Categories
Gifts Holiday

Best Gift Ideas for a 4 Year Old Girl

I LOVE choosing and giving gifts, especially gifts for kids. The best gift ideas for a 4 year old girl are ones that other people may not think of giving, which is what you will find in this gift guide. Whether you’re looking for gifts for a girl’s birthday, a Christmas gift for a 4 year old girl, or a “just because” gift, all of the ones here will likely be a hit.

My almost 4-year-old daughter helped me choose some of these, and I can vouch for her judgement… she has a knack for choosing the best gifts, and she also knows what a 4 year old girl likes.

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

Best Gift Ideas For a Little Girl

1. Magnetic Building Blocks

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This is the best gift for a 4 year old girl because it will allow her to be creative, use her hands, learn shapes, and has many other benefits because the possibilities are simply endless! From castles to cars, the birthday girl will be able to build anything she wants.

Pros

  • Many play options available.
  • Comes with enough pieces to share with siblings or friends.
  • Encourages growth of many developmental milestones.
  • A storage box is included to keep all pieces together.

Cons

  • The storage case is kind of flimsy.
  • The magnets repel each other if not placed the correct way.

2. Tara Toy Disney Princess Necklace Activity

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Little girls tend to LOVE Disney, so you really can’t go wrong with this one. The birthday girl will be able to create her own necklaces using the provided beads, Disney princess characters, and string. It all even comes in a cute little carry case for her to keep all the pieces together and easily travel with the necklace activity kit.

Pros

  • Includes many Disney characters.
  • Comes with a secure carrying case to keep all the pieces together.
  • Allows for customization.
  • Great for fine motor development.

Cons

  • When the necklace clasp is opened, all the beads can fall off.
  • Carrying case is a little flimsy.

3. IQ Toys Kids Washable Makeup Set with A Glitter Cosmetic Bag

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My little girl LOVES to play with makeup. I choose to give her some of her own so that she stays out of mine and her teenage sister’s make up bags, because the kid-friendly version washes off (and out of clothes) much easier. It gives her a chance to feel like a “grown up”, and she learns to experiment with makeup in a safe way. Someday she’ll want to wear it regularly and we’ll be all set already because of this best gift idea for a 4 year old girl.

Pros

  • Washable.
  • Made of non-toxic materials.
  • Comes with a bag to keep all the makeup in.

Cons

  • The bag isn’t full – some customers feel like it should have come with more makeup.
  • Makeup smells a little weird.

4. Soft Unicorn Hooded Bathrobe Sleepwear

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You can’t go wrong with unicorns these days, so this bath robe is the best gift for a girl. The rainbow colors, horn, eyes, ears, and mane will allow the birthday girl to pretend to be a real unicorn, and I promise she’ll love it. This robe is made of polyester and runs a bit big, so if you order the girl’s regular size she’ll have room to grow into it.

Pros

  • Soft and comfortable.
  • Big enough that the child won’t quickly grow out of it.
  • Button at the neckline to hold the robe closed.
  • Has a built in belt so it can’t get lost.

Cons

  • Leaves fuzz behind on furniture.
  • A few customers complained of holes in the seams.

5. Melissa & Doug Wooden Make-a-Cake Mixer Set

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How fun is this best gift for kids?! Seriously?! It comes with 11 pieces including a mixer, a bowl, a wooden egg that can be broken in half, butter, a cake loaf, a cake pan, a pretend box of cake mix, a wooden knife, and a recipe for the child to follow. Kids will love this interactive pretend play, and it keeps them away from the screens for a while!

Pros

  • Helps with necessary developmental skills.
  • Heavy duty.
  • Buttons and knobs really move.

Cons

  • The cake mix box is made of cardboard and is easily ripped by kids.
  • The mixing bowl could be a little bigger.
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6. Mermaid Tail Blanket

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This crocheted sleeping bag blanket is the best gift for 4 year old girls because kids can be warm and comfortable while also pretending to be a mermaid. It’s long enough that the birthday girl will be able to use the mermaid blanket as she continues to grow, and it even comes with a mermaid pendant to really top of the gift. Personally, I would buy a mermaid movie or book to give along with this, so that the child can curl up in their new blanket and watch or read.

