After consideration of existing plans and, of course, your budget for the party, you should be able to explore and decide between a number of options for your personalised t-shirts.

Printed T-Shirts

Probably the best option for those wishing to take the children out on a day trip are easily recognisable t-shirts which allow you to keep a watchful eye on the group to make sure they avoid getting into trouble. However as you may expect, with convenience comes cost and printed t-shirts are one of the more expensive options on the market.

The chances are that you will be planning to hand these t-shirts out to the group as they arrive at the party, so it may be a wise idea to create a space where they can leave the t-shirts, so that nothing goes missing. This is particularly handy if the children are very young, and it may even be worth labelling the clothes with sticky notes, just to save any mix-ups when it gets to the end of the day.

Fabric Markers

A cheaper (and much more fun) option is to create the personalised t-shirts at home. Plain t-shirts are cheaply available in multipacks at most clothing stores. The fabric markers may require a bit more shopping around, however you probably won’t go too wrong if you look around most craft stores. If you can’t find any, then permanent markers are a cheaper option, but still get the job done.

If you want to give the t-shirts to the guests as they arrive, then a good bit of parent-child bonding can be done by setting up a production line a few days prior to the party, as you and your children help make the t-shirts. Conversely, a more fun option would be to allow the guests to create their own garments as part of the party. There is a good chance that many children will not have created a t-shirt before, and this way you will make sure that their first experience of doing it is a memorable one. The easiest way to do this is to set up a table with plenty of colourful, varied marker pens at the children’s disposal, and allow their imaginations to run wild.

Fabric Paints

In-keeping with the theme of allowing the children to create their own t-shirts, fabric paints are a better option than markers as they allow much more colour to be used for the t-shirts. The beauty of paint is the fact that you can use stencils, which means that all the children can create well-designed t-shirts, no matter how creative they are.

Also, there are many benefits to performing this activity outside, weather-permitting of course. On a nice day, this can be the perfect excuse to get the kids out in the sun and allow them to get some fresh air. From a parent’s point of view too, there will be much less chance of damage to your property if they do their painting outside. With this in mind, if you are going to do it inside then it may be wise to cover the floor and other furnishings with protective materials, or at the very least some old newspaper.

Another way to avoid paint getting all over the house would be to have some soap and water ready when the children have finished their activity, as a legion of children with painted hands is something that no one wants walking through their home! Also, cost-permitting, it may be worth providing the guests with aprons or old t-shirts whilst they are painting, to avoid damage to their clothing. Similarly, it’s definitely a good idea to mention any sort of messy activity to the parents of the children, just so they don’t wear their best clothes for the party.

Creating t-shirts at a party is a fun and unique idea that not many children will have taken part in before. If all goes well, the memories and souvenirs should outweigh the hard work and planning that goes into the party.

This article was written by Jack Oldham. Jack is a journalism graduate blogging on behalf of Banana Moon Clothing, specialists in printed t-shirts, school leavers hoodies and other items of personalised clothing.

Photo: flickr.com/photos/moriza/127826121

When you’re going on a few cat-naps a day instead of real sleep, when your boobs are sore and you haven’t had a hot meal in a week, the absolute last thing you want to do is hit the gym. All you want to hit is your bed, or maybe all those smiling super-mom types who seem to make it look easy…in their skinny jeans and already-perfect figures.

But WHY???

Some of us…most of us…don’t have the genes that put us back into our old jeans just weeks after pregnancy. Unfortunately it is a cruel fact that we have to work at it, and we can’t just let go and skip it no matter how tempting. Working out is necessary for other things than weight-loss, like health and upping our life years, and we need a way to fit it in between feedings, diaperings, and snuggles.

The good news is that you CAN stay active, even with a newborn and very little sleep.

I can?

You don’t have to go to the gym every other day and hit the weights and treadmills to get active, or even to be active enough to lose weight and be healthy. In fact, you don’t have to hit the gym at all if you don’t want to.

Ok, so when?

The great thing about “being active” is that it is a broad term with no set limits or requirements. You can carve out 30 minutes twice a day, an hour every morning or evening, or 5 minutes several times each day. There are no rules!

Some exercises are great to do while your baby naps, or after bedtime if you can hold your eyes open another few minutes…others can be done with your baby as a sort of game. And many things can be done with your baby right there nearby.

