I love helping fellow moms save time and stress while making creative, lifelong memories with their children. That’s especially true during the holidays when the season is magical, but to-do lists are overwhelming!
That’s why we created the Christmas Elf Adventure – it’s one of our customers’ favorite for bringing the Christmas Elf tradition to life in your home, with almost no thought or preparation required. This is such a special way to surprise your little ones with a little extra magic this season.
If you’re thinking about trying it out for the first time this year, see some of our frequently asked questions about the kit to help assure you that this tradition will be amazing – with no effort at all!
The Christmas Elf tradition is a recent one, but a favorite for children! In the tradition, family’s have a special Christmas Elf who’s sent by Santa to scout out, from a new secret location each day, if your children have been naughty or nice this season. Your scouting elf flies back to the North Pole each night of December to report to Santa, and then returns to your home to hide in a new location. Sometimes children will discover their elf has stirred up mischief in the night!
A few other things to know:
Our Christmas Elf Adventure provides easy elf scenes (and some mischief!) for each day of the holiday to help you carry out this magical tradition with almost no preparation. With the purchase of our kit, 28 days of creative and humorous scenes for your child to wake up to are provided for you. Most of the scenes take just 2 – 4 minutes to set up.
The Christmas Elf Adventure includes:
The elf is not included in the kit, but it’s easy to find in many places including Walmart, Amazon, Target, and Barnes & Noble, to name a few.
The costumes in the Christmas Elf Adventure kit are based on a 12-inch standard elf measurement. The costumes might have a different fit depending on the size of your elf. However, other scenes will be fine as they are games, props and activities that work with any sized elf.
Yes, this year’s kit offers all new scenes from last year. We always include the arrival/travel of your elf as one of the scenes.
This year’s scenes are under wraps, but take a look at some of last year’s scenes to get an idea of the fun!
The daily scenes are divided into weekly packets. We provide a photo reference for each scene for easy following, though you may set up the scene however you wish.
We don’t currently offer any customizations. But, we love seeing how you creatively personalize your kits – be sure to tag us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!
If you pre-ordered your kit, we will begin shipping on September 1. After this date, please allow 5-7 business days for your product to arrive. We currently only ship within the United States, typically within 24-48 hours of ordering.
Don’t wait – last year, we sold out of product in October, so shop early!
Purchase Your Christmas Elf Adventure Now
Spring is in the air and that means Easter is just around the corner! It’s time to dust off your bunny ears and start planning the ultimate Easter party.
Whether you’re planning a small gathering at home or a larger event with lots of guests, there are plenty of ways to make this Easter a memorable one.
From delicious Easter recipes to creative Easter crafts for toddlers and kids, these Easter party ideas are the perfect way to help you easily create magical memories with your family this spring!
Get those kids up and moving with these simple DIY Easter activities perfect for all ages! Choose one or try them all! They’re sure to keep your kids entertained at your next Easter party.
Easter-themed craft activities are a great way to keep kids entertained and engaged. You can set up a craft station with supplies such as construction paper, markers, stickers, and glue.
You can also prepare materials for specific projects such as making Easter bonnets, painting eggs, or creating Easter baskets.
Here are a few fun favorites your kids are sure to enjoy:
This adorable Easter Bunny sun catcher craft from Happy Toddler Playtime is a fun Easter craft that can be enjoyed by kids of all ages at your next Easter party! The directions include a tracer to make creating this bunny a breeze!
Simply grab paper, scissors, and glue to easily create this adorable sensory-filled suncatcher.
Get the directions and full info on this springtime craft right here.
This spring chick is the perfect craft for your next Easter party or as a fun springtime activity for toddlers and kids alike!
Create a craft station and put the supplies in labeled containers and let your kids dive in! Grab the directions at Simple as That.
Here comes Peter Cottontail! Perfect for large parties, this Easter bunny craft uses fun household supplies that are both simple and inexpensive! craft designed by Happy Toddler Playtime is a great way for kids to get creative at your Easter party and bring home an adorable decoration at the same time!
