Showing posts with label decor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label decor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label decor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label decor. Show all posts

How to Renovate a Nursery for First Time Parents

How do you Plan a Nursery?


The prospect of becoming a first-time parent is an equally daunting and exciting journey. There are many things that need to be done in preparation for your baby’s arrival, and for first-time parents, the list can often seem never-ending and overwhelming. Wondering how do you plan a nursery? A key task within that list is decorating the nursery, and organizing a space for the newest member of the family. Although it’s a joyous project, there are various factors and small details that are required to create the perfect nursery for your baby. Here at We Buy Any Home we’ve composed a guide on how to renovate a nursery for first time parents, along with things to include and some helpful tips. This article is written by Holly Herbert.


This post contains Amazon affiliate links.


How do you Plan a Nursery?



Planning a Nursery Step-by-Step Guide


Step 1- Make A Plan:

It’s no question that preparing for the arrival of the baby takes planning, and planning the nursery is no exception. Your nursery will serve as a multi-functional room, not only will it be the place where your baby will eventually sleep, but it's where you will dress them, change, teach and feed them. Ensuring you have an in-depth plan is a great way to make sure you have everything you need and no little detail is missing.


Nursery on a Budget Ideas


Step 2- Cleaning and Maintenance:

It’s vital that you ensure your future nursery is pristine before you begin to think about decorating. Babies are incredibly susceptible to germs that arise through dust, pet hair and mold, so it's important that you spend a good amount of time cleaning all surface areas. However, try to refrain from using harsh chemicals when cleaning as the fumes can linger in the air and be toxic if inhaled by your baby. 

It’s important to consider the smaller factors about the room. Are there drafty windows? Is the main light overbearing? Do the door hinges creak? All these small maintenance checks need to be fixed prior to the arrival of your baby, as you want them to have the most comfortable time in their nursery.


Whimsical Nursery Decor Ideas


Step 3- Themes and Painting:

Once you have decided where you are going to put the nursery, then it's time to get creative. If you're thinking about painting then your options are limitless. Traditional colors are usually pink and blue, however neutral color palettes are becoming increasingly popular for a minimalist feel to the room. If you're thinking of being extra creative then you may want to consider going with a theme or perhaps a mural wall. A side note- if you opt to paint the nursery, make sure you buy a non-toxic paint that won't flake.

Don’t forget to decorate the ceiling too. Babies spend a lot of time on their backs, so why not give them a feature to look at. Consider adding a ceiling mural or a soothing color to enhance your nursery.


Under the Sea Children's Bathroom Decor


Step 4- A Focal Furniture Piece:

Most nurseries are centered around a focal piece of furniture such as a crib, but there are other options to choose from. A painted dresser can work well, or a large window or alcove. A small checklist of essential nursery items includes:

A helpful tip is to ensure that everything is in reach of the changing table- including wipes, changing table covers, diaper disposal system, laundry hamper and a pacifier. This will allow you to reach for things with ease, avoid stress but more most importantly, keep your eye on your baby at all times. 


What Style Baby Sling are You?


Step 5- Don’t Forget About Flooring:

As your baby grows, you will notice that they will begin to spend more time on the floor- therefore it's an important factor to consider before they get to that stage. If you’re opting to lay down a carpet, ensure it’s a shade that won't highlight stains and spills.  Wooden floors are a popular choice, and you can put down a rug to add a pop of color and cushion any tumbles.


How to Make a Birthday Balloon Cupcake


Step 6- Sentiment:

This is your baby’s first room, so don’t forget to make it feel like home. Including items of sentiment for example, family photos, generational gifts such as soft toys and blankets are a neat touch to completing your nursery.



