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4 In 2020/ Family/ Games/ Raising boys

Top Ten Best “Minute to Win It” Games for your family!

minute to win it

Laugh out loud with your family this holiday weekend!

Choose any or all of the simple games below.

Each game requires a one minute timer or stopwatch.

Race the clock for a MINUTE to WIN IT!

1. Junk in the Trunk 

Strap an empty tissue box to each player’s waist and put several ping pong balls inside. Tell players they have to get as many balls out as possible without using their hands, in one minute. They can dance, shake, get on all fours — whatever it takes. The player with the fewest ping pong balls in their tissue box at the end wins.

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2. Tower of Terror 

Tower

See which player can build the tallest block tower (or use jenga pieces or anything stackable you own) in one minute. If it collapses, the player has to start from scratch.

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3. One-handed Coin Stacking 

coin stack

Give players a pile of 25 coins and have them stack them using only one hand. Whoever stacks the most coins in one minute wins.

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4. Rubber Band Shooting Range

Stack several empty soda cans or plastic cups into a pyramid and have players shoot rubber bands at them, attempting to knock down the pyramid. Whoever has the fewest cans standing at the end of one minute wins.

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5. Wall Bounce 

Have participants bounce a ball off the wall and into a bucket. Whoever has the most balls in the bucket at the end wins. To have multiple players at once, simply use different colored balls or write players’ initials on them.

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6. Keep It Up

Tell players or teams they must keep a balloon afloat for one minute. Additional rules are up to you: tell them they can use only their heads, toes, etc. or just say “anything goes.” If the balloon touches the ground, they’re out. The last person or team standing wins.

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7. Shoe Flick

Flick it!

Get players to take their heel out of their shoe and attempt to flick it onto a table or chair six feet away using only their feet/legs. If they can get one, have them try to get the other. If their shoe overshoots or falls off the table, they have to start over.

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8. Anagrams

Pick a fun word or phrase and have players rearrange the letters to create anagrams. For example, the phrase “minute to win it” has more than 5,000 possible anagram combinations such as “timeout,” twin,” and “wine.” Use an anagram generator online for inspiration. Whoever has the most anagrams after 60 seconds wins.

9. State of Fun

Have players write down as many states as they can before the timer goes off. 

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10. Toothpick letters 

toothpick

Give each player a large pile of toothpicks and instruct them to create letters (for littles) or spell out three-letter words (for older kids) without breaking or bending any of the toothpicks. Whoever has the most letters or words when the timer goes off wins.

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Ping bong balls are available on amazon, Walmart, or the Dollar Tree.

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Thanks for reading!

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Do you have a fun and simple game idea? Leave a comment!

Click here to read 30 more free activities for your family this winter season!

0 In 2020/ Family/ Peek into our Week

Peek into our Week

Halloween 2020

  • There were about 30% of our neighbors with lights out, not participating.
  • About 20% of neighbors had a bowl or baggies setting out.
  • The remaining 50% passed out candy as usual.
  • 100% of kids had FUN and collected way too much candy.

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Basketball Begins

  • Paul played his first ever game of basketball!
  • He made FOUR baskets.
  • Eight points for his team.
  • The final score was 18 to 13 and it was SO fun to watch them play.

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Pumpkin Pancake Contest

  • I made two different kinds to see which was better.
  • The Trader Joe’s brand was more work but tasted better.
  • The Birchbenders only required water, and were easier to make, but I didn’t think they were as good.
  • My kids loved them both!

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The Tale of Two Georges

George

George and I finished reading this ‘George Washington’ biography together and now George wishes his middle name was Washington. We have so much admiration and respect for our first president. He was a true patriot who worked tirelessly to create, protect, and lead the United States of America.

Did you know George Washington decided the leader of our country should be called “The President of the United States?” (or “Mr. President” for short)

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It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas

Our lights outside are covered in snow!
  • We put up our Christmas tree and hung lights outside.
  • The Christmas tree and lights bring us JOY and we need more JOY this year!

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Back to the Classroom

Kathryn and George
  • All four boys are in school now (two days a week).
  • While they were in school, I worked on earning my Minnesota teaching license and applied to be a substitute teacher in their schools.
  • My first day was teaching 7th grade language arts and I LOVED getting to teach George and lots of his friends.
  • I was a little nervous about teaching middle school, but the kids were TRULY “Minnesota nice” and I can’t wait to do it again.