Give me some ideas!

If you do have the time, a dance or yoga class for Moms might be fun. Some places offer classes AND daycare! There is also such thing as a Mommy-and-Me Class offered in some fitness centers where you can work out with your munchkin.

When you venture out of the house, walk everywhere you can…if you’re close to where you shop, break out the stroller and stroll on! You can also try just walking around the block or up and down your street with the stroller. For one that will stand up to lots of miles and leave your little one comfy, check out the Uppababy Vista stroller…you can’t beat it for a walking stroller.

If your kids like the park, instead of bench-warming with the other moms, get out there and play! Swing, hang from monkey bars, and play tag with the kids. You could also just walk a few laps on the edges of the playground.

Another idea is to invest in a bicycle trailer and take your kiddos on a ride around town. Just make sure you get one deemed safe by the powers that be. Newborns can’t ride in them, but toddlers and preschoolers can. The trailers are much safer than the bicycle seats that strap on behind you, too!

So, what if I’m stuck at home?

True, some of these ideas are more ideal for those with older babies and toddlers.

If you are pretty well chained to your home by a brand newbie, you can still get some activity.

The cleaning that has to be done doesn’t have to be a chore… Crank up some music you love (something with a beat) and dance around dusting, sashay along with the vacuum, and bop your way through the clothes-folding. If your kids are old enough, let them dance around with the feather duster or a trashcan picking up. If your baby is too little, pull the playpen or bouncy seat into the room so she has a good view of your mean dancing skills.

She won’t tell if you’re terrible.

If you have an exercise machine of some sort, a stationary bike, treadmill, or elliptical machine, you can park it in front of the TV and watch your favorite shows while you work. You can get in a pretty good workout one episode at a time.

Exercise routines, from Pilates and yoga to stripping for fitness are available on DVD, so update your Netflix or Blockbuster queue or hit the local video rental store. With hundreds of titles, you won’t get bored.

You could even exercise with your baby, laying on the floor and lifting her up in the air, swooping down for a kiss, and repeating it a dozen times. She can also lay on your tummy while you lift your legs, and sit in her bounce seat at your feet while you “sit-up” and blow air kisses.

So anything goes!?

Yep, as long as you’re moving, it counts!

This article was written by Laura Cecil.  Laura, mama to three kids, is an editor of livesnet.com. Livesnet.com is a place that serves as a great resource for parents looking to find all the info they need on getting ready for their babies.  Whether she’s writing her reviews or sharing tips on this site,she just wants to take care of her kids better and help parents live better with their loves.  Please visit livesnet and read her recent hot articles on uppababy vista stroller.

Photo credit: Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net  http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=1499

Totes:

Totes are great for storing all sorts of toys. Another advantage of totes is that they are extremely cheap. Totes are available in a variety of colors so they don’t look out of place in a child’s room.
They also come in different sizes and usually have lids. Place it anywhere you want; in the kid’s room, the living room, or the basement; a tote will fit anywhere.

Storage Cabinets:

Many types of storage cabinets are available for toy storage. The best type of toy storage cabinet comes with bins. The bins are made of soft material and are easily removable which makes them great for kids. Kids can easily remove the bin of their choice and put it back easily without having to call an adult for help. Another advantage of these cabinets is that they are of low height which is great from a safety point of view.

Toy Nets:

Children typically have a horde of stuffed animals. Kids may not play very often with stuffed toys but they do feel great attachment to them. Toy nets are great to store soft toys such as stuffed animals. Just hang the net in a corner of your child’s room. It serves the dual purpose of looking attractive and being functional.

Toy Racks:

Building toy racks early on in kids’ rooms can save you from a great amount of cleaning. It is an effective and practical way for storing toys. You can also place bins or baskets on the racks to store toys more effectively.

Toy chest:

Previously, toy chests were thought to be the best solution to keep toys. But the problem with toy chests is that kids just dump everything into the chest which is counter productive when you are actually trying to help your kid be tidy and organized. There are also some safety issues such as a child may hurt his fingers while closing the lid or the chest may topple over if the child is small. It’s a good place for storing old toys though. If you are considering buying a toy chest, make sure it has a soft lid and is well balanced.

