Idea Box

Sharing Lent With Your Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:12:00 +0000

Lent is a special time to practice prayer and giving, compassion and sharing (important concepts for kids too!) The best way to teach kids just about anything is through fun and engaging activities. Here are a few ideas to try with your little ones.

Chocolate Pretzel Treat
A traditional Lent snack, pretzels can be used in all sorts of fun crafts and kid-friendly recipes. This one is especially easy to create with your little ones. (I am not sure how appropriate chocolate is for Lent, but it's the pretzels that count!)

Cleaning Game
Spring is a great time to get some cleaning done before the hustle and bustle of Summer gets here. Kids are not too young to learn to help out, even in little ways with the cleaning! This game is a great way to get them started.

Scoop of Love
Although Valentine's Day is passed, showing love is always in season. Adapt this craft to reflect a Spring theme and use it to teach your kids how to show compassion.

Share Package
During Lent many people focus on giving as a way to prepare for the Easter holiday. This Share Package idea will help you teach your kids about giving, while also getting some of that Spring cleaning done and de-cluttering the toy box.

I hope these ideas inspire you and your kids as Spring approaches!

Enjoy! Remember, we love feedback and photos!

Mardi Gras Fun Preschool Style!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:39:00 +0000

Since Mardi Gras is all about bright vivid colors, beads, masks and merry making, it sort of reminded me of preschool! If you teach preschool, volunteer at a preschool, or have a child in preschool, consider one of these craft ideas to do with the kids! Preschoolers are natural born party animals!

You Are My Sunshine

This sunshine craft idea is guaranteed to brighten your classroom and your mood. It's a simple craft to prepare for and conduct with little hands and makes a fun take home project too!

Jelly Bean Count

Jelly Bean Count is perfect for the 3 & 4 year olds learning and practicing their numbers and counting. Plus, they can gobble up the jelly beans when they are done and you've just saved yourself a snack attack.

Fish in a Bowl

I had never heard of "Fish in a Bowl" until reading this craft's instruction page. It sounds like a little bit of work for the adult, but tons of fun for the kids. Toddlers will love this one and hopefully you will get a giggle out of it too!

Enjoy! We love feedback and photos!

More Valentine Crafts!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:02:00 +0000

We found some darling crafts for your little ones to create for Valentine's Day. These crafts are easy and frugal to make, and can be managed by little hands. There is still time to make any or all of our featured crafts this week!

Love Bugs

My personal favorite, these love bugs will not only make super cute valentines to give but I know my boys will have tons of fun making the furry little guys.

Heart Sun Catchers

The heart sun catchers are another simple and thoughtful gift for Valentine's Day. These would be so pretty hanging in my kitchen window or better still...my grandmother will love receiving them from two of her favorite great-grandsons!

Friendship Bracelets

This friendship bracelet craft is a also a favorite of my 7 year old son. He thinks they are super fun to make and "so awesome!" The pipe cleaners can be bent to almost any shape and you can get really creative with the colors of beads too!

Enjoy! We love feedback and photos of your project!

We Heart Valentine's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:25:00 +0000

With so many store-bought options, it's hard to remember that you can create super cute valentines and valentine boxes at home, using stuff around the house. I love the idea of upcycling items that were destined for the land fill but come to life as something new and with a different purpose than what they were intended for...

Glitter Coffee Can Valentine Box

For example...I tend to hoard empty coffee cans. Why you ask? I am really not sure. All I can say is that I think to myself "hey, I wonder if I should save this? It might come in handy someday!" Yay! Someday is here. Although the picture shows a glitter version...I'm pretty sure I can find a way to testosterone it for my boys.

Heart Hug Flowers

This entails using up scrapbook paper, letters, embellishments and chenille stems (which you have in abundance if you have ever taught preschool or the 3-4 year olds Sunday School Class). I love how these little flowers are made of four heart shapes.

Heart People

Back to using scrapbook paper and whatever else you can find in your stash, how about helping your kiddos create a whole crew of heart people. We used paper hearts for the hands and feet, but tracing your kids hands and feet to use would be so cute! Also, this little guy is pretty simple and you could really step up his game by adding glitter, buttons, and other bits of embellishment.

