If you know me at all, it’s no secret that I love homemade chocolate chip cookies. My friends get cookies for pretty much every event in their lives. Sorry guys. Maybe someday I’ll make you something else.

Why do I make cookies so often? #1. Difficuly: EASY. #2. Time: 20 minutes. #3: They’re DELICIOUS.

There are, of course, a lot of good cookie recipes out there. But this one is probably the best. When I married my husband, his family shared their coveted chocolate chip cookie recipe with me. And now I’m sharing it with you.  {Yes, you are that awesome.}

Grandma Diane’s Famous Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

INGREDIENTS

1 1/3 cup shortening

2 cups sugar

1 cup brown sugar

4 eggs

2 t soda

1 t salt

2 t vanilla

4 1/2 cups flour

Chocolate Chips

Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes. Don’t overbake.

*Recipe is already doubled. Cause 2 dozen just isn’t enough.

I wanted to make something fun and tasty for Father’s Day this year…but with a 2 year old and 4 month old, time is hardly on my side. This recipe is my go-to dessert and makes FANTASTIC regular cookies, but I decided to add a little twist to it.

 CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BOWL

To create the bowls…it’s pretty complicated. Scoop your cookie dough into the muffin tin and shape it like a bowl. Difficult, right?

*Don’t forget to grease your muffin tin. My favorite stuff to use is the spray from Pam that is specifically for baking. This stuff is awesome.

 Fill cups about 3/4 full.

Next, you’ll want to make circular indentations into the cookie dough. I prefer to use an ice cream scooper, but whatever method you’d like to use is fine.

When you’re done they should look something like this.

Bake the cookie dough for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

Wait until the cookie bowls have completely cooled, and then use a small spatula or butter knife to lift them from the pan.

 15 minutes later and you’re almost done, woohoo!

 Now is the fun part. Filling them! (If you haven’t eaten them yet.)

ICE CREAM COOKIE BOWL

It’s only natural to fill these yummies with ice cream, right? Ice cream with lots, and lots of toppings.

Some of our favorites are SKOR, Butterfinger, and Oreos.

I should mention that you should only fill these right before you’re about to serve them or you’re going to have a soggy cookies and milk concoction. (Which doesn’t sound too bad actually.)

Add a little caramel and chocolate syrup, and voila!

FRUIT COOKIE BOWL

Another fun variation for the fruit lovers out there. I prefer to leave the chocolate chips out of these bowls, but I don’t like mixing fruit with chocolate. I know, I’m weird.

For the fruit bowls, mix vanilla yogurt and cream cheese for the filling, and then add the chopped fruit on top. Easy peasy and SO GOOD.

Wouldn’t these be cute for a 4th of July party?

  Which do you prefer? Fruit or chocolate?

Both you say? You are women after my own heart.

These would be the perfect addition to your Father’s day BBQ this weekend. Maybe with some Tiger Burgers?

Enjoy!

Famous Chocolate Chip Cookie Bowl with Ice Cream and Fruit {4 Recipes in 1!}

Print

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cup shortening
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 t soda
• 1 t salt
• 2 t vanilla
• 4 1/2 cups flour
• Chocolate Chips

Instructions

1. Combine ingredients into a regular cookie dough
2. Grease your muffin tin. My favorite stuff to use is the spray from Pam that is specifically for baking. This stuff is awesome.
3. Scoop your cookie dough into the muffin tin and shape it like a bowl.
4. Fill cups about 3/4 full.
5. Next, you’ll want to make circular indentations into the cookie dough. I prefer to use an ice cream scooper, but whatever method you’d like to use is fine.
6. Bake the cookie dough for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
7. Wait until the cookie bowls have completely cooled, and then use a small spatula or butter knife to lift them from the pan.
8. Right before serving, fill with ice cream and lots, and lots of toppings.

Famous Chocolate Chip Cookie Bowl with Ice Cream and Fruit {4 Recipes in 1!}

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Independence Day is one of those easy breezy holidays where it’s mostly centered around food and having fun outdoors. It’s one of my favorite holidays because there’s not a lot of prep work that goes into it and I can just enjoy spending time with my family.

We have a super fun collection of 4th of July printables that will take your entertaining up a notch while still keeping this holiday easy breezy.

