These Halloween food ideas for kids range from ridiculously easy snacks to creative party food worth turning into a project. I’m sharing things we’ve actually made over the years, plus shortcuts, kid-friendly options and plenty of ways to make each idea your own.
Our bedtime routine has always been pretty simple. We do showers, a lighter dinner, quiet family time, teeth and a short goodnight—without turning bedtime itself into a long event. Here’s why that has worked so well for our family as the kids have grown.
Road trips with a carsick kid took some trial and error for us. After plenty of long drives—and a few very messy lessons—these are the simple changes, supplies and routines that actually helped our daughter handle the car better.
We built a pizza box solar oven for a school STEM project—and the weather did not cooperate. Here’s how we made it, what happened when we tested it, what we learned, and easy ways kids can keep experimenting with solar energy.
Halloween has always been one of my favorite seasons for getting creative with the kids. I'm definitely drawn more to the cute, colorful and playful side of Halloween than anything too scary, so over the years we've made a lot of ghosts, pumpkins, bats, silly monsters and other Halloween projects at home. Some of these are actual crafts we've made together over the years, while others are simple variations you can create with the same supplies and techniques. I've also included a few easy Halloween activities for the days when you want something festive without committing to a full craft. Most use…
Easy snacks and simple meals kids can make themselves, from bagels and parfaits to quesadillas, baking, freezer experiments and more—plus the kitchen tools that have helped our kids become more independent.
This paper roller coaster STEM project turned a school assignment into a hands-on lesson in engineering, problem-solving and persistence. See what we used, what was harder than expected, and what we learned along the way.
Independence doesn't always come from big lessons. Looking back, some of the smallest everyday moments—helping with chores, getting dressed, trying something alone, or even making a mess—were quietly teaching my kids to do more for themselves.
After years of virtual school and learning at home, these are the supplies, technology, books, organization tools, and everyday extras our family actually uses.
Teaching kids to take care of themselves happens gradually. Here are practical personal care skills kids can learn as they grow, from showering and hair care to teeth, nails, clothing and everyday hygiene.
Soft on the inside with lightly crisp cinnamon sugar edges, these easy homemade snickerdoodles have become one of our family's favorite recipes for baking together.
These moist Chocolate Chip Muffins are made with sour cream for the softest texture. Easy to make, freezer-friendly, and perfect for breakfast, snacks, or lunchboxes.
Looking for meaningful gifts that inspire curiosity? Discover 50+ parent-approved gift ideas for kids ages 8–12, from STEM toys and astronomy gear to coding kits, books, puzzles, geography, and hands-on activities. Plus, see the products our own family has loved and the free resources that helped turn small interests into lifelong hobbies.
Summer 2025 is here! Whether you're heading to the pool, beach, or splash pad with your little ones, packing smart is key. As a mom who’s done her fair share of summer outings, I’ve narrowed down the ultimate list of water day essentials that make the experience easier, safer, and way more fun. This update includes my favorite must-haves—tested over time and kid-approved! Scroll through for links and tips to keep you organized all season long. * This post includes Affiliate Links. These mom summer essentials 2025 picks will keep you and your family prepared for every sunny water day. Sun…
Generosity is never a common trait in kids. In order to raise a generous kid, you need to help them understand why giving can be rewarding. We all want our children to grow up to be kind, empathetic, generous kids that care about others and are willing to give back and make a difference in this world. But raising a child is overwhelming enough so the task of raising a fully conscious and generous kid seems nearly impossible. However, giving back isn't just about the money. There are many ways parents can motivate their children to give back to society,…
Packing for a trip to the beach with kids can become overwhelming, especially when you're traveling. But it doesn't have to be. This family beach vacation packing list was created for minimalistic travel or items that can fit in your carry-on. * This post includes Affiliate Links. Family Vacations Are For Relaxing A family beach vacation sounds like the dream, until you're trying to cram everything into your carry on luggage! As parents, we have to worry about sun protection, swim safety, and hours of entertainment, which tends to result in a full list of items we weren't even planning on…
Halloween is my favorite holiday for crafting and decorating, especially when the decorations are more cute than spooky. This easy yarn ghost craft became one of my favorites because it's simple to make but looks adorable worked into Halloween decor. Make one yarn ghost or create several to hang as a garland, tuck into a seasonal arrangement, or decorate around the house. Below I'll show you exactly how I made mine, including an optional trick that helps the ghosts keep their rounded shape. * This post includes Affiliate Links. Yarn Ghost Craft Supplies White yarn Googly eyes Ribbon Scissors Tacky glue or hot…
