The Importance of Parks... and a chance to win $25,000

I love parks!  I have fond memories of my parents taking me and my sisters to the park as children, and now I enjoy taking my own boys.  Doesn't every mom cherish the memory of the first time their little one experienced the thrill of a baby swing?

When I was little, there was a simple park down the street from my house.  It was pretty basic... a couple swings, a slide, some monkey bars, and a see-saw.  It wasn't elaborate, but I spent a lot of happy times there hanging out with my sisters and the other children from the neighbourhood.  The park has been upgraded since I was a child, and now my boys enjoy it with their cousins when we visit my parents at my childhood home.

Kraft understands that parks bring people together and promote an active lifestyle, and they want to give you the chance to win $25,000 to create something new or make something better in your community – oh, and a broadcast with TSN!  You only have until June 7th to make your nomination, so now is the time to head on over the Kraft website, join their facebook page, and nominate your community for a chance to win.

Good luck!

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Disclosure – I am participating in the Kraft Celebration Tour Blogger Campaign. I received compensation as a thank you for participating and for sharing my honest opinion. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Cereal Box Treat Holder

Don't you just love when something old is up-cycled into something new?  Check out the cereal box I turned into an adorable treat holder.

I think it is perfect for family movie night or a birthday party.  It can hold ice cream cones, and paper cones filled with popcorn or other treats.  Cute, right?

Here's how you can make one:

1) Make a template out of the side of a cereal box by dividing it into eight sections and cutting small holes in the centre of each rectangle.
2) Cover the sides of a cereal box with colored duct tape.  (Not the box you used to create the template.)
3) Use Mod Podge to glue a piece of scrapbook paper to the top of the cereal box.  Allow to dry completely, and then trim it as needed.
4) Use the template and an X-acto knife to cut holes in the top of the box.
5) Seal with a coat of Mod Podge.

I'd love to hear your "up-cycle" ideas/tips.  Please share them in the comments below.

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Quick Tip Tuesday #1 - easy planting activity

I love easy and inexpensive projects and activities, so I decided to start a new feature on my blog... "Quick Tip Tuesday".  Every Tuesday, I will share a quick tip, activity or idea.  So... here is my first one.

Every child likes to watch things grow, and peas are a great choice for little ones - no green thumb required.  Throw some potting soil into a container, and pop in a pea seed (or two).  Give it some sun and water, and watch it grow.  Easy Peasy!  :-)

What do you think of this idea?  Are you looking forward to the next "Quick Tip Tuesday"?

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

5 Tips for Crafting with Toddlers and Preschoolers

Crafting with toddlers and preschoolers can be a lot of fun, and being creative is great for their development and self-esteem.  Here are 5 tips for stress-free crafting with little ones.

1)  Be Prepared - Most toddlers have a very short attention span for crafting, so having everything laid out in advance is always very helpful.  (e.g. If the child is too young to use scissors and there is cutting involved, cut out the pieces in advance.)

2)  Stock the Craft Cupboard -  Always have craft supplies on hand so you are ready to go when the little ones get the urge to be creative.  Some of my favorite supplies to keep on hand are:  googly eyes, glue, colored paper, scissors, crayons, markers, paint, pom poms, craft sticks, pipe cleaners, and stickers.  (I also like to have q-tips and dixie cups on hand to help little ones apply glue more easily.)

3)  Keep it Simple - Toddlers and preschoolers don't want to sit for long periods of time making intricate crafts.  Try to make things that are quick, easy, and interesting.  (Click here for a fun frog face craft to get you started.)

4)  Minimize Mess - Some days busy moms and dads don't have the time (or patience) to clean up big craft messes.  Make clean up easy by covering the craft surface with a plastic tablecloth, use aprons to protect the children's clothing, and supervise use of super-messy supplies... like glitter.  (Buying washable crayons, markers, and paint is also a great idea.)

5)  Go Freestyle - Sometimes the best crafts are the ones that children do without any help.  Set out some paper and crayons, and let the little ones scribble out a masterpiece.  It isn't about the final product... it's about the process of being creative.

What is your best toddler/preschooler crafting tip?


♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You can find hundreds of ideas for crafting with toddlers and preschoolers here.

A Little Cuteness to Brighten your Day... and a fun contest from Fisher-Price

Is there anything cuter than a smiling, happy baby?  Isn't a baby giggle the best sound in the whole world?  (You can find the greatest {totally cute} video of my son's "baby laugh" here.)

my youngest son's adorable baby grin

I am also a big fan of big toothless grins, aren't you?  Babies just seem to smile with their whole face.

Fisher-Price understands that a baby's first few smiles, giggles and whole-hearted belly laughs are the ones we don’t ever want to forget, and they have launched a fun new Laugh & Learn site (Fisherprice.ca > Brands > Laugh & Learn) that offers webisodes, fun games and activities.

And... to celebrate the launch of this new site, Fisher-Price will be hosting an AMAZING new contest called the Best Little Laugh!  This contest will be celebrating all those insanely-cute, over-the-top-adorable smiles, giggles and laughs.  Sound fun?  The contest runs from May 20, 2013 to July 15, 2013 and is open to Canadian Residents.  Get the photos and videos of your little ones ready, and head over to the Fisher-Price site to enter.  You can find all the details here.

Good luck!

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Disclosure: I am part of the Fisher-Price Blogger Campaign with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog {of course} are my 100% my own.

DIY Hockey Artwork

I like easy and inexpensive DIY projects, so I am loving the cute $5 artwork I put together for my boys' playroom.

I found two frames (with two spots for 4x6 pictures) in a discount bin for $4 each.

Then, I used Picmonkey.com to create blank backgrounds and quotes for each frame.  The quotes are from a couple of the greatest hockey players of all time, and the blank pictures make perfect backgrounds for the matching hockey cards.

I am really pleased with how they turned out, and my boys are thrilled.

Do you have any hockey fans in your house?  This would work well for baseball or football cards too.

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

** If you haven't already "liked" me on facebook, I would love to have you join me here.

ECM Kids' Craft Club - #15 {Bird Bookmark}

Welcome to the 15th edition of the ECM Kids' Craft Club {an easy & inexpensive way for kids to have fun crafting and experience the excitement of getting their very own mail}.  If you want to join the club, you can find more info here.  For everyone who is already a member... let's get started on this month's craft.  This month we are making an adorable little birdie bookmark!

Here's the "how to":

1)  Cut out the template for the body, and color the blank side.

2)  Use the template to cut a beak out of the yellow cardstock included in the kit.

3)  Glue the body, beak, googly eye, and heart-shaped wing into place.

4)  Draw some feet, and tie ribbon to the top.

That's it!  I hope you enjoyed this craft, and I hope you use it with your favorite books.  {Don't forget to leave me a comment, or send me an email.  Your comments help me improve the club, and I love hearing from you.} 

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Don't forget... Assist young children when using scissors, and be careful of the small parts included with this kit, as they can be a choking hazard for children under three".)