Search Results

Maybe it's too hot or too cold to play outside. Maybe the parents don't want to deal with the rainy weather and muddy boots. Or you just can't make it to the park today. These indoor toys are great for development, whatever the weather. Play is such an important part of children's learning and development; while these toys are just suggestions, you know your child and their abilities the best. Most of all, have fun exploring, learning, and playing! Best Indoor Toys for Development Indoor Adventures Move your body in a big way with these indoor adventure toys. Great for sensory input , being creative, and calming your nervous system . It depends on your space but could be a fun addition. This pod swing , glowing fort , and climbing toy are great fun! Play tables Explore with your hands with these fun indoor tables. All are great for fine motor skill s and problem solving ! Engage your senses with this sensory table , spark your imagination with this train table , or create a masterpiece with this lego table that can be stored under the sofa! Cuddle toys + Puppets These soft dolls are great for toddlers and can inspire empathy , provide comfort, and help build social emotional skills. Puppets inspire creativity and help with communication by encouraging language and listening skills when they are used to tell stories. I really like these emotion puppets ! This Pet Vet playset helps kids develop empathy and build fine motor skills as they work on the pets. Books + Blocks Reading books helps with verbal skills , communication , and fine motor skills with holding and turning the pages. There are so many books to choose from but you can't go wrong with a first book set . Blocks help with problem-solving and fine motor skills to stack and build different shapes. We like these chunky building blocks and these magnetic blocks Ride on Toys Move your body with these fun toys! Ride-on toys promote coordination, vestibular sense (balance) and gross motor development! Teeter popper , wiggle cars , and ride and push cars like this little classic car will be oh so much fun! Bouncing, Hoping, Jumping Help kids build those gross motor skills , and promote body awareness , core stability , and balance ! Stepping stones , hopping horse , and toddler trampolines are great for getting that extra energy out around the house. Pretend Play Pretend and imitation play helps build those social-emotional connections, role-playing, and problem-solving as they navigate play together! These are some fun finds - This play kitchen blows us away with lights, sounds, a working faucet, and color-changing accessories! And it's literally a steal at under $75! This kids' workbench is a must-have for your little worker! It's interactive and comes with 45 accessories! Kids love playing store with this kids cash register . They can learn names of items as well as count money and of course all the buttons and scanning. Playing store is always a huge hit with kids. Active Learning Throwing games like this space dart board help kids with spacial awareness while they learn about space and science. Boost those cognitive skills with this extra large and extra fun math floor game. These yoga dice help build flexibility, gross motor skills , and body awareness as they build mindfulness. Creative Fun Let kids explore with these creative toys. We love a good art easel for letting kids explore their creativity and imagination and build fine motor skills through painting or drawing. If you need more structured creative play, older kids will enjoy art kits.This walking robot kit from Kiwi Crate, and sewing kit are fun ones for problem solving and fine motor skills . Looking for more toy ideas, check out our Best Toys for Outdoor Play that help development.

Now that Fall weather is starting to roll in, it is a great time to encourage outdoor play with your kiddos. Little ones enjoy getting sunshine and fresh air and these outdoor toys make outdoor play time even better. I have a huge passion for child development and I thought it would be fun to share some of my top picks for the best toys for outdoor play that help development. However, remember these are just suggestions. You know your child best, and what is developmentally appropriate for their current stage. All play should be supervised to ensure child safety. Be aware of sun safety (sunscreen & shade) and be sure to stay hydrated while playing outdoors, but most importantly of all, have fun! Best Toys for Outdoor Play Toys that Help with Development Sandbox This is a childhood classic! The sandbox is good for sensory development . Sand offers a tactile sensory experience and is a good way to work on fine motor skills by scooping and creating shapes in the sand. even helps with gross motor skills when kids balance or walk on sand. Remember to keep sand out of their mouth though. It can be really tempting for little ones . (For indoor sensory fun, try our DIY Moon Sand ) Sandbox with umbrella // sand box toys with dinos // ice cream sand box toys Sidewalk Chalk Drawing and writing with chalk is so much fun. Help kids develop those fine motor skills and creative thinking by drawing letters, shapes, and artwork. Kids will experience their proprioceptive sense by learning how hard to press down to write with the chalk. Work on communication skills by asking "What letter is this" or taking turns naming and drawing different shapes or animals. Take your chalk to the next level by making our Puffy Sidewalk Chalk Paint. Sidewalk Chalk // Chalk holders // Ice cream chalk Outdoor Swings Swings are great for a full-body sensory experience. While swinging, kids are learning balance and body awareness which