Bored by that ever-present elf during the holidays? Here’s how to switch it up this year
There’s no pressure like the holidays to create lasting memories for our kids, but some of us aren’t ready to take on the nightly task of moving an elf around the house. Who wants to get out of bed because they forgot to set up an elaborate scene for Santa’s helper, night after night? If you’re looking for funny alternatives to Elf on the Shelf, look no further. We’ve got some funny, kind, and grown-ups only options we think you’ll love.
The Kindness Elves
The Imagination Tree
As an alternative to the Elf on the Shelf, the Kindness Elves have arrived for the holidays to encourage littles to carry out acts of kindness every day this season. Each bundle comes with two Elves, accessories, a beautifully illustrated Storybook, and the 12 Days of Christmas Kindness ePack to get families spreading kindness in no time.
Developed by a tired mom who couldn't keep up with the Elf on the Shelf tradition, Santa's Lazy Gnome is perfect for parents. Santa has hired a gnome to report back to him for his naughty and nice list, which means your family's guy can hang out on the mantle all. Season. Long. WIN! You can order your gnome on Lazy Gnomes for $29.
Shepherd on the Search
Amazon
The Shepherd on the Search ($22) is a faith-filled way to celebrate Christmas. During the Advent season, parents read the story of your shepherd's journey then hide your shepherd! Every year is a new opportunity for your shepherd's journey to start anew and end on Christmas day as the shepherd finds his way to the manger.
North Pole Ninjas
Amazon
The North Pole Ninjas ($6) are all about spreading kindness, and it shows in the beautifully illustrated picture book that tells the ancient legend that the North Pole Ninjas use for new recruits. The kit includes a plush and huggable "sensei" to guide Ninjas on their journey to carry out 50 special tasks, each packed in a special envelope. Your mission? To spread the holiday spirit, kindness, and love.
Reindeer in Here
Reindeer In Here ($24) comes with a book and plush reindeer that celebrates how being different is normal! Your reindeer is a friend sent by Santa as the first gift of the holiday season and encourages kids to take their new friend on the go, so they can get to know your family and help Santa deliver their Christmas wishes. Created by a dad who wanted a positive Christmas tradition for his children, this tradition celebrates our individuality. Get this funny alternative to the Elf on the Shelf here..
Mensch on a Bench
Amazon
Hanukkah will have some extra Funukkah with The Mensch on a Bench ($30) hardcover book and a 12-inch plush doll of Moshe the Mensch ($30). (For those not down with the lingo, "mensch" is a Yiddish word that means roughly "a good guy.") Kids will learn the story of Hanukkah with the help of Moshe. Moshe the Mensch tells the story of how he was present at the Temple in the time of Judah and the Maccabees, who defeated the Greeks and watched over the Menorah as everyone slept. Now he can help watch over yours!
Peep On A Perch
Amazon
Now you don’t have to wait until Christmas for a magical friend thanks to Peep On A Perch ($6). That sugar-coated marshmallow chick we all know and love to eat is now in plush form and ready to join your family in the countdown to Easter. Designed to inspire good manners and kindness in kids, the Peep On A Perch works the same as the Elf.
There’s no place like gnome for the holidays…if you’re buying Trader Joe’s Holiday Gnome Planters. The popular retailer never stops cranking out the perfect seasonal pieces and the latest offering will rock your favorite small plant all winter long.
Retailing at $5.99, the planter can be used indoors or out, if you live in a milder location. Each pot is made of ceramic and they’re deep enough to hold anything from a succulent to a small poinsettia plant. Instagram account traderjoeslist made the fun find this week, which means they should be rolling out to locations everywhere!
Consider it the perfect transition piece from holiday décor into the new year. While you’re at Trader Joe’s, see if you can spot another fun seasonal piece, the Grump Tree!
Even if you’re not one of those people that allow Christmas to start the day after Halloween, you might have to admit that this year it’s been creeping in– with recommendations to shop early, you might be compiling a list already! If your holiday gift list is looking slim so far, we’ve rounded up the best recommendations from local Portland stores for the whole family– Dad, Mom, Big Kid, and Baby. Read on for some great ideas from great local places to check out!
