Brrr! Baby, it’s cold outside. But have no fear. Even when the weather’s chilly and you’re snowed in, there’s lots that you and your little one can do to fight cabin fever and explore the winter wonderland. Here you’ll find nine of our favorite snow day activities for babies and young toddlers.

1. Indoor Beach Day

It’s too cold outside for swimwear, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go swimming. Try a mid-day bath to break up tired routines. Most babies adore water play anytime. Throw in a few plastic cups and floating ducks and you have the makings of your own beach party.

2. Shadow Puppet Show

When it’s dark and dreary outside, lights shine even more brightly inside. Bust out the flashlights and shadow puppets and impress your little one with an oversized bunny hopping across the wall and the silly interpretive dance her teddy bear can do under the spotlight.

3. Sensory Play with Snow

Snow can be used in place of sand or play dough, at least until it melts. Scoop up a bunch and bring it inside. Then, set your little one up on towels, get out measuring cups and spoons, and watch your baby build, scoop, and explore the squishy, cold wonder. You can find eight more fun snow sensory play ideas here.

4. Play With Your Food

When you’re trapped inside, sometimes you need to throw the rules out the window. Plain yogurt with a little food coloring added in makes the perfect medium for finger painting. Edible play dough is also easy to mix up. Try this simple oatmeal dough or a brightly-colored mix with Kool-Aid.

5. Go Sledding

They may not be ready to careen down hills, but little ones sitting up independently can chill in a sled, like this one, and enjoy the snow. Bundle up your babe and play Rudolph by pulling them around with a rope. Bonus: you get to battle cabin fever with a little exercise.

6. Snow is Your Canvas

Take a cue from childhood fave The Snow Day and head outside to make tracks in the fresh, pristine snow. Pull on snow boots and stomp around. Budding walkers love to follow a trail or build a new one. Then, make patterns in the snow by drawing lines with a stick.

7. Bubbles

Blow a few bubbles inside for instant baby-mesmerizing magic. Then, if you’re willing to brave the chilly weather, go outside and make your own frozen bubbles. The temperature needs to be 10 degrees Fahrenheit or below for the trick to work. If that’s too cold for you, create semi-solid creations indoors by carefully freezing soap bubbles on a plate in your own freezer.

8. Paint Some Snow

Sometimes the best canvas for a young toddler is a frosty one. Bundle up your little Picasso to sit in the snow outside or fill a bin with snow for some indoor artistry. Now fill a few bowls with water and a few drops of a different food color in each to create the “paint.” Give your baby or toddler a paintbrush and let them craft a melty masterpiece. Bonus: No worries if they taste the paints.

9. Dance Party

If all else fails, turn up the tunes and boogie!

Waiting at a doctor’s appointment or need to pass some time at a restaurant? Try one of these fun games to keep your baby happy

When you’re stuck waiting somewhere—for the doctor, in line at the DMV, on the subway, or just for brunch—keeping an energetic little one occupied can be a major challenge. Have no fear. We’ve got a list of awesome, do-almost-anywhere activities that will keep you and your baby busy and keep waiting room crankiness at bay. Try a couple, and watch the minutes fly by.

Copy Cat

Mimic the sounds your baby makes – coos and ba-ba-bas – mixing it up by stretching them out a little. Try making a few funny faces, and watch as your baby pushes her lips to copy your fishy face. With older babies, you can add in gestures and body movements – lifting your arms, clapping, nodding your head from side to side, or stomping your feet.

Peek-a-Boo

This classic gets extra special from a kiddo’s perspective if you just toss a blanket over your head and wait for your baby to pull it off. Or, when traditional peek-a-boo gets old, try hiding a toy instead. Grab a stuffed animal, hide it behind your back or under a blanket, and see if your little one can find it.

Crinkle Crinkle Paper Ball

Paper’s available pretty much anywhere, from the place mat at a restaurant to the paper cover on the exam bed at the doctor’s office. Hand that good stuff over to your little one to crunch, crinkle, and rip to shreds. You can even scrunch it up to make a ball that you two can toss back and forth.

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a Flying Baby

Bounce that baby up into the air and swoop her around. Add in a few spins and you’ve got your own mama-powered thrill ride. Flying babies are happy babies.

What’s in the Bag?

Textures are fascinating for little ones, especially when they’re unseen. Find a small bag or an empty tissue box, slip different objects inside (soft fabric, a sippy cup, a spoon, smooth rocks, a teething ring), and let your baby reach in to explore the invisible wonder.

Ice cubes

Photo Credit: Oz Spies

Ice Ice Baby

The next time you’re waiting in a restaurant, try this: dip a spoon into your water, and scoop out an ice cube. Put it on the table in front of your kiddo. Watch her fascination as she touches and tries to catch the slippery wonder.

Build and Crash

Stack up a few things and encourage your baby to stomp (or crawl) over, Godzilla-style, and tip them to the ground. A tissue box plus cotton balls at the doctor’s office, a stack of board books, plastic spoons – anything that can balance precariously for a few moments and then tumble to the ground is great fun for little ones.

Nursery Rhymes

Great for literacy development, there’s a reason they’ve never gone out of style. Sing a little Itsy Bitsy Spider with your best preschool teacher-style enthusiasm. If you don’t know the hand motions that go along with the nursery rhymes or want to learn a few new ones, check out this resource created by librarians.