Enjoy! Remember, we love feedback and photos!

Edible Valentines Recipes!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:26:00 +0000

I remember having so much fun on Valentine's Day trading and giving my little valentine cards and treats to friends and classmates. Do kids still do that? Hopefully, your kiddos will enjoy Valentine's Day this year. To make sure they do, here are some edible Valentine's Day ideas to try!

Edible Valentines

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Dipped Marshmallows

And a hidden bonus feature...each one of these recipes and crafts could easily be adapted to suit other holidays and special occasions. Use your imagination and get the kids thinking too! Enjoy our edible suggestions. Remember, we love feedback and photos!

A+B+C=Kid Friendly Recipes!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:19:00 +0000

Running into a snack block? (That's where you are out of fun ideas for snacks and your kids are running amok, demanding something imaginative and tasty.) Don't worry! In the spirit of back to basics, I've got your ABCs to a snacking rescue.

Awesome Owl Snack

A is for Awesome Owl Snacks and apples, apricots, avocados, asparagus and artichokes! I recommend the Awesome Owl Snacks or apples as a fun snack attack rescue.

Back to School BUS Cookies

B is for Back to School BUS Cookies, bananas, beans, beets, broccoli and brussel sprouts! Personally I like the BUS Cookies and bananas, if it were all up to me.

Cheerio Surprise!

C is for Cheerio Surprise, cheese, crackers, carrots, cabbage, corn flakes and calamari. Again, I would stick with the Cheerio Surprise and or cheese, which are the safest and tastiest of the "c" snacks.

Whatever snack you choose, I've given you lots of "fun" suggestions to get your imagination started. Your kids can help with these! They are made to be kid-friendly and mommy-approved. Enjoy! Remember, we love feedback and photos!

Back To Basics!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:47:00 +0000

January is a great time to revisit the basics with your little ones, especially preschool age kids! In honor of the New Year and the alphabet we've compiled some letter-inspired crafts and activities to keep your little ones entertained and educated over the weekend.

Alphabet Book

A fun and creative way to help teach little kids about the alphabet is to make an alphabet book with them. Both of my boys have done this activity at preschool and loved it! You can make your book as simple or as fancy as you wish. And it makes a great keepsake too.

Alphabet Magnets

I loved the Alphabet Magnets idea for two reasons. 1. It was simple and required few supplies, and 2. it reuses the pesky refrigerator magnets with your friendly neighborhood real estate agent's picture on the front. I always feel guilty tossing them, but don't like to look at the goofy pictures.

Alpha-Bugs

Now this is a super fun and imaginative way to learn about the alphabet. And in my experience, little boys love bugs. Add both together and you have yourself an alphabug! With some paper, markers, and imagination you and your kiddos can create a bunch of letter bugs.

Enjoy these alphabet crafts. Remember, we love feedback and photos!

A is for Awesome Kid Recipes!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:15:00 +0000

A is for ants and raisins! Well, technically the raisins are stand-ins for the ants, kind of like stunt doubles! Because who would want to eat ants anyway? Ants On A Log is a silly and fun recipe your kids can prepare with minimal supervision and maximum fun, not to mention the "H" word (healthy).

Ants On A Log

A is also for apple and apple cobbler! This apple cobbler recipe is a very simple treat your kids can prepare (again with minimal supervision) and you can serve for dessert or as an afternoon snack and it promotes independence and self-confidence...i.e. "Look what I have created!"

Apple Cobbler

A is for astronaut, but not pudding? Whoever heard of such a thing? I was not aware of the growing love of pudding among NASA's finest and few. Back to the astronaut pudding, this one requires a bit more supervision and help on your part and I don't recommend it for 3 year-olds. (Trust me.)

Astronaut Pudding

What have we learned today? There are tons of kid-friendly recipes that start with A over at The Idea Box, just waiting for you to discover. Have fun, watch for ants and apples and astronauts eating pudding!

Enjoy! Remember, we love feedback and photos and sharing!