are both important senses for core strength and staying upright. The repetitive motion of swinging can provide some social-emotional benefits as well, that help calm the nervous system . Be sure to use an age-appropriate swing (especially with babies) as well as one that is secure and can't tip over. If you don't have space for your own swing, many local parks have swings. Saucer Swing // Baby and Toddler Swing // Surfer Swing Water Tables Water tables are especially popular on warm days. Kids can cool off in the water while playing safely. Pouring water, measuring, and watching water paths and droplets are all fun ways to play with water. You can even add a few drops of dishwashing soap and have kids wash all their little figurine toys in the bubbles. Water play promotes fine motor skills while standing at the water table and moving around it helps with gross motor skills. Water Table with 2 Levels // Water Tower // Water Table with River Path Imitation Toys Help promote executive function with imitation toys for "grown-up " outdoor activities. Toys like gardening sets, playhouses, push lawnmowers, and bug-catching kits help promote problem-solving and mental flexibility . You can help kids build their social-emotional connection by playing with them like working in the garden or building a container fairy garden . Garden play set // Play House // Push Bubble Mower // Bug Catching Kit Bubbles I love bubbles, especially for toddlers! I often give bubble machines as gifts because toddlers love making and chasing bubbles so much. Following bubbles helps strengthen their visual and tracking skills as well as attention. Running after, catching, or stomping bubbles helps those gross and fine motor skills . If kids are using a wand and creating their own bubbles that's even better because they have to figure out what angle and how much to blow to make the bubbles. Discourage tasting or eating bubbles though because while bubbles are minimally toxic, they can cause stomach upset if ingested. CocoMelon Bubble Machine // Mess Free Bubble Blower // Bubble Gun Wheeled Toys As kids get bigger and more steady on their feet, they can start adding wheeled toys to their outdoor play. Scooters, wagons, play cars, and tricycles are great for vestibular sense (balance) as well as motor development and strength . Learning a new skill like riding a tricycle can sometimes require some problem solving which is great for executive function . Always remember to wear a helmet and other safety gear while riding a wheeled toy. Little Tikes Car // Little wagon // 2-in-1 Trike and Scooter Balls Different sizes and shapes of balls can provide a variety of entertainment for outdoor play. Beach balls are a fun option for babies. They are lightweight, so they are easy to hold and toss with both hands. They can roll them around and crawl after them. Other balls such as tennis balls are good for as kids get older. Test skills like, can they throw them overhanded? Can they catch a beach ball with 2 hands? Even yoga balls and hopper balls can be fun to roll around or bounce on in the grass. Promotes stretching and can increase core stability by bouncing and balancing on it. Overall, balls promote body awareness and motor skills . Rainbow Playground Balls // Hopper Balls // Beach Balls Sports Equipment Kids can start getting introduced to sports equipment at a young age and start learning the basics while having fun. Providing small, child-friendly sports equipment can be fun for both parents and kids. Things like basketball hoops, soccer balls, lawn bowling, and a baseball bat and tee set, are all great things to help with so many types of development. From motor skills, vestibular (balance), as well as executive skills by learning how to play a game. Kids oftentimes will even expand their vocabulary by learning new words and phrases used during sports. Lawn bowling // Basketball Hoop // Tball set No toys? No worries! Always remember unstructured play outdoors is great too! Just running around a park or exploring a nature trail, encourages kids to use their imagination and creativity while they play! Have fun playing and exploring the great outdoors! Looking for more toys? Check out our post of Best Toys for Indoor Play that help development!

I'm reading through the Harry Potter series with my son and he's loving it. We recently finished the fourth book, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. As usual, I had to do an at-home movie showing with a themed dinner with fun treats to celebrate. We always make a butterbeer milkshake anytime we watch a Harry Potter movie and this time was no different. This butterbeer milkshake is only a few ingredients and so easy to make! Kids and adults alike love it! Butterbeer Milkshake Ingredients: 4 cups cream soda 4 cups vanilla ice cream 1/2 cup butterscotch topping (plus more for topping) whipped cream Directions: In a blender, mix together your cream soda, your favorite vanilla ice cream, and butterscotch topping. Blend together until smooth. Divide into individual servings (ours made 4 glasses) and top with whipped cream and a drizzle of butterscotch topping. Serve and enjoy! This drink is creamy and drinkable and not quite as thick as a real milkshake, but so yummy! Perfect for whipping up during a Harry Potter movie night! We also snagged some butterbeer chewy candies and chocolate frogs and pretended we were on the train to Hogwarts buying stuff off the trolley! Shop Harry Potter Fun Finds: Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit // Hagrid's Hut Lego Set // Hogwarts House Squishmallow If you like this recipe be sure to stay tuned for more Harry Potter-inspired posts coming soon!

