Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

30 Easy Paper Crafts for Kids for an Arty Day at Home

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 09/22/2020 - 11:15am

If there is one crafting material that you can never have enough of, it’s paper. We always keep a hefty supply of construction paper, card stock, tissue paper, paper plates, and toilet paper rolls in my house. When bedecked with a little glue, some colorful paint, and a few googly eyes, plain paper can be transformed into almost anything, from a fire breathing dragon to a sparkly unicorn. What's more, paper crafts are typically affordable, and are a great way to work on fine motor skills.

From a toilet paper roll monster to a construction paper crown, these 30 paper crafts will keep the whole family happily crafting all year long. Check out our list of 100 arts and crafts projects for more ideas for sparking creativity while kids are at home.

How to Make a Mask Lanyard or Chain So Your Kids Stop Losing Them!

Submitted by Ally Noel on Mon, 09/14/2020 - 10:45am

Between mask breaks, outdoor play, lunchtime, and snack time, our kids take their masks on and off at least a couple dozen times a day. Each time the masks come off of their face, there is the potential for it to get trampled on the ground, shoved in the bottom of a backpack, or lost and never to be seen again. These handy DIY beaded and ribbon mask chains will allow your kid to keep their mask safe and easy to access.

As we all embark on the weirdest school year ever, adding one of these DIY mask chains to your back to school supplies list might just be essential. It's also just a fun at-home family activity that works those fine motor and design skills.

30+ (Mostly FREE) Online Learning Resources, Apps, and Games for Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 09/10/2020 - 11:08am

Online learning has certainly taken on a new level of importance for families and educators as we all begin to navigate the unchartered territory of the 2020-2021 school year. Whether your children have returned to the classroom in-person, in a hybrid model, for full online learning, or you're homeschooling, there are countless websites and apps that can supplement kids' existing curriculum through interactive games and other resources.

From virtual museum tours and National Geographic deep dives to online coding classes and reading apps, we've rounded up some of our favorite—and mostly completely FREE— online learning resources for kids this year. We've included options for preschoolers, elementary-age kids, middle school, and even high schoolers.

Find more online classes, games, and resources in our Virtual and Online Guide for Families, or get hands-on with the boredom busters in our Stay-At-Home Kids Activities and Resources Guide.

Indoor and Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids (Cute Printables!)

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 09/03/2020 - 11:30am

Scavenger hunts are one of those easy kid activities that are fun for the entire family. It's a great brain break for at-home learning this year and a quick way to get everyone moving outdoors, but it's also easy to turn into a fun indoor activity for kids on rainy days.

These simple hunts – whether you are searching for objects in your living room, hunting for colors in nature, or scouring your neighborhood for clues, are sure to spark kids' creativity and sense of adventure, turning a walk around the neighborhood or the home into anything but routine.

Print out one of our FREE printable scavenger hunt ideas to get started. The Indoor Scavenger Hunt will turn a dull afternoon into a treasure hunt, while the Outdoor Scavenger Hunt will have everyone asking for just "one more" trip around the block. We have also included a fill-in-the blank scavenger hunt printable, so families can create their own hunt and customize. So, grab your clipboard, pencil, and let's go. Happy hunting!

How to Make Oobleck: A Less Messy, More Gooey Slime

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 08/25/2020 - 11:43am

Oobleck is ooey, gooey, science fun. Even the youngest scientists can get hands-on STEM experience with this non-Newtonian substance.

It's a bit similar to slime, but Dr. Seuss fans will know that Oobleck gets its name from the book, Bartholomew and the Oobleck, which dates prior to the slime craze. It only takes two ingredients to make Oobleck, so roll up your sleeves and let's get started on creating this state-changing substance.

Need more at-home science experiments and activities? Check out Mommy Poppins Guide to STEM Activities, from solar ovens to DIY rock candy to preschooler-friendly science.

How to Make a Solar Oven for Baking S'mores Outdoors

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 08/18/2020 - 11:38am

This simple science experiment yields delicious results. With a pizza box, some tin foil, and plastic wrap, you can harness the sun’s power to cook up a storm. Solar ovens are the perfect way to spend a sunny day and sneak a little science in at the same time.

One of our 64 Easy Science Experiments for Kids, solar ovens are a great way to get first-hand experience working with thermal energy while repurposing some trash from pizza night.

10 East Coast Beach Camping Sites from Florida to Maine

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 08/11/2020 - 12:02pm

Nothing is better than gathering up your loved ones and spending the night under the stars. With an extra dose of vitamin sea, beach camping brings your family adventure to the next level. Spend your days exploring the coastline and your nights around the campfire listening to sounds of waves gently crashing against the shore.

From Maine all the way down to Florida, the East Coast offers some of the most epic beach camping spots whether you choose tent camping or an RV trip. Find more family adventures in our US Travel Guide.

Essential School Supplies for Whatever This Year Brings Us

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 08/06/2020 - 12:07pm

Whether your kids are returning to the classroom, distance learning, or following a hybrid model, back-to-school shopping looks a little different this year, including stocking up on school supplies. If you're still waiting for your school to send out an official school supply list, or just want to know how to set up the homeschool, we've put together a shortlist of essentials for the 2020-2021 school year.

Whatever your school plan is for this year, this list has all your bases covered. From face masks to at-home school supplies and organizational tools, we’ve rounded up all the things needed to have a happy and healthy school year. Find more online learning tools in our Virtual Fun and Educational Guide.

Ally Noel

Ally Noel

Latest posts by Ally

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