Jake and the Neverland Pirates Party Games & Activities

The key to a successful party is a fun theme and a variety of awesome party games and activities.  Today, I am sharing the fabulous games and activities that entertained all the little pirate party guests at my son's 5th "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" party. 

DIY Hook Toss - I made a really fun ring toss using dollar store supplies.  I made some pirate hooks (using the tutorial you can find here), and then I used hot glue to attach them to a piece of foam core that I decorated with stickers.  Then, I created rings by cutting the centres out of paper plates.  The result was an easy and inexpensive "hook toss".

Bean Bag Toss - I cut four holes in a box, covered it in duct tape and added a picture that my son colored.  It's a simple way to create an adorable bean bag toss.  You can find a full tutorial here.

Walk the Plank - I nailed a few pieces of wood together to create a "plank" and placed it in water (i.e. on top of a blue tarp).  Then, I added a blow up crocodile from the dollar store.  "Walking the plank" was a big hit with the kids at the party.

Tattoo Parlor - I bought some dollar store tattoos, and used them to create "Smee's" tattoo parlor.

Make a necklace/ Pirate Treasure - I set up a station for the kids to make their own edible necklaces/ pirate treasures.  They strung Froot Loops onto cording and added a chocolate coin charm (which I created by gluing a bit of pipe cleaner to the coin).

Treasure Hunt - Every pirate party needs a pirate treasure hunt, and we did ours by following clues to the "Team Treasure Chest".  

Here are the clues that we used:
a) To find a treasure that you'll like, go and look for a purple bike.
b) Great job finding the first clue.  Look by the hose to see what to do.
c) Next, we won't go far you see.  You'll find a clue attached to a tree.
d) Keep on going.  You are almost there.  Take a look under the porch chair.
e) Here's a place you'll want to check.  There's a clue under the deck.
f) This is it.  There is no doubt.  You'll find a treasure in Jake's hideout.

The kids had a great time running around the yard, playing games, and hunting for treasure.  I think these easy pirate party games and activities are perfect for a Jake and the Neverland Pirates party, don't you?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also want to check out the video I made here:

Number Crafts {Number ONE}... Spring Bird Craft

I have started a Craft Club in my home for preschoolers, and we are doing a different number craft each week.  This week, we are focusing on the NUMBER ONE, and we are crafting an adorable bird for spring.

Isn't it sweet?  To make your own bird craft:

1) Cut a circle from a piece of white card stock.  (I traced a small plate.)

2) Glue small squares of tissue paper onto the circle, allow to dry, and add googly eyes, an orange triangle beak, and a feather.

3) Punch a hole in the top of the bird, add a piece of ribbon, and attach a "number one" poem to the back.

To download a copy of the poem: right click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo.

I love how sweet and cheerful this little bird is.  It is simple to make, and it is fun way to learn about the "number one".

Here are a few other ways to learn about the number one: 

Make a Cheerios bird feeder in the shape of the number one, practice printing the number one, decorate the number one with crayons, and/or use stamps or Q-tip painting to make the number one.

I hope you enjoy my first number craft.  I will be sharing a cute craft for the "number two" soon!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

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

You might also like the video I made here:

10 {Simple} Science Experiments for Kids

Kids are naturally curious, and my boys are no exception.  I believe that fostering childhood curiosity is very important, and science experiments are a perfect way for kids to explore their surroundings and the way things work.  Today I am sharing 10 simple science experiments that are easy, inexpensive, and tons of fun!

1) Baking Soda Magic Trick - With a little help setting up this simple science experiment, the kids will love performing this trick for their friends.  All you need for this simple experiment is baking soda, vinegar, some food coloring, and the instructions that you can find here. 

2) Coloring Carnations - With a few carnations and food coloring, the kids can learn all about plants and how they absorb water.  It's a simple and cheerful little experiment, and you can find all the instructions here. 

3) Boats and Buoyancy - Building boats and learning about buoyancy is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon, and you can find all the information you need to know here.

4) Mentos Geyser - Messy experiments are always a big hit with kids.  Grab some soda and Mentos, head outside, and create your own fountain of fun.  You can find the full tutorial here. 

5) Making Ice Cream in a Bag - The result of this science experiment is a yummy snack.  With a few simple ingredients, kids can make their own ice cream in a bag. It's simple and delicious, and you can find everything you need to know here.

6) Exploding Sandwich Bag*

7) Balloon Magic*

8) Playing with Density*

9) Making Butter*

10) Film Cannister rockets.

* Experiments #6 to #10 are all great hands-on experiments for little ones, and you can find instructions for all of them here.

Exploring science with children can be a great way to foster their curiosity for learning. Which of these 10 simple science experiments will be most popular with your kids?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Bonus.... This Skittles experiment is super easy and fun. Read all about it here.

Easy Easter Treats {made from mini eggs}

Do you love candy covered chocolate mini eggs as much as I do? My boys and I are big fans of mini eggs, so we use them a lot this time of year.  Today I am sharing some of my favorite Easter treats made from mini eggs.

Soft and Chewy Easter Tart - This dessert is simple to make, festive, and delicious. It's the perfect Easter dessert to serve to your family and friends. Find the recipe here.

Bunny Bait - This no-bake treat is the perfect combination of sweet and salty.  Fill small bags with popcorn, mini eggs, and sprinkles, and then add the adorable FREE labels that you can find here.

Bird Nest Cookies - These chocolate cookie "nests" are as delicious as they are adorable. You can find the recipe for this impressive Easter treat here. 

Soft and Chewy Mini Egg Cookies - These cookies are based on my favorite "tried and true" chocolate chip cookie recipes. They are delicious, easy to make, and sooooo cute. They are fun to bake with kids too. Find the full recipe here.