4th of July Printable set includes the following:

My favorite printable in this collection is definitely the scavenger hunt cards. This is a fun way to keep the kids entertained. Maybe the winner gets the first slice of watermelon. We can’t wait to play this at our 4th of July celebration this year.

I don’t know about you, but my house definitely doesn’t have enough patriotic decor. This collection includes THREE printable 8×10 signs, perfect for sitting on a shelf for home decor or add it to a food table for an extra special patriotic flare.

My kids LOVE playing with tin cans and it’s so easy and a great way to reuse cans, too! We’ve included 4 unique designs that take like 2 seconds to attach to a can for the perfect 4th of July game. So fun!

Oh, sparklers – our 4th of July revolves around these things. These cute printables are a great way to give each kid a set of sparklers.

Cupcake toppers or in this case veggie cup toppers, are a quick and easy way to dress up a single serving. I simply cut a few straws in half and hot glued (or you could use regular tape) to attach the straw to the circle. So easy!

This USA banner is perfect for all the patriotic holidays. I’m going to keep it handy for them all.

Food tents are a great way to label everything from snacks to drinks to desserts.

Pop rocks is definitely the official candy for 4th of July and what a fun favor for the kids than these adorable pop rocks with fold over tags. So fun!

And finally, water bottle labels are a super easy way to dress up plain water bottles. And with 5 unique styles, it will make it easy to remember which one is yours when there’s several water bottles sitting around on the table.

These 4th of July printables are SO EASY to print, cut, and assemble. You will have no trouble making this a special day with little effort.

Click Here to find it in the shop.

We hope you have a fun and relaxing (and cute!) 4th of July!

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Somewhere along the way we grow up.

Fort building and tree climbing are replaced with jobs and responsibilities.  We lose interest in play and using our imagination. We find it difficult to live in the present moment as we let the worry and planning consume our mind. But what if I were to tell you that inside each of us is an inner-child just waiting to come out and play?

Albert Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”

 Kids get that.

They live in the moment, create, explore, and pretend. They see their world with wonderment and excitement. Why is it that we don’t take the time to do the same?

This year instead of socks, ties, or tools for a father’s day gift, I have decided to tap into my inner child and give something a bit different.

I call it, “An Adventure in a Box.” The perfect gift for fathers!

What’s in it?

I grabbed this bin that looks like a treasure box and filled it with these items which  most of them I picked up either at the dollar store or the dollar section at Target. Get creative… those ropes you see are actually jump ropes that I cut the handles off of. And that treasure map is a scrap piece of wrapping paper with burned edges. And those marshmallow launchers are made out of a PVC pipe and cost under $2.00 to make. Nothing too fancy here folks. Anything goes.

Looking through my counselor goggles, I can’t help but think about all the benefits that a child and parent can receive by adventure playing. 

Allowing the child to take part of the journey and the story helps them feel like they have a voice and their ideas matter. I encourage parents to let kids take the lead during play as much as possible.

Not having a plan fosters imagination and being able to be in the moment.

As adults we could use practice in setting aside the to-do lists and taking it moment by moment.

That’s what an adventure is all about right?

Exploring and discovering new things fuels the imagination and encourages children to ask and answer their own questions.

This fosters a love for learning.

Working together builds unity and bonding.

Using their environment in their story promotes creativity. Can you tell this is a bucket full of treasure?

 Exploring their surroundings through binoculars helps them understand perspective.

 Sitting on shoulders makes them feel big and in charge.

Taking the time to sit down and have conversations on their level increases trust and encourages them to feel heard and loved.

 I loved standing back and watching these two sit back and enjoy their time with one another.

 He couldn’t put the binoculars down!

After a great adventure, a child is left feeling loved, heard, and connected.

Give the father’s day gift that not only brings out that inner-child but creates memories that will be written on their hearts for years to come.

What else would you put in your “Adventure Box?”

xo.

You can find more of me at: weedstowishes.com

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My husband has an upcoming party where the men are encouraged to cook and bacon is even more encouraged.  Which led me on a search of the greatest bacon dishes that ever lived.  What I found will astound you.  And perhaps make you believe that everything really is better with bacon!