This article was written by Mike Neil. Mike has been working in the toys industry for the last 5 years. Mike specializes in Lego toys.

Photo: flickr.com/photos/wendycopley/2354794207/

Rather than trying to make your child conform to the “rules of travel”, make your travel conform to the “rules of your child” by taking his changeling nature into account. Take note of when he becomes cranky, hungry, sleepy and playful, and pay special attention to what can trigger specific behaviors. When you understand what catapults him into gleeful bursts of unbridled energy, you have a better chance of circumventing unpleasant incidents. On the flip side, try to figure out the best methods of easing him into a more calm state of mind.

Armed with fresh knowledge about the whims of your child, you’re ready for the preparation and packing stages of traveling with toddlers. Talk with your child about your upcoming trip often and include her in your preparations by allowing her to pack a few favorite items on her own. She will most likely choose toys so be prepared to add your own choices to her travel bag. To help prepare your family for anything and everything, use the following sections as packing and planning guidelines.

Don’t Skimp on Sustenance

Toddlers have tiny tummies and feel hungry more often than adults do. Plan frequent restaurant stops, which will also provide potty breaks for toilet-trained toddlers and give everyone a chance to stretch their legs. Pack a good selection of healthy snacks with low sugar content, but don’t forget to include a few favorite foods for use in an emergency. In hot weather, be sure to keep perishables packed in an ice-filled cooler.

• Favorite fruits
• Cheese sticks or string cheese
• Whole grain crackers
• Yogurt
• Dry cereal
• Juice boxes
• Small cartons of milk
• Gummy Fruit snacks

An Eye on Entertainment

One of the most challenging aspects of traveling with toddlers is keeping them amused. If you have a portable DVD player, your child may be entertained for hours by movies or cartoons, but more energetic children often respond best to hands on activities. Parcel out some of the toys you pack over the duration of the trip to keep your toddler interested. In addition to games and toys, remember that all children love attention from a parent or beloved sibling. Make up interactive games to play with your child if he becomes bored with traditional activities.

• Favorite DVDs
• Creative toys like an Etch-a-Sketch or Fisher Price Magna Doodle
• Vtech or Leap Frog toddler laptops
• Crayons and coloring books
• Age-appropriate puzzles
• Toddler music players
• Picture books
• Avoid items with many small parts if possible

Cultivate a Little Comfort

When children become stressed or anxious, they crave comfort. Since you all have limited mobility due to seat restraints, you can’t always pick her up for cuddling. Offer some loving words and stroke her hair or legs to calm her before an all-out meltdown ensues. Another option is providing your child with some of the comforts she enjoys at home. The sight, smell and feel of home can help your toddler self-soothe and may even have the power to lull her to sleep.

• Favorite blanket
• Comfortable pajamas
• Pillows from home
• Stuffed animals

Always remember that toddlers aren’t accustomed to being stuck in the car for many hours and may act out in protest. A healthy dose of patience can help you deal with potential problems as they arise while also helping your child feel secure. Other ways to avoid unpleasantness when traveling with toddlers include driving at night when your child normally sleeps, having someone share the backseat with him and planning at least one picnic or outdoor excursion for a quick shot of energy-burning exercise.

This article was written by Olivia Nicholas. Olivia is a writer and mommy to twin boys. She is always happy to share her passion for life and experiences through her work, and in her spare time works as a freelance writer for Storkie.

Photo: flickr.com/photos/freeformkatia/5333101665/

When you start making the Christmas decorations, often you imagine that it’s up to you to provide the family with the best Holidays you can, creating everything by yourself. But instead, this is a great occasion to involve others, especially young ones. Kids love to do arts and crafts, and there’s a lot that can be done at a cheap price, and with just a few materials. Christmas arts and crafts for kids include so many things, and can last them for a long while. It promotes their creativity, their curiosity, and teaches them to create stuff with their hands. It’s a good pass time all around, and something all children should experience at some point. With the increased activity level and the time off that they get for this period of the year, now is the right time to start.