Get your plant dad a stunning Staghorn Fern Plaque to grace his wall-- these large antler-like fronds are like a piece of living taxidermy: a dramatic statement for any man cave or living room! Local plant gurus Pistils Nursery have been in business for 20 years, sharing the gift of green and gently encouraging those with blacker thumbs. Their flagship store on Mississippi, along with a new location in Slabtown showcase everything from rare and unusual plants to the coveted swiss cheese monsteras, along with chic planters, pots, and accessories. If Dad is still growing his plant passion, try a ZZ Plant (otherwise known as Zamioculcas amiifolia). One of the most low maintenance houseplants around, this is a great "set it and forget it" plant -- at least for a few weeks at a time.
Tucked into Old Town/Chinatown, Laundry is like a candy store for the sports-loving Dad in your life. Full of thoughtfully curated vintage merch (like jerseys, caps and tees) from a wide variety of sports and sports brand, you can cross a few things off your list here in no time. For the Blazers fan, find Damian Lillard and Andre Miller jerseys, or go further afield with a bright orange Netherlands soccer jersey, among hundreds of others. And they have kids sizes, too!
Laundry 140 NW 4th Ave Portland, OR Online: laundrypdx.com
Maybe you have absolutely zero idea what Dad wants-- that's totally normal. Hop over to Boys Fort, where you'll find dozens of options for the Dad who has everything. Formerly downtown, they've moved their store into Urbanite on SE Grand Ave but kept it packed full of goodies, like leather wallets, unique decor, stylish Portland maps, books, hot sauce, and even an Albert Einstein pint glass, all geared toward the modern Dad. If you're still at a loss, ask them to help-- you'll walk away with an expertly curated set of gifts in no time.
Inside Urbanite 1005 SE Grand Ave Portland, OR Online: boysfort.com
Gifts for Moms
New Planner from Little Otsu
Courtesy of Little Otsu
For the Mom brimming with ideas, plans, schedules, or creative brainstorming, head to Little Otsu to get her all decked out. You'll find beautiful paper goods and from all over the world that will make her home office pop and inspire! Get her set for 2022 with this vibrant planner from England, or brighten up her desk with a colorful Italian stapler.
Mom can jot down all her ideas in a myriad of journals, with fountain pens, colored pencils, highlighters, and more. Don't miss the sweet collection of books and zines, including great options for kids.
A vibrant store melding color, vintage, adults, kids, European style and American fun into one warm experience, the Yo! Store is ready to knock a few things off your list. Founded in 2016, they've been sourcing quality goods from small independent makers worldwide for years, culminating in a store that's like having your best friend say "here, try this."
You'll find clothes (quilted jackets! stylish sweatpants! polka dot sweaters!), jewelry, bags, and colorful socks for mom, but don't stop there. Stuff her stocking with nail polish and candles before moving on to the kids sections, where adorable clothes, books, and toys await.
The Yo! Store 935 NW 19TH Ave. Portland, OR Online: yoportland.com/
Get mom a warming blend of tea with chai spices, complete with foraged Doug fir tips at this home brewed apothecary. You'll also find hand crafted brooms, candles, artwork, and journals alongside the house line, full of rose-scented face serums, mineral makeup, herbal tinctures, and bitters.
Roots and Crowns Apothecary 1812 NW 24th Ave. Portland, OR Online: rootsandcrowns.com
Gifts for Kids
Cheeseburger Pillow from Black Wagon
Courtesy of Black Wagon
This Mississippi Street store is chock full of fun, for kids ages 0-14 (and up)! Even the most teen of pre-teens won't be able to resist this soft cheeseburger floor pillow-- they're designed for all ages, tough enough for interactive play yet cozy enough for catching up on their favorite shows, games, and creative activities.
Or test their skills on Christmas Day with a wooden pinball set, along with a huge variety of puzzles, games, and musical instruments next to a whole wall of adorable clothes.
Black Wagon Kids 3964 N Mississippi Ave. Portland, OR Online: blackwagon.com
This adorable store has found a new home inside Cargo, an import shop that's been in business for over 20 years (and is worth checking out in it's own right!). With a background in animation, owner Amy has expertly curated the small space so that everywhere you look there's something bright, colorful, amusing, and whimsical. Bright journals, kids books, vintage toys, ceramics, and even those rubber finger monsters mingle together in a fun and inspiring space. Your only problem will be which things to bring home with you, and which leaves to come back for later!