What have you. been up to? Leave a comment!

2 In 2020/ DIY/ Family/ Food/ Saving money

Best 12 things to Buy at Aldi, 1 item NOT to buy, plus 2 simple recipes!

First of all, I haven’t abandoned my love for Target! Target has my heart…but there is ONE item that I can ONLY find at Aldi. So…I keep going back to grab this ONE thing….plus a few extras while I’m there.

Read the very bottom to find out my very favorite item from Aldi. The one item I can not find ANYWHERE else!

Here are some of our favorite things to buy at Aldi:

1. Bacon

  • Aldi’s Turkey Bacon – tastes great and is the best price around.

2. Bread

  • Sliced Bread – only $1 per loaf!

3. Crackers

  • Savoritz crackers – Their version of “Ritz” crackers. Your kids won’t know the difference, but you will save money. $1.99

4. Mayonaise

  • Mayonaise – tastes the same as any name brand Mayo, yet it’s only $1.99

5. Lunch Meat

  • Salami is what we always buy from Aldi

6. Cheese

  • Cheese – they have a huge variety. I love the sharp cheddar with cranberry, my husband loves the goat cheese, my kids like their string cheese.

7. Aldi Brand Cereal

Their cereal prices can’t be beat. My kids think their “Marshmallows & Stars” tastes just like Lucky Charms and their “Cinnamon Crunch” tastes just like Cinnamon Toast Crunch. And they are HALF the price!

Click here for a fun game to play with Aldi cereal.

8. Aldi Brand Chips

Aldi chips taste great and are less than $2 per bag!

9. Canned Goods

Their canned goods are half the price that you’ll find elsewhere – I love to buy canned tomatoes for salsa. (Click here for that simple salsa recipe!)

10. Fruits and Veggies

Their prices are hard to beat!

11. Butter

We buy their regular butter and Irish butter.

Finally, My favorite Aldi item that I’ve just discovered…

This item is the inspiration for this entire post. It is something that tastes better than any other brand. It’s the…

12. Gluten Free, Cauliflower Crust PIZZA

This pizza is Amazing! It comes fresh and is best baked fresh, not frozen. The crust is super crispy and the pizza is delicious. My kids love it. We’ve all decided it’s our favorite pizza. Not our favorite ‘cauliflower’ pizza…it’s the best pizza you can buy from a grocery store. My kids have no idea there’s cauliflower in the crust. When I make pizza everyone asks: “Is this the one we like?”

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What NOT to buy:

Brand Name Items – they often cost more than buying elsewhere.

Here are some popular recipes we make from Aldi ingredients:

Aldi brand Crispy Rice and Marshmallows make the most inexpensive Rice Krispy treats!

This recipe makes a LOT of rice crispy treats. I filled one 9×12 inch pan and one 9 x9 inch pan. Cut this recipe in half if you are not serving a large group.

Ingredients:

½ cup Countryside Creamery Butter (1 stick)

2 10-ounce packages Baker’sCorner Miniature Marshmallows (2 bags)

12 ounces Millville Crisp Rice Cereal (1 box)

Directions:

  1. Coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
  2. In a large pot, melt butter. Add marshmallows and stir occasionally until completely melted.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in crisp rice until evenly combined. Transfer pan. Spray hands with cooking spray and press mixture into pan.
  4. Cool for 15 minutes at room temperature and cut into 20 squares.

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Here’s a simple snack my kids love:

Salami Snacks:

Ingredients:

  1. Savoritz Crackers
  2. Mayonaise
  3. Salami
  4. Cheese

Directions:

Set out crackers. Spread a tiny bit of mayo on top of each cracker. Put a small piece of salami on top. Put a small piece of cheese on top of the salami. Serve with a smile!

Here’s a video where I show a couple of their items!

What’s YOUR favorite thing from Aldi? Leave a comment!

This post was NOT sponsored by Aldi, all opinions are mine.

3 In 2020/ Family/ Food/ Memories/ Minnesota/ Motherhood/ Peek into our Week/ Raising boys/ Review/ Things to do in Minnesota/ Traveling

A Perfect Weekend in Duluth

It was Ted’s Birthday weekend and we wanted to get out of the Twin Cities and do something fun. A visit to Duluth had been on our Minnesota Bucket List for two years – so we booked a place to stay and invited some friends to join us for the weekend up north. (Bonus, our friends used to LIVE THERE – so they knew all the best spots to visit!!)