There’s a lot of different types of crafts that can be done. Garlands are great for pre-school aged children, because they are easy to do, and require nothing more than a large piece of paper and a pair of scissor. Make sure you’re always near the kid when they handle sharp objects. They can make all types of decorations from that single piece of paper, by simply cutting down shapes, like a snowflake, a tree or Santa himself. Then, if you have coloring pens, then they can color them off, before their decorations are put up in the tree. If you allow them some glue, they can start making more involved decorations as well, and that’s perfect for elementary school students. Kids can make lanterns or ornaments, out of a few pieces of paper, scissors and glue. In this case, you’ll need to wait for the resulting craft to dry up before hanging them in the tree. There’s all kind of other arts that they can do as well, depending what materials you have, from cookies, to pine cone trees, and angel crafts.

Overall, Christmas arts and crafts for kids is a great way to occupy them, make them use their ingenuity and imagination, and of course to get cheap decorations for your Christmas tree. While paper based decorations won’t look as good as store bought ones, they are more personal, and kids will appreciate seeing their work displayed for all to see. Christmas is a time for family to come together, and by doing such an activity, it’s a great start.

Photo: flickr.com/photos/48529410@N07/5207440201/

Share music. Music soothes the soul of everyone, parents and children alike. There are many ways to share music during the holidays. Put on some traditional holiday tunes and play them in the background throughout the day. Listening to “Silent Night” always soothes the soul. And, “Jingle Bells” is a perennial favorite. Or, set aside an hour at the end of each day for a family music get-together. Have everyone sing along with the song playing. Or, if you or any family members play a musical instrument, lead the show. Have lyrics available so everyone can sing along. Start playing a song and encourage everyone to sing along. If you own a piano, have your family gather around the piano as you play. Encourage your young ones to sit next to you on the piano bench. If you do not have a piano, have your children act like they are leading an orchestra as you play your instrument. Singing and music not only bring families together, but can relieve stress levels. Moms, in particular, will relish escaping everyday stress by getting lost in music.

Start a family tradition. Traditions are what the Christmas season is made of. Start a family tradition by introducing your kids to traditional movies such as the original “It’s A Wonderful Life”, “Holiday Inn”, “Scrooge”, “Miracle on 34th Street” or “White Christmas”. Kids love Clarence the Angel in “Wonderful Life” and Santa in “Miracle”. And, the songs and pageantry of “White Christmas” will leave lasting impressions. For even better results, bone up on your history of these movies to share with your family while watching.

Watch a fun video or movie together. Now is the time of year for an abundance of new or recently released holiday movies and videos. Choose five of the most appealing and take a family vote on the two favorite. Order the movies or videos, pop up some popcorn (a quick and tasty treat) and enjoy the event as family time. Laughter breaks the tension during this stressful time of year. Who doesn’t love watching Jim Carey as the Grinch? Or, the Muppets during the holiday season?

Treat yourself to a spa treatment. Every mom deserves some alone time, especially during the holidays. When out shopping for a day, take a couple of hours to schedule a foot or body massage at a local spa. Or, stop at the make-up counter and have a make-up artist do a makeover on you. Dads may want to treat themselves to a barber shave and hair cut, watch an uninterrupted football game or have their own foot massage. Everyone needs a good foot massage now and then. Pampering yourself is important for all parents during the Christmas season.

Shop online. Christmas shopping is part of the season, and the reason for increased stress levels. Instead of fighting holiday shopping crowds, sit in front of your computer and do your shopping. Many stores offer online sales not available to brick-and-mortar outlets. Have your little one sit on your lap while shopping and explain what is going on, so he feels part of the process.

Turn baking cookies into a family event. Christmas is the time of year when baking cookies is a tradition. If it is not a tradition in your family yet, make it one this year. Children love to get in the kitchen and emulate their parents. Turning your kids under five into active participants can lead to a lifelong love of cooking and food. Plus, it can lower your stress levels by easing your workload burden. After putting all the ingredients into a bowl, have one of your kids mix the ingredients together to feel like they are doing something. Children under 5 are curious, so answer all their questions about the cookie dough, cooking process and any other tidbits of information they want to know. Who knows, you may have a future professional baker in the making. After properly mixing the sugar cookie dough, place the dough onto a rolling board. Show your kids how to roll out the dough with either a large glass or rolling pin. Let them roll out the cookies and place them on a cookie sheet. Have your kids put some smiley faces with icing on the cookies. Or, give them a container of colored sugar to sprinkle on the cookies. Remember to thoroughly supervise your children under 5 throughout the entire time in the kitchen. You can never be too safe

Visit Santa as a family. Santa not only wants to hear from children under 5, but from parents as well. After your children have visited Santa, you take part and ask for a day trip somewhere. Ask for whatever you want. After making your wishes, have a family portrait taken with Santa. It will become a treasured family photo.

