Category: Big kid fun

15 Ways to Give Your Child a Perfect Day

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date June 15, 2019
36 Comments on 15 Ways to Give Your Child a Perfect Day

Give your child a perfect day, perfect day for birthday, perfect one on one day

Whether it is for a kid/parent date, a special day for your birthday boy, or a day that’s just all about [name of child here], there are plenty of reasons to give your child a perfect day. With 5 kids in our house, it is SO hard to give the kids the undivided attention they desperately crave, which is why I decided to come up with the “perfect day” idea for my kids.

It all started when I began implementing scheduled dates where each child would get one on one time with one parent. Chris (my husband) and I take turns taking the kids on dates, one at a time.

I got tired of having to spend a ton of money each time, however, and had to start brainstorming more child/parent date ideas that were relatively inexpensive. That is when I decided to start having some of the dates be all day adventures, full of things that my kids love to do but I don’t always get the time to participate in.

How to Give Your Child a Perfect Day

1. Make their favorite breakfast.

There is no better way to give your child a perfect day than to start it out with their favorite breakfast. If they want to help cook or prepare it, definitely let them do it, but, if not, you can put on their favorite cartoon and let them relax until it is time to eat. My kids always choose pancakes, waffles, bacon, or all of the above LOL.

2. Go to the park and actually play with them on the playground.

I’m guilty of taking my kids to the park and then finding a comfortable place to sit and read a book, especially with my 5 year old. Now that he’s more independent it’s easy to let him play on his own, even though I know he loves it when I actually play WITH him. When I’m giving him a perfect day, however, we do things like play tag, hide n seek, or the floor is lava on and around the play equipment.

3. Go on a nature hike, and spend time noticing the little things.

Some of the parks we go to have trails that go through the woods, but if we are playing at one that doesn’t, we have nature trails nearby. The Dahlem Center is our favorite place, and I like to let the kids choose which way we go. We’ve been hundreds of times and I still don’t think we’ve seen all there is to see there.

Walk with your child on a trail and look at every little thing they point out. If they want to walk slowly, you walk slowly, too. This day is just for them, after all, so let them set the pace no matter how much you want to hurry along.

4. Talk with them, but try to do more listening than talking.

Throughout the activities of their perfect day, spend time talking and listening to your child. There are so many things they want to tell you, but when you are surrounded by the rest of the family it may be hard to get it all in. Let your child express themselves and chat your ear off all day long.

5. Let them help you make a lunch of their choice.

Sometimes, instead of making lunch, we stop and have lunch at the place of their choice. If you do make the lunch at home, however, let your child help you. I find that one of the better bonding times spent with my kids is when we are cooking together.

6. Take a nap with them, or have quiet time with them.

Instead of putting them in their bedroom alone for nap or quiet time, go with them. Lay in their bed and just cuddle, talk quietly, or read books together. Just having you there with them will mean the world to your child.

7. Play their favorite outside game.

After quiet time, head outside for a while and play whatever your child wants to play. This is the perfect time for you to play those games that you normally don’t have time to participate in.

8. Build a fort with them.

All of my kids like to make forts. They are constantly asking me to build one with them, but, on a normal day, I’ll enlist when one of the other kids to help instead. On their perfect day, however, this changes and I build the biggest and best fort with them

9. Watch their favorite movie in the fort while eating their favorite snacks.

Since you have to make the most of your fort, you should gather all the best snacks and bring them into the fort. We also like to grab pillows and blankets so we can get extra comfortable. Then, you should let your child choose a movie to watch from inside of the fort while you enjoy those snacks.

10. Take them to the dollar store and let them pick out a few items.

My kids choose their weirdest stuff, and that is perfectly okay. Oftentimes, we buy a package of balloons, blow them all up, and play games with those for a long time at home.

Other times, we buy paint and make artwork. You can even find dress up items and snacks that your kids will love! It’s not about the quality here, it’s just about giving your kid an amazing day.

11. Participate in whatever play activity they ask of you.

Don’t tell your child no today (unless it’s a safety hazard or expensive). If your child asks you to play, then go play! This is their perfect day, and they will love nothing more than you playing with them with all of their favorite toys.

12. Let the child choose and help cook dinner.

Okay, let’s get real here… you may not be able to keep your entire family out of the house for the entire day, so dinner time may include the rest of the family. Even so, this is still one child’s perfect day, so let them choose dinner and help cook it if they want to.

13. If they like baths, let them play in the bath extra long.

My kids LOVE bath time, but, with 3 littles who needs baths, I tend to rush them along. During their perfect day, though, they get to spend as much time as they’d like playing in the bathtub.

14. Read an extra book or two at bedtime.

I’m not one to say no to extra books anyway, but there is a point where I’m thinking I just want to go and read my OWN book LOL. The perfect day means they should get extra, however, so sometimes that means I’m reading to them for an hour straight or until they fall asleep.

We don’t just read the words, we also look at and discuss the pictures and events that are occurring in the book. With my 5 year old, I ask if he recognizes any of the words on the page, too.

15. Lay with your child as they fall asleep.

Allow them to ask questions or talk while you lay together instead of shushing them for bedtime. They’ll get sleepy and quiet eventually, and then they’ll fall asleep.

Important Tips For Giving Your Child a Perfect Day

You must be present!

This is the first and most important tip. Your child craves your undivided attention, so make sure you’re giving it to them most of the day. This is their perfect day, after all, so put the phone, computer, laptop, tablet, etc. away and be present for your child.

Customize the day for your child.

Each child is different, so you may have to change things around a bit. With my daughter, we make time for DIY facials, mani’s, and pedi‘s. This is our “thing”, so we make sure to do it each time. It’s her favorite part!

Listen to your child – even the things they aren’t saying.

If your child doesn’t seem to be enjoying an activity on their perfect day, move on! Definitely don’t take it personally, instead take note for next time that they would rather do something else.

Final Thoughts On Ways to Give Your Child a Perfect Day

At the end of your child’s perfect day, your child will go to bed so happy and feeling so loved and noticed. There is nothing better than that, and it is something your child will remember for a very long time. If you make this kind of thing a regular tradition, your child will remember it for the rest of their lives and maybe even pass it along to their own kids someday.

You may also find that after you give your child a perfect day you’ll feel great, as well. While you may have skipped housework or other things you need to get done at home, seeing your child so happy and spending one on one time with them will make it all worth it.

