Creative summer slumber party for kids: Backyard stargazer bash

Summer vacation is the perfect time for kids trapped indoors during the school year to reconnect with nature (it's also an excuse for parents to knock off work and get some much-needed mental refreshment). Why not attend to both of those needs with a stargazing family slumber party, compliments of Mother Nature? Here's all you need for this easy, inexpensive (darn near free) family fest. Creative summer slumber party for kids: Backyard stargazer bash . For free printable star charts, night sky maps and astronomy activities, visit this link Free Printable Star Charts and Astronomy Lessons.

Easy Kids 4th of July Party Planners--History, Crafts, Games, Food, Fun

Here's a blowout of crafts, games, activities, coloring pages, food and fun for 4th of July.


Check out my friend Karen Barnes' printable coloring pages article. Karen is the goddess of cool printable crafts.

And for 4th-festival sweet treats recipes, here are tummy-yummies from my pal Linda Ann Nickerson--4th of July Desserts and Treats.

My buddy Marie Anne St. Jean shares pet-friendly 4th of July picnic ideas (I love the costume ideas!).

From food guru (and all-round fun gal) Debbie Henthorn, here are No Ho-Hum Burgers--Entrees for the 4th of July.

Crafty Kay Wittenhauer shares this crocheted patriotic wreath pattern (My hat is off to yarn divas. In my hands, needles become weapons of mass destruction!)

Sylvia Cochran provides links for 4th of July history lesson plans and crafts. I love how she groups them by age-appropriate level.

Music is a must for celebrating our nation's birthday. My gal pal Carly Hart shares patriotic play list for 4th of July parties.

How about throwing an America birthday party for a fun and educational 4th of July? Children and adults of all ages will love these inexpensive games, crafts, activities and food.  Easy Kids' 4th of July Party Planner with U.S. History Ideas.

However you celebrate the 4th of July, be safe. If you're working, thanks for your contribution. 

Top 10 Fathers Day Gifts for Dads of Any Age, Interest, Budget

Written for Christmas, this article offers appropriate gifts suggestions for Father's Day, too. Why is it that holiday shopping for women is so easy, but finding gifts for men is so difficult? Fathers are especially challenging to shop for. Got a few hard-to-shop for dads on your holiday giving list? Here are the top 10 gifts that are sure to please Dad.

One of the difficult parts about shopping for dads is that some of them say, "I don't need anything for Christmas." You and he both know that you are still going to get him a gift, however. So take him at his word. Buy him a gift that he doesn't need, just for fun. The secret to holiday gift-giving for anyone, especially Dad, is to buy something special, unrelated to work and a little frivolous. Most dads don't buy many luxuries for themselves. Spoil dad a little. I don't mean that you should give dad a useless gift. Remember "Billy Big Mouth Bass," the singing fish plaque? That's not what I mean; give dad a gift which will be a special treat and still useful. Read more at Top 10 Holiday Gifts for Dads of Any Age 

Costumes, Not Booze or Food, Are the Best Part of Mardi Gras

What's the best part about Mardi Gras in New Orleans? According to the Huffington Post, most people prefer the booze cruises. I disagree. For me, Mardi Gras is all about the parades, music and best of all the wonderful costumes. Would Mardi Gras be as fun without the alcohol? Absolutely; teetotalers get to enjoy all the color and flavor without the hangover or the unpleasant after-taste. I actually have more fun because I didn't miss everything in a drunken fugue. Read more at Costumes, Not Booze or Food, Are the Best Part of Mardi Gras

Free Printable Valentines Day Craft Activities and Decorations

Free Printable Valentines Day Craft Activities and Decorations Looking for cute free Valentines Day craft activities and party decorations? Here are websites full of free printable crafts, games, party supplies, greeting cards, valentines and holiday activities. Perfect for classroom valentine exchanges and parties. These are perfect for home and classroom use, day care, senior centers, craft clubs, 4H, scouts, church groups and more. Read on...

Free Printable Diwali Games, Rangoli Craft Activities, Party Decorations and Greeting Cards

Free Printable Diwali and Rangoli Crafts and Activities Here are free printable Diwali crafts and activities. Diwali means 'row' or 'garland of lights' in Sanskrit and is referred to as the 'festival of lights'. In the Indian calendar, Diwali is celebrated in late Ashwin (September-October) and ends in early Kartika (October-November). Diwali 2012 is celebrated on Nov.7-13 in the western calendar, by Hindus, Sikhs and Jainists around the world. Click here for printable party activities, cards and decorations. Read on

Free Printable Rosh HaShanah Activities

Free Printable Rosh HaShanah Activities L'shanah Tovah Tikatevu Ve Etahetem! Rosh HaShanah is the Jewish New Year and is celebrated September 17-18, 2012 on the western calendar. Rosh HaShanah precedes Yom Kippur (September 26, 2012) in the Jewish month of Tishrei. Here are printable activities for Rosh HaShanah. Rosh HaShanah is the first of the two Jewish high holy day. It falls on the approximate date when Moses led the Hebrews out of bondage from Egypt. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement is the second high holy day in the Jewish calendar. These days are a time for reconciliation and repentance. Referred to by Hebrew people as the Days of Awe, the sacredness of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are equivalent in importance of Easter for Christians. To wish someone good Rosh Hashanah, say "Shana Tova!" Read more