30 Summer Fun Activities to Keep Your Kids Smiling

Click HERE to download!

Across the country, school is coming to an end for the summer. Some states have already had their last day of school, while others will continue right through until the end of June. Regardless of when that last day of school happens, that leaves parents with that ever-looming question…what are we going to do for the next couple of months?

Summer is a fantastic time of year to have fun with the kids. The weather is great for everything from water play to tasty icy treats. For the first little while, the novelty of the hot temperatures and the schedule-free days can make it seem like the different ways to have fun will never end. Then, quite suddenly, everyone is out of ideas. What do you do?

Little Sleepy Head has you covered! We’ve come up with a fresh, fun, and inspiring list of 30 things the whole family can enjoy together just once or as many times as you want. Click here to download.

Use this list however you’d like to make sure this is the best summer ever! You can turn it into a family challenge and try to complete the entire list. If everything on the list is a bit too ambitious, consider letting every family member choose their favorite to make sure it isn’t missed. Or, you can always edit the document and add your own activities! 

Remember that this list is meant to inspire. You can take it as literally or figuratively as you want! Use it to let your creativity come to life.   

Making ice cream sounds like fun, but you need to save the real stuff for another day?  You can always make play dough ice cream cones and enjoy adding as many scoops as you want in your pretend summertime treats. No drive-in movie theater near your house? Why not watch a favorite on a blanket in the backyard, instead? The ideas and possibilities are nearly endless!

The goal is, after all, to have fun together and make this the best family summer yet!

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DIY Snow Covered Pinecones

The holiday season is upon us and that means time to decorate. Maybe you’ve finished and the house looks b-e-a-utiful. Or maybe you’re searching the isles of your local home store for the perfect accents before your in-laws roll into town for that annual holiday party your family convinced you to host. Either way, this DIY we’ve put together is the perfect addition to your mantle, coffee table, or that side table you can never figure out how to spruce up.

What you will need: 

1: A bag of pinecones. We used 5, but you can make as many as you would like! 🙂 

2: Mod Podge glue. This can be found at your local craft store

3: A bag of fake snow. This can also be found at your local craft store 

4: Two paper plates 

How to make: 

1: Poor a good amount of glue onto a paper plate 

2: Poor the bag of fake snow onto another paper plate 

3: Take one pinecone and roll the sides of the pinecone into the glue

4: Take the glued pinecone and roll it in the fake snow 

5: Repeat steps 1 – 4 for each pinecone

How easy was that?

We hope you enjoyed this craft as much as we did! 🙂

 

Pumpkin Scrub for the Mamas

The trees are pouring leaves, the weather is getting just a tad chillier each day, and you started wearing your “fuzzy socks” – it’s Fall, ya’ll! There are so many things we love about this time of year, but making pumpkin scented/flavored things all month long tops the list. It’s only fitting that we tell you about our favorite Pumpkin Spice Body Scrub. It’s super easy to make, and can be done with a just a few ingredients in the kitchen.

 

You will need:

1 Cup Brown Sugar

1/4 Cup Coconut Oil

2 Tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

2 Tsp Vanilla Extract

 

 

How to make:

Grab a bowl large enough to fit all of your ingredients. Pour each one into the bowl, and mix. We recommend that you don’t use a whisk as chunks can easily get caught in the spokes. Once thoroughly mixed, put the scrub in mason jars, or any container with a lid will do. Store in room temperate for up to 8 weeks (but we’re pretty sure you’ll run out by then :-).

 

Enjoy Mamas!

 

 

 

How to Make Your Pillowcase Even Softer Than It Already Is

While Little Sleepy Head 100% cotton pillowcases are soft to begin with, many little ones want their bedding to be extra-soft. After all, they have soft skin and want a very snuggly place to get a restful night of sleep.

Many pillowcase companies use chemicals to “finish” their cotton. This does make it feel softer, but Little Sleepy Head products take a more natural approach. Our pillowcases are meant for children, so the last thing we want to do is add chemicals to the fabrics. We respect the fact that many families avoid using chemical fabric softeners on their children’s bedding due to the substances and fragrances they contain. Therefore, we aren’t about to add similar chemicals to those products even before they make it to your home.

Fortunately, that doesn’t stop Little Sleepy Head pillowcases from becoming luxuriously soft and snuggly. There are lots of natural ways to soften this high quality cotton to make it even more supple than it was when it was first purchased.