Painting eggs is a classic Easter activity that kids of all ages absolutely love! Here are some quick tips for creating an “egg-stra” special Easter egg hunt this spring!
You can also give egg decorating a different spin this year with Cool-Whip Dyed Easter Eggs.
This adorable Easter craft from Crafty Morning, is another great way to get some creativity flowing at your next Easter celebration.
She also suggests using shaving cream for a non-edible version but if you have zero food allergies at your party, the Cool Whip version is pretty spectacular!
No Easter party is complete without decorations and simple DIY party decor! Your kids will absolutely love diving into this Easter Party box and taking part in decorating your home.
This Easter Party in a Box comes with everything you need to create the perfect Easter celebration in your home.
The best part? You can decorate your home early on and enjoy these decorations throughout the entire easter season!
Here’s what’s included:
And so much more!
Simply pop open the box and let Crafty Holiday Helper create magical Easter memories…minus the hassle!
Whether you’re planning a fabulously extensive Easter brunch or just hosting an Easter party with yummy snacks and Easter desserts, these Easter Recipes are sure to please!
This adorable snack tray created by Emily Enchanted is the perfect way to serve up a healthy Easter or springtime snack to your kiddos! Easy to create, you’ll love shopping for and putting this fun Easter appetizer together!
This adorable app also makes a great centerpiece with our Easter party plates you can grab right here.
Want a fun way to get the kids moving at your Easter celebration?
Easter is the perfect time to do some baking. Prepare some sugar cookies like these adorable egg-shaped cookies from Ahead of Thyme or cupcakes in advance and set up a decorating station with frosting, sprinkles, and other decorations.
Set up a decorating station for kids to move around and get creative with their own Easter-themed treats.
Place Easter-themed baggies on a table and the kids can take these home as a tasty souvenir of the day.
Another simple recipe to throw together for your party, this healthy snack is perfect for kids (and adults) of all ages!
Choose your favorite fruits or follow this recipe to design your fruit platter like the one pictured above!
Whether you make these ahead of time or have the kids decorate these adorable cookies, they’re perfect for your next Easter Celebration. Get the recipe from Six Sister’s Stuff right here.
Whether it’s an indoor party, an outdoor celebration, or a combination of both, Easter-themed games are a great way to get your kids moving at your next Easter party.
Here are a few Easter game ideas we know your kids will absolutely love!
An Easter egg hunt is a classic tradition that kids love. You can make it even more fun by hiding not only chocolate eggs but also plastic eggs filled with small toys or candy or add in the eggs your kids created!
You can also create clues or a scavenger hunt to make it more challenging for older children.
Hide the eggs both indoors and outdoors, depending on the weather and the size of your space.
A piñata is always a hit at any party. You can make an Easter-themed piñata with paper mache and shape it like an Easter egg or a bunny.
Fill it with small Easter-themed toys, candy or even miniature plastic eggs.
To make it more challenging for older kids, use a blindfold and spin them around before trying to hit the piñata.
Kids love taking photos, especially when they can dress up and use props.
Create an Easter Bunny photo booth with a backdrop and some fun accessories such as bunny ears, noses, and tails.
You can also include some spring-themed props such as stuffed animal bunnies, flowers, or butterflies. This is a great activity for both kids and adults, and it will provide some great photo memories for the day.
These Easter party ideas are a simple way to celebrate the holiday and keep kids of all ages entertained throughout the day!
We’ve officially hatched some eggcellent ideas for your next Easter party that are sure to be a hit with your entire family.
Many of these activities can be modified for older or younger children so keep in mind the ages of your guests at your party to ensure everyone has a fun and safe experience.
Whether you’re decorating Easter sugar cookies, crafting bunnies, or hosting an Easter egg hunt, get the kids involved in the party planning fun to make the day even more special.
Choose some, (or al), l of these ideas for your next Easter party, and create a memorable experience for your little ones that you’ll all cherish for years to come.
Crafty Holiday Helper has simplified party planning for any occasion!
