Gingerbread House Decorating Fun- Life-size!

Make your kid's dreams come true with this life-size gingerbread house idea!

My kids just love the little playhouses made out of cardboard and I love them too, because the kids are entertained for days... playing and coloring them until they are literally destroyed and then I get to throw them out! 

This year I was inspired by the gingerbread house decorating competition I was watching on the Food Network and I decided I would do something similar at home. I have seen the cardboard houses in the brown color (normally they are white) and so I ordered one from Target... along with all these other goodies from Oriental Trading. Here is how simple and fun this was! And how cute! All the kids from the neighborhood will love coming over to see, play and decorate! 

  1. Build the simple to construct cardboard play house from Target
  2. Decorate the house with large candy decorations like these from Oriental Trading
  3. Adult only!! Use a hot glue gun to glue the main decorations to the house (this will help hold the decorations on securely so the kids can play and use the house for the coming days)
  4. Add fake snow on roof (can use felt)
  5. Let the children add actual candy (like gumdrops and peppermint) & snowflakes using Elmers Glitter Glue- if the candy is large or heavy you can glue them using the hot glue gum for a firmer hold
  6. Add wire string lights
  7. Use decals to decorate the floor and/or window
  8. Use a white rug/throw to look like snow (I picked this up from Century 21)
  9. Let the kids color their own designs with Crayola Scented Markers 
  10. Enjoy days of fun with this!!

Happy Holidays! 

Smells so good, you'll want to eat it too! But don't!!!! Hot Chocolate Playdoh DIY

I love playdoh and I always let my kids make a mess and have fun with it. It really keeps them entertained for so long and just seeing them being creative and "in the zone" really inspires me. 

This season I wanted to do something fun for them!

I was at a tree trimming party with my daughter and they were serving hot cocoa in these adorable glass mugs. When we got home, it hit me, why don't we make this out of playdoh!

Here's how we created this fun and nostalgic holiday season drink; marshmallows included!

Here is what you'll need:

  • Flour, Salt, Cream of Tarter, Food Dye, Vegetable oil, Essential oil or natural scent, small glass mugs, glitter (optional), hot water
  • Combine:
  1. 2 cups flour
  2. 1 cup salt
  3. teaspoon cream of tarter
  4. tablespoon vegetable oil
  • In a separate bowl, combine:
  1. 1 cup of hot water
  2. 20 drops of essential oil or natural scent
  3. 1/8 teaspoon - 1/2 teaspoon food dye (add as much as needed for desired color)
  • Pour the liquid into the flour mixture and combine (add more scent and/or color as desired)
  • Stir and kneed dough until totally combined 
  • Do this in seperate bowls for the chocolate and the marshmellow
  • *Add a few shakes of glitter to the marshmallow dough
  • Layer the chocolate scented dough into the small mug or jar
  • Then top with a small amount of the marshmallow dough 
  • Cover and store (this will last up to 2 months if covered properly or for ultimate freshness store in the refrigerator)

We wanted our chocolate dough to smell really super chocolatey so we added a few more drops of the essential oil! Add as much or little as you like!

To finish, add a holiday ribbon and label for a cute little gift for friends! The kids will love playing with this.. watch their faces light up when they open and smell the sweet scents. I know a lot of kids love to eat playdoh so make sure they don't eat it! It doesn't taste as good as it smells... Trust me! 

Holiday Bath-time fun! Seasonal Scented Bath Soap DIY

Who's guilty of trying to holiday shop with the kiddos?!!

Well, I am sure we've all been there. But the other day when we were at the local shops, my kids wanted me to buy them the most expensive seasonal soaps and lotions. I agreed, they smelled so good and I actually left wanting them for myself also but I didn't want to spend money on things we really didn't need right now. So, I went home and thought, we can make them something similar with things we already use. 

I took the kids' all natural Aveeno lotion and soap from their bathroom. The ones that won't bother their eyes and I know work well on their skin. Then, I found small travel bottles that I normally fill and use for trips. So, I washed them out and filled them with the kids tear free and all natural products. And here's exactly how I did it! So easy and cost me literally just a few dollars for the products I would have bought anyway! 