Dip into Your Bag of Tricks

A small container of bubbles can take you far if you’re outside and waiting around – keeping one in your diaper bag means you’ll always be prepared for fun. Cheerios, when handed out one at a time, give your kiddo a chance to work on fine motor skills and extend interest longer than handing over a full snack container. You can even create a new challenge by slipping a single Cheerio inside of or underneath a clear baby bottle cap and asking your baby to retrieve it. And now’s the time to pull out anything that makes noise – if you have a small music-making toy that drives you nuts at home, keep it in your diaper bag to pull out when you’re on the go.

Watching the World Go By

Furry creatures are endlessly fascinating. If you’re stuck somewhere with a window, peek out the window and hunt for dogs or cats. Or try counting trucks as they drive past. Your enthusiasm is what will make this one: if you exclaim with fascination about the animals or vehicles you see out there, there’s a good chance your baby will get on board.

Funny Stuff

If all else fails, put a shoe on your head. Find something random, pretend it’s a hat, and do your best Three Stooges-style pratfalls. Toddlers are sure to dissolve into giggles.

Make sure to capture all the silly moments—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

Get your supply of white sheets ready, because you’re going to need them for a few of these last-minute Halloween costumes

Feeling frightened that it’s almost trick-or-treating time, and you don’t have your kid’s costume ready yet? Check out these easy last-minute Halloween costumes for kids. Many of them can be made with things you have stashed in your closets and dress-up bin, and take less time to make than it takes to eat a supersized candy apple.

Ghost Costume

This has to be the easiest costume of all time. Buy a new white sheet, cut out the spots for the eyes and mouth, and you’re done!

Gold Medal Last-Minute Halloween Costume

Your kiddo can be an Olympian in less time than it takes to sing the national anthem. Pull out a tracksuit, or a leotard if you’ve got a gymnast at home, then dig out a medal from a fun run or a 5k. Have her throw her arms in the air and give a cheer for this easy DIY Halloween costume!

DIY Strawberry

Strawberry last minute halloween costume
Pretty Life Girls

Five supplies are all you need to make this sweet strawberry from Pretty Life Girls. After a quick trip to the craft store, you can whip up this no-sew costume that is adorable, but more importantly is comfortable for kids and adults, too!

Jane Fonda

Primary

Legwarmers, a pair of leggings, and a onesie are all you need to get your heart rate pumping with this DIY aerobics instructor costume. Bigger kids can swap a swimsuit for a onesie. We love that the key ingredients for this costume can be worn again. If you're itching to do a little crafting, check out Primary's DIY felt boombox to take this costume from low-impact fun to step aerobics queen.

Related: 17 Incredibly Clever Cardboard Box Costumes

Baby Shark

Hellow Wonderful

Cardboard, gray and white paint, and sharp scissors are all you need to make this easy DIY Halloween costume. Bonus: a fierce shark costume comes with a soundtrack that all the trick-or-treaters will be singing, "do do do." Find out how you can make one of your own over at Hello Wonderful. Check out more of our favorite cardboard box costumes here.

 

Last-Minute Mummy Costume

This version might look complicated, but the very easy DIY option requires a white sheet, coffee, white underthings, and not much else! Check out a stress-free tutorial here.

Ballet Dancer

Iiona Virgin via Unsplash

Dig into your kiddo's dance bag, and you'll find the key ingredients for a ballerina costume. Add a fancy updo and voila: you have a future New York City Ballet dancer costume. If you don't have a tutu, check out this easy, no-sew DIY tutu tutorial.

Bubble Gum

Jeff Mindell via Studio DIY

Chew on this cute DIY costume! Gather up balloons, felt, and silver ribbon: that's about all you need to create your own bubblegum costume. While this version features a pink dress, we think a pink t-shirt would work just as well for a kids' Halloween costume. Find the step-by-step instructions at Studio DIY.

Related: Family Halloween Costumes That Are a Freakin’ Delight

Basic Monster

Amber Gutebier

Dig out an old pair of pants and your trusty black Sharpie for this easy DIY Halloween costume. With a snip of scissors and a light coat of green makeup, you'll soon have Frankenstein's monster lurching out your front door. Get the tutorial here.

 

Bath Time

Cheerful and Co Via Primary

Clear and white balloons pop all over a set of white PJs for this easy DIY Halloween costume—it's bubble bath time on the go! Primary has all the instructions so you can make your own, and then take that rubber ducky for a spin around the block.

Emoji

Hello Wonderful

Pick your kiddo's favorite emoji and whip up this cute Halloween costume that's easy to customize. You'll be running after your smiley face trick-or-treating in no time. Hello, Wonderful shows you how you can make your own with not much more than cardboard and paint.

 

Trolls

Doranda Woestman via Watch Out for the Woestmans

Pull out a brightly colored skirt or a tutu and a light t-shirt or leotard, and your little ones will soon be trolls. The awesome hair-dos look impressive—but they're easy to pull off when you follow blogger Doranda's DIY tip. Troll or treat!