Recommended:


Portable Nursing Station


Educational Toy Ideas


Nursery Decor Ideas Amazon


Tips to get Baby to Sleep Through the Night




5 Solutions To Help You Settle Into Your New Home

New Home Tips



We recently moved to a new house. It's a fixer upper. Moving to a new house is so exciting– the newness of the property and getting to know all its different quirks and eccentricities is second to none. Even if you feel a little homesick for your previous property, those feelings will soon disappear as you get used to your new one. The sooner you settle in, the sooner you will feel right at home, so it’s important to set this in motion from day one. Here are 5 solutions to help you settle into your new house and how you can settle into your new home faster and start enjoying it from the first few weeks.


New Home Tips


This post contains Amazon affiliate links, if you click and make a purchase, I get a small commission.



1. Tackle The Big Stuff 

There will be certain jobs to do in your new home that are big and off-putting. These include putting your bed together and making it, and setting up the living room furniture and perhaps the TV too. It can be far more tempting to start with the smaller jobs, like unpacking ornaments and kitchen utensils.

The problem is that these smaller jobs won't help you settle in. Will it matter if all of your DVDs are on the shelf if you're sleeping on a mattress in the floor? It's far better to do the big jobs first, and then you will feel more relaxed and can tackle the many smaller ones that follow.


Now, that your settling in, learn how to diy common home issues.


2. Have A Storage Room

It might not be possible depending on the size of your new home, but if you can, you should set aside a room to be used as a storage room. This might be a spare bedroom, or a study, for example. All the boxes and bits can be stored in there, and that means the rest of the house is nice and tidy. You can then unpack those stored boxes a few at a time until they are all done without disrupting the rest of the house.


3. One Room At A Time

Following on from the point above, only focus on one room at a time and don’t move onto the next until it is complete. If you rush from room to room unpacking boxes as you come to them rather than searching for the box that goes in the room you are dealing with at the time, you will become flustered and overwhelmed, and the job will seem endless. Work in a more methodical way, and it will be a lot easier.


4. Don’t Forget The Garden

The garden is just as much a part of your home as any other room, and if it is a mess, then you won’t feel comfortable there. Take some time to tidy it up, even if it’s just mowing the lawn and weeding. When you have more time, you should put your own stamp on it by installing a pond from water-garden.co.uk or buying comfortable garden furniture to sit on.


5. Explore The Area

Once your home is how you want it, you should take the opportunity to explore your new area. You may have done some research on it before you moved (it’s a good idea to do this before you decide on a new property just in case the area isn’t as nice as you thought it was,) but there is nothing like being about to step out of your front door and work out where everything is.


At the very least, you'll need to know where the closest supermarket is, and how to get to the nearest town. Learning where the leisure facilities are and the best places to walk, as well as other attractions is another good idea. You'll definitely feel more at home when you know this information.






9 Owl Back to School Decorations Thematic Unit

Back to School Owl Theme Lesson and Decor 


Whether you homeschool, teach in a brick and mortar school, or operate an after school or day care program, you should decorate the environment to make it inviting and soothing for your students. Back to school decorations are abundant. What fall classroom theme you choose likely depends on the age of your students. We've found nine fun owl ideas and themes to decorate your classroom like a pro. Enjoy!



9 Owl Back to School Decorations Thematic Unit




This post contains affiliate links.




A popular fall theme for school is always the wise old owl. If you are planning an owl themed classroom to welcome the kids back to school, here are some great options to decorate your learning spaces and then start learning with owl curriculum.


Owl Classroom Decorations and Themes


  • Owl Theme Classroom Decor from Oriental Trading. This "Owl About Me" poster makes a nice icebreaker for those early getting to know you days at the beginning of the school year. At 20" x 17," it is poster size and is great for back to school night display for parents or a fun writing lesson for homeschoolers.






  • Another way to decorate with an owl theme, is to create your own owl classroom banner. Have each child make a cute paper owl in several color combinations and then string them up on the walls! Get details here: How to Make Owl Garland Banner.



Paper Owl Banner Craft  for Classroom.


  • Birthdays at school can be fun, be sure to let everyone know who's birthday is coming up next with this owl theme birthday bulletin board set from Amazon.







  • Pair it with these 6" X 7.88" Owl cut outs buddies from Target.