From birthday party decor and summer party fun to Halloween, Christmas and so much more, Crafty Holiday Helper is your one-stop shop for all things party!
Creating magical memories has never been easier! Shop now at Crafty Holiday Helper.
Ah, Christmas! The holiday season is a time for cocoa, candy canes, and traditionally, a splash of craziness. As parents or caregivers of little ones, the Christmas season is a time for creating those magical holiday memories your kids will cherish well into adulthood.
It doesn’t go without saying, however, that these memories often come at the hand of sleepless nights, withering wallets, and stress-induced shopping.
Thankfully, here at Crafty Holiday Helper, we’ve found (and created) the best ways to make those Christmas memories magical…minus the madness.
Below we’ve found some amazingly simple, yet adorable, hands-on holiday activities that are certain to cut down on the Christmas craze this year. These tried and true Christmas crafts and ideas are the perfect way to ensure that you sit back, relax and have fun with your kids this holiday season!
These delightfully delicious spoons are adorable and fun to make! Certain to warm up those little fingers on chilly days!
Family members of all ages can join in on the fun by selecting an activity on this list or by adding in one of their own. Place this list of favorite activities up on the fridge for a season filled with fun recommendations from everyone.
This adorable, simple activity uses marshmallows, chocolate chips and a few other kid-approved ingredients to let your kids make their own snowmen!
You only need paints and paper to create this adorable Christmas craft! Simple and fun, this craft is one that you’ll always cherish!
Perfectly simple Christmas decorating is what Crafty Holiday Helper is all about! Answer the question of how your elf travels back and forth from the North Pole each night with this adorable elf door! Place the door by the fireplace and set the stage for your elf to travel to and from your home to spread Christmas magic!
This adorable idea from Crafty Morning is the perfect way to combine crafting with a favorite sweet treat. Perfect for small hands and fine motor skills, this adorable sheep ornament is super fun to make!
The Dollar Store is one of our favorite spots for craft supplies: especially for Christmas DIY projects! Just check out this awesome DIY snow globe holiday craft that’s made with inexpensive items! It’s sure to be one of those favorite holiday crafts you can do year after year! Simply grab these items:
Create several of these with your kids to use as holiday home decor or DIY these snow globes as gorgeous homemade Christmas gifts to friends and family! For all the info on how to create these awesome DIY Christmas snow globes, check it all out right here.
Create an earth-friendly biodegradable Christmas decoration with your kids this holiday season! These colorful Christmas trees made from paper straws from Crafts by Courtney are the perfect holiday craft for kids! Prop these colorful paper straw Christmas tree decorations in your windows and doorways to display a truly decorative scene created by your kids this holiday season!
Oh, deer! This reindeer craft is so cute and super easy! Grab toilet paper rolls or even paper towel rolls, paint, and a couple of craft supplies to make this simple craft your kids will love.
Creating magical holiday memories and traditions that you’ll enjoy with your family for years to come is what Crafty Holiday Helper is all about.
Skip the craziness of the holiday season with the only essential Christmas Elf Kit you’ll need.
Crafty Holiday Helper’s elf kit is an essential part of creating the perfect Christmas decorations for your kids with zero effort!
Featuring 27 high-quality, adorable props your kids will love, our Christmas Elf Kit is the best way to get a jumpstart on making memories that will last a lifetime without sacrificing sanity.
Below we uncover how easy it is to use our Elf Kit, what’s included in this year’s indispensable collection and how to order yours before the season starts and we sell out!
At Crafty Holiday Helper, we’re passionate about helping you to make lifelong magical memories for your loved ones. Our popular Christmas Elf Kit is one of the many ways we simplify the season by helping you to bring holiday magic into your home!
With 27 delightfully funny, adorable, scenes, cards, and more for your elf, the Crafty Holiday Helper Elf Kit has the days leading up to Christmas completely covered.
Our elf kit easily helps you to:
Save Time: scenes are created and completed for you in one kit!
