http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php Follow our toy experts as they talk about the latest, greatest toys as well as classic play themes, patterns and toys seen around the world. en sstranges@gmail.com Copyright 2017 2017-02-17T17:52:00+00:00 http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/ravensburger_puzzles http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/ravensburger_puzzles#When:17:52:00Z For more than 130 years, Ravensburger has been perfecting the unplugged, indoor activity whole families can enjoy! Puzzles made for every age and interest, and of a quality you've come to love.     Beginner Ravensburger puzzles up to 60 pieces, for ages 4-5       Junior Ravensburger puzzles up to 100 pieces, for ages 5-6     Ravensburger puzzles up to 500 pieces, for Experienced puzzlers, ages 7-8       Advanced Ravensburger puzzles up to 5000 pieces, for ages 11+     Ravensburger puzzle accessories     2017-02-17T17:52:00+00:00 http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/diy_valentines_day_fun2 http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/diy_valentines_day_fun2#When:17:17:06Z Valentine's Day is a fun time to spend some time together and tell those we love exactly how much we care about them. I very fondly remember making construction paper mailboxes and paper doily Valentines. If you're looking for some lovely Valentine's treats and some easy Valentine craft activities, look no further! Enjoy a few of our favourite DIY Valentine's Day pins below! Image source: pagingsupermom.com 41 DIY Printable Valentine's Day Cards Perfect For the Classroom Party! This lilsugar.com collection of Valentine printables are an easy way to give homemade cards to everyone in the class. From friendship bracelets, to fruit strips, and everything in between, this collection has something for everyone. My personal favourite is Paging Supermom's Whoopee Cushion themed "My Funny Valentine". Touches like twine and handwritten embellishments really add the finishing touch to these printed valentines. A great tip to keep things simple is to have a basic message followed by "From: [your child]", avoiding any "To:" message on the cards, this way there is no need to worry about handing out the right card to the right classmate, and you can make a few extras to make sure there are enough for everyone! Image source: cfabbridesigns.com Beautiful DIY Yarn Hearts! This Valentine craft project is SUPER easy, mess-free and yields beautiful results! Cammila Fabbri of Family Chic has pinned a beautifully photographed, step-by-step tutorial on how to create decorative yarn hearts. You only need 4 supplies: scissors, wire cutters, rustic floral wire and yarn! When you're done you have one-of-a-kind yarn hearts that you can use to decorate for a party, give to your Valentine, make a wreath, or wear them as a charm on a necklace - so many possibilities. My tip for this project: pre-cut the rustic floral wire and yarn in different colours for the children, show them how to form the heart, then it is just knot, wrap and go! You'll have a bunch of handmade, eye-catching hearts in no time!   Image source: Life in Wonderland Healthy Valentine's Day Fruit! Sweet treats for Valentine's Day can be easy, cute, delicious AND good for you! Kristin of Life in Wonderland shares some pretty and healthy ideas in her "My Fruity Valentine" post. Use a heart cookie cutter to create 2-in-1 fruit slices like this yummy watermelon/cantaloupe combo. Another easy idea is creating heart-shaped fruit kebabs! You can prepare these ahead of time, so they are "ready to go" or you can get the kiddies involved to help cut out the fruit hearts before eating them. Image source: nestofposies.com Rainbow Loom Bracelet Valentines! The Baby Center blog has collected 7 great Rainbow Loom themed Valentines from around the web and pinned them in one, easy to find place! Loom Lovers will love sharing their handmade creations with all of their fellow trend-loving pals! These Loom Valentines feature free printables, and a heart bracelet tutorial! I love the idea of a Loom themed pun like "Let's band together", and attaching a Rainbow Loom bracelet or Rainbow Loom charm to each card. If you prefer, your child can easily decorate Rainbow Loom themed Valentines with paint, stickers and markers instead of printing them. Image source: Kids Activities Blog Valentine Colouring Pages! Colour the day away with over 25 pages of free, printable Valentine's Day colouring pages found and shared by Holly from the Kids Activities Blog! Dinosaurs, cards, hearts, animals, your family's favourite characters and more are featured in these themed sheets, so you are sure to find the perfect set for your little ones. Just add some art supplies: crayons, markers, coloured pencils, glitter glue, foil, or water colour paints - match the medium to the age and ability of those colouring and let the fun begin!   