Planet Orange first launched by ING DIRECT in 2002. The site, recently redesigned, has been recognized as a “Best Bet” by USA TODAY and named ‘Best of the Web’ by Forbes.com as a helpful place where kids can learn about money in an educational and entertaining way.

Planet Orange now offers parents, educators, and children enhanced learning tools and games having to do with finances and money. There are a variety of space missions at Planet Orange, used to help kids discover the importance and value of money along with personal finance lessons through fun and engaging games and activities.

A site like Planet Orange is a great resource for parents. A recent survey conducted by ING DIRECT found that 94% of parents want to teach their children about the importance of money but may feel unprepared to do so effectively. Planet Orange, is geared toward children in grades one through six and topics like earning, saving, spending and investing are all covered in an interactive, space themed manner. There’s also a Teacher’s Resource Center with tutorials, free lesson plans, and supplemental information and tools to enhance the learning experience.

I visited the site and it’s colorful and fun, and best of all not one of those kid sites that talks down to kids. It’s a smart resource that kids can actually learn from. Keep in mind that kids may need a parent’s help to register though, for a kids site I was sort of surprised at the long registration form.

Visit Planet Orange and help your kids blast off into financial know-how.

Kids birthday parties can be costly, but only if you allow them to get out of control. There are plenty of ideas for less expensive and still fun birthday parties. Such as…

Nature fun party:

• Hold a nature scavenger hunt - make a list with lots of nature items; ladybug, red rock, yellow flower, blue bird, and so on. For little ones, draw pictures of each item. Hand teams a list and a crayon and send them off at the park to find and check off their items.
• Make leaf and flower rubbings.
• Go on a nature hike or if you have enough adults to help supervise head to the lake for a swim.
• Have everyone plant their own egg grass heads.
• Make a homemade cake with candied flowers or fresh flowers from your garden as the decorations and serve punch with an ice ring full of flowers.
• See more nature activity ideas.

Fireman fun party:

Most fire stations will set up a tour for free for kids. It’s nice to take along some cookies though and / or make a small donation to the station as a thank you.You can set up a tour, have all the kids meet there and have cake at a nearby park or head home for cake if you’ve got plenty of drivers.

Magic party:

You can rent DVDs that teach kids how to do magic tricks OR snag a library book all about it. Gather up some coins, silks, playing cards, and other “magical gear” and let the kiddos learn to do tricks. Cheaper then hiring a real magician and way more fun. See some free magic party supplies you can print out on your computer - plus some more ideas and free trick tips.

What are your best ideas for a less expensive birthday party?

[image via stock.xchng]

Everyone says, “Babies are so expensive.” I don’t totally agree. I also know folks who put off having a second tot due to perceived costs. First of all, babies are less expensive than advertised; not to make them sound like cars, but you can get a good deal on your baby (see the end of this post for tips), and secondly, siblings can be even cheaper than the first baby.

What costs do come up with all kids:

Food + health care + school (if you pay for private) + time (if you consider time is money).

How siblings don’t cost as much as people think:

Can you say, “hand-me-downs”? Hand me downs are free and because babies don’t tend to wear stuff out your gear is likely still in good shape. If you had cloth diaper the first time around, you’ll save even more.

Siblings can share a space. You don’t actually need rooms for everyone, and even if kids have their own space, you can have kids bunk together in winter and turn the heat off in one room. Personally, I did hate sharing a room growing up (in theory) but in reality, my sis and I had a ton of good times, and there’s no hard feelings now.

Free entertainment. I work at home. I have an only child. I am the ONLY person around to entertain my son which can, when he’s fussy, cost me time and money. I pay extra for things like activities with other kids too (when his friends are unavailable). Growing up with two siblings, I had built in entertainment all the time.

More tax breaks!

Kids always come with costs, there’s no way around it, but kids don’t have to be THAT expensive. It’s a matter of choice and smart decision making. Here are some more tips:

• Top 7 ways to save money while raising baby
• Budget Book Review: Expecting Money
• Secret way to save money on baby gear
• Save money on baby toys
• Don’t Buy Items Your Baby Won’t Need
• Should you wait for more money to have a baby

In what ways do you think siblings are cheaper than the first baby.

