Best Homeschool Organization Tips

Homeschool Families Get Organized Tips

Homeschooling! Whether you are just starting out, or you've been at it for awhile, you know the importance of getting your homeschool family organized. You've got curriculum to store, ideas to keep track of, assignments, art work, transcripts, oh my! What's a busy homeschool parent to do? Kids, you need to stay organized too! We've scoured the web and our favorite homeschool blogs to find the best homeschool organization tips. Enjoy!

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5 Household Items Party Games for Birthdays

5 Birthday Party Games for Kids Using Household Items

Kids want to be entertained, especially on their birthdays. Give your kids a fun, memorable birthday celebration with games for birthdays that use household items. These kid party games are easy to do with little prep, and you probably already have the items in your house. No need to plan ahead when you do these household items party games for Birthdays!

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Playing interactive games that get your kids moving at birthday parties is a great way to introduce them to kid activities that are active and engaging. Perhaps the next time they have a playtime choice, they’ll choose one of these games rather than a video game. After scouring the internet for games to play at birthday parties, we found several games for kids that are simple to set up with common household items. As always, we've updated old games with fun new twists! If you don't want to plan the party activities and implement them yourself, Yabadoo Kids Parties are another fun way to make birthday parties fun and memorable.

Keep your kids in the loop. Give them choices and let them help plan their own birthday party by scrolling through this list of kids party games and letting them choose their favorite activity to play with friends and family.

Common Household Items Party Games

• Life Size Board Game

This great game for kids is suitable for kids of all ages. Life Size Board Game is a  fun party game activity that has players jumping forward two spaces, singing a song, turning in circles, telling jokes, reciting  nursery rhymes, jumping up and down periodically, and moving back three spaces.

During game play, the players begin by rolling oversized  dice to see where to move. The first person to reach the finish line is declared winner.  You can simply use white paper or the inside of recycled cereal boxes to create the game board. To make a permanent yard decoration, use stepping stones.

• Clothespin Snatch Game

Every player is given a clothespin. Wrapped candy and trinkets (you can even use coins) are sprinkled on the floor. During this game, players will try to pick up as much candy or trinkets as they can using only their clothespins. Set a timer for one minute and let the fun begin!

• Marshmallow Catch

Marshmallow Catch is super easy to set up. Grab a bag of mini marshmallows a timer, and some plastic party cups. Standing on opposite ends of the room, players try to catch marshmallows that are thrown by other party-goers. After one minute, the team with the most marshmallows in their cup wins.

• Spoon Relay Race Game

The Spoon Relay is an old party favorite, you can make this party game more complicated by adding fun elements like playing while turning in circles, skipping, walking backward, or any fun way that will make the birthday party game more challenging or difficult for the players.

Any small household object will do, but mini marshmallows and cotton balls are the most common items used with plastic or wooden spoons. In the course of this game, players race against each other to be the first team finish. Divide party guests into two or more teams. Each team is given a marshmallows and a spoon.

Lining up single file, the first person on each  team takes a marshmallow and begins passing it down the line using only their spoon.  The first team to get their marshmallow to the end of the line wins.

• Balloon Bust Game

Before the party, fill balloons with candy or small prizes. Rub the balloons on your head to give them static cling and then place them on a wall or table. Play begins with birthday party guests choosing a balloon. Tell the kids to hold the balloons with two hands, careful not to pop it. Then, tell them to sit down in a circle using their balloons as chairs. On the count of three, have everyone tries to pop their balloon chair to discover the prizes. First one to pop a balloon, gets a special grand prize in addition to the trinkets inside.

Have you played these games with different variations? Let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear about more fun birthday party games and ideas for kids that use household items.

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Nursery on a Budget Ideas

Decorating a Creative Nursery on a Budget: A Guide

Having a baby is an exciting time, and as a result, many parents go all out to create the perfect, creative space for their new bundle of joy. However, due to restrictions such as maternity leave or working only part-time, parents are often looking for inexpensive ways to transform their spare room into a creative nursery space for their infant. If you're looking for ways to design your nursery on a budget, here is a guide with some top tips for saving money while decorating the new baby's room.

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Portable crib doubles as a playpen. Get one here: budget friendly crib by Baby Delight.

Use Furniture Store Coupons  

If you want to buy new furniture for your baby’s room, but struggle to save up the necessary funds to give your child the nursery that you've dreamed about, consider finding coupons for furniture stores in your local area.

Table and chairs for baby's room from Bed Bath and Beyond.