Image source: Martha Stewart Make A Heart Garland! This easy-to-make DIY Valentines heart garland will add just the right touch to your Valentine's Day decor! With just a few supplies you can create an adorable garland of any length! A fun group activity, this is one the whole family can do together, or everyone at a play date can make their own garland to take home!   For more kid-friendly fun check out our DIY Valentine's Day Pinterest board! What are your favourite DIY Valentine's activities? We love hearing your family's stories! Share all of your creative Valentine ideas, and your fun heart day photos with us, on your favourite social media site and in a comment below! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MastermindToys Twitter: @MastermindToys Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MastermindToys/ Instagram: MastermindToys   Thank you so much for reading! ☺   - Auntie M   *Editor's note: A version of this post was originally published in 2014, see that post here: http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/post/diy_valentines_day_fun     2017-01-25T17:17:06+00:00 http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/resolve_to_have_fun_together1 http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/resolve_to_have_fun_together1#When:13:35:42Z Happy 2017! This time of year is a perfect opportunity to set some goals for the New Year. A goal I think we can all get behind is: Have more FUN together!  Here are some ideas that inspire more play and encourage more quality time together! Let’s all enjoy creating life-long memories with shared experiences like playing games, creating artwork, reading together, discovering new activities and more. It is easy to get lost in the shuffle of “day-to-day” life; below are some of my favourite family activities and tips for finding the time to enjoy them. Play a game after dinner! After dinner is the perfect time to squeeze in a quick game. It can be a board game, a guessing game like charades, a word guessing game, any game your family loves! If you find you don’t have enough time to complete a game, you can easily play a round or two at a time. Play outside! Go tobogganing. Build a snowman. Whether it is clearing the driveway of snow, going skating at an outdoor rink, playing catch or take your scooter out for a ride in warmer climes, getting active outside is the perfect way to stay healthy and have fun! Make a 2017 scrapbook! Create this scrapbook a page at a time, throughout the year. This is where all those photos you take find a home. After a day at the museum, playing outside, a school play etc, print a few of the photos and affix them to a page and add any tickets or other mementos from the day. By the end of the year you will have a wonderful keepsake! Create a FUN “To-Do” board! Throughout the year, encourage the kids to cut out pictures from the newspaper or from magazines, or you can print them from images you find online together, and add them to a display board. This will be inspiration for all sorts of fun activities your family can try together this year. Laugh together! Every Friday during dinner, everyone takes their turn to tell a joke or a story about the funniest thing that happened that week. This is guaranteed to get everyone at the table laughing and chatting. I love this idea, a great way to encourage everyone to interact and kick off the weekend with a smile after a week of school and work. Cheer! Invite some friends and extended family to your child’s team game. This is one of my absolute favourite ideas. (It also combines two of my fave things: crafts and sports!) In preparation for the game everyone can get together to paint each other’s faces, colour hair temporarily with hair chalk, make signs and pack up some snacks and refreshments. Bring along some noisemakers like bells or maracas and enjoy the fun and excitement of the game, and the “playoff” atmosphere you’ve created for the young athletes. Read! Everyone in the family chooses their favourite book and trades with someone else in the family. This is an awesome way to encourage reading, connect with each other, and learn what the current favourite reads in your household are. Read some more! Choose a movie for movie night that was inspired by a book. Read the book together as a family before watching the film. If it is a novel, you can read a chapter every night before bed, or listen to the audio book together whenever everyone is in the car. For younger families, you can choose a storybook to read together. Prepare a meal together as a family! Selecting a recipe and gathering the ingredients is the perfect way to start a family dialogue about nutrition and healthy eating choices. Cooking together is a fun way to spend time together while learning valuable life skills in the kitchen. Check out a cookbook or our "Yummy Foods" board on Pinterest for some inspiration! www.pinterest.com/mastermindtoys/yummy-foods/ Make a list of 100 fun things to do! This is a great way to discover what new interests your little