Create life-long memories
Kick back, avoid stress and enjoy more of the celebrating
Make magic happen with thoughtful scenes, note cards, and more
Get Your Christmas Elf Kit features elf decorations and props that are certain to surprise your kids leading up to the big day until Christmas Eve! Inside your kit you’ll find:
An Official Arrival Letter! Yay! Your elf has arrived! Our kit includes two adorable letters: one for newly adopted elves and one for returning elves.
Magical Glove: avoid any chances of your elf losing its magic with this magical glove. Things happen and if your elf somehow falls over or gets kidnapped by the family pet, this magical glove is there to save the day and retrieve the elf without losing its magical power!
Special Travel Container: Traveling this holiday season? Your elf has nothing to worry about! Portable, convenient & luxurious, you can safely take your elf anywhere this Christmas season. From busy airports to grandma’s house. (Also serves as PPE for visiting elves.)
27 Detailed Scenes: specially designed for endless fun and creativity the entire season through! Set up magical scenes with whimsical props this season. Every prop is of the highest quality so you can reuse them every season!
Infraction Cards: Have you been naughty or nice? Each printed card is officially signed by your elf for extra authority. Having a stack of these cards available will bring you peace and joy.
Departure Letter: When your elf is ready to depart on Christmas Eve, have them leave behind a letter your children will collect for years to come.
Creating Christmas magic every day requires NO effort when using Crafty Holiday Helper’s Christmas Elf Kit! Forget the chaotic crafting and messy late-night stressful elf decorations. Simply open our Christmas Elf Kit each and every day and take out the adorable elf decorations such as:
Elf Baseball Scene: Have baseball fans? This scene comes complete with bat, ball, and an adorable note card!
Elf Connect Four Scene comes with an elf-size Connect Four and a note card from your elf.
Elf Pizza Scene: your elf has a “pizza” in his heart for your kids!
Elf Bicycle Scene: Do your kids love to ride bikes? So does your Elf with this scene! Comes with a bike and a note card from your elf!
Plus so many more elf scenes to fill your kids’ Christmas countdown days with magic and fun!
Sit back, relax and watch the magic unfold! Our Elf Kit makes Christmas traditions an absolute breeze. Our quality and thoughtfully designed cards and elf decorations will have your kids excited to greet their elf every single day. What’s even better, is that it takes seconds to choose your scene and place it with your Christmas Elf!
Here’s how the magic all comes together:
Order your Christmas Elf Kit: place your order no later than November 16th so it arrives in time. Then keep it hidden until it’s Thanksgiving night!
Start the Adventure: On Thanksgiving night place your Christmas Elf and the included arrival letter in a place your family will be sure to find them. Then the magical fun begins!
Enjoy the Elf Antics! Create silly adventures for your elf using the elf decorations and scenes kit each day leading up to the big day! Surprise your kids every morning with our detailed, funny props for your kids!
Memories that will last for years and years to come: Christmas Eve will come and your elf will need to say goodbye. Your elf will leave behind an adorable departure letter and memories for you and your family!
Creating magical holiday memories and Christmas traditions that you can enjoy as much as your family is what Crafty Holiday Helper is all about. Order your Christmas Elf Kit and create the perfect holiday magic for your family this Christmas season!
Discover why our Christmas Elf Kit is one of our most popular kits each year. Be sure to order yours before they sell out!
Looking for more amazingly simple ways to create memories with your kids? From back-to-school celebrations to birthday parties and fall fun, Crafty Holiday Helper has it all. Check out these posts for more incredible ideas:
Celebrate back to school with our back to “cool” school kit Here
Check out the BEST summer ideas Here
Got a birthday party coming up? Check out this complete birthday kit your kids will be sure to love
Whenever I think of Summer, grilling always comes to mind! Trading family dinners indoors to outdoor backyard dinners and baked to grilled dinners. Grilling delivers flavor, elevating meats, veggies, and other food favorites such as slices of bread and fruits!
When gearing up for cookout season, grill prepping is key! Here are a few tips and tricks for grilling season.