What would you do to give your child a perfect day? Tell me about it in the comments! I may just add it to our own perfect day routine.

Tags big kid, big kid activities, Birthday, Date night, Family Activities, How to, little kid, nature, Parenting, Preschool, summer, Summer Fun, Teenager, Things to Do, Toddler, toddler activities, tot school

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19 Things to Do In Summer 2019 – A Summer Bucket List

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date June 4, 2019
16 Comments on 19 Things to Do In Summer 2019 – A Summer Bucket List

things to do this summer bucket list printable, summer 2019

We get 18 delicious summers with our children. This is one of your 18. If that’s not perspective, I don’t know what is.”
-Jessica Scott

Believe it or not, summer will be here before we know it. My big kids only have one week of school left, and my preschooler has been done for almost two weeks now. Our summer shenanigans are so close to starting that I can already feel it, hence the need for a summer bucket list.

This is the first summer in 3 years that I haven’t been a stay at home mom, but that isn’t going to stop us from having all the same fun as usual. I just have to plan a little more strategically to get in all of the same activities. One bonus, though, is that since I’m working this year, we’ll have a little extra money to do stuff we’ve had to miss out on in the past.

Since my littles are getting older and are able to express what they want, I’m excited to get their input for our Summer Bucket List. If you have been following my blog already, you know that I love printables, so, of course, I have a printable for my kids to fill in their own bucket list.

I created these printables last year, and my littles were still too small to understand the concept of filling in their own. My big kids loved it, though, so we are just using the same one again this year. I’m hoping my littles (ages 5, 3, and 2, BTW) will love it just as much this time around.

Summer Bucket List Ideas

Go to the beach
Go to the zoo
Make lemonade
Have a water fight
Have a bonfire, roast hot dogs, and make s’ mores
See a dollar movie
Go to a splash pad
Have a cookout
Visit a nature center
Watch fireworks
Watch a parade
Catch fireflies
Visit a library
Go to a garage sale
Play soccer
Play mini-golf
Go camping
Make homemade pizza
Go on a trip

Summer Bucket List Printables

To start, I know these printables have more than 19 activities on them. I made them last year, and we loved them so much that I didn’t want to recreate a new one.

All 19 activities are on the list, so you can think of the rest of them as bonus activities. 😉 If you’d prefer to only do the 19, however, you can print a blank template and just write in the 19 activities to do this summer.

How to Plan The Summer

Since I have to plan a little more effectively this year, I created and printed some blank calendars for the summer months. I then looked at my summer bucket list and picked a date for each activity. I spread the activities out throughout the entire summer so that the fun can last the entire three months.

Final Thoughts On Things to Do This Summer – A Summer Bucket List

Summer may seem like it will go on forever, but it’ll be over before you know it. You only have three short months to make memories with your kids before they go back to school, start a new grade, and grow a year older. Make the most of it this year so that you can look back with no regrets.
What activities do you make sure to do every summer with your kids?

Tags big kid, big kid activities, Family Activities, little kid, Parenting, Plans, Printables, summer, Summer Fun, Teenager, Things to Do, toddler activities

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30 Things to Do This Spring With Free Spring Bucketlist Printable

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date May 15, 2019
12 Comments on 30 Things to Do This Spring With Free Spring Bucketlist Printable

Spring is FINALLY here and while the temperatures in Michigan still keep slipping into the high 30’s, I think we will soon get some relief. Since next week is supposed to be significantly warmer, I knew I had to move quickly and take the list of things to do this spring out of my notebook and turn it into an actual printable.

I swear, in Michigan, we get 6 months of winter temperatures, 2 WEEKS of spring temperatures, and then the summer temperatures come in full force. It’s a little insane if you think about it.

We have already knocked out a few of the suggestions on the list, but I had only been keeping track in my notebook before creating the free printable. My kids were super excited to check things off the list when I printed it to hang up, though, so I’m glad I let them take over with the tracking!

Anyhow, without further ado, here is the list of 30 things to do this spring:

Things to Do This Spring

1. Go on a nature scavenger hunt.

Sylas (4) LOVES scavenger hunts. Any type of activity where he has a to search, hunt, or follow a map is right up his ally. Since spring brings on a whole new range of textures, sights, and smells, I thought a nature scavenger would be best. This gives the littles a chance to explore the fresh earth and all that it has to offer.

A quick Pinterest post led me to the perfect nature scavenger hunt. I planned on creating one myself, but since this one was so perfect, I didn’t bother.

2. Fly a kite.

Spring is pretty breezy, which means it’s the perfect time to fly a kite. Find a spot that’s slightly higher than just a flat area of land, and the flight will soar so high.

We are lucky and have a park just minutes away from our house with a huge hill. My kids go to the top of the hill to fly their kites and from down below, it is pretty magical. When they do it, the kites rarely hit the ground, either, which is pretty awesome.

3. Play tag at the park.

It’s true that you can play tag at home without ever leaving the house, but it just isn’t as fun. By going to the park to play tag instead of doing it the usual way, you are allowing your children to play one of their favorite games in a totally new environment, and how cool will that be for them?!

4. Jump in puddles.

Make use of all the rain that spring brings with it, and have some fun jumping in those puddles. This is the perfect time to pull out the rainboots but, if you don’t have any or don’t feel like looking, just go barefoot!

5. Plant or tend a garden.

Believe it or not, kids LOVE to learn about the land we live on. This is the perfect way to allow them to learn, have fun, and do something productive. I have many flower gardens throughout our yard and half of them were planted by my kids over the last few years. It’s so much fun for the kids to see their hard work pay off when the plants grow into something beautiful.

You can plant flowers or vegetables. Kids tend to try new foods if they made them, so I’m thinking that if they were to plant and grow their own vegetables, they may be more likely to eat them? I’m not sure if that logic works but it’s worth a shot!

6. Have an ice cream bar.

On one of the warmer nights, set out the ingredients for an ice cream bar. This could include multiple flavors of ice cream, chocolate syrup, bananas, candy pieces, sprinkles, chocolate chips, cherries, whipped cream, and anything else that you enjoy on your ice cream. To make this one even more fun, you can take your kids to the store and let them choose their own toppings.

7. Go for a walk or hike.

This may be one of the easiest suggestions on the list, to be honest. This is because it’s free, easy, and there is no prep work involved. You can take a walk around your neighborhood, or you can venture out and find some good hiking trails in your area.

