Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts

Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter Tea Party with printable activities

You don't need to have a reason to throw a party. You also don't need to spend any money. I found that out, as a homeschooling mom with many kids, living in a cramped mobile home on a shoestring budget. So I declare today, Alice in Wonderland Day, for no other reason than that it is cold and dreary and Through the Looking Glass is a frabjuously good story. 

Here's a way to celebrate Alice and her friends with activities from Disney's the old cartoon version, Tim Burton's new versions and Lewis Carroll books "Through the Looking Glass," "Adventures in Wonderland" and "Jabberwocky." Start with free printable Alice in Wonderland activities from the Tim Burton version. Print Disney coloring pages from the cartoon here.  

Of course, have a Mad Hatter tea party with these Alice in Wonderland crafts, birthday party decorations. Use free printable valentines as Mad Hatter tea party invitations, thank you notes, greeting cards and party supplies. Or have a Valentine's Day party with a Red Queen of Hearts theme? How about a Mad Hatter tea for kids birthday parties or a Jabberwocky theme for tweens and teens. Or use as an inspiration for a Jabberwocky Halloween costume!

Have guests dress as the Red Queen, White Queen, Mad Hatter, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, Alice, the Cheshire Cat or Blue Caterpillar. Use free printable Lewis Carroll Alice's Adventures in Wonderland coloring pages for vintage images, clipart and crafts. Here are Alice in Wonderland movie activities and lesson plans,  free printable tea party crafts and Disney Alice in Wonderland tea party invitations. 

Check out recipes for tea party snacks, too. 

Free or Crazy-Cheap Children's Birthday Party Activities: Ways to Save Money on Party Games, Crafts, Food, Decorations

I love party planning, especially children's parties. But I don't love spending money. Not because I'm a cheapskate--I just see no reason to support corporate greed overpaying for birthday party supplies when I can make my own better ones. Here's a DIY party planner guide for free or cheap kids' party activities, games, crafts, food and decorations based on  KISS (Keep it simple, sweetie).

* DIY kids' birthday. Birthday parties for children should be fun for parents, not just kids. But they won't be if you're stressed out. If mama and papa ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. And you can keep yourselves and your kids happy if you keep it simple. Contrary to popular belief, kids are very easy to please. Most (regardless of age) would rather just play with friends at birthday parties than have a bunch of fancy trappings.

* DIY party decorations. Run screaming from overpriced décorations at Party City, etc. For birthday parties for children. DIY it. Use free printable party supplies. Check this blog for printables on just about any theme. Put the money you save toward presents. Your kids will enjoy gifts more than throw-away decorations and so will the earth.

* DIY birthday parties for children at a park, beach or playground. Some kid party venues charge $15 per guest. Parks are free and often have bathrooms and trash cans for easy cleanup. Park parties mean less wear and tear on your backyard, too. You can run over-rambunctious guests and circumvent potential behavior problems. Choose one close to home with a pavillion, in case of emergencies or bad weather.

* KISS--Limit guest list at kids' parties. My kids party planning rule of thumb is one guest for every year the child is old, including siblings and the birthday child. I don't recommend making kids invite their whole class to parties. It's awkward and hurtful as guests who are invited only because parents force it often feel left out. And please, speaking as a teacher, don't let kids distribute party invitations at school. That's a recipe for disaster.

* Award everyone (or no one) a prize for party games. Competitive games don't work for several reasons. It's sometimes difficult to determine who won. It encourages greed and ruthlessness. Avoid prizes and also keep little take-home goody bags simple. If you do prize bags, give useful stuff like school supplies. Pick those up SUPER cheap at back-to-school sales and squirrel away for parties.  Make-it-take-it crafts do double duty as party activities and treat bags. If you're giving out goody bags at the end, skip prizes.

* DIY kids' party food. Picnic foods are great for a kids party-- hamburgers or hot dogs (precooked and stored in foil-covered, disposable pans). Make huge sub sandwiches and cut into single servings. Or let guests make their own pizzas--Dollar Tree has mini pizzas 2/$1. Provide water bottles or juice boxes. Serve individually-packaged ice cream novelties. Make cupcakes instead of a cake. Let kids decorate their own. Pop in candles before serving so you can sing to the birthday child.


