5 Minute DIY Spring Wreath... for less than $10

Seriously, when I say you don't need to be crafty to make this, I am telling the truth. I made this "wreath" in less than 5 minutes for $7.50! This is the easiest DIY I have ever done. All the supplies come from the dollar store, and you don't even need to use a glue gun.

To make this cheery Spring wreath, you need a cheap child's umbrella ($2.50), four sprigs of flowers ($1.25 each), and a piece of ribbon (which you may already have). I purchased all my my supplies at the dollar store.

Remove the tags from the umbrella and the flowers, insert the flowers into the top of the umbrella, and tie a ribbon around the base of the umbrella. That's it! I told you it was easy.

Isn't it cute?

I think the bright colours make it a perfect piece of inexpensive Spring decor, don't you? 

What's hanging on your front door? If you decide to give this simple dollar store craft a try, let me know how it turns out!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the simple DIY Spring Wreaths here.

Whimsical DIY Spring Decor

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best, and today I am sharing a simple idea for whimsical DIY spring decor that you are going to LOVE. Recently I was thinking about how much I enjoy seeing apple blossoms blooming in the spring, and I decided to figure out a way to bring them into my home. I found a broken branch in my yard, I grabbed some supplies from my craft cupboard, and I got to work.

Seriously... all you need are some tree branches, some pink and white pom poms, a vase, and a glue gun. 

I arranged the branches in a vase, and I used a glue gun to attach the pom poms. That's it! VERY little craftiness is required for this DIY project.

Isn't it cute?

I think this is a perfect way to bring a little "springtime" into your home. It's a simple DIY spring decor project that is guaranteed to get you in the mood for the upcoming season. What do you think?

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Soft and Chewy MINI EGG Cookies

One of my favourite cookie recipes is for my soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies. So, for Easter, I thought it would be fun to add a festive twist to this classic cookie. Today, I am sharing a delicious (and simple) recipe for soft and chewy mini egg cookies. 

For this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 cup softened butter (room temperature… NOT melted)

½ cup white sugar

1 cup packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

2 tsps real vanilla extract
2 cups mini eggs

Directions:

1) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2) In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.
3) In a large bowl, use electric beaters to combine the butter and sugars. Then, add the eggs and vanilla, and beat until light and fluffy.
4) Use a wooden spoon to mix the wet and dry ingredients together (just until combined).
5) Gently stir in mini eggs.
6) Drop tablespoon-sized balls onto a Silpat or parchment lined cookie sheet.
7) Bake for 8-12 minutes.
8) Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Don't these cookies look fantastic? And they pair perfectly with a nice hot cup coffee or a cold glass of milk.

Are you a fan of mini eggs? I love to use them in my Easter baking. They taste great, and the colours are so pretty!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more easy and inexpensive Easter Ideas HERE.

Simple Dollar Store HACK for Organizing Kids' Games

When it comes to Spring cleaning, the dollar store can be your secret weapon. Inexpensive bins, baskets, and containers are perfect for organizing kids' stuff... especially in their playroom. And when it comes to the overwhelming task of getting organized, starting with small changes and projects is the key to success.

Recently, I noticed that my boys' card games were in boxes that were overstuffed and falling apart. I made a quick trip to the dollar store and picked up a couple of small containers that fit their games perfectly.

The containers stack perfectly too!

I love this simple solution for organizing my boys' games, and the games are now easier to take on the road too. It would work well for games with dice and small pieces too.

Do you use dollar store items to organize your kids stuff? You can read more about how I control the mountain of toys in my boys' playroom here.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Simple Spring Crafts for Kids

Celebrating a change in seasons can be a lot of fun, and Spring provides the perfect inspiration for some fantastic crafts. I love the cheerful colors associated with Spring, don't you? Today, I am sharing two wonderful crafts that are inspired by Spring.

To make a delightful Spring wreath, you'll need: a paper plate, tissue paper in lovely Spring colors, glue, ribbon, and a dollar store flower.

Then:

1) Cut the centre from a paper plate.
2) Punch a couple holes in the top of the plate, and insert a ribbon for hanging.
3) Scrunch up 1-inch squares of tissue paper, and use glue to cover the entire surface of the paper plate.
4) Allow the glue to dry, and add a dollar store flower.

To make a sweet umbrella craft: draw an umbrella shape, color it, and cut it out. Glue the umbrella to a brightly colored piece of card stock, and then use glue to attach heart-shaped "raindrops". (I used a heart-shaped punch, but you could do it freehand too.)

Aren't these adorable Spring crafts? They work well for toddlers and pre-schoolers, but older children will like them too. 

Happy Spring!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Number Crafts {Number FOUR}... Spring Flowers Craft

I teach a weekly class for preschoolers called "123 Learn with Me".  Each week, we learn about numbers through a variety of activities and crafts.  This week, we had some fun learning about the number four by crafting these adorable cupcake liner flowers.

