Simple Coach "Thank you" Gifts... with free printable tags

As a mom, my number one goal is to raise kind and grateful children. Sports play a big role in their loves, and I believe being on teams helps to reinforce lessons in kindness and gratitude. There are many volunteers that help them on their journey, and at the end of a season, I like to make sure that my boys say, "thank you" to their coaches. I get my boys' to make homemade cards and share little treats. Today, I am sharing an adorable coach gift ideas and some free gift tags that you can download and print.

The first thing I do is get my kids to make cards and write notes to their coaches. I could buy cards, but I think handmade cards are more meaningful because the kids need to do the work and come up with thoughtful messages. You can add a gift card if you want, but it isn't necessary.

Then, I put the card in a clear cellophane bag with a pack of MINT gum. You could use actual mints or chocolate mints too... but I thought gum would be good for hockey coaches.

Then, add one of the tags I designed. The "punny" tags says, "Thanks for the encourageMINT".

To download the tags I designed: click on the picture below (that you want to use), right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo. There are three tags on each sheet.

I love these inexpensive and fun coach gifts, don't you?

Aren't these little gifts a perfect way to thank your child's volunteer coaches? It's also an excellent way to teach kids the importance of kindness and gratitude. How do you teach this important lesson in your house?

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

NERF Party Games and Activities

My boys love having NERF gun battles, so when it came to picking a party theme for my two youngest boys, it didn't require a lot of discussion. My 10 year old requested an "epic NERF battle", and my 8 year old wanted a "target shooting area". Today, I am sharing the details of all our super-fun NERF party games and activities.

Before the battle started, the kids applied their war paint.

Then, to ensure that everyone was safe, I made them all put on safety glasses.

Then, I set up a NERF gun battlefield. I spray painted some boxes with camo spray paint, I made some obstacles out of mats, I added some pop up tents we had a home, and blew up some orange and blue balloons.

The kids spent most of the party having their battle, but they took out a little time for some of the other games and activities too.

I created a DIY prize punch that they could shoot with their NERF guns. When they hit a prize, they got to keep it.

I also had a "guess the number of candies" station. The kids all made guesses, and the child that guessed closest got to keep the jar of blue and orange jelly beans.

I also made some fantastic shooting target games for the kids. 

To make a spinning target (see photo):

1) Cut four squares from a cardboard tri-fold. (I got mine at the dollar store.) Then, trim the squares in duct tape to make it look more colourful and neat.
2) Turn the four squares into round targets, and decorate with markers.
3) Tape a paper straw and coin to the back of the circles (for weight).
4) Insert a skewer through the straw, and tape the two ends to the tri-fold.

I also stacked plastic cups with army men, and converted another tri-fold by cutting out a rectangle and hanging plastic cups.

All of the NERF party games and activities we had at our party were easy and inexpensive to put together, and the kids all had a fantastic time. If you have a NERF gun fan in your house, you should give them a try!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)



PS - Find more NERF party ideas (including party food, FREE party signs and party favours) here.

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For a closer look, check out the video I made here:

Dollar Store Bunny Bar

Today I am sharing a super-simple Easter idea. I picked up a few supplies from the dollar store, and I put together this easy Easter hot chocolate bar in less than 5 minutes! This idea is perfect for an intimate family Easter, and it's fun if you are hosting a bunch of people too. You could even add some "adult" drinks for the grown ups. A "bunny bar" can be as simple or elaborate as you want.

I purchased this adorable crate from the dollar store (for $4), and I added a simple sign that I designed. I also purchased three dollar store jars (for $1.50 each) to hold my "bar" ingredients.

I filled my jars with hot chocolate, candy coated chocolate mini eggs, and mini marshmallows.

Cute, right?

To download the "bunny bar" sign: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

Of course, you'll need to serve a batch of festive Easter cookies to go with the hot chocolate. I am loving these soft and chewy mini egg cookies, and they would look fantastic next to the bunny bar.

I think a "bunny bar" is the perfect way to serve treats to your Easter guests. It's an easy and inexpensive idea, and it's guaranteed to "up" your hostess game!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more easy and inexpensive Easter Ideas HERE.

DIY Easter Egg Prize Punch

A few years ago, I came up with the idea for a "prize punch" using dollar store supplies. It was a huge hit with my boys, and it is now a staple at all our birthday party and holiday celebrations. This year, I decide to make an Easter Egg Prize punch. Today I am sharing the full tutorial (and craft video) for this simple and festive DIY project.

First, you'll need some treats and dollar store trinkets (that are small enough to fit in a plastic cup. You'll also need plastic cups, a piece of foam core, tissue paper and a glue gun.

Arrange the cups in the shape of an egg, and fill the cups with treats.

Apply hot glue to the rim of a plastic cup and cover it with a square piece of tissue paper. (You can add a second piece for extra strength... but this is optional). When all the cups are covered, use hot glue on the bottoms of the glasses to attach them to the foam core.

Isn't it cute? My boys will love poking through the tissue paper to claim their prizes on Easter morning.

Still wondering how to make a DIY Easter Egg Prize Punch? Check out this easy to follow craft video I made.

This DIY Easter Egg Prize Punch is really easy and inexpensive to make, and you don't need to be super-crafty to be successful. If you can work a glue gun, you can make one! Come on... give it a try... and let me know how it turns out.

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You can find more easy and inexpensive Easter crafts, recipes and ideas here.

NERF Party Signs

Party signs help keep things organized, and they create a fun party atmosphere. I love using party signage as decor, and today I am sharing the signs I used for my boys' joint NERF gun party... and you can download any of my NERF party signs for free.

As the kids came in, I had a sign that said "Enter Here if you are ready for Battle!" I also had a sign listing all the NERF battle safety rules.

To download the "Enter Here" sign: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo. I attached mine to a piece of dollar store foam core and added a colourful target.

I printed a copy of the Battle Rules and put it in an inexpensive dollar store frame. To download the "NERF battle rules": click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo.

I created a food table backdrop using a tri-fold from the dollar store. I added a "Fuel for Battle" sign, trimmed it with orange duct tape, and added some targets made from construction table circles.

To download the "Fuel for Battle" sign: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo.

I created an ammunition depot for all the NERF gun bullets. I printed a sign and put it in a dollar store frame.

To download the "Ammunition Depot" sign: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo.

I had a safety glasses station where all the kids picked up their safety glasses... because "safety first". I printed the sign and put it in a dollar store frame.

To download the "Safety Glasses" sign: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo.

I had a spot for the kids to "Get their game face on". I put a sign in a dollar store frame, and I added some black under eye make up and a dollar store mirror.

To download the "Get your game face on" sign: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo.

One of our games was "Guess the Number of Candies". I put a sign in a dollar store frame and placed it behind a jar of candies.

To download the "Guess the number of candies sign": click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo.

I also had a wall of "Target Practice". I printed a sign and placed it in a dollar store frame next to our targets.

To download the "Target Practice" sign: click on the picture below, right-click, save to your computer, and print like a regular 8X10 photo.

I think customized signs create fantastic party decor and add a fun, personalized element to parties. If you are planning a NERF party, I hope you have some fun with my free NERF party signs!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more NERF party ideas (including activities, food, party favors, etc...) here.

*** If you like this post, check out my DIY Parties website here. It's full of easy and inexpensive DIY party ideas. ***

For a closer look, check out the video I made here:

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.