Fun Stuff to do with the Kids

She’s Crafty: Making PomPom Animals with the Kids

by Keri Lyn on February 20, 2012

in Arts and Crafts, Fun Stuff to do with the Kids, She's Crafty

We have been pretty busy today, the kids and I. It’s a rainy/snowy no school day so we have been having a little craft fest, so I thought I would share our creations!

Last fall, I ordered this fun book: Chicken Socks: How to Make Pompom Animals by Klutz ($9.95 shipped with Amazon Prime) and it comes with everything you need to build everything that you see in my photo.  It is packed with lots of darling ideas and it honestly provided hours of good old fashioned kitchen table craft fun!

Of course, you might have supplies on hand to make some of these fun creatures and even if you don’t, a quick trip to the craft store for a bag of pom poms, a bunch of googly eyes and a bit of glue is all you need!  Anyway … we had a ball. . . sometimes it’s the little things, you know?

Like My Deals? Subscribe to my daily email newsletter or RSS Feed and I will send them directly to you, so that you won’t miss a thing!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

{ 1 comment }

She’s Creative! Valentine’s Day Popcorn Balls

by Trish on February 12, 2012

in Arts and Crafts, Fun Stuff to do with the Kids, She's Crafty, She's Creative

Guest Post: Here’s another fun creative product from our friend Trish over at  Mom on Timeout ! My kids and I are making these today … they look so yummy!

Ingredients:
1 bag of marshmallows (approx. 10 oz)
1/2 c butter (1 stick)
1 tsp vanilla
popped popcorn
food coloring (optional)
1 c M&Ms or other candy
non-stick baking spray

Directions:

1.  Gather up your ingredients and preheat the oven to 200 degrees.  Pop enough popcorn to fill a 9×13 baking dish. Pop a couple extra cups so you can add to the mix if needed. Place the baking dish and popcorn in the oven to keep warm.

2. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray or coat with butter.

3. Melt the marshmallows and butter together in a large pot.  Once the marshmallows have fully melted, turn off the heat and add in the vanilla and food coloring.  Start with a couple drops of red and then add more as needed.

4.  Pull the baking dish full of warm popcorn out of the oven.  Carefully drizzle the marshmallow and butter mixture over the popcorn.

5. Combine the popcorn and marshmallows with your hands or a wooden spoon. If using your hands (I do), spray your hands with baking spray or cover them in butter.  This protects your hands from the heat AND keeps the marshmallow mixture from sticking to you. After the popcorn and marshmallow mixture are thoroughly combined and cooled slightly, add in the M&Ms. It is important to wait for a few minutes before adding in chocolate candy or it will melt.

6. Recoat your hands and grab a handful of popcorn and start forming it into a ball. You will need to squeeze firmly while making the balls. Make them any size you want to but make sure they are pressed together well or they will fall apart.

7.  You can leave the popcorn balls unwrapped or you can put them in cute bags or wrap in plastic wrap.  Super delicious!

About Trish: Trish is a very blessed Mom (self proclaimed!)  to two darling little boys ages 5 and 3.  She loves sharing her favorite recipes, DIY projects, and fun crafts for the kiddos with her readers. If you get a chance,  enjoy your timeout with her on her blog, Mom on Timeout! She is a great source for creative and unique things to do with the kids!!

Thanks for stopping by Trish!

Like My Deals? Subscribe to my daily email newsletter or RSS Feed and I will send them directly to you, so that you won’t miss a thing!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

{ 0 comments }

She’s Crafty: Hershey’s Kiss Roses

by Trish on February 9, 2012

in Arts and Crafts, Fun Stuff to do with the Kids, She's Crafty


Guest Post: Trish from Mom on Timeout has another fun Valentine’s Day Craft to share …I am loving these!

Materials:

  • Hershey’s Kisses
  • floral tape
  • wood dowels or floral sticks
  • glue dots or double-sided tape
  • clear or tinted cellophane
  • ribbon (optional)

1. Pull out the white paper from the top of the candy.  If the foil gets loose around the top of the kiss – just push it back together.  Use glue dots or double-sided tape to adhere the bottom of the kisses together.