Aren't they cute?  The kids were so excited to make crafts using their pictures.

To make these sweet flowers:

1) Gather up some large and small cupcake liners.
2) Glue the large liners onto a piece of cardstock.  Then, glue the smaller liners into the middles of the large liners.  Finish the "flowers" by gluing pictures of the children into the centres.
3) Draw stems and petals, scrunch up little squares of tissue paper, and use glue to cover the stems and petals with tissue paper.

To learn about the number four, we also did a number four search, colored a number four, and did some printing practice.

To download the number 4 coloring page and number search, right-click on the pictures below, save them to your computer, and print like a normal 8X10 photo.

Isn't this a cute way to learn about the number four?  I'll be sharing our crafts and activities for the number five soon, so don't forget to come back and check them out.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS - You can grab a copy of my 40+ page "Numbers" WORKBOOK here.

Spring Craft for Preschoolers

Need an easy Spring craft that is sure to brighten your day?  This simple paper plate wreath is a perfect craft for Toddlers, Preschoolers, and School-age children.  My four year old made this one all by himself....

I cut the centre from a paper plate, cut some squares from pastel coloured tissue paper... and handed the supplies over to my four year old.  He used glue to attach the crumpled up pieces of tissue paper and the flowers, and the result was an adorable Spring wreath.  Isn't it the cutest?

Would your little one like this simple Spring Wreath craft?  I love how bright and cheerful it is!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Spring Cleaning Plan

When it comes to Spring Cleaning, I like to have a plan.  There is something about a plan that makes a huge task seem more "doable" and less overwhelming, don't you agree?  Here are the steps I follow to survive Spring Cleaning:

You can find out more info on my bins here.

Step one - Get rid of the clutter.  Nothing makes me feel better than a big Spring purge.  Donate, dispose of, or sell anything you no longer use or need.  You'll be amazed at how good you will feel passing things on to people that can use them... and at how little you will miss the things you have gotten rid of. 

Depending on the age of your children, you can get them involved in this process too.  It can be difficult for little ones to let go of toys, so it may be helpful to dispose of their things in stages.  e.g. Pack away toys they haven’t played with lately, and put the box out of sight.  If they ask for a missing toy, dig it out for them, and after a month, donate or sell whatever is left in the box.

Step two - Organize your stuff.  Identify areas of your house that need organization, and tackle them one at a time.  Everything should have a place, and everyone (including the kids) should know where that place is.  Use shelves, bins, baskets, and labels.  Make sure to pack away anything that is out of season, and label it well so that it is easy to find when you need it again.

Step three - Clean.  Start by making a list of the things you want to clean, and check them off as you have time to do them.  Take your time, and don't get overwhelmed and stressed out.  When you have children, it can be very difficult (if not impossible) to keep things neat and tidy.  Do the best you can, and remember, some day you will miss those fingerprints on the patio doors.

I hope this list helps you to bring a little more order to your hectic life.  As busy moms, we can use all the help we can get.  :-) 

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

20 Ideas for Rainy Day Play

Every mom needs a survival plan when it is too wet to let the kids outside.... so here are 20 {easy, inexpensive, and fun} ideas to keep you and your little ones entertained on rainy days.

1)  Bake something - Add a little fun by making your own chef hats (which you can find here)... and if you are looking for something delicious to make, check out our favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe here.

2)  Have a bath with bubbles and/or glow sticks - This is a simple idea... but it is lots of fun.

3)  Have a pirate adventure - Who doesn't love dressing up as a pirate?  And, if you are looking for some inspiration, you can find some easy and inexpensive ideas for pirate play here and here.

4)  Make a "life-size" self portrait - This is a simple activity that is sure to delight your little one.  All you need is a roll of paper and some crayons.  You can find the full tutorial here.

5)  Have an indoor concert or dance party -  Isn't singing and dancing a great way to spend an afternoon... and burn off some energy.  If you are looking for some great music for kids, you can read about some of our favorites here.

6)  Make some homemade finger paint - It is fun, it is messy, and you can find the super-easy recipe here.

7)  Have an indoor picnic - Nothing makes lunch more fun than eating it on a blanket in the living room.  You could add some extra fun by inviting some "stuffies" and having a Teddy Bear Picnic.  (You can find some ideas for hosting a teddy bear picnic here.)

8)  Have an "afternoon matinee" - Put on some PJs, pop some popcorn, cuddle up on the couch, and watch your favorite family movie.

9)  Set up your own cafe for lunch - Make your own placemats and menus, and turn your kitchen into your own personal restaurant.  You can check out how we did it here.

10) Play games - Get out your favorite board games, or make your own matching game using the easy tutorial you can find here.

