Free Halloween Pumpkin Carving Patterns to Print

Carving the traditional Halloween jack-o-lantern is a time-honored rite of trick-or-treat. I learned recently that in the UK, they use pumpkins for Thanksgiving. Want cool pumpkin carving stencils for your jack-o-lantern? Here are free printable pumpkin stencils. Hershey's, the candy people, pages of free printable Halloween coloring pages, and one webpage devoted to free printable pumpkin carving stencils. Pumpkin carving patterns include bats, cats, ghosts, witches, a bubbling cauldron, a spider, zombies, a haunted house, a mummy, a pirate Jolly Roger, fall leaves, Happy Halloween logos and more. Some sites have religious pumpkin carving templates. Free Printable Halloween Jack-o-Lantern Pumpkin Carving Stencils for Trick-or-Treat

Dress up Fun From Your Recycle Bin

Got rainy-day, can't go out to play bored kids? If you need a fun fix fast, I'm your go-to gal. My ideas cheap, easy and parent-friendly. Your recycle bin is your best ally. Today's boredom first-aid: homemade hats. With Halloween approaching, why not start those costumes? Use for school projects, too.  Rainy Day Recycle Bin Crafts for Kids--Homemade Hats 

Free Educational Games, Websites, Printables for Children

 Last week, the American Library Association observed Banned Books Week. Not celebrated--the ALA recognizes the impact to the reading public when books are challenged. And it hopes to educate people on the essence of allowing all books to have a place on the shelf.

The ALA is a celebrating a milestone in children's literature too. It's the 75th anniversary of the prestigious Caldecott Award for best illustrations in kids' lit. And the ALA in its Association for Library Service to Children, has compiled a comprehensive collection of educational websites for kids. Games, crafts, reference, coloring, puzzles and more.  Free Educational Websites, Printable Learning Games For Kids

Best Childrens Charities for Holiday Toy Drives Operation Christmas Child

Back to School sales are a great time to stock up on stocking stuffers for Christmas. They're a great place to find cheap gifts for holiday toy donations. Looking for a good children's charity to give to this holiday season? Try Operation Christmas Child from Samaritans Purse. This group collects Christmas shoeboxes with gifts for needy kids around the world. To participate, fill shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, articles of clothing, personal care products, candy, books. The website lists suggestions and what to avoid (breakables, liquids, war toys). Print a shipping label from website and indicate age and gender the box is for. Include $7 donation for shipping (a pretty fair deal considering weight and goods shipped). Boxes are due Nov. 18-25 and drop-off locations listed on the website.  This makes a great lesson in building empathy. I forgot to add that little portable car games make great box stuffers. Best Childrens Charities for Holiday Toy Drives Operation Christmas Child

Organize, Host Your Own Events, Festivals, Games

We've been married 26 years and raised four kids. From first-hand experience, I can say, the disconnected family falls apart, but the family does things together stays together. I've been writing a daily relationship glue recipe and Family glue recipe with bonding activities for all ages.


A favorite is hosting my own events and festivals. I got the idea from the old Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Carnival. You could buy a kit and host your own backyard carnival. I never did but wanted to as a kid, so I reprised it as an adult.   Family Glue Recipes: Organize, Host Your Own Events, Festivals

Throw a back-to-school bash with games, crafts for kids

Labor Day is a bittersweet holiday. It's a time of summer endings and fall beginnings. Why not start the school year off on a fun note with a back-to-school party? Here's an easy and cheap kids' party plan for students in preschool to middle elementary.

* Choose a positive theme. This gets kids excited about school. Make it a shoe theme with the slogan "We're putting our best foot forward." Or do a football theme--"Kicking off a great year." Get your creative groove going and involve kids. Here's more on crafts, food, activities and games. Perfect for home-school and public school and parochial school kids! Throw a back-to-school bash for your kids

Cheap Summer Family Fun: DIY Slip and Slide

Having raised four kids in a single-wide mobile home, I know about living simply. I redefine frugalista, tightwad mama. Are you in need of cheap summer family fun? Here's an idea that kids of all ages can enjoy: DIY Slip and Slide. It's made from recycled stuff, too! Very green. You get double bang from this toy--it's a bathtub, too. So when kids are done playing, no need fight the battle of the bath! Here's how:  Cheap Summer Family Fun: DIY Slip and Slide