These party planning tips make for win-win kids parties

Free printable Epiphany worksheets, Three Kings Day activities for Twelfth Night party

Jan. 6 is Epiphany, also called Three Kings Day, Dia de Reyes and Twelfth Night. On Epiphany, Catholic and Orthodox Christians celebrate the visit of the Magi (Three Kings, Wisemen) to Baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Orthodox Christian churches observe the Baptism of Jesus, called Theophany "vision of God") on Epiphany as well. Twelfth Night, not Christmas, is the major gift-giving holiday in many countries. Here are free printable Epiphany lesson plans, Three Kings Day crafts and Twelfth Night activities. In French, Latin and New Orleans traditions, Epiphany kicks off Carnivale which counts down to Mardi Gras. King Cake is eaten  Free printable Epiphany worksheets, Three Kings Day activities for Twelfth Night | Examiner.com

Free Printable Disney Frozen Coloring Pages and Crafts

Disney Frozen is the most popular Disney movie in ages. Anna and Elsa are tow of the best-loved Disney princesses. Here are free printable Disney Frozen coloring pages, crafts and party games. I've linked to other free printable Disney character crafts too. Perfect for a little girl's Frozen themed birthday party! Free Printable Disney Frozen Coloring Pages and Crafts

Free Printable Disney Princess Party Supplies

Disney princesses have been loved by little girls for decades. Snow White, the first Disney princess aired in Disney's first full-length cartoon in 1937. Here are 200+ free printable Disney princess coloring pages. Print and use for Disney party crafts.  Free Printable Disney Princess Coloring Pages, Crafts, Party Supplies

School Memorial Day Pageant and Party, Educational, Patriotic, Nostaglic

Memorial Day, the last Monday in May goes by several names: Remembrance Day and Decoration Day. It falls on May 26, 2014, this year. We honor fallen military and our loved ones who have passed. Teachers and homeschool families, here's an educational Memorial Day pageant planner with U.S. history tie-ins, American patriotic themes and a vintage flavor. Educational, Vintage Memorial Day Student Pageant and Party

Free Printable Spider-Man Coloring Pages and Party Crafts

Calling all Spiderman fans--the Amazing Spider-Man 2 opened last week. Planning a Spider-Man themed birthday party? Then you need these free printable Spider-Man coloring pages. Use them for invitations, greeting cards, decorations, crafts, placemats, even games. You could even color and fold and staple to make party loot bags. Or wrap presents in coloring pages. There's a fun child-minder activity to keep siblings occupied during party preparations! Free Printable Spider-Man Coloring Pages

Recycled Earth Day Crafts, Spring Birthday Party Activities

Hosting an Earth Day event? Or maybe a spring birthday party? Need cool recycled crafts? Why not repurpose that ubiquitous plastic milk jug from landfill fodder to sand toys or gardening tools? Make a set of eight tools. Perfect for Earth Day, preschool, school, scout troop, 4H group, camp and day care. Perfect small hands and young gardeners. Reuse or recycle. You will need: -two clean plastic milk jugs per child

-permanent marker

-scissors (children's Fiskars scissors work great) Read on Beach Sand and Gardening Toys from Recycled Plastic Milk Jugs

Easy, Edible, Eco-Friendly Easter Bunny Crafts

Spring is in the air! Time for Easter crafts-baskets, candy, baby animals and best of all, bunnies! Looking for cute Easter bunny-themed crafts to make? Here are three easy, ultra-cute projects for ages 2 to 102 (don't forget seniors--they love crafts too). Perfect for a secular Easter party. Easy, Edible and Eco-Friendly Easter Bunny-Themed Crafts

Easter Bunny-Themed Crafts and Snacks

Spring is the time to think Easter parties. Easter crafts-baskets, candy, baby animals and best of all, bunnies! Looking for cute Easter bunny-themed crafts to make? Here are easy cheap crafts and bunny snacks for parties. All ages will love them.  Easy, Edible and Eco-Friendly Easter Bunny-Themed Crafts

