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.

a"MAZE"ing Easter Treat Idea... with free printable tags

It's March, so it's the perfect time to start thinking about Easter. I love to send my boys to school with treats for their classmates, but I'm always worried about food allergies. So, in recent years I've tried to find a cute dollar store trinkets that my boys can share with their friends, and attaching a "punny" note makes them extra fun. Today, I am sharing an a"MAZE"ing Easter treat idea and adorable tags that you can download for free.

Isn't this a sweet treat?

I found these little "maze" games at our dollar store, and they were only $1.25 for 8. Isn't that great?

I packaged the mazes in clear plastic bags with "I hope you have an a'MAZE'ing Easter!" tags.

To download the tags I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

I love how bright and cheerful these Easter treats are, and I hope the kids in my son's class will have fun with them.

Do you like to send Easter treats to your child's school? Do you worry about allergies and nutrition policies? I think these little mazes are the perfect solution. 

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Unique Easter Class Treats ("stretchy bunnies" two ways)

My boys love to share holiday treats with their friends, so I am always looking for ways to turn dollar store trinkets into adorable class treats. This year, for Easter, my middle son requested that I do something fun with "stretchy bunnies" that we found. I am sharing two fun options for unique Easter class treats with you today.

How cute is this photo card I made?  My son loves that he is holding a "stretchy bunny" and soft little chick. The bunnies were $1.25 for eight, and the chicks were $2 for ten. I both both trinkets at the dollar store.

I started with a photo of my son holding out his hands, and I added some Easter details with Picmonkey.com.

Then, I used an x-acto knife to cut slits in the picture. I inserted the bunny, and I inserted the feet of the chick. I also added a bit of tape to the back of the picture to make sure the chick's feet didn't slip out.

Another option for gifting "stretchy bunnies" is to put them in plastic eggs, package them with chocolate eggs, and add tags that say, "Have an 'EGG'cellent Easter!"

I made personalized tags at Picmonkey.com, but I also designed a generic tag that you can download for free below.

To download this sheet of three generic tags I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

Although both options are adorable, my son decided to go with the photo option, and I think it was an excellent choice. They are seriously adorable!

My 10 year old is super-excited to share these easy and inexpensive Easter treats with his friends... and I'm not surprised. They are pretty cute! Do you have someone that would love to give or receive these trinkets too?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

St.Patrick's Day Activity (Make a Skittles Rainbow)... with free printable tags

There is no reason you can't add a little learning to a fun holiday celebration. I love the idea of giving kids a "Make a Rainbow" kit for St.Patrick's Day. You are not going to believe how simple and fun this "cause and effect" science experiment is. I've even created a free downloadable tag that you can attach to a bag of Skittles for easy gifting.

The tag explains exactly what to do to make a rainbow, and you can see the fun results below!

Here's the reaction...

And here's a video showing the entire process. :-)

To download the "Make a Rainbow" tag: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

Once you have the tags printed, just hole-punch the corner, and use ribbons to attach them to bags of Skittles.

Isn't this a fun St.Patrick's Day activity? Do you have a child that enjoys science? I think people of all ages would enjoy making a Skittles Rainbow on March 17!

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find MORE St.Patrick's Day ideas here.

St.Patrick's Day Treat (Rainbow Seeds)... with free printable tags

Even if you aren't Irish, you can still have some fun sharing this simple St.Patrick's Day treat with family and friends. It would also make a cheerful class treat if your school nutrition policies don't prevent sugary goodies. (Note: You could bag up smaller portions too... which would help limit the sugar.) Today, I am sharing a wonderful St.Patrick's Day treat idea -- RAINBOW SEEDS, and I'm sharing the adorable tags I designed for them.

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

Once you have the tag printed, you can punch a hole in the corner and attach it to a bag of Skittles with ribbon.

Isn't this a "sweet" idea? It's an easy and inexpensive way to treat someone this March 17th, and I know my boys are going to love it. Do you have anything fun planned for St.Patrick's Day?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (Here is another fun "rainbow seeds" idea.)

The Key to an Organized Family Vacation

I'm organizing a family trip to Florida in April, and my goal is to have a vacation that is stress-free and relaxing. I have most things planned, and I feel organized thanks to my favourite vacation planning tool -- a duo tang folder containing all the information we need for our trip.