Pros

  • Warm and comfortable.
  • Has opening in the very bottom so that child can stand while wearing it.
  • Comes in a variety of colors.

Cons

  • The bottom part (the fin) isn’t as big as it looks in the picture.
  • Some customers thought it could have been thicker.

7. Kids Outdoor Explorer Kit

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Get the birthday girl out of the house and away from a tablet screen by choosing this outdoor explorer kit as her gift. It comes with 12 plastic bugs, binoculars, a flashlight, compass, magnifier, and pair of tweezers. The kit also includes a butterfly net, viewing container, bug container, bug catcher, a whistle, a cloth to clean the lens, and a bag to carry it all in. With all the pieces that are included, a child has limitless options for exploration and can even ask other kids to join in on the play.

Pros

  • Encourages outdoor play and exploration.
  • Many play options in this one kit.
  • All of the pieces fit in the small carrying bag.

Cons

  • Smaller pieces can easily be lost.

8. Moon Star Projector Light

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This light projects moon and star shapes onto the child’s walls and ceilings without interfering with their sleep. The designs can be seen up to 15 feet away, but they aren’t so bright that they make it seem as if the lights are on. The subtle light given and the shapes on the ceiling can help the birthday girl drift off to a peaceful sleep by giving her something calming to look at.

Pros

  • Has multiple light settings.
  • Isn’t noisy and the lights aren’t too bright.
  • Colors can be changed, and there are Holiday themed settings.
  • Can be plugged in or used with batteries.

Cons

  • The cord that comes with it is short (although it is just as USB cord so you may have a longer one lying around)
  • It doesn’t have an automatic shut-off.

9. Teepee Tent

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My daughter loves to spend time alone, playing or reading quietly. She also loves going in forts, tents, and other “hideaways”. This tent is so cute and has door flaps for privacy (they can also be tied back to keep it open). The windows are so cute and make it seem like a mini home or room. I can just picture a little girl sitting inside this tent playing with her toys, so I know it’s one of the best gift ideas for a 4 year old girl.

Pros

  • Made of thick canvas.
  • Large enough for more than one child.
  • Easy to put together.

Cons

  • Canvas may be wrinkled when it is delivered. This can be fixed by steaming it before putting it together.

10. Flower Garden Building Toys

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This toy has so many flower petals and stems that fit into the green “grass” pieces. A child can create their own floral arrangements and “plant” them into the toy, creating their own garden. For more sensory fun, she could use real dirt to plant these pretend flowers into.

Pros

  • Helps with fine motor development.
  • Encourages hand/eye coordination.
  • Child can rearrange and recreate different gardens many times.
  • Comes with a storage box.

Cons

  • The only complaint that other customers had about this toy is that it comes with 2 flower pots that can really only be used with real dirt. To me that’s a pro, though!!
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Final Thoughts On Best Gift Ideas For a 4 Year Old Girl

These best gift ideas for a 4 year old girl will be a hit no matter which holiday or event you choose to give it for. Are there any gifts you’ve given to a girl of this age that were an absolute hit? Tell me about your best gift ideas for a 4 year old girl in the comments!! I’d also like to know of any to avoid, so definitely let me know about those gifts, too.

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Categories
Adulting Big Kid Family Activities Holiday Printables Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

National Give Something Away Day: Two Free Printables – Updated

Updated 9/20/2019 to add my Christmas gift to you – a free Christmas list printable!

As I was preparing for the upcoming holiday season, I decided I wanted to give my readers an early Christmas gift. I hope you and your children enjoy it!

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Christmas, Christmas 2019, Christmas list, free printable, printable Christmas list, Holidays

Happy National Give Something Away Day!! Today I encourage you to find things in your home that you could do without and give them to someone who could use them. My kids and I will all be giving a few things away, but I also want to give something to all of my readers!

National Give Something Away Day

Have You Thought About Starting a Blog?

If you have ever thought about starting a blog but life got in the way, there is no better time than right now!! It’s not as hard as you think, and you can do things at your own pace. Trust me, I have 5 kids, work a job outside of my home, and I still find time to run this blog.

It’s so possible to have an awesome blog even with a busy life, and it’s FUN. When I have time to myself to relax, I choose to work on my blog. You won’t regret taking the plunge!

If you want to know how to start a blog in 3 easy steps, check out my blog post that tells you how to do it!

