Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever! – Sunday Nov 4, 2012

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Printable Pumpkin Carving Templates
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What mom doesn't have the theme song form Phineas and Ferb stuck in her head? I think it was my daughter's first words! One day, she was toddling across the floor and the next, she was shouting, "Mom, Phineas and Ferb are making a title sequence!" Do what now? Well ever since then, I hum about 104 days of summer vacation.

Did you hear the news? "Mom! Phineas and Ferb are going on a live tour!” Join the Danville Tri-State Area Gang for a high-energy ride through their wildest invention yet in Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever!  The beloved characters from Disney Channel's animated series embark on a bold escape from the television screen to a live action adventure – right in your hometown! This exciting live stage production performs at BANKERS LIFE FIELDHOUSE in INDIANAPOLIS, NOVEMBER 4, 2012. 

Are you kidding me? I get to hear the song live? I'm on it!


Did you know Phineas and Ferb was created by Emmy Award-winning Dan Povenmire ("Family Guy") and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh ("The Simpsons" and "Rocko's Modern Life"), this stand-out comedy series follows Phineas Flynn and his stepbrother, Ferb Fletcher, as they set out to optimize every day of their 104-day summer vacation, dreaming the impossible dream -- and then doing it, including building a rollercoaster or a beach in their own backyard.  

Unbeknownst to them, their pet platypus Perry has a double life as suave secret Agent P, deftly battling the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz to save the world.  Meanwhile, older sister Candace is aghast at her brothers' antics and makes it her life's work to tattle on them to Mom and Dad, though somehow she can never seem to catch them red-handed.

Agent P we love you! Perry the Platypus pajamas, t-shirts, toys and the like fill our house. Perry, you are a hero around here. So much so, we've researched putting a pet platypus in our pond. When our cat comes up missing, well the little one knows we don't need to worry- he's off on spy duty.

Guess what! I have the honor of giving you the secret spy code to discount tickets for the Indy show:

 ~Kid’s 2-12 years old only $10 with the CODE: CHILD for 4pm & 7pm performances.      Not valid on previously purchased tickets. Hurry, the secret offer ends Nov 3, 2012.

Bankers Life Fieldhouse (125 South Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, IN  46204)

Sunday, November 4 – 1:00pm; 4:00pm; 7:00pm

Ticket Prices:  $75.00 / $60.00 / $37.00/ $25.00/$20.00/$15.00
To order tickets by phone:  317-917-2727
Online: www.ticketmaster.com

Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever! 

Go to www.PhineasAndFerbLive.com, or visit us on Facebook and YouTube for more information.

Feld Entertainment has graciously given me tickets to attend the event and share with my readers.

*We never share email or personal information. Third parties may through content and advertising collect information directly from visitors and place or recognize cookie's on visitor's browsers. We are given tickets to attend these events and share our experiences with our readers.

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8 Autumn Outdoor Play Ideas

8 Fall Play Ideas

As the weather cools and we move toward winter, it is tempting to stay inside on the warm, comfy couch. It is important to stay active in the cooler months. Sure, you can go to an indoor facility like a bounce park, bowling alley, or indoor swimming, but fresh air and sunshine are just as important in autumn and winter months. There are plenty of ways to play outdoors. We're sharing a few ways that we get out and play with these 8 Autumn Outdoor Play Ideas for families. Enjoy!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin  “This post is sponsored by the Voice of Play.”

Best Parks in Indiana for Kids and Families

What is the Best Park in Indianapolis Area?

If you're like us, you probably go park hopping and hop from park to park, trying to find the best park in Indiana for kids. We've been all around the state, but we stick mostly to the greater Indianapolis Area. So, what is the best park in the Indianapolis area to have the best summer ever? You decide, we've shared our favorite Indiana park experiences!

Best Park in Indiana for Kids.

Finding your way to the best park takes planning. Before we make the trek, we consult Google and add the address to maps. After a visit to Walmart, we pack a bag with sunscreen, bug spray, water, bread, peanut butter, jelly, and grapes! Notice, I don't mention sandwiches. We are always in a hurry to get started, so I just grab the basics and we make the sandwiches at the park!