Let It Snow!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:50:00 +0000

I would love to tell you we are knee deep in snow here in Western Idaho, but alas (and with a sigh) we are severely lacking in the white stuff. Some would tell you this is a very good thing indeed. To those who despise snow, I say "humbug!"

Paper Plate Penguin

As for me and my house, we are desperately wishing for white fluffy flakes falling softly, building the foundation needed for snowmen, snow forts, and snow balls. (These are staple materials for childhood in winter!)

Shining Snowflakes

Forgive me if I sound a bit whiny about the lack of snow in my neighborhood. But you see, I have two very bored little boys sitting in my living room repeating the mantra "We're bored! What can we do?"

Snow Crystal Picture

Bored you say? I know just the thing to cure the winter boredom blues! Hop on over to The Idea Box for a bunch of activities, recipes, songs, and crafts to keep the kiddos entertained for an afternoon (or for a few minutes at least).

Enjoy winter and your snow (if you have some)! Otherwise try some of these crafts to bring a little fluffy white stuff to your house. Remember, we love feedback and photos!

Winter Crafts for 2012 Week 1!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:08:00 +0000

If you have nasty weather outside, you have kids inside! How can we keep the kiddos occupied and enjoying themselves (hence us enjoying them too)? Do what kids do! Use your imaginations and get crafty.

Crayon Melt Picture

Where there are small children, crayons abound. We are always in a state of crayon renewal at our house, since little fingers tend to break crayons faster than larger ones. So instead of tossing the crayon bits and pieces, put them to work up-cycling themselves (the crayons) into art!

Glistening Icicles

And if you have some dark paper and glitter lying around, put that glitter to work too for art's sake! I know what you are thinking...how many pictures of glitter icicles can we possibly hang up? Let me tell from experience, many. I mean gobs. Seriously, alot.

Icy Sun Catcher

Okay, this little craft carries its own weight in the science experiment department. It doubles as a great lesson about water molecules, winter season, and bits and pieces of nature. Plus, it's really pretty when it's all finished.

Enjoy these crafty distractions! And as always, we love feedback and photos!

Frosty The Snowman...

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:24:00 +0000

Is our inspiration for kids crafts this week, headed into New Year's holiday weekend. Still no snow at your house? Get inspired! If your kids can't get to the snowmen...bring the snowmen to your kids!

Clay Pot Snowman

How will you entertain your kids this weekend for New Year's? Getting them all hopped up on peppermint cocoa and gingerbread might sound entertaining but really...not a good idea if you want them to go to sleep before the ball drops at Time Square. So, that leaves us with Snowmen crafts!

Creative Snowman

Snowmen are fun, frolicky, and can be pretty fabulous! (Yes, I know frolicky is not a word.) Let your and your kiddos imagination run wild as you think of ways to personalize these snowman crafts and make them your own kind of "Frosty fabulous!"

Garbage Sack Snowman

Plus check out the seasonal section at The Idea Box to find many more free craft ideas to keep your kids entertained for the duration of Winter break and throughout the rest of the cold season. Happy New Year!

New Year's Kids Crafts!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:30:00 +0000

Happy New Year to you and your family, and may 2012 bring blessings and growth to your little ones! The Idea Box is a great resource for moms and teachers alike, filled with songs, games, recipes, and crafts specifically geared for kids.

We love kids and we love helping you find new ways to teach and entertain your kiddos. Below are just a few New Year's holiday crafts to keep little hands busy either New Year's Eve or January 1st. Check out our holidays and seasons sections for other great crafts and games.

Enjoy! And please submit pictures of your kids' results. We love to see what your kiddos are up to and showcase their work!

Resolution Box

New Year's Shaker

Confetti Fun

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer...

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:06:00 +0000

Had a very shiny nose! And if you have kids stuck in the house because the weather outside is frightful, you will be delighted with all of our reindeer themed crafts to keep them occupied.

Check out these and a bunch of other fun FREE craft ideas at The Idea Box. (For Kids, For Fun!)

Rudolph Cookies

Reindeer Food Holder

Paper Plate Rudolph Mask

Reindeer Pin

All I Want For Christmas Is...

