Minute to win it games for kids make for instant fun

If you’re looking for a great way to spend the evening at home with the family or you’ve got a big party to plan, there’s a good chance you’re searching for fun games for kids. That’s where minute to win it games come in. (You can also try out some of the best jokes for kids, DIY magic potions, ultimate trivia questions, and amazing movie night ideas.) These completely creative games will make all the difference during your next rainy weekend afternoon, family game night, or birthday party.

What’s a minute to win it game?

Simply put, it’s a 60-second game using items typically found around the house. Participants attempt to see who can finish a challenge first or who can complete a task the most times in under a minute. You can even add a theme, like Halloween minute to win it games or holiday minute to win it games!

How to play minute to win it games

These quick, exciting games are good for parties, of course, but you can also do them with just one or two players! There are three basic ways you can play Minute to Win It Games.

  • Player vs. timer: In this style, a player races against the clock. They still have just one minute to complete the game and if they do win, you can move on to another game. If they don’t, you can choose to let them try until they do beat the clock or move on to another player.
  • Player vs. Player: In this version, which works great for small groups, have two people compete against each other (for a minute), and whoever completes the challenge first, wins! This way, you can rotate through your crew at a reasonable pace.
  • Group Minute to Win It Play: Here’s where you’ll split your group into two teams. Each team decides who goes first, and then those players compete against each other to win! This is fun for teammates too because they’ll be cheering on competitors in each round.
minute to win it dice game
Paging Fun Mums

1. Dice Balance
The kids over at Paging Fun Mums try to see how many dice they can get on the stick in one minute (the most dice win!). It's a little tricky and super fun to watch!

2. Sticky Situation
This popular game requires players to bounce a ping pong ball just right, to land it on a piece of bread slathered in peanut butter. See the full instructions here.

3. Cup to Cup
Have your players sit outside in a single file line (have the last player sit back to back with the second to last player). Put one bucket at the front of the line and one bucket at the end of the line. From there, players must fill a small plastic cup from the first bucket and pass it over their heads to the last bucket. The first team to reach the designated mark on the bucket wins!

4. Sock the Block
Build several LEGO block towers and place them around the room. Players must use balled-up socks to knock over all five towers.

5. Nose Dive
The secret weapon in this game? Petroleum jelly dabbed on the nose. Using their noses (no hands allowed), players must move five cotton balls from one bowl to another, before the minute is up.

minute to win it games are fun activities for kids
iStock

6. Defying Gravity
Up and away! Using one hand, kids keep their balloons in the air for one minute. If this is too easy, for the half-pints you can add two balloons (or more!). Remember, no resting a balloon on a body part.

7. Wrap It Up
A two-player game that involves wrapping one player up with streamers, ribbon, or toilet paper.

8. Ball Drop
Have your player stand on a chair. Set a plastic cup on the ground in front of them and give them three ping pong balls. The object is to get all three balls in the cup without missing or having any bounce out.

9. Cereal Scramble
Cut the front of a cereal box into equal pieces. Stack the pieces into a flat tower and set a timer for one minute. Each child has a minute to piece the cereal box together.

10. Movin' On Up
Stack up 25 plastic cups of one color and add one cup of a different color at the bottom. Half-pints move the top cup to the bottom and see how far they can move the single-colored cup to the top in one minute.

girl playing the stacking cup minute to win it game
iStock

11. Stack Attack
This one might not be as tasty as cookie face, but it's still pretty popular. Give the kids one single stack of 36 plastic cups. Each child gets one minute to stack all of the cups into a pyramid and then unstack them, making a single column again.

12. Johnny Applestack
How about them apples? Another fun stacking game for kids using fruit from the kitchen—apples. Little ones have one minute to stack five apples (or three for younger kids) on top of each other and stay for three seconds.

13. Rubber Band Shooting Gallery
Get some rubber bands and aluminum cans and have players stand 10 feet away. Start the clock and see how many they can knock over in a minute!

14. Junk in the Trunk
Each player will need a tissue box, pantyhose and ten ping pong balls. Put the ping pong balls in each tissue box. Then, tie the boxes around each player. Kids have one minute to shake out (no hands) as many balls as they can.

15. Doughnut Chew
A piece of cake! Of all the minute to win it games, kids will eat this one up. First, tie a string around a doughnut, then hang it between two chairs. Littles need to eat the doughnut within a minute without it falling to the floor.