Free Blog Checklist Printable

If you already have a blog or you decide to start one today, this blog checklist printable will be perfect for you! Now, this is the checklist I follow on a daily basis, meaning after work and spending time with my family. When I have some free time, I will likely spend way more time on each category.

Final Thoughts On National Give Something Away Day

Now, after you start your blog, download the printable, and get started on setting everything up, find something in your home to give to someone else. The things that get little to no use in your own home may make a huge difference in someone else’s life.

Categories
Adulting For the Home Gifts Holiday

12 Amazon Prime Day Must-Haves

Amazon Prime Day (AKA: Christmas in July) happens only one time per year, and Amazon offers TONS of amazing deals you can’t find any other time. I love Amazon all year long, but I’m even more fond of it in July. Prime day is on the 15th and 16th of this month, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Since I am an Amazon Affiliate partner, I get early access to Prime Day deals and a sneak peak of the deals to come. It would just be rude if I kept all of this awesome info to myself, so I’m going to share it with you, too!

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

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Amazon Prime Membership Perks

There are literally SO MANY benefits for Amazon Prime members, it’s probably impossible to list them all. Just so you can get an idea of some of the best benefits, though, I’ll give it my best to list as many as possible.

  • Free shipping (sometimes same day!!)
  • Awesome deals that aren’t available for non-members
  • Watching movies and TV shows
  • Free games
  • Ad free music

How to Join Amazon Prime

It’s so easy to join Amazon Prime. All you have to do is click the image below, and you’ll be taken straight to the sign-up page. You can do a free trial at first to make sure you love all the awesome features and exclusives that come with it.

You can cancel at any time, so there is no commitment if you sign up. It’s super easy to cancel, too. You won’t have to deal with calling anyone or waiting a certain amount of time, you can simply cancel right on the Amazon website (although I’m certain you won’t want to cancel).

Must-Have Prime Day Deals

  1. Fire TV Stick
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  2. Instant Pot
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  3. Bosch Drill
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  4. Robot Vacuum
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  5. Laptops
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  6. Amazon Echo Dot
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  7. Kindle Paperwhite
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  8. Phone accessories such as this wireless charger
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  9. Xbox 1
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  10. PlayStation 4
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  11. TVs
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  12. Air Fryer
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Final Thoughts On Amazon Prime Day Must-Haves

There are going to be SO MANY awesome deals on Prime Day, and there are even some offers leading up to the actual even, so the sooner you sign up the better! What items are you hoping to find for a good deal on Prime Day? Tell me about them in the comments!

Other Blog Posts Featuring Amazon Products My Family Loves

Categories
Gifts Holiday Teenager

10 Gift Ideas for a Teenage Girl

Teenagers seem like a tough group of kids to buy gifts for. Does anyone ever know what it is they truly want for their birthday or Christmas? I sure didn’t, but our newly 15-year-old planned ahead and gave me a detailed list to follow, so I’ve got plenty of gift ideas for a teenage girl.

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

If you’re anything like me, gift giving is a big deal and you want to give the best gifts. This also means having to know exactly what to buy, or at least a general idea of what that person loves. If you have a teenage girl to shop for, this teenage girl gift guide should steer you in the right direction!

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Gift Ideas For a Teenage Girl – Gifts She Will Love

1. Air Pods

Apple Air Pods were at the top of our teenager’s birthday list this year, which I’m really not surprised by. At first, I didn’t want to spend the money on something that I thought was so silly, but since she wanted them so badly, we went ahead and made the purchase. I’m so thankful that we did now, because she uses them literally every day and is so appreciative and happy about them.

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2. Air Force 1 Shoes

When I was a teenager Air Force 1’s were hot, and everyone had them or wanted them. It seemed like everyone had them, at leas. Now, my teenager wears them!! This is just crazy to me.

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3. Nike Leggings

We all know how much teenagers love leggings (and maybe us mom’s love leggings a little, too), so of course our teenager asked for specific Nike leggings for her birthday this year. I wasn’t kidding when I said she gave a detailed list. She’s into the high waist style, so she got one regular fit and one high waist.