ones may be developing and also comes in handy when the choruses of “I’m bored” come around during days off. Let your imagination run free, from “try archery” to “make brownies” write down every idea your family has! DIY games! You can make your very own games at home and enjoy them with your family. Check out our Backyard Games Pinterest board for some inspiration! http://www.pinterest.com/mastermindtoys/backyard-games/ Put on a family talent show! Everyone prepares an “act” that is 1-5 minutes long. This can be a song, reading a poem, doing a cartwheel, juggling, anything at all. This is a fun activity to prepare ahead of time and perform for guests when your family is hosting a get-together! Create a family music video together! Choose a fun song and create a music video for it. You can select family photos and create a slide show set to the tune or you can record scenes of the family lip-synching and dancing to the song. Matching outfits and prop instruments and microphones really add to the fun here! This can be a family project that you work on together for about 20 minutes each day until it is completed. Make a family mural! Cover a wall in the playroom with easel paper, grab some art supplies, and create a large mural with the whole family adding their own personal touches. This is a great activity for an evening when everyone seems to be done their homework early and you’ve ordered pizza for dinner, and when you’re done you’ll have a one-of-a-kind work of art! Launch a rocket! Discovering science together creates unique family memories and encourages a love of learning. There are rocket kits available, and many other interesting science kits and toys that feature so many cool experiments. If you prefer the DIY route, browse this awesome Science Activities for Children Pinterest Board for some ideas! http://www.pinterest.com/educatewithtoys/science-activities-for-children/ Thanks so much for reading! I hope these ideas inspire families to make time to have some fun together! What are your goals for 2017? Share them with us in a comment below, or on our Facebook and Twitter pages, we LOVE reading your stories! For more great family fun ideas follow us on Pinterest and for cool behind the scenes photos check us out on Instagram! (@mastermindtoys) We wish everyone a wonderful 2017! - Auntie M   Editor's note: This post was originally published in 2014, see that post here: http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/resolve_to_have_fun_together     2017-01-06T13:35:42+00:00 http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/let_the_wow_begin_our_2016_holiday_gift_guide http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/let_the_wow_begin_our_2016_holiday_gift_guide#When:16:09:06Z   Limber up your list-making fingers! Take a look at our Holiday Gift Guide and watch your shopping plans fall into place! 2016-10-26T16:09:06+00:00 http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/back_to_class http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/back_to_class#When:11:41:24Z   Gear up for the return to class!     Gearing up for school and finding just the right backpack and all the coolest stuff to fill your pencil case, makes this such a fun time of year! Let's get ready for a whole school year’s worth of possibilities. Check out our favourite finds to help bring the "sass" back to class! Backpacks and more! Every day of learning is fuelled by a healthy lunch! Ice packs and lunch bags that keep food fresh, water bottles and more, we’ve got the eco-friendly, reusable lunch gear you’re looking for. Gather everything you need for snack and meal time at school (except the food, ha!), and it's all available with matching accessories. For those (like me) who are looking for fresh, new and EASY lunch ideas, check out “Beating the Lunch Box Blues” by J.M. Hirsch. It’s full of quick and yummy tips and meals that are appropriate for students of any age as well as us “grown-ups”. Stock up on these extra special goodies! Add fun to schoolwork with these stylish school supplies! Scented pencils, pens and markers, high quality Faber-Castell art supplies, and wonderfully adorable Beanie Boo pens will have students inspired and ready, from kindergarten to high school and beyond. At school and at home, students will love working on their assigments with these extra-special goodies! Boost their brains with these fun homework helpers!   Jump start learning this school year with these brain-busters!   Kumon workbooks are a go-to home learning resource for students and their parents. For more homework helpers check out the all-in-one ScienceWiz experiment kits to bring some hands-on fun to learning.     Thanks for reading! Does your family have any "Back to School" traditions? Let us know in a comment below, or share them with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@mastermindtoys). For more BTS inspo check out our "Back to School!" board on Pinterest.   