2. Wrap the kisses with a square piece of cellophane (about 3″x3″), pulling the edges together at the bottom.  Insert the stick into the base of the rose to create the stem. (Be careful not to push the stick into the Hershey’s Kiss.) Wrap the cellophane tightly around the stick.

3. Use floral tape to secure the rose to the stem and continue taping down the stem. Wind the tape diagonally down the stem.  Add in some rose leaves as you are taping.  I used 1-2 per stem and placed them near the rose but you can place them anywhere along the stem.

4. Finish wrapping the floral tape along the length of the stem. Cut the tape and press tightly to make sure the tape doesn’t come off.

————————————————————————————————-

About Trish: Trish is a very blessed Mom (self proclaimed!)  to two darling little boys ages 5 and 3.  She loves sharing her favorite recipes, DIY projects, and fun crafts for the kiddos with her readers. If you get a chance,  enjoy your timeout with her on her blog, Mom on Timeout!

Thanks for stopping by Trish!

Like My Deals? Subscribe to my daily email newsletter or RSS Feed and I will send them directly to you, so that you won’t miss a thing!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

{ 1 comment }

She’s Crafty: Valentine’s Day Critters

by Trish on February 7, 2012

in Arts and Crafts, Fun Stuff to do with the Kids, She's Crafty

I love holiday related crafts … it’s something that my kids and I enjoy doing together and I love tucking them away each year so that I can reflect back on them as my kid’s grow. It’s so fun for them to pull out their old craft projects and decorate with them!

Guest Post: Trish from Mom on Timeout created this darling craft, and I am so excited to have her here to share it with you!!

Valentine’s Day Critters:

1. Make three pom poms using the instructions here. They can be any size, any color.  Brush the pom poms with a comb to separate the yarn fibers and make the pom poms fuzzy.

2. Use hot glue to glue on googly eyes and a nose. I used a small pom pom for the nose.

3. Cut off two small pieces from a pipe cleaner. These pieces will be glued to the pom poms.

4. Pull the yarn apart where you want to insert the pipe cleaner.

5. Put a lot of hot glue on the end of the pipe cleaner.

6. Insert the pipe cleaner and press the yarn around the pipe cleaner.

7. Repeat until all three pom poms are glued together. The pipe cleaner can be bent so you can make your crtter curve around if you would like.

8. Use another piece of pipe cleaner to create antennae. You can even shape them like a heart! Add a cute little bow and your Valentine’s Day Critter is ready to be enjoyed!

————————————————————————————————-

About Trish: Trish is a very blessed Mom (self proclaimed!)  to two darling little boys ages 5 and 3.  She loves sharing her favorite recipes, DIY projects, and fun crafts for the kiddos with her readers. If you get a chance,  enjoy your timeout with her on her blog, Mom on Timeout!

Thanks for stopping by Trish!

 

Like My Deals? Subscribe to my daily email newsletter or RSS Feed and I will send them directly to you, so that you won’t miss a thing!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

{ 0 comments }

Homemade Play Dough Recipe

by Keri Lyn on February 2, 2012

in Fun Stuff to do with the Kids

*I had a request for this recipe tonight, so I thought it might be a fun one to bump up …just in case your kids, like mine…are getting cabin fever!!

I thought that you might enjoy a fun homemade Play Dough recipe for something fun to do with the kids this weekend. I have tried a LOT of recipes, and this one is by far our favorite. It is easy to make and does NOT need to be refrigerated, just keep it in an airtight container and it will last up to one month.Homemade Play Dough
Mix in large pot:
4 Cups Flour
1 Cup Salt
2 Tablespoons Cream of Tarter
Add in:
4 Cups Water
4 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
Food Coloring to your liking
1 Tablespoon of your scent of choice (we love lemon!)

Cook all of the above over medium heat … stir CONSTANTLY… until a big ball forms and color clarifies. DO NOT stop cooking too soon or you will have a sticky mess (trust your instincts on this… it sounds difficult, but it really comes together quite easily) Just stir until a nice ball of smooth dough is formed…. then knead and cool.

This is one of our all time favorites …. I hope that you enjoy it too!