8. Have a game night.

My kids LOVE game night. We get out all the kid games and play them one after another until the kids get bored or I bribe them with a movie. Come on… as much as we love game night, you have to admit that we can only settle so many arguments before we’ve had enough.

Anyhow, we choose some yummy snacks (mostly store bought, but we also let the kids choose a few homemade options).

9. Feed the ducks.

This is something that I have never done before, which is pretty crazy if you think about it. I’m super excited to take my kids to do it. There is this super cute park in my city that is pretty popular for feeding ducks (and it has a super old train that kids love!), so I plan on going there.

Now that I think about it, though, I don’t even know what to feed ducks. Is it bread? I’ll have to google that in a minute.

10. Have a barbeque.

Make sure it’s kid friendly! Unless you don’t have kids, that is. Then make it 100% grown up friendly. Since I have kids, however, mine will have to be kid friendly.

That means hotdogs, hamburgers, and lots of kid friendly side dishes. I’ll probably do this one with a bunch of the other outside, at home ones while the food is cooking. No one says you can’t combine multiple ideas from the list at one time. 😉

11. Spend time star gazing.

Honestly, I feel like I don’t spend enough time simply enjoying the outdoors, especially at night time. Instead, I go inside the minute the sun is gone, preferring the bright warmth of my home.

This spring I plan on changing that and enjoying nature a little more. Disconnecting for a while and spending calming time with my kids while learning about our world sounds so peaceful. I also have a star gazing book I’ve been dying to put to use, so this will be the perfect time for that.

12. Blow bubbles.

Kids love, love, love to blow bubbles. All ages. Take some time to do this WITH them, and they’ll love it even more.

13. Draw with sidewalk chalk.

This is the perfect time to practice letters, numbers, sight words, name recognition, and art. The possibilities with sidewalk chalk are limitless. You can also pull out some classic sidewalk chalk games such as tic tac toe and hopscotch. Another fun idea is to draw lines on the ground and have your kids walk on them.

14. Have a picnic.

Kick off your shoes, settle back on a blanket, and unpack your picnic basket. Kids love to have picnics, and it is the perfect time to simply talk and unwind with your littles.

15. Read books outside.

So this probably won’t go as planned, but I envision all of us sitting calmly, relaxing while reading books outside. My kids will probably run around instead, but it gives me a good excuse to read outside and maybe, just maybe, my kids will join me for a little while.

16. Play hide and seek outside.

Face it, everyone in your house knows all of the hiding places inside. It isn’t even fun anymore when you already know where to look. Take the game outside now that the weather is nice!! Set a few ground rules to ensure that everyone remembers to be safe, pair a grown up or big kid with the toddlers, and search for new hiding places!!

17. Watch the sunset.

Is there anything more relaxing and breathtaking than a sunset? End one of your perfect spring days this way, and invite your kids to enjoy it, too.

18. Have a movie night.

Make it complete with popcorn, movie theater candy, and a yummy drink. Let loose a little and let your kids have a fun night laughing at their favorite movie with you and their siblings. It’ll be a night they’ll remember for years to come.

19. Make a spring craft.

I never need an excuse to make crafts, and if you give me an excuse, I may go a little bit crazy. Spring is the best time to do crafts because you can get a little bit messier than normal by moving craft time outside.

Paint a little more, use nature-inspired items on crafts, and maybe even incorporate some ice cubes or squirt guns. Luckily, Pinterest has TONS of options to choose from, and if you follow me on Pinterest I have a board already dedicated to it.

20. Play catch.

Baseball, football, whatever kind of ball you’ve got… just get outside and play catch. So many memories and bonding moments can happen during these seemingly little moments.

21. Paint rocks outside.

Go on an adventure and find your own rocks to paint! This will make them even more special. When you’re done you can save them or head out and hide them around town for others to find later.

22. Run barefoot in the grass.

My kids have already done this a million times this spring, so I think I can cross it off now.

23. Look for shapes in the clouds.

This is another time to lay back, unwind, and give your kids a chance to talk to you. Even better, it may just be a good time to laugh and be silly with them.

24. Shaving cream play outside.

Wear play clothes (or work clothes if you’re an adult), and get messy with shaving cream. I intend to work on letters, numbers, and sight words with my kids, but I know it’ll eventually turn into kids being covered in shaving cream. If it’s warm enough, you can just use a hose to clean off.

25. Have a bonfire.

In the spring, the evenings can be pretty chilly, so after the sun sets, light a fire and put on a hoodie to stay warm. Make it an even better night by roasting some marshmallows and making s’mores.

26. Go to yard sales.

Yard sale signs are the first indicator that spring is here. Stop by a few and let your kids grab a couple toys that may or may not break by the end of the day. You might get lucky and find some super cute home décor, a new patio set, or something even better.

27. Have a toy car carwash.

Get some hot wheels cars dirty and let your kids clean them with toothbrushes, soap, and water. If your kids are anything like my kids, they LOVE water play. Add in some cars and soap and it’s going to be the best day ever.

28. Watch a sports game.

This should be easy to do if you just hit up your local sports field on a Saturday morning. You’ll likely find soccer, baseball, tennis, or track this time of year.

If you have kids in spring sports, you’ve likely already watched a sports game or two this year. I’m in your boat, and I’ve written a post about how to survive spring sports season.

29. Go for a drive and find a new park.

I’m pretty sure that we’ve already played at every park near me, so this may take a trip to a nearby city. I love to explore and I know that my kids do, too, so I think it’ll be fun!! This may just have to be our picnic day.

30. Collect plants and other items to make into artwork.

You can make a collage, a picture frame, letters or a name, or anything else that you little artists come up with. Let them choose their own materials and follow their own ideas. It’ll be fun for everyone, and it is the perfect time to teach them (show them) about trial and error.

Things to Do This Spring Bucket List – Free Printable

My kids always LOVE to check items off of a list. They likely get this trait from their list-loving mother, but I’d say she isn’t that bad. 😉

Since we all agree that lists are awesome, I tend to create bucket list printables for every occasion. To thank you for reading my blog, I’m giving the printables away for FREE. Feel free to download and print the spring bucket list printable so that you never forget the 30 things to do this spring, and please send it along to a friend who may like one, as well!!