Being a kid is hard work sometimes, and Spielwerk gets that. That's why they stock their store with all the best tools of childhood: toys, games, puzzles, and more that helps kids think creatively, solve problems, and goof around. Find your child's new favorite friend here with a wooden gnome home, or a whimsical fairy doll. And stay tuned-- they're working on launching their own line here in Portland!
The folks at Green Bean Books are the best kind, ready to offer you their favorite new book along with a secret smile. Full of kids books of all kinds, head here to start Baby off right with a set of adorable board books.
Their top picks this year are:
What's in the Box? written by Isabel Otter illustrated by Joaquin Camp. An interactive lift-the-flap and touch-and-feel book with a plethora of boxes to open with silly things inside. Perfect for baby's gift opening practice during the holidays.
Dog's First Baby by Natalie Nelson. A new baby's impact from a dog's perspective: very sweet and charming. Don't worry, a cat one is scheduled to be released in March too!
Where Is Everyone? by Tom Schamp. An interactive lift-the-flap with goofy animal characters doing ridiculous things to discover.
The newest people in the world deserve the best things-- get the baby in your life this adorable Woodland Activity Blanket from Grasshopper, full of sensory bumps and crackling paper. Located on Alberta St, this store serves up a wide range of goodies for the little ones in your life, from babies and up! Useful items along with thoughtful design combine to offer goods that even adults will want to play with, like these sweet Babyoshka nesting dolls. You'll also find books, clothes, art, puzzles, games, baby essentials, and so much more!
Mark your calendar for November 3! That’s when you’ll be able to buy this year’s ALDI advent calendars, including the ever-popular wine advent calendar. The 2021 collection includes something for everyone, with cheese, chocolates, toys and even pet treats.
ALDI is highlighting the My Friend Gnome Kit ($24.99), a fun twist on a traditional calendar, for the upcoming season. Kids will love tracking the Gnome all through the house and parents will enjoy reading a special storybook detailing the Gnome’s adventures. This one is limited to one per customer, so you’ll want to buy it early!
Here in our corner of the PNW, one thing we are not at a loss for are glorious hiking trails. Even those with young families have their pick of easy hikes near Seattle that suit all ages. But have you ever taken the kiddos on a trail filled with gnomes? Tucked away in a bedroom community just southeast of Seattle is the new Gnome Trail in Maple Valley. Here’s what you need to know about this magical walk through the woods that is perfect for tiny hikers and cute to boot.
Why It's Gnome-ber One
Recently relocated this past year from its previous Maple Valley locale, the 0.6 mile Gnomes Trail is dotted with hundreds of gnome statues along the pathway. You and your family can enjoy the great outdoors in this mystical forest, and make it extra fun by seeing what hidden gnome discoveries you can find en route. Short and flat enough for even the littlest tots, your kids will definitely be charmed in this forested hike of weird and wonderful bearded people. Hint: It's a good one for grandparents too!
Gnome Where To Go
The Gnomes Trail resides in the woods behind a newly cleared multi-use area in the Rock Creek Natural Area right off Maple Valley Highway (Hwy 169). With plenty of parking now available, you won’t have any trouble getting a spot near the trailhead. If you start at the trailhead towards the right side of the parking lot, you will take the Legacy Loop trail right to Gnomes Trail (you can also access the back end by hitting up the Market trailhead on the left hand side of the lot).
Take a quick peak at the trailhead map at Legacy Loop, and head on up the path incline to the flat well-groomed trails above. The incline is a little steep but not so bad to discourage your tiny tots, though strollers might be a bit of a challenge. Once up, veer off to the left, meander a bit, and you will come across the start of the Gnomes Trail, recognizable by the plethora of gnomes waiting to welcome you to their woody world (and give you an adorable photo op). Follow the clearly marked path and away you go to see what quirky gnomes you will find along your trek!