This easy Q-tip skeleton craft is a fun way for kids to create their own skeleton using just a few simple supplies. We originally made ours as a Halloween craft, but it also works really well as a hands-on activity when kids are learning about bones and the human body. My kids chose to make skeleton hands, but the same idea can be used to create a full Q-tip skeleton or even other bone-inspired designs. It's easy to adapt depending on your child's age and how detailed they want to get. Looking for more Halloween ideas? We have a whole collection…
When I was pregnant with my first child, I remember being so nervous about going into labor and not making it to the hospital in time. Little did I know that should have been the least of my worries. I never went into labor naturally and ended up having an emergency c-section. Recovering from a c-section was one of the hardest things I ever experienced. The reason I needed a c-section was because at 40 weeks and 2 days my fluid was low and the baby was big. So I was induced. Instead of waking up in the middle of…
Empty toilet paper rolls are one of those craft supplies that are worth saving. For Halloween, we turned ours into eight different little creatures: a mummy, ghost, monster, vampire, pumpkin, Frankenstein, bat and witch. These Halloween toilet paper roll crafts are inexpensive, easy to customize and simple enough to adapt depending on your child's age and craft skills. You can use construction paper, googly eyes and whatever basic craft supplies you already have—or use the free Halloween Creature Features printable I made to make some of the details even easier. We made all eight, but there's definitely no need to…
Have you ever felt guilty for "ruining your kids?" Maybe you've blamed yourself for things that weren't really in your control or completely doubted your parenting methods. You've got mom guilt. And if you're struggling to fight it when it takes over, you need to learn how to stop that mom guilt from stealing your self-confidence. Being responsible for another life is extremely overwhelming. Mom guilt is real, you are not alone. And yes, you can do this! * This post includes Affiliate Links. Mom Guilt Is Normal And Can Be A Good Thing Mom guilt pops out at any…
Kids love sharks and kids love crafts. For this activity, we did a shark craft! This shark craft requires some fine motor skills but is great for preschool-aged kids as well as big kids. * This post includes Affiliate Links. Learning While Crafting and Playing You might be surprised to find that crafting and playing are some of the most important ways young kids learn. A preschool-aged child is still developing various skills in their fine motor development, logic and reasoning, patience, and creative expression. Crafting and playing not only boosts mood but it helps children develop these skills. That…
It's not every day that I share recipes with you guys but every once in a while I need to share my absolute favorites. For a time, I used to make these every Sunday for the whole family and it was always a hit! I like baking from scratch and this combo is one of my absolute favorite breakfast or brunch meals. So here's my recipe for homemade waffles with cinnamon butter and apples. * This post includes Affiliate Links. Personal Backstory I'm no chef but I like to share my favorites. A few years ago we discovered a great…
Eric Carle’s colorful illustrations are instantly recognizable, but one of the things I love most about his artwork is how much texture and movement you can see in something as simple as a piece of painted paper. We originally tried this Eric Carle craft as part of an art lesson with my kids, experimenting with color, texture, and collage. Instead of trying to recreate his illustrations exactly, we painted our own textured papers and used them to create completely different pictures — including animals, a sun, and, of course, our own Very Hungry Caterpillar. It’s a simple art project that…
Clumsy Thief Junior is a card game for kids that teaches them how to add two numbers to make 10 in a really fun way. For me, it was like a blend between Go Fish and Uno with a mathematical twist and a raccoon thief. The goal of this game, other than to entertain, is to memorize the different combinations of addends of 10. It's a fun game for young kids that teaches them important math skills and memorization. You can purchase Clumsy Thief Junior individually on Timberdoodle.com as part of Timberdoodle’s Kindergarten curriculum kit.In exchange for our honest review, we received a…
Looking for an easy summer craft that kids can make and play with afterward? This paper popsicle craft is simple to set up, easy to customize, and can be made with basic art supplies you probably already have at home. We originally made these on a summer day when we were looking for something creative to do indoors. I cut out several popsicle bases and different paper “toppings,” then let the kids mix, match, and decorate their own. Some became colorful popsicles, while others got pom-poms, googly eyes, sprinkles, and plenty of personality. Once they were finished, the popsicles became part of…