Okay, I may have gone a bit crazy and created three different printables, but I couldn’t help myself. Choose whichever one you like best!!! The link for each one is below the corresponding picture, just click where it says “Spring bucket list”.

Final Thoughts On Spring Bucket List – 30 Things to Do This Spring

Spring is finally here, and you have to get moving if you want to do all of the spring-inspired activities! Spring doesn’t last long, unfortunately.

What are some of your ideas for things to do this spring? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

Tags big kid, big kid activities, craft, Family Activities, little kid, nature, Parenting, Plans, Printables, spring, Teenager, Toddler, toddler activities

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10 Memorable Easter Ideas To Make This Year Special

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date April 16, 2019
4 Comments on 10 Memorable Easter Ideas To Make This Year Special

easter, make easter memorable, easy easter with kids, easter egg fillers that aren't candy, non-candy easter egg hunt, easter dinner, easter traditions

In the past, Easter hasn’t been a very memorable holiday for my family. We celebrate with one side of the family the week before Easter, and then not at all with the other side of the family.

We would do Easter baskets in the morning, and then our big kids would head off to spend the day with their mom’s side of the family. The rest of us would just hang out at home and eat “normal day” foods for dinner. We always made it a fun day and spent lots of time playing with the littles, and we would make sure to do a small Easter egg hunt, but it was never an Easter worth remembering.

This year, I am looking forward to something completely different for Easter. I want this Easter to memorable and exciting, so I have spent the last few weeks searching for ideas and preparing for the big day, and I can’t wait until we get to celebrate!

10 Memorable Easter Ideas to Make This Year Special

1. Start the day with an Easter-themed breakfast

While the highlight of Easter morning is normally seeing what goodies the Easter bunny brought, breakfast could be a close second. I found the cutest Easter bunny pancakes while I was browsing Pinterest and immediately added them to my list of Easter festivities.

Since my little Liam is allergic to egg I will have to use my own recipe or substitute for the egg, but the idea will still be the same. I can’t wait to see my kids’ reaction when they see their Easter breakfast!!

memorable easter — Image from DIY Candy (click here for the link)

2. Decorate with fresh flowers

I am absolutely in love with having fresh flowers displayed around my home. Not only do they look beautiful, but they also add a fresh scent to the air that can’t be faked in any way. Love, love, love it.

For me, Easter is the day when I really start to feel like Spring is here (or near). I am hoping my family all feels that way on Easter, and having flowers decorating the house should help with that.

3. Cook a traditional Easter dinner

I know many people cook on the grill on Easter but, for our family, that doesn’t seem very Easter-y. I mean, we cook on the grill so often during the spring and summer that I feel like it just makes Easter seem like any other day.

Having a traditional Easter dinner will make the day seem more festive and special, so my menu this year consists of ham, scalloped potatoes, Easter bunny shaped rolls, asparagus, carrots, and a variety of fruits.

4. Fill plastic Easter eggs with something other than candy

My kids get a ton of candy at our family Easter egg hunt so I hate buying them more candy for our own hunt. In the past, I have done it anyway and ended up with more candy than any family needs in a lifetime.

This year, I am going to fill the plastic Easter eggs with non-candy items instead. At first, I struggled to come up with a variety of items small enough for plastic Easter eggs so, in case you’re like me, I’m including my list of ideas for the Easter egg hunt.

Non-Candy Easter Egg Fillers

Tattoos
Plastic rings
A necklace
Pieces of papers with numbers that correspond with a specific larger item (kite, bubbles, chalk, activity book, etc.)
Un-inflated balloons
Tiny figurines (Dollar General has Paw Patrol characters that are small enough to fit)
Fingernail polish
“Coupons” (stay up 30 minutes past bedtime, have an extra 30 minutes of screen time, choose your favorite snack at the store, no chores for a day/week, etc.)
Coin money
Paper money
Hotwheels cars (I had to open the package to fit the car in the egg)
Goldfish crackers
Raisins

This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.

5. Have an “Easter egg hunt” for adults (AKA: Beer hunt)

Easter isn’t just for the kids!! Get out there and have some fun. You deserve it after all the careful planning you did for Easter!

Have a non-drinking adult hide the beer around the yard, and then the rest of the adults all rush off to see how many they can find. You keep (and drink) whatever you find, of course!

6. Do memorable Easter crafts

Easter crafts can be done anytime leading up to Easter, so you can get extra creative with this ideas. This is handy because you won’t have to squeeze all of the fun stuff into one single day. It also makes it possible for you to help your littles with their crafts, or you can take the time to talk about the meaning of Easter while working on crafts with them.

On the actual day of, you can plan a craft that the kids can do all on their own since you’re likely to be pretty busy that day.

Image from Fun Learning For Kids (click for link)

A fun idea for a craft during the Easter day celebration is coloring pages. Kids will be able to do this at their leisure, and they won’t require adult assistance.

7. In the week leading up, do Easter-themed activities

This might be my most favorite part of any holiday. Easter is the most fun because of the plastic Easter egg idea, though. You can use plastic Easter eggs for so many activities, learning concepts, and sensory play.

Image from A Little Pinch of Perfect (click for link)

Some of the other Easter activities I want to do with my kids this week include:

8. Make a special dessert (or 3)

Dessert is my favorite part of the meal, so I plan on making it extra special. Just like with the adult Easter hunt, adults cannot be forgotten at dessert time, either. I plan on making a few desserts; one that the adults will love, one that the kids will love, and one that everyone will love. This way, no one will be disappointed.

Image from The Domestic Rebel (click for link)

9. Have fun Easter treats throughout the day

You can help your kids get by until dinner with yummy Easter treats. I plan on bringing out one treat when we first start our celebration preparation, one while the food is cooking, and one later on while the adults are catching up. I want these treats to be Easter-themed, but also kind of interactive and fun.

10. Easter “Nailed It” challenge

I am so, so, so excited about this part. This idea came from the TV show on Netflix, and if you haven’t watched “Nailed It” on Nexflix, I highly recommend it. I already bought Easter cookie cutters and we are going to make sugar cookies in the shape of eggs, flowers, bunnies, and other Easter or spring inspired shapes.

Once the cookies are baked and cooled, we are going to choose a couple design ideas from Pinterest and have a challenge to see who can come closer to nailing the design.

Final Thoughts On Memorable Easter Ideas

Easter tends to be a “forgotten” holiday in our family. We don’t ignore the holiday or anything, but we have never gone all out before. This year, I plan on changing that. I want to make this Easter memorable for everyone in my family, adults included.