Related: Halloween Costumes for Girls Who Aren’t into Princesses

Paper Doll

Slapdash Mom

With not much more than a big piece of poster board, you can create a perfect paper doll costume. We love that this easy DIY Halloween costume costs way less than a pumpkin spice latte while still being extra eye-catching. Follow the step-by-step directions at Slapdash Mom.

Stick Figure

All for the Boys

This clever stick figure costume from All for the Boys is sure to get lots of laughs. We love that it's easy, affordable, and eye-catching. 

Star

Brit Co

Make your star a constellation this Halloween. Brit + Co's adorable, sparkly costume relies on a gold ribbon and glittery duds that your kiddo probably already has in her closet. They recommend using craft foam for the head-topping star—but cardboard plus gold paint will also work in a pinch.

Baby Doll

Hart Sew

This adorable wind-up doll is guaranteed to be one of the sweetest DIY costumes you'll find. Plus it's easy and cheap to make it yourself. Find how you can turn your toddler into a doll at Hart + Sew.

Related: 20 Halloween Costumes for Twins (Older Siblings & Parents, Too!)

Cat

last minute cat halloween costume
Paging Supermom

In less time than it takes to do the Monster Mash, you can make an adorable black cat costume. Paging Supermom calls it her Super Easy Kitty Cat Costume—and we couldn't agree more. It's a sweet option for preschoolers who change their minds about their costumes at the last minute. See our other favorite cat costumes here

Morton Salt Girl

last minute Morton Salt girl Halloween costume
Brit Co

We love this Morton Salt Girl costume because it's cute, clever, and takes almost no time to pull together. An extra bonus—since it relies on regular clothes, there's nothing that'll make sensitive kids uncomfortable while they're on the hunt for candy. But remember, as Brit + Co will tell you, the container of salt is a key accessory.

Jellyfish

A Casarella

This unusual animal costume is simple to make and packs a big punch. Dig out an umbrella and ribbon, then swim over to A Casarella to learn how to make your own easy jellyfish costume. We love her clever tip that'll give this daytime costume a spooky nighttime glow.

Cowboy (or Girl)

Dust off that denim, wrangle up a pair of boots and top it all off with a plaid shirt and a ten-gallon hat. You’ll have everything you need to be a cowgirl or boy costume—minus the horse, of course. If you’ve got a pool noodle left over from summer fun, you can turn it into a horse ready to ride off into the sunset. Yee Haw!

Pirate

Pirate Treasure Hunt
iStock

Shiver me timbers! It's easy to pull together a last-minute pirate costume. Grab a striped shirt and wrap a bandit around your kiddo's head. Pull out a pair of old pants and cut off the hem, using some shark teeth-style zigzags If you'd like a little extra flair, add eyeliner, a pile of necklaces, and make your tiny Blackbeard a cardboard cutlass. Don't forget to check our guide on how to talk like a sailor!

Athlete

RODNAE Productions via Pexels

Calling all sports fans! Dig out your kid's fave jersey—whether it's football, hockey, or basketball—and in no time you'll have a sporty Halloween costume. You can add an accessory like a helmet or a hockey puck, a swipe of festive face paint, and then get out the door. Candy's waiting!

Get out that gauze and get ready to recreate a few of these mummy craft projects that are just the right amount of creepy.

Pumpkin carving might not be so easy (unless you have these pro templates) but these mummy crafts are actually very simple to pull off. Spend an afternoon with the kids and make a festive decoration that will last for Halloweens to come. If you’re looking for other Halloween crafts for kids, we’ve got those too!

Moving Eyes Mummy Craft

How cute is this idea? Even the big kids might get in on the fun with this Halloween craft. Get the details over at Kids Craft Room.

Glowing Nose Mummy Craft

This is a lot easier than it looks, and the kids will love to watch these mummies light up after dark! Get the tutorial over at Non-Toy Gift Ideas.

Toilet Paper Roll Mummy

Even if you don’t “do” crafts, you can still do this. Save a few rolls, buy string and googly eyes, and get to work. You can paint them, or not, it’s up to you and your kids.

Masking Tape Mummy

Masking Tape Mummy Craft
Somewhat Simple via Eighteen25

We love this sweet and simple masking tape and construction paper mummy craft by Eighteen25 that's perfect for preschoolers who are still honing their fine motor skills. And if you want to extend the playtime after the mummy's made, just add a popsicle stick to the back, and voila! You've got yourself a puppet!

Bendable Mummy Figures

a bendable mummy craft
Family Chic from Camilla Fabbri

Your kids will love bending these DIY mummy figures to fit their needs. Who knows? You may just find a chain of them dangling from the chandelier, your rearview mirror, or even the showerhead. Check out Family Chic for inspiration and how-to.

Wood Block Mummies

Mummy Craft
Craftaholics Anonymous

Yes, there is a possible trip to the hardware store for this one, but your reward will be an adorable DIY decoration that you'll pull out every Halloween for years to come. We love this tutorial by Craftaholics Anonymous. Can't stomach the thought of loading up a carload of kids and navigating the lumber yard? Try substituting cereal boxes for a temporary decoration, instead.

Pumpkin Mummies

Hands on As We Grow

Hands On As We Grow has an idea for the friendliest little mummy pumpkin you'll ever meet, and you can get the step-by-step here. Googly eyes and no-mess cuteness? Yes, please!