 

girl with balloon
iStock

16. This Blows
If you’re looking for a minute to win it game that your tween or teen will still get a kick out of, this is it. Each player has one minute to blow up a balloon and then use the air that’s inside of it to knock over as many plastic cups as they can. If they still have time on the clock, they can repeat the steps to blow down any leftover cups.

17. Chandelier
Light up the fun! You'll need 15 empty soda cans and four paper plates. Kids have one minute to stack cans with paper plates in between to see how high they can go.

18. Sponge Run
Place a kiddie pool or a bucket full of water on one side of the yard, and place an empty bucket on the other side. Players must soak up as much water in their sponge as possible and carry the sponge on top of their heads to the empty bucket. Once they arrive, players must squeeze as much water as possible into the empty bucket and head back to their teammates. The first team to fill their bucket to the line wins.

19. Noodling Around
Start this minute to win it game with one strand of uncooked spaghetti. The player puts the end of the dry noodle in their mouth; they have 60 seconds to pick up six uncooked pieces of penne pasta—with the spaghetti. Oh, and without using their hands!

20. Scoop It Up
Move six ping pong balls from one bowl to another, using only a spoon. Again, like some of the other minute to win it games, the kids can’t use their hands. Instead, each child will use a spoon—in their mouth.

Chica Circle

21. Card Ninja
Tweens and teens will get a giggle out of this minute to win it game. Slice a watermelon in half, securing it on a table or other flat surface. Give the kids cards to throw (kind of like throwing stars). Whoever gets the most cards into the melon in one-minute wins. Chica Circle has more details

22. Puddle Jumper
Set up a series of plastic cups. Fill them to the top with water and set a ping pong ball on the first in the row. The kids need to blow the ball from the first cup to the second. Keep going with more balls, racing to see who moves the most in one minute.

23. Penny Hose
Players have to retrieve two pennies from the bottom of a pair of pantyhose. It's hard than it looks!

24. Nut Stacker
It’s almost like the penny game, just slightly more difficult. Instead of stacking coins with one hand, each child has one minute to stack hex nuts onto a wooden stick or dowel.

25. Leaning Tower of LEGO
Fill two bins/buckets with LEGO (the number depends on the age of the players). Players must stack all the bricks in the container. If the tower breaks, continue to stack. The first person to stack all their bricks wins!

Sunflower Mom

26. Peep Face Game
Got extra peeps? We love this twist on the cookie minute to win it that's a fun game for kids at Easter. Sunflower Mom gives her little chicks one minute to stick as many peeps as they can to their face! Little bunnies think this game is funny.

27. Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Toss
Have players stand back from the table with mugs on it. Give players a designated number of marshmallows and see how many the team can throw into the mug in one minute.

28. Penny Tower
How many pennies can your child stack in one minute? If they just guessed a million, they’re not exactly right. The trick to this game is that the child can only use one hand. And believe us, that makes it oh-so-challenging.

29. Cookie Face
This is by far one of the favorites of kids just about everywhere. Not only do they get to play a super-silly game, but it’s all done with cookies. Cookies! Place a regular ol’ sandwich cookie on the child’s forehead. They’ll need to use their facial muscles to move it down their face and into their mouth—without using their hands.

30. Keep it Up
As light as a feather! Little players keep two feathers in the air for one minute (or as long as they can). The catch is they can just use their breath. To make it easier for younger kids, they can use a straw.

goldfish games are minute to win it games
Ginger Snap Crafts

31. Go Fish!
Whether it's crackers or mini marshmallows, this fun game for kids is easy! You'll need straws and two plates. Little gamers have one minute (to win it!) to see how many fish they can transfer from one plate to another with the suction from the straw and no hands. See more Goldfish Minute to Win It Games over at Gingersnap Crafts.

32. Ping Pong Toss
Players have one minute to try and toss ping pong balls in a container down the table. Three in a row wins, or, at the end of the minute, whoever has the most balls in their container.

33. Spin Doctor
As far as a minute to win it games go, tweens find this a ton of fun. A player spins a coin on the table. A second player stops the coin with one finger on its edge (upright!). Either player can spin the coin, and it's a win when you stop the coin for three seconds within a minute.

34. State of Fun
This minute to win it game uses brainpower! Get a sheet of paper and pencils for players, then have them write down as many state capitals as they can before the timer goes off. The player with the most correct state capitals wins the round.

35. Gummy Worm Search
This minute to win it game is messy, so save it for warm weather or a summer birthday party! Fill aluminum pie pans with gummy worms and cover them with whipped cream. Players have to find the gummy worms using their mouths, no hands! The player who finds the most gummy worms at the end of the round wins. 