We arrived in Duluth on Friday around noon and started the weekend in Canal Park. We walked through a few of the quaint shops and got to the end to see the massive lift bridge. Every 30 minutes, the bridge lifts to let boats come into the Harbour from Lake Superior. You can click here to find the ship schedule.


We ate lunch at Grandma’s Restaurant because:

  1. People recommended it and
  2. It’s next to the lift bridge
Notes on Grandma's Restaurant: I didn't love the indoor 'vibe' of this restaurant, but getting a seat by a window or on the upstairs patio makes it nice! The food was pretty good, but not amazing. The reason to go here - LOCATION! I'd only go back if I had an outdoor table that overlooks the bridge. 
Lunch at Grandma’s Restaurant

After lunch we ordered ice cream to share from an old caboose that is now an ice cream shop.

Then we walked to the lighthouse at the end of the loooong pier. My boys were amazed that Superior is really a lake and not an ocean.

We walked back to our hotel to check in, then watched the trucks and tractors working behind the hotel – setting huge boulders in place and creating a large walkway along the lake. Each semi could only hold three boulders. After we watched them work for awhile, we drove to Park Point Beach, which is about an eight minute drive from Canal Park. The drive takes you across the lift bridge – which was fun, and the drive to the beach is nice because you get to enjoy viewing a wide range of homes along the lakefront.

When we arrived at Park Point Beach, we stood to observe the powerful lake and unique beach – full of soft sand and huge, heavy logs that had washed onto the shore. The lake is always VERY cold and since it was late in the day, we weren’t planning to swim. However, the chilly air, the cold water, and lack of swimsuits, did not stop the kids. They were playing in the waves within minutes of our arrival.


After time at Park Point, we went back to the hotel to dry off and change, then walked to dinner at Canal Street Brewery. The restaurant has a great vibe, and huge windows overlooking the lake. Ted ordered a salmon salad and I had a grilled chicken sandwich with brie and asparagus. The boys ate burgers. We all enjoyed our meals and would definitely go back.

After dinner, we let the kids swim in the hotel pool, then we enjoyed s’mores on the hotel’s back patio.

We’d been watching the weather for several days preceding our trip, and the forecast showed rain and lightning all weekend. Clark asked if we could pray and ask God for nice weather so that we could explore outdoors. Thankfully, Friday was nice! It was warm during the day and just a little chilly at night. After getting into bed Friday night, it rained and thundered all night – but the storms were over by morning! Saturday’s weather was perfect for exploring.

We started the day with breakfast in the hotel, then drove about 45 minutes north along Lake Superior to Gooseberry Falls State Park.

Gooseberry Falls was SPECTACULAR!

It was one of the most amazing ‘playgrounds’ we’ve ever explored. There are so many trails to hike, but we spent hours just playing in the water. 

Gooseberry Falls Tips:

  • Wear water shoes! (See recommendations below) The falls are wet and rocky and you’ll want to get in the water and explore. Click here to see a great pair I found for my husband for only $15.
  • Wear comfy clothes that you don’t mind getting wet.
  • There are two large parking lots – if one is full, there is one just beside it. Both were nearly full when we left, but it didn’t feel overly crowded because the State Park is SO large!
  • If you are bringing children, I recommend following the trail to the LOWER FALLS. We started at the UPPER falls and found it was DANGEROUS for young, curious children. Our kids wanted to get really close to the edge of the falls, and could have easily fallen over. There is nothing to stop them. In fact, the day we were there, two children fell over the falls and had to be life flighted out. At the time of this post, all I know is that they are injured, but still alive.
  • Pack some snacks and a water bottle – All the hiking and water play will make you hungry!
  • 20-30 minutes before you leave, call to make a reservation at the world famous Betty’s Pies. We tried to eat there, but there was too long of a wait. They told us we could call in advance to save our place in line.


We happened to see a sign that said Grand Superior Grille as we were leaving the falls, and stopped here for lunch. The restaurant has sweeping views of the lake, and a well-priced menu. We practically had the place to ourselves and couldn’t believe more people weren’t there. The food and environment were fantastic. George said this was his favorite restaurant we went to all weekend because of the nice environment and good food.

Behind the restaurant is a phenomenal rocky coast.

