Showing posts with label Party Planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Party Planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Party Planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Party Planning. Show all posts

How to Help Children Achieve Dreams and Goals

How Can I Help My Child Achieve Their Dreams?


One of the main parts of being a parent is nurturing your child’s hobbies and aspirations. This way, they can make their dreams a reality. However, for this to happen, a lot of work needs to be done behind the scenes. You can put things in place that can help to support your child as they work toward their goals, both in the present and the future. As a result, you can feel proud knowing you did all you could to be there for them when they were young and fledgling.


How Can I Help My Child Achieve Their Dreams


Financial Goals

Many goals and dreams that a child might have may also require some form of financial backing, whether this be gaining a qualification, starting a business, getting married, or even going on a nice holiday vacation. Rather than them needing to find the money in a short space of time, you may be able to use the entirety of their childhood to start putting money aside for their future. You can achieve this in the form of a junior stocks and shares ISA in your child’s name. A parent can open an account when their child is born and continue depositing into it until that child is an adult (in the eyes of the law.) At this point, they may be able to withdraw the money to use as they see fit. Hopefully, "as they see fit" will mean it will be spent on helping them achieve the important goals you both had dreamed up when they were merely small children.


Money Lessons for Kids


Extra Curricular Goals

Getting your child involved in extracurricular activities while they are young can also aid them with their future endeavors. This may especially be the case if some of those extra curricular activities match what your child would like to do in the future. If not, there might be some skills or tools that your child could take from these activities that could allow them to get ahead. For example, a child who is on the debate team now might have some of the skills required for job interviews, or even being able to make a convincing argument without the need for dramatics or raising their voice when the two of you have a disagreement. A child who explores 4H or the Future Farmers of America, might learn skills to help them have a future career in Agriculture.


Self-Esteem Goals

Above all, give children positive reinforcement. This can include the use of positive phrases that boost their confidence. While you may not want your child to be cocky, improving their self-esteem helps them to speak up for others, have the courage to pursue their dreams, and it gives them the drive to not give in when things get difficult. With a good measure of self-confidence, no matter how many setbacks they face, they will continue to look for different ways to achieve their goal, simply because they have a good foundation of perseverance and know that someone out there has their back.


Self-Motivating Quotes


While some (many) of your child's dreams might be unrealistic, realistic dreams can be achieved with hard work and dedication. As a parent, think about the many ways you can support your child to have the money and skills they will need to make those dreams come true. Whether you start a rainy day fund with your kids or just go play in the rain, it's never too late to be present in your child's life; and that is the best way to help your child achieve anything.

 

 Recommended:

Ways to Make Extra Money at Home

Be Present: Things to do with Kids


Party Plan a Baby Shower with a Fun Theme

Baby Shower Ideas

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of HotRef Party Favors for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you know someone who has a bun in the oven? Chances are you will want to throw a baby shower for them. This is a time to celebrate life, enjoy each other's company, and have fun. We've got some cute ideas to help you plan a baby shower. We found baby shower gamesbaby shower free printables, and fun baby shower favors. Enjoy!

To plan a great baby shower, you need a fun theme. Traditional baby shower themes include ducks, teddy bears, or pink or blue baby carriages.

We found adorable baby shower favors in various themes at HotRef.com. So, here are some cute baby bottle theme ideas for a baby shower.


Baby Bottle Baby Shower Theme


This baby bottle key chain makes an elegant gift for guests. Use it in a goody bag of favors for all attendees or as a prize for winning a fun, baby shower game.


Baby Shower Inviitation Baby Bottle Frame Theme


To continue with the baby bottle baby shower theme, start with baby bottle invitations. They come in blue or pink and make perfect keepsake mementos.


Blue Baby Shower Baby Bottle Placecard Holder


For the baby shower decor, add baby bottle placecard holders. These are fun to use as place settings or to display baby shower snacks. You can also use them to hold questions for a get-to- know-baby card game.


Baby Bottle Cookie Cutter


These baby bottle shape cookie cutters also come in pink or blue. Sure, you can add them to a goody bag, but to make it extra special, make your own cookies for the baby shower with this baby shower sugar cookie mix.


baby shower sugar cookies


If they haven't decided on a name for the baby, decorate each cookie with their top name choices and have the guests vote for their favorites.


Baby Bottle Bank for Baby Shower


Don't forget the Mom to be, display this baby bottle bank on the gift table with a placecard holder asking the guests to spare a dime for new baby!


Fun Baby Shower Games 


We mentioned some ideas for baby shower games above, but here are more fun game ideas for baby showers including a free printable baby bottle theme baby shower game.


