If you’ve waited until the last minute to get or make your child’s Halloween costume, don’t panic there’s still time. The selection at your local store, or even online might be getting very picked over. You can still make a really cute Halloween costume from items you might already have on hand in your craft stash. The costume doesn’t have to be complicated to be cute and to be really adorable on your child.

Here are 10 of my favorites:

I love this Beautiful Butterfly Costume
The baby lobster costume is very popular, but you don’t have to buy it, you can make …read more

It’s almost time for back to school, and Elmer’s Glue is giving one lucky Play Library Reader some back to school supplies to help promote their Elmer’s Glue Crew recycling program. I talked about their new recycling program here the other day. Now I’m back with a giveaway.
Here’s a list of what’s included in the back to school supply giveaway:

8 oz. Washable School Glue
8 oz. Elmer’s Glue-All®
Washable School Glue Stick
Extra Strength Gel School Glue Jumbo Stick
Washable School Glue Stick
All-Purpose Glue Stick
Washable School Glue
Washable School Glue Gel
3D Jumbo Glitter Paint Pen
No Wrinkle Glue Pen

How can you win one of this …read more

Bendaroos is holding a contest for children ages 3 – 12 called “Create Your Dream”. Bendaroos is challenging kids to create their dreams using the flexible Bendaroos to craft 2- or 3-D models of their dreams and aspirations. Whether it’s be a bicycle to become a cyclist or a scuba set to dive under the sea (that’s my son’s).
The contest has three age groups, 3 – 6, 7 – 9, and 10 – 12 year olds. Each of the age categories has a grand prize winner. The three grand prize winners will receive will receive a $500 American Express gift …read more

I remember tie dyeing when I was a kid, it was so much fun! Now tie dye seems to be coming back in a big way, so I thought it might be a fun activity to do with my son. Since haven’t tie dyed for several years I can only remember parts of how to do it.
I decided I need to find something with step by step instructions to walk me through the process again. I found this handy dandy video that is a great tie dye tutorial.
There are also tie dye kits out there, but I think it would …read more

Our family had a chance to check out Calafant cardboard toys from Creative Toy Shop. We recieved the Dinosaur and the Pirate Fortress.
My son helped me put the dinosaur together, then we colored it with the markers that came in the package with him. I was impressed when the markers work long enough to color the whole thing. Some toys (from other companies) have markers that dry up before you’re done coloring.
I think the dinosaur turned out really cute, he would be a fun activity for a dinosaur birthday party.
My son put together the Pirate Fortress. He had a hard …read more

Garden mosaics and garden stones make wonderful Mother’s Day gifts for moms and grandmas, and they’ll love that they’re handmade. You can help your children make a keepsake garden mosaic stone, just be prepared to get a little messy!
What you’ll need to make your stone:
concrete mix and water
an old tin pie pan
decorative stones, or small pieces of decorative glass
paint and a paint brush
patience
Mix the concrete according to the package directions, and pour it into the pie pan for a mold. Let the kids insert the stones into the wet concrete mix to make a pattern. If you use decorative glass, …read more

If you’re looking for activities for Earth Day, or Earth Month, Jennifer over at Tree Hugging Family has the scoop on Earth Day activities (and everyday green goodness) for families and kids.
Check some of these out:

Earth Day Recipes and Treats You Can Make With Your Kids~ I love the Earth cookies, I think I might have to make some of those.
Earth Day Green Fun For The Whole Family~ Get outside and plant a tree, or calculate your carbon footprint.
Earth Day Activities for Kids~ Make a hummingbird haven, or a tin can Earth pot.

Get outside and dig in the dirt, plant …read more

Looking for some fun crafts to do with your kids for Earth day? Here are a few of my favorites.

Milk Carton Bird Feeders
Coffee Filter Planet Earth
Earth Day Grocery Bag Outfit
Earth Day Everyday Card

Get together as a family and make some of these fun creafts to celebrate Earth Day, or Earth Month.
Use recycled crafting materials whenever possible, and recycle your projects once you’re done with them to make a minimum impact.
Stop back and let us know how your Earth Day activities work out.
Image via Kaboose.com

Here’s a cute and simple gift you can make with your children this holiday season. I know this year we plan on making more homemade gifts than usual. With all the turmoil in the economy I’d save the money I have.
Here’s a cute recipe for a Hot Chocolate Mix Jar adapted from Ball’s Fresh Preserving(tm).
Hot Chocolate Mix Jar
What you’ll need:

1 Ball wide mouth quart jar
1 Ball wide mouth lid and band
7" square of blue (or holiday) printed fabric
1 Grossgrain ribbon 13" long by 1" wide blue
1 Grossgrain ribbon 13" long by 3/8" wide white
1 Grossgrain ribbon 30" …read more