For instance, a Bed Bath and Beyond coupon can cut the cost of a range of vital items that you'll need for the renovation, including beds, bedding, rocking chairs, and vanities. This will ensure that you can create a special space for your child without over spending.

Create Your Own Decor and Wall Art 

One of the best ways to create a bright and inspiring nursery for your child is to install eye-catching wall art and fun nursery decorations in their space. Although you might not be able to afford the extravagant ornaments of home design magazines, you should consider DIY to make your baby nursery decorations that they'll love. The more vivid, the better for baby to see!

Create a wall border with rubber stamps and paint.

For instance, you can use tape, paint, and stickers to create inventive murals for your child, or create flags, soft toys, and cushions out of scraps of leftover fabric. As your child gets older, you can also help them make their own wall art by framing their paintings.

Buy Pre-Loved Items 

If you want to invest in child-friendly furniture without the high cost of buying new, consider purchasing pre-loved items? Not only is shopping second-hand much cheaper than buying from your local store, but it can also help you find one-of-a-kind gems that match exactly what you have in mind! You can buy pre-loved furniture from charity shops, antique and second-hand furniture stores, and even through buy-and-sell groups on social media like Facebook Marketplace.

Do you need a BABY SLING?

Re-purpose Furniture You Already Own 

Many families have a vast array of unused furniture stored in their attic and garage. Hoarded furniture comes in handy when you're looking to create a nursery for your newborn. You may discover that much of this old furniture can be adapted toward a new purpose in your nursery, which saves you money. Redo it in funky colors and add new nobs and hardware to give it a modern look.

How to get your child to sleep through the night.

Purchase new cushions for an heirloom nursery piece.

Buy Long-Lasting Furniture

When you're considering how to decorate your baby’s bedroom on a budget, you also need to think about saving money in the long term. For instance, buying long-lasting and multi-purpose furniture, such as loft and desk beds, allows your nursery to grow with your child and reduces the need to replace furniture as your child ages. You should also think about choosing furniture in durable materials that can withstand the chaos of childhood play. It may not save you money upfront, but in the long-term you'll be thankful for the wise purchase.

Get a quality nursery dresser that will grow with your child.

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Dory Bathroom Decor Ideas for Kids

Got a Finding Dory Fan? Decorate Your Bathroom in an Under the Sea Theme

Got a little one who is a big fan of Nemo or Finding Dory? If so, you'll want to decorate your bathroom in an under the sea theme. These fish decor ideas make perfect Dory bathroom decor ideas for kids. Enjoy!

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So, we've got SpongeBob fans who are even bigger carnival games fans. You know, pop the balloon with a dart, pull a duck out of a baby pool, toss a ping pong ball in a fishbowl. What do you do with all of those tiny little stuffed animals? We give a lot to Goodwill, but we always have a fresh supply. When we moved to our new (old) house I noticed a fish switch plate, so decided to go with an under sea bathroom theme. Add a set of fun fish curtains for a kids' bathroom and you're good to go!

Notice our SpongeBob is pink? He's a special stuffy for Breast Cancer Awareness. We just couldn't give these guys up- each one of them is a special memory from a fun, family vacation or holiday gift.

These are easy to hang with fishing line or kite string. Attach the string to the stuffed animal with a straight pin and then use an office push pin to hang it from the ceiling. I wrapped one end of the string around the pin and then made sure to poke through the end of the string when I poked the pin into the ceiling.

So, there's a story or two here. We have ducks. We like ducks. We have Guppies. The guppy cross-stitch was created by me in 1987! I guess it's my modern form of a stitch sampler. The many ducks came from my son's first bathroom when he was only one year old. The biggest duck is a stuffed animal that is coated in a scented wax and serves as a room freshener.  How to make a wax stuffed animal room freshener,

One of those duckies above is a night light. Don't forget to add the right lighting, an aqua glass sconce is the perfect companion lighting for an under the sea theme bathroom.

Before we moved, we had a powder room decorated in a whimsical Winnie the Pooh theme. I made a border around the wall with rubber stamps and stencils and then colored it in with pastels. I couldn't let it go and now most of the Pooh decor is in my kitchen. 

Yep, whimsy would probably be a good word to describe me. Do you have a fun bathroom decor idea? Share it with us in the comments.

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4 Suggestions for Smooth Living with Blended Families

Advice for Blending Families

Blending two families together as one can prove to be challenging, especially when different personalities and needs come into play. With children entering the equation on both sides and different parenting styles suddenly merging, it's important to make sure everyone's feelings, needs and wants are taken into consideration before moving in together. 

