18 DIY Party Themes and Tutorials

There are many fabulous kid party ideas on the web, but many are put together by companies and teams of designers.  The great thing about these DIY parties {that I hosted for my boys} is that there are are many easy and inexpensive DIY elements that are totally "doable" by real moms.  I even provide many free templates and printables.

Click on the links {party titles} below for all the fun DIY details.

1)  The ultimate DIY LEGO Party

2)  The cutest DIY Circus  and a sweet Carnival Party

3)  A stupendous DIY Super Hero Party

4)  A rip roaring DIY Race Car Party

5)  An out of this world DIY Star Wars Party

6)  A magical DIY Harry Potter Party

7)  An adorable DIY Monkey-Themed 1st Birthday Party

8)  A marvellous DIY Music Party

9)  A super DIY SPY Party and a simple DIY Spy Party

10)  A rootin' tootin' Cowboy Party

11)  A perfect DIY Pirate Party

12) A wonderful DIY Jake and the Neverland Pirates Party (perfect if you have an affection for Peter Pan and Neverland)

13) A heavenly DIY Hockey Party and a simple DIY Hockey Party

14) A Marvellous DIY Movie Party

15) Simple Backyard Olympics

16) Fun Pool Party (The shark cutout and pool noodle garland are adorable!)

17) Sweet "ice cream for supper" party (It requires very little prep, and it is a fantastic way to mark the end of summer.)

18) Epic DIY NERF battle (The details are easy and fun, and the party is action packed.)

Bonus.... this DIY tea party is easy and fun!

Aren't these DIY party themes fabulous?  I just love a good DIY party.  What was the theme of the best birthday party you have hosted?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Alphabet Crafts - Letter J

This morning, my four year old and I continued "crafting our way through the alphabet", and we had some fun with the letter J. We made a Jet, and we did a little letter J printing practice.

To make the paper "jet", follow the tutorial here.  {I have also included a free printable template.}

It's a fun craft because the plane makes "loops" when it flies.

After our craft, we did a little printing practice. If you want to practice printing the letter J with your little one, you can right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it.

We even had some jam on toast for a snack while he was practicing his "J"s.

And if you are looking for a few more letter J crafts, why not try this simple "Letter J Jellyfish"? Start with a letter J, glue on a jellyfish, and finish by gluing on eyes and tissue paper tentacles.

Or create a jungle craft by drawing a palm tree on piece of paper and having your little one fill it with jungle stickers.

And it doesn't get much cuter than this "jack-in-the-box" craft. Glue a square to a sheet of paper, and attach a rectangle with a fastener that will allow the top of the box to open and close. Then, glue on a picture of the child and decorate the box with stickers. 

And how adorable is this jellyfish puppet??? Make a jellyfish attached to a popsicle stick, cut a slit in a paper plate, and let the jellyfish go for a swim!

Fun, right? Next up... the letter "K"! 

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more alphabet crafts here.

Moms Need to Get in the Picture

On a recent family trip to Disney, my eight year old insisted that we get a family picture taken with Mickey Mouse. So, after a long day at Magic Kingdom, we waited in line, and we had our photo taken with the famous mouse... and it is the WORST picture of me EVER.

When I saw the picture, I immediately thought I looked terrible. I was clearly tired, my lipstick had worn off, and the humidity had made my hair fuzzy. However, in hindsight, even though I am not a fan of how I look in the picture, I am glad we had it taken. When I look at the photo today, I see all my flaws, but I know that years from now I will only see how happy (and lucky) I was in that moment with my husband and children. And I know my kids will look at the picture and remember how much fun we had together on that day.

Like many moms, I hate being photographed. I am much happier behind the camera, but I am making a conscious effort to step out of my comfort zone and into family photos. It is important for my boys to have childhood photos with their mom. I want them to remember that I was there... that I was part of their favourite memories.

Photo Credit: Hilary Hendsbee

So today, I challenge you to “get in the picture” with your little ones.  I guarantee that years from now, you and your kids will be glad that you did.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Alphabet Crafts - Letter I

Last week my four year old and I had some fun with the letter I. We made a paper Ice cream cone (with sprinkles), and we did a little letter I printing practice.

To make the ice cream cone craft:

1)  Cut a circle and triangle from white card stock.
2)  Have the child color the cone.
3)  Tape the "ice cream" and "cone" together.
4)  Have the child decorate the ice cream cone with "sprinkles" by crunching up bits of tissue paper and gluing them onto the card stock.

