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!

Sensory Play Must-Try: Rainbow Scented Glitter Slime

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Here's something fun.  Continuing with our focus on tangible ways to eat better, parent better, organize better and just generally live better this year, we're partnering with Ella's Kitchen over the next two months to bring you a collection of our favorite sensory play ideas for babies and young kids.  We've covered our fair share of sensory play ideas here on MPMK, but I'm not sure I've ever really gone into why we love these activities so much.  For an excellent primer on the benefits of … [Read more...]

DIY Wrapping Paper

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Handmade wrapping paper is a labor of love, but the process is all part of giving a gift that is special and meaningful.  Get the kids involved and let them wrap special gifts for siblings or grandparents with their own handmade gift wrap.  This project is great for cold winter evenings when we're stuck inside! Plus, this simple stenciled wrapping paper looks elegant and is so easy that it's even toddler appropriate. Start with a piece of kraft paper.  I love painting on kraft paper … [Read more...]

Kid Craft: Peppermint Candy Wreaths

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Janssen's with us today sharing one of her favorite Christmas crafts from her childhood.  I love the idea of using these around candles on a table or as an extra-special gift topper. And don't worry, she's got tips on how to avoid a sticky mess. I remember making these as a child, but we used tiny tart pans, so I never made them myself until last year (because I didn't OWN tart pans, tiny or otherwise). Then I thought, … [Read more...]

Play Theme Cheat Sheet #6: Fall Fun!

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It's fall! My absolute favorite season. So, of course, I had to make it into a Play Theme Cheat Sheet. And really - cool weather, gorgeous leaves, pumpkins galore - what's not to love? I have always wanted to take my little family apple picking in the fall. (I've never actually been. Sad, right?) But since apple farms are few and far between where I live, I decided to bring apple picking to us–with a little educational value built in. We've been working on our numbers at home, so I thought … [Read more...]

Thanksgiving Day Craft: DIY Pilgrim Hats

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One big holiday down, two to go!  Today Janssen is here with a classic Thanksgiving craft that takes me back to my own days spent at the kids table.  This one is simple, inexpensive, and can be used both for craft time and dramatic play afterward!   This year I think I might get all the supplies ready for the grandmas to make these with the kids while I'm working on Thanksgiving dinner.  They both love bonding with the kids and who doesn't appreciate the ease of not having to think up of a … [Read more...]

MPMK Gift Guides 2015: Top Learning Toys for Quiet Time & Independent Play

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  I'm so excited to introduce MPMK's 2015 Christmas Gift Guides! I've been working like mad on them (we're talking some serious man hours here) and, although I will admit that all the researching, photo-editing and linking can be more than a bit tedious, every year the process also gets me incredibly excited about what I want to get my own kids! This list was a new category for last year and quickly became one of our most popular. When I came up with it, quiet time was on my mind … [Read more...]

Paper Bag Luminaries for Halloween

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I love the look of luminaries, but they don't just have to be for Christmas. With some inexpensive paper lunch sacks and some craft paint, you can make some easy Halloween versions that will look great welcoming trick-or-treaters up to your front door. Using LED tea lights means you don't have the fire risk and you still get that flickering look that's festive and a little bit spooky. Supplies needed: Brown paper lunch bags Paper Cardboard … [Read more...]

Playtime Cheat Sheet: Carnivals!

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Ahhhh...Fall. The leaves turn, the nights grow shorter, and the weather cools. It can all only mean one thing: Carnival season! Candy apples, petting zoos, and midway prizes. Oh my. I love me a Fall carnival. (A little too much, actually.) So I thought it would make the perfect play theme to kick-off fall. And no carnival would be complete without a few carnival games. Am I right? We started things off with this DIY, no-sew target throw. … [Read more...]

Balloon Powered Races, Two Ways

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Happy Friday friends!  I'm not gonna lie, I'm not anticipating a restful weekend. I'm totally swamped trying to put a bow on my new eBook, Hands On Holidays, and getting it into all of your waiting hands. (Don't forget to sign up for our email list to be the first to know when it comes out and take advantage of a 20% off discount.) While I furiously work away on that this weekend, how about you have a little carefree fun with the kids and I'll live through you. Check out this post I did over on … [Read more...]