Showing posts sorted by relevance for query school tips. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query school tips. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query school tips. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query school tips. Sort by date Show all posts

Easy Breakfast Ideas Kids Will Eat

Tips for a Quick and Easy Morning Breakfast Routine

Serve up a quick and easy breakfast that your kids will eat! Why force it? You want your kids to eat a breakfast that will stick with them until lunch. The important thing is fueling their morning with lots of protein, but that usually requires too much effort for our busy morning schedules.

Rethink what you serve for breakfast. Waffles and toast won't last. Bacon and eggs are a lot of work. We're sharing tips and easy breakfast ideas to make your mornings easier. Check your freezer aisle at Walmart for more fun choices. Don't forget to scroll down for our quick egg tips. Enjoy!

Easy breakfast ideas kids will eat: Mini Corn Dogs.
Easy breakfast ideas kids will eat: Mini Corn Dogs.


State Fair Mini Corn Dogs are easy to make. We toasted ours in the toaster oven in under 15 minutes, but they also taste great when microwaved. Add some fruit and glass of milk, and you've got a good start to your day. Make your morning easier with Walmart. They offer lots of great value on back to school needs.


Easy Breakfast Ideas.
Easy Breakfast Ideas.

Mayhem likes to skip breakfast or eat something sweet. She couldn't wait to start her day with mini corn dogs. The cornbread batter kept her sweet tooth at bay. She also loves Jimmy Dean Pancake and Sausage Sticks. They served them for breakfast when she attended kindergarten. Pair them with eggs for a fun breakfast!




Toasted Mini Corn Dogs.
Toasted Mini Corn Dogs.

We have several chickens and ducks, so whenever possible, we incorporate eggs into our diet. Scrambling eggs every day can get old plus it is messy and takes up valuable time. We often take a shortcut and scramble our eggs in the microwave!

How to Microwave Eggs

You will need a bowl (they make fancy microwave bowls for this purpose, but it isn't necessary).

Canola Oil Spray (or any spray on oil).

Eggs, Milk, Butter, Salt, and Pepper.

We've tried lots of bowls. Any ceramic bowl will do. Spray the entire inside of the bowl.

Crack your egg directly into the bowl, scramble with a fork, add a splash of milk, and stir to mix.

Use one egg per bowl. When you try to scramble more than one egg at a time, it doesn't work as well and takes more time.

Place the bowl in the microwave on a paper towel.

Microwave for about 40 seconds on high.

Remove from microwave, flip or stir egg and then microwave for additional 15-20 seconds.

Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and butter to taste.

To get in and out quickly, we always use the self-checkout at Walmart.


Recommended:


Bagel Breakfast Ideas

Welsh Toast Recipe

Gluten-Free Recipes for Kids: Fun Eats from Breakfast to Treats*



This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Jimmy Dean® and State Fair® . The opinions and text are all mine.



How to Motivate Your Child to Practice Guitar

How to Motivate Kids to Practice Guitar


Whether you homeschool or not, you probably have a difficult time getting your child to practice their musical instrument. No matter the instrument, be it a ukulele, guitar, piano, clarinet, or saxophone, practice makes perfect. So, how do you motivate kids to practice guitar? Read on for some valuable parenting tips that may just save your sanity.



This site contains affiliate links. 
If you click and and make a purchase, we get a small commission. Thanks!



How to Motivate Kids to Practice Guitar or Ukulele
How do you motivate your child to practice their musical instrument?

No matter how much your child loves playing the guitar or the ukulele, there comes a time when he or she isn’t in the mood to practice. When this happens, what can you do?


First, you need to determine why your child doesn’t feel like practicing. Perhaps they find their old guitar to be too unwieldy or cumbersome, or it won’t stay in tune and they’re not enjoying the sound that comes out of it. If the problem is the starter guitar, it would be a good idea to look into other guitar models that kids would like. A great-sounding small guitar is one of the best motivators for kids to keep practicing.



More ideas on how to motivate your child to practice guitar:



tips to motivate child to practice musical instrument guitar




Assess the practice schedule
If practice time is set too close to bedtime, your child may already feel too tired to pick up the guitar. Sit down with your child and talk about a good practice schedule he or she can stick to. Some children may enjoy a 15-minute practice session in the morning before school and another 15-minute session in the afternoon. Put your child in control of the daily practice schedule and give them a gentle reminder to stick to it.


Set up a reward system
Construct a reward system based on goals. For this you’ll need to work with your child’s guitar teacher so you’re on the same page. You can utilize a number of methods for the reward system, such as points for every goal met or number of minutes of practice. It’s up to you and what you think would work best according to your child’s personality. Find ways to keep the reward system fun - level up rewards or create bigger challenges to keep your child aiming for the gold.