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:04:00 +0000

(Kids)...something fun to do until I can open presents and eat sugar plums! And maybe also my two front teeth.
(Moms)...something to keep them occupied long enough for me to finish up my Christmas stuff! And a 16 oz. peppermint mocha.

Ah, the anticipation builds and the countdown to Christmas is at 4 days by my calendar. Tomorrow the inevitable and scary happens. My son is dismissed for Winter break. And I am faced with the challenge of keeping him busy for 3 (yes, I said 3) weeks. Not only do we need to survive until Christmas morning, but then we have to brave New Year's Day and all the other days in between now and when I can send him back!

Lucky for me, and you, The Idea Box is jam-packed with great crafts, recipes, songs, and activities to keep our little rug-rats occupied and maybe even happy for the next few weeks of being stuck at home with M-O-M. Try our Christmas section for some last minute holiday fun or any of our other sections for ideas to keep them busy when it's too cold to play outside.

Enjoy! Remember to submit a photo of your results so we can brag on you and your kiddos too!

Paper Cup Angels

Santa's Elf

Marshmallow Snowman

Fruit Loop Christmas Tree

Brain-Cell Savers for Winter Break

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:16:00 +0000

As we get closer to Christmas Vacation/Winter Break (next Wednesday for us) it may be a good idea to plan ahead for some crafts...because on the morning of Day 2 of Winter break, you will hear this sound, "MOM! I'M BORED!" It will resonate like a foghorn in your head and you will feel brain cells trickling out of your ears. (Brain cells you cannot afford to lose since you are frantically gearing up for *shh* Christmas.)

So in the spirit of giving and preserving brain cells, here are some craft ideas to get you started. If you run out of things to keep the brain cell bashers busy, just visit our site for a HUGE list of Christmas crafts and recipes that are Kid-friendly and brain cell approved. (And mommie approved) Enjoy!

Snowman Soup

Santa's Elf

Reindeer Food Holder

Ornaments Comin' Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:18:00 +0000

We understand the spirit of Christmas and do our best to impart that to our children. But for kids part of the magic of Christmas is the tree! And what builds magic into the tree? The ornaments! Some are old, some are new, some are hand-me-downs or hand-made, some are nothing but glitter and glue. Whatever ornaments your tree is made of, they are sparkly and magical to your little ones (and big kids still enjoy ornaments too)!

Whether you're a teacher grasping for last minute "keep them busy until school lets out" crafts or a SAHM looking for ways to add a little Christmas cheer to your home, we've got some ideas that will put the twinkle in your eyes and in your tree! Here are some ornament ideas to get you started. They can be adapted or added to or completed converted...let your imagination run a little amoc! (We've got alot more where these came from over at The Idea Box.)

Little Stars Ornament

Peppermint Wreath Ornament

Pinecone Ornament

Kids Are Hands-On!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:32:00 +0000

Kids are hands-on when it comes to crafts and...just about everything else! So, while I haven't finished all of my holiday baking/shopping/crafting/decorating/eating/wassailing/etc, I will squeeze in some kid-friendly hands-on crafts for my boys (and your kiddos) to make.

It will keep them occupied for a few minutes and the results make darling keepsake gifts. I have even used these type of "hands-on" crafts to decorate the fronts of homemade holiday greeting cards. Hope this keeps your little handy helpers hooked and happy as you countdown to Christmas!

Please send us a picture of your results. We love to brag on your kids' crafts too!

Hand-Made Christmas Trees

Hand and Foot Angels

Keepsake Hand-prints

& some Holiday Bowling, just for fun!

Christmas Crafts For Your Kids!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:06:00 +0000

If you've got Christmas baking/shopping/crafting to do and you've got kids...chances are you've got a dilemma. How do you get all your Christmas projects done, keep your kids entertained, and retain what small amount of sanity you still possess? You want to enjoy the holidays, entertain family and friends, and effortlessly occupy your little ones (and not-so-little ones). We have compiled some crafts we think might help you muddle through the next few weeks of caroling, wrapping & unwrapping, Christmas break from school, and ringing in the New Year! (Well, at least these will get you through caroling?)

Don't forget to submit a picture of your results to our site, so we can brag on your kids too!