  • Use all natural, kid safe shampoo/wash/conditioner (tear free and fragrance free works best, we use Aveeno)
  • Let the kids add a small amount of each product into separate small bowls
  • Then let them add approximately 8 drops to each bowl of your kids favorite scent using skin safe essential oils (we picked cupcake)
  • Stir with a spoon or spatula (the kids will love this!)
  • WARNING-- If desired, add a few drops of food grade dye, like Wiltons (ONLY use a light color, like yellow, to avoid skin staining or color transfer - you don't want to dye your kids hair!) If used in a very small way, you should have no issues with the color however, you can try a small batch to test it out. If this scares you, it is totally not necessary! So just skip this!
  • Stir until color is combined
  • Then, add the product to the travel bottles and label
  • Enjoy! Bath-time, made even better!

The best part about this is that the kids and I are both happy! They get to lather themselves in yummy scented soaps and lotions and I know their sensitive skin won't be bothered by all the harsh chemicals in the store bought scented products! Plus, I wouldn't want to skip out on celebrating the holiday cheer with the kids; using festive products and I may have just made a little extra for myself! Smells so sweet and yummy...

Snow Globes and Christmas Trees... what could be more perfect?!

When you think of a perfect winter weekend you would probably imagine the whole family cozied up together; the children playing with snow globes and sipping hot cocoa while decorating the tree and a fire crackling in the background.  Sounds amazing right? Well, I wanted to make sure that this was a reality for us this holiday season. Check out how we did it!

While my husband was stringing the lights on the tree (and untangling miles worth of tangled bulbs) I worked with the kids on this easy homemade snow globe craft. Here is how we made them... And you probably have all of these items floating around the house already!

  1. Start with a clean mason glass jar (or any glass jar from the recycling bin)
  2. Super Glue a small figurine to the inside of the lid (we used these adorable Elf on the Shelf ones!)
  3. Optional - add a small tree (I found these at Target)
  4. Then sprinkle the glitter and snowflakes into the empty glass jar
  5. Add water almost ALL the way to the top (optional- use glycerin for a thicker liquid)
  6. When the super glue holding down the figurines is completely dry you will turn the lid upside down and submerge the figurine and secure the cap. 
  7. Optional but recommended- Add a small amount of super glue around the edges of the cap before securing. This will help to avoid any little fingers from possibly opening the jar and causing a major leak!

DIY Spa Day - Kiddie Style

Towels from Pottery Barn Kids

Towels from Pottery Barn Kids

Brinkley loves everything girly; from feeding her baby alive dolls (real baby food!), playing dress-up in her favorite princess costumes to baking tiny miniature cookies with her easy bake oven. So what better way to spend the afternoon than to create for her a little "Spa Day" Retreat.

Come on, doesn't everyone need to relax every once in a while! Even if it's just pretend! 

She had just as much fun making the products as she did playing with them! But remember to remind your little ones not to eat the mixtures because they smell much better than they taste! 

First we made the amazing Bubble Gum Bath Soak. Here's how we made it:

  1. All natural and unscented bath salts from One With Nature -- 1/3 Cup
  2. All natural essential oil in Bubble Gum Scent -- 5 large drops
  3. Add a small amount of food dye -- I used about one to two drops
  4. Pinch of natural herb mix with lavender to relax the body
  5. Combine ingredients in a bowl
  6. Store in a sealed container or I used an old mason jar

Once we had the bubble gum bath soak ready, I knew she'd want something yummy smelling to create a relaxing bath scrub so I used the sugar cookie scent to create this luxurious bath scrub that my husband I both actually love too. It just smells so good!! And actually helps moisturize the skin while removing excess dry skin which is great in the winter months.


Here is how we made it:

  1. First measure out about 1/3 cup of sugar depending the size of the jar or container
  2. Then add 3-4 tablespoons of rich coconut oil
  3. Add 5-6 drops of the sugar cookie oil
  4. Pinch of natural herb mix with lavender to relax the body
  5. Combine ingredients in a bowl
  6. Store in a sealed container or mason jar

Candy Necklaces

I know this is technically a food, I mean we all eat candy, but I think this is more of a DIY project than a DIY Food... 

So lets get started!!

1. Pick candy that has a large center ring opening. I bought so many options so the children had an assortment to pick from. Here is what we used: Gummy Lifesavers, Sour Gummy Lifesavers, Gummy Ring Pop candy, Twizzler Rainbow, Red Vines and Sour Peach Gummies. You could also use hard lifesavers (my kids just prefer gummy). My daughter also decided it would be fun to add the Halloween Rings we bought for fun to incorporate in her necklace. But make sure your children don't eat them though!