I'm obsessed with Taylor Swift and The Eras Tour currently. The imagery in the Lavender Haze music video is just so dreamy so I decided to create a Lavender Haze-inspired Cocktail to sip on while scrolling SwiftTok and Instagram and watching videos. This cocktail features egg whites, which I wasn't sure about at first, but after making a few different versions of this drink, I realized, it NEEDS the egg. They add a subtle creaminess to the drink and it doesn't taste like egg at all. It makes it even prettier and looks like the clouds Taylor is floating on during the Lavender Haze music video. So let's share out how we made this pretty cocktail! Lavender Haze Cocktail Ingredients: 2 oz Empress Gin 1908 3/4 oz lemon juice (we use this juicer) 3/4 oz simple syrup 1 dash lavender bitters 1 egg white large ice cube dried edible lavender flowers , optional as garnish Notes: This serves up perfectly in a coupe glass and makes 1 drink. Instructions: Chill your coupe glass in the freezer for a few minutes, while you prepare the drink. In a cocktail shaker add the Empress Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white, and lavender bitters. Dry shake for 15 seconds, no ice. Add the ice cube to your shaker, wet shake for 20-30 seconds. Double-strain the drink into your chilled coupe glasses. At first it will look very white but after a minute, it settles to this lovely lavender color. Garnish with dried lavender flowers if desired Note about egg whites: Adding egg whites to your cocktails is a very old-fashioned thing and perfectly safe as long as your egg stays chilled. The egg white adds a rich creamy texture and for this drink, it represents the clouds that we see in the Lavender Haze music video. If you want more information, check out this egg-white cocktails video . Shop Cocktail Fun Finds: Iridescent coupe glasses // Bitters Set // Glass cocktail shaker For more Taylor Swift-inspired fun, check out our DIY Lover House Friendship Bracelet Holder Eras Tour Confetti Shadow Box and our Lavender Lemonade mocktail ! Be sure to check out my newest post on how to throw a Taylor Swift Party !

This Lavender Lemonade is light and refreshing, with a light floral flavor. It is perfect for Spring and Summer celebrations, or just for fun! Serve this pretty lavender lemonade at brunch, tea parties, baby or wedding showers, or any event you want to feel fancy. It's just so pretty to sip on! It has a subtle lavender flavor. You can make it stronger if you steep your lavender flowers for longer in the recipe below. Lavender Lemonade Ingredients: 1/2 - 3/4 cup of sugar, depending on how sweet you like your lemonade 1/4 cup honey 6 cups of water, divided into 2 and 4 cups 3 tablespoons dried edible lavender flowers (also found in some spice aisles) juice of 12 lemons, about 2 cups purple gel food coloring lemon slices for garnish Note: This makes about 2 quarts of lemonade. Store covered, in the refrigerator for about a week. Directions: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Stir in the sugar and honey until dissolved and remove from heat. Add in your lavender flowers and let steep for about 1 hour, like tea. Juice your lemons and set the juice in the fridge to start chilling. Note: This juicer is the fastest, most efficient way to juice your lemons. And it comes in a few cute colors so you can coordinate with your kitchen if you want to. After your hour has passed, strain your lavender water into a bowl or pitcher and discard the lavender flowers. In a large pitcher, add your lemon juice, lavender juice, and the other 4 cups of water. To make it more of the typical lavender color, add a few drops of purple food coloring. I added 4 drops to mine to get this soft purple color. Serve over ice and garnish the glasses with lemon wedges and faux purple flowers if desired. Give this lavender lemonade a try and let us know if you liked it! If you're in a Lavender Haze mood, check out our popular Lover/Folklore House Friendship Bracelet DIY , get crafty with our Eras Tour Confetti Shadow Box or mix things up with our Lavender Haze Cocktail ! For more Taylor Swift! Serve this lemonade at your very own Taylor Swift Party ! Check out our party inspiration post.

