Here is a family fun idea for Thanksgiving this year (or any family get together) that we had a lot of fun with last year.  We played Pictionary as a family (I think there were around 18 of us playing) by dividing into two teams.  One team was called Team Pilgrim and the other Team Turkey.  All you need for this game is the Pictionary game, two table top flip charts (you can buy them at your local office supply store) and a few markers.  Optional are the team t-shirts that I made in advance.  They added to the fun, but if they won’t fit in your budget or if you don’t have time to make them (I bought blank tshirts online and ironed on the decals), they you can easily skip them.

By Beth Engelman and Jenna Riggs of Mommy on a Shoestring

This Halloween, scare up some holiday fun with these clever craft ideas that are easy to make, even at the last minute!

Recycled Bag Luminaries

(Thanks to the folks at www.iparty.com for contributing this idea)

This easy and affordable craft is perfect for last minute decorating. It’s also a great way to reuse paper grocery bags.

Materials:

• Paper grocery bags
• Light Sticks (available at most craft and hardware stores).

Directions:

• Use a black marker to draw a face onto the middle of each bag (I recommend using the side that has no writing).
• Use sharp scissors to cut out each face (this should be done by an adult).
• Place light stick inside the bag.
• Place luminary in a dark area and enjoy.

Helpful Hint: This craft also works well with plain brown paper lunch bags.

Glue Ghosts

This craft is perfect for young children who love to pour glue all over everything. Be sure to make these ghosts a day in advance, as they need roughly 10-12 hours to dry.

Materials

• Glue
• String, yarn or pipe cleaner
• Waxed paper
• Craft stick or plastic spoon
• Googly eyes
• Construction paper (for the mouth)

Directions:

For each ghost, lay a piece of string in the shape of a ghost onto a piece of waxed paper. Be sure to leave the bottom part open.

Have your kids pour glue to cover the entire ghost area. Use a plastic spoon or craft stick to make sure the glue is spread evenly. Note: the thicker the glue, the longer it takes for the ghost to dry.

Add personality by placing googly eyes and a construction paper mouth onto each ghost. Let dry for about 10-12 hours.

Once dry, peel each ghost off the waxed paper. Trim rough edges if necessary.

Poke a hole at the top of each ghost with a pushpin and thread a piece of string through the hole for hanging! Bootiful!!!!!!!!!

Glow-in-the-Dark Creepy Crawlers

(Thanks to the folks at www.iparty.com for contributing this idea)

Delight your kids with these easy to make crawlers.

Materials:

• Ping Pong Ball
• Styrofoam Cup
• Mini Light Stick
• 3 Glow Bracelets
• Mini Light Stick
• Tacky Glue

Directions:

Paint cup and let is sit until dry.

Poke a small hole in the ping-pong ball. (I recommend using a pair of scissors or pushpin). Use a black sharpie to draw the creepy crawler’s face.

Push mini light stick into the hole of the ball.

Glue the ping-pong ball to the bottom of the Styrofoam cup.

Poke three small holes on each side of the cup and slide a glow bracelet through each hole.

For maximum effect, place creepy crawlers in a dark area and watch your kids face light up when they see them glow.

Candy Wrapper Bowls

Once Halloween has ended, don’t throw away your old candy wrappers! Instead use them to make this “sweet” bowl.

Materials:

• Newspaper ripped into small pieces
• Mod Podge or PVA glue
• A bowl with a smooth bottom (to be used as your mold)
• Aluminum foil

Directions:

Wrap the outside of bowl with aluminum foil.

Begin wrapping bowl with newspaper pieces dipped in Mod Podge. Be sure to smooth out each piece and overlap edges. Continue process until you have wrapped the entire bowl, in 3-4 times. Note: The more layers of newspaper, the sturdier your bowl.

Arrange the desired order and pattern of your wrappers and carefully glue on them on your bowl with Mod Podge. Cover the entire bowl with an additional layer of Mod Podge to ensure everything is sealed.

Let stand for 48 to 72 hours until dry.

When your bowl is completely dry, pull the original bowl out from under the paper and remove the aluminum foil.

Paint the inside or outside if desired.

Note: This bowl is for decorative use only! It is perfect for holding school supplies, wrapped candy, and trinkets. Do not use it for serving food.

How about a few treats?

There is nothing “tricky” about these treats that come courtesy of Bean Sprouts Café in Madison,Wisconsin. Be sure to visit their website for more information! (www.beansproutscafe.com).