All of this candy is from Michael's or Target

2. Buy a sturdy plastic cord/string to use. I found these Stretch Magic Silkies rubber necklaces from Michael's and they were so easy to use because they came with a built in clasp. The children didn't need any help getting started or finished!

3. To start on the necklaces, remind the little ones to pinch one end so the candy doesn't fall of. Let the kids enjoy creating a beautiful edible and wearable masterpiece! 

Try this at your next playdate or Halloween Party and I'm sure it will be a smash!

Leave comments or questions below.

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Fall Fun DIY Bobbing for Apples

When that summer heat turns to crisp cool air, you know that fall has arrived. And this year September may be a little chillier than normal in NYC but we can still spend afternoons outside before the real cold winter weather hits. 

Here is a great way to use up all those apples you've all picked from the local apple orchard (see my post on Warwick, NY Apple Orchards)... Once you've made apple pie, apple crumble and apple whatever else you can think of to use up all those apples! Try this amazing and fun way to gather on a fall afternoon! Have the kids invite a friend or two over and get started. 

All you need:

  • 1 large bucket or plastic tub
  • warm water
  • towels
  • approximately 30 small/medium size apples
  • aprons to protect from the water *If you have them, but not necessary

Have fun and enjoy! Also, the kids get a yummy healthy snack afterward:)

***Please note that the children's shirts and hair may get wet so let their parents know in advance that their children may come home a little soggy. Or ask them for a dry shirt to change into before coming over. 

Cheers to a happy fall & I hope you enjoyed this post. What are some of your favorite fall fun activities?! 

"Frozen" DIY Ice Queen Playdoh - Best No Bake Recipe

As the temperates cool down outside we will be spending more and more time indoors. This "Frozen" themed DIY no cook playdoh will sure be a hit amongst the little ones. This icey blue playdoh mix will wow even the biggest Frozen fan and let their imaginations run wild!

In a large bowl add:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • Icy Blue food coloring 
  • Silver Sparkle Glitter
  • Lastly add 1 cup of warm water

Combine all ingredients. Knead dough until it's no longer sticky.

*I like to leave the color not totally combined. It gives the kids more to do and they'll love watching it change before their eyes. 

To save dough, place in a tupperware or plastic baggie and refrigerate. But don't eat even though it does looks delicious!!

DIY Kids Photo Session

Save yourself hundreds of dollars and give yourself some credit. Who says you need to hire a professional to get that professional looking shot of the kids?

You probably take dozens of photos of them on a daily bases (I actually checked my phone and I did take almost 2 dozens picture of the kids yesterday)... and believe it or not but in the bunch there are at least two great pictures. Now add some natural lighting and a perfect backdrop and you have yourself that amazing picture you've been desiring. 

Like this one I recently took using the backdrop I bought at backdropoutlet.com for Brent's first birthday. I also included the bigger kids in some and wound up with so many amazing pictures I don't even know what to do with them. I wound up printing a bunch and using them as decorations for his birthday party. 

Not to mention we had the best time taking all sorts of pictures and poses. Sometimes the best pictures are the ones that aren't staged or orchestrated. 

We had so much fun together too!!! 

DIY Signature Plate

Let me save you a ton of money on this idea!
Check out this 1st Birthday Signature plate that we made ourselves at home for Brent's 1st birthday party. These same plates sell for $30 or more online. But by simply doing it yourself can save you a ton! Plus it's way more fun. 

Here is what you'll need:

  • 1 ceramic white plate about 10" round (Michaels makes this amazing kit)
  • Acrylic Paint (Crayola) or use colors from the kit
  • soft medium size paint brush or a sponge will work too
  • 1 paper plate
  • wet paper towel
  • Sharpie Marker (Don't let the kids get there hands on this!!)

How to:

  • Make sure the plate is clean and dry
  • put a small amount of paint on a paper plate
  • brush the paint on the kids hands or feet (it tickles a little!)
  • place their hands/feet directly onto the plate (may smear a little but it's ok!!)
  • put the plate somewhere safe to dry
  • wash the hands/feet immediately with the wet towel

This is so simple and personalized! Everyone will be excited to sign it and your child will have this amazing keep sake forever. Share your party ideas below or tag us in your next DIY signature plate post!