Become A Gnome-ad
As you traverse the wonders of this gnome man’s land, your kids will have a great time spying out both teeny tiny gnomes and big ones alike, plus gnomes' homes, gnome communities and some fairy gardens, too. Keep a keen eye out, as you will come across these little friends in all sorts of hidden cubby holes, tree trunk knots, roots, upturned trees, and mossy oases both high and low. You might even spy some promoting your favorite football and baseball team!
Why We Gnome-inate It
It is nothing short of a delightfully peculiar gnome...errr, roam through the woods. Plus, with its whimsical version of I-Spy, it offers the kiddos great hiking motivation! Once you’ve made your journey through the phe-gnome-inal trail, had your fill of garden dwellers and found all the elves you can handle, don’t forget to check out the gnome cemetery to pay your respects to those precious pointy-hatted peeps who have come before and have gone the way of the elements. It’s a cute little hurrah at the end of your gnome-y excursion!
Good To Gnome...
The area surrounding the trailhead is also home to the Maple Valley Farmer’s Market. If you hit the trail on a Saturday morning between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., from May 1 to September 25, expect some crowds. But that also means you can enjoy the local vendors at the market afterwards as well!
If all this play means the kids have worked up an apetite, Maple Valley has quite a few kid-friendly restaurants that’ll fill their bellies for the way home. Farrelli’s Pizza is a fun one for kids as is familiar fave, MOD Pizza, just off 169. If sandwiches, salads and soups are more your speed, check out S’wiched, where you can feed your crew for under $5 each. Spring Kitchen offers another local option that caters to families, offering Vietnamese faves like pho, teriyaki and sweet and sour chicken on the menu.
—Alaina Weimer & Allison Sutcliffe, all photos courtesy the writer
Last spring we all spent a lot more time in the garden—maybe for the first time. This year, keep your kids gardening with plants and accessories that not only thrive in our temperate climate but show your city spirit too. From Zoo Doo to sporty gnomes, your kids will really dig these Seattle garden must-haves.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo
1. Zoo Doo While Woodland Park Zoo's Zoo Doo Compost has "serious gardener" written all over it, we think it also screams "kid!" After all who else can appreciate the commingling of rhino, giraffe, hippo and zebra poop better than a toddler? Families can find Zoo Doo in two-gallon ($25) and pint-sized buckets ($6.95) at the ZooStore year-round.
2. Pacific Rhododendron Colorful and oh-so-easy to grow, Rhododendron belong in Seattle gardens. Not only is it the state flower, but it also announces the arrival of spring with a much-needed pop of color.
3. Pollinators Make your house a home for mason bees this year. These gentle bees pollinate fruit trees and bushes at a rate 100 times that of honeybees, and including them in your Seattle garden is as easy as renting them in spring. Help your garden grow and help your kids connect to the food they eat—that's a win-win!
4. Fairies Did you know that the original miniature garden maker lives in Seattle, and that she used to work at Swanson's Nursery? It's true. Local author Janit Calvo is all about installing a small garden in your big one, and we couldn't think of a better way to entice your kiddos to exercise their green thumb. Before you build your fairy garden, get inspired by these imaginative environs.
amazon.com
5. A Spirited Garden Gnome If you've got fairies in your garden, you may as well invite a gnome to live there too. If he's wearing Seahawks colors, you know he'll fit right in. Now to track down a Seattle Storm gnome—anyone got a lead?
6. A Rain Gauge They say it rains here. But are they right? Find out how much when you place a simple rain gauge in your garden. Shhh... don't tell the kids, but taking daily, weekly or monthly measurements adds extra science to your garden growing experience.
7. Your Beach Combing Treasures If you've been trying to figure out where, oh where to put your little beach bum's pocketed treasures, why not try the garden? It's the perfect spot to arrange sea glass, special rocks and seashells kids collect after a day tide pooling or sandcastle building.
8. Scented Ground Covers Because you can only remind your kiddos so many times that "flowers are fragile," plant durable ground covers that can survive a toddler's busy feet walking over them. And if they're scented—even better. Corsican mint, dwarf chamomile and many thymes release fragrant scents when touched or walked on. This fascinating feature will surely keep your little gardener's attention.
9. "Attractive" Plants Make your garden come alive with butterflies and hummingbirds. Attract them by planting colorful blooms they can't resist. Hummingbirds love orange and red hues you'll find in bleeding hearts, honeysuckle and fuchsia. Butterflies look for colorful flowers that easily grow in our climate, like sunflowers, lantana, lupine and johnny jump-ups.