 

 

Let’s get babyproofing around the house

Although it seems like it was just yesterday you were bringing your sweet baby home for the first time, the months have flown by. You’ve joyfully witnessed baby’s first smile, first time rolling over (both ways), and don’t even get us started on how amazing it was the first time baby sat—without padding or leaning on anything. Sounds like crawling is just around the corner—yet another in the line of baby’s firsts. That means it’s time to start babyproofing the place.

Our handy babyproofing checklist includes clever DIY tricks that make your home safer for your child and can save you some money too. Whether you need to babyproof your cabinets, your fireplace, or drawers, these ideas are a great place for any parent to start.

When to Start Babyproofing

As your little one gets close to crawling, it’s time to babyproof your home and other places they visit frequently, like grandparents’ homes. To start, get on the floor and look at the surroundings from a baby’s perspective. See what’s tempting to grab and pull on, what’s at eye level, and what could injure them. Then, put away fragile items, move cords, secure furniture that could fall over, and put padding on sharp edges. Every few months, and when your child reaches a new milestone, like walking, evaluate your home for additional babyproofing needs. As kids grow taller, the danger zones will change and likely increase.

Related: 12 Babyproofing Tips to Corral Your Crawler

Babyproofing Checklist for Your House

1. Secure stairway railings

The railings on staircases or landings on upper floors may look narrow, but they’re big enough for kids’ limbs (or heads) to get stuck in. Secure clear plastic or fabric to railings to deter kids from playing on them.

2. Hide cleaning products

Plastic bins with lids and latches that baby can’t open are a safer place for cleaning products than under your kitchen sink. If you can store them on a high shelf or out of sight in a tall cabinet, that’s even better.

3. Corral cords

Cut a slit down an empty paper towel roll or piece of pipe insulation and thread multiple wires through it to keep them from becoming tangled in your tot’s curious hands. You can also use zip ties to pull together cords and then tuck them far away from baby’s reach. Don’t forget your USB cords that still hold a charge when they’re plugged in.

4. Cover outlets

Plastic covers are the easiest way to cover outlets around the house (and safest too). But in a pinch, or when you’re visiting relatives or traveling, you can put adhesive bandages or duct tape over electrical outlets. Avoid cartoon varieties of bandages that will attract little ones’ attention.

Related: 15 Products You Need When Your Baby Starts Crawling

Renee Servinsky of Sassy Wife/Classy Life

5. Block off the fireplace

Babyproof a fireplace without sacrificing aesthetics too much by covering the opening with a piece of magnetic chalkboard (we love the one above from Sassy Wife/Classy Life). The chalkboard blocks off the fireplace and give little ones a surface on which to draw with chalk and play with magnets (choose large magnets that don’t pose a choking hazard).

6. Place dishtowels out of reach

Nix the dishtowel hanging off your oven door handle. Kids can pull down on it and open a hot oven or bonk themselves with the heavy door. Move towels to a higher shelf or put them on command hooks out of baby’s reach.

7. Test choking hazards with a toilet paper tube

There’s no need to purchase a choke tester. Anything that can fit into an empty toilet paper tube is small enough for your baby to choke on. Keep all those wee things out of reach.

Related: Your Guide to Safe Sleep for Baby

8. Create a TP protector

Babies love to unroll toilet paper as much as pets do. Keep your TP intact and out of baby’s hands and mouth with a two-liter soda bottle! Cut off the top and bottom of the bottle and cut a slit down the remaining center piece. Use tape to cover sharp, raw edges and slide the container over your toilet roll to cover it. See the tutorial at My Frugal Baby Tips.

9. Protect with pool noodles

These summertime staples can be used for everything from door stoppers to crib-rail covers that prevent tots from rolling out of bed. They’re also good for wrapping around sharp edges, like around the fireplace, to minimize bumps and scrapes.

10. Pad corners with tennis balls

Tennis balls can soften sharp corners where a pool noodle doesn’t fit. Cut a few small slices into the ball’s core so you can wedge it over items like table corners. It may not look pretty, but this hack is pretty temporary. Before you know it, your toddler will be steady enough on their feet that you no longer feel the need to protect every corner in your home.

11. Shorten pull cords

Use clothespins or twist ties to shorten and hold up pull cords on curtains and blinds to remove this strangulation risk from your home. Command hooks are also handy for keeping cords out of reach.

12. Sock it to knobs

To keep little hands from turning door knobs, cover them with a spare sock and wrap a hair tie or rubber band around the base to hold the sock in place. An adult can still squeeze and turn the handle, but a child won’t be able to.

13. Band together on horizontal cabinets

Attach hair ties or rubber bands to keep paired cabinet doors closed. Just loop the tie around the handles and your baby will only be able to open the doors a little bit, not wide enough to slip a hand through.

14. Get a handle on vertical drawers

Slide a yardstick or tension rod (or another long, thin object) through the handles of horizontally stacked drawers, rather than spending time and money on individual locks.

