Summer Crafts for Kids (with a "how to" video and free printable templates)

Summer is the perfect time to craft with kids, and these crafts are simple AND fun! The video (below) is easy to follow, the templates are free, and the supplies are easy to find.

Here are the crafts:

And here are the instructions:

Let me know which one is your favourite! I think the Cheerio worm is mine... but they are all fantastic. :-)

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

10 NEW (Dollar Store) Summer Essentials and HACKS

Summer is here, and your local dollar store is the perfect place to stock up on summer essentials. Today, I'm sharing my favorite dollar store finds for Summer and HACKS you are going to want to try!

Click the links for more details.

1) Personalized summer essentials bag - It's super-convenient to have an "easy to grab" bag full of summer essentials, and the dollar store has everything you need to stock it inexpensively.

2) Compact beach towel - The dollar store beach towels are cheap, colourful, and thin enough to pack it easily.

3) Water bottles - The dollar store has water bottles to fit any style. I love this big one with a straw. It helps me stay hydrated all summer long.

4) Solar lights - I love using solar lights on my patio. They are very low maintenance and provide a great atmosphere all season long. The small string solar lights are perfect for the roof of my gazebo.

5) Personalized detangling brushes - These brushes are perfect for wind-blown, pool, or beach hair. They are inexpensive and fun to personalize with a Cricut decal.

6) Economical (and fun!) movie night treats - Buying your favourite candy and packaging it in dollar store condiment containers is clever. It also looks great and helps with portion control.

7) Campfire essentials - Campfires are a summer essential... so you need to make sure you have lots of campfire treats on hand. I love this dollar store bucket, goodies, and personalized roasting sticks.

8) Storage solutions - To make room for summer, pack away winter clothes and blankets. The dollar store has extra large bags that work perfectly.

9) Citronella candles - The dollar has many options for these candles that help keep the bugs away. My current favorite is this cement version. It's very "on trend".

10) Glow sticks - Glow sticks are a summer staple in our home. They are great for taking for walks in the dark and for playing tag at night. They are also great for providing light... especially at the bottom of a cooler. Functional AND fun!

For a closer look and MORE great ideas... check out the video below.

I hope you head to the dollar store and pick up some of these summer essentials. These products are definitely worth buying and the hacks are definitely worth trying!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the dollar store diys for summer you can find here.

10 dollar store finds and DIYs for CANADA DAY

Do you love holiday decor on a budget? I have TEN dollar store finds and DIYs for Canada Day that are super-cute and budget-friendly. Take a look, and let me know which one is your favourite.

You can see ALL my finds and DIYs (and find out how to get the free Canada Day print I designed) here:

Happy Canada Day!!!!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

FREE Canada Day printable... Oh Canada Lyrics

If you love holiday decor that is easy and inexpensive, you are going to love this free "Oh Canada" print for Canada Day. 

All you need to do is download the free print I designed, and pop it in a dollar store frame.

To download the print: click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

I love this little print, don't you? I think it's really simple and fun!

Happy Canada Day!!!!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

10 Punny Father's Day Gifts

Who doesn't love a good "Dad Joke"? So, when it comes to Father's Day, "punny gifts" are perfect. Today, I'm sharing 10 punny Father's Day gift ideas that are sure to make the special dad in your life smile.

1) Soda – Let dad sit and relax with an ice-cold soda. Gift him a six pack of his favourite beverage, and add “tie” tags that say “World’s Greatest POP!”. Download the "tie tags" I designed here.

2) Donuts – A bouquet of flowers might not be a dad’s favourite gift, but who wouldn’t love a bouquet of donuts? Grab a box of Timbits, add them to the end of BBQ skewers, gather the bottoms together with an elastic, wrap the bunch up in tissue paper, and secure it all together with a piece of ribbon. Then, to make the gift extra fun, add a tag that says, “I DONUT know what we would do without you!”. Check out the step-by-step instructions for putting together a donut bouquet here.

3) Socks – For a whimsical gift option, consider picking out a pair of socks with a design that fits his personality. Then, add a punny tag that says, “You knock my SOCKS off!”

4) Cookie Kit – Dads that like to bake (and eat) cookies will love receiving a homemade cookie kit for Father’s Day. In a mason jar, assemble all the dry ingredients required to make their favourite cookies. Then, attach a tag that says, “Dad’s emergency ‘STACHE of cookies!” Get my favourite cookie mix recipe, and Download the tags I designed for you here.

5) Painted Rock – Handmade gifts are always appreciated—especially when they are made by children. A child can paint a rock with a punny twist by using paint markers to add the words, “My Dad ROCKS!”