Make sure to capture all the giggles—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.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

 

The best baby feeding supplies for mitigating messes

When it comes to finding the best baby feeding supplies, there’s absolutely no shortage of options. Whether it’s your first little one or your newest addition, feeding gear is always evolving. Of course, that’s a good thing, but it can leave you feeling a little overwhelmed with choices. But you have us, so you can relax and let us handle the hard part.

Most of us would agree that the best options have a few key features. We’re looking for suction-bottom plates and bowls (babies are mighty flingy as far as bowls and plates go), high-quality baby-safe materials, soft-on-the-gums utensils, and weighted sippy cups (because of that flingy thing again). A lot of feeding supplies are created with food-grade silicone, since it’s soft, but we also found stainless steel and bamboo options for those of us looking to skip the plastic. There are even options that also keep your comfort in mind. From bibs to bowls to snack containers, these are some seriously clever products for feeding your little one. Check out our list of the best baby feeding supplies below.

Best Utensils: Baby Spoons & Forks

Avanchy Bamboo Baby Spoons

Avanchy on Amazon

Shorter handles and wider scoops make these perfect for babies just starting out all the way to the toddler stage. Multiple colors and set options are available, too.

Avanchy Bamboo Baby Spoons ($14.99)—Buy Here!

mushie Flatware Fork and Spoon Set

mushie on Amazon

Made in Denmark, these aesthetic toddler and baby utensils are as pretty as they are functional. They're so simple that they're easy for little ones to hang onto while they learn their way around solid foods. They come in lots of soft colors, too.

mushie Flatware Fork and Spoon Set ($7.99)—Buy Here!

Grabease Baby Utensils

Grabease on Amazon

These chunky little baby spoons and forks are ideal for little grips. The shape helps them hang onto their utensils and the kiddo-friendly colors (there are lots of them!) help to keep them engaged. 

Grabease Baby Utensils ($11.99)—Buy Here!

Munchkin Soft Tip Baby Spoons 12ct

Munchkin on Amazon

Munchkin baby spoons are a parent favorite: gentle on baby's gums, ergonomically shaped, and long enough to reach the bottom of those food jars. What's not to love?

Munchkin Soft Tip Baby Spoons 12ct ($8.66)—Buy Here!

Kizingo Curved Spoons Set of 2

Kizingo on Amazon

Created by moms who just get it, these curved spoons are great for littles learning to feed themselves. They help develop motor skills without exhausting their wrist, shoulders, or elbows with overly complicated movements. Available in 2 sets of different colors.

Kizingo Curved Spoons Set of 2 ($14.99)—Buy Here!

 

Best Baby Plates & Bowls

Munchkin Stay Put Suction Bowls Set of 3

Munchkin on Amazon

The best baby feeding supplies let you say goodbye to flying baby bowls. The suction cup bottom keeps these securely in place, while the quick-release tab makes it easy for you to clean up when mealtime is over. 

Munchkin Stay Put Suction Bowls Set of 3 ($8.82)—Buy Here!

WeeSprout Suction Plates with Lids

WeeSprout on Amazon

Suction bottoms are a theme here, of course, but the WeeSprout plates offer a divided design and matching lids for on-the-go carrying, leftovers, and meal prep. Lots of color combos are available, too.

WeeSprout Suction Plates with Lids ($18.98)—Buy Here!

Avanchy Bamboo & Stainless Steel Baby Bowls

Avanchy on Amazon

Trying to avoid plastic? This bamboo and stainless steel bowl set from Avanchy is a great way to go. The bundle includes both bowls and a lid for easy transport or leftovers. Several colors are available, too.

Avanchy Bamboo & Stainless Steel Baby Bowls ($40.98)—Buy Here!

ezpz Tiny Bowl

ezpz on Amazon

You probably already know ezpz, and this beauty doesn't just include a suction bottom, but it also has a built-in placemat to majorly mitigate spills. Available in 4 colors.

ezpz Tiny Bowl ($16.99)—Buy Here!

Skip Hop Grab Bowls Set of 2

Skip Hop on Amazon

Finally, bowls that keep your comfort in mind, too. The ergonomic handles make feeding much easier to hang on to and we're always big fans of lids.

Skip Hop Grab Bowls Set of 2 ($12.00)—Buy Here!

Olababy Silicone Steam Bowl

Olababy on Amazon

Warm up baby food by steaming over a saucepan or steamer with this bowl. And don't worry—the bowl itself doesn't get hot as it steams, either, so it won't get overheated.