Start with simple recipes and work your way up to pro status through time and practice. Summertime always brings a sense of freshness to the table when dinnertime arrives. Serving fresh vegetables with a smokey, grill flavor in the backyard is what it’s all about at home.
So, why not develop your grilling technique and evaluate your cooking master power in the backyard this summer with your family?! Share on Instagram or Facebook your grilling tips and tricks or even some of your favorite grill-worthy recipes or when you began learning how to grill?
Stay crafty,
Jaime
Happy Father’s Day to all you amazing dads out there! Whenever this holiday comes around, my children and I like to plan a very special day together full of crafts and activities for the leading man in our lives. Simple activities on the day like riding a bike at the park or a family picnic actually go a long way; it’s about making the dad in your life feel loved and special for everything they do.
Need a few suggestions to celebrate your Father’s Day with dad? Check out a few ideas that we have done over the years:
Create a morning brunch feast of his favorite foods (yes, including cookies!) with a fresh cup of coffee or tea. An activity that is fun on a lazy weekend afternoon is tackling a puzzle featuring his favorite theme! You can even have the completed puzzle framed and hang it as a piece of art.
Board games are another fun way to celebrate Father’s Day! With so many choices from Sorry, Trouble, or Guess Who, you can pull out all the family board games (or/and card games!).
You can add a little competition and see who wins the most (hint, it should be dad) and offer a prize! Want to take this idea up a notch? Host game night with other dads in the neighborhood. A friendly little competition never hurt anyone.
Get outdoors with a hike or a bike ride! Personally speaking, we love beach walks and hikes. It’s an excellent way to stay active with the kids and take a break from everyday adulting (and electronics).
Check out a new park to hike around in, and then have a family picnic. This would be a pleasant disconnect from all the possible distractions at home. If your dad is an outdoorsman, maybe consider planning a fish or camping trip or even bird watching!
Calling all moms, it time to turn up the heat. Host a small Fathers Day cookout inviting all the dads you have come to know or treasure. Have mom be the grill master for the day, and the littles can set the table up for all the dads.
Load the outdoor dining table with classic summertime favorites like burgers, hot dogs, ribs, and grilled corn. If you have an extra Summer Kit, you could certainly use it for decor and as the tablescape for the kiddos. And, don’t forget a section for outdoor games like corn hole, ladder toss, or giant Jenga! Be sure to keep a cooler of refreshing bevies nearby, especially since you’ll be basking in the sun.
Another fun idea you can incorporate in your Father’s Day celebrations is a virtual tour! Is there a museum dad wants to check out and take in on a virtual tour? So many museums around the world are offering virtual tours.
You can visit three different museums in three other countries, making you the world’s greatest traveler of 2021. The perk to this idea is you can stay in your PJ’s and explore a museum after breakfast, lunch, or over a spread of all his favorite snacks in the comfort of being home.
I hope you enjoyed these ideas, and they help inspire your Father’s Day celebration. Remember, no matter how you celebrate the holiday this year, it’s about showing love and appreciation to the dad(s) in your life. Have a wonderful Father’s day celebration; however, you plan to celebrate!
Share with me on Instagram how you celebrate this Father’s Day!
Stay crafty,
Jaime
Let’s shell-abrate, it’s Summer and school’s out! How do you plan to make the most of sunny; summer fun? There are many activities and local destinations that can be turned into a fun celebration. And, one thing I like the current seasonal kit will bring a taste of summer to each party you create.
Here are a few ways you can have fun with your Summer Kit:
Pack your favorite beach towels and beach blanket, a cooler filled with refreshing snacks and beverages. With your summer kit in hand, you can quickly go from sunbathing or searching for seashells to a fun-filled picnic right on the beach. The balloons included in the kit can serve as a marker for when the family needs to use the restrooms, and you can find your way back to your spot.
Oh, and since beach buckets and pails are included, why not build a family sandcastle or see who makes a castle the fastest. Hit the waves after a picnic and toss around the personal-sized beach balls in a game or for fun. Just don’t forget to bring a trash bag!