Skipping rocks


Next, we drove to Brighton Beach but only stayed for a few minutes because it was way too packed. As an alternative, we went to Lester Park. It’s not a beach, but has trails to hike, a playground, and the best part – a beautiful creek to play in. The kids absolutely loved it and could have stayed and played in the creek for HOURS!

Lester Park Tips:

  • For a calm place to play, use the creek to the left of the playground.
  • The first creek you see (close to the parking lot) is usually filled with teenagers. Walking a little farther in, is a much better place for kids to explore.

We talked them into leaving by promising ice cream. I was hoping to go to the historic Portland’s Malt Shop, but we drove by and saw a super long line, so we went back to our hotel and walked to Dairy Queen. While we ate our ice cream, we walked back to the Lift Bridge. The boys enjoyed chasing pigeons and sea gulls, and climbing on the rocks along the coast. 

For dinner we ordered pizzas and salads from Vitta Pizza.

Notes on Vitta: Their food is fantastic! I shared an amazing salad with Ted and a couple different pizzas (both SO good). The kids loved the pizza too! I sat inside the restaurant while waiting for our food, and wouldn't recommend eating inside.  It's crowded and the seats are uncomfortable. However, the food is perfect for take out.  (Rating 5/5)

While the dads took the kids swimming, my friend Mary and I got to enjoy a little quiet time to catch our breath and chat. After dinner, the mamas took the kiddos to bed, and Ted went out with Mary’s husband to rent electric scooters and enjoy some guy time.

The weather was amazing ALL day and I’m so thankful! We got to pack in SO much fun!

Sunday morning we went to a quaint coffee shop called Perk Place. I had the most delicious latte called ‘Honey Bear.’ It’s made with a little cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. We drove around the Congdon area to see some of the historic, ornate mansions. We also drove through the downtown area and saw the famous Duluth Trading Company.

Did you know that Duluth once had most millionaires per capita than any other US city? People gained their wealth from the Iron Mining and logging industry.

Our next stop was the GORGEOUS Enger Park. This park has:

  • A Japanese Garden with a large bell you can ring,
  • Many paths to explore and rocks to climb
  • An incredible view of Duluth, the harbor, lift bridge and Lake Superior
  • A tower with nearly 100 steps and about 5 levels. There are 360 degree views on each level

After exploring the park, we headed home with happy hearts. It was an incredible weekend, full of fun adventures with good friends.

I’m thrilled that I finally got to see Duluth. There is so much history and beauty in that city – hills and large rocks, cool buildings and restaurants, falls and creeks, and of course, Lake Superior. 

Here are a few things we missed this trip, but hope to see and do during our next visit:

Where to go:

Where to Eat:

Did I miss something? Leave a comment and let me know your Duluth favorites!

I had a hard time finding water shoes in a store before we left, but I found these cool ones online for a great price!

Click here to read my Minnesota Bucket List!

Click here to read: 20 gifts that Minnesota Gave the World!

Click here to read 15 fun facts about Minnesota!

4 In 2020/ Family/ Inspiration/ Joy/ Memories/ Minnesota/ Raising boys

Knights in Shining Rowboats

It should have been a simple drop off.

My son Paul was invited to spend the night at his friend Isaiah’s house. As we were getting out of the car, Paul asked everyone to get out and see a nest of baby birds they had discovered the day before in Isaish’s backyard. The mother had made a nest on a precarious branch in the lower part of a small blue spruce tree.

We went to the back and found that the baby birds and nest had fallen from the tree and were scattered in the backyard. Paul gently picked up the birds, put them back in their nest, and tucked them safely in the tree.

Paul and the baby sparrows

I noticed that Clark’s eyes were glued to the lake. Something out there had his full attention.

‘Mom, look at that TIki boat – it’s stuck and there are people on it. We should go help!’

Immediately, George, Clark, and their friend Landon, grabbed life jackets, put the canoe in the water, and paddled out.

They arrived at the Tiki Boat and discovered four ladies and the boat driver completely stuck in a bog.  

They used their oars, strength and ingenuity to get the boat free … only for it to lodge itself deeper 10 yards away. This time it was REALLY stuck.

Two by two, Clark brought the ladies onto shore. George and Landon stayed on the Tiki boat until everyone was safe. They’d be the last ones to come back in.


Paul and his friend Isaiah, brought the boat driver safely to shore. 

Two EIGHT YEAR OLDS saving the 20-something year old boat driver.