I originally made this graduation cap craft when my oldest was graduating from virtual kindergarten. I wanted to do something special to celebrate, and this simple paper graduation cap turned into such a cute little project that I put together the template and instructions to share here. The craft itself is fairly simple and uses basic materials you may already have at home. I’ve included step-by-step instructions, photos and a free printable template below. * This post includes Affiliate Links. Materials for Your Graduation Cap Craft Free Graduation Cap Template (below) Cardstock Paper for Cap (traditional colors are Black, Blue,…
Art with kids is always so much fun. Printmaking is a really fun art technique where you use different objects to transfer shapes and patterns with ink. It's also a wonderful way to show cause and effect. For this activity, we made a simple turtle art piece using a potato masher and the kids were thrilled! * This post includes Affiliate Links. What is Printmaking? Printmaking is a technique for making art by printing, or recreating, the same picture multiple times. This means that you can recreate the same pattern multiple times using existing objects or objects you create yourself.…
As a stay-at-home mom, I've come to realize that screen time isn't all that bad. For starters, it gets my kids to sit still while I accomplish other tasks or simply take a breath. But it's been really educational for them as well. I was one of those people who swore I wouldn't let my kids have too much screen time, but then I became a mom and reality kicked in! So, instead, I made sure to monitor the things my kids have access to on the screens and made sure to choose great educational tv shows since they were…
Young kids have short attention spans, which makes it hard to keep them entertained for long periods of time. And it's no secret that kids love playing and exploring with water. But playing with plain water can often get boring so why not add a pop of color... or three? In this water activity, your toddler will not only be entertained for a long time but will also be learning color mixing fundamentals! * This post includes Affiliate Links. Benefits of Water Play Not only does water entertain for hours but children gain a range of rich and valuable benefits.…
Most kids love the idea of using scissors, mine will literally leap for them. If you're a nervous parent like me, you'll probably keep all scissors out of reach to avoid wild haircuts and chopped blankets throughout the house. But it's important for toddlers to develop scissor skills by the time they begin elementary school. And there are many fun ways to introduce fun and supervised activities for your toddler. Let's start with some basics, like when to introduce scissors, what scissors to start with, and how to hold scissors. * This post includes Affiliate Links. What Age Should Toddlers…
Dot marker activities are an easy way to combine art and playful learning for toddlers and preschoolers. Kids can stamp freely, practice colors and patterns, trace letters and numbers, count, create seasonal art and experiment with their own designs. When my kids were younger, we used dot markers for everything from simple art projects to learning activities at home. They were easy for little hands to use, colorful enough to keep things interesting, and versatile enough that we kept finding new ways to use the same set. * This post includes Affiliate Links. Chalkola Dot Markers The dot markers shown throughout…
It’s crazy how quickly we overthink the simple materials that can actually be so entertaining and used for educational purposes. Dot sticker activities are exciting for toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids too! This dot sticker activity was very simple for me to set up for my 4 year old and it made her so happy. * This post includes Affiliate Links. Homeschooling with Multiple Kids is Exhausting Like a lot of moms these days, we've been doing virtual schooling and homeschooling, and let me tell you, it's exhausting! My son has classes on Zoom in the mornings and then I sit…
Schools and many businesses are closed for Martin Luther King Jr Day. This year, we decided to be proactive and discuss the importance of diversity and the history behind Martin Luther King Jr and finished our conversations with a cute diversity craft for kids. We started our discussion and activity in honor of Martin Luther King Jr Day but it is also perfect for introducing black history month in February. * This post includes Affiliate Links. Deciding to Teach About Diversity to Toddlers It's 2021 and there is still a lot of hate in this world. We live in a…
My kids and I have been super into doing crafts lately. But simple is always the best way to go to make things easier for me to set up, clean up, and for them to feel like they can do it all by themselves. This winter-themed penguin craft for kids is the perfect activity to do together. * This post includes Affiliate Links. Back to School Penguins Lesson With school back in session this winter, my son was learning about penguins in school. We've been doing virtual classes at home so my daughter and I can participate too and we…
When you're stuck indoors for so long you start to get a little creative with what you have. This fun and simple diy bowling game uses toilet paper rolls, a ball, and tape. With two semi-uncoordinated toddlers bowling could go either way but we gave it a shot anyway and it was a lot of fun for all of us. * This post includes Affiliate Links. Playing Games to Improve Motor Skills and Coordination Playing games and introducing sports are always a good way to work your mind and your body as well as to improve motor skills and hand-eye…