Olababy Silicone Steam Bowl ($11.95)—Buy Here!

 

Best Snack Containers

The Baby's Brew 2-in-1 Snack Cup

The Baby's Brew

These snack cups are soft and collapsible, with an interchangeable snack cup or straw sip lid. Plus the secure snack lid keeps goodies contained and is perfect for little hands.

The Baby's Brew 2-in-1 Snack Cup ($9.99)—Buy Here!

b.box 3-in-1 Snack Bowl

b. box on Amazon

As far as baby snack containers go, this isn't just one that keeps the Cheerios from flying out. With a straw, storage lid, and snack dispenser lid, you can use it for everything from Goldfish to soup to smoothies and beyond. Lots of cute color combinations are available, too.

b.box 3-in-1 Snack Bowl ($14.95)—Buy Here!

mushie Snack Cup

mushie on Amazon

Oh, mushie and their soft colors that we just can't get enough of. The double handles are super helpful for little ones, too. Tons of color options with this one.

mushie Snack Cup ($13.99)—Buy Here!

 

Best Baby Feeding Sets

Baby Björn Baby Feeding Set

Baby Björn on Amazon

The rounded sides of the plate make it easy for scooping and containing food, and this set also includes a stable cup for learning to drink, and easy-to-hold utensils. It comes in 4 colors.

Baby Björn Baby Feeding Set ($32.70)—Buy Here!

Busy Baby ULTIMATE Busy Baby Bundle

Busy Baby

The best baby feeding supplies are multi-functional, and Busy Baby agrees. This bundle includes Busy Baby's best sellers: Mat (original size) with 4 Tethers, Mini Mat, Teether & Training Spoon, Bungee Bib & Utensils, Bottle Bungee, and Toy Bungee. Not only are they excellent feeding tools, but the bungees keep toys, utensils, and more from falling on the floor.

Busy Baby ULTIMATE Busy Baby Bundle ($85.00)—Buy Here!

Lalo First Bites Silicone Baby Feeding Set

Lalo on Amazon

The Lalo First Bites set is one of the most popular out there. It includes utensils, bib, 4oz cup, suction plate and bowl and is available in 5 colors.

Lalo First Bites Silicone Baby Feeding Set ($75.99)—Buy Here!

MICHEF Baby Feeding Set

MICHEF on Amazon

Designed for babies 4+ months, the MICHEF set comes complete with 2 baby food feeders with 3 different sized replacement silicone sacs, baby spoons, and a bowl with masher.

MICHEF Baby Feeding Set ($19.99)—Buy Here!

VOD VISUAL Owl Baby Feeding Set

VOD VISUAL on Amazon

Why not add a friendly face to mealtime with this adorable owl set? The dishes even have suction cup bottoms. Available in several colors.

VOD VISUAL Owl Baby Feeding Set ($24.99)—Buy Here!

 

Best Bibs

Tiny Twinkle Long Sleeve Bibs

Tiny Twinkle on Amazon

Cover them alllllll the way up with these best selling long sleeve bibs. There's a good chance they'll still find a way to drip something somewhere, but this set mitigates the possibility. Lots of colors are available.

Tiny Twinkle Long Sleeve Bibs ($23.99)—Buy Here!

Grabease Allover Waterproof Bib

Grabease on Amazon

Looking for serious bib coverage? Look no further. This one is designed to cover your babe and their highchair, plus its machine washable. Multiple color options, too.

Grabease Allover Waterproof Bib ($26.99)—Buy Here!

PandaEar Silicone Bibs Set of 3

PandaEar

Budget-friendly, ultra-functional, and scoring almost 5 stars from over 12,000 Amazon reviewers? This is the set that delivers.

PandaEar Silicone Bibs Set of 3 ($7.99)—Buy Here!

Bumkins Waterproof Fabric Starter Bibs

Bumkins on Amazon

Fabric bibs are classic for a reason: these waterproof fabric bibs are soft and strong and include a crumb-catcher pocket. Machine wash them over and over. Plus, they come in lots of adorable colors and prints.

Bumkins Waterproof Fabric Starter Bibs ($10.95)—Buy Here!

Tiny Twinkle Apron Bib

Tiny Twinkle

We're really into this apron style bib with little arm holes that are totally tug-proof. The sweet colors and prints are a major selling point here, too.

Tiny Twinkle Apron Bib ($11.99)—Buy Here!