Tell me about your Easter plans!!! What traditions does your family follow? What new ideas do you want to implement?

Tags Adult time, big kid, big kid activities, craft, Family Activities, Holiday, learning, Meal Plan, Parenting, Plans, Preschool, Recipe, The Barkleys, Things to Do, toddler activities, tot school

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Spring Sports Season: 5 Ways to Survive

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date April 2, 2019
5 Comments on Spring Sports Season: 5 Ways to Survive

The moment we have all been waiting for has finally arrived… SPRING IS HERE!! Do you know what tiny little event most of us forgot about? Spring sports season AKA: THE BUSIEST SPORTS SEASON OF THE YEAR.

I am so serious… spring sports seem to be busier than any other season. This may all be in my head (and the yearning for a relaxing summer schedule doesn’t help), but it is a problem none-the-less.

This year has gotten even busier for me since my pre-schooler is signed up for t-ball. So now we have our oldest on the high school soccer team, our 11-year-old playing major league baseball, and our preschooler playing t-ball.

spring sports, how to survive spring sports, spring sports for kids, how to be less busy

How Will We Survive the Spring Sports Season!?

When I realized that we would have so much going on every single day this spring, I began to panic. I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t pretty.

Then, after taking a deep breath and reminding myself that I have to do this no matter what, I started brain storming. We have done spring sports every year, the only difference is that this year will be a little (or a lot) busier. I realized I needed a plan.

To start, I started thinking back on our past spring sports seasons and then took notes on the following:

The items I commonly found myself needing but didn’t have
Our dinner predicament
The lack of time I had for anything else in my life (self-care, housework, quality time)
How to be in multiple places at one time (impossible, obviously)

From there, I was able to compile a list of ways to survive the spring sports season this year.

5 Ways to Survive Your Child’s Sports Season

1. Keep an “emergency” bag in the car full of things you might need.

This bag should contain all of the things you find yourself needing, but you never seem to have with you. I always find myself in this predicament where I’m asking all the other moms for ibuprofen or a jacket. This method doesn’t always work for me, so this season I plan on being ahead of the game.

Some of the things I plan on keeping in my emergency bag are:

ibuprofen or Tylenol
bottled water
snacks (for the kids and I both)
a jacket (it gets chilly toward the end!)
sunglasses
sunscreen
small toys for the littles

I plan on keeping this bag in the car at all times, and my goal is to not have to re-pack it each night before heading out.

2. Plan ahead for dinner

I know I’m not the only parent who gets stuck hitting up a fast-food drive thru after practice most nights, right?! I can’t do that again this year! Not only does it leave me feeling like a terrible mom, but it also just makes me feel so unhealthy, bloated, and frustrated with myself.

This year, I plan on using my crock pot for the nights that I know we won’t have time to cook. For other nights, I plan on packing sandwiches and yummy sides to take with us to practice.

Another option is to cook meals that can be reheated the next night for a quick and easy dinner. I plan on using my meal planning printable religiously because sticking to the plan will be so much easier that way.

3. Squeeze in some “free time” whenever you can

OK, I know this might seem impossible, but it is SO important. Self-care is still important, even when your kids’ lives are extremely busy. You have to take advantage when your partner offers to handle all the running around once in a while, or you could ask one of the other moms to pick your child up for practice in exchange for a night where you do the same for her.

Figure something out so that you can get your housework caught up, read a book, watch your favorite TV show, or even take a long shower without interruptions. You can also use this time to spend some quality time with your other kiddos, because quality time can easily be pushed to the back of your mind during this busy time of year.

4. Become comfortable with saying “no”

You don’t have time for everything, and the sooner you admit to that the better off you will be. Be picky about what invitations you are accepting, and be comfortable admitting that you don’t have the time (or energy) to volunteer for a bunch of extra events.

5. Plan carpools with the other parents, or split forces

During the spring sports season you will be spending a large amount of your time with the other sports parents. Chances are, many of them are just as busy as you are this time of year. You can offer the other parents a deal that might just help you both out (and if it doesn’t help them, maybe they’ll just do it to be kind).

The deal:

You take the kids to practice one night, and the other mom does it the next night.

Now, if this doesn’t work for you, you can always split forces with your child’s other parent. Rotating who will be responsible for practice each night can help with your kids’ overlapping schedules. Parent one will be at baseball practice while parent two will be picking up the teenager from soccer practice, and then rotate the next night.

Final Thoughts on Ways to Survive the Spring Sports Season

The spring sports season brings so many mixed emotions for me. While it is the busiest time of the year, so chaotic, and a bit overwhelming, it is so much fun to watch my kids doing what they love and making memories that will last forever.

My goal for this year’s spring sports season is to enjoy every bit of it. With these tips, I’m pretty confident it’ll happen. I can use all the help I can get, however, so leave a comment and tell us your best spring sports season hacks.

Tags big kid, big kid activities, Goals, How to, On my mind, Our Life, Parenting, Preschool, Self Care, Teenager

Big kid fun Family Activities Parenting Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

Cartoons From the Past to Watch With Your Kids

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date July 20, 2018
20 Comments on Cartoons From the Past to Watch With Your Kids

So I know you’ve heard someone complaining (or been the one complaining) that cartoons just aren’t as good as they used to be, right?! It’s so true! Well, I wanted to see if my kids agreed with this, or if they think our cartoons sucked.

My husband and I compiled a list of our favorite childhood cartoons and decided to watch them with our kids to see if they would enjoy them as much as we did.

There is an 11 year age difference between my husband and I but, surprisingly, we had a few of the same favorites!!

*Disclaimer: None of the cartoon images used in this post are my own. I have linked every picture to the original source and also included the source in the caption area, just to be safe. The graphics are mine, however.*

Cartoons From the Past to Watch With Your Kids

Tom and Jerry
This was my absolute FAVORITE when I was a kid. My brother and I watched it all the time and it never got old. My littles loved it, too. Josie said, “I don’t like the cat, I only like the mouse” and laughed her butt off watching. Sylas said it was a good choice and that, “I liked when the ants carried the mouse Jerry and I also liked the one where the cat Tom was trying to use Jerry to catch a fish like he is a worm”. We found episodes of Tom and Jerry on YouTube.