Make sure to capture photos of your baby crawling around their newly babyproofed pad—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

Don’t be afraid of holiday hairstyles that include braids. These tutorials make it easy

Between the hustle and bustle of wrangling your little elves, baking cookies for the exchange, and figuring out what appetizers to bring to the neighborhood gathering, you might not have a lot of time to get gussied up.  But the good news is, producing all that holiday magic doesn’t mean you have to forgo the fun of getting glammed up for the holiday season. There are plenty of quick and simple ways to dress up your tresses. Here are a few of our favorite easy holiday hairstyles that glam you up for the season.

Save this entire list on Pinterest.

Messy Side Bun

Who knew a messy side bun could look so chic? This is an easy holiday hairstyle to do at home.

Modern French Twist

The French twist is a classic for a reason: it’s a timeless and elegant holiday hairstyle! This simple tutorial from Alex Gaboury takes what was once thought of as a difficult ‘do to a simple style that any mama can pull off. Cheers!

Twisted Holiday Pin-Up

This twisted pin-up is a great holiday updo for natural hair that keeps it protected and looks amazing. Check out the full tutorial here.

Related: Easy Hairstyles That Put the Mom Bun to Shame

Rope Braid Crown

A rope braid crown is a fun holiday hairstyle
Missy Sue via YouTube

Easier and quicker than a regular braid, this Rope Braid Crown updo from Missy Sue is going to give your coif a ton of attention! Delicate rope braids are made around the head to form a crown that really kicks up your holiday 'do effortlessly.

Easy Twisted Updo

A twisted updo is a fun holiday hairstyle for moms
Abby Smith/Twist Me Pretty via YouTube

While this style looks like something out of a magazine, it's actually just a lot of twisting and a few bobby pins! Abby Smith from Twist Me Pretty uses several elastics to secure and twist locks across the head and then finishes off this look that's fit for a queen, effortlessly. 

Quick Messy Updo

This quick messy updo is an easy holiday hairstyle
Lainey Marie Beauty via YouTube

You had us at messy!  This trendy look is actually just a ton of twisting and bobby pinning and can be pulled off in just five minutes. Lainey Marie Beauty gives a simple tutorial on her YouTube channel on this style that's perfect for holiday get-togethers, date nights, and any other fancy event.

Easy Triple Braided Updo

This triple-braided holiday hairstyle is easier than it looks
The Effortless Chic

There's nothing more frustrating than not being able to whip up an updo on your own, and that's why we love this Easy Triple Braided style from The Effortless Chic. Three simple braids and then wrapped around each other to create this million-dollar look and works just as well at a holiday soiree as it does on the playground.

Related: Mom Buns That Are Actually Stylish

Hair Bow

Tony Odisho

What better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a festive bow? Professional stylist, Tony Odisho, shares a cute and easy way to dress up your hair for the holidays by turning it into a bow. You can get all the easy steps to creating this look and the tools used here.

French Braid

A french braid can be a good holiday hairstyle
SweetHearts Hair via YouTube

Sure, you wear french braid's often but not like this! Rather than learn an entirely new style for the holidays, use this simple tutorial from SweetHearts Hair that involves a little extra oomph to take your braids from drab to fab this Christmas.

Faux Hawk

A faux hawk is a good holiday hairstyle
KayDee TV

Keep your natural hair protected and festive with this twisted Faux Hawk. You can watch the full tutorial video from KayDeeTV to get the look.

Twisted Half Up-Do

Tessa Rayanne

A half-up holiday hairstyle is a great way to let your tresses down while still keeping them out of your face because who are we kidding––you're still a mom that’s going to be chasing a toddler at that holiday party. Add some waves, a simple twist, and a pretty hairpin to take that basic mom hairdo to party mode. Get easy-to-follow instructions for this look from blogger Tessa Rayanne here.

Elegant Updo

an elegant updo is a great holiday hairstyle
Tony Odisho

For that grown-ups-only party when you finally score a sitter, you might want to a more elegant look, but with kids demanding your attention while you get ready, you need something that doesn’t take hours to achieve. Stylist Tony Odisho’s Elegant Updo gives your hair that gorgeous look with very little effort. Check out the tutorial here.

Top Bun

a top bun is a good holiday hairstyle
Lexie Barnhorn via Unsplash

Swap out that basic mom bun for something a little more dramatic by sweeping your hair up on top of your head. Avoid those stray, static hairs when you pull your hair up by maintaining your hair’s natural oils to keep it nourished. Stylist Michelle Cleveland suggests, "Using a detangling brush such as “WETBRUSH” comb through your hair, evenly disbursing that scalp oil from roots to ends. The natural oils will help protect the hair from breakage. Next, reach for a dry shampoo and be sure to spray only at the root area, massaging it in with the pads of your fingertips to ensure complete absorption of oils only at the scalp.”

 

 

 

 

Looking for good New Year’s party ideas? Ring in 2023 with a festive craft for kids that’s as easy as it is fun. Using basic art supplies (and leftover holiday trimmings), you can help your little party people pop it like it’s hot when it’s time for the 10…9…8…! Find out exactly what you’ll need to create confetti poppers for kids at home, and then plan your menu from our favorite easy appetizers

Supplies for confetti popper for kids

confetti poppers for kids

Paper Rolls (toilet or towel, whichever you have on hand)

Construction Paper and/or wrapping paper in festive colors

Balloons

Ribbon (regular and curling)

Markers

Scissors

Hole Punch (if you don’t have one handy, just cut up the paper)

Scotch Tape

Hot Glue or Elmer’s Glue

Jewels (optional)

Related: 16 Easy Ideas to Help You Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Home

Step One: Create Confetti

confetti poppers for kids

Using the hole punch (or scissors) create paper confetti using construction paper and leftover holiday wrapping paper in festive colors.

