Free Download: Spring Time Activity Book from Melissa and Doug

Download the Melissa and Doug Springtime Fun Mini Mag!

Melissa and Doug Mini Mag

(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links however, the opinions expressed are 100% my own)

Are you excited that spring has finally arrived? We are! So we are thrilled that Melissa and Doug gathered some great springtime fun activities with their friends from Highlights to help us  enjoy this “sometimes-rainy, sometimes-sunny” season!

By downloading the Mini Mag, you’ll get:

  1. Six original puzzles, crafts, and activities to celebrate spring.
  2. Innovative ways to explore the great outdoors – while teaching some sensory lessons along the way!
  3. Quick and easy crafts you can make with materials you likely already have around the house!
  4. An activity sheet you can print and bring along with you while on-the-go!
 Download your Springtime Fun Mini Mag today!
The link takes you to a form.  Fill out the form and your free e-book will be sent to your email address.

Get even more fun and savings when you Join The Melissa & Doug Email List and GET 10% Off Your Order At MelissaAndDoug.com! Click Here!


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DisneyNature ‘Bears’ sneak peek official trailer

disneynature bears

image used by permission DisneyNature

Just in time for Earth Day, Disneynature’s new True Life Adventure “Bears” showcases a year in the life of two mother bears as they impart life lessons to their impressionable young cubs. Set against a majestic Alaskan backdrop teeming with life, their journey begins as winter comes to an end and the bears emerge from hibernation to face the bitter cold. The world outside is exciting—but risky—as the cubs’ playful descent down the mountain carries with it a looming threat of avalanches. As the season changes from spring to summer, the brown bear families must work together to find food—ultimately feasting at a plentiful salmon run—while staying safe from predators, including an ever-present wolf pack. “Bears” captures the fast-moving action and suspense of life in one of the planet’s last great wildernesses—where mothers definitely know best and their cubs’ survival hinges on family togetherness. Directed by Alastair Fothergill (“Earth,” “African Cats” and “Chimpanzee”) and Keith Scholey (“African Cats”), “Bears” is in theaters April 18, 2014, to celebrate Earth Day. For more information about Disneynature, like us on Facebook: facebook.com/Disneynature and follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Disneynature.

Sneak peek as DisneyNature brings ‘Wings of Life’ to DVD and Blu-ray in time for Earth Day

DisneyNature brought us “Earth,” “Oceans,” “African Cats” and “Chimpanzee” and just in time for Earth Day they bring to us the opportunity to see “Wings of Life.”   This movie is a a spectacular, closer-than-close, high-definition look at the intricate world of butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and bats, and their life-sustaining collaboration with flowers. Directed by Louie Schwartzberg (“America’s Heart & Soul”) and narrated by Academy Award® winner Meryl Streep, “Wings of Life” will be available on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Digital and On Demand on April 16, 2013.

Enjoy this first look at the trailer and preorder your copy today! Continue Reading …

7 kid friendly ways to reuse your gallon milk jug

Most of us drink milk and simply go and throw them into the recycle bin or the trash can. But a blogger buddy over at Coupons and Freebies in TX came up with some really fun, unique and interesting ways to bring our boys and girls to the yard with milk jugs.

These fun and simple ideas to help you reuse your milk jugs can all be done with our without the kids.  It’s just more likely they will water the plants if they make their own watering can.  Before you do any of these make sure you clean the milk jug out very good and let it dry out.

- Watering cans (kid friendly)

To make a watering can all you need to do is get a hammer, a nail and a piece of wood. You will place the lid upside down cap down and simple hammer with the nail 4-8 holes into the lid. Also you can use a knife like I did if you want a slower drip. Afterwards you place water in the milk jug and seal the top on and you are done and can go use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Self-Watering Jug (kid friendly)

 

You can either cut the bottom off of the jug just take the lid off or make this. Also you may or may not want to make a small hose size hole on the bottom (fat) part of the jug for you can fill easier it is up to you. Then what you do make hole in the ground near a plant that takes and needs water all the time and place the jug in the ground and then cover up the spot and add water to either the whole you made on the bottom or add water before you place in the ground.

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Bird Feeder House (kid friendly) Continue Reading …

Top games, books & gifts for tweens

Are you looking for gifts for kids ages eight and up? It’s adios to Diego and Dora. These tweens have new skills, longer attention spans and they are ready for some new games, toys and books to challenge and entertain them and our list is totally “unplugged.”

Qwirkle wins for best family game.

Qwirkle comes with 108 wooden tiles wearing colorful shapes to match up. It’s like cards and dominoes rolled into one and on steroids. It’s a four-time toy award winner and the best selling game of all time for Mindware.

Why I like it:
Ages seven and up can be successful. It’s easy to make some kind of match but with some added strategy players can really challenge themselves and rake up the points.
In our house, parents and kids a like vote for Qwirkle for family game night.

Why kids like it:
It’s super easy to set up and the rules are easy to learn so everyone can start play right away.

Science Kits from Educational Explorer give kids a taste explosion.

These fun science kits from Educational Explorer Continue Reading …

Free Christmas Family Fun

As we flip the calendar over to December, it’s time to start enjoying some family fun activities.  Unlike a lot of Christmas traditions, these are all free.  Don’t let the busyness of the Christmas season rob your family of some quality family fun time.  Try these 7 Free Family Fun Activities for the Christmas season.

Unique gifts for kids for under $10.00: Jumbo pencil side walk chalk

The jumbo chalk pencil and eraser is big fun.

This is new and improved sidewalk chalk fun. It looks like a big fat pencil. This jumbo pencil comes with three colored chalk inserts that can be stored under the detachable eraser. This jumbo chalk pencil is under $10.00 at Amazon.com for Christmas 2011 or from Toys to Grow On for just $7.95.

Recommended for preschoolers or kindergarteners that are learning to write or love to draw.

Halloween party foods & more photos

A picture can say a thousand words and these Halloween party photos can give you instant ideas for creative healthy Halloween snacks and original party ideas. Forget the instructions this time, you’ll get the picture!

October Holidays, Celebrations & Family Fun Ideas

October is the tenth month of the year and the first full month of fall. The October calendar is of course home to the ever popular holiday of Halloween but there are many other lesser known holidays and celebrations waiting to be noticed in October.

Month Long Celebrations in October:

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Computer Learning Month

National Go on a Field Trip Month

October is a perfect month for a family field trip with views of fall leaves along the way. Don’t forget the camera.

National Roller Skating Month

Consider rolling with your family this month.

International Dinosaurs Month

Dinosaurs are a popular topic for theme teaching.

Dinosaur diorama crafts

Dinosaur lesson plans with books, center ideas and snacks.

Dinosaur lesson plans with crafts and games.

National Dessert Month Continue Reading …

Throw an Old Fashioned Ice Cream Party

Whether it’s to celebrate back to school, the end of summer or a birthday, any day is a great day to Throw An Old Fashioned Ice Cream Party.