My kids and I are huge Harry Potter Fans. I read the series with my daughter and now my son and I are halfway through the final book. Whenever we finish a book, we watch the movie and have a Harry Potter Movie night with things like Mad Eye Moody Meatballs or Butterbeer Milkshakes . The kids love it and it's so much fun! We also collect some of the wands. We made this DIY Harry Potter Wand holder out of wood to display their wands on in their rooms. DIY Harry Potter Wand Holder My kids love displaying their wands from Wizarding World at Universal Studios as well as Mystery Wands and Dark Arts Mystery Wands . Supplies: 18 inch wooden plaque 18 inch x 2.5 inch wooden boards, one for each wand sandpaper L shaped screw hooks , about 1.5 inches in size ceiling hooks , about 1 inch Small screw eyes , about 3/4 inch craft paint wood stain sawtooth picture hanging brackets Directions: Make sure all your wooden pieces are smooth. Sand any rough spots down with your sandpaper. Then, we added a pretty wood stain on all our pieces. Once that was dry we painted the word "wands" on the large wooden plaque. You can also personalize it with the person's name. 3. Use the L hooks and create "ledges" for your wands to sit on. These are nice because wands are different sizes so some need to be further out from the wood if the handles are thicker. I used 2 L hooks to hold up each wand and adjusted it to fit each wand handle. 4. Using the ceiling hooks and small screw eyes, you can link together the wand-holding pieces to hang down below each other. 5. Add sawtooth picture hanging brackets to the back of your wand holder and you're ready to display your wands.

Hello, fellow Swiftie bookworms! I'm here today with some book recommendations for you! Taylor is a beautiful storyteller so it only makes sense that many of us Swifties would be book lovers as well. The US leg of the Eras tour may be over but our addiction to all things Taylor hasn't. Since one of my goals for this year was to read more books, I thought it would be fun to curate some Taylor Swift Eras Inspired Books. This list contains one book that I feel fits the overarching theme of each album. I had waaaay too much fun creating this post and can't wait to dive into these Eras-inspired books. Taylor Swift Books for Each Era Let's start at the beginning with Taylor Swift aka "Debut" For Taylor Swift , we are recommending My Life As A Country Album by EJ Evans Now, I'll be honest, I know this album the least, but regardless, my overall views of it are that it's young and fresh, and you still have a wide-eyed view of the world. You yearn to be more grown-up than you are. My Life as a Country Album is about Cam, a small-town girl experiencing her first love with the boy next door. It's told in a diary-esque way and is sweet like sweet tea y'all. With first love comes a little bit of heartbreak, and you can just picture Cam signing "Teardrops on My Guitar" as you read it. Fun fact, the author stated the book was inspired by Taylor's song "Begin Again", but we still think it is a perfect "Debut" inspired read. Our Fearless TV -inspired book recommendation is Stargirl By Jerry Spinelli . Fearless is a little more about figuring things out, finding friendships, and life from a high school girl's perspective. Stargirl is about a free-spirited high school girl. She was previously homeschooled and now she's going to a public high school where she's the "quirky outcast". People call her different from them and maybe even a little weird. Stargirl however is a genuinely kind person and embraces her individuality, even when the other kids are making fun of her. We love this brave story about nonconformity! Taylor Swift has even said that Stargirl inspired her ! If you like Speak Now TV , we recommend you check out When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill . Speak Now is feminine and a bit fairytale-esque with a current of trauma that runs beneath the surface. When Women Were Dragons is a tale about the changes we go through to become ourselves. It talks about the 1955 Mass Dragoning event where thousands of women turned into dragons - growing scales, sprouting wings, and taking to the skies leaving a trail of fiery destruction in their wake. The story follows a young girl as she unravels this forbidden story. Why did some women turn into dragons while others did not? This book is all about a world that wants to keep women small, and how they rise up and take up the space they deserve. Our Red TV -inspired book recommendation is My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell . To me, the theme of Red is turbulent relationships and the rollercoaster of emotions that come with them. "All Too Well 10-minute version" is a hit that stands out from this album and we think My Dark Vanessa is a good read that feels inspired by All Too Well. This book explores the tumultuous relationship between a teenage girl and her teacher, who professes to love her. But, when rumors of him abusing another student start to surface, Vanessa begins to see how much he manipulates her. How their relationship wasn't really what she thought it was. Maybe she's not unique, and maybe he's a predator. It screams "You kept me like a secret but I kept you like an oath". Whew, that last one cut deep. Let's lighten the mood with 1989 TV! Our 1989 TV - inspired book is French Kissing in New York by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau . 1989 is very much all about big city lights, late nights on the town, rooftop bars, being young and having fun dating. French Kissing in New York is a romance novel about a young woman who moves to New York City, bustling with energy. We follow Margot on her journey to find her place as a chef in the restaurant scene. She can't stop thinking about a guy she met last year in Europe and hopes she can find him. Anything is possible in the big city! Full of food, friendship, and fate. If you like Reputation , you may enjoy Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard . Reputation is giving anger, vengeance, and betrayal...and we all know the story behind "Look What You Made Me Do". The book Red Queen is set in a dystopian world of betrayal and lies, where royals have superpowers, and the world is divided by red and silver-blooded people. We follow Mare, who has been raised in poverty by the Reds. When she discovers she has powers, the Silvers want to cover this up. In this tale of treachery, she is forced to play the political game that the Silvers play. Power is a dangerous game and the only certainty is betrayal. Our Lover -inspired book recommendation is Autoboyography by Christina Lauren . The Lover Era is purple-pink clouds, fun-loving, and a bit of whimsy. Autoboyography feels like it's written perfectly for this album. Even the cover is Lover coded in my opinion. We get to know Tanner, a bisexual teen, and Sebastian a gay boy, in this touching love story. While one boy has the support of his family, society pretends they don't exist. This story is all about coming out, embracing yourself, and living your most authentic life. Everyone in this town just needs to "Calm Down". For related reads, check out our LGBTQA+ Books for Kids and Teens . Our Folklore book recommendation is Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler . Folklore is full of romanticism, exploring yourself, and finding peace within. Adelaide, is a story about Adelaide, an American living in London who falls in love with a charming Englishman. Is he "The One? As she pours herself into their relationship, she begins to lose herself a little, as he doesn't quite reciprocate the love she's giving him. He's a good guy, but does he really love her for her? She starts to get a bit desperate for his love and it starts to become a little self-destructive. This book feels very "This is Me Trying", "Mirrorball" "August", "Exile" and "The One" all rolled into a book that takes on mental and emotional health while being highly functional. For the Evermore girlies, we think you should check out Weyward by Emilia Hart . Evermore has witchy vibes of connecting with nature in an ivy-covered cottage. In Weyward, we follow three powerful women at different points in history, as they discover the gifts that bind them and set them apart. They each battle the patriarchy and the expectations that society has put on them, and as women as a whole. They find their inner power through their connection with nature. While there are no spells, there is magic weaved into the pages of this story. It's been on my TBR list since fall when I featured it in 13 Witchy Books for Fall . I'm hoping I can get it read soon! Our Midnights -inspired book recommendation is The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark . Midnights is the album about 13 sleepless nights, but as Taylor mentions, it's also about the "floors we pace and the demons we face". The Lies I Tell is a story of two women who are seeking justice for their pasts and hope to rewrite their futures. It's a bit of "Vigilante Shit" and "Karma", as one woman is a con artist who can change who she needs to be to get the job done and the other is out for revenge. This book is a quick-paced thriller with strong protagonist female characters. Our TTPD- inspired book recommendation is Florida by Lauren Groff . The Tortured Poets Department is a dramatic, intimate, and eclectic ablum. Florence Welch posted on her IG that when asked to feature on TTPD she immediately thought of this collection of short stories featuring ghosts, swamps, and storms. I think it's only fitting that TTPD be paired with this collection of 11 stories since TTPD is her 11th album. The stories are all centered around wonderfully flawed women who are often suffering in their own skin. Full of dark humor, Lauren crafts poetic sentences just as Taylor crafts poetic lyrics, full of cynicism and sarcasm, ghosts, anger, vulnerability, motherhood, and acceptance. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out our Taylor Swift page where we share all our Taylor inspired food, crafts, and more!

Summer is just around the corner and I've been looking for creative ways to stay cool. I have made a few versions of popsicles, but these Peach & Strawberry Wine Popsicles are my favorites and I’ll definitely be stocking my freezer with these for the summer. These wine popsicles were inspired when I was grocery shopping and saw this Arbor Mist Peach Moscato. It’s been so hot here, and I’ve been trying to find something new and cool to drink during the summer. I thought it sounded pretty delicious, so I bought a bottle. This peach Moscato is good to drink all by itself, but I immediately thought of strawberries and peaches and popsicles and decided to make my own recipe. Why not take it up a notch? I love the pretty red and peach layers of the strawberries and peaches. Peach & Strawberry Wine Popsicles 1 cup frozen strawberries 2 tablespoons sugar 1/3 cup Moscato 1 cup peaches 3 tablespoons sugar 1/2 cup Moscato Strawberry Layer Start with your strawberry layer. Blend together your frozen strawberries, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1/3 cup Moscato. Pour into molds, filling about halfway. Freeze while you create your peach layer. Peach Layer In a blender, mix together about 1 cup of frozen peaches, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and 1/2 cup moscato. Pour on top of your strawberry layer. Put wooden popsicle sticks in and freeze overnight. I used aluminum foil to help hold the stick in place while it was freezing. Serve plain or in a wine glass with more Moscato poured over the top. *This makes about 6 popsicles. I used this popsicle mold but used wooden popsicle sticks instead of the plastic bottoms that it comes with. Moms are planning to enjoy this Summer too! Bring on hot mama, wine popsicle summer! Looking for a cold treat for the kids? Try our No-Churn Chocolate Ice Cream !

