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Give the Gift of Reading: How to make a ‘Series Starter’ Kit for Kids

December 7 by Janssen

I love this gift idea for encouraging reading SO much - I also adore the idea of being the one to introduce some of my favorite kids to some of my favorite authors!

Got a little reader on your gift list this year? Our resident children's librarian, Janssen, here today with one of our favorite gift ideas ever - the series starter. Here are all the details... Whether you're looking for a book to give to a voracious reader or a struggling and reluctant reader, series are always a good idea. For an avid reader, a series gives them not just one book to devour, but a whole set. While for the reluctant reader, entering a series means they can continue reading … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Janssen, The Book Nook, Uncategorized Tagged With: book gifts for kids, book nook, children's book gifts, children's books, children's reading gifts, gifts for readers, MPMK gift guides, series starter book gift

Top 10 Ways to Keep Kids Active When Stuck Inside

December 3 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

This list is so simple and my kids love every single idea, we use #3 all the time.

You guys know I'm all about getting outdoors whenever possible! I'll admit, however, that has been a little more challenging this year with the baby in tow - sometimes I'm just too tired to face arming all 3 kids in the layers and layers of outdoor clothes, you know? So I'm over at eHow this week with my top 10, all-time favorite ways to keep the kids active when stuck inside. These are some seriously low key and zero prep ideas that are sure to rescue you when the kids are bouncing off … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: easy set up indoor play ideas, easy setup rainy day activities, indoor activities for kids, inside play ideas, rainy day activities, rainy day play ideas, stuck inside play ideas

Trader Joe’s Copycat Recipe: Candy Cane Whoopie Pies

December 2 by Kristin

Inspired by Trader Joe's Candy Cane Joe-Joe cookies - this are always a HUGE hit every year.

Every year Trader Joe's gets their holiday products in stock.  They fly off the shelves and quickly as they arrived.  Peppermint is king around the holidays and we love everything from the candy cane tea to the candy cane 'joe-joes'  (Trader Joe's version of an oreo.) We decided to make our own version of the candy cane joe-joe in the form of a whoopie pie. Whoopie pies are basically cakey little cookies with frosting to hold them together.  Like a soft oreo!  Whoopie pies have been around … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holiday, In the Kitchen, Kristin, Seasonal Fun Tagged With: candy cane dessert, candy cane recipes, candy cane whoopie pies, copycat candy cane joe joes, holiday dessert, holiday recipe, holiday recipes, peppermint dessert, trader joes whoopie pie

A Veggie Tray for the Holidays

December 1 by Natalie

Love this idea for my Christmas party this year!

Headed to potluck after potluck this season? Looking for something that's easy to assemble, festive AND healthy?  … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holiday, In the Kitchen, Natalie Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas healthy snack, christmas veggie tray, festive veggie tray, healthy snack, holiday, holiday veggie tray, joy, vegetable platter, vegetable tray, veggie tray

DIY Painted Cinnamon Pine Cones

November 30 by Alli

Giving this to all my kids' teachers this year!

I love the smell of Christmas. And truth be told, I'm not exactly sure what that smell is. But in my mind...it's part pumpkin, part pine tree, and part cinnamon. Mmmmm. Every year we like to fill our house with holiday aromas. And we're always looking for new ways to do it. This year, our family decided to make our own painted cinnamon pine cones. Not only do they smell fantastic, but they work so beautifully with our natural Christmas theme and they make fantastic gifts. Sure, you can … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alli, Holiday, Seasonal Fun Tagged With: cinnamon pinecones, DIY Christmas decor, DIY Christmas gifts, DIY holiday decor, DIY scented pinecones, paint dipped pine cones, teacher gift ideas

Roundup: Our 2015 Gift Guide Top Toys on Big Sales!

November 28 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

Over 350 of the most engaging toys arranged by age and interest - everything you need to get your toy shopping done early this year!

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! Now that we've all stuffed ourselves and, hopefully, had a great day with the family - it's time to get a little Christmas shopping done. I stayed up extra late last night/this morning to scour Amazon for deals they're running on any and all of the 350+ Toys featured in our gift guides this year. I really hope this goes a long way to saving you a little time and money today! You'll find the toys on sale from each of our gift guides below - each … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fresh Finds: Playtime Tagged With: best learning toys, Best quiet time toys, best S.T.E.M. toys, best STEM toy, best toys for babies, best toys for young toddlers, black friday toy gift guides, Black Friday toy sales, Christmas gift guides, chutes, MPMK gift guides, S.T.E.M. toy gift guide, top baby toys, top educational toys, top learning toy, top learning toys, toy gift guides

Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life: Keeping a Clean & Clutter-Free Home for the Holidays

November 24 by Alli

Great ideas for how to make your holiday decor do double duty as storage.

Ah, the holidays, what's not to love? Okay. Maybe just one thing–one small, teensy tinsy thing... The cleaning. If you are anything like me (maybe a little bit type A?) keeping the house clean over the holidays is a challenge. Call me crazy, but I want my house to feel warm and welcoming all throughout the season. I want my decorations to sparkle and shine (because I didn't hang them for nothin', right?). One of the first steps to keeping your house clean over the holidays, is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alli, Decluttering, Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life Tagged With: bona, hardwood floor cleaning, holiday cleaning, how to clean hardwood floors

Kid Craft: DIY Washi Tape Christmas Stars

November 23 by Kaley

DIY Christmas Stars - such a fun and simple craft for kids of all ages. Love 'em for ornaments or garland decor.