Image from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_and_Jerry

Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner
When we watched it with Sylas and Josie, Sylas laughed the entire time. Not just a giggle, a big ol’ belly laugh. He said his favorite part was when “the punching bag hits him – it’s the silliest thing”. He was talking about when the boxing glove comes back and hits him. We found this on YouTube, too.

Garfield
This one is a favorite in our house. All the kids think Garfield and Odie are so funny and laugh throughout the whole show, even the big kids.

Bugs Bunny ft. Elmer Fudd

I think my husband may have enjoyed this one more than the kids, but the kids did still enjoy it. There was a part when bugs bunny kissed Elmer Fudd and Sylas shouted out, “he kissed him!!!” and laughed so hard. Josie thought it was hilarious every time Elmer Fudd would look for Bugs Bunny when Bugs Bunny was right behind him the whole time. She kept yelling at Elmer, “there he is!”. It was pretty adorable.

Image from villains.wikia.com/wiki/Elmer_Fudd

Rocket Power
Okay so I know this one is a newer one, but it’s still old and my kids had never seen it or heard of it. Peyton and Sylas LOVED it and have been doing the little handshake ever since. Rocket Power was THE BEST and in my late elementary years, I tried to watch it whenever it was on.

Scooby Doo
I feel like Scooby Doo is still kind of popular, but definitely not as well-known as when I was a kid. Plus, it’s just different now (what isn’t, right?). My kids are familiar with the “new” Scooby Doo, but I wanted to find an old episode that aired in the early/mid-90’s. We went to YouTube to watch some of the old episodes and my kids really enjoyed them, but I’m not sure if it was any more or any less than the new cartoon. I prefer the old ones best, though, so that’s what we’ll stick with since they didn’t seem to have a preference.

Image from wikivisually.com/wiki/Scooby-Doo_(character)

The Tasmanian Devil
Taz was fun right from the beginning. Josie jumped up and started dancing to the theme song, so I knew it was going to be a good one. Sylas was pretty mesmerized… I don’t think he looked away from the screen the entire time. Since we watched it, he has been spinning around the house Taz style. It’s kind of fun, also a little obnoxious.

Arthur
I have Arthur books from when I was little and my kids really like them so they were already familiar with Arthur. They had never watched the TV show before, though. Sylas fell in love with it and keeps asking to watch it, which is completely okay with me.

Rugrats
Who didn’t like Rugrats?! Everyone did!! My kids included, apparently. Josie really liked Angelica and that worries me a little. 😉 LOL

RUGRATS Photo: Nickelodeon ©2015 Viacom, International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Thundercats
I’ll be honest here… I never watched Thundercats. My husband did, though. It was his favorite. We have an 11 year age difference so I’m not surprised it wasn’t as popular when I was a kid. Sylas and Peyton both really liked this one.

Image from https://www.teepublic.com/t-shirt/301512-thundercats-lion-o

This post was so much fun because I got to sit down with my littles and watch cartoons that I loved as a kid, but haven’t watched in probably 10-15 years. It was so cool to show them some of the things my husband and I enjoyed when we were little. Sylas thinks it’s cool, too, and even told our elderly neighbor about Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner and then added, “my dad watched it when he was a kid. Did you know my dad used to be a kid!?” It was hilarious.

Have you watched any of your old favorite cartoons with your kids? What did they think? If you haven’t yet, which one would you want to show them first?

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy my post about YouTube songs for Preschoolers and Toddlers.

Tags big kid activities, Family Activities, Parenting, toddler activities

Big kid fun Family Activities Our Family Printables Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

Family Camping Trip – What to Pack

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date July 6, 2018
9 Comments on Family Camping Trip – What to Pack

Before this summer I had never taken my kid’s on a family camping trip. Call me a bad mom or whatever, but I was terrified of taking 3 littles camping!

Well, we finally did it and I definitely don’t regret it. I would do some things differently and pack differently, but we will definitely be doing it again SOON.

It was so much fun and the kids loved it, so I took note during the process of things I needed that I didn’t think to pack, things I packed but didn’t need, and things that would have been nice to have.

Now I’m giving you the opportunity to learn from my mistakes!! I’ve put together a list of what you should pack for a family camping trip. I even included a section dedicated to packing for a toddler, a teenager, and a big kid. You’re welcome. 😉

What to Pack for a Camping Trip

Bedding/Misc.

Tent (if needed)
Sleeping Bag/Blanket
Pillow
Sheets if staying in a cabin
Flashlights (flashlight tag anyone?!)
Glowsticks
Backpack
First aid kit
Cell phone & Chargers
Garbage bags
Clorox Wipes
Citronella Candle
A book
Lawn chairs
Beer bottle opener/corkscrew
Cash
Any necessary medication
Bug spray
Sunscreen
Bikes
Games (board/card)
Chairs
Bluetooth Speaker
Kayak/Canoe
Fishing poles

Clothing

Raincoat/jacket
Swimsuit
Tennis shoes
Clothes (2 outfits/day for everyone, more for younger children)

Shorts/t-shirts
Pants/Long sleeve shirts

Hats
Extra socks
Sweatshirt/sweatpants (in case it gets chilly at night and you want to be comfy)
Underwear (duh)
PJ’s
Flipflops
Extra shoes for everyone

Personal

Shampoo/Conditioner
Soap
Deodorant
Toilet Paper (You never know!)
Toothbrush/paste
Shower Bag
Hand Sanitizer
Lotion
Lip balm
Towels and washcloths
Bag for dirty laundry
Hair ties
Brush/Comb

Cooking

Camping dinners
Pre-prepped breakfast meals
Wine
Beer
Water
Gatorade (if you’re feeling nice)
Coffee/Creamer
Favorite snacks
S’mores ingredients
Condiments
Coolers/Ice
Firewood (Sometimes you have to buy this right at the campground)
Lighter
Plastic utensils
Paper plates
Napkins
Plastic cups
Tablecloths
Paper Towels
Grilling/Fire utensils
Foil
Skewers
Resealable Plastic Bags

Toddler Specifics

Toddler-sized chairs
Blocks
Lots of extra clothes (3 per day if your child is extra messy or the weather isn’t cooperating)
Sand/Beach toys
Life Jackets
Teddy bear/baby doll, favorite blankets
Baby wipes

Big Kid/Teenager Specifics

Football, baseball, volleyball, other sports equipment
Water toys

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

What would you add to this list? Have you ever forgotten something essential on a camping trip? Tell me about it in the comments! 🙂

Tags big kid activities, camping, Family Activities, Preschool, Printables, Summer Fun, Teenager, The Barkleys, toddler activities

Big kid fun Craft Family Activities Holiday Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

6 Easy and Fun 4th of July Crafts and Activities for Kids

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date June 29, 2018
4 Comments on 6 Easy and Fun 4th of July Crafts and Activities for Kids

4th of July, July 4th, Independence Day, Family cook out, Memorial Day, Patriotic Craft

I like to make holidays memorable for my kids. One way I do it is by doing holiday-themed crafts and activities in the days leading up to the holiday. My kids love it, I get keepsakes, and it offers an opportunity to discuss what the holiday means. 4th of July activities and crafts make the holiday more fun and exciting. Plus, there are plenty of ideas to choose from.