I'm a sucker for holiday-themed and cute food. To celebrate Halloween, here are 7 fun Halloween foods I enjoy serving my kids during the Halloween season. These ideas are sure to make this last week festive and fun! 7 Fun and Easy Halloween Foods Yes, I have served all of these fun foods to my kids either this Halloween or last Halloween. They love themed food and I’m totally that mom who loves making it! I might as well enjoy it while they’re young and still think my quirkiness is cool. Check out some of my favorite Halloween foods for kids. 1. Green Eyeball Pasta I love making this for Harry Potter movie night as well as Halloween. We call it Mad Eye Moody Meatballs if we are serving it for Harry Potter. You can also dye spaghetti green for a brighter pasta which I have done here to make it more spooky. Full recipe here . 2. Pumpkin Face Pancakes and Boo-nanas Create pumpkin pancakes and then cut them out with pumpkin-shaped cookie cutters . Give the kids candy corn and chocolate sauce to make faces (or make it for them). Add chocolate sauce to half a banana for boo-annas! 3. Mummy Pizza and Spider Eggs On half of an English Muffin make a cheese mummy pizza using strips of mozzarella cheese and olives for eyes. Serve grapes (spider eggs) on the side with a plastic spider ring on top for them to wear during their meal! 4. Mac and Cheese Jack-o-lanterns Jazz up some basic stovetop Mac and cheese for Halloween. I added about 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree, extra cheddar, and served them in orange bell peppers that I carved to look like mini jack-o-lanterns. 5. Candy Corn Waffles I made a batch of Pumpkin Spice waffles . Before cooking them in my waffle maker , I separated the batter into 2 bowls and added orange and yellow food coloring. Pour the orange batter in the middle and some yellow around the outside. Once they are cooked, separate the triangles and dip them in a simple milk, vanilla and powdered sugar glaze to create the white tip. Yum! 6. Zombie Brains These sushi zombie brains are super creepy but fun for sushi-loving kiddos. I didn’t want to make a whole batch of sticky rice, so I used Annie Chun’s white sticky rice and it worked perfectly! Check out the video on our TikTok to see how easily these come together. Full recipe here . 7. Jack-o-lantern Quesadillas We made jack-o-lantern quesadillas to eat for our pumpkin carving night. I just cut pumpkin shapes (or have older kids make their own pumpkin faces) out of one tortilla and then line up two tortillas to cut the pumpkin stem at the top. Fill with cheese, spray the outside with cooking spray, and bake in a 400-degree oven for 8-10 minutes until melted. Make these Halloween treats even more festive by serving them on Halloween plates ! Which one looks the most fun to make? Let me know in the comments. Shop Halloween Deals

It is officially pumpkin coffee season aka the best season in my opinion. I love a good pumpkin latte but I can't justify getting a Starbucks coffee every day, so I whipped up this recipe to make my own Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam recipe at home. It's a pretty good Starbucks copycat recipe! It uses real pumpkin so there is no artificial flavor there and this batch makes about 4-6 servings, depending on how much cold foam you put in your coffee. I'm sipping on one as I type this. Now, let me share this yummy treat with you so you can enjoy one too. Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam 1 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon brown sugar 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice 1 teaspoon vanilla In a jar, I use a mason jar with a lid, add together all your ingredients. Blend the ingredients together using a handheld milk frother . Once it's blended and creamy, store it in the refrigerator with the lid on it. I usually serve mine over a glass with cold brew but I've also stirred it into hot coffee and it's good like that too! Watch our tiktok where we make this drink ! This recipe makes about a mason jar full. That will make me a pumpkin latte each day for about 4 or 5 days. You may also like our pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and butterbeer milkshakes .