Like My Deals? Subscribe to my daily email newsletter or RSS Feed and I will send them directly to you, so that you won’t miss a thing!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Tagged as: Kid Stuff, Play Dough Recipe

{ 2 comments }

Kids Valentine Craft Idea…Fingerprint Hearts

by **KL** on January 17, 2012

in Art & Project Ideas for Kids, Fun Stuff to do with the Kids

I think this is so cute.  And would make a really cute Valentines card for a Grandparent, Mom, Dad, etc….These cute fingerprint hearts can be made with what lots of people have around the house, so hopefully no running to the store to buy anything.  I think you could also make the hearts a different color if you didn’t have the red ink.

Thanks AllCrafts.net/Kansas City Library for this idea and photo, and ready Yori for sharing!

Like My Deals? Subscribe to my daily email newsletter or RSS Feed and I will send them directly to you, so that you won’t miss a thing!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Free New Year’s Eve Printable

by KL on December 31, 2011

in free stuff, Fun Stuff to do with the Kids

Looking for something to do with the kid’s tonight? Head on over and grab this Free New Year’s Eve Printable! 

Thanks Money Saving Mom!

Like My Deals? Subscribe to my daily email newsletter or RSS Feed and I will send them directly to you, so that you won’t miss a thing!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Tagged as: Free New Year’s Eve Printable

Guest Post: She’s Crafty … Fun with the Kids! Mini Gingerbread Houses

by Keri Lyn on December 10, 2011

in Art & Project Ideas for Kids, Arts and Crafts, Fun Stuff to do with the Kids, Guest Post, Recipe, She's Crafty

I finally got my Sis-in-law talked into sharing some of her fun ideas  … aren’t these darling?

Here’s a really inexpensive and fun way to make your own mini gingerbread houses for your kids…They are are the perfect size for their little fingers to be creative. 

Directions: Take about 1 cup brown sugar, place in a sauce pan and turn on medium heat stirring occasionally… it will take up to 10 mins to get it to the right consistency.  Then just break up your graham crackers, dip and stick.  :)   The melted brown sugar works like glue.

Grab whatever goodies that you have on hand … and decorate!

*Do be careful with little ones, as it is hot… and will burn little fingers, so make sure to use care when dipping.

My Sis-in-law Andra is a wife, mom, photographer, and all around fun-creative chic …and I am bugging her like crazy to keep the guest posts coming, so hopefully we will see more from her in the near future! Thanks Andi!

Like My Deals? Subscribe to my daily email newsletter or RSS Feed and I will send them directly to you, so that you won’t miss a thing!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Tagged as: Guest Post, Kids Craft, Salt Dough Ornaments

She’s Crafty! Make a Santa’s Belly Christmas Ornament

by Amanda on November 19, 2011

in Arts and Crafts, Fun Stuff to do with the Kids, She's Crafty

Copyright Amanda Formaro - Crafts by Amanda - used with permissionHave you ever peered through the big plate glass windows of a Pier One store during the holidays? They purposely position all of the glittery, shiny Christmas ornaments right near the front so that the sun shines on them. That glint and glimmer draws you in, and before you know you are oogling all the pretty baubles inside the store! Genius marketing. Of course, I don’t know if they really do that, but that certainly is how it works!

That happened to me one day. Once inside I was busily browsing all the lovely ornaments when I saw an adorable red globe with a black patent leather belt and gold buckle. How cute is that! So I decided to make my own version and it couldn’t have been easier! I bought a box of red ornaments and used some felt and glittery chenille to create the belt. Super fast and super easy! Hope you like them!

Easy Santa’s Belly Ornament
by Amanda Formaro

red ball ornament
black felt
gold chenille stem
hot glue gun
scissors

Cut a strip of black felt, about 3/4″ wide, long enough to fit around the center of the ball ornament. Using the width of the felt as a guide, bend the chenille into a rectangle for the buckle and trim off the excess. Glue the buckle to the center of the felt strip. Glue the strip to the middle of the ornament and all the way around it, trimming excess and gluing in place.

You can see more of Amanda’s Christmas craft ideas here on Crafts by Amanda. Have fun!

Like My Deals? Subscribe to my daily email newsletter or RSS Feed and I will send them directly to you, so that you won’t miss a thing!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Tagged as: amanda formaro, Arts & Crafts, christmas

She’s Crafty! Make a Turkey from a Light Bulb Thanksgiving Craft

by Amanda on November 12, 2011

in Arts and Crafts, Fun Stuff to do with the Kids, She's Crafty

I have been so impressed with the creative mind of Amanda over at Crafts by Amanda, that I asked (ok, begged!) her to come share with us some of her fun crafts from time to time! I know that you will enjoy her fun projects…. so without further adieu…
Light Bulb Turkey - Crafts by AmandaI’m excited to be sharing with the SheSaved audience, thanks so much to Keri Lyn for inviting me! I have made a lot of light bulb crafts over the years. Most of them have been Christmas ornaments, but I hate to pass by Thanksgiving! So I created this cute turkey using a burnt out light bulb, paint, wood hearts and a few other supplies. It’s a fun project and looks great sitting on your holiday table.

To make this turkey you will need the following supplies:

burnt out light bulb
small straw hat
2- 1 1/2″ wood hearts
acrylic paint: brown, orange, white and black
felt: red and orange
small silk flower
6-8 fall colored feathers
washer
paint brush
acrylic sealer spray
hot glue gun
white craft glue
pattern

Place light bulb on an empty upside down egg carton or anything else that will help hold it steady. Paint the entire surface of the light bulb with brown paint. Let this coat dry COMPLETELY or you may experience peeling on the second coat.

Paint the wood hearts with orange paint and let dry. Repeat for second coat. Using the pattern, cut out turkey waddle from red felt and beak from orange felt.

Hot glue small silk flower to the front of the straw hat, off to the side.

Add a second coat (and a third if needed) of brown paint to the light bulb. Let dry.

Glue the two hearts together at the sides, just above the points so that they form the feet. Use white craft glue to attach the washer to the hearts, this is what the light bulb will rest on. White craft glue is tackier and will hold better than hot glue for this purpose. (see photo)

Position the light bulb on to the washer. When you have it where you want it, glue it in place with white craft glue and let dry.

Hot glue the hat to the top of the light bulb. Use the handle end of the paint brush to add whites of eyes. Do not add the black part of the eyes until the white has dried.

Glue the beak and waddle below the eyes.

Hot glue feathers to the back of the light bulb in a fan for the tail.

If you’d like to see more of my lightbulb crafts, click here! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Like My Deals? Subscribe to my daily email newsletter or RSS Feed and I will send them directly to you, so that you won’t miss a thing!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Tagged as: crafts, recycled, thanksgiving, turkey

← Previous Entries

  • HER STORY….

    So here is the deal….I am a quirky artist chic who loves to shop, save and share ideas. I am also the full time wife of a veterinarian, an overtime mommy, lots of the time artist (www.KeriLyn.com) and some of the time (ok…most of the time) obsessed saver of money, seeker of deals, and finder of freebies! I can hardly stand to pay full price for anything. I think that consumers should be informed and involved and that you have every right to get the best bang for your buck. I also believe in playing fair and playing by the rules…that is what makes life fun! I believe in recycling, using what you can, and donating what you can’t use to those in need. My mantras? (I collect them, by the way ... maybe even to the point of mantra hoarding. I also tend to mumble them in times of stress....) Life is short ... find blessings in the small things, love hard, forgive easily, and pray BOLDLY. Remain calm and embrace the Chaos... because we are all oh-so (more than we know!) blessed!!

  • BLOGS SHE DIGS…

    Organic Deals Coupon Dad Blog Nicole's Nickels

    I am so thankful for my blogging friends and family. Along with my readers, these are the people that inspire me daily. I can't possibly list them all here (you can see more here), but when I do link to a blog, I do so because I trust that you will be in good hands with them!
    These are the people that have turned my passion for sharing into something that I look forward to doing everyday. Great deals are a dime a dozen, but great friends are priceless!!

  • Copyright © 2008 to Present - SheSaved, LLC