Easy Paper Rudolph

Hand and Footprint Reindeer

Hand and Footprint Angel

Fruit Loop Garland

Kids Love Candy Canes!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:39:00 +0000

There are few other more iconic candies than the Candy Cane! He is the granddaddy of them all. When I come home with candy canes in my shopping bags, my boys freak out because they know they will be putting them on the tree, around the house, in the guest treat dish, crushing them and sprinkling them on cookies and baked goods, and maybe even...enjoying a candy cane while they watch their favorite Christmas movie.

Here are a few other unique ways to incorporate more candy cane love into your holiday traditions. They are fun for the kids, easy to do, and best of all? Use up all the candy canes and mints you would normally have to toss out at Valentine's Day!

Christmas Treats Your Kids Can Make!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:37:00 +0000

With Christmas just a little ways off (try 3 weeks and 5 days), it's time to start thinking about gifts for: teachers, coaches, friends, grandparents, and a whole slew of other important folks! Over at Theideabox.com we have a long list of kid friendly crafts and recipes perfect for the holidays. There are tons of great ideas to try that double as thoughtful, homemade gifts. Here are some just to get you and your kiddos started! Happy kid crafting!

Candy Jar

Cheerio Christmas Trees

Chinese Nutty Clusters

Christmas Bagels

(Kid friendly, parent kind!...And FREE!)

Anytime Is Snowman Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:35:00 +0000

With only two days left of Thanksgiving Break (for most of our kids), the natives may be getting a little restless. Or Mom & Dad may be going a little stir-crazy. Solution? Go to The Idea Box for some crafty fun! Whether you already have snow on the ground in your neighborhood or snow is but a winter dream...These simple and easy snowman crafts are just the ticket to keep the crazies at bay and the kids at play!

Please send us a picture of your results. We love to brag on your kids too!

Marshmallow Snowman

Paintstick Snowman

Snowman Circles

Two Days Til Turkey Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:54:00 +0000

There are only two days left until Thanksgiving! What better way to celebrate all things turkey than to line up a few turkey-inspired crafts for your little turkeys to gobble up? The Idea Box has tons of great Thanksgiving crafts and Kid recipes to help make your Thanksgiving afternoon a little more fun. Gobble Gobble your way over to check out these and other great ideas.

Please send us a picture of your results. We love to see what your little turkeys can come up with!

CD Turkeys

Best Turkey Hands Down

Hand Turkeys

Oreo Turkeys

Try Some Turkey-Lurkey Fun Over The Break!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:32:00 +0000

Let the leaves fall, let the wind blow, and let the kids yell "Happy Thanksgiving...Break!" Wondering exactly how you will: prepare your menu for a house full of guests for Thanksgiving Dinner, scrub your floors and dust your bunnies for those same guests, and keep your kids corralled in the process? If booting your kids outdoors is not an option, pull out these crafty ideas from your arsenal and set them to it...

BASKET OF THANKS

OREO TURKEYS

STUFF THE TURKEY

Ideas for Thanksgiving Vacation

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:58:00 +0000

It's almost here...Thanksgiving Vacation! Whether your kids have 2-3 days off or a whole week (like mine) you are going to need a little something up your sleeve to promote brain stimulation and fight holiday boredom. Keep your family busy with some of these ideas for celebrating the season!

Please send us a picture of your results. We enjoy admiring and sharing your efforts!

Fall Hand print Wreath

Fall Leaf Coloring

Fall Squirrel

Teach Your Kids Gratitude!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:18:00 +0000

In preparation for Thanksgiving, how about exploring "Gratitude?" There are so many great things to be grateful for (and tons of great ways to express gratitude)! Teaching your kids to be grateful doesn't have to be painful or time-consuming.

Teach by example: express gratitude daily in front of your kids.
Give your kids the opportunity to give back. Some examples include: participating in a local charity to provide Thanksgiving dinner to less fortunate families (check your kids' school) or volunteering with your kids at a local shelter/soup kitchen.
Find something fun to do with your kids to reinforce "an attitude of gratitude."

While you're at it, visit our website and try one of these fun activities with your kids today!

THANKFUL TREE

THANKFUL TURKEY

BASKET OF THANKS