Read about one of our contributor’s experiences with Blending Families.

Preparing to live together as a family means discussing finances, making sure everyone has their own space, and/or preparing children for the big change in one way or another. Here are some suggestions for making the transition of becoming a blended family as smooth as possible.

This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links.

1. Hash Out Child-Rearing Approaches

Different attitudes on child rearing can make or break a home. Not everyone has the same parenting style. While some parents are considered "pushovers," allowing their children to get and do whatever they want (with no ability to say "no,") other parents are a bit more disciplined. When two people with different child-rearing approaches come together as one blended family, it can be difficult when an incident occurs with their children.

To keep everyone on the same page, it's important to discuss child-rearing techniques and approaches before you move in together. Indeed, it makes for a much more peaceful home. Remember, children need consistency, so try to address this important issue as soon as possible. You don’t want to have to learn your new partner's child rearing stance the hard way. 

Follow our Parenting Tips board on Pinterest.

2. Ensure Everyone Has Their Own Space

Blending décor is one of the many challenges facing soon-to-be blended families, but it's completely doable. If it's within your budget, consider letting each child have their own room, which can go a long way in helping smooth out living situations and making sure everyone gets along with each other. It can also help to let your children decorate their own space and put their own stamp on it. This can help them feel a sense of belonging. 

When it comes to designing and outfitting a child's bedroom, consider any number of bedroom sets that show off your children's style and personality. Whether you decide to shop online or head to one of their stores, you'll be able to find all that you need to truly make your new house feel like home for everyone. Be sure to include the child in the process. It’s a fun family experience and can help a new parent bond with their step children.

3. Discuss Your Finances

Before you become a blended family, discuss how you'll manage your finances. Will you keep separate bank accounts and split the bills down the middle? Or, will you have a joint bank account to which you'll each contribute? Think about how you'll handle spending, especially if one partner makes more than the other. It’s always a good idea to keep some finances separate, particularly if you both have full-time careers and are used to spending your money your way. It’s always good to create a joint account for mutual household expenses.

Will one partner need to consult the other before making a large purchase? If so, what amount constitutes a large purchase? Will you have to discuss purchases when it comes to your children or will you have the freedom to decide how you spend your money on them? To avoid arguments in the future, these are some things you should think about before you blend your families together. 

4. Prepare Your Children for the Move

If you want things to go smoothly once the big day arrives, making sure your children are prepared for the move is essential. Let them know ahead of time when and what will happen, so they'll be better equipped to handle the changes ahead. Sit down with your children and discuss the move so they can express their feelings about it.

While you're not exactly asking their permission, it's important to let them know that their feelings and concerns are valid and that you'll help them sort through them if they feel overwhelmed or anxious about their new living situation. Talk about the new routine and let them know you won't love them any less with new children coming into the picture. Be sure to remind them they'll still have a space to call their own- and make sure they do, even if it is a little nook in your dining room!

You might also want to prepare your pets for a life change.

Preparing to Blend Families

Blending families is rarely easy, if ever, but taking the above steps into consideration can help make the transition a bit easier for everyone involved. It also helps keep the peace and ensure everyone is on the same page so that you can work together to create a smooth living situation for the entire family.

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Christmas Gift Ideas for Tweens: Gift Guide Review

Find the Best Christmas Gifts for Preteens (Tweens)

Searching for the best Christmas gift ideasChristmas gift ideas for tweens? Check out our gift guide for tween boys and girls aged 9-12 yrs. These Christmas gift ideas for tweens were tested by our staff's own children and have received a two thumbs up! 

This post contains Affiliate links.

Finding the right gift for preteens is tough, because they’re not little kids anymore, but they’re not quite teenagers yet. Most tweens are outgrowing their favorite toys and developing their own tastes. What they loved yesterday is old news! Tweens often like gifts that are related to their interest and seem cool and fun: Think Nifty! 

Because shopping for teens and tweens is difficult, it's tempting to take the easy way out and give them money or a gift card, but a great gift is much more memorable and lets them know that you really care. Below are some of our top picks for teen and tween Christmas gifts.

5 Top Picks for Tweens Gift Guide Review

• Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Camera

Our tween girls love this camera! Nifty is its middle name. The Instant Camera is the perfect gift for tween girls. It’s stylish and it's an excellent value for the price. The Fuji camera comes in a range of funky colors and uses automatic exposure to help make it easy to use for beginners. All you have to do is turn the power on, adjust the dial, take the photo and wait for the film to develop. The tiny photos instantly pop out like old fashioned Polaroid pictures.