22 Crazy-Good Bacon Combos That Make You Believe Everything’s Better with Bacon!

1. Okay, it’s mozzarella cheese, stuffed inside a meatball, wrapped in bacon!  Bacon fans will go gaga for these Cheesy Bacon Meatball Bombs.

2. Yes please!  Candied Bacon–Maple Pecan Crusted Bacon

3. Pancakes and Bacon…no really…the bacon is cooked inside the pancakes!

4. Maple bacon pancake muffins.  Imagine dipped in buttermilk syrup…yum.

5. Bacon-wrapped cinnamon rolls.  Seems like camping would be a great place to try these bad boys out!

6. Bacon jam.  I’m not even kidding.

7. Good morning!  Dutch baby pancake nest with bacon and eggs

8. Pancakes and Bacon cookies.  You’re so welcome.

9. Get out of town.  Bacon Cannolis!

10.  I’d definitely try this one–bacon dipped in chocolate.

11. Speaking of chocolate…these bacon truffles are a little salty and a little sweet.

12. Glazed Bacon Pinwheels for your next gathering.

13. I love the bacon lattice crust on this yummy-looking maple bacon breakfast pie.

14. Maple bacon popcorn 

15. And just because we can…bourbon bacon brittle.

16. This is a crazy combo that just might work…caramel marshmallow bacon bark.

17.  It’s called Bacon Crack ’cause you just can’t stop eating it!

18. Warm cheesy bacon dip

19. Bacon wrapped guacamole stuffed chicken.

20. This is too cool for words.  Bacon wrapped volcano potato, filled with all the good stuff!

21.  Although this looks disgusting…it just might be the best thing ever.  Bacon fried Oreos

22.  What guy (or gal) wouldn’t love this bacon wrapped cheeseburger?

So, would you like some bacon with your bacon?

Here are some more popular roundups you might like:

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When I imagine the most perfect summer, I see wispy clouds streaking across a blue sky with a light breeze blowing. I’m swinging slowly in a porch swing while the kids play in the yard. No matter how many versions of my dream I conjure up, there is always a porch swing.

You can make your own fairly easy and this DIY farm-inspired porch swing is both gorgeous and functional. It’s sturdy and deep, and the secret is that it uses a crib mattress for the seat. How brilliant is that?

Beautiful DIY Farm-Inspired Porch Swing

My father-in-law has been making these beautiful porch swings that he sells to locals for some time now. We live in Idaho where farmland spans the landscape and stately red barns still dot country roads. If you love the modern farm style, then you’ll love this project!

*Caveat: This is a custom design that my father-in-law has perfected while never really writing down directions. Use the pattern sketch and directions below as a general guideline, although you may need to tweak construction as you get going. It’s like your grandmother’s famous meatloaf recipe that she’s never written down…she just knows how to make it!

First, a big shout-out to Arrow Fastener tools that help us complete all of our DIY projects, large and small. From their iconic T50 staple gun (which I’m sure you’ve seen everywhere), to the Arrow T50AC electric nail and staple gun featured in this project, Arrow Fastener has been helping us “put things together” since 1929—that’s 90 years!

Check out the video tutorial!

Supplies Needed:

(See diagram below for all boards and sizes required.)

• Skill saw or chop saw
• Drill
• Sander
• (7) 2x4x8 pieces of lumber
• (1) box of 2.5-inch wood screws
• (1) half-inch 4×8 piece of plywood
• (4) 2x2x22.5 boards
• (2) 2x2x24 boards
• (8) half-inch loop eye bolts 4-inches in length (with washers and bolts)
• A pint of wood stain
• A pint of polyurethane sealant
• (1) 1-inch thick rope 25-30 feet long
• Crib mattress with dimensions 5.5 inches (H) x 27.25 inches (W) x 51.63 inches (D)
• (4) Heavy duty eye bolt screws

Step 1: Cut boards

Since the seat of this porch swing is a crib mattress, this tutorial and lumber dimensions are sized to fit a standard crib mattress approximately 5.5 inches (H) x 27.25 inches (W) x 51.63 inches (D).

Cut lumber to the following dimensions. (Printable sketch)

Step 2: Set them up in form.

Before you begin fastening the pieces together, first set them up in form. Two side pieces, one back piece, and one bottom piece. It helps to label all cut pieces as “A,” “B,” and so forth in order to keep everything straight.