Once the women were safely on land, they couldn’t stop praising the brave young men who rescued them. These women were shocked when they saw the boys rowing toward them. They were THRILLED that help had arrived. You see, there are no motor boats on this lake. The Tiki Boat is the only boat with a motor on the entire lake. There was no one coming to help. They were sure they’d have to wade through the muck and mud, holding their Tory Burch shoes and Loius Vitton purses overhead. 

The brave young men who saved the Damsels in Distress and the Tiki Boat Driver.

I gave the ladies a ride back to their restaurant. They looked happy to be off the boat – but I’m sure they had a night they’ll never forget.

The ladies gave the older boys a tip. George and Clark say they don’t want to spend the money. They want to save it for the memory. They are also on the lookout for any other damsels in distress.

Update: The Tiki Boat did eventually get free when a homeowner on the lake used a long rope and a four wheeler to pull the boat from the muck, allowing it to motor back to it’s home base – The Charthouse Restaurant.

Clark had asked me last month if he could get a ride on that Tiki boat, but you have to be 18 to ride. It’s pretty ironic that they are too young to ride, but not too young to rescue the passengers aboard!

0 In 2020/ Family/ Memories/ Peek into our Week/ Traveling

Indiana lake life is the #bestlife

I’m a small town, Indiana girl – and though I was happy to leave my little town just after graduating from high school, I love going home to visit.

The best time to go back home is around the 4thof July. Boats are in the water, friends and family are gathered, and sweet corn is served at every meal.

Family love
Family love

The boys are blessed with cousins who live on a lake and share all their lake toys with them, and grandparents who live next door who share all their land toys with them – and lots of family nearby to share all their love with them!

Highlights for the kids:

  • Tubing
  • Smores
  • Swimming and gathering treasures from the bottom of the lake. 

They found a glove on the bottom of the lake that Kate had lost when ice skating over the winter!

She takes them to get the world’s best donuts at Rise and Roll, to get candy, ride the Carousel, and a Soft pretzel at Davis Mercantile

  • Riding the wave runner

My nephew Jack asked me to take him out. I let him drive, not realizing that he is a CRAZY fast driver. Within minutes, he threw me off the back – I thought I was going to lose my arm, but thankfully I only lost my sunglasses. After the ride with Jack – I’m retiring from the wave runner.

I bought replacements sunglasses for $1. And George asked for some too!

Highlights for me:

  • Annual Date Night on the lake with Ted, my sister, and brother-in-law.

We do a “progressive dinner” on the boat – stopping at one restaurant for an appetizer, then another for dinner … watching the sunset in between.

  • Time with family and friends
Cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncle

Look at Luke’s smile (Jon is holding him in the back). Luke was so excited to see Jon. The last time he saw him was on The Voice. Luke said: You’re my cousin and you’re real?!?

Click here to read about Jon Mullins on The Voice.

Highlight for all of us:

Fourth of July on the lake

Here’s a video my son, George, filmed and edited of our trip:

https://youtu.be/Xl52ApU7e8w

What’s your favorite summertime destination? Leave me a comment!

0 In 2020/ Family/ Minnesota/ Motherhood/ Peek into our Week

It’s my Birthday! Let’s Eat Cake…

BIRTHDAY FUN

Thank you Minnesota, for recognizing that June 10 is my birthday, and choosing to open all gyms, restaurants and pools. I’m honored!!

My day started at the gym. (Exercise prevents cake-eating guilt.) Next, I stopped by Starbucks for my favorite FREE birthday drink – Iced Cloud Caramel Macchiato.

Then I stopped by Caribou for my FREE birthday breakfast sandwich.

I came home and the boys were up and gave me hugs and wished me happy birthday.

I made them banana bread and we did a puzzle together.

Ted went to Target and I asked him what he was getting.

Ted: Well, I was buying you flowers. It was supposed to be a surprise, but since you’re asking – what kind would you like?

Me: I’d prefer a plant over a bouquet, it lasts longer.

George: Dad, just get her seeds – those last the longest!

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Ted brought home a cake, and after lunch the boys sang to me, and we had CAKE! I opened a couple of cards I’d received in the mail, plus a gift from my mom and mother-in-law. The boys gave me handmade cards. The card from Clark was the start of a scavenger hunt. He gave me one clue, that led to another clue, that led me all over the house. The last clue was to “go to the room where you sleep.” I opened my bedroom door and all the boys jumped out and yelled:

Surprise!! Happy Birthday!!