Celebrate in an open space, with the best part being a simple clean-up! Parks are an underrated celebration destination for children (and even adults!). Everyone has plenty of room to mingle and play games, especially with families who are still being cautious (rightfully so).
The Sun Ballon and Summer Banner pops nicely outdoors and serve as a bright indicator of where the celebration is! Just be sure to pick a perfect location that is close to restrooms and picnic tables! Don’t forget to pack string and use to the banner are the trees and balloons weights. Another playful party idea is bringing an outdoor game, sidewalk chalk, and bubbles!
Who wouldn’t want to spend a cool summer night making s’mores? Because I do! Whether you’re hosting a backyard fire pit party or simply hanging out, unpack your kit and set up a table loaded with simple snacks and finger foods, buffet style. This will help keep everyone socializing by the fire or in the surrounding and pick and choose which foods they’d like to enjoy when they are ready. Oh, and don’t forget insect repellent candles for the dining table and alongside the bonfire. If you want to be extra fancy, use your Christmas lights for an added visual in the backyard!
Fire up the grill because schools out, create a hot dog/burger toppings bar and serve up some refreshing homemade lemonade this MDW (Here’s my MDW checklist). I love summer and backyard BBQs because the foods you serve can be anything from watermelon, hot dogs, hamburgers, kabobs, and corn on the cobb. Load up your sun plates with all your BBQ foods and enjoy! Post BBQ eats, satisfy your sweet tooth with the lollipops included in your kit. After enjoying your family favorites, take a moment to plan the rest of your summer with the Summer Bucket List.
A last-minute beach day or park visit is always an adventure, and you can save yourself the trip for supplies with your handy dandy Summer Kit. Impress your littles (and/or friends!) with a memorable tablescape all in one box!
How do you swing last-minute get-togethers? Are you the planner mom with extra sets for impromptu gatherings? Or are you the go with the flow mom and wing it while hoping for the best? Be sure to share with me on Facebook!
Stay crafty,
Jaime
Summer grilling becomes a state of mind right before Memorial Day Weekend! With getting our home summer-ready (here’s what I do to summer-ize our home), this checklist helps me get holiday weekend ready!
2-3 WEEKS BEFORE:
Invitations: It’s up to you if you would like to have a large family gathering; we tend to keep things more intimate. So, check with your immediate family to see who would like to join you for some backyard fun with a summer menu.
Menu: What do you want to serve as the main course? What snacks and desserts will you serve? Be mindful to consider any allergies that a family member may have.
THE WEEKEND BEFORE:
Backyard Ready: I like to ensure the outdoor furniture is cleaned and ready for company. Also, I like to make sure the backyard is ready for any outdoor activities or family games we may play.
Grill Prep: Clean and check if all the burners are working, if you have enough propane, and be sure you are stocked up on essential grilling supplies, including propane, charcoal, lighter fluid, etc.
A COUPLE DAYS BEFORE:
Pantry cleanout: Where will all your groceries for the holiday weekend eats be stored? I usually take a day to clean out the fridge and pantry to ensure all the condiments, snacks, and dressings are not expired, and if so, I will add them to the shopping list.
Refrigerator makeover: Before venturing to the market, ensure you have enough fridge space for all your nonperishable foods. I can’t tell you how many times I had to play refrigerator Tetris to try to make it all fit.
Decorations: I love summer decor, and adding some to a family BBQ adds a little something extra. Sometimes it’s fresh flowers as a centerpiece, a bright table cloth, or even some citronella candles (and it helps keep the bugs at bay!).
Clean up: I like to take a day before and tidy up of all the things around the house.
THE DAY OF:
I like to wake up a little earlier on days where our family gathers for celebrations. Food prepping in advance allows me to be a better host while interacting with family and guests simultaneously.
There you have it, my simple checklist to planning our kickoff to summer! How do you prepare for family gatherings or summer BBQ’s? Please share with me on social (Instagram and/or Facebook) and don’t forget to use #CraftyHolidayHelper!
