Budget Graduation Open House Planner, Shopping Guide, Recipes

Hosting a graduation open house and clueless about where to start? Or maybe you're on tight budget and want to do a cheap (but of course nice) party. Or maybe you waited till the last minute to organize your graduate's open house. Regardless, this party planning guide will help you throw the perfect backyard bash! Here are recipes plus shopping lists for groceries, supplies, decorations and equipment. Being the perennial penny pincher, I've listed cheaper and DIY alternatives--to save you money and hassle! Make these cute graduation cap cookies with recipes included. Oh, and if you can't find square chocolate cookies, you can use chocolate candy squares, like Hershey's. I think I forgot to mention that.  Budget Graduation Party Open House Shopping Guide With Recipes

Easy Winter Olympics, Snow Games Party for Kids

Raise your hand if you've had it with winter. You parents and teachers must be especially tired of dealing with bored kids stuck inside. How about an end-of-winter blowout? A winter blues buster: throw a snowtastic party. Celebrate the closing of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and extend the fun with your own game variations. Here are safe, easy snow activities requiring no fancy equipment. Extend Winter Olympics: Easy Snow Games and Sports for Kids 

Cheap, parent-friendly kids' birthday party tips

As a mom to four kids, ages 24 to 14, I've planned a plethora of kids' parties. I'm also a teacher and I've hosted numerous classroom events. I've had some great successes and colossal fails. From those experiences, I've put together a list of tips for parents on planning kids' parties. These activities work for both gender parties. I did a lot of parties as a "single mom" as my husband worked a lot and couldn't help. I've written these tips with single adults in mind. Being a frugalista, these hints focus on cheap, homemade party ideas.  I've included some free printable party games and crafts, too. Cheap, parent-friendly kids' birthday party tips 

Easy, cheap kids fall birthday party tips

Got a child with a fall birthday? Autumn is a great time for an outdoor birthday party. Sometimes, fall outdoor parties are easier to manage because it's cooler. Here's an easy, cheap kids' birthday bash, suitable for preschool to elementary age children. I've included tips for food, crafts, games, activities and cleanup.  Easy, cheap kids' fall birthday party tips

Memorial Day and 4th of July Backyard Water Park

Red, White, Blue and Green! 4th of July Backyard Water Park Memorial Day and 4th of July means family picnics, backyard BBQs and lots of summer fun! Here's a complete DIY patriotic water fun park with 10 activities that you can set up in your backyard. All the guests, young and old can enjoy the fun! Be sure to make a separate area for the land lubbers who wish to stay dry. Your lawn gets a good drink of water and everyone can cool off. Educational and fun! Read more...

Cheap Sweet 16 Party Planner

Inexpensive Backyard Sweet 16 Birthday Party Planner: DIY Dance Floor and Beach Cabana Bar For our oldest daughter's Sweet 16 birthday party, we pulled out all the stops on our creative energy. Here is an inexpensive backyard Sweet 16 birthday party planner with music, dancing, non-alcoholic beach luau bar, diy cake, treats and games. Read More

Winter Olympics Outdoor Games Party Planner

Winter Olympics Activities and Lesson Plans for School or Homeschool
The Olympics make a great subject for study in the classroom or homeschool. Winter Olympics 2010 is a celebrates talent, athletics, health and wellness and multi-cultural interaction. Here some ways to bring the Olympics into your lesson plans. Read More

Last Minute Little Girl Party Planner

Last Minute Birthday Party Activity Ideas Everything's all set for your little girl's outdoor birthday party. Suddenly, rain. No back up plan? Twelve little girls arriving? What do you do? Here's my no fail last minute Murphys' luck club party planner. Read on

Red, White and Blue Foods for the 4th of July

How to Make Patriotic Salads, Appetizers Veggies for the Fourth of July!
Bet you didn't know you could have your patriotic theme, your healthy vegetables and eat them too! Red, white and blue salads and veggies! Read on

Host an Great Inexpensive Open House

Do's and Dont's for Hosting a Cheap, Open House Graduation Party
Graduations are approaching fast! Whether you will be hosting an open house for a junior high, college, high school or even kindergarten graduation, these parties can become very costly. View more »

DIY Haunted House for Halloween

DIY Haunted House for Halloween Details for activities, sound effects, decorations and costumes for an authentic spooky haunted house, right out of Dark Shadows. This would be a great literature, art or theater class activity. This haunted house could be outdoors in a church, garage, barn or school, too. View more, if you dare