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Black Nike Leggings: https://amzn.to/32e7dSz

Gray Nike Leggings: https://amzn.to/2LBRBSK

4. Photo Clip Lights

These photo clip lights are perfect for any style of bedroom, so it’s pretty safe to say that any teenage girl would love them. Nevaeh (our 15 year old) has so many photos hanging around her room and loves different kinds of lights, and she was pretty excited to open this on her birthday and put more pictures up.

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5. Makeup Vanity Mirror with Lights

Nevaeh really wants this vanity mirror with lights, and she may just get it from Santa this year. It’s so cute and will give her a quiet place to use all of her makeup, skin, and hair products. I’m hoping that it also means she’ll start storing her products in her bedroom instead of all over my bathroom, too. Wishful thinking, I’m sure. LOL!

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6. Victrola Vintage Bluetooth Turntable with Speakers

This is probably the coolest bluetooth speaker I’ve ever seen. Nevaeh got it as a gift from her aunt, and she uses it all the time. It gives her room a vintage vibe, and she can actually play records on it.

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7. Bath Bombs

Teenage girls love to pamper themselves, and there is no better way to begin a pamper session than in a bathtub full of hot water with a bath bomb. When buying a gift for a teenage girl, she would love this variety pack by itself, or with a candle and her favorite kind of chocolate.

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8. Vlogging Camera

So a vlog is a video blog, which is what you see in YouTube videos oftentimes. Teenagers are way into vlogging right now, and they love having a vlogging camera to record themselves and their friends living their lives. It’s so much fun for them, and I’m all about encouraging this kind of creativity and skill set.

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9. Wall Tapestry

These are SO cute and fit the theme of our teenager’s bedroom. They’re really popular right now, and you can’t really go wrong if you choose this wall tapestry or something similar. Bedroom decor is normally a safe bet when choosing a gift for a teenage girl.

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10. Hydro Flask Water Bottle

So honestly, I’m not sure that I see the hype here, but teenage girls are obsessed with these Hydro Flask water bottles. They come in all different colors, but Nevaeh chose white for herself. Once they have the water bottle, they’ll want to order stickers from a website called RedBubble, and cover the outside of the water bottle in the stickers.

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Other Gift Ideas for a Teenage Girl

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Final Thoughts on Gift Ideas for a Teenage Girl

While they may seem complex and difficult, teenage girls are actually very easy to please. So, as long as you know what the girl is into, you can likely find an easy gift to give her that she will love. All of the gift ideas in this blog post will make her happy, or you can simply choose a gift card or subscription that she will love.

What other gift ideas for a teenage girl can you think of? Let me know in the comments!

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Other Gift Guides

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Holiday How To Sensory Play Summer

How to Make an Easy 4th of July Sensory Bottle

Sensory bottles are one of my favorite ways to make a holiday more exciting, and this 4th of July sensory bottle was a hit with my kids. This sensory activity keeps the kids busy as they make the sensory bottle and watch the glitter and small objects swirl together and settle back into the bottom.

Making a sensory bottle is easier than it sounds, and you don’t need many materials. You can also substitute the materials I recommend for something else you have on hand already.

*this post contains affiliate links*

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Benefits of Sensory Bottles for Kids

Research shows that sensory activities benefit children in many ways. It promotes their mental health, encouraging emotional regulation, relaxation, and tension relief. Sensory activities stimulate interest, promoting curiosity and encouraging a child to learn and explore.

Sensory bottles help build sensory skills by stimulating the senses. The differing colors, objects, sounds, and materials help. Additionally, when the child touches the bottle to turn, twist, shake, or squeeze, it furthers the sensory experience.

Sensory bottles stimulate fine and gross motor coordination. They also help a child focus as their eyes follow the movements. It encourages them to be present and set aside distractions.

How to Make a 4th of July Sensory Bottle

Materials:

  • A clear bottle (recyclable water bottle, tea bottle, or a glass jar – I used an empty vinegar bottle)
  • Water (from the tap is fine)
  • Glitter glue (I used the silver from this one, I probably should have used 2 of them)
  • 4th of July necklaces (or confetti)
  • Hot glue gun
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Directions:

  1. Empty and clean a clear bottle.
  2. Fill the bottle 3/4 of the way up with water. You will fill it more after you add the rest of the materials.
  3. Add 1- 2 bottles of glitter glue, depending on the look you are going for. I used 1, but I wish I would have used 2. My bottle is larger than a regular water bottle, however, because I used a vinegar bottle.
  4. Cut 4th of July beaded necklaces into small pieces and put them into the bottle of water and glitter, or use 4th of July confetti instead of the necklace pieces.
  5. Fill the bottle the rest of the way with water.
  6. Replace the lid, and hot glue it shut.
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Final Thoughts on 4th of July Sensory Bottle

Sensory bottles are easy, fun, and so much fun. This 4th of July sensory bottle was a great way to kick start our July 4th celebrations. What fun activities do you have planned for Independence Day?