[image via stock.xchng]

The main reason I first checked out The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions: More Than 65 Wacky, Wild & Crazy Concoctions was because, being a green advocate, I thought it might offer some good alternatives to more toxic traditional toys. It does, but besides offering some greener playtime choices, this book will also save you money this summer (well, all year long really).

The book is noted as being for ages five + but some projects will work for younger kids as well. Some of the projects include; Jewel and Gem Goop. Make-it-Yourself Stickers. Tornado in a Bottle. Funny Putty. Fruity Lip Gloss. Magic Muck. Snow Globe. Scratch & Sniff Watercolors.

Authors John E. Thomas and Danita Pagel teach you and your kiddos how to make all of the above and more using mostly household items you likely already have on hand. The book is not technical in nature - i.e no real scientific explanations are offered, but kids will still be impressed with these projects and you’ll save money by not having to buy things like silly putty and paint all summer long. The book also has some un-eco-friendly issues like balloon use, but almost all the items are safe and non-toxic. Plus the pictures are super fun - your kids will love them.

You can see some sample pages and then if you like it, visit your local library to see if it’s on hand.

I recently saw this DIY kiddie furniture project and totally fell in love. You won’t believe that a mama made this with reusable and recyclable materials - it looks like it came from some upscale mod boutique. Take a look:

This table and chair set was made by blogger Maya Luna and instructions are posted at her crafty cool blog, Maya Made. The set is made with easy and cheap items that can be reused again such as cardboard, a pizza pan, and fabric (think old scraps of fabric). You can make this for very little money and then recycle or reuse the items when you’re done. A green and thrifty project!

I think this is an excellent child-minded DIY project all around. If you take a swing at it, let me know in the comments.

Learn how to make this adorable table and chair set!

[image via Maya Made]

I recently posted about PSYCLOPS silicone sleeves for iPod nano - and now a review…

Product: Pink Eyeball PSYCLOPS silicone sleeve for iPod nano from PSYCLOPS. Many other colors/styles available.

Use: If you or your kids have an iPod nano you need to protect the investment, which is where this silicone sleeve comes in handy. Bonus, each silicone sleeve unlocks the door to the PSYCLOPS HeadQuarters, where kids can experience an interactive, age appropriate online music and dance site.

Cost: $19.99

What I think:

These sleeves while seemingly small and flimsy are remarkably strong. Made of silicone these won’t break easily. I pulled and poked and stretched mine around and it’s still in good shape. The eyeball design didn’t even stretch out - and trust me I tried hard. This case is easily cleaned off with plain old soap and water too.

The interactive kids site is not very adult friendly, but my eight year old son thought it was rockin’ fun. He especially liked the fun sounds that pop up as you click site buttons and the create your own dance moves section. Adults won’t love the interactive music site as much, but then, it’s noted as being kid-friendly - I’d guess that this site will entertain little kids up to tweens. Nothing I saw at the site was offensive or weird for kids; I’d let my son play on the site alone.

Overall score:

For the price and the kid-friendly, well made aspects I’d give the PSYCLOPS silicone sleeve five out of five stars. It’s a good product for summer music kid fun, and while dads won’t likely play around on the music site, I think this would make a fun Father’s Day gift - there are some cool dad-friendly styles available (see below).

Learn more at PSYCLOPS.

No serious money saving tips today - I’m so sick of everyone having no money so I think it’s time for some money fun.

If you snag a cool piggy bank your child may be more apt to drop his dimes and nickles in. Heck, most adults, I think would be more likely to save with these banks around…

My favorite first - the I’L Cativo & I’L Buono Piggy Banks. Terribly unique money saving gear in ceramic. Read more

Dry beans of all sorts are not only great for inexpensive meals but also good for all sorts of kid-time-fun. Karen’s post on Thrifty Use for Old Jeans got me thinking about jean bean bags. Jean bean bags can be quickly and easily made with old jeans and old beans.