Oh … so …. sweet. The best gifts are the ones you can’t buy.

After lunch, Ted offered to let me sneak away to get a pedicure.

That evening, a super kind friend came to watch our boys so that Ted and I could go to dinner – our first time inside a restaurant in MONTHS!

We had a delicious dinner at COV – a beautiful restaurant right on Lake Minnetonka. We shared the best CRAB CAKE I’ve ever eaten… also salmon, sushi, brussel sprouts and then more CAKE! YUM!

After dinner, I took a walk with my boys and ended the night watching a few minutes of The Greatest Showman (we love this movie).

Thanks for birthday wishes. I felt LOVED and extravagantly blessed.

‘In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.’

Abraham Lincoln

Here are some birthday freebies I received and you can get them too:

Starbucks – free drink on your birthday

Caribou – free breakfast sandwich and/or drink the week of your birthday

Culvers – Free sundae

Redbox – Free movie

Free points toward gift cards from Swagbucks

Dunkin Donuts – Free Drink

Ace Hardware – $10 off a purchase

Target – 5% off a total purchase

Kum & Go – free food or drink

More free birthday treat ideas here!

Wondering how NOT to dread another year around the sun? Click here!

0 In 2020/ Family/ Free stuff/ Games/ Inspiration/ Motherhood/ Product Recommendations/ Raising boys

40 Fun Ways to Entertain a Toddler

While raising four busy boys, I’ve spent countless hours finding activities to get them busy. We’ve lived through lots of LONG, COLD winters with nothing to do but be inside together.

Pictures from one very long, extremely cold winter. Every day felt like Groundhog Day!

I’ve learned the hard way, that when our little ones get bored, or when left un-attended for even a few minutes, they find trouble and created messes!

I left him un-attended for a few minutes, and he created “SNOW” with packing peanuts

I’ve searched the internet, and gathered my favorite ideas for keeping your toddlers busy!

Do you need a birthday gift idea? Many of the items below would make GREAT gifts. I’ve only included things that are pre-approved by my four children.

Each link I’ve included is an affiliate link, so that means if you click on it and decide to purchase the item, I will earn a small profit. Thanks for your support!

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1. Stacking cereal

Stack fruit loops or Cherries on Spaghetti noodles stuck in play dough!

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2. Fingerprint Characters and Stamps

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3. Color Wheel

Set out one item of each color, have your child search the house for items of the same color.

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4. Plasma Car

1 year old Luke loving his Plasma Car!

My oldest son received the Plasma Car for his first birthday – and each of my boys have been riding it ever since. This “bike” is almost 12 years old, and still one of their favorite toys.

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5. Balloons

All children love a simple balloon – just bounce it back and forth!

Step it up a notch with the Balloon Rockets. Kids enjoy watching balloons soar around the room! We purchased our Balloon Rocket set about 8 years ago and my boys still have fun with this! I recently bought replacement balloons to keep them entertained during quarantine.

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6. Shape Sorting

Or a do it yourself model:

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7. Make lunchtime special

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8. Don’t Eat Pete

What you need:

Any small snacks (cereal, candy, tiny crackers, peanuts, raisins)

1 piece of paper and a writing utensil

To do:

  1. On a sheet of white paper, draw a large grid – nine squares. 
  2. Put a number on each square.
  3. Put a small snack on each square. 
  4. Have ONE person leave the room. 
  5. Have another person choose which square is “Pete.”
  6. Ask the person who left the room to come back. He or she eats one snack at a time. When they grab the snack that is “Pete,” everyone screams: 

“DON’T EAT PETE!”

Their turn is over. 

Repeat as many times as your kids are interested!

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9. Ball Ramp

My older kids made this for our toddler using toilet paper tubes and paper towel rolls.

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10. Ball Bounce

Use any plastic cups and ping pong balls or nerf bullets.

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11. Make your own bird feeder

Take an empty grapefruit, fill with peanut butter and bird seed. We’ve had all kinds of birds visit our feeder – and they are so fun to watch.

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12. Tracing

Make a “dotted” animal or letters for your child to trace.

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13. Sidewalk Chalk

Inside – use your sidewalk chalk with construction paper.

Outside – Create a “road” for their cars. Draw out hop scotch, train tracks, or write the alphabet!

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14. Play with water

Inside – Put any toy that can get wet into the bathtub.