Schedule regular performances
Performances keep young guitar players excited. Nervous too sometimes, but it’s part of motivating children to practice. After all, no one wants to play badly at a recital, so one is really bound to practice. Performances also work to hold kids accountable, while helping them develop confidence and keeping them inspired to keep on learning.


Offer words of encouragement
Learning to play the guitar isn’t always a sunny experience. There are good days and bad days. Children may become frustrated at not being able to play a particular chord or learn a new song. Times like these, it’s up to you as a parent to keep their pep up.


Ask how their guitar lessons went and ask them to show you what they've learned. Listen to them play the guitar and cheer them on. Tell them how proud you are of how good they’ve become and how they could get even better with more practice. When they see you are really interested, they are more likely to practice so they can show you more of their guitar skills.


Track progress
Many kids learning guitar may not feel up to practicing because they are not aware of the amount of progress they’ve made from Day One. To motivate your child to practice, track their progress and show them how far they’ve come. You can do this by taking short video clips of practice sessions and performances. When your child sees how much they’ve improved because of practicing, they will become more motivated to keep at it and make their guitar practicing more consistent.


Do you have other tips for motivating children to practice playing the guitar? Share them with us in the comments.


Recommended:





13 Easy Eatable Edible Christmas Craft Activities for Kids

Fun, Easy, Eatable, Edible, Christmas Art and Craft Activities for Kids


We love any kind of eatable, edible art. It's the best after school snack activity for kids. You get to make it, have fun, and eat it too! These 13 easy, seasonal, holiday snack craft activities for Christmas are sure to get your kids in a happy mood. Enjoy!




This post contains Affiliate Links.


Fun, Easy, Eatable, Edible, Christmas Art and Craft Activities for Kids
13 Easy Eatable Edible Christmas Craft Activities for Kids.

  • From Disney Family Fun, these edible sugar plum gum drop penguins are perfect for the scene around your gingerbread house.

Christmas activities for children Gumdrop Penguins
Candy Gum Drop Penguins = Edible Art.



edible craft activities for kids: things to do with marshmallows
Reindeer Marshmallow Pops = Things to do with marshmallows.


Marshmallow Snowman Sippers: things to do with marshmallows
Marshmallow Snowman Sippers.


  • Edible Crafts shared these adorable and easy to make powdered doughnut snowmen. In our after school program, we used candy corn for the noses and candy dots for the facial features.


Pre School Activities Edible Snowman Craft
Powdered Doughnut Snowman = Edible Craft.


How to make Stained Glass Cookie Ornaments.
Stained Glass Cookie Ornaments.

  • We found these edible cinnamon cookie ornaments at Completely Delicious. There are also non-edible versions which smell wonderful and last for years. Just don't eat them!

  • Christmas Yule Log Roll is the perfect Christmas Eve dessert. Make some hot cocoa, start a fire, and slice up your Yule Log Chocolate Cake! We've got the recipe!

How to make an edible Christmas Yule Log Roll Cake.
How to make an edible Christmas Yule Log Roll Cake.


Edible Cinnamon Scented Cookie Ornament.
Edible Cinnamon Scented Cookie Ornament.

  • Make an edible sleigh from candy canes like this one from One Hundred Dollars a Month. Keep scrolling to see our similar version with edible passengers!

edible sleigh from candy canes
Edible sleigh from candy canes from One Hundered Dollars a Month.

How to make a gingerbread house from cardboard
Make a Cardboard Gingerbread House.


Waffle Cone Christmas Trees: Types of Christmas trees
Waffle Cone Christmas Trees from She Knows.


Sugared Marshmallow Snowman
Sugared Marshmallow Snowman from She Knows.


  • This snowman in a jar is one of our all time most popular posts. This one is filled with fiber fill, but you can fill it with mini-marshmallows, chocolate candy, and candy corn to make an easy, edible craft for preschoolers.

Activities for preschool snowmen: Snowman in a jar. We filled this with cotton batting, but you could use popcorn or vanilla fudge.
Snowman in a jar: We filled this with cotton batting, 
but you could use popcorn, marshmallows, or vanilla fudge.


things to do with Marshmallows fun for kids  Edible Art Christmas Crafts
Edible Chocolate Marshmallow Gingerbread Man.

  • Pop some popcorn, add some waffle cone Christmas trees, a candy cane sleigh, peanut marshmallow snowmen and penguins, and you have the outdoor area at your Gingerbread Land.

    How to make Gingerbread House landscape
    The scene outside a Gingerbread House.


    • This little peanut is a snowman. To make an edible version, paint with white icing and decorate with gel icing.




    Edible Peanut Snowman activities for preschool
    This Peanut Marshmallow is a Lapel Pin, but you can 
    make and edible version for your Candy Cane Sleigh.