Stay crafty,
Jaime
Happy Mother’s day to all of you amazing mom’s out there!
In our home, a holiday becomes a reason for us to celebrate. On Mother’s Day, we usually spend time in the kitchen, beginning with breakfast morning and ending the evening with homemade cookies and family time. Sometimes we pull out the craft box and create decorations if we are hosting a Mother’s Day brunch or dinner for the moms in our family.
Motherhood is such an amazing gift, and while it’s no easy task (we moms are on call 24 hours and day, seven days a week, 365 days a year), and somehow we manage it all!
I wonder where my strength and patience come from, and then I remember, “Oh, yeah, my mom!” I also honor her today, as she inspired me to become the mom I am today for my children.
Throughout it all, I am thankful for the gifts of motherhood and grateful to have a day where we moms remind each other how special each of us is.
I wish you all a wonderful, memorable Mother’s day this holiday! Share with me how you plan to celebrate in the comments on Instagram or Facebook!
Stay crafty,
Jaime
Happy National Siblings Day to these joys in my life! Motherhood offers many pleasures, and seeing of these tiny humans grow together is such a blessing. I learn more each day about their personalities, how they love and support each other as their bond grows, and it’s magical.
Our home is filled with the sounds of children laughing and playing, and thankfully they reach the daily exercise suggestion with all the running around they do. In the midsts of all that sibling fun they share, my hope for them in adulthood is to recall these treasured moments as I do every day.
When I first became a mom, one of my goals (still is) was to create a happy childhood by celebrating holidays, birthdays, and family events. Celebrating each and every milestone, idea and dream. Through these moments of celebration and joy is how these kits came to life as they are my inspiration during playtime and family time every day. Observing their interests and understanding their curiosities individually and collectively inspires me, and I am sure it helps them encourage each other.
In my opinion, having siblings means they will always have a friend, a support system, a connection to each other through moments of celebration and growth. I enjoy seeing that beautiful unbreakable bond form early in childhood through each hug, kiss, and sweet moment exchanged as they grow.
How did you celebrate #NationalSiblingDay with your family? Wishing you a Happy National Siblings Day to your siblings and family!
Stay crafty,
Jaime
Ahhh, the sunny days of May prepare my family and me for Summer! School is almost out for the children (thank goodness for no more homework or trying to relearn fractions!), and this is the month where I begin to plan family activities.
I love the Summer holidays, giving us a reason to celebrate, and who doesn’t want an excuse to gather together. One holiday that gears us up for in summer mode is Memorial Day! Usually, our home has been decorated with summer colors and vibrant plants (here’s a blog post for simple ways to create a summer vibe).
Usually, by Memorial Day, the house is decorated, the grill is cleaned, and we gear up for the end of the school year, leaving us ready to spend some time in our backyard to play board games and bond with one another. Summer sunsets and early evenings are reasons the upcoming season fills me up with joy. Walks along the beach picking sea shells or spending time creating bonfires (roasting marshmallows, of course!) is another opportunity for bonding without the rush school responsibilities.
Here are a few other ways I gear up for Summer:
Reading list: While Summer reading may have an elementary feel to it, as a family we like to create a summer reading list. I believe it’s important to read even one book together as a family. It’s a different avenue of bonding and another topic at the dinner table as a family.
Outdoor games/sports: Who doesn’t love outdoor fun!? Backyard scavenger hunts are a favorite in our household. Scavenger hunts are great for all ages, and you can customize them any way you wish. You may or may not see a scavenger hunt in an upcoming kit!
Summer foods: Food off the grill screams summer to me, grilled chicken, grilled vegetables (kabobs!) as well as homemade lemonade, and fun attempts to whip up a flavored ice cream together. I also love the fruits that are in season, everything from blood oranges, watermelon to cherries!
What are some ways you gear up for summer pre-Memorial Day weekend (here’s a checklist to help you plan)? Do you have any favorite foods or fruits you tend to enjoy more?
Please share with me on Facebook or Instagram, and don’t forget to use #CraftyHolidayHelper!