Step 3: Screw all wood pieces together, starting with criss-cross sections.

If you prefer not to see visible screws on your porch swing, use a pocket hole jig to make deeper, angled holes for your screws to go in. This is a simple step that makes a big difference stylistically. It just creates a clean, classy look.

(Below: the angled holes a pocket hole jig will make so that screws aren’t exposed.)

Fasten all wood pieces together according to this pattern (shown above), starting with the criss-cross pieces first.

Step 4: Use a 1-inch drill bit to make holes for the rope.

Since a rustic farmhouse look was what we were going for, we used a 1-inch drill bit to drill eight holes in the 2x4s where the rope will go to suspend the swing.

Step 5: Use the Arrow Electric Nail Gun to fasten the bottom of the swing.

The bottom and final piece consists of four 2x2s and one 2×4 in the center for support. Fasten all 2x2s and the 2×4  into place. Next, take the half-inch piece of plywood measured to fit and use a nail gun like the Arrow T50 Professional Electric Nail Gun to fasten the plywood to the frame of the swing.

This will be the bottom of the swing and serve as support for the crib mattress seat.

Step 6: Stain and finish with a polyurethane finish.

Finally, stain your farm porch swing and finish it with a coat or two of polyurethane finish to help protect it from the elements.

Step 7: Use a crib mattress for the seat.

The genius behind this particular porch swing is that it uses a crib mattress for the seat. It creates a deep swing that everyone can fit in and it is perfectly comfortable seating.

I bought this new crib mattress for $50, brining the grand total for this entire porch swing project just under $200! If you have some of these supplies on hand and an unused crib mattress, this porch swing can be very inexpensive to build.

Cover the crib mattress with a sturdy crib sheet, add some pillows, and it’s ready to hang!

Step 8: A few tips on hanging

Make sure to get heavy-duty eye bolt screws for hanging the porch swing. We also recommend attaching it to a beam if available, something sturdy.

Step 9: Enjoy!

After checking that your new porch swing is securely fastened, grab some lemonade, find a breeze, and enjoy.

*Thank you so much to Arrow Fastener for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own. Thanks for stopping by!

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Best Mother’s Day Gifts:

As a mom of four, ages three to nine, my kids bring me some of my greatest joys. I love watching them discover the world around them. I love the funny things they say and the times that they vie for my attention. I’ve coached their teams, tied their shoes, wiped their bums, helped with school projects, made infinite meals (most of which they’ve stuck their noses up at), given up many cookies, and been on call for them 24/7, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Being a mom is incredible, but it’s also incredibly hard. Motherhood is a full-time job and it is rare to get a day off.

Every year before Mother’s Day my husband asks what I want. In my mind, I fantasize about an entire day all to myself—a whole day where I don’t have to be a mom—a day “off” where I can get a pedicure, catch a movie, and shop.

But what I usually say is, “Oh, you know…whatever.”

What a Mom Really Wants

If you’re looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift, take it from over a dozen mom contributors here at HowDoesShe, what mom really wants is a day off and a little pampering. It’s what we dream about, fantasize about, and sometimes are too reluctant to ask for. Here are the five best Mother’s Day gifts that will make the mom in your life feel loved, appreciated, revitalized and ready to tackle motherhood.

The 5 BEST Mother’s Day Gift Ideas Ever!

1. A night in a hotel

Just think about this one from a mom’s point of view. One night of guaranteed uninterrupted sleep, no cooking, no cleaning, and no stepping in to referee any fights. I would LOVE having a hotel room all to myself once a year.

2. A spa treatment

After mom checks into her hotel room and takes a much-needed nap, line her up with a spa treatment like a manicure, pedicure, facial, or relaxing massage. I promise you, this will make her feel amazing! Like all of those dirty socks and encrusted dishes were totally worth it.

3. A Good Night’s Sleep

As moms, especially moms with young kids, you can never get enough quality sleep. In fact, a good night’s sleep is priceless and that’s what makes this cool device the perfect Mother’s Day gift! It’s a smart sleep assistant that combines a soothing sound machine, sunrise alarm, smart light and meditation app all in one. It’s on sale right now too!