For more sensory fun, click here. Or, you can read other 4th of July ideas in a separate post by clicking here.

Categories
Adulting Big Kid Big kid fun Family Activities Holiday How To Parenting Summer Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

4 Simple Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July at Home

Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays, and in my eyes, it’s the highlight of summer. On the 4th of July, my family normally celebrates by going to a barbeque, playing in the water, spending time relaxing outside and watching fireworks. I also try to do something fun to teach my kids about the meaning of the day.

This year, we will be celebrating at home and I want to make sure we have a good time. I also want to have a simple and relaxing day, so I had to come up with a plan to make the 4th of July simple and exciting.

Fun fact: I love learning new facts, so it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t research things we don’t know about the 4th of July. Another fun fact, I also like to share my random information, so:

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4 Things You Didn’t Know About the 4th of July (but now you do)

Although I teach my kids about the reason for celebrating Independence Day there is still quite a bit we didn’t know, and I wanted to change that this year. I mean, are we really even American if we don’t know a few fun facts about Independence Day?!

1. While the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted by Congress on July 4th, it was actually voted for on July 2nd. Because of this, John Adams celebrated the 2nd of July as Independence day and reportedly turned down celebration invitations on the 4th of July.

2. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826. They are also the only two who signed the Declaration of Independence who then went on to become President of the United States.

3. The tradition of lighting off fireworks began on the one year anniversary of America’s independence.

4. Americans consume around 150 million hotdogs on the 4th of July.

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

Simple Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July at Home

1. Have a barbecue.

It isn’t July 4th if there is no 4th of July barbeque. The traditional meal of hamburgers and hotdogs with delicious side dishes is a popular way to go, or you can spice it up and offer steak instead. We’ll probably be doing the hotdog/hamburger method since my kids don’t tend to appreciate a good steak.

For 4th of July barbeque ideas click on the image:

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2. Wear 4th of July themed clothing.

It’s more fun to dress up for special days, and it’s easy to dress up for the 4th of July! Your kids will always remember that part of the tradition, and you’ll get some great pictures out of it!

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Matching 4th of July t-shirts (click)

3. Plan fun 4th of July activities.

You can do crafts, sensory activities, games, or even go on a scavenger hunt. Whatever fun activities you plan, your kids will love it, especially if it’s Independence Day themed. For some ideas, check out my post 6 4th of July Crafts and Activities.

If you want to create an easy sensory bottle to celebrate, check out this post:

4. Watch fireworks.

No matter where you celebrate from or what you plan to do, you have to watch fireworks! If you or your kids don’t like loud noises, try sparklers instead. Fireworks (or something similar) are a must when it comes to simple ways to celebrate the 4th of July at Home. They are actually on our Summer Bucket List, and I can’t wait to cross that one off!

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Final Thoughts On Simple Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July at Home

The 4th of July doesn’t have to be crazy, expensive, or stressful in order to have a good time. A low key and relaxing event can make the day more special to you and your family.

What are some of the ways you plan to celebrate July 4th this year? Tell me about it in the comments!

Categories
Adulting Gifts Holiday Parenting

7 Father’s Day Gift Ideas That He Will Love

Father’s Day is one week away, can you believe it?! If you’re anything like me, you haven’t done your shopping yet and need some Father’s Day Gift Ideas. Luckily, if we order on Amazon, it’ll still be here on time.

Amazon is literally my go-to for shopping. They offer a wide variety of products, and they suggest new stuff to me based on my past searches. I can also find tons of items that I can’t find in the store, and it’s generally a better price, too.