Have a great day and make some time to play! :)   - Auntie M 2016-08-18T11:41:24+00:00 http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/the_top_10_reasons_we_love_zoku http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/the_top_10_reasons_we_love_zoku#When:13:28:20Z It's the perfect time to get everyone together to create and enjoy some cool treats! From ice pops to ice cream, we've got the amazing gear and goodies to help your family make some yummy summer memories. Gone are the days of my childhood, when we would have to wait hours for our frozen treats to be ready to eat! Thanks to the Zoku line of quick makers, it is easy to create pops, slushes, shakes, and even ice cream in just minutes. You store your Zoku maker in the freezer and then remove and add your own ingredients, right on your countertop. I'm a huge fan of Zoku makers and use them all year round. To learn more about Zoku, check out my "10 Reasons I Love Zoku" list below:   Zoku is a complete line of fashionable + functional frozen treat makers. *Prices subject to change   10 Reasons I LOVE Zoku 10. It's FAST! During the summer season, with children being off school and everyone on different schedules, time is at a premium. After a BBQ lunch or dinner, the last thing you want is to have to spend hours waiting for dessert to be ready. Same goes for when the kids (and let's be real, all their friends) run into the kitchen after a playing in the hot sun. How convenient is it to be able to whip up some ice pops, shakes, or ice cream in under ten minutes?! 9. It's FRESH! Using your own ingredients means you can be sure that your frozen treats are 100% fresh with no added preservatives. You can make a frozen pop with just a small amount of your family's favourite yogurt, or some fresh fruits and juice - YUM. The flavours are up to you, and whatever you choose, you know exactly what is in it since you've made it yourself. 8. It's EASY! Finally, a super-simple way to try out all of those shake, ice cream, and ice pop recipes that you've pinned! Fresh juice becomes a healthy slush treat in the Zoku Shake Maker - no need for a blender to crush the ice, since the cleverly designed Zoku freezes the juice, simply scrape with the included spoon and enjoy (the ice cream maker works in a similar way). The Zoku Quick Pop Maker is the easiest way to make fancy ice pops with layers or filling, since it freezes pops so quickly! You'll being making Instagram-worthy pops right away. :) 7. It's TIDY! No wooden ice pop sticks to throw away, no rock salt needed to make ice cream, no washing the blender - sounds good to me. All of the Zoku treat maker elements are reusable so there's no additional waste, think of all the packaging you'll avoid by making your own ice pops, shakes, slushes, and ice cream! 6. It's FUN! It's neat to watch your treats freeze right before your eyes. You can also add your favourite toppings and garnishes to create cute and delicious treats; it's easy to get creative with Zoku. Spontaneously deciding to make homemade, frozen treats really brings a smile to their faces - whether they're young or young at heart. 5. It's COOL! (In every sense!) There's nothing better on a hot summer day than cooling off with an ice pop, slush, or some ice cream. When the midday sun and heat calls for a respite, head inside and enjoy some Zoku treats! It is so fun to see how amazed people are when they try Zoku makers for the first time, it is really a "WOW!" sort of experience. 4. It's WELL MADE! Zoku has thought of everything; an incuded Super Tool that makes removing your pops a breeze, all elements are BPA and phthalate free, and no need for batteries or anything to plug in. Zoku makers are also very durable, I've had mine for years and they still look and work like they're brand new. It's great to have something in the kitchen that is made to last, instead of a collection of plastic that needs to be checked for cracks and replaced almost every summer. 3. It's PARTY PERFECTION! One of my favourite ways to use Zoku makers is at a get together. From play dates to Birthday parties, sleepovers or barbecues, Zoku makers are great for entertaining. Simply put out a selection of chilled juices, fruit segments and toppings for your guests to create with and you'll have a pleased crowd on your hands. 2. It's FAMILY FRIENDLY! Everyone in the family can get in on the fun. While really young kids should have some supervision and help when using Zoku makers, everyone can certainly enjoy eating the treats! Using your own ingredients means your Zoku treats can be made to specifically avoid any food allergy concerns, and custom made to meet any dietary needs your family members may have. 1. It's A PERFECT GIFT! Whether for Birthdays, housewarmings, hostess gifts, teacher/coach/tutor/babysitter gifts, thank you gifts - absolutely any occasion and any age 8+ (grown ups definitely included!), Zoku is a "go-to" present that is always well received. This is one of those gifts that really catch on - you receive one, then you give one, and the trend continues. (Personally I'm guilty of the "one for you, one for me" move when buying Zoku makers for gifts, lol.)   