Fun Baby Shower Games from Buzz Feed.


Baby Shower Game Ideas from Parents.com.


Free Printable Baby Shower Games from Temecula Blogs.


To help plan the perfect party, the baby shower party favors at HotRef Party Favors can be personalized to include the event name, date, and a little phrase if you like. See, planning a baby shower isn't so hard. You can do it!



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ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


Valentine's Day Party Ideas for Tweens Tutorial

Tween Valentine Party Activities Tutorial

Wondering what to do for a Tween Valentine Party? These Valentine's party ideas for tweens will keep kids busy afterschool. Invite their friends over for a fun filled Valentine's Day party with craftivities galore. Girls and boys alike will have fun making their own one of a kind snowflake hearts and Duct Tape Valentine Snack Treat Box to use while watching their favorite movie. Enjoy!

Valentine's Day Party Ideas for Tweens Tutorial
Heart Craftivities for a Valentine's Day Party for Tweens.


Your tweens may not enjoy exchanging classroom valentines or making valentine's mailboxes for school, but they probably enjoy eating fun food and having a party. You can make this as a surprise valentine treat for kids or you can have them help make the Valentine crafts as an afterschool activity.

Tween Valentine Party Activities Tutorial
Tween Valentine Party Activities Tutorial.

To decorate for our Valentine's Day party, we made a few heart crafts that are fun for kids of all ages.

First, we made paper snowflake hearts. Want the full tutorial? Click the link:  How to Make Paper Snowflake Hearts.

Once the snowflake hearts are cut out, glue them to a colorful background paper and cut them out. Use these lacy hearts as decorations hanging from the ceiling, placemats, or write fun sayings on them and hand them out as Valentine classroom exchange cards.


How to Make Paper Snowflake Hearts
Make paper snowflake hearts to decorate for a Valentine's Day party.

Using colorful cardstock, make heart sculptures. Cut out two hearts and then cut halfway up the bottom of one, and half way up the top of the other. Slide the hearts together (upside down) to form a 3D base for balloons. Punch a whole in the top of them, and slip a ribbon through to attach a balloon bouquet. They make fun, whimsical table decorations too- no balloons required.


3D heart sculpture table decorations.
3D heart sculpture table decorations.

Next, make heart garland to hang vertically in the window. These are a good scissor skill activity for younger kids. They also work fine motor skills. Fold paper in half, draw half a heart at the crease line of the paper. 

After the heart is cut out, keep it folded and cut two- 1" slits 1-2" apart. Open the heart and weave ribbon or string through the slits.

Using a glue stick (it works just fine) or hot glue gun, attach a pom pom to the end of the garland to give it a whimsical finishing touch.


How to make heart garland for Valentine's Day party decoration.
How to make heart garland for Valentine's Day party decorations.

Surprise the kids with snack treat boxes made from recycled cereal boxes. Make these ahead of time or let the kids choose their own patterns and make their own. 

At the Dollar Tree, we purchased duct tape in various colors. Not only does this decorate the box, it also makes the box sturdier giving it protection against spills or greasy food. 

While shopping, we found little red cups that make perfect Valentine treat holders. Fill them with dip for veggies or yummy candy treats. Ours are filled with Valentine candy conversation hearts.


Valentine snack treat boxes for movie time or after school snacks.
Valentine snack treat boxes for movie time or after school snacks.

Start with a cereal box. They are the perfect size for sitting on your lap. Cut out a large flap for the main course and then cut out two smaller wholes for the mini snack cup and a juice pack or drink holder. Trace the bottom of the cup and juice box to insure you cut out the perfect fit.


Things to do with a recycled cereal box.
Things to do with a recycled cereal box.

Carefully wrap the box in designer duct tape. When going around round the cut-outs, score the tape (cut a slit in the tape before folding it over), this allows for a cleaner, more attractive edge.


Snack box decorated with duct tape.
Snack box decorated with duct tape.

Once your box is covered in tape, attach a heart on the inside of the flap. Personalize it with your child's name or candy heart sayings like, 'Be Mine', 'Your the Bomb', 'Hers', or even 'Happy Valentine's Day'.


Snack treat box for Valentine's day or movie time.
Treat box for Valentine's day or movie time snack.

Place colorful plastic wrap or tissue paper inside the food flap. Then, fold four flaps over on a paper plate to form a square, paper bowl. Fill your food section with popcorn or a mini heart shaped pizza. Click the link for the full pizza recipe tutorial.


 Mini heart shaped pizza for Valentine's Day.
Mini heart shaped pizza for Valentine's Day.