The Indianapolis Zoo is always a fun option. For hot summer days, be sure to bring a towel,  plenty of sunscreen, and a change of clothes, so you can enjoy the splash pad. Also, check the zoo's website for daily deals. They offer lower ticket prices on slow days.

If you prefer free options, we've got 'em. Keep reading for the best parks in Indiana. 

Have the best summer ever at one of these great Indiana parks!

Plainfield, Indiana: Hummel Park

There are many little parks tucked away in Plainfield, but several of the city parks are all in one place! From Main Street (State Road 40) to Hadley Road, you'll find a skate park, an older park with a merry-go-round, baseball diamonds, an old-fashioned curly slide, and even a little gazebo for weddings. Coming from State Rd. 40, Hummel Park is on the right just before Hadley Road.

Plainfield, Indiana: Hummel Park.

Hummel Park in Plainfield is full of surprises. White Lick Creek runs through it, there are hiking and biking trails, a play area, a splash pad, and so many things to do. When you cross the bridge over the creek, you'll find an amazing wedding pavilion and additional play spaces.

Walk or bike the path around East Co. Rd. 600 S, and you'll discover a lake perfect for fishing.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Garfield Park

Garfield Park is one of the most beautiful city parks. There are many free things to do scheduled year around. They also offer activities that only cost a few dollars per person.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Garfield Park

They have an awesome pool at the Burrello Family Center. It also has gyms, food, and seasonal special events. The Garfield Park Arts Center offers many classes for children and adults. In the past we even taught a few drama classes here. Don't miss their Halloween and Christmas events.

Things to do at Garfield Park: Halloween.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Eagle Creek Park

Is as big as state park! Eagle Creek Park offers a beach, many playgrounds, shelters, wedding pavilions, an ornithology center, a yoga retreat, canoeing, a zip line, and an earth science center... all for the price to park your car. Read more about it: Things to do at Eagle Creek Park.

Indianapolis, Indiana: 100 Acre Woods

Indianapolis, Indiana: 100 Acre Woods.

Avon, Indiana: Washington Township Park

Offers a fishing lake, beautiful trails with bridges, a splash pad, wedding area, playground, sledding hill, and seasonal events.

Danville, Indiana: Ellis Park

Offers a nearby public pool, playground, baseball diamonds, wading creek, and seasonal events including a holiday light display.

Mooresville, Indiana: Pioneer Park

Offers a seated zip line, a pool, many playgrounds, camps, hiking and bike trails, baseball diamonds, and seasonal events. This is our pick for the best city park in Indiana.

Mooresville Park Pool.


Halloween Trail Activities at Pioneer Park in Mooresville.

Speedway Indiana: Park

Offers a nearby soccer field (at the school), a unique playground, a gazebo, and seasonal events.

Meadowood Park in Speedway. Photo from Speedway Daily Photo.

New Castle, Indiana: Memorial Park

This is a huge county park. It offers a sledding hill, fishing lakes, more adorable ducks and geese than you can imagine, many shelters for events, 4-H events, several playground areas, a beautiful golf course, an amphitheater, and so much more.

Memorial Park New Castle Indiana.

Noblesville, Indiana: Forest Park

Offers a pool, a train museum and train rides, camps, hiking and bike trails, sand volleyball fields, baseball diamonds, a carousel, mini golf, and seasonal events.

Noblesville Forest Park Carousel. Photo by Erinne Sikcih.

Spring Mill, Indiana: Spring Mill State Park

This historical park is 90 minutes from Indianapolis, but worth the drive. Beautiful historic buildings include the old mill and a blacksmith shop. The park also has picnic shelters, hiking trails, and playgrounds.

Spring Mill State Park.

Recommended:

Things to do in Indiana

Great Times Theme Park Indianapolis

Traveling with Children

Tips for the Perfect Family Vacation

Traveling with children can either be great fun or really hard work, so a bit of advanced planning goes a long way to making sure the trip is stress-free. How do you successfully plan the perfect family vacation? Keep scrolling to see our tips on traveling with kids.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

What Makes a Good Family Holiday

The answer to what makes a good family vacation depends on what kind of family you are as a whole and the ages of your children. If you’re a family that loves being outdoors and at one with nature, then tent camping and mobile home getaways could be perfect for your family. However, if the thought of anything outdoorsy as a family fills you with fear, then something like an all-inclusive family deal in Florida could be ideal.