Let's face it, dads can be hard to shop for sometimes. I'm sharing my Dad Gifts Shopping Guide with tons of gifts for just about every kind of dad. With 11 different dad categories and over 45 different gift ideas, there is bound to be something for everyone! Gamer dad, check! Dad who is outdoorsy, we've got that! A dad loves to cook, we got some fun stuff for him! Nerdy dads, we rounded up some unique finds! Dad who would rather stay home and chill, yes! Dad Gifts We love all kinds of dads! Shop our gift guide below and be prepared to show Dad just how much he means to you! Dads with a Home Bar Cocktail Smoker Kit - Dad can make his cocktails come to life with this smoking kit for extra smoky flavor. Map Whiskey Glasses - Celebrate Dad with his favorite cities maps etched onto whiskey glasses. Wine Saver - Dad can preserve his wine for days with this airtight stopper for wine bottles. Horn Mug - Viking, Thor, Dad? This horn mug is a unique gift for Dad who likes watching Game of Thrones or Vikings. Dads who Cook Blackstone - He will be the coolest Dad on the block with this fancy new blackstone grill. Perfect for the Dad who likes to entertain big crowds. National Parks Cookbook - Recipes inspired by National Parks will keep Dad on his toes while cooking. Steak Stone Grill Set - Dad can cook up his famous steaks on this hot stone that sears the outside while keeping all the juices inside. Hydroponic Herb Growing Kit - Dad can grow his own herbs for the kitchen with this unique hydroponic kit with a built-in water pump and grow light. Nerdy Dads Smartphone Paper Airplane - Dad can make a paper airplane and then attach it to a mini motor and fly it with his smartphone! The plane charges in just 30 minutes, so the fun starts faster! Build your Own Movie Projector - This 3-d wooden puzzle will be a fun brain teaser for Dad. Once he completes it, he can watch the included film reel because it really plays movies! Color Change Dice and Custom TTRPG Terrain - Is Dad into D&D? Then these will be right up his alley. Dad Jokes Shirt - Dad the master of the Dad Jokes! Let him show it off with this cute graphic shirt. Light Saber Chopsticks - "You are my Father", Star Wars Dads will get a kick out of these glowing chopsticks (and they would make a great stocking stuffer) Gifts for Quality Time with Dad 1 00 Things to Do with Dad poster - This poster is chock full of fun ideas to do with Dad throughout the year! Scratch them off as you go and celebrate the new year all year long! Escape Room in a Box - Stay indoors and try out this fun escape room game! Three different exciting games to play. Pickleball Bag - learn to play a new sport together. Surprise Dad with this adjustable pickleball tote and some group lessons or time at a local pickleball court. Give Stories Not Stuff - This gift box is customizable with an experience voucher for 1-2 people (800 things to choose from) in over 50 countries! Give the gift of an experience. Coffee Dads Whole Bean Coffee Sampler - Bones is a small batch roaster with delicious coffee flavors. This sampler pack is a great place to start. Coffee Bean Grinder - This coffee grinder set has everything Dad will need to grind his own coffee beans at home. Keurig Smart Coffee Maker - Go all out with this coffee maker that is wifi compatible, makes lattes and cappuccinos, and has a built-in milk frother. Temperature Controlling Mug - If Dad is particular about his coffee, this mug keeps it exactly the right temperature, warm, hot, or piping! Thoughtful Gifts for Dads Custom Reel Viewmaster - preserve your memories with Dad, vintage style, with this custom Viewmaster. Creating your own reel with your photos is a creative way to show Dad how much you love him. Personalized Keychain - Turn your child's artwork or handwriting into a personalized keychain Dad can take with him everywhere. Why a Daughter Needs a Dad Book - Sweet and thoughtful gift idea for those girl Dads. Custom Puzzle - Create a puzzle just for Dad with your favorite picture of him and the kid(s). Outdoorsy Dads Hiking Stick and Medallions - This a fun way to inspire Dads to get outdoors and get moving while collecting cool things like a medallion from each National Park. Monocular Telescope for Smartphone - If Dad likes hiking, hunting, or birdwatching this is a super cool gadget! This monocular has a 60 mm lens with 12x zoom. It comes with a smartphone holder to get clear pictures and videos. Man Box - Show Dad he's "the man" with this box full of goodies for the outdoor enthusiast. Survival Kit - Let Dad know "We couldn't survive without you", and Dad can't survive without this cool 17-piece outdoor survival kit. Also, check out our Camping Gift Guide for more ideas for your Outdoorsy Dad! Musical Dads Record Player - Dad is old school and so is this record player. Dad can bring back the good old days with this record player and speakers set. Hit up your local record store to get a vinyl of one of Dad's favorite bands to go with it! Wireless Karaoke Microphone - Encourage Dad