The phrase "Find something to DO!" often heard around households this time of year...here are 20 suggestions of activities kids can do without parents...(feel free to add your own in the comments)
The day Erica called and asked me to blog for Yummy Mummy Club was a turning point in my journey from blogger to book author. Have you ever wanted to blog? Write a magazine article? Get your book published? I went from being the Activity Mummy here on YMC, to writing magazine features, to becoming the published author of Boredom Busters.
Here are a few tips on how to turn your posts into pages:
With BlissDom Canada soon approaching, I think of myself what inspires me to blog, and ironically, they are the same things which inspire me to be a better mom. With that said, I bring up my most favourite post here on the Yummy Mummy Club "Why Blogging Makes Me A Better Mother"...
Blogging makes me a better mother because...it inspires me. And when I'm inspired, I am more inclined to motivate the people around me.
Today is my son's 1st day of pre-school. We've been waiting, excitedly, for this day for 2-and-a-half years. He gave me a smile, a high five, and a "bye Mommy" when I dropped him off. He's happy...so why am I crying?!
Anxiety much Caroline?! Yes, yes I do.
You would think I would be so over this by now...3rd child...I've done all these milestones before. Yet, my stomach is turning and my shoulders are high and tight.
I'm back from a long, multi-country, European vacation with my family. 2-hour wait at Toronto Pearson airport. 8-hour flight. 5-hour layover. 3-hour train ride. 9-hour drive. And that was all ONE WAY! Being the Activity Mummy that I am, I had lots of entertainment packed and planned, but what surprised me were the activities we found on-the-go.
I had an activity bag (three actually). One for my toddler and two for my tweens.
The waiting time for our delivery guy was 8am-5pm (seriously?! what kind of modern day business has a full-day-wait-window?!). Anytime between 8am and 5pm he would arrive. No he wouldn't call an hour before showing up to confirm...he'd just be there...sometime...during the day. So the kids and I were chained to the house. What do you do to entertain the kids while you wait for the delivery guy?...
It's important to get into a bit of routine for back to school. It helps with getting the kids in the school mode as well as organizing yourself into the school grind. The lunch boxes. The school bus pick up. The field trip forms.
Here are a few tried-and-true tips to help with back-to-school:
My big kids are CRAZY for something called Teen Beach Movie. I have come to the conclusion that every generation has to have a sappy, boy meets girl, break-out-into-a-random-song-and-dance-number musical. Where does this come from? Well, let's take a stroll down musical lane and see where the dance routines take us.
Hot and heavy—water is a great way to entertain kids and cool them off both at the same time. Here are a few ideas to switch up H2O activities into some awesome Water Games.
Like The Hunger Games? Then Try The Water Games!
My kids and I made up this water game last week (and it was AWESOME). So remember in The Hunger Games when the cornicopia had a bunch of useful items Katniss and Pita could use to defend/attack with? And remember the Gamemaker who crafted the game? And The President who oversaw everything? Ok, it's that...with water.
A day at the beach (in sunny, hot weather) is always good. However, these top five beach essentials for kids will make your beach day even better! Inspired by Loukia's Top Five Summer Beach Essentials — I gathered together some beach essentials for kids.
Beyond towels and water bottles and sunscreen and sun hats, these five things will make family beach time easier.
Of all the awesome activities I can recommend for kids this summer, joining the TD Summer Reading Club is high on the list. It’s a summer tradition in our family.
"What is it?" you ask.
The simple answer is this: it's a fantastic free activity that encourages reading and entertains kids.
First off, I love Pinterest. I find it a great source for inspiration, recipes, kid activities, and more. I have it bookmarked on my computer as well as in app form on my phone. But I discovered something I think is share-worthy about Pinterest (especially if your kids like to pin)...there is content which is, um, well you decide...Pinterest or Soft Porn?
I don't believe in giving an end-of-school -ear gift to every person in your child's academic life. However, one person I do acknowledge is the school bus driver. I trust this driver every singlebday with the life of my child. In traffic. In snow. In rain. In ice. This (very minimally paid) person has a great responsibility. And I appreciate that. Which is why I have a few gift ideas for your school bus driver...
I should have said something. Should I have said something?! Today, I surprised dear daughter by a "drop by" visit at the park where she eats lunch with friends. This one boy was "F-this" and "F-that" and "What up A-hole" left and right (seriously. every. other. word.). I was standing right there and this 12-year-old boy had no "grown-up filter" at all. Even when a girl said "Hey, her brother might hear you" (did I mention my 2-year-old was right there too)...he kept on going. Does swearing make this kid cool?
My friend used come over to my house (weekly) to snuggle my newborn son. “You don’t understand how delicious this is!” she would say. Ok, chocolate is delicious — but babies?! It made me realize that there are everyday moments that provide such pleasure…it’s like a "Daily Dose of Delicious."
Dear yummy mummy club readers, hold on to your yoga pants and put down that toddler.
I haz great news.
I have a book deal! Ok, maybe not great news to you (you're probably just surfing here trying to glean a good activity for your kid so you can fold laundry in peace). But this is head-spinning news to me. I have a book deal. Still so un-imagine-able.
I came up with the idea for egg shell art because one of the eggs we boiled for Easter eggs cracked during the cooking phase. Throw it out?! No way. I gave that egg a second life (well, third—I ate the boiled egg for lunch) as Egg Shell Art. This is a great craft for pre-schoolers.
Earth Hour is this Saturday March 23rd. At 8:30 p.m. families can save energy for one hour, making a contribution to the global movement of living a more environmentally friendly and sustainable life. Turn off the lights and turn on your family—so to speak. I have a few tips and activities to help you enjoy Earth Hour with your family.
Using food colouring to dye Easter eggs is a time-old tradition in our house. It's easy, fun, and I already have all of the ingredients in my kitchen. Easter eggs make for a great spring table decoration. Plus, kids are so darn proud of their coloured eggs—"I did THIS ONE." Your kids will LOVE this activity...