6) Reese’s Pieces – For a father with a sweet tooth, a box of his favourite candy makes a great gift. Reese’s Pieces are perfect when paired with a “We love you to PIECES!” tag. Download your tags for FREE here.

7) Gift Cards – Gift cards are great, but they can often feel impersonal. This problem can be solved if you package it in a creative way. Insert the gift card into the centre of roll of toilet paper. Then, add a tag that says, “Thanks for putting up with my CRAP.” Funny, right? Download the tags I designed (for free) here.

8) S’more Kit – The weather is getting warmer, and campfires are a summer staple for many families. It is the perfect time to wrap up a s’more kit for dad and add a note that says, “I couldn’t love you S’MORE!” Download the tags I designed here.

9) Movie Night – Time together is the best gift of all, and a movie night is fun and easy to play. Try to include a pun or two to make Dad smile. For example, for a viewing of Star Wars, you can make a sign that says, “YODA best Dad!” Don’t forget to serve “You’re the best POP in the world!” popcorn.

10) BBQ – Planning a special BBQ for Father’s Day is a fantastic idea. Gather up all dad’s favourite grilling staples, put them in a basket, and add a tag that says, “Time for a BBQ. It will be GRATE!”

What are you planning to spoil your special guy with this year? I hope you have a very happy Father's Day!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also enjoy these ideas...

10 AMAZING dollar store finds, hacks and diys for SUMMER

I love summer, and living well on a budget, don't you??? If you answered "yes" you are going to really enjoy this post and video. Today, I'm sharing 10 AMAZING dollar store finds, hacks and diys for SUMMER.

1) DIY Solar-Powered Lamp - I love this cute little lamp, and it's perfect for summer patios. It's also super-easy to make with a few cheap supplies from the dollar store. Find the step-by-step instructions here.

2) Summer entertaining hack - Dishes from the dollar store are perfect for summer entertaining. They are cheap... but they don't need to look it! Pop a margarita glass in the center of a bowl for an impressive way to serve chips and dip. Get a closer look here.

3) Hack for keeping food cold when entertaining this summer - Add water to the bottom of a dollar store bowl, freeze it, and insert a second (identical) bowl on top. Fill it with food, and your good to go! See a visual demonstration here.

4) DIY First Aid Kit - Summer adventures are often accompanied with bumps and bruises, so having basic first aid items ready at all times is advisable. I love grabbing a plastic container at the dollar store and filling it with supplies. I also use duct tape to add a cross to the top to make it recognizable. Find out more here.

5) Water Fight Supplies - The dollar store has everything you need for summer water fights. I love these balloons, but for a more environmentally option, consider cutting sponges into strips and securing the centres together with an elastic. Then, you can dip the sponge balls in water and throw. Both options are perfect on a hot summer day!

6) Wipes - Baby wipes are perfect to have on hand during summer. They are perfect for picnics and for wiping sticky fingers when kids are eating s'mores.

7) Wasp deterent - I've bought these paper wasp nests at the dollar store for years, and I swear they work. I have no idea what crazy science makes these effective, but I'm a believer!

8) Cupcake wrappers - Everyone has cupcake wrappers for making cupcakes and muffins, but they have other uses too. Poke a hole in the middle, pop in a straw, and use them to keep flies out of summer drinks. They also work for catching popsicle stick drips.

9) Custom roasting sticks - Campfires are made for roasting, and these customized sticks are inexpensive and easy to make. Find the "how to" instructions here.

10) Candy tray - I love a simple, summer candy tray. I made this one from a dollar store picture frame, and you can find the "how to" here.

For a closer look at all 10 AMAZING dollar store finds, hacks, and diys for SUMMER, check out the video below.

Let me know in the comments if you have a favourite summer HACK. I love learning new things!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Fantastic SUMMER Freebies and DIYs (boho chic... and budget-friendly)

Who doesn't love gorgeous (and budget-friendly) home decor? It's so great to refresh decor with a change in seasons, and I have some great options for summer. I have SEVEN free prints you can download, and 3 differently DIYs. (Scroll to the bottom of this post for the step-by-step DIY video.)

I love these boho chic pictures. You can download them for free here, and pop them into dollar store frames (like I did).

And how cute is this DIY wall hanging? You can find the step-by-step instructions to make tassels and this wall hanging here.

You can also add picture with tiny clothespins. Cute, right?!?

And once you are addicted to making tassels 😀, you can use them to make this super-cheerful garland.

For a closer look at all these summer freebies and DIYs, check out the YouTube video below.

I hope you like these summer decor ideas. I have more summer content coming soon, so stay tuned!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the summer DIYs here.