Outside – 1. Pour water down a sloped path or driveway to see where it goes. 2. Put their toys in soapy water and have them give them a “bath.”

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15. Shaving cream

Put shaving cream in a large baggie with some food coloring. Let your child “squish it” or practice writing letters on it with their finger.

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16. Mess Free Coloring Book

mess free drawing

My son LOVES these!

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17. Finger Paint

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18. Pots/Pans and Spoons

Let your kids bang away. (Put in earbuds to keep it from driving you crazy!)

Another parent mentioned this idea: Giving your toddler pots and pans to bang on is a classic parent move, but here is a less noisy idea. Sit your toddler down with a pumpkin, melon, or squash and let them pound the vegetable to their heart’s content with a toy hammer. Most toddlers aren’t strong enough to do real harm with their hammer, so you can still make soup with your butternut squash once they’ve had their fun. She also says this works if you swap the hammer for stickers.

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19. Memory Game

We created this one on Shutterfly!

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20. Hide and Seek

Little ones and big ones love this game.

You can also hide a toys, stuffed animals, or plastic eggs and let them search!

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21. Board Books

My boys enjoyed “Lift the Flap” books

They also loved Brown Bear and Goodnight Moon

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22. Dance party

Go Noodle is a good website to use for dance moves

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23. Drawing or Water Color Painting

Give your kids white paper and let them color, draw or paint.

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24. Paint Nails

paint nails

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25. Bubbles

Bubbles always make kids smile!

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26. Sock Puppets

Little ones love puppets. Make a simple one with a glove.

All four of my boys BEG me to read the “Tickle Monster” book that comes with Tickle Monster ‘puppet’ gloves.

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27. Take a Drive

Strap your kids in to the car, drive around and listen to music or an audiobook.

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28. Old School LIGHT BRIGHT

I loved this as a kid and perhaps your kids will too?

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29. Sing together

Singing to and with your child builds a unique bond with them. And just like reading to your child, singing songs with them helps to boost their vocabulary and language skills.

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30. Stickers

Kids can put stickers over large letters to “trace” their name, or put sticker dots on a line you draw for them!

Click here to follow the “Busy Toddler” on Instagram for lots of fun ideas for toddlers.

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31. Exercise together

My mom started exercising with me when I was a toddler, and now I exercise with my kids. Set the timer for 20 minutes and MOVE!

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32. Play Dress Up

We keep a container of “Dress up” clothes for our kids. My boys have dressed up and saved the world thousands of times!

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33. PlayDoh

My toddler enjoys this little playdoh set.

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34. Busy Bag

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35. Lay in the grass and watch the clouds

Ask them what they see!

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36. MegaBlocks

This bag has brought hours of entertainment for my kiddos!

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37. Have fun with ice!

Make ice in different colors with food coloring and add to their drinks.

Freeze their toys and allow them to ‘excavate’ with a toy hammer.

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38. Memorize a verse together

It’s the SWEETEST thing to hear your little ones quoting Scripture!

The first verses my mom had me learn were Psalm 91:1 and Ephesians 6:. The first verse I had my kids learn was 1 Timothy 4:12.

Scripture memory is something that will benefit your children throughout their ENTIRE lives!

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39. Clean together

  • Smaller things kids can do – wiping baseboards, lower cabinets, all door handles, pulling weeds, folding and putting away laundry, bathroom, bedroom, their closet, putting toys away and unloading dishwasher.
  • I offered my kids a quarter to whoever could wipe down the baseboards and bring me back the dirtiest wet wipe.

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40. Play bean bag games

  • Toss in buckets, pans, or boxes
  • For more bean bag toddler games, CLICK HERE.

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Do you have an activity to share? Leave a comment!

Click here for 55 activities for kids of every age!

*I am an Amazon Affiliate, so I make a small percentage off of Amazon links I share if you click through and purchase.  Thank you for your support in this way! 

0 In 2020/ Family/ Funny

Creative Quarantine Entertainment for your Family

My two oldest sons wanted to provide some “clean” and funny entertainment for your family during this quarantine season.

Everyone needs a little “FUNNY” right now!


They are writing, producing and editing their own videos. This gives them a creative outlet and a fun way to add a little humor to your home.

They would love it if you would check out their videos and subscribe to their channel.

Here are a few they’ve done so far:

Quarantine Life vs Normal Life:

https://youtu.be/H5i5T7QwTEE


Hot Sauce Challenge!

https://youtu.be/OVJzG1pAY_U

Try Not to Laugh:

https://youtu.be/xtgHbEd40iw

What do you think?

