{Toy Story} Family Movie Night

Every Friday night is "family movie night" at our house, and last Friday we had a special screening of "Toy Story".  This is one of our all time favorite movies, so today I am sharing some easy and super-fun Toy Story snack ideas with you.

We started the night by having some "Pizza Planet" pizza for supper.  Then, it was on to the snacks.

To create the snack table, I dug out some of our Toy Story toys, purchased some snacks, and added some fun "word bubbles" for the characters to hold.  My boys thought the word bubbles were a lot of fun.  Here is what they said:

1)  Woody had some trail mix, and his sign said, "Howdy Partner!  Try some trail mix."

2)  Mr. Potato Head had some popcorn, and his sign said, "Try some popcorn... it is way better than chips."

3)  Alien had some Reese peanut butter cups, and his sign said, "Take me to your leader... and I will let you eat one of my delicious UFOs."

4)  Bullseye had some water, and his sign said, "Welcome to my watering hole."

5)  Buzz had some Smarties, and his sign said, "This snack is yummy... to infinity and beyond!"

Fun, right?  I think these snacks would be fun at a Toy Story themed birthday party too, don't you?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Disclosure:  I’m part of the Disney Junior Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

10 Awesome Easter Ideas for Kids

Easy and inexpensive ideas are my favorite, and I LOVE this collection of 10 {awesome} Easter ideas for kids.

So... here are ten awesome easter ideas for you and your little ones.  {Click on the links for more details.}

1)  Egging the Neighbours: What neighbours wouldn't like a surprise treat from someone that thinks they are "egg"cellent?  I have even provided a free printable with a cute poem.  Click the link to see how easy it is to share sweets treats this Easter.

2)  Magic Jelly Beans:  Easter is full of magic for kids, and these magic jelly beans grow into a very special surprise for good little boys and girls.  Click the link to see how they work and to get a {free] printable jelly bean envelope.

3)  Toilet Roll Bunnies:  Empty toilet rolls can easily be transformed into an adorable family of Easter Bunnies.  Click the link for a full step by step tutorial.

4)  Easter Photo Cards:  These photo cards are so much cuter than store bought ones.  Click the link to see how simple it is to wish someone a "Hoppy" Easter.

5)  Easter Paper Baskets:  These little baskets are so adorable that it is hard to believe they're just made from paper and pipe cleaners. Click on the link for a free printable template.

6)  Dollar Store Easter Garland:  Anything goes with this super easy garland, and your little ones will be so proud of the adorable decor they have created.  Click on the link for the instructions.

7)  Easter Napkin Rings:  Easter dinner will taste better when the table is set with these adorable "kid-made" napkin rings.  Click on the link to find out how easy they are to make. 

8)  Felt Carrots:  These felt carrots are a great candy-free addition to Easter baskets.  Click on the link for the full step by step tutorial.

9)  Easter Egg Fillers:  Plastic Easter eggs filled with goodies make for a fun-filled Easter egg hunt.  Check out the link for some great "filler" ideas.

10) Tissue Box Bunnies:  Take a tissue box out of the recycling bin, and make this adorable Easter basket with your little one.  Click on the link to find out how it's done.

Which of these ideas would your little one like the most?  I think the "egging" was a highlight for my boys last year, and we'll definitely do it again.  Happy Easter!

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Bonus - Try these SIMPLE "bunny butt" pancakes with a whipped cream tail.

Find more ideas for easy and inexpensive Easter crafts, recipes, and activities here.

St. Patrick's Day Frame {and free printable}

Do you decorate for St. Patrick's Day?  Well... I have a fantastic, easy and inexpensive {$2} project for you.

I made this cute frame using a frame from the dollar store, a strip of scrap felt, and a button.  Cute, right?

All I did was make a simple felt flower {per the tutorial below}, and attach it to the frame with a glue gun. 

To make the flower:
1)  Cut a strip of felt about 1 1/2 inches wide.  
2)  Use hot glue to seal the sides of the strip together.
3)  Cut little slits along the entire length of the strip {being careful not to cut all the way through}.
4)  Start wrapping the flower, using glue to secure it as you go.
5)  Finish by adding a button using hot glue.

And you can download the free 8 X 10 printable here.

Easy peasy!  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.

St. Patrick's Day {Penny} Banner

St. Patrick's Day isn't a major holiday, but it is still fun to put up a couple of simple decorations to celebrate the special day.  This "penny" banner is easy and inexpensive, and perfect for the occasion.

Want to make one?  Here's all you have to do:

1)  Gather your supplies {green card stock, twine, a few pennies, and some tiny clothespins}.

2)  Cut out some simple shamrock silhouettes.

3)  Use double sided tape to attach a penny to the middle of each shamrock.

4)  Use clothespins to attach the shamrocks to the twine.

That's it!  It doesn't get much easier than that.  :-)

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.

St. Patrick's Day {treasure to share}

Last week I shared a cute "Lucky Penny Postcard" that I designed for the boys to give out to their friends for St. Patrick's Day.  This week, I am sharing another fun and easy idea... a cute St. Patrick's Day bag topper.

The bag topper says "I treasure our friendship", and it is perfect for pairing with some chocolate gold coins.

You can download a sheet of bag toppers {for free} here.  Just print the pdf onto white card stock, cut four bag toppers using a paper trimmer, fold in half, attach to a bag of filled with treasure, and secure with a stapler. 

Isn't this an easy and inexpensive class treat? 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.

ECM Kids' Craft Club - #12 {Leprechaun Paper doll/Puppet}

Welcome to the 12th edition of the {East Coast Mommy} Kids' Craft Club {an easy and inexpensive way for kids to have fun crafting and to experience the excitement of getting their very own mail}.  If you want to join the club, you can find more info here, or you can email me at EastCoastMommy@gmail.com, and I will email you a pdf of the template for $.99.  For everyone who is already a member {and those that want to use our project for inspiration}... this month, we are making a sweet Leprechaun Paper doll/Puppet that is perfect for St. Patrick's Day. 

Are your supplies ready?

OK.  Let's get started:

1)  Cut out all the pieces of the template.  You have one leprechaun puppet and three shirts.  {Make sure you don't cut the "tabs" off the shirts.  A grownn up will have to help younger kids with this part.}

2)  Stick on a green or yellow nose and glue on the googly eyes.

3)  Draw a mouth, and color the leprechaun and his three shirts any way you want.

4)  Tape the popsicle stick to the back.

That's it!  You can now change your leprechaun's shirts by placing them on the leprechaun and folding over the tabs.

I hope you enjoyed making this craft and that you have a very HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY.  {Don't forget to leave me a comment, or send me an email.  Your comments help me to improve the club, and I love hearing from you.} 

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Remember... 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. 

St. Patrick's Day {lucky penny to share}

Now that Valentine's Day is over, I thought it would be fun to let you see the cute St. Patrick's Day "Lucky Penny" postcard I made for my boys to share with their friends.

Isn't it cute?  I love it because Canada has just stopped making the "penny", so it may be the last year we can do this.  :-)

You can download a free pdf version of the postcards here.  Just print the document onto white cardstock, cut into four with a paper trimmer {or by hand}, and add a lucky penny with some double sided tape.  Easy peasy!

Who wouldn't love to receive this little token of friendship?  ... and everybody could use a little "luck" now and then, right?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.