Kids Love Candy Canes!

There are few other more iconic candies than the Candy Cane!  He is the granddaddy of them all.  When I come home with candy canes in my shopping bags, my boys freak out because they know they will be putting them on the tree, around the house, in the guest treat dish, crushing them and sprinkling them on cookies and baked goods, and maybe even...enjoying a candy cane while they watch their favorite Christmas movie.  


Here are a few other unique ways to incorporate more candy cane love into your holiday traditions.  They are fun for the kids, easy to do, and best of all?  Use up all the candy canes and mints you would normally have to toss out at Valentine's Day! 

Candy Cane Hearts

Candy Cane Mouse

Candy Cane Sled

Candy Cane Reindeer

Christmas Treats Your Kids Can Make!

With Christmas just a little ways off (try 3 weeks and 5 days), it's time to start thinking about gifts for:  teachers, coaches, friends, grandparents, and a whole slew of other important folks!  Over at Theideabox.com we have a long list of kid friendly crafts and recipes perfect for the holidays.  There are tons of great ideas to try that double as thoughtful, homemade gifts.  Here are some just to get you and your kiddos started!  Happy kid crafting!

Candy Jar

Cheerio Christmas Trees

Chinese Nutty Clusters

Christmas Bagels

(Kid friendly, parent kind!...And FREE!)

Anytime Is Snowman Time!

With only two days left of Thanksgiving Break (for most of our kids), the natives may be getting a little restless. Or Mom & Dad may be going a little stir-crazy.  Solution?  Go to The Idea Box for some crafty fun!  Whether you already have snow on the ground in your neighborhood or snow is but a winter dream...These simple and easy snowman crafts are just the ticket to keep the crazies at bay and the kids at play!

Please send us a picture of your results.  We love to brag on your kids too!

Marshmallow Snowman

Paintstick Snowman

Snowman Circles

Two Days Til Turkey Day!

There are only two days left until Thanksgiving!  What better way to celebrate all things turkey than to line up a few turkey-inspired crafts for your little turkeys to gobble up?  The Idea Box has tons of great Thanksgiving crafts and Kid recipes to help make your Thanksgiving afternoon a little more fun.  Gobble Gobble your way over to check out these and other great ideas.

Please send us a picture of your results.  We love to see what your little turkeys can come up with!

CD Turkeys

Best Turkey Hands Down

 Hand Turkeys

Oreo Turkeys

Try Some Turkey-Lurkey Fun Over The Break!

Let the leaves fall, let the wind blow, and let the kids yell "Happy Thanksgiving...Break!"  Wondering exactly how you will: prepare your menu for a house full of guests for Thanksgiving Dinner, scrub your floors and dust your bunnies for those same guests, and keep your kids corralled in the process?  If booting your kids outdoors is not an option, pull out these crafty ideas from your arsenal and set them to it...

BASKET OF THANKS

OREO TURKEYS

STUFF THE TURKEY 

Ideas for Thanksgiving Vacation

It's almost here...Thanksgiving Vacation!  Whether your kids have 2-3 days off or a whole week (like mine) you are going to need a little something up your sleeve to promote brain stimulation and fight holiday boredom.  Keep your family busy with some of these ideas for celebrating the season!

Please send us a picture of your results.  We enjoy admiring and sharing your efforts!

Fall Hand print Wreath

Fall Leaf Coloring

Fall Squirrel

Teach Your Kids Gratitude!

In preparation for Thanksgiving, how about exploring "Gratitude?" There are so many great things to be grateful for (and tons of great ways to express gratitude)! Teaching your kids to be grateful doesn't have to be painful or time-consuming.

1. Teach by example: express gratitude daily in front of your kids.
   
2. Give your kids the opportunity to give back. Some examples include: participating in a local charity to provide Thanksgiving dinner to less fortunate families (check your kids' school) or volunteering with your kids at a local shelter/soup kitchen.
   
3. Find something fun to do with your kids to reinforce "an attitude of gratitude."

While you're at it, visit our website and try one of these fun activities with your kids today!

THANKFUL TREE

THANKFUL TURKEY

BASKET OF THANKS

Harvest Adventures Await You!

Since November is Good Nutrition Month, why not help your kids learn how to stay healthy and have some harvest fun?  You could start with planning a family outing to your local pumpkin patch (include lots of walking!) to pick out some pretty pumpkins for making pumpkin pies.  If you don't live near a pumpkin patch, perhaps a visit to your local farmer's market will yield some results.  While you're there introduce your kids to all the varieties of squash, gourds, and other great seasonal veggies.  Make learning about healthy foods fun by turning it into an adventure!  Try one of these kid-friendly recipes to reinforce Good Nutrition Month!

Awesome Owl Snacks

Chicken Rollups

Goin' Fishing

Need Help Decorating For Thanksgiving?

Include your little ones in some "grateful" frolicking and decorating for Thanksgiving Day!  They will love these simple, toddler-friendly crafts!  You will love these for keeping the kiddos entertained and productive! 

Paper Bag Pumpkin

Mayflower Craft

Enter Our November Monthly Giveaway!

Sponsored by: Kid Smart Living

(Congratulations to Julie for winning our last giveaway!)

Enter to win a Cookie Cutter & Decorating Stencil Set/12!

EcoBamboo "Cookie Cutter & Decorating Stencil Set/12

Kids will have so much fun making treats this holiday season that are tempting to the eyes and taste-buds and so easy to make!

This clever and versatile cookie cutter and stencil sets includes 12 popular holiday and everyday shapes along with detailed stencils to make decorating lines, cutouts and adding sprinkles precise, easy and fun.

To buy your own, click here

To enter this giveaway, fill in your name and valid email address. One entry per day per person. Giveaway is open to those with a U.S. shipping address (do not need to reside in the U.S.). Must be 18 or older to enter. Entries will be accepted through November 30th, 2011, midnight CST.

Last Minute Treats For A Harvest Party

Let the holiday parties begin!  Yes, the party season seems to arrived far too quickly for you to truly be prepared for all your upcoming events, gatherings, and celebrations.  We can help!  Try one of these easy recipes; perfect for classroom treats at a school Harvest/Halloween party or even a fundraiser/bake sale.

Pumpkin Cookies

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Caramel Corn