  • While you're at it, you can open with owl them curriculum. Below, we found owl coloring pages, owl unit studies, and more from TeacherSherpa. Check it out!



Owl Coloring Page from Raising Our Kids found at TeacherSherpa.



  • This unit about Owls tells about the two owl families and various species of owls. Learn about common features, where they live, and their habitats. Mentioned owls are; elf, great gray, screech, great horned, burrowing, and snowy. Activity worksheets include; word find, word unscramble, criss-cross, spelling. Ideal for second through fifth grade science.



Owl Thematic Unit from SchoolExpress found on TeacherSherpa.






  • If you run an after school program or daycare or just want to do something extra fun with the class, try some edible art with an owl theme. This edible owl craft is easy to make and the biscuits are cute and yummy too!







  • One of our all time most popular posts is this torn paper owl craft for preschoolers and early elementary. Do it with older school age kids as an owl art mosaic lesson. Older kids will enjoy this cupcake liner owl craft.




Watch the paper owl art video.



How's that for an owl classroom thematic unit? You're all set for a  back to school theme and lesson on owls. Hope you have a great year!




Recommended:

Decorate Door with Adorable Owl Wreath Craft




Have you seen the owl cough medicine for kids?



Pin it!


fun owl ideas and themes to decorate your classroom











Fun Patriotic Party Ideas and Activities

Red, White, and Blue Party Decor for Fourth of July


Red, white, and blue decorations make these fun patriotic party ideas and activities special! If you are looking for simple party decor for an indoor or outdoor party, these star spangled holiday decorations fit the bill. We found gorgeous Fourth of July bunting and more from Oriental Trading. Read on for ideas and activities for a patriotic theme party that works for birthdays, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, Labor Day, or Independence Day celebrations and backyard barbecues. Enjoy!


Fun Patriotic Party Ideas and Activities


This post contains affiliate links and was sponsored by OTC.


Oriental Trading gave us our choice of products for review for this party post. The kids have summer birthdays just before and after the Fourth of July. American flag theme decor decorates our rustic country living and dining room, so these items are a welcome compliment to the decor. With the great prices at OTC, you will be ready to celebrate a party or backyard barbecue without breaking your budget.

Have the Best Patriotic Party with these Ideas from Oriental Trading


What says Independence Day more than red, white, and blue bunting? Okay, fireworks do, but the second best answer is definitely bunting. We found several kinds of bunting for decorating for a patriotic party. Below, the flag bunting is durable and outdoor friendly. Tie knots every few feet to give it and old-fashioned flair.


Outdoor red, white, and blue bunting for Fourth of July party decor.


Have the Best Patriotic Party with these Ideas
Hang bunting in a twisted swag for a simple outdoor holiday decoration.


Galvanized buckets make a festive flatware caddy.
Galvanized buckets make a festive flatware caddy.


Traditional Fourth of July bunting
Traditional Fourth of July bunting used as a window valance.



Rustic American flag burlap table runner.
Rustic American flag burlap table runner.

Americana dining room with red, white, and blue holiday party decorations.
Americana dining room with red, white, and blue holiday party decorations.



Celebrate Independence Day with Fun Activities like these:


Most Independence Day parties involve fun outdoor activities. We found patriotic inflatable pool noodles (perfect for pool jousting) and inflatable USA boxing gloves. Mayhem is ready to rumble.


Inflatables for fun Fourth of July party activities.
Inflatables for fun Fourth of July party activities.


Fun, inflatable boxing gloves from Oriental Trading.
Fun, inflatable boxing gloves from Oriental Trading.

No outdoor party is complete without a bounce house. You can purchase small ones for the backyard from OTC or go all out with a big bouncy castle like this one from Moonwalk Madness in Plainfield, Indiana.