to belt out his favorite tunes with this wireless karaoke mic that can Bluetooth stream music and has 6 different voice changers. Vintage Handcrank Music Box - Dads will think this music box is pretty neat when they play the song you write. It comes with a few pre-made songs and blank paper to create your own. Game That Song - A fun and interactive music-themed game that anyone can play! Sporty Dads Stadium Blueprints - Frame the blueprints of his favorite stadium. Perfect to hang in his office or man cave. Couple it with tickets to see his favorite team play and you might become his favorite child! Golf Sensors - Help Dad up his golf game with these sensors for his clubs. Stroke analytics, personalized advice, automatic shot tracking, and more! NFL desktop organizer - Dad can wirelessly charge his phone and keep his desk organized. Stadium Seat Watch - Get Dad a watch made from authentic wooden seats salvaged from iconic MLB ballparks. Homebody Dads Couch Caddy/Tray - Make couch time easier with this all-in-one cup holder, phone charger, and caddy/tray for the couch. Snack Subsc ription Box - Try Treats is a fun, monthly subscription box full of snacks from around the world! Hoodie Blanket - Keep Dad cozy in this oversized hoodie blanket, perfect for chilling out around the house and watching movies. Hammock - Dad can relax in this hammock out in his backyard. Holds up to 400 lbs and comes in a variety of colors! Home Security System - Dad can help keep his family safe with this security system complete with indoor and outdoor cameras. Compatible with Alexa and Google. Gamer Dads Headphones - Dad will enjoy playing with these memory foam headphones with personalizable color lighting. Gaming Keyboard Combo - Dad can take his PC gaming to the next level with this keyboard and mouse combo made just for gamers. Retro Gaming Shirt - Dad is just leveling up, not getting older, in this retro-inspired gamer t-shirt Gaming Storage - Dad can store his controllers and headphones on this cool stand. Lego Pac-man Arcade - Lego is releasing this non-functional gaming system Lego set with a lot of fun retro details. This lego set is brand new, and was just released this Summer! For more gift guide ideas, check out our post about Best Camping Gifts.

Cyanotype is the fun process of using light to do photographic printing. It creates this beautiful rich blue color. Today, I'm going to teach you a little bit about how cool cyanotype is and show you how we made our DIY cyanotype shirt for the 4th of July! It's a great summer project. History of Cyanotype Cyanotype was developed around 1842 by a man named Sir John Herschel, a Greek chemist and experimental photographer (to name a few titles). Cyanotype creates a monotype print with a deep blue hue that looks like a blueprint. It was first publicly used to create the first ever photographic book called Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions by Anna Atkins. Cyanotype is one of the oldest photographic printing processes and is still used today. How Does Cyanotype Work? First, the cyanotype solution is created by mixing ferric ammonium citrate potassium ferricyanide to make an iron-rich sensitizer solution. The solution is brushed over a porous surface such as paper or clothing, you can add an object, and then expose it to light. When the chemicals are exposed to UV light such as sunlight, they react and create ferric ferrocyanide, also known as Prussian Blue around the object. The last step in the process is to use water to rinse away the chemicals. Over time the dark blue develops to reveal the final product. DIY Cyanotype Shirt We created a fun Cyanotype shirt for the 4th of July using this cyanotype dye kit , star stickers, and a plain white cotton shirt . She wanted to create a blue shirt with a stars and fireworks pattern on it. We used foam star stickers to make the star shapes . The fireworks were created with these fluffy pom poms we found in our craft box from years ago. While don't need a dark room, we did our painting in a dim room before taking the shirt outside to expose it to light. For our shirt, we painted the whole area blue and then laid the stars on it in a pattern we liked. Then we took it outside to let it sit in the sun the sun for a while. We left it outside for a few minutes to develop the color. Shop Cyanotype Supplies: After letting our shirt sit out in the sun, we brought it in and removed the stars. She immediately washed the shirt in a sink with cool water. We used gloves to protect our hands from the chemicals. We let it air dry before putting it on. This is the final result. We used a pretty saturated layer of the cyanotype so the blue is pretty dark but the stars and fireworks are fun for the Fourth of July! To help protect the shirt, I've only ever washed it by hand alone and let air dry, so I don't have good tips for laundering it in the future. It's a fun summer project for older kids or teens! We are planning to experiment more with nature designs next time. More Cyanotype Fun: