Category: Family Activities

Family Activities

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Experiences

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Hey Loves!

Day 9 and I am feeling fine! How about you? Life is what you make it so why not give the gift an experience or 2? These are some of my favorite requests and received gifts. No lie, my mom is the reason my kids are learning to ski for their birthdays. In case that’s a bit much for you, here are some other ideas.

*Note*- magazine subscriptions, theme/subject based subscription kits, and and online classes totally count as an experience!

  1. Play Place Gift Cards- Yes, I know we are still in a pandemic. Most places are practicing Covid-safe guidelines and, well, even pre-Covid, these places were not cheap. So, a gift card for a few hours of play is a great experience whether it is a place you love or a place you’ve been wanting to try!
  2. Museum Membership- Listen, we adore ours. It is by far the most cost effective way to visit and see/do everything, especially in multiple locations. You just can not beat it if you tried. 
  3. Learn a New Skill- Coding, chess, ballet, gymnastics, swim, acting, hockey You name it- you can either pay in advance and print a certificate or get a gift certificate and call it a day!
  4. Spa Treatments- Everyone, regardless of gender or age will enjoy some sort of spa treatment from a manicure to a massage. Spa treatments do not discriminate.
  5. Traveling- This may sound weird but go with me. Family members going to Disney? Get Disney gift cards for those souvenirs. You can also chip in or pay for certain excursions during travel!

Zoo Trip or Membership- Because those fun family friendly places that encourage learning and what not aren’t cheap. You could also gift an animal feeding experience to families with an admission membership.

Family Activities

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Gifts to Get Moving

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Oh my Loves!

How are you?

My prayer is that these guides aren’t causing you stress or pressure to buy, just giving you ideas. Feel free to tuck these away for another time or send them to someone else who may need them. If you can still hang with me today, and five more days, I do have some good things coming! Today’s ideas are all to get those little bodies moving!

**Just a note, headbands, small exercise equipment, fitness watches and new running shoes are great gifts for teens and adults! Now to the kids/tween gift ideas!**

  1. Balance/Wobble Board- These range in price. We got a $50 one from amazon that was well made! Two years later with my two kids, it is well-used and still in great condition. Awesome for core work and sensory regulation too!
  2. New Bike/Trike- I didn’t even know this kind of joy was possible until my kids unwrapped a bike on Christmas! Be fully prepared to go outside like right away though and put the new wheels on the sidewalk.
  3. Sports Equipment/Lessons- Bats, gloves, cleats, all the balls to enjoy at home, with an already established team or club or lessons for something new- these are always welcome and exciting!
  4. Roller Skates- From experience, I would get these size-adjustable, and from consignment or on super sale because they get beat up fast. I would also suggest some padding because falls are real and they can be hard.
  5. Ninja Line-  These range from like $60-$120 depending on what you want and how much of it. We really enjoy ours!
  6. SkateBoard- This is on my kids list! Thank God we already have padding and helmets but at least this is one I am willing to try with them!
Family Activities

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Neighbors and Friends

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Hiya Loves!

We are half-way through these gift guides and don’t be shocked if you see them again next year! These gifts are kind of timeless, especially today’s gift guide for neighbors and friends!

  1. Baked Treats: Understanding we are still in a pandemic, maybe you opt for store bought, maybe you still bake. It is the thought that counts!
  2. Wine Subscription: My mom sent me one and it was so fun trying brands you can’t find in local stores and broadening your pallet.
  3. Personalized or Sentimental Ornament: If you know me, you know annual ornaments are my jam! I also love sharing this tradition with friends!
  4. Family Movie Night: This can be done many ways. Redbox codes, Amazon prime gift card to rent a movie, popcorn, candy and snacks, or even a movie projector or some or all of the above.
  5. Donation In Their Name: For those you know well, donating to a community cause, organization or charity in their name is the way to have a gift make a resounding impact.
  6. Family Game Night: Similar to the movie night above, this can be done several ways- just snacks, inexpensive card games, board games or classic family games. Of course you could mix and match some of these!
Family Activities

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Investment Gift Ideas

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Day 5 is here my Loves!

We are nearly at the half-way point and I figured this would be the best time to share some investment gifts. These run from the low to high $$$ and are an investment financially but also in space and care. 

So, don’t just jump into these all willy-nilly. Think carefully and consider all the pros and cons.

1. Nugget Comfort-Full disclosure, we have two and my whole family, even grandparents, have used and love them.  We use them everyday and they truly add to our lives.

2. Sensory Table- Note, not all of these are created equally. My friends who have the one from Ikea raved about it.

3. Play House- Oh what joy and fun from imaginative play in a playhouse! Not to mention, you can dress these up for each season and holiday!

4. Pretend Kitchen- Similar to above but inside-all the imaginative play and seasonsale decor! I’ve had both wood and plastic and prefer wood.

5. Light table- We don’t have the space for this but it is a cool learning tool!

6. Bunk Beds- Hands down, best gift my kids ever got. My kids now sleep in the same bunk so we want to make the top bunk themed for adventure and play.

Bonus: A market stand or cart is the cutest addition to any dramatic play set up and cultivates so much learning!

Family Activities

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Games and Quiet Activities

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Hey Loves!

Day 3 is here and these are my favorite gifts-Kids can be kids without batteries and sounds and let their imaginations run free!

  1. Marble Maze– Not to be confused with marble run, these wooden planks, trunks and squares allow for so much building, solution solving and engineering.
  2. Logic Games- I mean, let the littles think, get stumped and try again! We have a quite a few from stacking rocks/stones, to Mental Blox to Smart Cookies and I have more I want to add to our collection.
  3. Sumblox– Also on my kids’ list and these are not just for math my friends. These are for fun! They can grow with my kids as well.
  4. Puzzles- One of our favorite activities and they can grow with the child. We love Puzzle Huddle Puzzles.
  5. Magnatiles- Again, our favorites and I love watching their imaginations work. We do stick with the actual brand name because that is what works for us but feel free to try another brand.
  6. Keva Blocks– Can you see a theme? This is also on our list. Let the city building begin! These are different than your traditional building blocks and you can find building challenges!

*Note* Legos are another great one. This year, my kids are getting this and this to add to their collection and skill set.

Family Activities

History and Spelling Updates

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Hey loves!

Do you ever wonder why eclectic homeschoolers are called eclectic? Honestly I don’t have the exact answer but I know I am an eclectic homeschooler because it takes a minute to find things that really work for our family and no two children are at the same. 

With that, since the beginning of our year and my last curriculum updates what you can find here, I’ve made some changes to history and spelling for James.

If you recall in this video I already changed our spelling from Spelling You See to a spelling curriculum that I found via Pinterest that was free. With this free curriculum we used manipulatives that we had at home to help him practice spelling words solely from recitation. While the recitation part was improving, I could tell the cognitive function ofused spelling was not increasing across other areas. So, I went back to the drawing board. Thankfully, use curriculum sales are my jam and I was able to find all about spelling, the complete set, for a total of seven dollars. I couldn’t beat that if I tried so I took it as a sign that we could just give it a shot.

Well, this shot changed our entire lives and frankly, I am in love. All about spelling is wet we needed in James’ spelling has improved monumentally in just 10 lessons. Because I am loved by the Most High, I was also able to find a brand new copy of level 2 for a great price locally and grabbed it so we are all set there.

Now, for history, I said at thetime that I was researching I couldn’t find a non-Eurocentric curriculum program that was age-appropriate for James. So, I settled with Story of The World. Well, it wasn’t inaccurate or grossly racist but it wasn’t fun or engaging. Honestly, because of my traditional school upbringing I honestly thought that’s what history was. That is until I found Curiousity Chronicles. This curriculum includes an audiobook that’s so engaging and fun and the activities are crazy easy to implement while letting the child learn and have fun. 

We are studying ancient history now and will soon go into the medieval period. I’ll be using the same curriculum because they are not only accurate and not grossly racist but they are also non- Eurocentric and focus on so many other great ethnic cultures and traditions in their history curriculums.

I rounded both of these out by grabbing two of these notebooks from The School Nest. I’m not sure why she doesn’t have all of the pictures on her website but that’s her business thankfully a friend sent me a full video flipped through and I was sold. For $10 each I am able to have a history timeline that will last us for years any spelling notebook that’s going to do the exact same without having tons of loose papers all around my house that I have to clean up and keep up with. 

That’s all for now. Talk soon!

about me

All About Wonder Crate Jr.

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Hey Loves!

I am back with another great review for you. Again, while this product, Wonder Crate Jr., was a complimentary received product, the views and thoughts below are all of my own. (Read: I am not here to lie to you!)

OK, here’s the thing, I have been burned several times with subscription kits. That’s the short-end and honestly me telling you all of the details would take far too much time that neither of us have. Just know I was incredibly skeptical about this product.

That means you get a very thorough review. Starting with the customer service and the shipping. I mean, I kind of feel like all companies should provide quality customer service, however Wonder Crate goes above and beyond. I was honestly impressed. Their shipping was very fast and my package was not damaged. If you know anything about USPS you know that is highly unlikely. 

Next the packaging – So part of the reason that I have been burned on subscription crates in the past is because I physically have had to do way too much for a subscription crate that was supposed to be for my children. I just don’t feel like they should require 90% of parent involvement and direction. So, I opened this box fully expecting that. Spoiler alert: I was wrong.

For those of you not familiar with Wonder Crate, they are a kid-based subscription that focus on inspiring change-makers from Civil Rights leaders to Artists and allow kids to learn about them through engaging hands-on learning like completing a couple of quality crafts and a book relating to the said person’s life. The box we received was all about Frida Kahlo and I don’t know why this worked out so well for us, but she is the next artist we’re going to be studying. (Note, I planned this in May of 2021. I didn’t change plans based on this box.) 

Per their website, each box comes with a biography book, hands-on activities, parent guide and reusable tote in the first box. “Wonder Crate Jr. introduces kids ages 5-7 to inspirational role models, sparks curiosity and connects them to their own possibilities. Possible role models include: Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, Alan Turing, Greta Thunberg, Maya Angelou, Jane Goodall, and MLK Jr.

I also love that this product was created by a mom who felt defeated after the 2016 Election and turned her pain into passion to make change in the next generation.

I personally am thrilled about this and plan on adding to Christmas and birthday wishlists. You can find out more and purchase it here. Check out what my fellow Melanted Gold Squad Review Member thought about Wonder Crate Jr. here.

crafting

2021 Boo Baskets

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Hey loves!

Spooky Season is upon us and I am kicking it off with baskets again this year my little boos!

Can I be honest for a second? I’ve been exhausted… I’m talking about the kind of fatigue that is mental, physical and emotional. It is ever abundant and yes, while I am doing all I can to take care of myself, these boo baskets are a little skimp. However, that made me be really intentional about what is included and the intention I want to set for the upcoming fall season.

You all know how I feel about traditions, holidays, and memories. They are on the top of my list as far as parenting goes for me in my house. Yes, making memories with my family, regardless of what is or what is not in their boo basket, is what will happen. 

Now, to the deets of this year is boo baskets. I’m gonna go ahead right now and give credit to the Dollar Tree, Target Dollar Spot and Gymboree because those three retailers are literally where everything in my kids’ boo basket came from.

From Gymboree, the kids got two pairs of pajamas. Last year they asked me for skeleton jammies so I grabbed a pair of those as well as some super cute mummy ones. As usual, for holiday jammies I size up to make sure they fit and can hopefully wear them the following year.

From Dollar Tree, they got a spooky face sticker book, a wooden craft and cute jack-o’-lantern socks.

Rounding it out with the following items from Target Dollar Spot: window clings, a cute thing holiday book, glow bracelets, themed puzzle, and a little stuffed monster. I couldn’t leave these huge bubble wands there so I grabbed one for each basket.

The finishing touches are these adorable name tags from my favorite small shop, Grace and Grain Studio. 

That’s it!

Keep it spooky, ghouls.