Modern Parents Messy Kids

We're all about finding ways to make family life better while keeping our sense of humor. Check out our famous MPMK Top Toy Awards, already viewed over 7,000,000 times!

Back-to-School DIY: Washi Tape Book Covers

by

For many of us, the first day of school was this week.  How did you fare?  Today I'm excited to share a seriously cool (if somewhat time consuming) book cover project I have up at eHow's Mom Channel. Believe it or not, anyone can achieve this look with one simple tip.  Check it out here. Also this week, I've been over at Sulia chatting about, what else, more back-to-school: Best back-to-school tradition ever! Back-to-school DIY: tassels Back to School Resolution: I Won’t Overschedule … [Read more...]

Outdoor Creativity: DIY Squirtable Sidewalk Chalk

by

Between the Kid's Rule Nutrition program and our sinfully delicious Banana Boats, we've been covering the full health spectrum of foods this week.  So how about one last food-related post? Although this one does include a recipe, it's not actually for cooking - but for getting outside and playing. In fact, this one's helping to put the "messy kids" in Modern Parents Messy Kids. We tried this DIY squirtable sidewalk chalk last week and it instantly shot to the top of our list of go-to outdoor … [Read more...]

The Kitchen Experiment Garden: Growing Plants from Food Scraps

by

The other day I walked into my mom friend's kitchen and found the top of a pineapple sitting in a jar of water. I thought it was odd so I immediately quizzed her about it and she politely told little-ol-woefully-uninformed-me that if you plant the top of a pineapple, it will sprout.  What?! I was still digesting this info. a few days later when my contributor Kaley (a wonderfully creative mom in her own right) emailed to ask if she could do her next post on growing stuff from food scraps. … [Read more...]

Elsewhere

by

Over on eHow's mom channel this week I'm sharing an interesting twist on the classic bean mosaic. Pair this activity with our plantable paper Earths and you'll have yourself a craft-tastic Earth Day. Here are some other things I've been discussing over on Sulia this week: … [Read more...]

Make it: Plant-able Paper Earth

by

Every once in a while we do a project here on MPMK that I'm over-the-moon excited about. That's how I feel about these plantable earths for Earth Day.  They're so cute, I want to send a few to everyone I know. I loved making paper as a kid. I don't know why, maybe it's something about the mess. Or maybe it was the idea that I could make the very same thing I used so often in my daily life, all by myself. (just prettier) Regardless. I loved making paper, and this time was no different. It was … [Read more...]

Watercolor Eggs: For a More Creative Dyeing Experience

by

Hope everyone had a good St. Paddy's Day, now it's time for Easter - it's so early this year! Kaley's here sharing an awesome idea on how to make egg dying more fun for the littles.  I'll definitely be trying this with S and C for Easter.  In fact, boiled eggs have become a daily snack around here ever since New Year, New Rules so this might become a regular art activity for us. QUESTION OF THE DAY Speaking of Easter - how do you all hunt?  Do you prefer a small backyard gathering or do you … [Read more...]

DIY Watercolors, Plus a New Art Magazine for Kids

by

Recently, a local mom emailed to ask if I would share with you guys a new venture she's starting.  I was so enamored with her project - a new, high quality art magazine just for kids, ArTree - that I immediately jumped on board.  Here's everything you need to know about the new magazine (including what you can do to make sure it gets published!) as well as fun art project for the littles. With so many public schools not being able to offer art programs for the kids, art education can be … [Read more...]

Homemade Learning: Printable Counting Cards

by

Kaley's here today with some lovely printable counting cards, perfect for teaching your littles their numbers at home.  At our house these have been printed, laminated and are already being used (and fought over - might need to print another set shortly). By the way - do you guys have home laminators?  I resisted purchasing one for a long time (just another thing to fit on the desk, right?) but finally caved when we hosted a busy bag swap.  I bought this one and, must say, I've squeezed a … [Read more...]

Friday Share: Valentine Inspiration Challenge

by

Lots to share this week my friends! I'M SHARING First up, a little Valentine inspiration.  If you follow me on instagram, then you know I woke up earlier this week with my brain yelling at me that "paint chips = arrow hearts".  I reached out for advice and people seemed to dig it... but I was too lazy to get around to doing anything with the idea. So today I turn it over to you!  What can you do with this simple concept of making hearts and arrows out of paint chips?  Instagram or tweet … [Read more...]