Now that you know a bit more about what makes Zoku Quick Pop, Slush and Shake, and Ice Cream Makers so lovable, I'd like to share a few of my "Auntie M  Zoku Tips" with you:   Auntie M Zoku Tips   - To make your ice pops even faster than the 7 minutes it takes (on average), you can place your frozen Zoku Quick Pop Maker in the freezer after you've filled it and placed the reusable pop stick. This speeds up the process, which is already incredibly fast! - Prep some cute fruit shapes ahead of time and keep them in a container in the fridge, that way when the kiddos are ready to make quick pops, they'll have some fun garnishes ready to use. - Keep your Zoku Makers in the freezer, that way you can make treats literally any time you feel like it. If you have a large collection of Zoku Makers, a chest freezer in the basement or garage is a perfect place for storage. You can also store your Zoku makers in the cupboard when not in use, just place them in the freezer the night before. I have a tiny freezer and can have a Single Quick Pop Maker and a couple of Slush Maker cores in there with more than enough room for frozen groceries.   Thanks so much for reading! If you're looking for more Zoku inspiration, check out our "Frozen Treats with the Zoku Maker" board on Pinterest. Has your family tried Zoku Makers? Which Zoku is your favourite, the Quick Pop Maker, Slush and Shake Maker or Ice Cream Maker? Let us know what you think in a comment below, or share your stories with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram - we LOVE hearing from you!   Have a great day and make some time to play! :)   - Auntie M       *Editor's Note: This post was originally published July 22 2015. 2016-07-21T13:28:20+00:00 http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/best_bets_for_birthdays http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/best_bets_for_birthdays#When:13:45:51Z   Check out this month's specially selected gift list! When you're shopping for Birthday gifts, or maybe a special "just because" surprise, we've got you covered with these toys and books.     For ages 3+ Mole Bop is a present that is sure to please! The fun of a carnival game, right at home and fun for the whole family! Preschoolers can't get enough PAW Patrol! Wrap-up this puppy-themed present: help protect the Adventure Bay community with Chase and his Deluxe PAW Patrol Transforming Vehicle. Our recommended read for this age group is A Dog Day for Susan. This illustrated storybook about embracing your true self, tells the humourous story of Spencer and his dog Barney teaching Susan about the life of a "real dog".     Adorable Our Generation 18" dolls complete with a collection of trendy fashions and fun accessories. Brand new LEGO The Angry Birds Movie Sets are here! For ages 6+ We've got all of the Our Generation girls, looks, and lifestyle they're wishing for - right here! Give the gift of a new friend, some cute fashions, and a whole world of 18" doll play to enjoy with accessories like a doll-sized tent, a salon chair, or even a sewing machine set! Wrap-up their favourite characters from The Angry Birds Movie inspired by the game! Angry Birds fans will delight in building these brand new LEGO® sets, and bringing the game and movie to life. Give a gift that will be enjoyed well past the first grade! Kid Darts is all the fun of the real game, in a kid-friendly version that is made to last. The whole family will be enjoying darts together for years to come. Shopkins are as popular as ever! Shopkins Food Fair Pack comes with 8 Shopkins and comes in three different themes (cupcake, cool & creamy, or candy) - your best bet for the Shopkins collector in your life. Book lovers and reluctant readers will enjoy The Great Pet Escape. This graphic novel is our book pick for 6+ Birthdays, it tells the story of GW: a second grade classroom hamster. Alpha Loom Deluxe Kit, LEGO Ideas Maze, and Codenames game are the hottest gifts for ages 8+ this month. For ages 8+ Loom-lovers will be making personalized loom creations with the Alpha Loom Deluxe kit! Bracelet making is a trend that is always hot and this gift brings the creativity to the next level. The latest LEGO Ideas release is here! The LEGO Ideas Maze is a unique build that can be modified in many different ways and is a fun maze that can be as challenging as you choose. This is the perfect present to inspire game lovers and makers! If this is the first you've heard of the game Codenames, it definitely won't be the last! Codenames is the absolute hottest game right now! Topping the lists of "grown up" game fans, Codenames is truly one of those games that mom and dad will enjoy playing just as much as the kiddos! Like an extreme version of the classic games Password or Catchphrase with an updated twist and a Spymaster theme. A rousing team game for 4 or more players and just as fun as a co-opertaive game for 2! Give the gift of adventure with Wing and Claw #1: Forest of Wonders! This novel is the first of an enchanting trilogy by award-winning author Linda Sue Park. Forest of Wonders is ideal for readers 8+ who are ready to discover a world of magic and themes of family and the environment.   