The age range of the family is also vital when considering where to take your next vacation as two younger children around the same age are going to be easier to entertain on beach vacations. Having older children can  mean activity holidays or trips where they have clubs to entertain the children while you do a bit of sunbathing.

What you don’t want to do is try and mix too many things together on one trip, such as, trying to incorporate a safari trip with a sightseeing outing when the children are very young, as they are going to lose interest and it will make for a highly stressful trip. Believe me, been there done that!

Stress-Free Travel

The options on how to get to your travel destination all need to be carefully considered because, with children, you need to think about whether they are old enough to travel long distance without having to stop every few hours if you drive, or if they can withstand a 24-hour flight.

The benefits of flying are that the journey can be broken up into sections such as a car trip to the airport, hanging around the departures lounge for a while, spending time on the plane, and then renting a car from Advantage Car Rental to finish the journey at your destination.

Taking a boat or a ferry is always great with kids as the excitement of floating across the water keeps them entertained while you get ready for your vacation to start.

A train is also another great option as you can travel at high speeds across country while not having the expense of plane tickets or the worry of bus timetables (if you decide to go down that route.)

Plan the Food

A significant consideration when planning the perfect vacation is what food choices you'll provide for your children. There are a variety of food plans when on vacation, some harder than others. If you are taking a trip where all-inclusive food and drink is on offer, be sure to thoroughly research if the food offered is child-friendly and if they abide by dietary requirements and food intolerance rules. Many theme parks offer these type of meal plans.

Whether you decide to drive your car or choose a car rental, taking all of your own food and snacks is a great and cost-effective option. It means you know exactly what snacks the children will eat and that they will actually eat it, plus you save money as you only buy and take what you need. However, this is only available to you if you have enough car space and if carrying around all those food selections is not too inconvenient.

If you plan to eat out, make sure that you research all of the available restaurants nearby before you book your trip, as there’s nothing worse than getting to your accommodation after a long journey and finding there is nowhere to eat.

Family vacations are where many amazing memories are made, and with a little forward planning, you can design the perfect trip to fit around you and your children's needs. For more fun family vacation ideas follow us on Instagram.

Recommended:

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Throw a Backyard Party Tips and Ideas

Throwing a Child’s Party in Your Yard: A Guide 

Planning a birthday party? Are you tired of indoor bouncy play areas? How about mini golf or pizza arcades? Do you never want to see a ball pit ever again for as long as you live? If so, do something different for your child’s next birthday party. Throwing a backyard party is easier than you think! Here's a guide to help you prep for the best garden yard party ever!

This post contains affiliate links.

Sure, you could invite your child’s friends over to a party inside your home, but that always results in a big mess to clean after the party. No doubt something will end up broken. Who wants to deal with all that after entertaining a house full of kids all day?

When you host an outdoor yard party for your child, you don’t have to worry about fingerprints on your door, dirt tracked in your kitchen, or things getting broken. Especially, if you rent a port-a potty! You can finally sit back, relax, and actually have a good time.

Just add a portable camping toilet. Get Pod tent on Amazon.

Always expect the unexpected! To ensure that your guests have a good time at the party, prepare in advance to avoid last minute hassles. Make sure the yard is safe place for the kiddos to run around. Things happen, these yard party tips and ideas will help you avoid mishaps and unhappy guests!

3 Things to Do to Host a Fun and Safe Child’s Backyard Party

Rid your Yard of Pests

Before throwing a party, most people don't consider all of the creatures that run a muck in their yard. The last thing you want at an outdoor yard party is a swarm of nasty wasps or an infestation of ants taking up residence and ruining the party. Most kids are afraid of insects and rodents, which is why you should rid your yard of pests before your guests arrive and the party starts.

When you take on the all-important challenge of banishing pests from your yard, it’s essential that you enlist the help of a professional pest service such as Moxie Pest Control. They'll have the tools, the all-important know-how, and the experience needed to ensure that your pest problem is dealt with in the most effective manner possible. 