That's it! Cute, right?

After our craft, we did a little printing practice. If you want to practice printing the letter I with your little one, you can right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it.

My little guy even had some ice cream as a special "I" snack while he practiced his printing.

Looking for a few more letter I crafts and activities? 

Check out this adorable igloo craft. Draw an igloo shape on a piece of coloured paper. Then, use glue to cover the igloo with "ice blocks" (white squares of paper) and a picture of the child. Finish the project by using Q-tips and white paint to add snowflakes.

You could also have your child decorate a letter I with colourful stickers. "Peeling and sticking" is a great way to develop fine motor skills.

And have a look at this adorable "letter I" iguana. Start with an "I", and then add a head, tail, googly eyes, and a paper tongue.

Fun, right? Next up... the letter "J"!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more alphabet crafts here.

Chocolate Banana Bread

About a year ago, I shared my mom's (no fail) banana bread recipe.  My boys love banana bread as an after school snack or as a treat in their lunches, so I use this recipe frequently, but this week I decided to "switch it up" a little.  I made Chocolate Banana Bread, and it was delicious.

Here's how to make it:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and grease a large loaf pan.

2) Whisk together the following dry ingredients:
     2 cups of flour

     1/4 cup cocoa
     1/2 cup white sugar
     3 tsp baking powder
     1/2 tsp baking soda
     1/2 tsp salt
     1/2 cup chocolate chips

3) In a separate bowl, beat together:
     1 egg
     3/4 cup milk
     1/4 cup vegetable oil
     1 1/2 cup (approx 3 medium-sized) mashed ripe bananas 

     {mashing bananas is a perfect job for little helpers.}

4) Mix wet and dry ingredients thoroughly, and pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes.

Enjoy... and let me know what you think!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Summer Bucket Lists

Spring is here, and my boys and I are already dreaming about summer.  Every year, we make a summer bucket list containing 50 fun summer activities, and we spend the summer months working our way through the list.  Then, when we complete our list, we celebrate with an "Ice Cream for Supper" party.  Fun, right?

Here are some of the lists we have used in the past.  (You can click on the links below for free printable versions of our lists.)

Our list from 2011

Our list from 2012

Our list from 2013

Our list from 2014

I can't wait to hear what's on your Summer Bucket List.  We'll be putting our 2015 version together soon, and I am always looking for new ideas.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Packing Tips For Families

When you have kids, packing can be a nightmare.  If you are packing for a weekend trip or preparing for a long vacation, you should really check out these 7 really helpful packing tips for families.

1)  Make a list.  You can find the one I use here.  When I do a "final check" with this list, I always discover something I have missed.

2)  Pack good carry on bags.  You'll want to include healthy snacks, little treats, small toys/games, movies, special blankets/stuffies, water bottles, iPods/iPads, etc...  If you are flying, you will want to pack a pen for customs forms/baggage tags and some gum/suckers for the kids (to help with their ears when the plane is landing).  A change of clothes and bathing suits are helpful too... in case luggage gets lost or delayed.

3)  Pack a lunch.  I detest being forced to buy overpriced and junky food when on a road trip, spending time in an airport, or staying in a hotel room.  I always bring supplies (that don't need to be refrigerated) that I can use to prepare a simple picnic lunch.  I like unsweetened applesauce, bananas, bread, and peanut butter.  It's not fancy... but it's economical, tasty, and keeps my boys happy and full.

4)  Put together a bag of basic medical supplies.  I always pack Gravol, Benadryl, Tylenol, bandaids, a thermometer, ear drops, etc...  There is nothing worse than being in a strange city (with a sick child) searching for an all night pharmacy.  

5)  Use sealable storage bags.  I use bags to: keep organized, identify special outfits, isolate dirty items,  and hold wet stuff.

6)  Pack light (especially if you will have access to a washer and dryer).  Try to choose multi-functioning outfits and items that can be layered.  Be selective, and only take what you really think you are going to need.  Packing light saves baggage charges, makes it easier to transport luggage through the airport, and helps with fitting luggage into the truck of a rental car.

7)  Stay organized - Some people recommend rolling your clothes, but I prefer them folded in neat piles so I can see what I have and keep things organized.  I pack all three boys in one suitcase (divided into three sections).

I hope you find these packing tips helpful.  Vacations are a lot of fun, but it's important to be prepared.   What's your best packing tip for families?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)