 

Best Water Cups

Olababy Silicone Training Cup with Straw Lid

Olababy on Amazon

Learning is is the name of the game when it comes to baby water cups, and this one is designed by pediatric experts. The weighted base prevents tip-overs and your little one can see inside the cup to know what's in it and how much is left (which is a big deal when they're learning to drink for themselves). 5 colors available.

Olababy Silicone Training Cup with Straw Lid ($12.76)—Buy Here!

Evorie Tritan Weighted Straw Sippy Cup

Evorie on Amazon

Made of Tritan that's clear as glass yet strong as stainless steel, the Evorie Sippy Cup is an award-winning cup with a straw that allows babies to drink from an angle while minimizing extra air that can lead to tummy upsets. Multiple colors and designs are available.

Evorie Tritan Weighted Straw Sippy Cup ($18.99)—Buy Here!

Bunnytoo Baby Sippy Cup with Weighted Straw

Bunnytoo on Amazon

The weighted straw idea is brilliant, honestly. It lets your little one drink from any angle or position and keeps spills and leaks to a minimum. There are 7 colors available.

Bunnytoo Baby Sippy Cup with Weighted Straw ($13.99)—Buy Here!

 

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

It doesn’t get much easier than this 5-ingredient taco salad from the food blog, Sweet Phi. If you dare go above the five ingredients feel free to sub in or add your toppings suited to your kiddos’ taste buds. Either way, we promise this turkey taco salad dinner will be one of the easiest and tastiest you’ve ever made.

Ingredients for Turkey Taco Salad

1 lb ground turkey, extra lean
1 cup salsa, divided
6-8 cups romaine (or lettuce of choice)
1 cup tortilla chips
1 cup shredded cheese (I use Mexican blend cheese or pepper jack)

Notes from the Chef:

• If making this salad to eat later, cook the ground turkey and salsa, and store it in an air-tight container in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
• This salad is good with both warm or cold ground turkey
• Alternatively you could use slow cooker salsa chicken as a topping (just put salsa and chicken in a crock pot on low for 6 hours and then shred when done).

Method for making Turkey Taco Salad:

1. Pour ½ cup salsa into a large frying pan, add the ground turkey, and cook it, breaking it up as you cook it. Cook for 15 minutes, or until the turkey is cooked through.

2. In a large bowl (or 4 small bowls) divide out the lettuce.

3. When the turkey is done cooking spoon out on top of the salad, pour the remaining salsa on top of the ground turkey, then add the cheese and tortilla chips (I like to crush some of the tortilla chips as I add them to the top the salad).

4. Mix the salad and enjoy!

For sweet and savory recipes and more 5-ingredient dinner winners visit the food blog, Sweet Phi for a bevy of awesome ideas. Stay connected on Facebook and Instagram.   

These hostess gift ideas will make them feel so appreciated

Whether you’re heading to a holiday party or invited for a weekend visit, you’ll want to make sure you don’t show up empty-handed. Hostess gifts may be a little old-fashioned, but that’s because they really are a classic move that will never go out of style. Thanking your hostess (or host, of course) for their hospitality and any work they’ve put into making you, their guest, feel welcome, is always considerate. Although the sentiment has never gotten old, the gift itself changes from decade to decade. So, you’ll need some hostess gift ideas, especially with the upcoming holiday season.

These carefully curated gifts will please any hosts, even your hard-to-shop-for-sister-in-law. They’ll be welcome additions to their home, pantry, and every day, plus many of them actually make their next event that much easier to put together. Scroll down for our favorite hostess gift ideas for 2023.

TBH Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

this pinot noir from TBH vineyards is a good hostess gift idea
TBH Vineyards

A bottle of wine is always a good idea when it comes to a hostess gift. This wonderful Pinot Noir is made from 100% estate-grown organic grapes from Small Vines on the Sonoma Coast and is a full-bodied wine with hints of cherries, a floral scent, and a lovely lingering flavor. 

TBH Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($104)—Buy Here! 

Copper Whistling Tea Kettle

HSN

This cute kettle bundled with some of your favorite hot cocoa and gourmet marshmallows make a fun family gift (with a bit of style thrown in).

Copper Whistling Tea Kettle ($37.80)—Buy Here!

Pizza Accessories Kit

Backcountry

Set them up for family pizza night with this set that comes with two pizza peels, a spatula and a rocking cutter.

Pizza Accessories Kit ($65.99)—Buy Here!

Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Caddy Set

Beekman 1802

Goat milk is known for its moisturizing qualities. We love gifting this soap and lotion set especially since its fragrance-free and includes a counter caddy.

Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Caddy Set ($30.80)—Buy Here!