You will need:

• 6 whole fresh strawberries
• ½ cup white chocolate chips or vanilla candy chips (melted)
• Chocolate sprinkles or mini chocolate chips
• 6 lollipop sticks (available at most craft stores)
• Wax Paper

Directions:

Dip entire strawberry (except for the stem) into the melted white chocolate.

Place berry on a plate covered with wax paper. Make sure the pointy end of the strawberry, which will be the top of the ghost, is facing up.

Add eyes and a mouth with chocolate chips or sprinkles.

Repeat with remaining strawberries.

Place “ghosts” in freezer for 8-10 minutes, or until coating is solid. Use a table knife to cut off the stem and place a lollipop stick in the bottom of each strawberry.

Bean Sprouts Pumpkin Pops

This tricky treat adds a nutritious boost with whole-wheat flour and chickpeas but all your kids will notice is its sweet flavor.

For the vanilla cupcakes you will need:

• 2 1/2 cups wheat flour
• 2 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 6 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 Tbsp. white vinegar
• 1/2 cup pureed chickpeas
• 1 1/4 cups water
• Cupcake liners

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Line a muffin pan with 12 cupcake liners.
• In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and baking powder.
• Stir in olive oil, vanilla and vinegar.
• Fold in pureed chickpeas, slowly add water and stir until smooth.
• Divide the batter among the muffin liners and bake for 16 to 18 minutes. Let cool

For the pumpkin coating you will need:

• 2 cups white chocolate chips or vanilla candy chips
• 2 tsp. milk
• Natural orange food coloring (available at health food stores)
• Mini chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup pretzel sticks
• Lollipop sticks
• Wax paper

Directions:

• When the cake is cooled, place it in a bowl and mash it up into tiny pieces.
• Add milk until the cake becomes sticky.
• Form 1-inch diameter balls using the sticky cake.
• Carefully slide a lollipop stick in each ball.
• Place on a plate lined with wax paper and put in the freezer for at least 8-10 minutes, or until the cake hardens.
• While the cake balls are in the freezer, melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, so as not to burn the chocolate. Stir until smooth.
• Add food coloring and stir until the chocolate is pumpkin color.
• Dip each cake ball in the orange chocolate coating and place on wax paper. Add eyes and a mouth with mini chocolate chips. Top off with a “pretzel stick” stem.
• Repeat with remaining cake balls.
• Place in freezer for 3-5 minutes until coating is hard.

Jenna Riggs and Beth Engelman are the creative talents and owners of Mommy on a Shoestring, a website and weekly radio show chock full of ideas on how families can live creatively and large on a small budget.

By Beth Engleman

Mommy on a Shoestring

Jazz up your fall wardrobe with these easy to make fashion accessories made out of recyclables!

Candy Wrapper Belt:

This is a great fashion statement for kids and adults.  It also makes a really fun rainy day or birthday party activity.

You will need:

Colorful candy or gum wrappers

Scissors

Tape measure

Clear packing tape

2 – 1 ¼ inch, D-rings (available at most craft and fabric stores)

Directions:

• Measure waist and determine the desired length of belt.
• Trim candy wrappers into 1-inch wide pieces.
• Arrange the order and pattern of the wrappers.
• Cut a piece of packing tape that is several inches longer than the desired belt length and lay it sticky side up on a table.
• Carefully place the candy wrappers, face down in a line along the center of the tape.  Overlap each wrapper slightly to ensure there is no extra space between wrappers.
• Fold the edges of the packing tape running lengthwise over the backs of the wrappers. If necessary, cut an additional strip of tape in half lengthwise and cover the back of the wrappers, ensuring your belt is properly sealed.
• Slide two D-rings onto one end of the belt leaving about 6 inches of before securing with packing tape.

Water Bottle Bracelet

Heidi Borchers and the team from www.ilovetocreate.com came up with this clever idea that turns a water bottle into a fashion statement.

You will need:

Colorful Fabric

Decorative Buttons or Sequins

Water Bottle (cut into a 2 ½ inch-wide ring)

Tacky Glue

Directions:

• Use fabric and tacky glue to cover the water bottle ring.
• Be sure to fold the fabric over the sharp edges and glue the fabric inside the ring.
• Add buttons, sequins, or coordinating fabric pieces as desired.
• Allow to dry before wearing.

T-Shirt Tote

Turn an old T-shirt into a cute tote with a few snips and stitches.