Oriental Trading (affiliate)




Things to do in Indianapolis Indiana: Downtown Central Library for Kids

Central Library's Learning Curve in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana has Free Things to do that are Fun for Kids

Recently, we took a trip to the downtown Indianapolis Central Library. I've been meaning to do this for sometime, but after several years of summer day camp and kid's misplacing books or videos, we have quite a hefty library fine. I plan to chip away at it slowly. If you also have a library fine and are under 18, keep reading. We found out the library has a program where you can "pay off" your fines with good behavior! More info about that later. In the summer, we are always looking for FREE, FUN, and EDUCATIONAL things to do in Indianapolis or other parts of Indiana. This futuristic architecture, in the form of a public library, fits the bill perfectly.

Things to do in Indianapolis Indiana: Downtown Central Library for Kids
Central Library Funnel in Reading Nook. It plays a little movie.
This year, my goal is to treat each week like summer camp with my own kids - Less the getting up at 5:30 a.m., the toting 12 other kids everywhere we go, the need for epipens, a change of underwear (and a bag for the previous soiled pair), the waivers, the checklist, and the stress! We are on a mission of discovery. Anything within 2 hrs. of our home is up for an impromptu field trip
In this Futuristic Library, you can lounge and read, listen to a story, or watch one.
In this Futuristic Library, you can lounge and read, listen to a story, or watch one.
The Central Library is very cool. If you are looking for a futuristic library, you've come to the right place. You enter the library through an old, historic building with an incredible view of the American Legion Mall which is really just a large, green space with war memorials. Be sure to turn and enjoy the view as you enter. Then, you enter a breezeway where you'll find the info desk and a small, reasonably priced cafe. Keep going, and you'll be whisked into the children's area, better known as The Learning Curve. 


The Learning Curve: A Children's Area at the Central Library, Downtown Indy.
The Learning Curve: A Children's Area at the Central Library, Downtown Indy.
The Learning Curve is housed in the modern, glass, curved building directly behind the main entrance. Don't be intimidated, just keep walking. The librarian help desks are mobile carts that float throughout the large children's area. Don't be shy. They are happy to help. Don't have a library card, (or have one you can't use) but you want to use the computers? Ask the librarian for a guest pass. No pressure, they don't try to upsell to a library card :) The passes are good for 1 hr. from the time you log in, but you can get another passcode as long as computers are available. This is a safe internet zone. The kids can play and share games with other kids within the library.

Study Pods, Think Tank, Kid's Activity Wall for Preschoolers, Pacer's Rent a Bike Program, and See-a-story spinning seats at The Learning Curve, Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana in the Central Library.
Study Pods, Think Tank, Kid's Activity Wall for Preschoolers, Pacer's Rent a Bike Program, and See-a-story spinning seats at The Learning Curve, Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana in the Central Library.
We went to see a FREE DISNEY MOVIE in Clowes Auditorium, Tinkerbell's, "The Pirate Fairy". It was awesome. During summer camps, we visited our local branch of the library and watched the movies in a large room while sitting on the floor with a bunch of sweaty kids and little or no air conditioning. At the downtown Indianapolis, Central Library, we sat in comfy, purple seats in an acoustically correct, air-conditioned theatre.You can rent the 300 seat Clowes Auditorium space for special events too.

After that, we headed to the children's theatre. When they aren't having puppet shows or reader's theatre, the kids can jump up on the stage and enjoy some creative play in front of a large green screen. While bouncing around, they can watch themselves on one of the video screens. They might walk on the moon or climb a mountain!

On the opposite end of the Learning Curve, you'll find the Think Tank.This is an enclosed space (it's stuffy in there) with whiteboard walls and a table full of dry-erase markers. Brainstorm an idea, solve a math problem, or just draw a cartoon. You can be noisy, because it is somewhat soundproof. 

There is also a tinkerlab, a preschool activity area, a techlab, a wall to learn braille, study pods, futuristic, spinning chairs where you can listen to a story, and (my favorite), a super comfy reading lounge with a central animated funnel. I sat down and did not want to get up. Next time, I'll work in this area while the kids enjoy the library. They couldn't sign up for the summer reading program or check out books because of those nasty aforementioned library fines. The library now offers an amnesty program. I need this too, dear Indy Library. 