10. Things to Eat Whether you've got a container on your deck, a raised bed in your backyard or a P-Patch plot in your neighborhood, planting fruits and veggies are what summer gardens are all about. Strawberries, tomatoes and simple herbs that kids can grow and eat makes gardening an exciting way to spend the day. Not sure where to start or what to plant? Check out Swanson's vegetable gardening resources to get started.
Looking for a good reaction from your kids? Thanks to the Atlanta Science Festival from Mar. 13-27 at multiple locations across Atlanta, you can wow them with over 80 virtual, self-guided, and outdoor events. With hands-on experiments, walks, and scavenger hunts ranging in topic from environmental science and climate to healthcare and COVID, the Atlanta Science Festival is a no brainer. Keep reading for our curated list of events that are certain to please.
On Location
Drive-In Demo Show Join Emory chemists for a drive-in demo show! Chemistry is the central science, explaining the world from the smallest atom to the biggest explosion. In this show, scientists will make some of the small stuff big so you can see and understand it...and show off some of the big stuff, from making a real cloud to setting off a (safe) explosion.
To maintain a COVID safe environment, you must pre-register your car for a specific session (note - they will not be counting the number of people in each car, feel free to bring your families or pod-members all in a single car).
Free, but registration required Sat., Mar 20 11 a.m., 12 & 1 p.m.
Zoo Seekers! Be one of the first to explore the Zoo with a new lens, through the NEW Zoo Seekers program. Designed for families, this safe, self-guided, discovery program will encourage you to use your senses to uncover the unique ways that zoos participate in saving wildlife and wild places. With the help of a borrowed Exploration Pack containing observation and measurement tools, you and your family will visit zoo habitats and animals, completing hands-on activities and practice skills used by scientists working to protect the environment.
Register to select a specific time slot to join in on the fun. Zoo admission is included in your ticket cost. Non-Members $24.99 adult, $18.99 child, Members free with advance registration Sat. Mar 20 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Fernbank Forest Night Walk Enjoy a guided walk through Fernbank Forest as the sun sets and into the early evening. Test out your senses to see how you would fare as a nocturnal animal, and maybe even observe some if you’re lucky. Meet in Museum lobby.
Register in advance; $10/ person, members, $20/ person, non-members
Discovery Walks Enjoy four family-friendly, self-guided walks featuring exciting science stops. Pick up a free Discovery Walks map (contactless pickup from masked volunteers) for a COVID-friendly science adventure through some of the coolest neighborhoods and parks in Atlanta, including Cascade Springs, Decatur, Sweet Auburn, and Beltline & Piedmont Park.
No registration is necessary, but click here for details on designated map pick up locations and times.
Orienteering Scavenger Hunt at Mason Mill Park Mason Mill Park contains a 100-acre forest with many surprises. This self-guided scavenger hunt will help you find 100-year-old dams, fairy houses, gnome homes, decorated Christmas trees, interesting graffiti, City Champion trees, and many other unusual things. But to find these spots, you’ll have to use your wits to solve clues and your compass-orienteering skills to find the way.
City Science Quest With help from your mobile device, uncover Atlanta’s innovations, discoveries, and STEM careers by completing missions from the comfort of your own home in this app-based scavenger hunt. Compete against other curious kids and adults as you submit photos, videos, and text evidence to earn points for completing missions. Prizes will be awarded. Registration gives you access to any or all of the three scheduled two-hour sessions, and each session will offer new missions.
Atlanta 40 Re-introduce yourself to 40 species that are central to the identity of Atlanta in this online conservation challenge. Sign up to play and you'll get to learn about 40 different species and for each, you'll be given a micro-conservation task. Complete each of the 40 tasks and get prizes.
STEMStar Day with K.I.D.S. Club - Elementary/Middle Love to code? Always wanted to know how to build a robot? Curious about science? Join K.I.D.S. Club and STEAM Workshop at Georgia Tech for an afternoon of exciting hands on STEAM workshops. From the comforts of your home, meet professional STEMStars while building and creating cool STEM projects.
Sat,, Mar. 13 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Register here. $20.