Once the pests are under control, you can begin the fun tasks of setting up and decorating for the party.

Set up Food and Drink Stations

Want to be really fancy? If you’ve got plenty of space in your yard, consider setting up different food and drink stations. Galvanized buckets are perfect for serving up treats and even party games. This gives your birthday party guests something to pick at or indulge in while waiting for the cake. Nobody will get hungry, thirsty, or bored at your party. So it will reduce the number of fussy kids and party-goers.

Are you stuck for inspiration when it comes to deciding what food and drink stations to set up in the backyard? Consider the ideas below for party food and drink stations for a crowd.

A galvanized cart with wheels is perfect for toting
around beverages at a garden party.

For the kids:

Ice-cream stations

Candy stations, get bulk candy at OrientalTrading.

Smoothie stations

Chip and Dip station, plastic beach pails also make a fun, decorative way to serve snacks.

For the adults:

Espresso stations

Cheese stations

Pimms stations

Always Consider the Weather

Even if you plan your child’s yard party in the midst of the summer, you can never be quite sure that it won’t rain on the day of the party. To ensure that your shindig isn’t ruined by the weather, check your weather app often. Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best! Be sure to have a backup plan, such as, a wet weather tent on hand just in case the heavens do decide to open and rain on your party.

Follow the tips mentioned, and you’ll be sure to host a stress free backyard party for kids!

Recommended:

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Pin it to Remember it!

Fall Back-to-School Party Ideas

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #Healthy4School #CollectiveBias

Fall Party Printable: Fun Ideas to Fight Colds 

Traditionally, back to school time is August or September, but now that many schools have moved to a year around calendar, back to school time can happen in the fall, winter, and spring. After a busy back to school season, we enjoyed a nice fall break. Fall break in October often means heading back to a school full of colds and flu. That's never fun! We wanted to prep for the back to school cold season and say goodbye to summer, so we had a fall theme back-to-school party. Scroll down to find some fun ideas to decorate and host a fall party. Enjoy!

14 Circle Time Activities and Ideas for Preschoolers

Preschool Circle Time is for Group Lessons, Games, and Interaction

Running out of ideas for Preschool Circle Time? Every preschool program needs circle time for group interaction. This is a time to build structure into the program, so the children know what to expect each day. It is great to offer circle time at least twice a day- once in the morning, and once just before time to go home. These ideas will help build a sense of togetherness, (community) a time for sharing, and a fun learning environment for the kids. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

Elementary Circle Time Games, Activities, and Ideas for Preschoolers and Toddlers.

 14 Ideas and Activities for Circle Time

1.  Dance Freeze - Play some music or sing a song. Everyone dances willy nilly. Suddenly, stop the song, but don't sing to the end of a verse, that is too predictable. Everyone must freeze in their position. Is one leg up? Are they doing the worm? If they move, they must sit frozen in that spot, criss-cross applesauce and wait to see who can freeze the longest. No blinking or twitching allowed.

50 SIMPLE GROUP GAMES for CIRCLE TIME

2.  Bug in a Rug - This is an oldie, but a goodie. Everyone sits in the circle. Before you begin to play, explain EXACTLY how the game works. Grab a blanket or a big beach towel. Now, pick one child to leave the room or wear a fun blindfold. Teacher picks a student. Shh! Just point at the child, grab their hand and take them away from the group. Now, point at another child and then to the "rug". Hide the child under the "rug." Bring the other preschooler back. Can they guess who is missing? 

3. Pass the Movement - I played this for years with preschoolers and school-age children in summer camps, but I didn't give it a name. I found the name at Preksharing Blog. She says it is adapted from a book published in 2011, but we used to do this years ago in summer camp and afterschool programs. Just goes to show, great minds think alike! It is simple to play. Teacher starts with a movement. Perhaps, you wave your hand in the air. Now, the person sitting to your right must wave their hand and add a movement like wiggling their nose. The next person to the right, does those movements and adds one of their own. It is a "WAVE" of different movements.

4. Shake the Sillies Out - Need a game to get kids' moving?  Find some Dragon Tunes from the cartoon, Dragon Tales, and every morning, "Shake the Sillies Out"! Just play the song, and follow the instructions. Kids love this one!

