Modern Parents Messy Kids

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Good Idea: Bring the Garden Inside

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I'm so over winter.  Seriously, I feel like we've done the cold and snow thing enough already - I'm jonesing to get outside with the kids and start growing stuff.  Judging by the hail that's currently pelting my backyard (and the snow that fell yesterday), Mother Nature does not share my sentiments. On to plan B then.  If we can't cultivate anything outside just yet (or at least attempt to cultivate - I've been cursed with a bit of a black thumb I'm afraid), then we'll do it in the kitchen … [Read more...]

We Tried It! Making Tracks with Tape

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We were stuck inside the other day in an attempt to keep a case of the sniffles from becoming something uglier.  As the morning began to drag on (and I realized it was still only 9:00 am), I decided it was time to finally break out the painters tape and make some of those crazy cool DIY tracks I keep spotting on pinterest.   Since we only had extra wide tape, I tore it in half vertically to make wonky strips and C helped me piece them together.     The examples … [Read more...]

What to Make, Eat and Do (with the Kids) this Valentine’s Day

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It's been an inordinately busy weekend here at MPMK.  Things starting getting exciting on Friday, so much so that I felt compelled to do a bonus post on Sunday.  If you haven't already, make sure you check them out so you'll be up to speed with the rest of us!  And just so you don't think I'm completely changing the spirit of this little blog of mine...   V-Day is tomorrow and I'm going to assume/hope that you've at least got the whole Valentines for the class thing under control (psst … [Read more...]

Free Printable: DIY Animal Herd Valentines

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Despite February 14th still being over a month away, re-posting last year's shaving cream valentine has opened the Valentine DIY flood gates in my brain.  Of course, I could have done this project and held off on posting about it.  But I'm the girl who once unwrapped all of my presents Christmas morning before bothering to wake my parents - patience isn't really my thing.   Have you noticed the preponderance of plastic animal crafts popping up lately?  Crafty bloggers everywhere have … [Read more...]

Christmas Gift Idea: DIY Playtime Mail Center

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Between last year's Sensory Box and Easy Handmade Gifts for Imaginative Play posts and this year's DIY dress up box post, you've probably figured that I really like the idea of a homemade creative play box for Christmas.  So it should be no surprise that I'm back today with yet another idea along those lines - the DIY Playtime Mail Center.   Playroom mailboxes have been popping up all over the web lately and it's not hard to figure out why.  Kids absolutely love getting mail and parents … [Read more...]

DIY Salt Dough Ornaments

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I'm over at momtastic today sharing one of the best Christmas crafts ever.  It takes only 3 ingredients which I can practically guarantee are already in your pantry (salt, flour, and water), it's appealing to kids of all ages, and it can be extended into an activity that lasts practically all day.  Plus the end product is a perfect grandparent gift.   Salt dough ornaments are essentially three favorite kid activities rolled into one.  First there's cooking, the little ones get to … [Read more...]

Christmas Gift Idea: Busy Bags (Great for Advent, Stockings, or Under the Tree)

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photos via MADE and the rigneys   The popularity of our current giveaway for a 6 month kid craft club subscription tells me that you guys are hungry for some quick and easy kid activities to fill up your winter months.  So today we're gonna talk about a magical little wonder know as "the busy bag".  If you're not familiar with the concept then it's your lucky day - this post may just change your world.   The definition of a busy bag varies somewhat based on who you talk to.  … [Read more...]

Make a Reading & Art Advent Calendar with the Kids

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With two toddlers running around the house, I'm all for the trend of ditching the candy and filling the Advent calendars with Christmas activities instead.  I'm a little scared, however, of actually committing myself to a project or outing each day before I get a chance to see how it's shaking out.  After all, I do have a very young toddler who's nap schedule is still a bit of a moving target as well as an older toddler who inspired the recent "How to Maintain Your Zen When the Kids Have Lost … [Read more...]

Make Like a Montessori Mama: Part 4 – Shape Activities

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Part 4 of the "Make like a Montessori Mama" series is definitely my favorite, it's right up our alley.  C loves creating pictures with his Magnetic Pattern Blocksand learning the names of the shapes (everything from quadrilaterals to trapezoids).  Plus this shape sorter is currently S's toy of choice.  I can't wait to try out these activities with the kids later this week... Take it away Kylie:   Five great Montessori inspired activities about SHAPES! There are many Montessori … [Read more...]