 

Step Two: Decorate the Popper

Using markers, have your handy helpers decorate their roll. Little doodlers can go festive with stars and fireworks, write fun New Year’s Eve-themed words, or even draw pictures. It's all about creativity!

Related: 22 Super-Easy Appetizers That Just Look Fancy

Step Three: Cut the Balloon

Tie a knot in the balloon, in the same spot you would if it was full of air. Then, using the scissors, carefully cut off the top of the balloon. Note: If you cut the balloon too close to the knot, there’s won’t be enough at the bottom to lay over the end of the paper roll.

Step Four: Create the Popper

Place the cut balloon on one end of the decorated roll and secure, using the tape. Cut lengths of regular ribbon, and using either hot glue or Elmer’s glue (if using Elmer’s, you’ll have to wait until it’s dry to continue) line the popper where the tape and balloon meet the roll. Once this is complete, cut pieces of curling ribbon and tie them around the knot of the balloon.

Optional Step: Fasten jewels to the thick piece of ribbon using glue. Hot or regular glue will do the trick.

Related: How to Make a Vision Board with Kids

Step Five: Pop the Confetti Poppers!

confetti poppers for kids

After all the crafty work, let your party people do some popping. Fill the open end of the tube with the confetti, pull down on the balloon knot and release! The confetti will explode everywhere, so be prepared for giggles. You can refill over and over for more New Year’s Eve fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twelve years ago. Storytime at the public library. Ten little three-year-olds sit on their bottoms watching the librarian perform a lively and entertaining puppet show. The children’s mothers lounge on the floor by their children, laughing along with them and delighting in the enraptured look on their young faces.

Except for one mother. Me. I try to look relaxed and engaged, but the truth is my internal pressure gauge is rapidly rising. Oakley is not sitting with me. He has wiggled out of my grasp and is now in the front of the room trying to converse with the puppets in the show. He keeps leaning his head into the puppet theater to see where they go when they are not on the stage. He is speaking loudly, asking the people in the audience where they are hiding, and pushing against the flimsy puppet stage in an uncoordinated manner.

“Oakley, come sit down,” I say as gently as possible. As if. I know all too well where this is heading. He shoots me a look, full of impish daring. I eye the nearest exit. It seems miles across the library. “Oakley, come here.”

I start to crawl up to where he stands in front of the crowd. My cheeks redden, and I feel uncontrollably hot. Why did I ever try to bring him here? Something about the fluorescent lights, the quiet tones, and the cavernous space always makes Oakley become unglued. I must have had a lapse in judgment when I thought it would be fun.

Oakley looks at me again, grins, and snatches a puppet right off the librarian’s hand. “No Oakley!” I half-shout and half-groan. I reach for him, but it is too late; he is off. All the mothers smile sympathetically at me, and the librarian pops her head up. “Uh-oh,” she says.

Uh-oh nothing… this is just the beginning. I stand up and walk swiftly after Oakley. I do not dare run in the library. “Oakley,” I call in my best public I-can-handle-this voice. “This is not funny. Come back.” He darts between two shelves of books and sprints with the puppet in his hand to the farthest recesses of the library; I am in hot pursuit. He weaves from one aisle to the next and squeals with delight as I gain on him. “Oakley,” I hiss when I think no one can hear. “Stop.”

He is little but nimble, and without sprinting, there is no way I can get him. He seems to know that I don’t want an embarrassing scene and uses it to his advantage. He zooms out to the study corral area and shrieks with unbridled joy. He is obviously enjoying the sound of his own voice bouncing off the high ceilings in this quiet atmosphere.

People all around the library are now watching: Many look annoyed, a few curious about who will win our little game of tag, and one or two look genuinely sympathetic. The puppet show lady is now standing up staring at our spectacle, and all the children who were watching her show are now watching our show. As he flies by the check-out area, another librarian calls out, “He can’t do that in here!” Obviously, I think, but I just smile at her and weakly reply that I know.

He spins down a reference aisle, and I start to lose it. I am now openly running, realizing that it is the only way. Again I hiss, “ Stop or I will pull your ear!” Somehow that sounds more dignified than shouting that I will spank him. I close the gap between us, then lunge. I grab the back of his shirt and pull him to me. His squeals of delight turn to screams of outrage. “Let me go. Let me go!” He thrashes and writhes, and I can barely hold him.

Tucking his 40-pound body under my arm in a football hold, I try to walk back to the children’s section to return the puppet. It is no easy task. Sweat covers my body. He is putting up an intense fight to match his intense fury. I return the puppet and beg forgiveness. The mothers are no longer smiling; many are averting their eyes.

I realize that I can not leave the library carrying him and our assorted bags while he is tantrum-ing, and we have to get out of here. So, praying no one in this library knows me, I take his jacket and tie it around his arms and torso like a straight jacket. I tie it in the back, grasp the knot tightly in one hand, hold our things in the other, and drag him against his will out of the library like a trussed turkey. Everyone watching us.

