Put the Device Down!

I *love* technology.
I also *love* that we live in a unique area where there is no cell service.
I know, mind blowing, isn't it?
What that means is that when people are hanging out with their children or friends here... they're JUST hanging out together!
No one checks their phone.
No one checks anything.

Eye contact and togetherness happen.
It is a beautiful thing.

When we go anywhere else, it hits me like a brick wall how technology obsessed people are and how much people are ignoring their kids.
We just recently came back from a wonderful family vacation.
This is what we saw a lot of... parents... with their noses and fingers glued to their phones.
Many, many, many of them.
Here's an idea...

Wow Dough

Here's a great recipe for a dough like concoction that we made today!  It is super fast and easy to make with no cooking involved and only 2 ingredients!  This is one that we'll be making many times over, for sure!

I've actually renamed this awesome stuff.  A few mom friends of mine had made it after finding it on Pinterest and it was called "Cloud Dough" on there.  However, unlike other doughs that people have given specific names to, "Cloud Dough" seems to have multiple identities.  I thought this was a bit confusing so I decided to rename this one, "Wow Dough."  It certainly lives up to its new name!

Just Add Water: Fast Easy Fun!

I've created a list of fast, easy and fun ideas and all you need to do is add water to them and start playing!  I'm going to *highly suggest* you collect the items right now and put them in a bin for later.  Then, when you are in need of something that you can just grab to entertain your kids in those difficult moments... you'll have this bin full of fun, all ready.  And yes, all you'll need to add is water.  You really can't get any easier than that.

Five Faves: A Week of Fun Discovery Bottles

Discovery Bottles (aka Sensory Bottles) might be my very favorite thing  to make for kids (and adults) to play with.  I first learned about them when I was a teacher.  The preschool room nextdoor had made a few and I was completely enthralled.  The ones they had made were just oil and water in bottles.  I say "just" but that is one of the coolest discovery bottles out there.  I could hold an "oil and water bottle" for minutes on end just moving it back and forth and watching the reaction inside.  There are millions of things that you can put in discovery bottles and they are not only fun but can be used to teach LOTS of concepts and (as long as you make them tamper proof) they are great for any age!
Here are five of my favorites!!  It was really hard to pick just five.  There will probably be a sequel to this post.

25 Days of Christmas Fun!

Our household gets very excited when this time of year roles around.  Since we celebrate Christmas I am always looking for fun little activities to do with my kids in the days leading up to it.  I've put together a list of 25 easy and fun ideas here.  You can use them at random or you can use them like an advent calendar.  If you wish to do one a day and you already own an advent calendar with doors or pockets you can print these and put one in each.  If you do not own a calendar like that you can easily make a small clothesline with yarn or string.  Then take clothes pins and number them 1-25.  Clip one activity to each clip.  Another easy idea is to simply print the ideas, fold them up and tape one to each day on a regular December calendar page.

A very important note: Some of these activities are better for certain days depending on your family and your schedule.  I did not write them in a particular order.  Take a look at all of them and put them in the order that works best for you!

An Awesome No-Toy Holiday Gift List For Kids

Gift giving is on our minds right now.  Here we are smack dab in the middle of the Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday long weekend.
Grandparents and aunts and uncles are asking for gift ideas.  Some parents find it easy to come up with gift ideas for their kids.  Others are wondering where they are going to put more toys.  A friend recently told me that she has been racking her brain for gift ideas that are not toys.  Naturally, that inspired me to write a blog post with some ideas.  At first, I had a really hard time thinking of anything beyond a membership to a children's museum.  But then, this weekend I thought of a bunch more... so here you go!  As always, PLEASE do add your ideas below!  The more the better!!! Thanks!!!