Ghostly Ghouls
Make these cheerful Halloween ghosties and your trick or treating will be fearfully fun What you’ll need: Tissue paper or cheesecloth Round balloons Drinking glass (to use as stands) White craft glue Water Bowl Paintbrush Large wiggle eyes Battery operated tea lights (found in craft store) Scissors How to make it: Partially blow up balloons, (water balloons size works well)... Read More
Thumbprint Petal Vase
Show your grandparents just how special they really are by creating a unique gift made with your own fingers…literally! It’s simple and fun to do. Most importantly, your love will stay in bloom throughout the year! Supplies Need: Smooth Glass Vase Glass Paint (your choice of colors) Paint Brush Little Fingers How to Make: Paint your child’s thumb with paint (we used... Read More
Psychedelic Flower-Power Pots
These colorful plant holders are far-out, man! Plenty of summer days left, so there’s still time to plant a pretty petunia in this groovy pot and enjoy some fab flowers. What you’ll need: Terra cotta pot – use a 6 or 8 inch pot Terra cotta pot sealer – found at the hardware store in the gardening section near the pots Acrylic paints – assorted colors Brushes Clear glass... Read More
Get Egg-cited with Crazy Crepes
A kid-friendly recipe the whole family can enjoy There’s a reason for the adage, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” It’s because breakfast provides an opportunity to get important nutrients that are difficult to make up over the course of the day. In addition, children and adults who eat breakfast regularly tend to have healthier body weights than breakfast... Read More
Colorful Stained Glass Block
Let your creative light shine through Any time you can get the kids involved in a craft that doesn’t have to be hung on the refrigerator, it’s a good thing. This pretty stained glass block is easy to make and incredibly useful on a windowsill, in front of a candle, or as a gift for Mom on her special day. It’s clearly a craft for family members of all ages and artistic abilities. What... Read More
Watermelon Raspberry Lemonade
6 cups watermelon cubes (seeds removed) 1/4 cup raspberries 1 cup water 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 cup lemon juice Directions: Place watermelon, raspberries, and water in container of electric blender, cover and blend until smooth. Strain through fine mesh strainer into pitcher. Stir in sugar and lemon juice until sugar dissolves. Refrigerate until... Read More
Watermelon Boat
1 watermelon — can be seeded or seedless Cutting board Kitchen and paring knives Pencil or thin marker Large bowl and spoon or ice cream scoop Blue gelatin Small plastic container Small beach themed items Gummy fish Directions: Use an oblong seedless watermelon, and cut a 1/4-inch slice off the bottom to provide a stable base. Draw lines in a wave design with a sharp pencil... Read More
Boom-Boom Strawberry Pops
Chocolate dipped strawberries rank right up there with apple pie as favorite American gourmet treats…The kids can help makes these fruit pops and nibble on them while ooo-ing and aaah-ing during the fireworks display. Ingredients: 15-20 large strawberries 3 squares of chocolate melting bark Red, white, and blue sprinkles 20 Skewers Directions: Melt the chocolate in a small... Read More
Cheeseburger Sliders
Enjoy these easy-to-make mini delights and let the fun begin! Cheeseburger Sliders by Bonnie Banda Ingredients: 1 medium onion (about 1 cup finely chopped) 1 1/2 lb lean ground beef 2 garlic cloves, pressed 1 tsp. salt 6 slices American cheese 24 Martin’s mini rolls (find these in the supermarket bread isle) 24 hamburger dill pickle slices Mustard (optional) Directions: Preheat... Read More
Fabulous Fourth Backyard Bash
What’s a spectacular fireworks display without your favorite food? But who wants to spend hours in the kitchen feeding family and friends, when there are sparklers to light, and firecrackers to set off? Orlando Family has put together an easy-peasey menu so guests can serve themselves, and the chef can sit on the blanket and enjoy the fireworks display. Just add a tossed salad,... Read More
Bagel with Seeds…A Treat That’s, Literally, for the Birds!
Make a feeder for your feathered friends. They’ll be all a-twitter. Our backyard birds need a snack too, you know. These bird feeders are cute as can be, and easy for little hands to make! What you will need: ½ bagel 1 teaspoon peanut butter (smooth or crunchy – birds like both!) 1 teaspoon shortening Birdseed in a shallow bowl or plate A small dowel, green plant stake, or... Read More
Get Out and Grow!
Creating a Family Garden – Education and fun in the great outdoors How many times have you begged your kids to go outside and play, only to have them whine, “But, Moooomm, there’s nothing to do…” With Xbox, Wii, and iPods, we can’t deny that our kids are living in a mind-numbing world of digital sensory overload. Are you looking for a way to unplug them from their... Read More
Going Green with Homemade Container Gardens
Self-Watering, Low Maintenance, and Impressive Produce How would you like to grow fabulous vegetables without having to worry about weeding, watering, or pests? Your kids won’t believe how much fun it is to grow and harvest food that’s fun to eat. We won’t tell them the veggies are good for them, if you don’t. Here’s how to construct a self-watering planter to hold your... Read More
Punched Tin Candleholders for Valentine’s Day
Light your family’s table with “love”ly luminaries from the heart Tin punching became popular in America during Colonial times because decorative items made out of tin were durable, lighter, and less expensive than those made out of silver or crockery. The art is still used today for decorating homes with Colonial period pieces. Not only will tin punching teach our kids... Read More
There’s No Place Like a “Gnome Home”
Gnome Homes Whimsical gnome homes of all sizes will add a touch of color and playfulness to your winter flower beds. They are so easy to make and kids of any age can paint them! Buy your rocks from a craft store or collect a few while on vacation. Larger rocks will be easier for younger kids to decorate. • Wash your rocks to make sure your paint will adhere. • Using... Read More
Make Your Own Dream Catcher
What is a dream catcher? Dream catchers are one of the most fascinating Native American traditions. According to legend, the hole in the center of the web allows good dreams to flow through to the person sleeping. The bad dreams are trapped in the web itself until the morning sun makes them fade away. Each dream catcher is unique, and kids will have fun scavenging items to... Read More
