Search Results for: blog fun in the family kitchen

Inexpensive Mother’s Day Fun

There’s no better way to show mom how much she is cherished than by giving her a break from the daily grind.  For many mothers, a day without having to make a single meal is heavenly… though potentially very expensive. Celebrating Mother’s Day at a restaurant is not cheap, especially if you are treating the entire family to a lavish buffet.  To save on a delicious dining experience while still showing mom that she is worth her weight in gold, consider starting the day with breakfast in bed. Gather the kids and have fun in the kitchen making mom these … Continue reading →

How to Make Eating at Home Fun

Eating at home saves money. That is just a fact. I took my kids out to lunch at a family friendly restaurant for a treat, and with tip we spend half of our weekly food bill that feeds not only the kids and I but also my husband. Since we don’t often eat out, I had forgotten how much it really costs to eat out these days. Still, the kids love to do it. In fact, eight times out of ten that would normally be their choice. Well, it was that way, before I started getting more purposeful about making … Continue reading →

Fun Ideas for a Spring Staycation this Year

  For some families, spring break is almost here.  Having a week or two off from school is the ultimate idea of fun for many kids, but for moms and dads the seasonal vacation can be dreadful, especially if money is tight. Fortunately, you don’t have to drop thousands of dollars to make your child’s spring break memorable.  With the price of gas hitting record highs, millions of families are opting to stay close to home this season.  The idea of taking a staycation is even more tempting when you consider how much money you can save while still having … Continue reading →

Five Free Family Fun Moments

Family fun doesn’t have to be expensive or even cost a thing at all. While taking in a movie and snacks at the theater might cost you $60 or more per family, isn’t it nice to know that there are still some things in life that are free? 1. Family game night. The popularity of family game night might have started as a marketing campaign for Hasbro to get you to buy more games, but the idea is not a bad one. Many of us grew up playing board games and have many fond memories of the hours we spent … Continue reading →

Fun Holiday Gifts and Crafts for Toddlers

If you are trying to navigate the holiday season on a tight budget this year, you are not alone. Many people, parents of toddlers included, are looking for ways to make merry for less. Whether your desire to cut back on spending is motivated by necessity or simply a desire to live a little more simply, here are some ideas that you might want to use this year. For your toddler, here are a few ideas. One thing that you can do is to round up any old, broken crayons that are lying around. Home made “crazy crayons”, made from pieces … Continue reading →

Simple and Affordable Seasonal Fun

Summer 2012 officially ends on Friday. However, that doesn’t mean the end of outdoor family fun. Fall marks the start of apple and pumpkin-picking season. Whether you live in the north, south or mid-Atlantic, the nation is teeming with farms that allow visitors of all ages to pick their own produce. These u-pick farms offer fresh fruits and vegetables at affordable prices. What’s more, you will be able to bond with your clan in the great outdoors, which is a priceless experience for most folks. In addition, if you have kids, visiting a farm is a great way to show … Continue reading →

Frozen Summer Fun

Just when I thought it was safe to turn off our air conditioner, Mother Nature turns up the heat once again. This summer, the temperatures have been so high in our neck of the woods experts have advised remaining indoors in order to avoid potential heat stroke. For parents, the dangerous heat has made playtime a bit more challenging. In our family’s case, it has actually sparked cabin fever—-something we typically deal with in the winter, but certainly not in mid-July. As a result of our forced exile to air conditioned structures, my 7-year-old and I have been getting creative … Continue reading →

Homemade Chinese New Year’s Fun

With less than 48 hours until the official debut of the Year of the Dragon, many communities are getting a jump-start this weekend by hosting parades, festivals and firework displays. Chinese New Year is a festive holiday that celebrates family, friends and new beginnings. If you don’t live near a city that is commemorating the event with special activities, then host your own party. Gather the kids, hang up some red streamers and gold balloons, and then get busy in the kitchen whipping up some simple Chinese dishes, including: HOMEMADE FORTUNE COOKIES Ingredients: 1 egg white Dash of vanilla extract … Continue reading →

Funny Thanksgiving Layouts

Remember the Thanksgiving when Aunt Lucy made salmon instead of turkey? Okay, maybe that just happens in my family. Whether it’s being served fish instead of bird, or a pumpkin pie exploded in the kitchen, or great-grandpa fell asleep in the middle of saying grace, Thanksgiving is a hotbed for humorous scrapbook material. When you get sick of trying to figure out new and exciting ways to display photos of your family eating turkey, consider adding sidesplitting journaling supplements, funny poems or cute quips to mark the holiday. Many scrappers are afraid of adding poems to their layouts, but if … Continue reading →

Making Clean-Up Fun for Kids

My 7-year-old loves to help. I’ve seen her practically jump out of her skin when asked by her teacher for volunteers to vacuum the story corner rug. I’ve also witnessed as she put away board games and puzzles, without being prompted to do so, prior to pick-up at summer day camp. Both times I nearly fainted on the spot. My kid abhors cleaning, so when I inquired why she was so willing to lend a hand to others, she matter-of-factly replied: “Because it’s fun.” Clearly, the fun factor is missing in our home or I would have clean carpets and … Continue reading →