End each day leading up to Christmas, and even Christmas itself, with a nice cup of hot tea or cocoa. Finishing your day with your warm beverage soothes your nerves, stomach and mind. Enjoy the beverages while sharing stories about the day. Your family deserves it.

This post was writen by Tyla from AuPair.org.

Photo: flickr.com/photos/marquiroga/3093280848/

Find below some sibling advice that I had to give to myself:

Make a tradition. Whether you always eat Sunday lunch in the backyard or insist on Family Game Night well into their teens, give your children something to enjoy on a regular basis. A family ritual will strengthen your children’s bond (and their bond to you).

Let them fight. And argue. And agree to disagree. Rather than insist that your children be best friends in every situation, accept that siblings squabble from time to time (and sometimes even more often). Remember that it’s not easy to live with someone harmoniously all the time (you may have an argument or two with your husband every now and then??!).

Play sports. Whether it’s family football or rock climbing in pairs, athletics will improve team spirit within the family.

Make them work. Just like athletics breeds teamwork, chores that your children have to complete together will keep them in sync.

Let them laugh at you. Allow your kids to enjoy a chuckle at your expense –maybe not when you’re speaking at The PTA Barbeque—but enjoy their mutual amusement if you bake a lopsided cake or when you go on your invariable search for car keys.

Encourage common interests. If your children enjoy a day at the seaside but you and your partner prefer riding bikes down a country lane, give in to the kids’ matching request when possible. Your family will have a nice day, your children will be happy, and the sibling relationship continues to deepen.

Get together with family. The best way to promote future closeness between your children is to show them how it’s done. Invite your siblings and relatives for visits and family teas. Let your kids know how important you regard family and family bonds.

Praise their efforts. They can’t be best mates every day, but when they do share nicely or help each other, commend them for their sibling kindness.

This post was writen by April Paine. April is an American living in England and the co-author of The ABCs of Baby #2: Tips, Hints & Real Mum Advice for Celebrating the Arrival of Your Second Child, now available on Kindle, itunes and Sony Reader.

But from one parent to another, there are some great ways to keep your little ones distracted and entertained during the entire journey. To make sure you’re not exhausted before you’ve even began your holiday, day trip or mini break, it’s always advisable to have a few tricks up your sleeve.

Your children will definitely be pulling more tricks than treats during the journey, and as a parent it’s your job to be one step ahead at all times, even if you don’t feel like you are.

Plan Ahead: It’s in the Parents Handbook

If you’re traveling by car, there is a general checklist to follow. Have the children gone toilet? Check? Does this matter to your child? No.

First of all, it doesn’t matter how many times you frog march your children up the stairs for a toilet break before traveling in the car, it’s inevitable that at some point during the journey a little voice will chirp up in the background informing you that they need to go toilet. So, the best advice available is to plan for lots of toilet breaks, this way you avoid having to stop on a road side.

Parent Job Description: Provide Entertainment

If you hadn’t already known, it’s officially your role as a parent to provide entertainment whenever your child requests it – which is a lot. So, to avoid any unnecessary tantrums, screaming and headaches, plan lots of different games.

Sometimes it’s actually better to write down an ‘itinerary’ of all the games you have at your disposal, as this way, even when tempers get fraught you can whip something out on request, whether it’s a simple ‘spot the red car’ game, Eye-Spy, a portable DVD player, or handheld console – even if you don’t use it, it’s nice to have it there as a backup.

Strategic Planning

You don’t need to be in the army to plan strategically, and regardless of whether you’re travelling by coach, car or plane – there are a few little things that you can use to your advantage, specifically, the time you decide to travel at.

Going late at night or really early (I’m talking 3.00am) in the morning gives you the advantage, in that your children will be sleepy and more likely to sleep for all or some of the journey.

Now, as any parent will know a sleepy child is a grumpy one, so pack food and snacks for when they wake. It will simmer their temper down, and make the journey easier to bare. After all, food is one of the better weapons which enables us parents to sweet talk our little cherubs.