So, what is the take away? Don't stress, get cool, stay out of inclement weather... Wait, there's more. The library has a parking garage- find the rates here. We parked in the street at the fancy, modern parking meters that accept credit cards (now there's a learning curve) and walked. At the front entrance of the library, you can rent yellow, Pacer's bicycles- but they are all adult size, no kid seats, or tandem bikes... hint hint.

There are so many fun things to do in Indianapolis! We hope you'll join us (virtually, of course) as we discover the wonderful things downtown Indianapolis has to offer. We will feature some of our favorite things soon:

Mass Ave. 
Toy Store, Flying Cupcake, Hot Dog Cafe, Fair Trade Market

The Circle
Ride or climb to the top of the Monument, Candy Store, Chocolate Cafe

Classroom Snowman Craft for Door: Pin it Online Scavenger Hunt

Classroom Snowman Ideas for Preschool and Elementary


Updated with Styrofoam Cup Snowman Tutorial and more Snowmen from our Pinterest friends who tired it! So, you want to make a plastic cup snowman for your classroom door or bulletin board. It's so cool, but how do you do it? Check out this Styrofoam cup SNOWMAN entered in a teacher's door decorating contest. 


This post contains affiliate links.

Did you know you can pin posts from your blog or pictures of your classroom door on our Pinterest board for teachers. We also have a Pinterest board just for Snowmen Stuff, just send a message in Pinterest with a request to join.


Scroll down the page for our favorite classroom snowman decoration ideas and the how to make the door snowman from plastic cups. Enjoy!






Preschool Classroom door snowman from Styrofoam cups
Snowman Uploaded by Tiffany Cone Webb 
Click the pic to follow her on Pinterest.

Styrofoam Cup Snowman: This Classroom Door snowman was designed for a door decorating contest. Yes, he won! But, the question is...


How do you make a snowman for a classroom door from Styrofoam cups


The serious answer is very, very carefully with lots of patience. Plastic Cups are easier to staple than Styrofoam cups. They also have more give when assembling the snowman. Try using sticky Velcro strips to attach your snowman creation to the door, wall, or classroom bulletin board.



This one was created by Destinie S. and uploaded to Pinterest.
Click Plastic Cup Snowman with lights to see the video with flashing lights. Great job!

Good news! We found a video that shows how to make balls from plastic cups. In the video, you'll see that they make two halves and attach them to form a ball. So, you'll only need to make one half and then attach it to the wall. However, if you make the entire ball , you can make a stand alone cup snowman decoration. Check out this cute one, made to look like Olaf from Frozen!


How to Make a Plastic Cup Snowman Decoration for Door
Plastic Cup Snowman made to look like Olaf! We found this one at diycuteness blog.


Get LEGO OLAF on Amazon.


diycuteness also shared this plastic cup snowman for the classroom door.



How to Make a Snowman from Plastic or Styrofoam Cups:





Watch the video above to learn how to make a classroom door snowman from plastic cups. In the video, it shows how to make balls to make light decorations for parties. You can adapt this method to create the snowballs to build your snowman on a door.


Get short Styrofoam cups like the plastic cups in the picture.


FYI: We tried making the Styrofoam cup snowman several times. We finally made something resembling a circle, but never felt it was a good enough snowball to share. However, we tried it with tiny medicine cups which were difficult to staple. And then, we tried using glue to attach Styrofoam cups together. The method in the video with regular size plastic cups stapled together seems to work, but the circles are difficult to get perfectly round. 

Good luck, you're going to need it!


pre school snowmen snowman for classroom
The original source seems to be a teacher's album 

  • We found some great Snowman crafts at OrientalTrading and fun, free snowman worksheets at TeacherSherpa.com. Check out our post and follow along on Instagram to keep up with all of our crafty classroom activities! 




Winter Bulletin Board: Snowmen, Penguins, and Snowflakes on Amazon.








Recommended Reading:






Get Snowmen At Christmas Book

Plastic Cup Halloween Lights