Easter Cake - This cake is a perfect Easter dessert that the kids can help prepare.  The mini egg garnishes are easy to apply, and they make a simple cake fit for serving to guests.  You can find the full tutorial for this simple Easter cake here.

Mini Egg Brownies - Mix up your favorite brownie batter, add a sprinkling of mini eggs, and bake it in the oven.  The brownie mix will rise up around the eggs, and you'll end up with a deliciously simple Easter treat.

Treats to share - Mini eggs are the perfect treat to share this time of year... especially when you add an adorable tag.  You can download this adorable "teacher gift" tag here. 

Easter Candy Bark - This is the easiest treat to make, and it tastes delicious. I had plans to share it with the neighbours, but my boys ate it all before I had a chance. You can find the Easter Candy Bark recipe here.

Easter Cupcakes - These wonderfully sweet cupcakes are impressive and tasty.  They are fantastic for sharing... but you are going to want to keep a few for yourself too! You can find the cupcake recipe here and the cookie recipe here.

Brownie Bite Easter Nests - If you like shortcuts, you can make treats from (store bought two bite brownies. Just pipe a nest with chocolate icing and add a few eggs. Cute AND easy peasy!

Mini eggs are a perfect Easter treat, and they are a wonderful holiday baking ingredient. Which easy Easter treat will you try first?


♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Click here for MORE easy and inexpensive ideas for Easter fun!

Bunny Bait {with free printable tags)

Fun packaging can turn a simple snack into something totally adorable that everyone will love.  Today I am sharing a cute idea for a treat that would be perfect for an Easter basket or for giving to friends -- Bunny Bait.

To print the tags to attach these snacks, right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

You can use these tags to package up any Easter goodies, but I went with: popcorn, mini-eggs, and pastel sprinkles.  This is a pretty fun combination, but feel free to use your imagination to come up with your own version.

I think this would make a fun Easter party favor too. There are so many possibilities!  I'd love to hear how you plan to use these "Bunny Bait" tags.
♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Easter Bunny Coupons {free printable}

I love "non-candy" ideas for filling Easter baskets and Easter Eggs, so I designed these FREE printable "Bunny Bedtime Coupons". I am so excited for the kids to find them on their Easter egg hunt!

To print these coupons, right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo.  I sent mine to my local copy store and had them printed for 39 cents.

Aren't they adorable?

Here is another (8 1/2 X 11) version you can print from home (using less ink).

What's your favorite way to fill plastic Easter eggs?  Do you think your little ones might find some "bunny bedtime passes" this year?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You can find more Easter ideas here.

10 EGGceptional Easter Printables

Over the years, I have designed a number of adorable Easter printables, and today I am sharing a collection of some of my favorites.  I hope you enjoy these 10 adorable (and free) Easter tags and templates.

Click on the links {below} to access the free downloads:

1) Tag for Teacher Gift - Teachers are a special part of our children's lives, and they deserve a special treat this time of year. Add an adorable tag to a bag of candy coated chocolate eggs for an easy and inexpensive Easter gift.  To download the tags, click here.

2) "Egging" the Neighbours Gift Tag (version 1) - Show your neighbours they are "egg"stra special (and have some fun) by secretly delivering treats to their homes this Easter.  To download the tags, click here.

Egging the Neighbours Gift Tag (version 2) - "Egging" the neighbours is an annual tradition in our house, so I have designed several different tags.  Don't worry about deciding which one to use -- both versions are super-cute.  To download this version of the "egging" tag, click here. 

3) Bunny Bait Tags - A sweet and salty treat is even better when it is packaged in little bags with the adorable tags you can download here. 

4) Tag for Class Treats - Chocolate isn't the only option for classroom treats.  With these adorable tags and a few dollar store bunnies, the kids won't miss the sugar for one second. To download the tags, click here. 

5) Bunny Bag Toppers - Giving a bunny (instead of a chocolatey treat) is a breeze with this adorable bag topper.  Print it, cut it out, fold it, and staple it in place.  Easy peasy! To download the bag toppers, click here.

6) Bunny Puppet Printable Template - Crafting with kids is a great way to foster their creativity, and it's a wonderful screen-free way to spend time together.  This adorable bunny puppet is easy to make, and the pom pom tail is too cute for words!  To download the bunny puppet template, click here.

7) Bunny Silhouette Coloring Sheet - Coloring is a fun activity for children of all ages, and this printable bunny silhouette provides a fantastic opportunity for kids to design their own adorable holiday decor.  After the kids color the bunnies, cut them out, and string them on a piece of twine to create a sweet bunny bunting that everyone will love.  To download the coloring sheet, click here.

8) Bunny Mask Template - This bunny mask is a fun craft project that will transform your little one into the cutest bunny in town.  Who wouldn't love this easy to make bunny disguise?  To download the bunny mask template, click here.

9) Printable Magic Jelly Beans Envelope - The Easter Bunny has been bringing my boys Magic Jelly Beans for years, and they always grow into something wonderful.  Would your little one enjoy finding this treasure in his/her Easter basket?  To download the envelope template, click here.

10) Paper Easter Basket Template - Sometimes simple crafts are the best ones.  Kids can use their imaginations to decorate these baskets any way they want to.  When they are finished, add a handle, and fill the basket with goodies.  Wouldn't these make cute place cards or special treats to share with friends/neighbours?  To download the Easter basket template, click here.

I hope you enjoy this collection of FREE Easter printables.  I'd love for you to let me know which one is your favorite.

Happy Easter!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (Here's a bonus one... straight from the Easter Bunny. Click here to download free bunny bedtime pass coupons.)