So, now you’re fully equipped with all this useful information, go forth and have a fantastic family holiday.

This article was written by Gayle Brown on behalf of StoneHills; their holiday homes are great all year long for family holidays in the UK.

Photo: flickr.com/photos/gracobaby/4408494427/

Refrigerator

Paint your box white, cut appropriate arm/head/leg holes. Cut open the front panel so that it swings open like a door. Inside the box, insert a second panel that will be between the body and the “door.” You can staple it on top and sides. Attach empty food items to this second panel, like boxes of butter, empty milk cartons and containers of yogurt. It might look like “just a box” from the outside, but swing the door open to dazzle!

Lego

All you need is a box and six margarine containers for this one! Spray paint both the containers and box the color of your lego of choice, glue the margarine containers onto the box , cut holes into the sides for arms, and voila!

Jack in the Box!

Take a box, add arm and leg holes, and cut the top panel on three sides so that it opens and swings back. Turn your child into a “jester” complete with make up and hat. Some wacky tights and “elf-like” shoes will be the final touches perfect for a Jack in the Box. A nametag “Jack” will be the icing on the cake.

Kleenex Box

This one is so easy and so cute! Make the box “wearable” with head, arm and leg holes. Then you can paint the box any way you like, writing “Kleenex” or “Tissues” somewhere. Then take white tissue paper and glue on near the top of the hole for the head. You can glue some tissue paper on a ball cap too for wearing and extra flair. Adorable!

Car

A box painted in wild colors just needs 4 painted pie tins on the sides to transform itself into a car! You can get as detailed as you want in the paint and the details or as basic and simple in “box-car” style as you like! You can even turn it into a Mario Kart car for your young children.

+ 1 Bonus!

Okay, so this one doesn’t involve a box, but it’s along the same train of thought and equally as amazing. Track down an extra large basket, cut the bottom out and attach two shoulder straps so that it can be worn. Then all you need is one extra large balloon or a whole bunch of regular size balloons. The more colorful, the better Tie strings to each of the four corners of the basket, bring them up about 4 feet and attach to the balloon(s). You’ll have an instant “Hot Air Balloon Basket!”

Freelancer Jocelyn loves to write about ways to have fun and live healthier within the family. When she’s not crafting or baking, you’ll find her at work writing for Electric Water Heaters.

Photo: flickr.com/photos/pwilley/258732148/

Once you are brave enough to agree to host a party this year, you need some kids’ Halloween party ideas that will ensure that all the little devils…er, angels have a spooktacular time. After all, if you don’t, your children will be the outcasts of their class if the party turns out to be lame. You don’t want that trauma haunting you for the rest of your life, so here are some terrific ideas to get your creative juices flowing…

Before deciding on any Halloween activities for kids, you should give some consideration to the ages of the children who will be at the party. There is a vast difference in attention span and abilities between a pre-schooler and a pre-teen. If you plan on having a mix of ages at the party, you really should find another adult to help you out. One of you can be in charge of the younger children, while the other handles the older ones. This will make things more fun for the kids and help you keep your sanity.

For younger children, stick to simple decorations and easy to understand activities. Sometimes we parents can get too into the spirit of things, and our kids’ Halloween party ideas become a bit too scary for little ones. The last thing you need is a mob of angry parents when their children wake up with nightmares from the realistic zombie costume you wore!

With older children, you can be more creative and get as creepy as you want. In fact, at a certain age children seem to delight in being as gross as possible. Show them that you can outgross them and you’ll have a successful Halloween party.

When considering activities, costumes are a wonderful place to start. Every child likes to play dress-up, whether scary or not. A costume judging contest can be appropriate and fun for any age. You could do a best costume, funniest costume, or even scariest costume (or all of the above). This is a good way to ensure that everyone gets some sort of small prize, such as a treat bag.

Kids’ Halloween party ideas can include crafts or food or both together. What better way to kill two birds with one stone than by having the kids create the food and then eat it? This could be as simple as decorating cupcakes to creating fanciful creatures with candies stuck together with icing.

As you can see, there is a vast range of things to choose from that will keep the kids busy. Your goal should be that they have a good time without trashing the house or hurting themselves. So let your imagination reign free, and you will find kids’ Halloween party ideas flowing like crazy.