To see the full collection of Best Bets for April Birthdays check out our website or Pin it for later: mastermindtoys.com/Best-bets-for-April-Birthdays.aspx Which of these "go-to" Birthday gifts is your favourite? Let us know in a comment below or on Facebook or Twitter (@mastermindtoys), we LOVE hearing from you! Thanks for reading! Have a great day and make some time to play! :)   - Auntie M   2016-04-01T13:45:51+00:00 http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/spring_goodies http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/spring_goodies#When:15:53:10Z Whether you're enjoying the great outdoors, collecting cuddly plush bunnies, or blowing bubbles we've got all the toys and books you need to celebrate spring!   Celebrate spring with outdoor toys, the Sunny Patch collection, and Easter gifts.   With spring comes warmer, sunnier days and that means more time playing outside. I remember being a kid and getting excited when it was finally nice enough to once again break out the sidewalk chalk and bubbles. Longer days also allow for more after-school and weekend time playing at the park or in the backyard, with classics like jump rope and playground balls! Super-cute Sunny Patch outdoor lifestyle collection. Cute Sunny Patch toys are perfect for afternoons in the garden and for discovering tactile play outside in all sorts of places like the sandbox, backyard, beach, cottage or park. Cheerful, bright colours and smiling characters make this collection perfect for spring. Featuring super-soft sprinklers, adorable little garden tools, and a wide selection of more outdoor favourites, Sunny Patch has everything your little one needs to get adventurous outside. Jellycat bunnies are the perfect cuddly buddies. It's also the time of year for baskets full of bunnies to suprise and delight! Huggable plush like Jellycat bunnies, Easter books, and all the cuddly gifts of the season are here and ready to bring BIG smiles to their faces. Another fun way to celebrate spring outdoors, is to get together and plant a family garden with VeggiePOPS! These whimsical seed kits grow into edible veggies! If you're looking for a new way to play and inspire imagination this spring, check out the Irish Fairy Door. It's a fun way to invite a magical fairy into your home! Thanks so much for reading! What does your family do to celebrate spring? Let us know in a comment below, on Twitter, Instagram, (@mastermindtoys) or our Facebook page, we absolutely LOVE hearing from you and reading your stories. Have a great day and make some time to play!   - Auntie M   2016-03-18T15:53:10+00:00 http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/haute_cute_ture_new_our_generation_is_here http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/haute_cute_ture_new_our_generation_is_here#When:21:55:23Z We've got all of the Our Generation girls, looks, and lifestyle you're looking for - right here! Let's meet a new friend, style some cute fashions, and enjoy a whole world of 18" doll play with accessories like a horse, a barn, or even a wooden wardrobe! Our Generation dolls encourage a "just like me" play pattern. Our Generation 18" dolls are dressed in complete, fashionable, and trendy outfits and have beautiful, long hair that is perfect for styling. Each Our Generation doll has a name and a unique personality, with varied interests, like horseback riding, travel, camping, dance and more. These dolls are an incredible value and are destined to be your child's newest best friend. There are so many cute Our Generation accessories, so your 18" dolls can experience all the fun and play you can imagine. Groom and feed your horse, sit together for a meal, or get dressed in front of a real wooden wardrobe! Speaking of wardrobes, every season there is a new and stylish Our Generation collection of seasonal fashions for all of your 18" dolls. Create new looks by mixing and matching pieces from different outfits, or freshen up a favourite dress with a new pair of shoes. This current collection has everything your dolls need to be ready for any occasion, whether it's a birthday party or a sleepover! What are you and your Our Generation dolls up to this winter? Are you and your family doing anything adventurous? Let us know in a comment below or on twitter and our facebook page, we love hearing your stories! Thanks so much for reading! Have a great day and make some time to play! :)   - Auntie M       2016-02-23T21:55:23+00:00 http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/diy_valentines_day_fun1 http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/MastermindBlog/post/diy_valentines_day_fun1#When:16:35:51Z