Finally, we make our way out the doors and onto the sidewalk. Exhausted and in desperate need of a regroup, I sit us both down on the curb. I look at Oakley. The fresh air has stilled him. He is not screaming anymore; he has moved on and is blissfully watching the cars pass by.

“Oakley, you can’t do that. It makes mama so sad.”

“You proud of me?” he asks.

“No, Oakley. I am angry that you ran away and screamed in the library.”

“Don’t be angry. Be proud!” Oakley grins wildly, and his eyes shine.

It is obvious that he doesn’t get it. He thinks that we just played a romping game of chase. He was only angry because he lost. Now he sparkles. “Ugh,” I groan. How can I love this little nut so much? Another trip to the library, another year off my life.

This story sums up Oakley’s and my life together. He has brought me to my knees countless times and filled my heart to the brim with pride. He has an incredible love of life and readiness to take on the world. Now, at 15, he bikes on six-foot-tall unicycles, does backflips, juggles, and still laughs with maniacal glee. He is still the same nut he was at three—and he still doesn’t do well keeping his bum on the floor.

Originally posted February 2019.

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Beginning in August 2019, my son Oakley and I will cycle across America over the course of three months. Oakley is a spirited 15-year-old boy who has always struggled to fit into the confines of mainstream culture. I am Leah, his mother—and we are ready for adventure.

 

 

One kid needs homework help. The other has practice in less than an hour and oh, dinner? Let’s just say it’s not going to make itself. With these quick dinner ideas and tips, you’ve got a fighting chance of making it through the after-school shuffle and feeding the family without breaking a sweat. So keep cool and read on!

Prep ahead.

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Chop, measure and mix ingredients on the front end to save time on the back end. Yep, it’s that simple. Whether you gather and prep ingredients on the weekend before the rush of the week begins or pull double duty—prepping dinner while you pack kids’ lunches in the morning—you’ll save time by having everything ready to go in the evening.

Embrace pre-made ingredients.

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Trust us, learning to love pre-made products will set you free. Using items like rotisserie chicken (simply shred it and throw it on top of a bagged salad for a filling main course) or jarred pasta sauce (you can customize it with fresh veggies and spices) is a busy parent’s best-kept secret for easy, healthy dinners. Also, don’t think about shying away from frozen foods when you’re short on time. You’re welcome.

Keep your pantry and freezer stocked.

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If you've got your pantry filled with staple items, it's a lot easier to throw something together in a flash. Think spaghetti noodles and marinara sauce, loaded baked potatoes or even chicken noodle soup. You'll be amazed at what you can create with the basics. Here are our favorite recipes that use items you should have on hand most of the time. 

Enlist the kids to help.

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It’s true. Many hands do make light work. So put the family to the task as you work to get dinner on the table. Want to know just what they can handle? Read up on age-appropriate kitchen tasks to get started.

Serve breakfast for dinner.

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It doesn’t get easier (or faster) than a big egg scramble packed with veggies, served alongside a protein (did someone say bacon?) and fruit to make dinner complete. Fancy it up with pancakes or waffles, and you’ll still be done in record time. Why didn’t we think of this sooner? Find our favorite recipes here

Farm it out.

courtesy Hello, Fresh

If you haven’t tried a meal delivery service, now’s the time. Each meal includes everything you need to get food on the table—stat! Use them in a pinch, or make this easy option part of your weekly meal plan agenda.

Stock up on make-ahead meals.

Sheri Silver via Unsplash

Spend your spare weekend hours prepping dinners for the week. With these kid-friendly recipes, meals are made ahead of time, frozen and then heated up in no time when they’re needed.

 

Keep ingredients simple.

Picjumbo via Pixabay

Fewer ingredients mean less prep time, which means your family eats in less time too. The best part? Our favorite three-ingredient meals boast bold flavors and creative twists on the familiar you and the kids will love.

Pull out the pots.

Instant Pot

That Instant Pot you bought on Amazon during Prime Days? The slow cooker you’ve got tucked away in a cupboard somewhere? Put them to work so you can focus on something else. Throw together one of these slow cooker recipes in the morning, and dinner will be waiting for you when you get home. Or rock some of our Instapot faves in the dinner rush to save time.

 

Learn to love leftovers.

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Capitalize on all that work you do making dinner the rest of the week when you repurpose leftover dinner items on a busy night. Heat them and set them out so everyone can choose their favorites. Or get creative by transforming bits and pieces into a whole new dish. Kudos to you, chef!

Know your recipes.

You Totally Got This

When it comes to quick dinners, having a deep recipe bench is the name of the game, and filling it with recipes that clock in around 15 minutes, prep-to-table, is how you win. Put these heavy-hitters in your lineup for easy weeknight cooking.

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Chicago has a rich roller skating history rooted in the James Brown “JB” style, known for elaborate footwork. It’s also the birthplace of roller derby. While rinks are few and far between, you can still get your glide on at select retro-fun spots that have stood the test of time. Introduce your kids to this slick part of Chicago’s history and impress them with your 8-wheeled dance moves at these local hangouts.

Glenwood Roller Rink 

Roll into Glenwood and you can easily transport yourself to the 80s, skating with hair scrunchied in a crimped high pony, jeans perfectly pegged and the smell of Electric Youth wafting behind you. Spritz the family with Aqua Net and take a few turns around the rink.