    Recommended Reading:


    Get Edible Holiday Snack Crafts and Games on Amazon.


    Turkey Peanut Butter Balls


    More Things to do with Marshmallows from Amazon.

    Book: Christmas Made Easy: Recipes, Tips and Edible Gifts for a Stress-Free Holiday


    Mayflower Cream Cheese Boats



    French Lick Family Vacation Ideas

    Family Vacation Ideas: French Lick, Indiana


    Planning a family vacation for the holiday or a quick family field trip? French Lick and West Baden are the perfect destination for families. A French Lick family vacation during the holidays is a magical gift. You'll make long lasting family memories. We recently visited and plan to make it a holiday tradition. From the Polar Express Train to the Springs to the Casino, there's truly something for everyone.

    This post contains affiliate links.


    Polar Express French Lick Railway activities
    French Lick Railway train station during the Polar Express.


    The famous hotels are historical and just as in years past, the area is filled with vacationers from all over the United States and abroad. The West Baden Springs Hotel is touted as the eighth wonder of the world. Is it upscale? Is it pricey? It can be. We've got some tips on how to enjoy the magic of French Lick on a budget. A French Lick family vacation is within reach when you plan ahead. Keep in mind, that on Thanksgiving weekend, all the prices go up, but everything is extra special.


    French Lick Springs Hotel Family Vacation Ideas
    French Lick Springs Hotel Family Vacation Ideas.


    When you start to plan a French Lick family vacation it may seem overwhelming. The maps online are somewhat confusing, but all of these amenities are less than a 5 minute drive from each other - most are a 5 minute walk! I've rounded up the best things to do in French Lick and listed them here for your convenience.

    French Lick Railway - Polar Express or other themed ride depending on the season. These tickets sell out quickly. You'll want to book in advance for the best seats. That means, if you're planning a trip for next Thanksgiving weekend, better get your tickets as soon as possible. Tickets must be paid in advance and are non refundable.

    If you wait until the last minute there are a few options. If the website is sold out, the partner hotels may still have tickets. I didn't book train tickets at the same time I made hotel reservations because I was waiting to see how many family members would attend. When I finally got around to it, both hotels where we had reservations were sold out of train tickets for Friday night. I was able to get my train tickets at a nearby Comfort Suites. The hotel was a five minute drive from the French Lick resorts. They held them at the front desk and I picked them up the day of the Polar Express train ride.

    We got to ride the train, but we were in the last car. It's a bumpy ride with lots of diesel fumes. On a happier note, when the train heads back to town, it becomes the first car.

    There's coach (think of an old school bus), first class (tables and chairs), and dome class (an upper, glass enclosed seating area.) During the ride, the staff tells the story through song and dance. They even serve hot, hot, hot chocolate and cookies! True to the story, you get a visit from Santa who gives every child their first gift of the season.







    Check our Instagram for fun French Lick Railway Polar Express vacation videos.

    At French Lick Springs Hotel, you'll find a Kids' Activity Area right next to the Casino! This is drop-in child care for hotel guests. The activities are recommended for children 6-12 yrs. old. There's an additional fee for all children's activities. It includes special events like bounce houses.




    Old-fashioned trolley rides are free and go back and forth between the French Lick resort and West Baden Springs resort. There's also a trolley on a track that goes around the Casino and back to West Baden making this fun for family field trips!




    West Baden Spring Hotel Resort Family Vacation Ideas



    At either French Lick Springs or West Baden Springs, the hotel concierge will book Carriage Rides, Horseback Riding, and Golf outings for an additional fee. You can also rent bicycles, surrey carts and other outdoor activities. There's a family golf option called Foot Golf that plays like regular golf but with a soccer ball.







    During our stay, over Thanksgiving weekend, the hotels were celebrating 50 Days of Lights with festive decor inside and out. While the hotels have been restored and the common spaces are spectacular, the hotel rooms are nothing special. They are small, the hotel was built in the late 1800's - so think historical. A double queen room includes a wardrobe, a television, and a mirror. There isn't a microwave, refrigerator, or a bathtub. You may want to pay a little extra for a suite.


    French Lick Traditional Guest Room.















    French Lick Springs Hotel offers a family-friendly area that is open to the general public. So, no matter what hotel you stay in, you can visit the arcade, pizza shop, and bowling alley. Hotel guests have the added benefit of charging the very pricey activities to their rooms. My best tip on this one, it is very small. The bowling alley is 5 lanes cramped together. Be sure to get your name on a waiting list and be prepared for an expensive game. Pluto's Pizza - reviews don't lie. There's not a lot to do in town, so they have somewhat of a monopoly on these type of activities.



    This is one quarter of the arcade room. There's a Foosball table in the middle.