Then, the best part is…. you can get free 2-day shipping if you have Amazon Prime. You can sign up for a free trial, but I know you’ll love it so much and want to keep it. It comes with TV shows, music, books, free shipping, and many other perks.

father's day

Anyhow, moving on. Let’s take a look at my Father’s Day Gift Ideas so that we can all have something for our guys to open on Father’s Day.

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

Father's day gift ideas

7 Father’s Day Gift Ideas

1. Panasonic Electric Shaver and Trimmer for Men

Father's Day Gift Ideas
Link

I am highly considering this electric shaver and trimmer for my husband. You can use it wet or dry, it comes with 5 blades, and it has a pivoting head. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen such a cool shaver/trimmer.

2. Compact Circular Saw with Laser Guide

Father's Day Gift Ideas
Link

This tool is awesome because it comes with everything you will need to cut through many different materials. It’s not too large, so it is easy to move around when needed.

3. Echo (2nd Generation)

Father's Day Gift Ideas
Link

My husband is a huge fan of Alexa. We have the Echo Dot right now, but it’s a couple years old. He’s been hinting that he wants a bigger one, so this might be the perfect gift for him.

4. Nest Thermostat

Father's Day Gift Ideas
Link

Your guy will be able to control the temperature of the home from anywhere. The Nest thermostat learns your habits after about a week of use, so it will adjust itself without you having to do a thing. If you decide to change your day up a bit, you can still adjust the temperature of your home to save energy while you are away, even if it is a time you’d normally want your home cooler.

5. Olympic Curl Bar & Weights

Father's Day Gift Ideas
Link

My husband has been asking for a curl bar and weights for a while now, so I’ve actually already ordered this one for him. Going this route for exercise equipment saves space as opposed to a full size weight bench, too.

6. Quick Dry Hammock

Father's Day Gift Ideas
Link

This hammock can be hooked up between trees, on a patio, or on a deck. He’ll be able to use this anywhere, giving the dad in your life a chance to relax. Another bonus, it holds two people and is easy to travel with.

7. Apple AirPods

Father's Day Gift Ideas
Link

My guy is definitely an Apple guy, so he would be excited to get these Air pods for Father’s Day. These wireless headphones connect to an Apple device via Bluetooth, and any sound is paused when the Air pods are removed from the ear.

father's day gift ideas

Final Thoughts On Father’s Day Gift Ideas

If you’ve waited until the last minute to do your Father’s Day shopping, I’ve got you covered with this simple gift guide. These Father’s Day gift ideas will at least get you started on your search, and if you hurry, the gifts will still arrive on time.

What gifts did you get (or plan on getting) for the Fathers in your life? Let me know in the comments!

father's day gift ideas
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Big Kid Big kid fun Family Activities Holiday Our Family Parenting Printables Summer Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

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

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.

things to do this summer bucket list printable, summer 2019

Summer Bucket List Ideas

  1. Go to the beach
  2. Go to the zoo
  3. Make lemonade
  4. Have a water fight
  5. Have a bonfire, roast hot dogs, and make s’ mores
  6. See a dollar movie
  7. Go to a splash pad
  8. Have a cookout
  9. Visit a nature center
  10. Watch fireworks
  11. Watch a parade
  12. Catch fireflies
  13. Visit a library
  14. Go to a garage sale
  15. Play soccer
  16. Play mini-golf
  17. Go camping
  18. Make homemade pizza
  19. Go on a trip
things to do this summer bucket list printable, summer 2019

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.

things to do this summer bucket list printable, summer 2019

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?

things to do this summer bucket list printable, summer 2019
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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, spring bucket list, things to do with kids

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.

Ice cream bar

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.

things to do this spring, spring bucket list, things to do with kids

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, spring bucket list, things to do with kids

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”.

things to do this spring, spring bucket list, things to do with kids
1. Spring bucket list
things to do this spring, spring bucket list, things to do with kids
2. Spring bucket list
things to do this spring, spring bucket list, things to do with kids
3. 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!

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10 Memorable Easter Ideas To Make This Year Special

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.

memorable easter
Image from One Good Thing (click for link)

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.

memorable easter
Image from A Spicy Perspective (click for recipe)

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

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.

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)
easter, make easter memorable, easy easter with kids, easter egg fillers that aren't candy, non-candy easter egg hunt, easter dinner, easter traditions
Image from The Educators’ Spin On It (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.

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.

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

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?