Grab those beans that aren’t looking so hot anymore - the really hard, shriveled kind. Grab some old jeans that are beyond repair. Cut the jeans into small squares, or another shape and stitch them together (wrong side together). Leave a small opening. Stuff with beans and stitch closed. You can decorate them with patches or fabric paint if you like.

Jean bean bags are really nice when compared to basic fabric bags because they’re far more sturdy. If a small tot gets a hold of one, it’s less likely they’ll chew through too. We don’t want that as beans are obviously a choking hazard.

You can make a bunch for a bean bag  summer outdoor birthday game even. Grab a large cardboard box. Decorate with a happy face, clown face, whatever you like. Cut a hole in one part of one side of the cardboard box and there you go. You might want to weigh down the inside with some large rocks so that the box doesn’t go flying when kids toss the bean bags at it.

Here are some more fun (and cheap) bean projects to make:

• An awesome bean mosaic
• Napkin rings
• Rice and beans bracelet
• Bean shaker instrument

What other thrifty ideas do you have for dried beans?

[image via stock.xchng]

Annual passes to parks and attractions are one of the best ways to stretch your summer activity budget. For example, the zoo in my town offers admission prices as follows:

• Adults (12-64) = $9.75
• Youth (3-11) = $6.75
• Children (2 and under) = FREE

I have my 8-year-old son and I so it’ll cost us $16.50 just to go to the zoo once! Holy right. However, my zoo, like most zoos offers plenty of membership offers that make going to the zoo way more affordable.My son and I could get a $54 Zoo 4 Two annual membership that allows us free admission for a year, free parking, reciprocal admission benefits at over 120 zoos nationwide, discounts on Zoo train rides, gift shop purchases, and educational camps and classes, and much more. Going to the zoo just 4 times during the year more than pays us back for the membership.

Start looking for annual memberships at various local places in your town. Usual suspects include: zoos, museums, state gardens, theme parks, and more. If you’re looking for annual passes that will garner you savings on summer vacations check out the following:

America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass – Annual Pass - Cost $80: Gets the pass holder/s and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle into national parks at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas. (children under 16 are admitted free).

The National Park System also offers:

• Senior Lifetime Pass. - Cost $10.
• FREE lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities.
• FREE pass for park volunteers acquiring 500 service hours on a cumulative basis.

Get a pass for the state parks in your state - at least the ones that still charge admission.

If your family likes to camp you should check out the KOA Value Kard Rewards program. You earn points for each qualifying stay at a KOA Kampground which gain you $ off other stays. There’s also a 10% savings on daily registration fees at any KOA Kampground. Best of all KOA benefits are only $24 per year.

Which annual passes does your family typically buy?

[image via stock.xchng]

I recently got word of a new product for kids that comes with some free bonus activities. The product, PSYCLOPS’ silicone sleeves are kooky iPod sleeves available in six fun characters. The sleeves produced by PSYCLOPS, are super colorful and cute plus each character comes with a secret code that unlocks access to the fun PSYCLOPS HeadQuarters, a fully interactive age appropriate multi-platform online music and dance experience.

PSYCLOPS community members can participate in multiple music and dance activities, including creating their own sharable PSYCLOPS dance videos. Members can even share their unique dance videos with family and friends via email or by downloading to their iPod. Sounds like some good summer fun, if your kid has an iPod.

LAST CHANCE SWEEPSTAKES: As part of the PSYCLOPS iPod nano “4G” silicone sleeves launch, PSYLCOPS is holding a sweepstakes for the chance to win an iPod Touch and some other cool prizes. I say LAST CHANCE because the giveaway ends tomorrow, April 30th. I meant to post this sooner, but Earth Day kicked my butt this year - still in recovery from email overload. BUT that said, if you scoot over now, you can still enter.

PSYCLOPS’ silicone sleeves are available for $19.99 at PSYCLOPS HeadQuarters. Great for kids, or I was thinking a funny Father’s Day gift.

COMING UP: A product review of these new sleeves.

Above are some of the nano4G sleeve flavors available - many more to choose from though.

[images via PSYCLOPS]