Tuesday Tip: Mess Free Activities

I have been trying to reduce the amount of screen time in our home and I have finally found somethings that work for us! I have found multiple (relatively) mess free activities that kids love! I keep all of these activities in our kitchen in a cupboard that is easy for my kids to get out a put away themselves. Yes, my kids have a playroom full of toys but sometimes they would rather be right next to me in the kitchen. They also love doing creative activities and art projects. This way, they can play near by while I make dinner or clean up without being glued to the TV.  These are some of our favorite things we keep in our art/activity cupboard.
Kinetic Sand- My kids could play with this all day, everyday. Hudson literally wakes up and either says "downstairs go eat" or "play sand more." He LOVES it! It's great because it is real sand without the mess. It sticks together, it flows, it's moldable, it's weird, it's awesome! Definitely one of our favorites.
Reusable sticker books- These are so much fun! Each page has a different scene that you can add stickers to. Isla loves to make different princess scenes and then create a story for each page. This is a great way to get creative!
Aquadoodle- Fill the pen with water and then draw as long as you'd like! As the pad dries the picture fades so they can start all over again. This will entertain my kids for at least an hour at a time.
Playdo- Of course you cannot go wrong with good old fashion playdo. Whether you buy it or make it yourself, this is so easy for kids to play with forever! I just get out a few different cookie cutters each time and they will both sit a play with this for a long time. Plus it's inexpensive and easy to clean up!
*None of these products are "sponsored." All of them were actually given to my kids as gifts at one point or another from family and we have just loved them so I'm sharing my actual real life opinion with you!

We're Going on a Bear Hunt: Scavenger Hunt and Art Activity

Isla and Hudson are always up for exploring and adventure. We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury is such a fun adventure book and we love reading it over and over. Our edition also came with a bear that we love to hide and play the "Hot/Cold" game with. Another fun activity that we have done multiple times with this book is have a "Bear Hunt" party. We love to invite friends to read the story, make binoculars and then go on a fun "bear hunt". With the "bear hunt" we've hidden teddy grahams, gummy bears, and a teddy bear and it has been so much fun every time! I've included a file for some paw prints that you can print out on colored paper and write "clues" on. You can be as simple or as extravagant as you want with your clues depending on the age group you're having your party with. Some examples are: "Somewhere we eat" (table), "Where we sit to relax" (couch), "Some place that can be hot, but right now it is not" (oven), "Something that gives us shade" (tree), "Where we put envelopes" (mailbox), etc. As you can see this is a great indoor or outdoor activity! You can download and print the bear paws HERE.

For the binoculars, all you need is 2 pieces of cardboard tubing from either toilet paper or a paper towel roll cut in half, tape (I like to use washi tape because it holds them together and decorates them), any art supplies you want to decorate with, and string if you would like them to be able to put them over their head. Just have the kids decorate their tubes as much as they'd like, tape them together and then attatch a string! Such a fun, quick, and easy activity that adds a little more adventure and imagination to the bear hunt. I hope you enjoy this activity as much as we do!

Valentine's Flower Heart

I love holidays but mostly I love decorating for holidays! This last thanksgiving, Isla and I started making something to hang on the playroom door for each holiday and it has been such a fun tradition so far! For Valentine's Day, we decided to make an easy craft that only took about 30-45 minutes to create.

Supplies needed:
Artificial hydrangea stems (about 5, but it depends on how big you make your heart.)
Cardboard (we used a Target box)
Scissors or box cutter
Glue (I always use hot glue because it dries so fast)
Ribbon for hanging

First, trace your heart onto your cardboard and cut it out. I used the flap of the box so I could easily fold it in half to create a symmetrical heart.
Second, pull the blossoms off of your stems.

Then begin gluing your blossoms on until your cardboard is covered. The more blossoms you add the fuller your heart will look.

Last, attach a ribbon to the back of your heart if you would like to hang it. Ta-da you're done!

This was so simple to do and Isla loves making something special for the playroom. Happy Valentine's!