The 4th of July is always busy for us. We have a cookout the day of the holiday and another party the weekend after. It’s hard to talk about the meaning of the holiday with so much going on. Luckily, our craft time gives us that needed time to connect.

4th of July Activities and Crafts

This year we’ve done two crafts already, including:

4th of July Ripped Paper Wreath Kids Craft

These ripped paper wreaths were fun and easy. We used white paper, cut it into a circle (or close enough), and cut a round hole in the middle. Then, the kids ripped blue and red paper to glue on. I cut out stars to put on at the end. We hung the finished wreaths on the kids’ bedroom doors.

Handprint Firework Craft

This one is my favorite one we have made so far this year. It’s so cute, and I love handprint keepsakes. I painted their hands red before helping them put their hand flat on white paper. Then, using blue and red paint (separately so it doesn’t turn purple), they used their fingers to make the “fireworks” part. Super simple.

Other 4th of July Crafts and Activities

There are three other crafts I want to do with them before the 4th of July and one scavenger hunt.

Kids Blowers Patriotic Craft Idea

These patriotic kids blowers from Natural Beach Living are so cute. The kids can use them during fireworks displays to add more festivity.

Footprint Rocket Pop

I love this Footprint Rocket Pop craft from Tippytoe Crafts. It’s another keepsake for Mama and a craft the kids will love. It could be a general summertime craft, but with the red, white, and blue, it gives me patriotic vibes.

Painted Rocks

We want to paint some rocks like these Painted Rocks for the 4th of July created by Thrifty Nifty Things. I don’t know if this is popular everywhere, but where I’m from, people paint rocks and hide them for others to find. When you find a rock, you’re supposed to post a picture on the dedicated Facebook site and say where you found it. Then, you re-hide it in a new location. I want to paint them this weekend and hide them in the couple of days before the 4th of July. My kids LOVE hiding and finding rocks around town, so it’s perfect for them.

4th of July Scavenger Hunt

I fell in love with this 4th of July Scavenger Hunt Printable from Women With Intention on Pinterest. I’m bummed that the link didn’t work, and the website no longer exists, so I can’t download it directly from who created it. Later tonight I’ll make a scavenger hunt printable to use at home on the 4th of July and maybe a second one for the larger party the weekend after.

Recap: 4th of July Activities and Crafts

How do you teach your kids about holidays? Are you doing any fun crafts or activities with them for the 4th of July? Tell me about it in the comments!

Tags big kid activities, craft, handprint craft, Holiday, painting, paper craft, Preschool, toddler activities, tot school

Big kid fun Family Activities Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

How to Host the Perfect Sleepover & Movie Night

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date June 14, 2018
9 Comments on How to Host the Perfect Sleepover & Movie Night

Nevaeh wanted to have a sleepover for her 14th birthday and we decided to do homemade pizzas, a bonfire, and a movie night.

The first step was to figure out what to have for dinner and what snacks to have.

We decided on homemade pizzas so the girls could choose their own toppings and have as much (or as little) cheese and sauce as they wanted. This option was definitely a hit. They loved making them and everyone thought the pizzas were delicious. Even my toddlers had fun making their own pizzas! It was fun for all of us and that’s always a plus.

We used Jiffy pizza crust mix. It was super inexpensive and soo delicious. It was actually really sticky when I was trying to flatten it out so I was worried it wouldn’t work well but it did! It turned out perfectly. It doesn’t make enough dough for one “large” pizza, but two girls were able to share one. We used Meijer pizza sauce, pepperoni, Tennessee Pride sausage, yellow pepper, and mozzarella cheese. You can buy whatever toppings your family wants. We decided bacon and banana pepper would have been a good addition so we’ll be getting those next time.

After dinner we went outside for a bon fire and s’mores. Again, everyone had fun and loves s’mores so it was another one that even the littles enjoyed.

The girls played in the yard for a while when the s’mores were gone and while they played and Chris put the fire out, I started preparing the movie snacks!

We did popcorn with mix-ins and that was so much fun. I prefer my popcorn plain but the kids loved adding yummy stuff to theirs.

We did cheerios, mini marshmallows, pretzels, mnm’s, and a couple popcorn seasonings (nacho cheddar and caramel corn). Everyone got their own bowl of popcorn and then added stuff in. You could do other things like chocolate chips, gummy bears, golden grahams, or any other treat.

We also put candy and drinks in small bins for each girl. The girls chose to put a napkin in one side of their bin and just put their popcorn in there (and hot Cheetos once the popcorn was gone).

After one movie the girls went out to the backyard and played hide and seek (it’s so dark out there!). Then they played some games and watched more movies. They all said they had so much fun, so I’d it was a success. 😉

Do you have any popcorn mix-ins you prefer that I didn’t include? Pizza toppings? Movie night snacks? Drop a comment and tell me about it! 🙂

Tags big kid activities, Birthday, Dinner, Family Activities, Food, Our Life, Summer Fun, Teenager, toddler activities

Big kid fun Craft Family Activities Recipe

How to Make a Paper Mache Diamondback Rattlesnake

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date May 20, 2018
4 Comments on How to Make a Paper Mache Diamondback Rattlesnake

Paper mache, school art projects, art projects, 3D art, creativity for kids, paper mache diamondback rattlesnake

My 10-year-old came rushing through the door after school a couple weeks ago excited to tell me about his newest school project. The kids in his class each had to choose an animal and create a 3-D figure of it. He already knew what animal he wanted to create and, after a little research on different materials he could use, he decided on a paper mache diamondback rattlesnake.