Disney's 'Frozen' Party Treat Recipes, Winter-Themed Snacks

If you see one movie this winter, make it "Frozen." It's an arctic adventure like Hans Christian Andersen's "Fairy Snow Queen." Disney's Frozen is a perfect theme for a winter birthday or just-because party. Here's a menu of Frozen-inspired snacks kids will love.  Disney's 'Frozen' Party Treat Recipes, Winter-Themed Snacks for Kids

Host a Jack and Jill Guys and Gals Bridal Shower

I just wrote about the bridal shower we threw for our oldest daughter. And a friend asked if it was "Jack and Jill?" Meaning unisex, where both genders were invited. It was and I've actually written articles on hosting a shower where men and women were invited. I'd never heard it called "Jack and Jill" and I like that term better than others, like genderless shower. Read on. Host a Jack and Jill Genderless Bridal Shower

Free Printable Valentines to Cut and Color

Yea! It's almost Valentines Day party time (say the kids). Boo, more work and stuff to buy (says the tired overworked parent). Well, no need to do or buy anything, busy mom. The free printable goddess has you covered. Printable valentines cards, crafts, party decorations. Print in black and white and put those restless kids to work coloring and making their valentines. That should keep them busy for a good hour while you and I have a glass of wine. Shall I pour? :) Free (Yes Free!) Valentines to Print, Perfect for Snowbound Kids

Celebrate Chinese New Year 2014 Year of the Horse Party

Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, begins late January or early February on the western calendar. CNY 2014 starts January 31. It's Year of the Horse. Here are easy, inexpensive ideas to throw a CNY festival in class or at home. I've included horse-themed activities. Celebrate the 2014 Chinese New Year With Kids

2014 Chinese New Year of the Horse Crafts for Parties

Chinese New Year begins early this 2014. January 31 starts new year and the Lantern Festival ends it about two weeks later. This year, we celebrate the Year of the Horse. CNY is also called the Spring Festival. I'd love to visit China--all that festivity! The theme is Good Fortune and the expression is written how westerners would say it "Gong Hay Fat Choy!" a wish expressing luck for the coming year. Here are free printables for a Year of the Horse party.  2014 Chinese New Year of the Horse Crafts for Kids  2014 Chinese New Year of the Horse Crafts for Kids 

Free Chinese New Year Year of the Horse Party Printables

Chinese New Year 2014 celebrates the Year of the Horse or Wu Ma. It begins January 31 in 2014. Hosting a CNY party? Here are free printable resources, lessons, crafts, puzzles, games, decorations. There are Kung Fu Panda and lantern festival crafts, too. Teachers and homeschoolser, use these for world connections.  Free Printable Activities for the Chinese New Year

Host a Harvest Apple Party! Crafts, Activities, Recipes, Printables

Looking for a non-scary Halloween party theme? How about apples? Apples are the perfect party theme for fall harvest frolics. Here's an interactive apple activity planner with crafts, recipes, art, creative writing, math and more. I've added free printable apple-themed crafts and worksheets for activity extenders.  Preschool Apple Unit, Cross-Curricular Hands-on Crafts, Activities, Recipes 

Family Glue Recipes: Organize DIY Events, Festivals

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 day Relationship Glue Recipe and Family Glue Recipe with bonding activities to keep families close.

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 (this article contains links to get one of those old kits!) Read on for tips Family Glue Recipes: Organize, Host Your Own Events, Festivals 

Double Duty Bridal Shower Decorations, Prizes, Wedding Gifts

I've said before that I'm a party gal. I love planning festivities with a low-cost, repurposed, recycled, homemade Here are cheap, double-duty party prizes and bridal shower prizes and wedding party gifts for receptions or showers. Reuse decorations as game prizes, bridal gifts and thank-you presents. Here are suggestions. Double Duty Bridal Shower Decorations, Prizes, Wedding Gifts 

Homemade Printable Valentine Cards for Kids---Free!

Valentine's Day card exchanges are a rite of passage in preschool and elementary school. Homeschool groups, scout troops and religious education classes often exchange cards, too. Here are free printable DIY valentines to share. These free printable valentines come courtesy of Family Fun magazine. What's more fun than Valentine's Day card exchanges? Making your own valentine's that look completely different than everyone else's!  Free Printable Valentine's Day Card Crafts for Children

Pinterest

Follow Me on Pinterest

Search This Blog

Blog Archive