For a full calendar of events for the Atlanta Science Festival, click here.
Hi! I'm a blogger, author, & mom of 3 big kids. I live with my husband & kids in Little Norway - a little town just a ferry ride from Seattle. And yes, I drink a lot of coffee.
Bring Hygge Vibes to Your Home this Holiday Season
Are you familiar with the lifestyle of hygge? In short, hygge (pronounced hoo-guh) is a Danish word derived from the Norwegian word “hugga”, which very basically means… to comfort. The Danish word, hygge takes the concept of comfort to the NEXT LEVEL. The word hygge is used to describe spaces, such as a cozy living room, but it is also used to define an entire lifestyle… a Danish lifestyle that has really risen in popularity over the last several years. Any scroll on Pinterest or Instagram offers solid proof of that!
Dictionary.com defines the noun as “the feeling of coziness and contentment evoked by simple comforts as being wrapped in a blanket, having good conversation, enjoying food, etc.” My only question is, why did hygge take so long to go mainstream?!
Life can be difficult on a good day, with or without a pandemic or extreme politics. It is no wonder the philosophy of hygge has taken wings. We all long for comfort and warmth. Who isn’t longing for a simple, delicious existence these days… including but not limited to candles, soft blankets, warm beverages, and cozy socks?
We may not be able to control what happens outside our front doors, but we do have some control over the vibes with create in our home. In my opinion, the hygge vibe is where it’s at! Most mornings over the last few months, I light a favorite candle, make stovetop espresso, and steal as many quiet moments with my cozy blanket I can before the chaos/kids/email/Facebook scrolling begins. It’s my little effort in hygge, just for me.
Mamas, I know stealing time is HARD, but I highly recommend giving it a shot. You deserve a little hygge… even if in just a little corner of your heart and home. Just a few moments wrapped in cozy blanket is a solid way to baby step towards ushering in little hygge… and little comfort & joy into your home.
1
Skandinavisk Hygge Scented Candle
This candle is LIT.
$32.62
This painted glass votive with engraved beechwood lid isn't only lovely, but in the spirit it simplicity, when this candle is used up - simply clean and re-use with tea lights!
If slowing down is your struggle, you may relent and give in when you have this soft, chunky knit snuggle magnet waiting for you to warm-up and get your hygge on in.
Harney & Sons Caffeinated Hot Cinnamon Sunset Black Tea
Best. Tea. Ever.
$13.99
I don't know if this flavor would be an official hygge pick, but if happiness can be found in a cup of tea - you will find it in this delicious blend of tea time perfection.
I have two of these. A baby size and a mama size. The Bialetti is a handy way to make your own espresso, and A LOT less expensive than a fancy espresso machine. I enjoy the routine of the making process as I start my day.
It's warm, it's soft, it's CUTE. I get compliments every, single time I wear it. The fleece lining and that adorable fur pom on time makes it just... pure, adorable perfection. Take a little hygge with you when you go outside.
The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living
Dig deeper into hygge life with this book!
$15.26
The hygge life goes beyond than candles and warm blankets. This popular book on hygge digs deeper and could make you a full-fledge hygge lifestyle, and a great read after getting a fire going in the fireplace.
Gnomes are a symbol of good luck, and tomtes are believed to be protectors of the farmstead. Place this guy on your mantle, under the Christmas tree, or on a bookshelf... whether good luck or protection, they certainly add fun and whimsy.
The backyard is a kid’s safe haven. When the days heat up, everyone will be heading outside, so now is the time to get your backyard makeover going. With these easy DIY ideas you can turn your ho-hum backyard into a kid-friendly oasis of fun. Get the kids involved in building a gnome home, setting up the Giant Jenga and outfitting the mud kitchen. There’s so much fun just waiting outside!
1. Add some magic with a fairy garden.
Sara Olsher
Tiny chairs, mini teacups and some succulents will get you on your way to making an awesome backyard fairy garden. You can even use all those extra LEGO bricks you have around the house to make a mini house for your fairies to live in.
How many different kinds of birds come to visit your yard each day? Build some DIY bird feeders and get your amateur birdwatchers out there to see what might fly in. There's even one made out of, you guessed it, LEGO bricks.