Peyton is amazed by snakes, especially diamondback rattlesnakes. He loves to watch YouTube vlogs about them and can list so many random snake facts, so I am not at all surprised he chose to create one.

When he decided to create the paper mache diamondback rattlesnake, I was beyond excited myself because I love paper mache and literally hadn’t done it since I was in middle school art class (using the balloon method, where I created a pig with fins and painted it sparkly purple and pink).

Honestly, I wasn’t very experienced in paper mache other than the few times I had done it before, and a paper mache diamondback rattlesnake was much bigger and more detailed than anything I had ever made.

Materials Needed to Make a Paper Mache Diamondback Rattlesnake

Paper mache
Black paint
Brown paint
White paint
Newspaper strips
Plain white paper
Paint brushes
Toilet paper and paper towel cardboard tubes
Tape
Scissors
A stack of books, a tall cup, or something of similar height

This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.

Getting Started on the Paper Mache Diamondback Rattlesnake

We needed a base to start with, of course, so we used paper towel rolls and toilet paper rolls to make the shape of a diamondback rattlesnake. I showed Peyton how to cut the tubes width-wise (but not all the way through) so that we could curve the tubes into the shape he wanted, being careful not to cut all the way through.

When we got a few cardboard tubes of each size cut, he began creating the shape he wanted for his diamondback rattlesnake. He used tape (generously) to hold the tubes together and to keep the curves he wanted, and then we stuffed the tubes with paper towels as we went along so that they wouldn’t collapse when we started adding the paper mache.

Peyton wanted the head to be higher than the body, so we used a paper towel roll to create the area that ascended up to the head. This was the hardest part because we couldn’t figure out how to get it to stay up without propping it on books. We tried pipe cleaners, paper clips, and extra tape, but nothing worked and the head kept sagging. All of those items did help a little, but it still wasn’t staying where we wanted it. I’ll explain how we dealt with this a little later.

Making the Diamondback Rattlesnake Head, Tail, and Rattle

After getting the shape down the way he wanted, we started brainstorming how to make a diamondback rattlesnake head, tail, and rattle.

We decided to keep using the cardboard tubes, but this time we cut a slit lengthwise, only about 2 or 3 inches down, and only on one side so that we could overlap the cardboard tube, making the opening at one end more narrow. This is how we planned on making the tail and the rattle.

To make the head, he drew the head shape on cardboard and cut it out. Then, we folded up 3 paper towels and then cut those to the same shape as the head and taped them to the bottom of the cardboard head shape. This made the head nice and thick without cutting a bunch of cardboard.

Keep in mind: the paper towel doesn’t have to be cut perfectly, the paper mache will smooth out any uneven edges.

Once all of this was in place, we started on the paper mache.

Paper Mache Recipe – Paper Mache Diamondback Rattlesnake

There are a few different ways to make paper mache, but I used the flour, water, and cooking method. The measurements were 1/4 cup flour and 1 1/4 cup water. I also added a tablespoon of salt to keep bugs and mold away.

If you don’t want to make it, you can always buy it on Amazon. I’ve used this kind in the past (my first time making it from scratch was for this paper mache Diamondback Rattlesnake), and I absolutely loved it.

Paper mache, school art projects, art projects, 3D art, creativity for kids

I brought the mixture to a slow boil on the stove and then set the timer for 3 minutes. It was a little chunky and I worried about that, but it went on super smooth and dried completely.

While the paper mache mixture was cooling, Peyton ripped pieces of newspaper into long strips. These strips were to dip in the mixture and stick to the snake base.

How to Apply the Paper Mache

When the paper mache is ready and cool, dip pieces of newspaper in it until they are completely covered. Remove any access paper mache, and apply in a single layer on your project.

The first layer of paper mache took the longest time to dry, about 8 hours or so. We only did one layer and then let it dry completely. Layers 2 and 3 we did at the same time, and those took about 6 hours to dry. We did 4 layers total, give or take a little in areas that didn’t need as much or areas that needed just a little more.

How to Form and Hold the Paper Mache Shape

We used a cup to prop the head on while it was drying since we couldn’t get it to stay in place with anything else. I was hoping for the best here, and it actually worked. After the first layer dried, the head stayed up on its own! However, when it wasn’t supported we could see the cardboard tube bending in the wrong directions underneath the paper mache and newspaper, so I left the cup in place to avoid tearing and breaking. After the 3rd layer dried, the head stayed up on its own with no problem at all!!

I also used a cup to hold the rattle in an upward position while it dried. It kept wanting to lay down, but the cup did the trick there, too. It’s all about getting the paper mache animal to dry in the exact position you want it to permanently be in.

I was worried about it not being strong enough, so I had Peyton add a 4th layer using white paper. This final layer only took about 4 hours to dry. The plain white paper was helpful when it was time to start painting because there wasn’t any print to cover up.

Making Eyes For a Paper Mache Diamondback Rattlesnake

After Peyton finished the 4th layer, we made the eyes. Peyton had the idea to use a teal-ish colored playdoh mixed with a bit of black paint. Once it was completely mixed, he rolled the playdoh into eye shapes. We used the chunky part of the paper mache (the chunks were handy, after all!) to hold the eyes on. Then we ripped small squares of newspaper to cover part of the eyes and make them blend into the head.

Painting a Paper Mache Diamondback Rattlesnake

When the paper mache was completely dry, Peyton began the painting. I didn’t help him with this part except to get the underneath areas that would be visible.

He mixed colors to create the base color and painted the whole snake that brownish/tanish color. He used that same color, added more white, and did the lower part of the snake with the lighter color. This is because a Diamondback rattlesnake gets lighter in color near the bottom.

Next, he used black and white to make diamonds on the back and to put slits in the eyes.

Final Thoughts on Paper Mache Diamondback Rattlesnake

He did such a good job!! I’m so proud of him for working so hard on this project. At school, he has to display it for the class and give a two-minute speech. The speech is about the diamondback rattlesnake habitat, what they eat, where and when they sleep, and a fun fact.

This could be a fun project at home for your big kids! Peyton plans on displaying his in his bedroom when he brings it back home. It’ll keep them learning and being creative, and will definitely fight boredom!

Which paper mache animal do you think your child would choose to make? Let me know in the comments!

Tags big kid activities, craft, Family Activities, learning, painting, Recipe, Summer Fun