk that can be used during and after the party. You can also send guests home with a jar of ingredients for a favorite treat – just don’t forget to tie on a recipe card! Image via Today’s Parent
4.
Though we take photos all the time, a printed picture feels likes a prize. Set up a silly photo booth, like this one from Mood Kids, and use a mini printer, such as an instax, for photos. For a more finished feel, slip photos into colorful frames, or have guests decorate frames as a craft activity.
5.
Form a twelve piece orchestra by giving each guest their own instrument. It may take a while before they make beautiful music together, but they’ll have a lot of fun trying! These instruments can be bought as a set from Amazon.
6.
No matter the theme of the party, a book is a favor both kids and parents will appreciate. To find affordable options, check the discount bin of your local bookstore, buy a set of classics and break them up, or browse bookoutlet.com
7.
Encourage growing green thumbs with a plant kit – the opposite of a throw-away favor! These hairy examples from Today’s Parent include a mini pot, seedlings, a bag of soil, and of course eye stickers.
8.
A scavenger hunt is the perfect pick for a nature themed party. A treasure hunt, like this one from Nellie Design, doesn’t have to involve toys, kids can use a checklist to mark observations and collect outdoor items.
9.
All mini magicians should be equipped with their own deck of cards. Or split a big box of classic tricks, like these from Becky and Me Toys, and let the party goers practice on each other.
10.
For a truly favor free birthday, share the money you would have spent on goody bags with a charity instead. Let the birthday kid choose a cause they feel strongly about, like a local animal shelter, or consider an organization like The Birthday Party Project, which throws parties for homeless youth. All the party guests can sign a card together.
March 22, 2018
Activities, Age, Early Elementary, Easter, Family Bonding, Grown-Up, Holidays, Older Elementary, Preschool, Toddler, Tween to Teen
This year I’m all about wild and crazy eggs (did you see the messy eggs I made for Parents magazine?). When we were testing different processes for that story, this was one of the rejects, but I held onto them because they were so organically gorgeous.
I love that even the youngest of makers can get with these…there is literally no way to mess them up!
Here’s how you make em…
What you’ll need:
Make it:
March 21, 2018
Age, Animals, Early Elementary, Easter, Everyday Crafts, Grown-Up, Holidays, Older Elementary, Preschool, Tween to Teen
Bunnies and chicks often steal the spotlight at Easter, but they aren’t the only animals who are craft-worthy! Who says a panda and a penguin can’t be festive? An Easter egg is the perfect canvas for all sorts of creatures. Whether your favorite animals are of the woodland, farm, or tropical variety, we’ve collected 10 fun ways to animate your eggs.
1. Don’t be deceived, this doe-pe deer only looks difficult to make. With a faux flower crown and felted collar you craft a show stopper just like Lauren Conrad’s.
2. 
For another woodland option, Lia Griffith shares great ideas for using a paper punch. A few circles and a set of ears will make your eggs bright eyed and bushy tailed in no time.
3.
They may not quite be birds of a feather, but a swan and flamingo still look sweet flocking together. Follow Studio DIY‘s lead to help eggs hatch into beautiful birds.
4.
Though they usually prefer mud puddles, these crafty pigs will look right at home on your Easter table. Martha Stewart keeps them cute from their button noses to their curly tails using crepe paper and pipe cleaners.
5.
If you want to keep it classic, you can’t go wrong with a white rabbit. Covered in yarn, felt, and pom poms, we heart these fuzzy little bunnies from Parents magazine.
6.
To craft Easter decorations that aren’t in danger of cracking, a plastic egg garland is a cheery choice. Chicks and bunnies keep things bright and can be used year after year. via Family Fun
7. 
These cute egg cups from Archies can morph into any animal you want, just add ears (and accessories!)!
8.
We love these fingerprint eggs from Fraulein Klien – especially the panda. Starting with such a simple shape means the types animals you can make are only limited by your imagination!
9.
Tiny toys, whose main purpose seem to be poking your feet on the rug, are given new life perched atop Easter eggs. Flax and Twine douses them in gold for a look that’s refined but still playful.