Leave a comment, and I will pass the message on to them. Because their youtube channel is for kids, comments are not allowed under their videos.

Please share their videos with your family and friends! Also – you can subscribe by clicking on the logo/faces in the top left corner of each video. It should give you the option to “subscribe.”

22 In 2020/ Family/ Free stuff/ Games/ Giveaway/ Motherhood

20 More Fun Activities for your Kids

My post on 55 Summertime Activities for Kids has been a big hit with parents, so I wrote another post to give you MORE ideas for keeping your quarantined kids busy.

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1. Sports Action Figures

The Sports Action Figures inspire kids in creative, open-ended play of their favorite sport (while stuck inside). The sets can also be used for parents to teach their kids the rules of the game and introduce their kids to the sports they love. The sets can also be used as centerpieces for sports-themed birthday parties – or to decorate cakes and cupcakes! Coaches use the GUYS to go over positioning and strategy with their players!

The sets by KaskeyKids.com include: Football, Baseball, Hockey, Soccer and Basketball.

Click here for more info on the set.

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2. Mosaic Art

Keep your kids busy by tearing up different colors of construction paper, then gluing them onto a picture you draw or print!

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3. Handmade Greeting Cards

Everyone loves to get mail! Have your kids make a ‘Mother’s day’ or ‘Thinking of you’ Card!!!

Click here for verses you could include in the card.

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3. “Paper Towel/Toilet Paper Tube” May

toilet paper

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4. Mad libs

Your kids will practice reading, writing, and language arts with this fun activity!

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5. Learn to Draw

Whatever it is your kids would like to draw – an animal, flower, or character – there’s a youtube video to teach them how to draw.

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6. Practice your manners!

Kids don’t automatically know what it means to “Mind Your Manners.” Summer time is the perfect time to teach them! At the dinner table, talk about table etiquette. After dinner, practice how to meet new people, and how to make a great first impression. We WILL be getting back to normal soon. We WILL be shaking hands again one day.

Practice with your kids NOW so they can impress people with their top-notch manners LATER!

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7. Mystery Drawing

WooJr has TONS of fun and free printables for Kids. The “Mystery Grids” are fun for kids – they won’t know what they are coloring until it’s finished!

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8. Quick Draw with Google

Have you seen this free activity? My kids and I have had so much fun with this game! Click here to play!

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9. Battleship over zoom

Click here to print a Battleship sheet. Your kids can zoom chat with a friend or relative and play this game together.

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10. Hangman

This game has been around for over 100 years. Teach your kids how to play! Use their spelling or vocabulary words and call it “HOME SCHOOL!”

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11. Paper Airplane

There are Youtube videos to teach your kids how to make unique paper airplanes. Have your kids build one and see how far it goes!

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12. Gratitude Journal

A gratitude list or journal is EXTREMELY valuable in uncertain times. Thinking about our blessings and what we are grateful for is extremely helpful in building resiliency! I researched journals a few months ago and decided to purchase this simple one for George. I’ve loved watching him open this up (without prompting), and write what he’s grateful for!

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13. Self Portrait

Have your kids look in the mirror and do a self portrait! Be sure to have them write their name and age. It will be fun to look back on this when they are older. You could have them repeat this every year around their birthday to see how their drawings improve!

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14. Watercolor Painting

Have your kids PAINT their coloring books instead of coloring – or – give them a blank sheet of paper to paint!

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15. Friendship bracelets

Making friendship bracelets kept me busy for HOURS when I was young. Perhaps it will entertain your kids too! Purchase embroidery floss, then search youtube for instructions.

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16. Play in The Sprinkler

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17. Marshmallow cup toss

All you need are two cups, two kids and one marshmallow.

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18. Blow Painting

Drip some paint on paper or cardboard and have your kids use a straw to blow the paint and make a unique piece of art.

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19. Crayon Art

Use crayons and a blow dryer to create art!

Click this site for some REALLY cool crayon art ideas!

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20. Paint those nails!

I saw this on Facebook and HAD to share! What a cool idea.

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Thanks for reading and ENJOY your summer!

For 55 other activities for kids, click here!

*I am an Amazon Affiliate, so I make a small percentage off of Amazon links I share if you click through and purchase.  Thank you for your support in this way!