Staycation: Giant Bubble Maker

Create your own Giant Bubble Maker with some string and a few straws. Visit Come Together Kids for the tute.

Staycation: Make Your Own Compass

Quirky Momma has a tutorial for kids to make their own compass.

Red, White and Blue Fruit "Cake"

Surprise your family and friends with this cake-free layer 'cake' made out of fruit!

• prep time 30 Min
• total time 30 Min
• servings 12

 

1 package (8 oz) fat-free cream cheese, softened

1container (6 oz) Yoplait® Greek Fat Free honey-vanilla or plain yogurt

1/3 cup sugar

3 (8-inch) round slices seedless watermelon, rind removed (each 1 inch thick)

3 cups blue and red berries (choose from blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries)

• 1 In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, yogurt and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed about 30 seconds or until smooth.
• 2 Just before serving, place 1 watermelon round on serving platter; top with one-third of the cream cheese mixture. Place half of the berries on top of cream cheese. Gently place second watermelon round over berries. Repeat layers of cream cheese mixture, berries (saving a few for the top) and watermelon round. Spread remaining cream cheese mixture on top, and garnish with remaining berries. 

• Expert Tips

  For a fresh flavor, stir grated lemon peel into the cream cheese mixture, and garnish with lemon curls.
  The fruit and yogurt can be made up to 2 hours ahead. Just wait until just before serving to assemble for best results.
   

so cool! Staycation: Frozen Painting

Visit Hands On As We Grow to see how her kids use frozen paint cubes to create masterpieces as they melt in the sun!

thanks momsbyheart

Bath Paint...Fun in the Tub!!

I found this great idea on one of my favorite blogs, Meet the Dubiens, and knew immediately it was something my kids would love.

Homemade Bath Paint!

All you need to make this is baby wash, corn starch and a few drops of food coloring!

All you do is mix 1 C of body wash, 4 TBSP of corn starch, and one drop of food coloring. Really...just one! A little bit goes a long way, and this way there will be no staining!

I put them in some small tupperware containers I had on hand and store them in my kids bathroom. When we want to use them I pull them out, give my kids some paint brushes and they will play for EVER in the tub!

I also think these would make fun birthday gifts or party favors too. I know my kids may be getting some in their Easter baskets later in the year :) Have a wonderful day everyone!!

 

 

thanks, momsbyheart

Five Ways to Use Overripe Bananas

I love bananas, but it seems that every time I buy a bunch they turn brown before they’re eaten—what a waste of food and money!  Check out these five ways to use overripe bananas (ripe, yellow bananas will work too) around the house, garden and kitchen:

1. Shoe Polish: If your dress shoes are looking a little scuffed,  buff them using a banana peal. Banana peels contain oil and potassium—two of the main ingredients in shoe polish. But unlike store-bought shoe polish, a banana peal is cheap, non-toxic, and biodegradable. Place your palm against the peel and rub it all over the exterior of a leather shoe. Use a clean, soft cloth to remove any excess oil, banana pieces, and those stringy things (FYI: in case you’re ever a contestant on Jeopardy, the technical name for the stringy things inside bananas is phloem bundles.)
2. House Plant Fertilizer: Put a banana peel in 12 ounces of water to make “banana juice.” Add one part “banana juice” and five parts water to your watering can. Use this solution to water your houseplants as normal. The banana-fortified solution contains phosphorous and other beneficial compounds.
3. Rosebush Fertilizer: Add banana peels to the soil around a rosebush soil as non-toxic fertilizer. The peels, just like store-bought garden fertilizer, contain potash and phosphorous to nourish your delicate flowers. To make fertilizer, finely chop the peels and then spread the pieces around the base of the rosebush. Sprinkle some dirt on top to promote decomposition. Water.
4. Smoothie Base: When making smoothies, have you ever added crushed ice to the blender only to end up with a watery, diluted smoothie? That’s because the ice melts during blending process. For a creamy, non-diluted smoothie, use slices of frozen, overripe banana instead of ice. Cut your  peeled banana into bite-sized slices. Lay out the slices on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and freeze them for 40 minutes. When the slices are frozen, place them in a freezer bag for storage. This method prevents the slices from sticking and also allows for single portions.
5. Baked Goods: Overripe bananas taste as good as ever in baked goods. Mash the peeled bananas with a fork and transfer to freezer bags. Label with the number of mushed bananas. To use, defrost and use as you would regular banana. I’m partial to the following simple, scrumptious recipe:

Simple Banana Bread
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Oven Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:

• 4 frozen, overripe bananas, mashed (or 4 ripe bananas, mashed)
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Then mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour and mix. Pour the mixture into a buttered 4×8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove bread from pan and slice to serve.

thanks, thekrazycouponlady

Minty Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats

Here’s an easy no-bake summer treat that the kids can help with.

Minty Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats

Print

Recipe type: dessert

Prep time: 15 mins

Total time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 6 c. Rice Krispies Cereal
• 4 c. Miniature Marshmallows
• 2 Tbs. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• 3 Tbs. + 1 tsp. Butter, divided
• 1 c. Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1 c. Mint Baking Chips (I like Andes Creme de Menthe)

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, melt 3 Tbs. butter.
2. Mix in mini marshmallows and cocoa powder.
3. Cook on low until thoroughly melted, stirring constantly.
4. Remove from heat and add Rice Krispies cereal.
5. Spread onto a 13×9″ baking pan that has been sprayed with Pam or covered in wax paper.
6. FOR THE CHOCOLATE TOPPING:
7. In a double boiler, combine 1 tsp. butter, chocolate chips and mint chips.
8. Cook until melted, stirring frequently.
9. Pour over Rice Krispies mixture and refrigerate until chocolate is solid.

Chalk Spray

I love chalk.   It is so fun to watch my kids make designs on our driveway.   But it is sooooo messy, isn’t it? Besides the guaranteed bath after chalk time you also have to do a load of laundry.   Well here is a pretty mess-free solution to your child’s creativity.   Chalk Spray! It is easy to make and fun to spray.

Supplies:

1 tsp. washable tempera paint

1 cup of hot water

1/2 cup of cornstarch

squirt of dishwashing liquid

1 squirt bottle

1.   Add cornstarch to one cup of hot water whisking to mix so that there are no clumps.
2.   Add one teaspoon of washable tempura paint and a quirt of dishwashing liquid.   Mix well.
3.   Pour it into your squirt bottles and shake well.
Watch your kids enjoy making designs and pictures on your driveway.   I always spray my driveway down when we are done to avoid any staining.   After you let your spray sit a while it will separate.   Shake it really well before you use it each time.

DIY: Make Your Own No-Slip Socks!

If you have hardwood floors or slippery kitchen tiles you have probably seen a child take a  spill or two. Ouch! Slick floors can pose a danger to little ones just learning to toddle or to rambunctious older kids. Here is a quick trick to add traction to a child’s socks (and kids can help with this fun project):

You need:

• Clean socks.
• Puffy fabric paint. Find tubes at craft stores and even some dollar stores. Make sure the paint is specific for use on fabric, or it will wash away. Spend no more than $3.00.

Easy steps:

• Apply dime-sized dots of the puffy paint to the bottom of the socks. Or, apply the paint in thin rows.
• Once the bottom of the sock is covered in this pattern, lay flat and allow to dry about 24 hours.

With new, special traction socks, kids can run around the house like maniacs without the risk of taking a spill (no promises about your furniture)! This trick also works on socks for seniors who need extra traction.

Thanks Real Simple