Tipsy Turvy Bar Glass Set

ban.do

Who wouldn't want to toast with these gorgeous glasses? Champagne, sparking cider, or your favorite La Croix—we're using them for everything.

Tipsy Turvy Bar Glass Set ($32.95)—Buy Here!

Bamboo Multi-Level Cheese Board Set

BerfHOFF

Help enhance their next gathering with this pretty cheese board set, complete with 3 cutting and serving tools.

Bamboo Multi-Level Cheese Board Set ($79.99)—Buy Here!

Hoya Heart Succulent

plants.com

This succulent will look darling on a windowsill and it needs very little maintenance (and is therefore the perfect gift, of course).

Hoya Heart Succulent ($39.99)—Buy Here!

Gold Leaf Glassware

Well Told

Glassware with a city map in 22-carat gold leaf is sure to endear your host to you even when your kid locks themselves in the bathroom in the middle of the party. Choose from 22 popular cities.

Gold Leaf Glassware ($23.95)—Buy Here!

Rainbow Agate Coaster Set of 4

Amazon

Protect furniture from glass rings and toddler spills with this lovely coaster set of 4.

Rainbow Agate Coaster Set of 4 ($45.99)—Buy Here!

Superstitchous Blanket

Superstitchous

San Francisco mom Samira Khoshnood created Superstitchous while on maternity leave after the birth of her first child. We love gifting these cozy blankets to pretty much anyone. Especially with a variety of charming prints and sizes, you can't go wrong.

Superstitchous Blanket ($88.00+)—Buy Here!

anecdote candles

anecdote candles

Made of long-lasting soy wax and hand-poured in California, these are a chic-meets-cheeky offering. There are a bunch of different single and bundle options to fit your favorite hostess's personality.

anecdote candles ($14.00+)—Buy Here!

Chocolarder Drinking Chocolate

Bar and Cocoa

What's better than hot cocoa? Drinking chocolate is a blend of cocoa and grated chocolate for a next-level (and super indulgent) gift.

Chocolarder Drinking Chocolate ($25.00)—Buy Here!

Paper Vase Wraps

Lucy Grymes

The perfect gift wrap for that bouquet of flowers you can grab on your way over; use a recycled jar, a can or a simple vase and make it dressy. Coated paper stock in lots of different color choices.

Paper Vase Wraps ($19.00)—Buy Here!

Fig Lemontini Craft Cocktail Kit

Sundance

A botanical blend of fruits, herbs, and spices that only require adding the recommended choice of spirits for the perfect cocktail.

Fig Lemontini Craft Cocktail Kit ($28.00+)—Buy Here!

YETI Rambler 10 oz Wine Tumbler

Amazon

Your hostess can keep her drink of choice cool while she gets everything ready when you gift her a Yeti Tumbler.

YETI Rambler 10 oz Wine Tumbler ($46.00)—Buy Here!

Classic Cowgirl Cheese Collection

Goldbelly

A perfect trio of cheese from one of the country's best cheesemakers. Includes a decadent triple cream Mt Tam, funky and buttery Red Hawk, and versatile aged Wagon Wheel.

Classic Cowgirl Cheese Collection ($89.95)—Buy Here!

PureWine Purifier Wands

PureWine

Filter out sulfites with this simple wine filter and say goodbye to wine headaches. Simply add one to each glass you pour and in 3 minutes, you'll have a clean-tasting filtered glass of your favorite grapes.

PureWine Purifier Wands ($11.99+)—Buy Here!

Bloom Tamarind Wood Bowl

CB2

Filled with lemons or a large salad, this bowl is a stunner they'll love displaying.

Bloom Tamarind Wood Bowl ($99.95)—Buy Here!

 

—Kate Loweth, Amber Guetebier, Gabby Cullen, & Kate Cartia

 

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

 

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.

Sit back and relax with this amazingly simple recipe (it might be the easiest we’ve ever seen!), and add some kid-friendly flavor to your evening

We can’t think of much that our kids like better than chicken teriyaki! For the perfect family feast, try this Crock Pot Chicken Teriyaki recipe from Kylee at Our Little Acre. If you’re looking for other amazing dinner ideas, check out our list of crock pot dinner recipes.

Crock Pot Chicken Teriyaki Ingredients:

1 lb. chicken, cubed
1 cup chicken broth (optional; Kylee recommends skipping it)
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 garlic cloves, minced

Preparation Method:

1. Combine chicken broth, teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, and garlic cloves in a large bowl.

2. Add chicken to the sauce, and mix.

3. Pour chicken mixture into crock-pot.

4. Cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until chicken is cooked through.

5. Serve over hot cooked rice and spoon on extra sauce if desired.

recipe courtesy of Our Little Acre

 

Check out these spooky Halloween minute to win it games that all the kiddos will love!