These methods are all simple, affordable, natural, and chemical-free ways to soften the pillowcases without the use of chemical fabric softeners. If that’s the route you’d like to take, consider the following alternative methods:

• Add between ½ cup to 1 cup of baking soda to the load of laundry (depending on the load size).  Simply sprinkle it into the water as the machine is filling. This not only softens the fabrics but it also eliminates any odors in your laundry and will make your detergent clean more effectively. Or;
• Add ½ cup of white vinegar to your laundry during the rinse cycle. This will not leave a vinegar odor on your fabrics. In fact, it will work as an odor eliminator while brightening certain colors, softening fabrics and reducing static cling. Or;
• Use soap nuts. These natural little dried berry husks are being sold by a growing number of  companies as a natural laundry detergent. Simply add a few to a little cloth pouch (usually sold along with the soap nuts themselves) and soak the bag in half a cup of hot water as your machine fills. After a minute or two, pour the liquid and the bag itself into the machine and wash you laundry with them as an alternative to detergent and fabric softener.  The soap nuts work as both. nThey clean fabrics and eliminate odors (they are powerful enough to eliminate skunk spray). They also soften sheets, pillowcases and clothing as effectively as chemical fabric softeners, if not better.  Best of all, they can be reused several times before they’re composted.

It’s as simple as that. You’re one natural load of laundry away from a softer and even more snuggly Little Sleepy Head pillowcase.

4th of July DIY Yummy Dessert

You know those moms that bring the most amazing looking treats to the party and you think, “Wow, how does she have time to do that?!” Well we made one that looks just like that, tastes amazing, but is super easy too! You can do it while your little one naps, or if you don’t have a “napper,” then it is an easy for kids to help with too!

What you will need:

• Large stick pretzels
• White chocolate chips
• Red icing in a tube
• Blue food coloring
• Parchment paper is helpful but not required

Step 1:

Put chocolate chips in a microwavable bowl and microwave for 15 seconds. Stir and add a few seconds at a time until fully melted.

Step 2: 

Dip the tips of each pretzel into the melted chocolate. Put on a cooling rack or cookie sheet on parchment if you have it to prevent sticking. Allow to dry, or put them in the refrigerator for a few minutes to speed things along.

Step 3: 

Add a few drops of food coloring to the remaining chocolate. Take the pretzels from the refrigerator and re-dip the tips into the blue chocolate. If you want “frosties,” grate a few of the chocolate chips with a cheese grater onto the blue part of the pretzel. Put back in the refrigerator for a few more minutes to set.

   

Step 4:

Use the tube of red frosting to add the lines to each pretzel and you are finished! We then arranged it with some tissue paper in a mason jar (or however you want to display these yummy treats!) and it is picture perfect in minutes!

   

Step 5:

ENJOY!!!
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

 

Father’s Day DIY Gift

Father’s Day is quickly approaching! If you haven’t already found a gift, or if you want to have one that is mostly handmade, then this is the perfect DIY for you and your little ones! With a couple of supplies and bit of creativity, you can make this personalized “tool box” for under $20! Whether you are making it for dad or grandpa, we’re sure they’re going to love it!

Things you will need:

20-30 small rocks (store bought or you can find them outdoors)

paint pens

3 little cloth bags

wooden or metal box

1 black marker & 1 red marker

a few of dad’s favorite things (snacks, drinks, etc.)

How to:

1. Tic Tac Toe

Kids love to play with dad! This is a great bag that dad can keep in the car to bring out at a restaurant or anywhere that a quick game is in order. Makes it easy on dad and is fun too!

• With your black marker, take one cloth bag and draw 4 lines to make a tic tac toe board. Make sure each square is big enough to fit a rock inside of the lines

• Take 8 rocks and draw X’s on 4 and O’s on the remaining 4 with your paint pens. We used white for all of ours, but you can always switch it up with some color!

• Let the rocks dry for 20-30 minutes and place them in the bag. You now have a fun game to play with dad or grandpa!

2. I Love Daddy Because…

It IS Father’s Day after all. What a special way to let dad remember what the kids feel about him. He can keep them in a special place in the bag, or transfer them to a bowl in the office.

• Take one cloth bag and a black marker and write “We ♥ Daddy” on it. Color the heart in with a red marker.

• Take 10 (give or take a few) rocks and write all of the reasons your little one loves daddy on them. We used plenty of different colors and unique rocks to make it extra special!

• Once the rocks have dried thoroughly, fill the newly made bag up and it’s ready! Such an easy way to make dad smile!

3. Fun Bag

Probably the hardest thing on days off is what to do! Here is a fun gift for dad or the whole family to pick a fun activity!

