The other day I talked about how much fun it is for kids to paint pumpkins instead of watching their parents carve them. I’m a big fan of painted pumpkins, we have a blast every year creating our painted pumpkins, and they last so much longer than their carved relatives. We had one of our painted pumpkins until after Christmas last year.
You can also use the insides of the pumpkins later for pies, if you just decorate the outside, so you get a double bonus.

Pumpkin painting can be very creative, and there are many different ways you can create your …read more

I can’t believe October is halfway over already, Halloween will be here in less than 3 weeks. My son’s been begging me for a craft night, so I think we might sit down one night soon and do a couple Halloween paper crafts. Not sure yet whether we’ll do something we found, or make up something of our own.
I thought I’d take a look and see what kinds of fun Halloween papercrafts are out there. Maybe we can use one of these, change it up, or combine a couple to make a fun spooky Halloween scene.

Here are 10 Halloween paper …read more

When my son was younger I always dreaded pumpkin carving night. It’s not my favorite thing to do, and I usually recruited my husband for the sharp knife part. My son always wanted to get in on the carving action, but we had to tell him to stand back, because the knife’s too sharp.

Then I discovered how much fun it is to paint pumpkins, and that’s what we’ve done every year since. You can paint faces on your pumpkins, or make a character with your pumpkin, just let your child use their imagination.

You’re not just stuck with paint either, there …read more

Columbus Day is coming up on Monday. It’s always the second Monday in October. So I thought I’d put together a fun list of kids activities. It’s always good to pair fun with learning, use some of these fun activities to help your child learn the history of Columbus Day.

Columbus Day Printable Worksheets for Kids
Columbus Day Word Search
Columbus Day Coloring Page
Make your own version of the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria with these egg cup ships.
Play a Columbus trivia question, with facts and tips about Columbus, his ships and his voyage, there are a few fun Columbus facts …read more

This Thanksgiving and Christmas when you’re setting the Thanksgiving or Christmas table, add a little something special for the kids. I know when we were growing up we always had a separate “kid’s” table. Why not make it extra fun for the kids, and make it someplace they want to sit by giving them special decorations, and a special table setting just for them.

Paper Cottage has some really cute placemats and plates, just for kids. I think they’d even be fun for everyday to get your kids excited about the upcoming holidays. You can also use them for a kid’s …read more

Crayola has a whole line up of gift ideas for creative kids coming this holiday season. I know when I go shopping for my son and my nephews the first place I look is in the art supplies, or for gifts they can use to create. They’re always a hit. It’s gives them something to stay in touch with their creative side, even when they’re on the go.

One of my favorites is the Crayola Portable Art Studio. Kids can have all the art supplies they need all in one place. The best part for us is when we’re heading out …read more

Blisstree has a new commuinty section where you can go to voice your opinion, and interact with other Blisstree community members. There are several different topic forums including parenting, crafts, and cooking.
You can share your parenting advice, or your favorite recipes to cook with the kids, or just leave a fun comment. I love the topics because they all center around home and family, two of my favorite things.
I look forward to seeing you there!

During the summer while my son’s out of school, I like to try to sit down and do a few fun projects. While I was browsing for new ideas I found several fun 4th of July crafts, and I thought I’d share some of them here.
If you’re in the patriotic mood, or if you’re planning a 4th of July cookout, you can have your kids make some of these for decorations.

Star spangled Wavers from Family Fun, for your kids to wave at the 4th of July parade, or to decorate for a party (right image).
Red White and Blue Holiday Lanterns …read more

Our local school did an end of the year recycle reuse art project. The kids brought in items that would normally be thrown in the trash, or sent to the recycle center. Things like egg cartons, buttons, old detergent bottles, paper towel rolls, and more.  They made these items into works of art.
Here are a couple of their artists visions. The budding artists were in the first grade, so you have to use your imagination with some of these.
This second one is a bug.
I think this last one is a spaceship.
This might be a fun project to do with your …read more

We got a box of Bendaroos a couple weeks ago to test out, but life’s been a little crazy at our house, so we really haven’t had time to sit down and play with them.
We finally got to put them to the test last night. My son and I played around and made some fun things. My son made a bug ring, then destroyed it (because that’s what boys do). I made a flower, then we made a butterfly to sit on the flower.
If you’ve seen the Bendaroos commercial, or you’ve had a chance to play with them yourself  you …read more