Halloween is right around the corner, and if you’re looking for fun Halloween games to make the holiday extra spooky, these minute-to-win-it ideas are exactly what you’re after. Whether you’re staying in this year or going out for trick-or-treating, these party games will keep your kids entertained for hours. While you’re at it, make the night extra special with some fun Halloween jokes, kid-friendly ghost stories, easy Halloween treats, and awesome Halloween crafts.

What’s a minute to win it game?

Simply put, it’s a 60-second game using items typically found around the house. Participants attempt to see who can finish a challenge first or who can complete a task the most times in under a minute. You can try these holiday minute to win it games when Halloween is over or attempt some year-round minute to win it favorites!

Halloween minute to win it games
Denny Müller via Unsplash

1. Candy Face

Take their favorite piece of Halloween candy (that isn’t too messy, of course) and place it on your child’s forehead. They’ll need to use their facial muscles to move it down their face into their mouth without using their hands.

2. Pumpkin Balance

This involves two players balancing mini pumpkins on their heads and racing to a certain point without dropping the pumpkin. You can make it tougher by making it a running race!

3. Donut Race

Slide a donut on a string and see who can eat it off the string the fastest. What a delicious game to play!

4. Candy Balancing

Put the end of a craft stick in your mouth and stack a candy of your choice on top. Whoever stacks the most pieces wins! You can make the game more challenging by choosing a non-flat candy.

Related: 20 Halloween Party Games That Are a Scary Good Time

Halloween minute to win it games
S. Massey

5. Mummify Me

A two-player game that involves wrapping the other player in toilet paper to look like a mummy.

6. Stack 'Em

Using apples, gourds, or mini pumpkins with the stems cut off, little ones have one minute to stack five apples or pumpkins (or three for younger kids) on top of each other and get them to stay for three seconds.

7. Candy Toss

Have two players take turns tossing their favorite candy (wrapped or unwrapped) into a bowl or cauldron. Whoever gets the most pieces into the cauldron in a minute wins.

8. M&M Switch

Each player will need two plates; one filled with M&Ms and one empty. Players use a straw to suck up each M&M and drop it onto the other plate. Whoever gets the most M&Ms onto the other plate wins!

Related: 33 Minute to Win It Games Perfect for Family Time

9. Halloween Bowling

Make ghost or mummy Halloween pins out of toilet paper rolls or white/clear plastic cups. Use a mini pumpkin or a regular-sized pumpkin (real or fake) as your bowling ball and get rolling. 

10. Witch's Hat Ring Toss

Connect glow sticks or fuzzy craft sticks into rings. Each player takes turns tossing their rings onto the witch's hat, and whoever gets the most rings onto the hat wins (You can also use a pumpkin stem to catch the rings.)!

11. Candy Unwrapping

Have your contestants take a wrapped piece of candy (choose a difficult one for a challenge) and have them unwrap it one-handed.

12. Dig for Creepy Crawlies

Crumble up your favorite cookie (that resembles dirt) and fill a bowl or bucket. Hide plastic creepy crawlies inside the dirt and have the players dig for them with a spoon. Whoever finds the most creepy crawlies wins.

Mary Jane Duford on Unsplash

13. Candy Corn Towers

To play this game, bite the ends off of the pieces of candy corn and stick them on top of each other to create a stack. 

14. Spider Race

Using a straw, blow a plastic spider from one end of the table to your set finish line. Whoever crosses that line first, wins!

 

There’s nothing left-handers can’t master

Spiral notebooks, scissors, keyboards. Just a few of the “tools” you’ve mastered twice as well as any right-hander. Being a lefty is something to be proud of: did you know that according to MENSA 20% of all geniuses are left-handed? So, for International Left-Handed Day, celebrate the southpaws in your life, and enjoy these hilarious left-handed memes. If you’re looking for more laughs, check out our mom memes, our Halloween parenting memes, and potty training memes.

1. Stupid scissors.

left handed meme

2. Because being left-handed is totally right. 
left handed meme

3. Funny, but true.

left handed meme 3

 

4. No one believes you.
lefties meme left handed meme

 

5. Your parents kept putting your pencil/spoon/baseball bat in your other hand. 
left handed meme kid

 

6. Because you rejoiced when you discovered stores like this really do exist. 
leftorium

 

7. If you had a nickel…
Screen Shot 2015-07-27 at 6.01.37 PM

 

8. I can wave with my left hand, too! 

left handed meme scale

9. ‘Nuf said. 