10.
Encourage your kids to play with their food for once. These edible animals are a waste-free way to craft for Easter. Though they’re so cute you might be tempted to keep them around for at least an hour or two. Follow directions from Eating Richly.
March 21, 2018
Early Elementary, Everyday Crafts, Preschool, Toddler, Toddler, Toys, Uncategorized
Thanks to Brother for sponsoring this post and providing crafters with a new tool for our trade!
If your little ones are itching to be the stars of the show, give them a drum solo! They’ll love making music with an instrument, customized just for them. What this drum lacks in size, it makes up for in style—especially with the help of the P-touch Embellish tape and tibbon printer.
We started with soup lids, wrapped them in custom printed tape and created ribbons to produce an instrument worthy of a future superstar. Every icon needs their signature look, so let your kids choose the symbols, words, and patterns that suit their personality best.
Rock on, little ones! Go march to the beat of your own spin drum!
What you’ll need:
Make it:
1. Trace the soup lids onto the paper, trim to fit the top of the lids and glue in place.
2. Add colored tape to the edge of each lid to create a solid rim; fold any extra tape inside.
3. Trace the bottom of the foam paintbrush handle onto the edges of both soup lids and cut out. Glue the paintbrush into one lid, adding glue to the foam and on the dowel.
4. Print two six-inch ribbons with whichever pattern or words you’d like (we chose the musical note symbol) and glue them to the inside edges of the lid on opposite sides of the paintbrush.
5. Glue the second lid on top of the first by adding glue to the foam. If you need more height to make it reach, glue small pieces of cardboard to the foam.
6. Print two six-inch strips of tape with whichever pattern or words you’d like and, starting at the middle top, stick them on your drum covering the seam between the lids. Tip: when you reach the ribbon, cut the tape and make a vertical cut to go around the ribbon.
7. Tie a bead on the end of each ribbon. Make sure the bead is at the right length to hit the drum when it’s spun then cut off excess ribbon and add hot glue to secure.
Thanks to Brother for sponsoring this post and providing crafters with a new tool for our trade!
March 17, 2018
Activities, Age, Baby, Early Elementary, Easter, Family Bonding, Grown-Up, Holidays, Older Elementary, Preschool, Toddler, Tween to Teen
I was so excited when Parents magazine asked me to craft “messy” Easter eggs…beautiful egg designs that were all left to chance—leave your perfection at the door! I love this idea for two reasons
SHAVING CREAM MARBLED EGGS
Spread a thick layer of shaving cream on a cookie sheet.Add 4 or 5 drops of food coloring to a small section and mix it around with a toothpick or a straw.Roll an egg in the dyed shaving cream, and let the shaving cream sit on the egg’s surface for about 10 minutes. Pat excess off with paper towels.
Tip: Presoak eggs in white vinegar for 2 to 3 minutes for more vibrant color!
Stand an egg up on a bottle cap or an overturned egg carton (resting the egg between the cups). Drip 1 to 4 drops of first color of food coloring on top of the egg. Spray with water. Repeat with additional colors.
SOAP-BUBBLE EASTER EGGS (top)
Mix 2 Tbs. dish soap with 1 tsp. water and 10 to 15 drops of dye. Blow into the solution with a straw, and then stir vigorously with the straw. Dip an egg into just the bubbles and let dry.
BUBBLE-WRAP EASTER EGGS (bottom)
Dye an egg the color of your choice.Press solvent ink pads onto Bubble Wrap. Lay an egg on the inked Bubble Wrap, gently pull up the corners, and wrap around egg.
Tip: Don’t move the eggs around on the Bubble Wrap or the ink will smear!
TAPE-RESIST AND TAPE EASTER EGGS
Wrap an egg in thin washi tape, pressing it firmly to the eggshell. Use a paintbrush or your finger to cover the egg with tempera paint. Let paint dry completely, then remove tape.
Tip: Use different widths of tape and stickers for more graphic designs!