You’ll dig the polished hardwood floor and colored lights gleaming overhead. It sets the scene for open family skate on Wed. 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Sat., 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.-11 p.m. and Sun. 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. If you have first-timers in your group, lessons are offered for all ages, Sat., 10:30 a.m.-noon.

656 Holbrook Rd., Glenwood; Online: glenwoodrollerrinkinc.net

MLK Skating and Bowling Center

MLK Skating is a city icon and a popular destination for birthday parties and school field trips. It's just one part of the Chicago Park District’s Dr. Martin Luther King Park and Entertainment Area opened by Mayor Daley in 2003. The rink is open for all ages Tues.-Sun., with Glow skating every Saturday. Once you’ve gotten your fill of skating, you can swap your wheels for bowling shoes or hit the arcade for gaming.

1219 W. 76th St., South Side; Online: unitedskates.com

Aurora Skate Center

Music, games and pizza, pizza, pizza make for good old-fashioned fun at this west suburban hotspot. Glide your way around the rink to sounds of the top 40 every Sat. and Sun., 1 p.m.-4 p.m. This family-friendly skate intersperses freestyle skating with the hokey pokey, backward skating, races and buddy skating, where two or three people are encouraged to hold hands and do their best to not pull each other to the floor. Beginners can take lessons every Sat., noon-1 p.m.

34W113 Montgomery Rd., Aurora; Online: skateaurora.com

Lombard Roller Rink

Family-owned Lombard Roller Rink offers a clean, friendly environment to introduce kids to skating. Families are invited to take a spin, Fri.-Sun, and classes are offered for kids every Sat., noon-12:45 p.m. They also offer an artistic skating club that competes in several disciplines and at all levels. 

201 W. 22nd St., Lombard; Online: lombardrollerrink.com

The Rink

The Rink was first opened in 1974 by then-husband and wife duo Carmen Clark and Nate Simpson. The idea was born from a desire to bring entertainment options a little closer to home, as they were always driving to the suburbs for a family night out. Although it has recently changed ownership, the new owners, Ramona and Curtis, are committed to keeping this Chatham neighborhood staple as it's always been. A place that's boiling over with positive energy and a focus on community building. Note: due to planned renovations along with vandalism in November, The Rink is closed with a re-grand opening planned for March. 

1122 E. 87th St., Chatham; Online: therinkchicago.com

Fleetwood Roller Stating Rink

Located just outside Chicago in Summit, Fleetwood is celebrating nearly 65 years of showing families a good time. Slide-in for open skate on Wed. and Fri.-Sun. Wobbly skaters can beef up their skills with lessons, Sat., noon-1 p.m. Kids who take lessons can skate for half-price, Sat., 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. 

7231 W. Archer, Summit; Online: fleetwoodrollerrink.com

Coachlite Skate

Coachlite has open skate Fri.-Sun. and discounted sessions on Wed. You can also book Dart Dasher Nerf where kids engage in nerf gun wars while a light show and music play in the background. These 2-hour private sessions that include pizza and game referees are a great high-energy birthday party idea. 

1291 W. Berwyn Ave., Roselle; Online: coachliteskate.com

Tinley Park Roller Rink

Tinley Park Roller Rink believes the fastest path to happiness is found on skates. Who are we to disagree? Visit them for family skates on Sat., Sun. and Wed. They also typically open on school holidays, so follow them on Facebook to stay up-to-date on schedule changes. 

17658 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park; Online: tinleyrink.com

Maggie Daley Park

Infuse a bit of fresh air into your skate session at Maggie Daley's Skating Ribbon. The outdoor ribbon is open Apr. 30-Sep. 26 for rollerblading and mico-scootering. Rentals are available for both. Open skate times vary depending on the month, so check the website before making a plan to visit. 

337 E. Randolph, Loop; Online: maggiedaleypark.com

Family Fun Zone

This place is great for families with young kids because it's designed for ages 14 & under. Skate sessions are held Tues., Wed. and Fri.-Sun. Plan a family date night on Wed. when the price of admission also gets you all-you-can-eat pizza. For a budget-friendly option, go on Tues. when admission is just $2. 

2333 Theodore St., Crest Hill; Online: familyfunzone.com

Lynwood Sport Center

Lynwood Sport Center has a cinematic history as the rink was featured in the movie Roll Bounce released in 2005. The best time for families to check out this sweet rink is Sat., Sun. and Tues. On Tues., order a large pizza, a pitcher of soda and your skate rentals for up to 4 people for $38. 

2030 Glenwood-Dyer Rd., Lynwood; Online: skatelynwood.com

Chicago Athletic Association

Turn skating into a date-night (or day) opportunity with Chicago Athletic Association hotel's pop-up skate events. On select weekends, they host skate programming on the historic Stagg Court. Afterward, visit the Fine Arts Display Case on the 2nd floor to catch a glimpse of the hotel's vintage skates. Keep an eye on their website and Instagram for future announcements. 

12 S. Michigan Ave., Loop; Online: chicagoathleticevents.com

— Maria Chambers

Featured photo: Alexander Belyaev via Pixabay

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