I use a duo tang instead of a binder because I want something that I can easily fit into my carry on.

And, I fill the duo tang with sheet protector pockets, so that I can insert all our important documents.

My first document is a calendar, so I can quickly see my itinerary at a glance.

I use the other pockets for tickets, confirmation numbers, insurance information, addresses for mailing postcards and other important papers.

I also have a section for maps and directions to our accommodations and attractions.

I have used a family travel binder before, and I would never take a major trip without one again. It really is the best way I have found to I keep organized on vacation. What's your best trick for staying organized when travelling with your family?
♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more helpful family travel tips and tricks here.

Van Trash Can... made from a dollar store container and duct tape

I don't know about you, but I spend A LOT of time in my mini van. My husband and I are constantly chauffeuring my boys around to their activities, and as a result, our van can get pretty messy. So recently, I decided to make a trash can for our van. I wanted it to be narrow (so it didn't take up much room in the back seat), and I wanted it to have a long and flexible strap. I decided to pick up a few dollar store supplies and DIY the perfect VAN TRASH CAN. I used about $2 worth of supplies, and I created exactly what my family needed.

I started with a narrow plastic container and dollar store duct tape. The container was $1.25, and the duct tape was $1.25 (and I used about half a roll).

I created a strap by cutting a long strip of duct tape and folding it three times.

I placed the ends of the straps on the sides of the container and taped them in place with duct tape.

Then, I wrapped the entire container in duct tape. (Do one row at a time, and use good scissors! I like to use scissors that are coated so that the duct tape doesn't stick to them.)

I love how it turned out. It's durable and fits perfectly around the arm of the front seat of my van.

Could you use this inexpensive DIY trash can in your vehicle? Making it yourself means that you can make it whatever size/shape works for you. I made my black so it would blend in with the interior of my van, but you could use whatever duct tape colour/design you like.

Now... I just need to train my kids to pick their movies up off the floor. 

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Tips for Displaying Party Treats Like a Pro

When it comes to hosting a party (especially a kids party), it's important to have plenty of treats for guests. I love a table containing popcorn, chips, chocolate and candy -- all displayed in a visually appealing way. Today, I am sharing a few simple ways to style your treat table. With these tips, you can easily display party treats like a pro at your next get together.

1) Use fancy glasses and dollar store dishes. A variety of dishes adds interest to the table.

2) Use cake stands and containers of different heights to add depth to the display. I picked up this white cake stand at the dollar store, and it looks great on a table full of treats.

3) Use colour. I picked up a colour tablecloth at the dollar store to match my all my bright candy. You can make a big impact going with only one or two colours too.

4) Use individual containers so guests can easily grab the treats they want. Check out this video:

I did this display for a movie afternoon with my boys' and a few of their friends... but it works for any party theme and any age group. What is your favourite way to serve party treats?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Last Minute Valentine's Day Treat To Make With Kids

If Valentine's Day is busy for you, and you don't have time to make homemade treats, I have the perfect short cut for you. You won't believe how easy it is to make this "no baking required" last minute Valentine's Day treat with your kids!

All you need are store bought little round cakes. Use a cookie cutter to cut a heart out of the middle of the treat, and finish by dipping the edges in sprinkles.

It doesn't get much easier than this... and the kids will really feel like they baked a special Valentine's Day treat.

Check out the video we made when we created our treats.

Do you have a sweetheart that would enjoy this simple last minute Valentine's Day treat? Happy Valentine's Day!

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Donut Valentines... with free printable tags

Need a fun Valentine for someone special in your life? This idea is simple and sure to please your sweetheart. I plan on using this "sweet" idea for my boys this year. Check out my donut Valentine (and free printable tags) below.

I purchased this milk bottle at the dollar store, and a mini donut fits perfectly on top. Isn't it cute? I love how it looks with the "DONUT ever forget how much I love you" tag.

I designed two versions of the tags. One version says, "DONUT ever forget how much I love you" and the other says, "DONUT ever forget how much WE love you."

To download one of the tags: click on the tag you want to download, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

If you don't want to use the milk bottles, you can just use the tag with donuts. 

Do you have a sweetheart with a sweet tooth? I absolutely love this donut Valentine, and the free tags couldn't be cuter!

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)