• With the last bag, take a marker (or paint pen) and write “FUN BAG” on the front. You can be creative with it!

• With your little one, think of all of the fun things they like to do with their dad! Whether its riding bikes or swimming in the pool, anything goes! Once you’ve found come up with a list, write each activity on one rock.

• After the rocks dry, place them in the bag. Now you have the perfect way for your little one and their dad to decide what to do together! Just shake the bag up, and big a random rock. Voila!

Happy Father’s Day all you great dads out there! 🙂

Mother’s Day Craft

There are so many amazing crafts one can do for Mother’s Day, but the hand print crafts are always our favorite because they are keepers! We bought a canvas, and used our 2 boys’ hands to make the rays of sunshine. What could be more simple? Whether it’s for you, a mom you know, or for grandma, for sure they will love this reminder of their sunshine!

Supplies:

• Canvas or stock paper make it best for saving
• Paint brush Yellow and orange paint
• Little hands!
• Baby wipes or water & paper towels nearby

Step 1: Paint a circle for the center of the sun on the left side of the canvas (or paper) leaving enough room for little hands to go around it.

Step 2: Paint the tips of your little one’s fingers with yellow paint, and then the palm orange. We recommend doing 1 hand at a time!  Gently place your child’s hand where you want it and press firmly.

   

Step 3: Repeat with the other hand. If you have two children, it makes an interesting sun! If not, hopefully you can get a few presses from each hand!

Step 4: Write “You are my sunshine” with paint on the side (or another phrase you like!)

This will be a simple keepsake for any mom or grandma for years to come!

Happy Mother’s Day!

The Best (Healthy shhh…) Pumpkin Muffins!

For those of us that love pumpkin, we LOVE our pumpkin! But whether you’re a mom wanting to give her kids a slightly healthier version, or you just want to eat a little more pumpkin without adding to your waistline this season, these muffins are for you! Super easy and kids can help!!

Makes 16 muffins

Ingredients:

1 ( 15 oz) can pumpkin

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup of brown sugar

1/2 c. egg whites

1 tsp. vanilla

3/4 c. ( 2%) evaporated milk

2/3 c. whole wheat flour

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 and line with silicone liners or foil liners sprayed with nonstick spray. If you are not using liners, spray your pan with nonstick spray.

Mix the pumpkin with the next 5 ingredients (through the evaporated milk). If you are not opposed to Splenda, you can also substitute the sugars for the same amount of Splenda.

Combine flour with the next 4 ingredients (through baking soda). Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and mix until blended and smooth.

Fill each muffin cup 2/3 full. Bake for 20 minutes and let cool for 20 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

That’s it! You can serve with ice cream, or a dollop of whipped cream (or Fat Free Cool Whip works too!)

Cute Reindeer Snacks your Toddlers will Love!

There’s two types of toddlers – those who eat anything, and those who eat nothing. If yours is the latter, you’ve probably had your fair share of challenging moments trying to come up with creative ways of getting him or her to scarf down lunch, or even a snack for that matter. Have no fear, though, we’ve got the perfect (and cutest) solution for your hungry little this holiday season!

 

These reindeer themed snacks are super cute and easy to make. You will need:

• Cookie Cutter – we used a heart, but anything circular will do
• PB & J Sandwich – just the normal PB & J with your little guy, or gals, favorite bread
• Pretzels – we’re using twists for this project
• Mini Chocolate Chips – these are for the eyes
• Red M&M or Skittle – just one for the little nose

Simply cut your PB&J sandwich with your cookie cutter, use the pretzels for the antlers, chocolate chips for the eyes, and your red M&M or Skittle for Rudolph’s nose! It’s that simple!

Washable DIY Chalk Paint

Imagine the endless fun your children will have as they doodle hearts, smiley faces, monsters, flowers and maybe even Olaf the Frozen Snowman with a pallet of washable chalk paint! With a few ingredients you have at home, you can easily entertain any toddler, and older children! Let the sun shine on their bight little faces and join them for the fun. This easy DIY Chalk Paint recipe is washable, won’t stain, and it can be rinsed off the driveway with a quick splash of water.

You will need:

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup water

1-2 tablespoons washable paint

5-6 plastic containers or a cupcake tray

 

Directions:

In each plastic cup add 1/2 cup cornstarch to 1/2 cup water

Add 1 -2 tablespoons of paint

Mix until an even color is present

 

The cornstarch will settle a bit as the paint sits, so give the paint a good stir before using. If you decide to substitute the washable paint with food coloring, we recommend you wear a craft apron as food coloring can stain.

 

Have fun!