Wind chimes are a fun DIY craft that adds some pizzazz to a yard. Bust out some paint, extra silverware, egg cartons or even paperclips and you are on your way to creating an awesome wind chime.
Planting native flowering plants is a great way to encourage butterflies to come into your yard. Stay away from pesticides and try plants like lavender, flowering rosemary, milkweed and whatever else is recommended by your local garden center.
With just a few objects snagged from around the house, your backyard can become an obstacle course for aspiring American Ninja Warriors. Set up a balance station, do a somersault through a hula hoop, do three spins before you throw a ball through a loop and more. Grab an inexpensive stopwatch so they can practice improving their time.
Keep budding entomologists as merry as crickets with a cool bug catcher (that you can make at home). Then, send them outside to fill it up with all kinds of crawling critters.
7. Create a home for a gnome.
Jennifer Pilcher
The Travelocity gnome might stop by for a visit if you’ve built a wee home in the side of a tree, it’s that irresistible. A mini door—easily found where miniatures are sold—rocks, twigs and other teeny tiny items create a welcome spot for those ground dwellers. Check out some gnome inspo here.
Give the kids the freedom to get messy with their very own mud kitchen. Sinks, scoopers, funnels and colanders are perfect additions to this station where they can make mud and learn to wash it off. Don't want the mess? Make it a bubble kitchen with soapy water or use colored shaving cream for sensory play.
Set up a backyard chalkboard to allow for opportunities to create art. Whether they are drawing the birds coming to the yard, tracing their hands and making them into people or playing tic tac toe, a backyard chalkboard is a cheap investment for hours of play.
10. Plant some fruits and veggies.
iStock
Teach the kids where their food comes from by including them in all the steps of a backyard garden from seed to stomach. Learn what plants do well in your area, buy seeds, add your soil amendments and get planting. A backyard garden is a labor of love and will give kids a better appreciation for the food on their table.
There's nothing that screams summer more than outdoor movie night. Get your projector set up, spread out the blankets and pop that popcorn. We've got the full scoop on what you'll need over here.
12. Up your kiddie pool game.
Jillian Leslie via Catch My Party
While these are traditionally used for splashing babies, there are endless ways you can transform your kiddie pool. Think about making it a sandbox, a water table or a dinosaur digging station.
Grab those earplugs. It’s true, the noise coming from a music wall like this one we found over at Suzy Homeschooler might be a tad loud, but the sound of your kiddo’s happy laughter will be sweet music to your ears. The upcycled wood, toys and tins make different sounds, look way cool and are all budget finds. Head over to Suzy Homeschooler to find out how to make your own version.
We love the addition of painted rocks to a backyard because it's super easy to do, and you can always repaint them when you want. Use them to mark your veggies, add some happy faces around the yard or create your own backyard creatures use in a game of hide and go seek.
A hammock, a big blanket or even a chair under an umbrella are great spots to set up a backyard reading nook. The kids will get some fresh air while they practice their reading comprehension skills—double win!
Trees provide endless options for awesome backyards. You can add a tire swing or a hugglepod, strap up a slackline to work on balance or use it as the base of your tree fort.
Set up oversized backyard games like Giant Jenga or Connect 4. We especially love this Giant Snakes and Ladders. It's an awesome game for little ones as it's super easy to use (and think of how cute they'll look playing with the huge game pieces!)?
A giant water inflatable is just the thing you need when the temps creep up. Turn on the hose, get the kids in their swimsuits and let them run through the water all afternoon.
With the holidays on the horizon, Target has you covered. The big red bullseye retailer recently released its 2019 holiday look book and there’s something for just about everyone in the fam.
If you’re into holiday-time decor, check out our fave picks from this year’s collection.
Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Metal Days Until Christmas Countdown Calendar
Count down the days until the holiday with this cute calendar ($24.99).
Wondershop Large Lit Flocked Grapevine Cone Tree
Create a warm glow with this table-top light-up tree ($15).
Giant Cookie Cutter
Whip up two dozen cookies in one fell swoop with Hearth & Hand's massive pewter cookie cutter ($14.99).
Opalhouse Merry Everything Lumbar Pillow
Cover all the winter holidays at once with Opalhouse's supportive pillow ($19.99).