4. Lunch, dinner, or a treat at her favorite place

Following a movie, treat mom to lunch or dinner at her favorite restaurant. I have no qualms about eating alone; in fact, I think about it all the time and how amazing it sounds. I’d take a book, order something from the menu that no other fingers will be picking at, and enjoy the fact that someone is cooking for me for a change.

Or take mom out for brunch, lunch, or her favorite treat. Just spending time with other women is good for our souls.

5. Shopping

Lastly, to cap off my perfect “Mother’s Day off,” I’d do a little shopping. I’d try on clothes for a change instead of just grabbing something off the rack, battling kids at the same time, and hoping that it fit. What mom really wants is the freedom to go somewhere indulgent, all alone, and buy something if she wants to or leave it hanging in the dressing room if she doesn’t. 

No mom guilt allowed.

I’ve been a mom long enough to appreciate every ounce of alone time that I can get. As much as we adore our families, it does a mom’s soul good to be by herself once in a while, to hear the sound of her own thoughts, to jam out to her own songs, and to worry about nobody’s boogers except her own.

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A Jar of Sunshine Makes a Great Mother’s Day Gift!

Each year, as Mother’s Day draws closer, my thoughts turn to my mom (of course) and how much I love her. I start thinking about gift ideas that would in some way convey the gratitude I feel for her, and be genuinely meaningful. In the past, I have done photo books, calendars, and just plain letters – but this year I wanted to create a gift that would be fun to receive, but also just keep giving, especially since my mother lives 14 hours away now. I wanted my gift to be a sort of “ray of sunshine” to remind her that I love her and am thinking about her – every day. If only I could bottle sunshine and send it her way. BUT, I can do the next best thing…I can give her a jar of sunshine from my heart!

So, here is the idea…prepare a jar of happy. yellow candies with little notes of love and gratitude attached, then gift that to my mom so she can open a little “ray of sunshine” whenever she is having a gray day. This is an idea that is great to do as a family, and comes together rather quickly! Here is a look at what I did so you can do something similar, too! Here is a peek:

Okay, here is what you’ll need:

Jar of sunshine

•  A Jar. This can be as fancy or as simple as you’d like. Remember, you can dress up ANY old jar and make it happy and sunshiney! Use an old pickle jar, a mason jar, or a fancy hurricane jar! The type and size is up to you. I wanted the jar to be as much of a gift as the treats inside of it, so I  went with the classy Hurricane jar from Walmart.
• Candy. Purchase some yellow, sunshine-y candies – enough to fill your jar (and a little extra for you to munch on as you create…we all need a little sweet sunshine in our lives!)
• Yellow Paper. This is to write your little notes on. I recommend using regular weight printer paper because it is much easier to wrap around the candies, but feel free to use any scrap yellow paper you have lying around.
• Twine or String. This is to tie the little notes to the candies. You could also just use tape if that is easier – this can be as intricate or as simple as you want it to be. For me? Yellow baker’s twine was the perfect touch!
• A Pen. Did I need to tell you this part? This is what you will write your notes with. Yeah, I think you probably could have figured that one out on your own

Let’s get started! First thing is first – pick out your jar. Now, like I said, this can be large, small, or in between – whatever you like. I went larger because I wanted to fill the jar with 365 candies (one for every day of the year). Did I put a note on EACH candy? Um…no. But, I put notes on a bunch of them randomly. She’ll get lots of love from this hurricane jar!

Next, purchase candy.

I wanted the candy to match with my “sunshine” theme, so I went with yellows. You will want to stick with wrapped candies for this, especially if you are wrapping notes around them. Besides, we need to work off the calories we will be eating by UNwrapping the candy first (that’s my logic…roll with it). My husband had the brainstorm to go to Bulk Barn to find some wrapped yellow candy and we struck GOLD (or…yellow….or well, you get it). There was a ton of selection, and since I wanted a candy for each day of the year, it was important to me to include a variety.

Pour the candies out into a large bowl and mix well with your hands. This probably wasn’t necessary, but it was a lot of fun

Pour the candy into the jar – just to be sure it fits. If a few fall out the top, well, they are fair game and don’t really deserve to be included in the jar. They should be eaten immediately

Next you will want to cut your yellow paper into strips. I found that about 1″ by about 3.5″ was the perfect size for wrapping most candies. Decide how many notes you want to include in the jar of sunshine, then start cutting away!

