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

Bats In Our Belfry? Nope! We're just batty for Halloween!

Are the natives getting restless and ready to "trick-or-treat" their way through Halloween?  Hold back the haunting jitters and try some of these crafts to generate a little spooky excitement with your family...

Bat Bells

Candy Jar

Hand print Spider

For more easy and affordable Halloween themed ideas visit:

Baby-food Jar Tea-Light Holder

  Cool Spider Treats

Batty Pencils

Footprint Bat

Ghost Footprints