11) Play dress up - Use costumes you have, or use your imagination to make your own.

12) Build with marshmallows - All you need are: marshmallows, toothpicks, and a little imagination.  The kids use the toothpicks to connect the marshmallows and "build" things.  Fun and simple!

13) Have a puppet show - For the puppet theatre, use a spring loaded curtain rod and an old sheet in a doorway.  The sheet works well because it already has an opening for a rod - no sewing required.  (You could also use a cardboard box for a theatre.)  For puppets, print pictures off the internet onto cardstock, color them, cut them out, and attach popsicle sticks to the back.

14) Make a personalized clipboard - Little ones will love having their own personalized clipboards.  (They are great for scavenger hunts and road trips too.)  You can find the full tutorial here.

15) Build stuff out of boxes - Use your imagination, or use one of the 5 fun ideas you can find here.

16) Make homemade playdough - I use an easy "no cook" recipe that uses Kool Aid.  It makes great colors, and the playdough smells yummy!  (You can find the recipe here.)

17) Go "Indoor Camping" - We have an indoor tent in our playroom, but a fort made from chairs and blankets is always a lot of fun.  Make a fire out of construction paper, and "roast" marshmallows.

18) Go "Fishing" -  A fish book, a fish craft, and a fish snack are all you need for a fun-filled, indoor fishing adventure.  You can read all about our Dr. Suess inspired "fishing fun" here.

19) Write a Story - Coming up with a fun story is even more fun when you write it in a handmade book.  You can find a step-by-step tutorial for a DIY Cereal Box Notebook here.

20) Read a favorite book and make a matching craft - I love reading and crafting with the kids on a rainy day.  You can find an example of a fun story/craft combination here.

I hope you found some rainy day inspiration on this list... and if not, maybe you can just put on a rain coat and rainboots, and head outside to splash in some puddles.  :-)

What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Funny Frog Face {Preschool Craft}

Here is a simple craft for Preschoolers that is sure to delight your little ones -- a funny frog face.  The noisemaker tongue was definitely a hit with my three year old.  :-)

Want to make one?  Just follow the three simple steps below:

1) Using the template I designed (which you can find here), cut out the frog face and two eyes.

2)  Draw a face using a black marker or crayon, and glue the eyes in place.

3)  Cut a hole small hole in the middle of the mouth, and insert the noisemaker/"tongue".

That's it!  Easy peasy... and so much fun! Isn't this frog craft a fantastic project for Spring? It would be fantastic for "Leap Day" too.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

10 {Simple} Ways to Welcome Spring

After a long winter, my boys and I are definitely ready for warmer weather.  There are so many great things about this time of year, and I have included some of them in this fun list.  Here are 10 easy and inexpensive ways to welcome Spring: 

1) Make your own bird feeders.  You can find three examples here.

2) Bake a tasty treat with a spring theme.  You can find the recipe for delicious bird nest cookies here. 

3) Get outside and have a teddy bear picnic.  You can find out how to make tasty teddy bear treats here.

4) Plant something.  Start out with something simple... like the easy to grow flowers you can read about here.

5) Mix up some homemade sidewalk paint.  You can find the simple recipe here.

6) Make and fly some homemade kites.  You can find the step by step tutorial for paper bag kites here.

7) Make your own bird houses.  You can find the instructions for making milk carton bird houses here.

8) Bring a little spring indoors with this beautiful spring photo.  You can download a free 8X10 here.

Or make this simple version using a branch and pom poms. You can find the full tutorial here.

9) Cook up a batch of spring pancakes.  You can find the simple "how to" here.

10) Make this cheery spring wreath.  You can find the full tutorial here.

Or try this simple dollar store umbrella wreath.

What is your favorite way to welcome spring?  Did it make my list?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.

{Easy} Spring Wreath

Although the weather is still a bit chilly in my neck of the woods, my thoughts are already turning to Spring.  I just took down my Easter decorations yesterday, and I wanted something bright and cheerful for my front door, so I made this adorable felt wreath.

What do you think?

Here is how simple and inexpensive it was to make:

1)  Gather your supplies.  You'll need a wreath form, some felt (in various Spring colors), a piece of yarn, some scrapbook paper, alphabet stickers, and a hot glue gun.

2)  Make some rolled felt flowers using the tutorial found here.  {I used 12 flowers for my wreath.}

3)  Cut small triangles out of scrapbook paper, and apply alphabet stickers to form the word "Spring".  Then, use hot glue to attach the triangles to the white yarn.

4)  Using hot glue, secure the flowers and the "Spring" banner to the wreath form.

That's it!  I am so pleased with how it turned out.  It is super-cheerful, and it makes me smile every time I look at it.  

What do you have hanging on your front door?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the simple DIY Spring Wreaths here.