The hard part – deciding what to write. This can be a variety of things, and can come from anyone in your family. I advocate enlisting the kids, your spouse, and even your mom’s siblings, your siblings, your nieces and nephews…everyone! Or, it can just be from you. This is YOUR gift so go with what feels right for you. As for what to write, here are a few ideas:

Write:

• things you are grateful to your mom for
• happy memories you have of her
• things she has taught you
• what you love most about her
• inspirational quotes about motherhood (one of my favorite resources for quotes is The Quote Garden)
• uplifting scriptures or proverbs
• pictures your children have drawn
• cute or funny jokes or quips that you know your mom would like

The list can go on. No one knows your mom better than you, so go with what you think would be a ray of sunshine to her. For my mom, I think little notes of gratitude will brighten her day. She has done so much for us, and continues to do so even from a distance! I began writing things that came to my mind and it was a very uplifting and emotional experience even for me

Wrap it Up!

It’s time to take those little notes and start wrapping and tying them around the candies. I once again advocate enlisting the kids help in this part. You don’t have to wrap each candy in a note – just do some of them. It will be fun for her to reach into her jar of sunshine for a treat, and pick out a random note. Isn’t this a fun idea? I also used a craft punch and some scrap yellow cardstock to punch out some sunshine shapes to add. Variations could include sunshine stickers, little happy faces, flowers, or bling! Be creative!

Fill the jar with your bits of “sunshine” and feel free to embellish the jar as much or as little as you’d like. I added a paper doily, a sunshine shape cut from my silhouette machine, an orange paper flower, and some other small embellishments, then tied it on with more of the yellow baker’s twine. Then, I printed off a title and used a 2″ circle punch to punch it out and include in the center of the sunshine. I also included a small envelope to hold a short note explaining the gift. Get as creative as you want to with this!  A simple note tied around with string would be just as nice! Think: vinyl words, painting the jar, inserting a photograph into the jar…let the imagination roll!

I am sure that your mom (or grandmother, aunt, daughter, friend, mother-in-law…etc) will enjoy receiving their “Jar of Sunshine” and it will be a meaningful gift that will continue to give throughout the year.

Feel free to share your ideas and what YOU might add in your “jar of sunshine”. This gift idea will also work for a graduate, a birthday, an anniversary, a teacher appreciation gift…the list goes on. Everyone needs a small ray of sunshine every now and then, don’t they? Why not let that ray of sunshine be you?

Of course our chickabug has provide the printable file to help you create your own jar of sunshine. You can download it here.

Have a happy, sunshine-y day!

{We’re linking up to these great parties! Come join along!}

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Some spring breaks we stay home, some we hit the road. The older our kids get, the more we need to take advantage of school breaks to take trips because as kids get into middle and high school, they can’t miss just any old school day. Spring break is the perfect time for the whole family to spend quality time together and make great memories. With a little planning and creativity, you can keep your kids busy with fun activities that will entertain and educate them. Here are some great ideas for keeping kids busy during spring break.

Tips for Keeping Kids Busy During Spring Break

When you’re staying home for spring break, the days can get long and the kids can get stir crazy. Here are some ways to inspire them to create their own fun. Do one of two a day and the week just flies by!

Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is a fun way to keep kids entertained and active during spring break. You can create a list of items for them to find in the backyard, local park or even in the comfort of your own home. Kids will have a great time problem-solving and working together to find the items on the list.

Board Games

Board games are a classic way to spend quality time with the family. They are also a good idea for keeping kids occupied during spring break. Dust off some old favorites or introduce your children to some new ones. Board games can help teach kids important skills like strategy, logic and critical thinking.

Have a Movie Night

Movie night is always a great activity for the whole family. You can make it extra special by having a themed night, like a superhero movie marathon or a classic film festival. Pop some hot dogs or make some fun recipes, and enjoy a cozy night in with your family.

Art Projects

Art projects are a perfect opportunity for kids to express their creativity and learn new skills. Set up a dedicated art space in the living room or backyard and let your kids create their own art projects. You can provide them with materials like toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, pipe cleaners, pool noodles and hula hoops, and watch their imaginations soar. Host your own art show at home and invite friends or family to come view.

