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Fresh Finds to Get the Kids Excited About Exploring Nature this Summer

July 2 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

Today's the day guys - in a few short hours we will no longer be the owners of the home we've been in since moving to Seattle five year sago.  And, more importantly, the home we lived in when both of our children were born.  It's definitely a bittersweet moment but we are looking ahead at some wonderful new possibilites on the horizon. In the meantime, I'm a little pre-occupied today.  So I thought it would be great time to re-post our extremely popular "Little Explorers" gift guide from last … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Outdoor Play, The Make & Play Vault

Holiday DIY: Kid-Friendly Sparklers

July 1 by Alli

Although the 4th of July is certainly a kid-centric holiday, the younger set can get a little left out. Not only are fireworks too dangerous to be close to, they're also LOUD and usually take place after bedtime. Today Alli is here sharing her favorite project for getting her little man involved in the festivities, while keeping him safe and happy. We have a tradition in our family, of traveling to the family farm to celebrate, eat, and of course... set off fireworks. Now, I married into this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alli, Holiday Projects, The Make & Play Vault Tagged With: 4th of july celebration ideas, 4th of July craft, 4th of july kid activities, DIY safe sparklers

Tips & Tricks for an Awesome Father’s Day Photo Print

June 11 by Kaley

You guys have probably seen this photo print idea floating around pinterest - isn't the idea brilliant?  How amazing would it be to have one of these from every year showing how the kids have grown and changed? I'm definitely putting this idea on the "to-do list" for this Father's Day - which is why I'm so happy Kaley is here with us sharing lots of creative tips and clever ideas for getting it done right. Father's Day is this weekend (seriously, how is it June already?)  and we have a fun … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holiday Projects, Kaley, Photography & Memory Keeping, The Make & Play Vault Tagged With: Father's Day gift ideas, Father's Day photo gift, homemade father's day card, homemade Father's Day gift

Father’s Day Craft: “Dad’s Stache” Tray

June 10 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

"Dad's Stache" Tray - ha ha!

Father's Day is less than a week away - everybody ready?  In case not, I thought I'd throw up one of my all-time favorite MPMK Father's Day projects.  It's super cheap inexpensive and easy to make. Plus, what Dad doesn't like a funny gift? … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holiday Projects, The Make & Play Vault Tagged With: DIY Father's Day, Father's Day, Father's Day craft, Father's Day gift ideas, recycled crafts, upcycled crafts

Crafting with Food: Apple Prints

June 7 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

Happy Friday everyone, any big plans for the weekend?  We're going to be bike riding, house hunting, and BBQing with friends.  I'm beyond excited for a nice, chill weekend. If you need something to do with the littles this weekend, I highly suggest this apple print activity I put together over on eHow's mom channel.  There's a reason this one is a classic, kids absolutely love painting with produce. And if you need something to read, check out what we've been discussing over on Sulia this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Art + Kid Crafts, The Make & Play Vault Tagged With: apple prints, children's art projects, kids art projects, playtime ideas, upcycled art projects

Playtime Cheat Sheet No. 3: Warm Weather Play

June 3 by Alli

It's June - Hello Summer! This month's playtime cheat sheet is all about playing in warm weather and it's got something for everyone.  Without further ado, here's Alli with a fun DIY sprinkler project and 24 more great ideas. I'm so happy to be back sharing some of our favorite ways to play in the warm Summer weather! I love Summer. But then again, who doesn't? Kids do... for obvious reasons. But adults too (because I have a theory that Summer actually brings out the kid in all of us). We … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alli, Outdoor Play, Play Theme Cheat Sheets, The Make & Play Vault Tagged With: outdoor activties for kids, outdoor play ideas, playing outside

How to Build a Sandbox… Finally!

May 29 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

Step by step instructions on how to build a sandbox the kids will play with for hours!

Hey friends.  We're still working furiously to get our home ready to put on the market this week, but I haven't forgotten about you! Since I didn't get around to posting about our DIY sandbox until the end of the summer when it first debuted - I thought I'd get ahead of the game this year and post it now.  You know, so you could build it and actually enjoy it all summer.   It's a good project - you should totally do it if you have the space.  Young House Love even based their sandbox on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Natural Outdoor Play Spaces, Outdoor Play, The Make & Play Vault Tagged With: DIY sandbox, homemade sandbox, how to build a sand box, how to build a sandbox

More STEM Skill Activities: Elephant Toothpaste Experiment

May 24 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

Happy Friday pals.  Any big plans for the holiday weekend?  We're going to finish up last minute details on the house and hopefully get it on the market next week.  This won't be my first time selling a house but it will be the first time doing it with kids in tow - I'm nervous! QUESTION OF THE DAY Who has tips on balancing having a home on the market and having kids home all day every day for the summer?  I'm all ears! In other news - you guys seemed to really like the Gum Drop Engineering … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Educational Activities, The Make & Play Vault Tagged With: at home science, at home science experiment, elephant toothpaste, learning activities, science for kids, STEM activities

STEM Activity: Gum Drop Engineering

May 22 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

Gum drop engineering to build STEM skills - post has great tips on extending the activity too

A few months ago I was asked to come up with a series of educational at-home activities to do with the kids as part of a collaboration between eHow (who I regularly contribute for) and Target. All together, I wrote 8 posts - many of which centered on developing STEM skills.  This gum drop engineering project was one of my very favorites (second only to the inventor's box I shared with you guys last month).  Our whole family had a great time building and creating for almost an entire afternoon … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Educational Activities, Sensory & Interactive Play, The Make & Play Vault Tagged With: building with candy, building with gumdrops, gumdrop structures, kids building activities, marshmallow structures, marshmallows and toothpicks, STEM activities for kids, toothpick structures

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