Materials

T-shirt

Needle and Thread

Scissors

12- inch bowl and paper

Directions

• Use the bowl to trace / cut a 12-inch  paper circle (to be used as a template).
• Cut off sleeves of t-shirt.  Tip:  Leave the seam to prevent the material from fraying.
• Use circle template to trace / cut a 6-inch scoop along the neckline of the shirt.
• Turn the shirt inside out and sew bottom closed.  Tip:  If the bottom seam is too thick, cut it off before sewing.  Also remember, the closer the stitches the sturdier the bag.

**To make a rosette embellishment:  Simply use the left over t-shirt fabric and cut three circles (different sizes).  Sew the circles together using a basic rag-stitch, being sure to pull the thread tightly to gather the material into petals.

This craft idea comes courtesy of Jessica Wynne Taylor.  Thanks Jessica!

To find more family fun activities check out www.mommyonashoestring.com

By: Beth Engelman of Mommy on a Shoestring

Thanks Beth for this great idea! If you want to hear more of Beth’s great ideas you can listen to the replay of our recent radio show.

Ingredients

• Small Paper Cups
• 2 Tbs Powdered Tempura Paint – any color (available at most craft stores)
• 3 Tbs Plaster of Paris (available at most craft stores)
• ½ Cup Water

Directions

In a paper cup, mix powdered paint and water.

Stir in Plaster of Paris until the mixture is as thick as cream.

Allow the mixture to harden-approximately 2 hours.

Peel off the paper cup and take out the chalk.

Repeat for additional chalk pieces.

By: Beth Engelman of Mommy on a Shoestring

Thanks Beth for this great idea! If you want to hear more of Beth’s great ideas you can listen to the replay of our recent radio show.

Mud Pies for Butterflies Recipe

• Combine soil, sand, and a pinch of salt.
• Add a flat rock in the middle for the landing pad for butterflies.
• Add a few drops of maple syrup to rock.
• Stand back and watch for butterflies

By: Mandi Ehman of Organizing Your Way

As with any other holiday, it’s easy to get caught up in commercialism at Easter. In any given store across America, you’ll find large pre-packaged Easter baskets filled with cheap trinkets and candy, fluffy stuffed animals just begging to be taken home and aisles lined with chocolate and marshmallows of all kinds.

In our home, we prefer to take a low-key approach to Easter, focusing more on the historical and religious significance of the day than on the pressure to shower our kids with gifts. Here are a few ideas for focusing your Easter celebrations as well:

Separate the Bunny-Stuff from the Easter-Stuff

I like bunnies and chocolate as much as the next person, and I have wonderful memories of dyeing Easter eggs and going on egg hunts with my family. Rather than turn into an Easter scrooge, we simply separate those things from our Easter celebration. For example, this week we’ll be doing projects focused on spring with our girls, including dyeing eggs, planting grass in little gift baskets and making crushed shell art.

In the days leading up to Easter, we’ll be focused on the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and our crafts and activities will reflect that focus with things such as paper palm leaves, resurrection eggs and crescent roll tombs.

I’ve never quite understood how chocolate bunnies relate to such a significant holiday, but separating the two helps our family find a balance that works for us.

Select Meaningful Easter Basket Items

Rather than heading to your local superstore and picking up a basket of toys that will likely end up broken, lost or set aside after a few days, choose meaningful items to put in your children’s Easter baskets. We always start with a new pair of sunglasses for each of our girls, but your baskets should reflect your children and your family values. The key is to be thoughtful in your selections rather than just filling a basket to keep up with the Joneses.

Here are some more ideas:

:: Pretty stationery and pencils

:: A special necklace or bracelet

:: A family game

:: A travel or nature journal

:: A sketchbook

:: Crayon roll or art supplies

Create Family Traditions

Most importantly, take the time to thoughtfully plan family traditions that will become part of your family’s fabric over the years. Whether these include making breakfast together on Easter morning, having an early-morning egg hunt or reading the story of the resurrection while curled up together in bed, your children are sure to remember them for years to come!

Mandi Ehman is a work-at-home mom to four spunky little girls. She believes that organizing only lasts if you do it your way – to fit your needs, your preferences and your lifestyle – and she shares organizing and time management tips at Organizing Your Way.