Outdoor Activities

Spring break is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. Take a bike ride, go for a nature walk or hike, or set up an obstacle course or picnic in your backyard. Set up a tent and sleeping bags for a backyard camping adventure. Outdoor activities are a fun way for kids to burn off energy and enjoy the warm weather.

Sensory Play Ideas

Sensory play is a great way for younger kids to explore the world around them. Set up a sensory play area with materials like rice, beans, water beads or sand, and let your kids explore with their senses. Sensory play can help with cognitive development and problem-solving skills.

Card Games

Card games are a fun way to keep kids entertained and teach them important skills like math and strategy. You can play classic card games like Go Fish or introduce your children to new games like Uno or Exploding Kittens. Card games are also a good idea for older kids and teens who might not be interested in other activities. Our family recently got into Cover Your Assets and other Grandpa Beck’s games. It’s a ton of fun and improve’s kids math skills without them really knowing it.

Science or Baking Experiments

Science experiments are a great way to teach kids about the world around them and spark their curiosity. You can find fun and easy science experiments online or in science kits. Set up a science center in your home and let your kids experiment with materials like baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring. Or have fun trying a new baking recipe. We have a spring break tradition where we do a cake decorating contest equipped with brightly-colored frosting and all kinds of toppings. My kids look forward to it every year!

Local Attractions

Spring break is a great time to explore new places and nearby cities. You can take a day trip to a nearby museum or amusement park or visit a local attraction like a children’s museum or science center. Make a list of local attractions and let your kids pick where they want to go.

Spring Break Camps

Spring break camps are a good idea for parents who have to work during the kids’ schedule. Many community centers and schools offer spring break programs that include fun activities like art projects, science experiments, and outdoor spring break activities. Check with your local community center or school to see if they offer any spring break camps.

Family Game Night

Family game night is a great way to spend quality time with the family and have a lot of fun. You can play board games, card games or even video games together. Family game night is also a great opportunity for older children and teens to spend time with their younger siblings and family members.

Local Library

The local library is a great resource for parents looking for fun and educational activities during spring break. Many libraries offer storytimes, craft activities, and other programs for young children. Older kids and teens can find books to read or even participate in writing workshops. I like to grab these cursive writing workbooks for my kids to practice with. 

Easter Eggs

Easter is often during spring break, which means there are plenty of fun Easter activities to do with your kids. You can dye eggs, have an Easter egg hunt, or even make your own Easter decorations. These activities are a great way to celebrate the holiday and spend quality time with your family.

Walking Trails

Walking trails are a great way to get some exercise and explore nature with your family. You can find walking trails in local parks, nature preserves, or even in your own neighborhood. Walking trails are a good idea for families with young children or those who want a more relaxed outdoor activity.

Monthly Boxes

Monthly subscription boxes are a fun way to keep kids entertained and educated during spring break. We love KiwiCo crates that offer science experiments, art projects, and even fun recipes. These boxes can be a great way to introduce your kids to new activities and ideas.

Don’t be afraid of spring break at home–it can be the perfect time for the whole family to spend quality time together and make great memories. There are many fun activities and ideas that can keep your kids busy and entertained, from scavenger hunts and board games to outdoor activities and science experiments. Think outside the box and devote some time to those things you just don’t seem to get around doing on a everyday week.

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The sun is out and the weather is warming up! You know what that means right?  It’s now time to think about starting some seeds indoors. So go pull the gardening tools out of the shed and put them to work. But they aren’t the only ones to be put to work- go grab some little helpers to help out as well! Gardening is a fantastic way to not only teach children about plants and vegetables but also a great opportunity to teach them about work and patience. It’s never too early to get them involved! I’ll share some tips I have found along the way.

1. Allow your child to explore the plants with all their senses. 

Children who at an early age experience being outdoors in nature are more likely to enjoy being outside as adults- so start  this love young! Children naturally are curious about their surroundings and wanting to use all their senses to experience the world. Allow them to be able to do so by taking them to your local botanical gardens, nurseries, or even the farmers market and allow them to just experience.