    The little town village and the hotels offer an array of eating options. From tiny Mom and Pop cafes to the upscale 1875 Steakhouse in the French Lick resort, there's something for all budgets. We dined at the steakhouse when everything else had closed. The staff is reminiscent of the old days when FDR would have dined there. They take care of you, but it'll cost you. If you are a family on a budget, skip this one. If you want an experience to remember and a taste of the Pluto Factory's tomato juice, expect to spend at least $75 per person.


    To my surprise, French Lick Springs Hotel does not include breakfast or much of anything else for that matter. Swimming is included, but everything else is an additional fee.

    Plus: The rooms are very clean. The shower is nice and big.

    You can eat breakfast at the Grand Colonnade Room's Breakfast Buffet, but for what they offer and the fact that they require the tip upfront when you pay a cashier, I'd skip this one. The food isn't any nicer or better quality than anywhere else. You can make lots of trips, but we didn't want to. The wait staff isn't exceptional, the seating is tight... spend your money somewhere else.





    You don't need to wait for Thanksgiving, the seasonal activities and themed family weekends are available for fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more. During our stay, both French Lick resort hotels were offering Thanksgiving Buffets. We chose to make our reservation at French Lick Springs because it offered a non-traditional children's buffet with macaroni and cheese and chicken tenders. Here, the Thanksgiving feast is traditional fare. We enjoyed the food. The room was beautiful but a little chilly, be sure to dress warmly. For a family of 4 (3 adults and 1 child, children are 12 and under) we spent $225 including tip. This can be charged to your room or paid after dinner. No need to stay in either hotel to make a dinner reservation for Thanksgiving dinner. They also do Christmas Dinner with carolers throughout the hotels!

    Tip: if you want a special Thanksgiving dinner, eat here and stay up the street at the Comfort Suites. You'll get to enjoy all of the splendor of the hotel without the extra cost. A surprising plus, both hotels are pet-friendly.


    Big Splash Indoor Waterpark - Tickets and breakfast are included - it's cheaper to stay here than stay somewhere else and just visit the park or just eat in the restaurant. The rooms are much larger than the French Lick resorts, but not as clean. That's to be expected with all of the families in and out. This hotel also offers family suites in various sizes. Our room, 4 waterpark passes, and breakfast was $20 less than just the room at French Lick Springs resort. We were just as comfortable, but there wasn't as much service. If you're used to being pampered, this isn't the hotel for your stay.

    Breakfast was surprisingly good. The buffet was small but loaded full of french toast sticks, scrambled eggs, sausage, cereal, ham, and juices. The trade off is the restaurant is crowded and the wait can be long. My family was too lazy and wanted to skip breakfast so I went down by myself. Rather than taking up an entire table, the hostess allowed me to fill up some to go boxes and take them back to my room. Of course, when I brought the food back, everyone was suddenly starved. We all agreed the food was just as good, if not better than the Grand Colonnade room at French Lick Springs.


    Big Splash Indoor Water Park French Lick Family Vacation Tips
    Big Splash Indoor Water Park French Lick Family Vacation Tips.

    My best tip for visiting this or any indoor water park is to heed the warnings. The windows and roof are closed when it is cold, so the gases build up quicker and can cause flu-like symptoms, rashes, or problems with Asthma. Due to our Asthma, my daughter and I both needed a break after an hour. The pool staff recommends taking frequent breaks every 2 hours.

    We headed to the park at the best time, there were no lines, so we all got to do everything in an hour. My favorite was lounging in the lazy river, but I did try one of the tubes. That was an experience. Fun and terrifying at the same time! In the main swimming pool, don't miss the the whirl pool. Our passes were good for the day of check-in and the night of check out! Great deal.




    Big Splash also offers an outdoor pool.

    The decor in the entry of Big Splash is also a game.



    The darker tubes are dark inside. Some tubes require an intertube to slide down.

    Whether you stroll or drive through town, you'll find some surprising shops. There's a Denny's across the street from French Lick Springs and a Dollar General across the street from West Baden Springs. In front of Big Splash is a mini golf and laser tag facility. If you're on a tight budget, there's also a McDonald's, CVS, and Jay's Grocery in town. If you don't want to pay $4.00 for a pop, walk over to the Huck's Gas Station across the street from the resort areas. Around the corner from the gas station, tucked away off the street, is a small movie theater, Spring's Stadium.

    Don't miss a visit to the French Lick West Baden Museum to learn all about local history and be sure to take a guided historical tour of the resort hotels. Don't miss area attractions like a zip line a few miles outside of town, you can bathe elephants and go on other outdoor adventures at Wilstem Ranch.


    Recommended:

    History of French Lick Resorts

    Follow Kids Creative Chaos on Instagram for more Family Fun Tips

    Family Vacation Ideas




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    French Lick Family Vacation Ideas