5. Circle Time Collaborative Painting - I like the idea of painting circles in collaboration like the one from Art Project Girl in the link. You know, where Teach lays out a big sheet of paper and painting supplies and everyone paints concentric circles? What if we do it as a part of Circle Time? Pass the painting, and make a PROGRESSIVE PAINTING. 

This idea teaches patience. Everyone must wait their turn. It builds excitement too. Lay out a large painting tarp, sit the children in a circle on the tarp, give each child a cup of paint and a brush. No painting unless it is your turn. To make it less frustrating, pass two large poster boards around starting at opposite ends. Children are allowed to paint only 1 circle or shape of their choice per turn. While they are painting, teacher shares an art lesson on shapes!

Collaborative Concentric Circle Painting from Art Project Girl.

6. Click, Clack, Moo Story Starter - You know the story about the unhappy cows in the barn? They have a typewriter. They are making demands. An electric blanket would be nice. What else might the farm animals want from the farmer? 

Click Clack Moo Story Starter Circle Time Game.

Play a Circle Time Game where each child is given an animal. Before the game, print out cards with farm animal pictures on one side and their name on the other. Each child draws a card from a hat. Give this example to the kids: What does the (insert animal here) pig want? "Dear Farmer Brown, the barn is smelly. Please send air fresheners." Have each child come up with their own idea for what the animal on the card might want from the farmer.

7. Animal Movement Game - Take the game above one step further. Get the kids moving like the animals. Ask, "What does a pig say?" Now, "How does a pig move?" The children take turns walking around the circle like the animal on their cards. 

8. Quiet Mouse, Still Mouse - When Circle Time is done, keep children in a circle to release them to the next preschool activity. The teacher explains, the child who sits as quiet as a mouse (the quietest) get to line up first. Continue until everyone (or almost everyone, I don't like to single out those who can't sit still or quiet) is in line.

9. Calendar Time -  Sing "Sunday, Monday, Tuesday Wednesday, Thursday Friday, Saturday. Suunday, Munday... TUUESday" Emphasize the current day of the week. Sing the song and then check the calendar. Who can find today on the calendar? Here's another days of the week song sung to the Addam's Family theme. 

10. Alphabet Shopping - Using the first letter of each child's name, pretend to go shopping for an item that begins with that letter. For example, “Jake will buy a jump rope.” Go around the circle until everyone has had a turn. This helps with letter recognition. For more ideas like this visit Early Childhood News.

11. Talking Stick - Bring in a cane, or recycle a cardboard wrapping paper tube. The kids can help decorate the "Talking Stick" with Washi or Duct Tape, Glitter, or Feathers. During Circle Time, grab the stick. Now, explain to the group that this is a talking stick. Only the person who holds it may speak. This is a great tool to use for Show and Tell or other situations where children take turns sharing. More lessons in patience and turn taking.

12. Birthday Day of the Week Bags - PreK Pages Blog has a fun idea for Day of the Week Bags. Make a brown paper bag for each day of the week. Give it a colorful label, and fill it with the names of classmates who have birthdays on this day or other special things that happen on this day of THIS week.

   13. Pictures with Facial Expressions - Hold up magazine pictures of facial expressions. Ask, "What is this person feeling." Have the children take turns making the face. After you play this game, have the kids draw themselves like this emotion art lesson.

14. Play Duck, Duck, Goose? - This old standby might be boring to you, but it is likely new to the toddlers and preschoolers in your class. Change it up each day. After they get the hang of the game, add a creative play element by acting it out. Have the kids act and walk like the animal as they toddle around. Walk and Talk like the animal. For older or school-age children, change the theme to pig, pig, cow or ghost, ghost, vampire.

Recommended Reading:

50 Easy Group Games for Preschoolers

Rugs for Circle Time

Circle Time Handbook with Reproducible Pages

Teen Group Games for Camp

Preschool Circle Time Activities

Chicken Art Project for Preschool

Preschool Circle Time Songs

Nature Based Circle Time Activity

How to Play Four Corners Group Activity

Follow us on Instagram for more fun ideas every day!