I brought my little guy with me to buy seeds and I just loved watching him explore all the plant life around him. Have you ever smelled Lemon Thyme? It’s divine! Soon enough, he was the one pointing out  different plants and having me feel and smell them with him.

2. Involve your child in choosing what to grow in their garden.

This gets your child excited about the process and hopefully excited about trying new food they otherwise may not have wanted to try. I let them have a little area of their own for their own garden to feel ownership of their experience. You will get to see more of that when we are ready to plant outdoors.

Watch out!  It’s so much fun… it is easy  to go a little seed crazy. Make sure you throw some seeds that are fairly easy to plant and grow. This way I know the experience will be positive even if only one thing survived.

3. Find kid friendly tools and kits to experiment and get them excited about the experience. 

I found some supplies for a dollar at Target that got my son so excited to help out and that is all he could talk about for the entire week. Again, it gives him a sense of ownership in the process and makes it even more exciting.

4. Involve them in the ENTIRE  process- including the messy part. 

This is the fun part! Allowing your child to feel and experience dirt between their fingers is a great sensory activity.

TIP: I suggest grabbing an old plastic container and mixing some Seed Starting Mix and allowing them to pour warm water a bit at a time.

Then, allow them to mix it with their hands…yes- their hands. Make sure their hands are clean first!

Get your hands in there with them! You want the mixture to feel moist all the way through but not dripping when you pick it up. It will feel light to the touch and sort of like a wrung out sponge.

We had so much fun it was hard to move on to actually planting the seed.

TIP: Make sure there is plenty of drainage. I know my son well and he loves to water. So, I poked holes in the box and set it in a plastic bin just in case.

TIP: I found that using a medicine dropper is a great way for young kids to help with watering without over watering. He also loves using his special spray bottle for misting.

5. Let go of perfection or any expectations.

This is not the time to be frustrated with your child if it is not done exactly how you would have done it. It may not look pretty and there may even be some seeds that don’t germinate, but you can always buy starters later if you have to! It’s way more about the experience you share with your child and creating a good attitude towards gardening.  You can always find a lesson in every teaching moment. So, if things don’t work out- think of it as a great lesson on how things don’t always go the way you would like.

Okay we are all finished with the planting. TIP: Once you have put the seeds according to the directions (although with a three-year-old that may not have happened exactly) and labeled them- I like to use plastic wrap or a plastic top to help keep them warm and moist. Next, put it by a warm sunny window and watch what happens! When you see the  first set of true leaves pop up- you can take off the plastic wrap. Make sure to be checking the soil every day to make sure it is damp or moist but not too wet or too dry.

Again, what a great lesson in teaching your child about patience. It can be hard to wait (even for adults!)…so, you’ll have to practice waiting with us for the results of our children’s garden in a future post!

For now, I want to know- what does your family like to plant in their garden?

xo

You can find more ideas for kids from me at: weedstowishes.com

The post 5 ideas on Encouraging your Child to Help Plant a Garden appeared first on How Does She.

Are you getting ready for The Big Day?!?  The day your kids have spent the last year waiting for?  The day that you get all of your eggs boiled and decorated?  Here are some great alternatives to dress up those eggs without using Easter Egg Dye.

1. Use a Sharpie to tie-dye your Easter eggs.

2. Do you want a no mess way for your little one to help?  Use a baggie and acrylic paint!

3. How cool would glow-in-the-dark eggs be?!

4. Did you know you could color eggs with Kool-Aid?  The colors are amazing!

5. Use what Mother Nature has given us to make natural dyes for your eggs.

6. These are just beautiful and take some patience, but so worth the wait.  Have you ever seen a silk dyed egg?

7. Have you thought of using an onion to dye your eggs?  I’m sure you have one right in your pantry!  Aren’t they beautiful?!

8. What about just grabbing a Sharpie and go to town!

9. I’ve decided that Washi Tape is awesome!  These are so fun and anyone can decorate them!

10. Decoupage your eggs!  

11. Do you love Chalk Paint?!  Use it for your eggs!

12. tie-dye your eggs using nail polish!

13. These bunny eggs are so cute!  With stickers you have so many options!

14. Make your own confetti to decorate your eggs!

15. Temporary tattoos would be so fun to use!

 Now get to creating some amazing looking Easter Eggs!

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