Our Fresh Start idea for today is to discuss and decide how your family can make a difference in the world.  From saving the polar bears to buying school supplies for kids in your community, uniting around a cause or volunteering your time is a wonderful way of building family unity, opening perspectives, and building self-confidence.  So take some time today to discuss as a family how you can make a difference in the world and then create an action plan to make it happen.  Here are some tips to help you get started: Continue Reading…

Today’s Fresh Start idea is to schedule family nights on your family calendar.  It seems simple and a little silly to dedicate an entire blog post to scheduling family nights, but somehow if we don’t get them scheduled with all the other things they can get lost in the shuffle.  Here are a few tips to help you get started: Continue Reading…

The start of a new year is one of my favorite times of the year.  In part because I am a typical Type A that loves taking on new challenges, projects, and changes but more importantly because it gives me a good chance to become a better mother, wife, and friend.   The New Year lets me mentally and emotionally shed baggage, struggles, and worries and make a fresh start in my attitude, routines, and habits.

So to help myself and you make fresh starts we are beginning a new series called 31 Days of Fresh Starts for Your Family. Throughout the month of January we will be posting a new fresh start idea. Each fresh start idea is designed to encourage families to make changes in their lives and work toward becoming a better family.  Whether your struggles are with parenting, communicating, clutter, or time all families have some area of their lives that need changes, improvements, and fresh starts. Continue Reading…

Families with purpose are families who dream together and work together to make their dreams and goals a reality.

New starts, renewed energy, and fresh enthusiasm are all signs and feelings of the start of a new school year.  This time of year is often a time where families take time to reflect on their lives and try to make changes and improvements for the better.  So before the renewed energy and enthusiasm fades under the stress of daily life, take some time to reconnect as a family and reaffirm your family identity with this project.  It is a simple low cost way for families to remind themselves of their family goals and a fun way of expressing their family values, identity, and mission.

Purpose of this Project

The purpose of this activity is to build family closeness and unity by discussing and creatively expressing your family values, identity, goals, and mission.

Supplies You’ll Need

Paper Mache letter of the first letter of your last name (you can find these at your local craft or fabric store – we used a 23.5″ letter)

Mod Podge (you can find these at your local craft or fabric store)

Paint Brushes (one for each family member)

Scissors (one for each family member)

Paper plates or paint cups (one for each family member)

Old magazines and photos

Newspaper to cover the table

Optional: Copies of your family goals, vision statement, and mission statement

Things to Keep in Mind

The younger the children the smaller the letter – Smaller letters will take less time to cover and will be more suitable for younger children with smaller attention spans

The more children you have the bigger the letter – If you have a lot of kids, you might want to opt for a bigger letter, so there is less crowding and less arguments.

Short last names – if you have a short last name you may want to go with smaller letters and spell out your entire last name rather than just the first letter.

If your children are younger consider breaking this activity up into smaller segments.  Use this first segment to discuss your family characteristics, goals, mission, and values and then use the remaining time to cut out the pictures.  Save the gluing of the pictures and words for a different time.

Turn the TV off prior to starting this activity.  TV will only distract the kids and take away from any meaningful conversation.

The Activity

Set aside some time on your regular family night or on your family calendar for this activity.  Depending on the size of your family and the size of letter you chose, you will need about 60 – 90 minutes for this activity.

As a family begin discussing the things important to you as a family and what qualities and characteristics make your family unique.  If available use your family goals and mission statement to help you get started.  For example for some families this may be things like doing well in school, having regular family nights, taking fun vacations, or being open and honest.  Be sure to include any hobbies or special interests.

After you are finished discussing the things important to your family and your family characteristics, begin cutting out pictures and words from magazines that express all of these qualities.  If old enough, give each family member a pair of scissors and a magazine and let them go through each one cutting out different pictures and words.  While cutting out pictures, take the time to talk about things going on your lives.  This busy time is often a good time to check in with the kids on how school is going, remember old memories, or plan family outings.

Once all of your pictures and words are cut out, it is now time to begin attaching them to your letter.  Cover your work space with newspaper to protect it from the Mod Podge and give each family member a paint brush and small paper plate or paint cup with Mod Podge in it.  Using the pictures and words you cut out, use the Mod Podge to glue them to the letter.  This part can be messy and a little tricky on some of the angles, so parents may want to let the kids do the attaching while they help and assist.

After your letter is completely covered, let it dry overnight.  Once completely dry, display the letter in a prominent spot where everyone can easily see it and enjoy it.

Good luck!

I want to give a shout out of thanks to my dear friend Louise for this idea.  You will be forever in my heart. – Polly