15 Slumber Party Games and Activities for Teen Girls: Best Sleepover Ever

15 Fun for Teen Girls Activities: A Sleepover, Slumber Birthday Party

A teenage girl sleepover party with fun games, activities, and swag bags is the best slumber party ever! Don't just read these titles and think, been there done that. We've added a little twist to each birthday party activity.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.
UPDATED for 2020 with BONUS BIRTHDAY ACTIVITIES.

Slumber Party Sleepover Games and Activities for Teen Girls.

1. Balloon Charades. Grabs some stationary and write down ideas for Charades. What are charades? How do you play charades? You know, when you act something out, pull on your ear for "sounds like", put two fingers in the air to signify two words, but you never speak. Yeah, that game. So, fold the paper up into skinny rectangles, slide it inside a balloon, blow it up, and use it as a party decoration. When you are ready to play charades give each guest a balloon. Have her pop it - sitting on it is the most fun, read it, and act it out for the other guests to guess. Super Fun!

Yeah, you can do this with "Truth or Dare" too, but oh how I loathe Truth or Dare. Shouldn't it be called "Humiliation or Bullying?"



Bonus Activity: Giant Cupcake Balloon for Party
Want a cool photo op for your social media? Make this Balloon Cupcake with your friends and then use it as a backdrop for your photos! Click here: How to Make Giant Cupcake from Balloons!

2. Sleeping Bag Switch. For this game, each girl brings a sleeping bag or sleeping pad to the party. To start the game, the girls unroll their bags and lay them out on the floor. Then, one girl goes out of the room and the remaining girls pick someone else's bag to hide in. The girl then returns and tries to guess who is who or who is where. You can also have only two girls switch, and see if she can tell who switched. Fun times!

5 Fun Ideas for Teen Birthday Party

3. Crazy Makeovers. Time to pull out the make up, and let the girls give each other makeovers. No peeking until it is done. The beautician can choose to make a crazy makeover or a beautiful, glamorous one. The girl getting the makeup has to guess which type of makeover she got before the big reveal. 

Fun Things to Make at Home

4. Spin the Nail Polish Bottle. Each girl takes a turn picking out a color and spinning the bottle. This works best on a table. Who ever the bottle points to when it finishes spinning paints a nail with that color. Then, she chooses the next color to spin. When everyone has 10 nails painted, take a picture and share them with your friends on Instagram. Make sure you have lots of color choices!

Choose a variety of colors for Nail Polish Spin the Bottle game.

5. Make your Own Glitter Body Scrub. Find small jars that seal tightly, fine glitter, (white is nice) coconut oil, (a wonderful moisturizer for the scrub) scented extract, and sugar or coarse salt. Sugar is best. Salt is great for exfoliating, but bad if it gets in your eyes. Choose an extract: Peppermint, Almond (my favorite) Coconut, or Vanilla. Add a few drops of extract to the sugar and glitter to make a paste. Now you have your own moisturizer and exfoliator. When purchasing coconut oil you want this kind, extra virgin coconut oil.

Coconut Oil for Glitter Scrub.

6. Dress Up Divas. Go to a thrift shop and find evening gowns or formal wear and fancy heels the girls can use to dress up. Place the gowns in a large bag. Before you let the girls see the gowns, have them make blindfolds that double as beauty masks. Once everyone is blindfolded, have them choose a dress by touch alone. After they model the dresses, they can trade and have a fashion show or make up a reality show. Don't forget a full-length mirror.

For a blindfold or sleeping mask tutorial visit Henry Happened blog.

7. Pillowcase Decorating Activity. Purchase pillowcases to decorate. Grab fabric makers, tacky glue, and ribbon. You can also find fun, iron on transfers to embellish. If you plan in advance, you can decorate a large gift bag for each guest. Load it up with all that Birthday Party Swag! 

Birthday Party Activities for Teen Girls

8. Pillow Fight. A classic game. As part of the swag bag items, create mini-pillows. You can often find little pillows at the dollar store or use travel pillows. Decorate them as mentioned above. When it is time for bed, be a cool party host. Tell the girls to grab their mini-pillows. On your mark, set, pillow fight! Just watch out for the lamps! You're going to need a big full-body pillow for this pillow fight!