Valentine's Day is a fun time to spend some time together and tell those we love exactly how much we care about them. I very fondly remember making construction paper mailboxes and paper doily Valentines. If you're looking for some lovely Valentine's treats and some easy Valentine craft activities, look no further! Enjoy a few of our favourite DIY Valentine's Day pins below! Image source: pagingsupermom.com 41 DIY Printable Valentine's Day Cards Perfect For the Classroom Party! This lilsugar.com collection of Valentine printables are an easy way to give homemade cards to everyone in the class. From friendship bracelets, to fruit strips, and everything in between, this collection has something for everyone. My personal favourite is Paging Supermom's Whoopee Cushion themed "My Funny Valentine". Touches like twine and handwritten embellishments really add the finishing touch to these printed valentines. A great tip to keep things simple is to have a basic message followed by "From: [your child]", avoiding any "To:" message on the cards, this way there is no need to worry about handing out the right card to the right classmate, and you can make a few extras to make sure there are enough for everyone! Image source: cfabbridesigns.com Beautiful DIY Yarn Hearts! This Valentine craft project is SUPER easy, mess-free and yields beautiful results! Cammila Fabbri of Family Chic has pinned a beautifully photographed, step-by-step tutorial on how to create decorative yarn hearts. You only need 4 supplies: scissors, wire cutters, rustic floral wire and yarn! When you're done you have one-of-a-kind yarn hearts that you can use to decorate for a party, give to your Valentine, make a wreath, or wear them as a charm on a necklace - so many possibilities. My tip for this project: pre-cut the rustic floral wire and yarn in different colours for the children, show them how to form the heart, then it is just knot, wrap and go! You'll have a bunch of handmade, eye-catching hearts in no time!   Image source: Life in Wonderland Healthy Valentine's Day Fruit! Sweet treats for Valentine's Day can be easy, cute, delicious AND good for you! Kristin of Life in Wonderland shares some pretty and healthy ideas in her "My Fruity Valentine" post. Use a heart cookie cutter to create 2-in-1 fruit slices like this yummy watermelon/cantaloupe combo. Another easy idea is creating heart-shaped fruit kebabs! You can prepare these ahead of time, so they are "ready to go" or you can get the kiddies involved to help cut out the fruit hearts before eating them. Image source: nestofposies.com Rainbow Loom Bracelet Valentines! The Baby Center blog has collected 7 great Rainbow Loom themed Valentines from around the web and pinned them in one, easy to find place! Loom Lovers will love sharing their handmade creations with all of their fellow trend-loving pals! These Loom Valentines feature free printables, and a heart bracelet tutorial! I love the idea of a Loom themed pun like "Let's band together", and attaching a Rainbow Loom bracelet or Rainbow Loom charm to each card. If you prefer, your child can easily decorate Rainbow Loom themed Valentines with paint, stickers and markers instead of printing them. Image source: Kids Activities Blog Valentine Colouring Pages! Colour the day away with over 25 pages of free, printable Valentine's Day colouring pages found and shared by Holly from the Kids Activities Blog! Dinosaurs, cards, hearts, animals, your family's favourite characters and more are featured in these themed sheets, so you are sure to find the perfect set for your little ones. Just add some art supplies: crayons, markers, coloured pencils, glitter glue, foil, or water colour paints - match the medium to the age and ability of those colouring and let the fun begin!   Image source: A Blissful Abode Make A Heart Garland! This easy-to-make DIY Valentines heart garland will add just the right touch to your Valentine's Day decor! You need only scissors, a stapler, and paper to create a wonderful garland of any length you'd like. A fun group activity, this is one the whole family can do together, or everyone at a play date can make their own garland to take home! Check out the full tutorial at the Work in Progress Kits blog.   For more kid-friendly fun check out our DIY Valentine's Day Pinterest board! What are your favourite DIY Valentine's activities? We love hearing your family's stories! Share all of your creative Valentine ideas, and your fun heart day photos with us, on your favourite social media site and in a comment below! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MastermindToys Twitter: @MastermindToys Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MastermindToys/ Instagram: MastermindToys   Thank you so much for reading! ☺   - Auntie M   *Editor's note this post was originally published in 2014, see that post here: http://blog.mastermindtoys.com/index.php/post/diy_valentines_day_fun     2016-01-26T16:35:51+00:00