 

bear
10. Sigh. 

leftie meme two

 

11. Because you still have to “special order” what you need at the office. 

 

Screen Shot 2015-07-27 at 6.01.59 PM

 

12. Awww, yeah! 
keep-left-slide

 

 

 

 

Kick the Bisquick to the curb

Give the pre-made pancake mix a break with this fast and made-from-scratch buttermilk pancake recipe that even the most pancake-challenged parents can easily make. Get the little ones in on the fun by letting them help pour the ingredients into the bowl and sprinkle fresh blueberries into the batter. The whole family will be digging into these yummy cakes within 20 minutes. If you want to get fancy, check out our round-up of creative pancakes, and pass the maple syrup!

Buttermilk Pancake Recipe: Ingredients

1 ½ cup flour

1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 ½ cup buttermilk

2 eggs

3 tablespoons canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:

1. Get ready by taking out all of your ingredients and placing a griddle or large pan over medium-low heat.  You’ll need 2 large bowls, measuring cups, measuring spoons, a whisk, and a large spoon.

2. In bowl number one, pour and mix all your dry ingredients together (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt).

3. In bowl number two, pour and mix all your wet ingredients together (buttermilk, eggs, canola oil, vanilla) and whisk.

4. Pour bowl number two (wet ingredients) into bowl number one (dry ingredients) and mix gently with a large spoon.

5. Butter the griddle or pan and spoon pancake batter onto the pan in little circles. You can even experiment with making shapes (mickey mouse is a popular choice).

6. Cook each side until golden (you’ll see bubbles begin to form when it’s time to flip). Top with butter and maple syrup and enjoy.

Related: 10 Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipes for Kids to Simplify Your Mornings

If you know a toddler, then you’ve heard of CoComelon—the #1 kids channel on YouTube with a gazillion subscribers (chances are you’re one of them!). We love CoComelon for its oh-so-catchy tunes and adorable characters—it’s “edutainment” at its finest! Big news: CoComelon Toys from Jazwares has dropped its latest line of toys to learn, play and sing along with. Just like the series, these toys are in seriously high demand, so we’ve put together a list of the hottest new CoComelon Toys from Jazwares, based on your kiddo’s favorite CoComelon tune!

Hot tip: Shop now, because these coveted CoComelon Toys from Jazwares are sure to sell out quickly! (Not to mention… you want to ensure they have time to make it to you with all the shipping issues going on… ) Ready? Go forth, shop, and bring the world of CoComelon to life for your favorite tiny bean this holiday season!


If They're a Fan of Yes, Yes Vegetables

Deluxe Interactive JJ Doll

Press JJ's tummy to activate sounds and hear songs! When it’s time for JJ to eat, the peas “disappear” from the spoon when you feed him!

$29.99 BUY NOW

If Clean Up Song Is Their Jam

Deluxe Family House Playset

JJ's interactive playhouse features favorite songs like Skidamarink and Clean Up Song—plus it comes with a carrying handle for on-the-go play!

$39.99 BUY NOW

If They Can't Resist the Bath Song

Musical Bathtime Playset

This set includes two bath squirters and a cleaning cloth for JJ and TomTom. Press the warm water button to play CoComelon’s Bath Song!

$24.99 BUY NOW

If Your Kiddo Gets Excited to See Ms. Appleberry

School Time Deluxe Playtime Set

Welcome to Melon Patch Academy! The deluxe playtime set includes a table, cot, chair, easel, and teacher Ms. Appleberry to create a real school setting!

$24.99 BUY NOW

If Are We There Yet Is Their Favorite Tune

Deluxe Family Car

Play and sing along to the Are We There Yet song! Press the CoComelon button to hear car sounds like a horn, engine and more!

$19.99 BUY NOW

If They Jump for Jellybean

Pop n’ Play House Playset

This playset includes two chairs, a table, a toilet and the lovable JJ and Jellybean, the class pet!

$19.99 BUY NOW

If They Love Learning Colors with the Colors Song

Lunchbox Playset

Discover color by sorting shapes, learn to count, learn about different foods and more!

$19.99 BUY NOW

Happy shopping!

 

—Jamie Aderski

 

CoComelon™ Copyright © 2021 Moonbug Entertainment. © 2021 Jazwares, LLC. All rights reserved.