Peanut Butter Play Dough

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="430" caption="Peanut Butter heart"][/caption] We recently tried this Peanut Butter Play Dough recipe and I think we ended with only half as much as when we started. Apparently this is as tasty as dessert! Even if you have older children, don't discount the idea of homemade playdough. My two children are older but still looked forward to this snow day activity. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="430" caption="Peanut Butter "Lego""][/caption] Peanut Butter Play Dough 1 cup smooth peanut [+]

Snow Day Activities

In our family, snow days feel like mini-holidays. However, when cabin fever sets in, a few fun activities can help break up the monotony. Below are links to posts I have written about our favorite winter activities: Fort Building My children would do this for hours and hours. Make Snow Cream My pre-teen still requests this. A miscellaneous assortment of free winter activities Snow Paint - This was a favorite! Homemade play dough - This is a no-cook recipe that uses [+]

Helping Children Shop for Others

When my children were much younger, they delighted in making gifts for my husband and myself. Christmas was no different until they started noticing people talking about shopping for just the right gift. They wanted to be a part of it. They still loved making treasures for us but they wanted to give more. While I loved their workmanship, I could understand their request. Being on a budget though, I was the one who now [+]

Free Movie Rentals

We do not watch or rent videos often, but when we do, it's a special occasion. Whenever we have a household project we need to tackle or want to reward the children, I go either to our local library or Blockbuster for a bargain. Because we rarely bring new videos home, they are extra special and the provide necessary time my guy and I need for either our own downtime or to occupy the children so [+]

Quick Homemade Play Dough

My daughter recently had a friend over and they had a fantastic time with quick, homemade play dough, thanks to Play Dough Recipes.  This is a great recipe to have handy as we get into the "cooped up inside" season. The ingredients are basic and preparation is easy. You will need: 1 cup flour 1/2 cup hot water 1/2 cup salt Food coloring In a bowl, combine flour and salt. Add hot water and food color to the flour mixture and [+]

Ladybug Apples

I love making fruits and vegetables more fun for children. Based on my daughter's reaction upon seeing this Ladybug Apple, one would have thought she saw mounds of candy instead. Simply slice the apple in half. If the apple will not be served immediately, brush or spray lemon juice on the cut sides to prevent browning. Attach the raisins using peanut butter as the "glue." Push the pretzel sticks carefully into the top of the apple [+]

Jack-O-Lantern Oranges and Celery Broomsticks

How fun is this?! My kids came home to this healthy after-school snack today. I simply used an orange peeler to make the shapes. I also recently made Celery Broomsticks by slicing the ends of a celery stick and placing in ice water for several minutes. I love finding new ways to make fruit and vegetables fun.  Do you have any special ways of preparing fun veggies? This post has been linked to: Works for Me Wednesday by We [+]

The Magical Sliced Banana

Have you heard of the rare Magical Sliced Banana from South America? My children had not, so I presented them with the special unpeeled banana for an afternoon snack. When my daughter peeled it, she noticed it was already sliced. With wide eyes, she examined the banana and looked for clarification that I had not pre-peeled the banana. I had not. The gig went on for a few minutes until she found my print-out from Enchanted [+]

Occupy Children with Chenille Stems

If you are trying to fit in a last road trip before school starts or need a creative way to keep children quiet and occupied while outside the home, chenille stems are perfect. They involve no mess, no noise and lots of imagination. Fill a zippered gallon bag with chenille stems of various colors and sizes and watch what your children create. Young children can make simple shapes and practice forming the alphabet while [+]

Occupy Young Children with Condiments

If you are a mother of young children and have even once tried to cook a meal, you know the two do not work well together. When my children were small enough for a high chair, but big enough to get into trouble when left on their own, I let them paint while I cooked. Squirt a small amount of ketchup and mustard onto a plate on the highchair tray and let your children fingerpaint with [+]