The camera is compact and lightweight so tweens can easily carry it around with them and even take photos one-handed. A highlight is the simplicity of the design because it doesn’t overwhelm kids with features and accessories they won’t use. Be sure to stock up on lots of film, kids love taking pictures of everyone during the holidays!

• My Cinema Light Box

Last year, this was a hit with our preteens and tweens! A cinema light box is another nifty gift that helps tweens express their personality by showcasing a message they can personalize. Kids can share their own fun or inspiring messages to friends and family. Plus, there are lots of fun emojis included and plenty of room to add a range of messages that tweens will love. The light box has a cool color changing background with different settings that include fade, flash, and strobe to give a variety of effects. This is a truly unique gift for theater and other creative kids. Put their name in lights under the tree and brighten your preteen’s holidays.

• Kanken Classic Backpack

The iconic Kanken backpack design is Retro which automatically translates to cool these days. Available in a wide range of colors, the large capacity storage space allows for plenty of room for school supplies and tablets. In addition to the main compartment, it has two side pockets and a front zippered pocket. The laptop pouch in the main compartment is perfect for a 13" Macbook Pro but won’t fit any larger laptops. Material is durable and water resistant, so if you're tweens are outdoorsy, it’s a great bag to take on hikes.

https://amzn.to/2qVogel

• Electronic Drum Pad Set

Music lovers will have hours of fun with the electronic roll up drum pad set. Tweens can learn about the different sounds a drum kit makes and develop a sense of rhythm by playing a beat along to their favorite music. Use it with headphones to play at night and it won’t disturb your neighbors.

An electronic drum set pad is a great alternative to a full size drum set. Who has the room for a full-size drum set? It’s also easy to roll up and carry, so your kids can take it anywhere. We bought one of these for our tween boy last year. Pardon the pun, but it was a hit! We also bought this electric roll up piano for our musical tween daughter. She takes it with her everywhere she goes!

• Crystal Growing Kit 

Crystal growing kits are a hit with 9 and 10 year-olds. If your preteen is into science or shows an interest in precious gems, the crystal growing kit is a perfect gift idea. Kids can grow red, blue, and white crystals and monitor their progress day by day as they transform into fully grown crystals. Once they’ve grown, add them to an LED display to show them off in their full glory. How cool is that?

These Christmas gift ideas for tweens are some of the best rated gifts for preteens on Amazon and have been proven hits with our own kids. If you didn’t find the perfect gift for your preteen, check out some more cool suggestions on Good Old Gifts. Hopefully, you'll find a gift suggestion that matches your preteen’s interests so you can give them something they’ll truly love this Christmas.


Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date on our reviews and travel tips!


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Fun Things to do in Indiana with Kids: Bounce U in Fishers ~ A Jumping Good Time

Fun Things to do Indoors in Indiana: Bounce U is a Great Rainy Day Activity

Are you looking for fun things to do with kids this summer? Maybe you have a little cash set aside for summer camp or maybe you need something that is next to FREE for those much needed rainy day activities?  Either way, Bounce U has the answers for you!  In Fishers, Indiana the Bounce U is completely renovated and under new management. I've been to many of these play places with kids. Oh yeah, I even briefly operated a play place for kids (The Play Connection, Inc.).  So, I have a pretty good idea what works and what doesn't. 

Rainy Day indoor Activities in Indiana: Bounce U in Fishers.

Here's what I LOVED about BOUNCE U:

• OPEN BOUNCE!  Come bounce for a 3 hr. session for only $8 per child. That's great huh, but wait there's more.
• SESSIONS are led by a staff member (think camp counselor). Mom or Dad or Grandparents can sit back and relax in the lounge area with FREE WIFI. From your vantage point, you can see all the action and keep an eye on your kids.  The staff keeps them entertained and safe.
• BOREDOM BUSTERS.  Bored with this play space? The staff starts in one room and moves to another room with different bounce structures and recreational games.
• SNEAKY PE!  Get your physical activity credit hours for homeschool and health while having fun!

Giant Boxing Ring complete with headgear and oversize boxing gloves.

 Oh yeah, and they get tuckered out fast! 

Inflatable Bounce Houses

Lots of inflatable jumping options in each room.

It is perfect for Summer Camp, Birthday Parties, and Playdates. 

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