These cute Valentine glasses were a steal at the Dollar Tree. They have lots of fun designs. If your tweens are too grown up for juice boxes, make a special drink for Valentine's Day. Keep scrolling for our easy Valentine's Day drink recipe.


Make a special tween drink for Valentine's Day.
Make a special tween drink for Valentine's Day.

Ever heard of a Shirley Temple? It is a non-alcholic fun, fizzy drink. To make a simple Shirley Temple, fill a glass with lemon-lime soda and then give it a splash of Grenadine. Grenadine is sweet, so a little goes a long way. For a fun version of the Shirley Temple, just add a bit of pink cotton candy. Don't forget to put a cherry on top!


Add a layer of plastic wrap or tissue paper to protect the inside of the box.

How fun was that? Kids will love getting invited to such a fun filled Valentine's party. Once everyone has their snack box, head over to the living room and watch a fun, Valentine's theme movie

Peanuts is always a good choice. Charlie Brown never gets the Valentine he hopes for.


Valentine treat box complete.
Valentine treat box complete.

Tween Valentine party ideas and activities.
Tween Valentine party ideas and activities.

These activities are so easy, if you don't have Valentine's Day plans, you can prep for this party in about 2 hours. So, go make your own fun! Hope you have a fabulous Valentine's Day!


Recommended:

Fill your treat box with Homemade Heart Shape Pretzels.

Valentine's Day Movies for Kids*





ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


8 Party Planning Tips to Make your Next Kids' Birthday Celebration Stress Free

8 Tips and Tricks on Planning Parties for Kids

Nadia of Teach Me Mommy blog shares some tips and tricks to help you plan a stress free birthday party for kids. Enjoy!

Party Planning- it could get you all excited or just stressed out! I will share a few Tips and Tricks on how to plan a party: stress free (or almost)! I am no expert, but have done a few parties myself and found I just love it!

8 Party Planning Tips to Make your Next Kids' Birthday Celebration Stress Free
Stress Free Party Planning Tips.


Here are some things to think about:

1. Start early: the earlier you start planning, the more time you have to get everything together and you don't have to rush. (This year it was my baby boy's first party, and because his birthday is in the beginning of January, I, sort of, forgot about it! Realizing the 1st of January, it is January! Next year I will plan his party in November, that way, in spite of the Holidays and Christmas rush, this mom will be more prepared!)

2. Choose a theme. Older kids will probably tell you what theme they want for their parties, but for the younger ones, you have to choose something. For a 1st birthday, you can go with anything you'd like, but from the 2nd birthday, think what interests does your child have. I chose a Story Book Party Theme for my girls 2nd birthday, because at that stage(and still) she loved books and storytelling. Her 3rd birthday party was a Zoo theme, she just loves the zoo and the animals.

3) Invites: Get the invites out early,but not too early so people will forget about it! 2/3 weeks before the RSVP date (this date should be no closer than 1 week until the party,so you can plan accordingly). Evites are so much easier to send these days, and you could still print one for yourself as a keepsake.

4) Keep the weather in mind: For us,my daughter was a winter baby,so we rather plan everything inside. My son was a summer baby,but it is also raining season. I plan everything for outside, but have a back up plan inside. You don't want to have to jump around when the rain starts with an audience; )

5) Delegate: this is very important (note to self)! You can't do everything well yourself,sometimes you need help! If help is offered, take it. The trick here is: Make an example of how you want something done,that way it will still be just the way you imagined.

6) Activities: think of activities for all ages. Make it interesting for the kids,this helps that they will not cling to their parents when dropped off, or if the parents stay,they can too enjoy the party. I like to plan the activities so it will fit into the overall theme, for example: with the Zoo theme the kids made masks of zoo animals.

7) Eats: it is up to you whether you want to go with a sweets only party,or want to include food too. A good cue is the time of the party: if it falls on lunch/supper time, you will need to offer some kind of filling snack. Do keep in mind the age of the kids attending too. If it is a party where the parents stay,you could have finger food for them,and drinks. But this is up to you. Leave all the "fresh" preparations for the day of the party, but try and do all other preparations that can be done a day or two beforehand, in advance. This will avoid a rush on the party day.

8) Party Favours: this is totally optional. Again, I like to include favours that fit with the overall theme. These need not be expensive, you can give something small or homemade, it is the idea that counts. I always send the extra sweets home with them too, that way you won't have too many temptations left over;)

I hope you find these few tips helpful and that the next party you plan will be less stressful!

Recommended Reading:

Birthday Party Tips*

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss Book*







ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)