Bonus Activity: Easy Colorful Cupcake Frosting
Make this easy, colorful cupcake icing and decorate cakes or cookies with your friends! Share on Instagram or other social media with #cupcaketime Get the recipe here: Easy Cupcake Frosting.

9. Flip Flop Decorating Activity. Find out the Flip Flop shoe sizes of each guest before the party. Get some yarn, baubles, Sharpie Markers, and cloth scraps. Decorate to your heart's desire. Toss them in that swag bag to take home.

Printable Dorm Supply Checklist

10. Cup Stacking. When you are buying party supplies, get some extra cups for the party guests to stack. Take turns to see who can get the most cups stacked in a minute or who has the most creative tower. Even better, everyone can start at the same time. This makes it more nerve wracking and chaotic! Hey, don't knock my tower down!

Minute to Win it Games for a Birthday Party.

11. Minute to Win it Games. Imagine the possibilities! Just like cup stacking, come up with several activities that can be completed in one minute. Everyone grab one of those cups. Set it in the middle of a table, grab a Ping Pong ball, and with only one bounce allowed, bounce the ball into the cup. Hurry! The clock is ticking. Tick Tock. You can also use the a cup to fill a bucket with water (use a colorful sand pail). 

Bonus Activity: Toothpaste Slime

Trick your friends with this toothpaste slime. You'll need 1 C. Blue Hair Gel, 1/2 C. Cornstarch, Water, Super Fine White Glitter.

Slowly add water to 1/3 C. Cornstarch by the spoonful, stir until all is mixed well and becomes pour-able. Then, slowly stir cornstarch mixture into the hair gel. When it all has a thick toothpaste consistency, sprinkle in the super fine glitter. Voila! You have fake toothpaste. See if you can trick your parents with it. Of course, this toothpaste slime isn’t edible!! 

Did you know real toothpaste isn’t edible either? You should always spit it out after brushing. Don’t forget to brush your teeth with real toothpaste every morning (even at a slumber party!) 

Parents,  if you’ve got one of those kids, who doesn’t like to go to the dentist, ABC Children’s Dentistry offers more valuable tips to help you and your child when it comes to oral hygiene. Dental hygiene is something that should be taught at an early age. Why not make it fun?  Here’s a neat sensory toothpaste activity for preschoolers by Still Playing School.

12. Dance Off. Time for the girls to get their dance moves on and have fun. This is great to play after the Dress up Diva game. She who dances the longest wins. Ha! You thought it was a game of skill. Nope. It is a game of "get them tired so they don't put your panties in the freezer!"  Sweet Dreams. What's that? You're dreaming of popsicles?

13. Board Games. Don't think "bored" games. These board games are fun because each girl makes her own game to play or collaborate on one super, cool game. Cereal boxes, paper plates, and the white side of the wrapping paper are great ways to make a board. Paper plates make game spinners. Old, recycled business cards make excellent playing cards or game cards. Stickers are fun too. Fold paper and cut it into a cube pattern to make your own dice. Still boring? Take those balloons and fill them with game topics. For example, "Make a game about Rock Stars" or "Make a Mall Shopping Card Game" or "Make a game of questions." Let your imaginations run wild. This can be especially fun for preteens and tweens.

Cool Games for Holiday Parties

14. Classic Board Games. Find out who your moguls are when you pull out the Monopoly game or start up the giggles with Trouble. But that's boring, right? Pass around a basket of accessories. Think grandma glasses, nerd spectacles, giant clip-on earrings, men's ties, satin gloves, and cowboy hats. Now, play those games in character with silly accents.

15. Slurpin' for Worms. Gummy Worm Game Grab a bag of gummi worms or gummi bears and a can of whipped cream. Place the worms on a paper plate and cover them with the cream. It should look like a fake pie, you know, the kind you get in the face? Yeah, you might want to wear a raincoat for this one, and Mom might want to lay down a painting drop cloth. Players must keep their hands behind their backs at all times. Dive in. This is a great game for "Minute to Win It" too. Who can slurp up the most worms? Who can eat the most?

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