Stay crafty,
Jaime
We love celebrating Valentine’s Day with the family as it’s a way to shower our children, family, and friends with love and joy while spending a meaningful day together. Plus, who doesn’t love a day with chocolate, candy, and flowers? We’ve planned out a special day for you and your kids, including some of our favorite activities from our latest blog: 24 Valentines Day Activities for Preschoolers.
Breakfast
The most important meal of the day is breakfast. Why not serve a heart-shaped breakfast as a family treat?And, maybe some heart-shaped strawberries to add an extra touch of love.
Activity 1: Arts and Crafts
Activity 2: Baking – Cupcakes & Cookies
We found this easy cupcake and cookie recipe you can do with your kids. Our kids love decorating cookies and cupcakes so let them get creative. Remember: no frosting is too much. Try to save these treats for dessert as you don’t want to spoil lunch or dinner.
Lunch
Edible bread painting for lunch. Make lunch exciting with cute sayings or heart designs for Valentine’s Day.
Get Active: Chose one or complete all three
Game 1: Walk Around Neighborhood
It’s always good to get some fresh air and go for a family walk. Since it’s Valentine’s Day, play a game of “I spy” something red or pink in the neighborhood. Another fun idea you can do with the kids on your walk, take some of Valentine’s Day cards and distribute them to your neighbor’s mailbox for a pleasant surprise.
Game 2: Valentine’s Day Musical Hearts
For your at-home dance party, this game will get the heart pumping. Layout a bunch of hearts with different phrases to dance out like “walk like an Egyptian,” “move like a robot,” “do the moonwalk.” When the music stops, each player grabs the nearest heart and dances out the phrase. To make sure your kid doesn’t dance around the same one, take away the used hearts every round. Keep going until all the hearts have been completed.
Game 3: Pin the Arrow on the Heart
Each person will have an arrow. Blindfold each player, turn them around 3x, and have them try to pin the arrow onto the heart.
Free Time
We included some free time for you and your family to choose or to take a one-hour nap for those with preschoolers. There is nothing wrong with taking a break and resetting before dinner!
Dinner
Whip up a simple dinner where the kiddos can assist you in the kitchen. Turning cooking into a family activity will certainly be a lot of fun especially when its something as easy as taco night! Of course, compliment your meal with the Crafty Holiday Helper Valentine’s Day Table Setting. Lastly, don’t forget dessert – there is nothing sweeter than ending a family dinner with a tasty dessert with some laughter.
End the Day
We love to end the day watching a family movie together. One of our favorite family films is Shrek as it’s full of funny moments to get the family laughing with a hint of romance to get everyone feeling the love on Valentine’s Day!
Stay Crafty,
Jaime
Want to surprise your kids this summer with some Christmas spirit? Send your child a Postcard from their elf in SUMMER. My kids always count down the day until our elf comes to visit in December. Last summer, at the beginning of August, a postcard showed up letting my kids know that he missed them and he couldn?t wait to see them in December. My kids were SO SURPRISED! I was pleasantly surprised at all of the offers of help around the house, the clean rooms and the kindness to each other that followed the postcards arrival. Head over to Crafty Holiday Helper to get your FREE download of the Christmas Elf Summer Postcard. Print out the page in color then fold along the bottom of the photo and glue or use double sided tape to secure the sides. Address the postcard to your kids and pop it in the mail! If you are worried about your kids knowing your handwriting, ask a neighbor or friend to write it so it doesn’t look like your writing. To take it even a step further…place your postcard, with your address and stamp already on it, in a bigger envelope and mail it to the following address:
North Pole Postmark
Postmaster
4141 Postmark Drive
Anchorage, AK 99530-9998
This post office will then take your postcard and have it postmarked ?North Pole? so you don’t have to field the question ?How come this postcard came though our town??. Amazing!!!! Feel free to reach out to me if you want me to email you a version that you can edit if you wish to personalize it for your kids and make it from your elf or add anything else!
Stay Crafty,
Jaime