Looking for a fun craft to do with your kids, that won't add any more stress to the holiday season? These little stars are festive, super quick to make, and just a little addicting. They are cute as ornaments, but work equally well strung together as a garland. Plus, they are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holiday, Holiday Projects, Kaley, Seasonal Fun Tagged With: Christmas crafts for kids, Christmas Ornament, DIY Christmas decor, holiday crafts, holiday decorations, kids crafts, washi tape crafts

Thanksgiving Craft: Family Hands Turkey

November 19 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

Hand turkey made with each family members' hand - makes a great keepsake - Doing this while my kids are still young!

Here's a quick and messy little art project for you to tackle with the family this weekend. I first did this at C's toddler group years ago, but it wasn't quite as impressive with only three handprints to fill it out. Now, as a family of five, we make quite the turkey - if I do say so myself. (Although I didn't manage to get all the full cooperation of all three kids until after the project was photographed - imagine that - so you'll just have to settle for a 4-handed turkey for today.) Check … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holiday, Holiday Projects, Seasonal Fun Tagged With: family hand turkey, kids Thanksgiving craft, Thanksgiving art project, Thanksgiving hand turkey

4 Things About Having 3 Kids (That Nobody Ever Talks About)

November 18 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

yes, #2!!

One of my favorite parts of this strange and unexpected blogging career of mine, is that I get to play so many different roles. Some days I'm a managing editor, some days I'm a photographer and graphic designer, some days I'm even a coder (those are usually dark days indeed). Some of my favorite days lately have been when I get to put on my "writer" hat over at eHow's Mom Channel. I've been stretching myself a bit this year and taking on more parenting topics (less crafts and DIYs). This … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: having 3 kids, parenting three kids, should I have three kids, what it is like to have three kids, What it's like to have 3 kids

MPMK Gift Guides: Top Finds for Active Kids & Families

November 17 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

Recommendations on the best toys for getting kids outside, keeping them active inside, and getting them playing games with siblings, the family, or all by themselves - Really excellent lists!

Now that my months of research have come to a close and all 10 of our infamous Gift Guides have FINALLY  been published, I’m super excited to take a little time to tell you about each one. After all, detailed descriptions and age recommendations on over 300 toys can be a lot of reading! It's not a bad idea to break it down a bit and take it piece by piece. Today I'm highlighting three guides that focus on active and family play (two of my very favorite kinds of play). Ready to see them? … [Read more...]

Filed Under: MPMK's Comprehensive Toy Gift Guides Tagged With: best games for families, best games for kids, best games for pre-readers, best games for siblings, best indoor active toys, best outdoor toys, Christmas gift guides, MPMK gift guides, toy gift guides

Kid-Friendly DIY Holiday Decor: Stamped Napkins

November 16 by Julee

All my kids from little to big loved making these and the result was super modern and pretty - making some for every holiday dinner this year!

The holiday season seems to be the time for DIY decor. I don't know if it's an attempt to avoid spending bucket loads of money on spendy store-bought decorations, or just the endearing memories that are created sitting around a table together getting our craft on, but even the most creatively-challenged amongst us seem to be up for a DIY or two this time of year. I think it's fantastic, of course, and today we've got the perfect activity to get your started. It's one of those rare projects … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holiday, Holiday Projects, Julee, Seasonal Fun Tagged With: DIY Christmas decor, DIY holiday decor, DIY Thanksgiving decor, holiday table decor, home decor, kid holiday craft, kid holiday decor craft, kids Christmas craft, stamped napkins, Thanksgiving craft

Make Ahead Thanksgiving Dessert: Pumpkin Brownie Ice Cream Cake

November 12 by Natalie

The most delicious make-ahead dessert ever - this one has a place of honor at our Thanksgiving table.

Growing up my grandma made the most delicious frozen pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. I've always thought her recipe couldn't be topped... and then I saw this version from our contributor Natalie that adds in chocolate and Oreos.  Sorry Nana, but I think I may have a new favorite. Read on for the full recipe. Make-ahead menu items can be a total lifesaver during the holidays. You can plan and execute in advance and then look like a superhero at your holiday meal. And while an ice cream cake … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holiday, In the Kitchen, Natalie, Seasonal Fun Tagged With: brownie, ice cream cake, ice cream pie, make-ahead dessert, pumpkin brownie cake, pumpkin dessert, pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving, thanksgiving dessert, Thanksgiving pumpkin desse

Free Printable: Advent Calendar with Jokes for Every Day

November 11 by MJ at Pars Caeli

My kids are so into puns & knock-knock jokes they'll love this and minimal work for me to keep up with!

Advent calendars have become such a HUGE part of Christmas these days - have you noticed? We've tried several variations over the years from our DIY Freezer Paper Stencil Advent Calendar and our Family Activities Advent Calendar to LEGO Advent and our Reading Advent Calendar This year, though, with three kids including a 7 month old, I'm opting to go the super simple route. This free printable Christmas Joke countdown will take zero effort from me once it's up and I can feel great about that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holiday, MJ, Printables, Seasonal Fun Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas knock knock jokes, countdown, holidays, jokes, kids advent calendar printable, kids DIY joke advent calendar, printable advent calendar with jokes, Printable joke advent calendar

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