Black Friday is just a few weeks away and you may be missing that Toys R Us wish book. Toys R Us was always the kids toy store with great deals on the biggest shopping day of the year, and parents across the country would line around stores hours before they opened to get them. I have some good news and bad news. The brick and mortar stores won’t be back for the holidays after the company’s bankruptcy this year. But the company is putting popup stores in 600 Kroger-owned stores in select locations. The selection will be small – maybe 35 items and the Toys R Us stores are expected to be temporary.
Motivational Daylight Savings Cards
The time to set our clocks back is coming soon now that the long days of summer are over. Smartphones keep most of us on time no matter if we are springing forward to Daylight Savings Time, or falling back to Standard time. But, for some of us, if we don’t pay attention, the jump by an hour may come as a sudden surprise regardless of whether we live by our smartphones or not.
While I’m preparing for that move back an hour as winter arrives, I need to find a way to help my kids become accustomed to the time change too. “Alphamom” has thought of a few ways to get your kids involved in the time change routine by exploring the fun of Daylight Savings Crafts. The process of catching onto what may be a difficult concept for many kids can be more easily broken down with an educational and creative art activity.
My favorite idea from this website is the Spring Forward cards. The same concept can be applied for Fall Back to Standard Time. Print out these little cards for your children to decorate and pass out to friends and family.
DIY Fall Back Reminder Cards
What You’ll Need
- Cardstock
- A printer
- Pipe cleaners
- Markers, crayons, pencils, gel pens, or paint
- Anything else you’d like to use to decorate such as glitter glue or stickers
- Scissors
Card Assembly Steps
- Using a word processing or other appropriate program on your computer, create a template for a small card that your children can decorate. The template provided by Alpha Mom features the words “Spring Forward!” at the top, and a reminder at the bottom: “Don’t forget to set your clock an hour earlier on Sunday.” You can follow the same pattern but with wordage that’s appropriate for Fall.
- Print your template out and cut out the cards.
- Let your children cut out small circles and create clocks to attach to the cards.
- Wrap pipe cleaners around a pencil or pen to create a spring/coil effect
- Glue or tape the pipe cleaner to the front of the card and the back of the clock to create a bouncy, springy effect.
- Let the kids decorate the clocks and cards with crayons, markers, stickers… whatever inspires their creativity
Tips for Extra Punches of Originality
An easy way to give this particular craft some colorful flare is by using unconventional materials or effects that fit with a fall inspired theme.
Go Bold With Black
If we’re getting ready for shorter days and longer nights, why not accentuate that theme with black paper and vibrant neons or metallic writing materials? Mystery Metallic Gel Crayons are a beautiful way to decorate a pitch dark night sky made from black coloring paper. A card made with these pops of vibrant, glittery color will be sure to get everyone in the mood for fall while giving them a reminder card they won’t forget.
Try Metallics for Fall Flare
Another stunning way to decorate your card for adults and children alike is to use Modern Metallics Colored Pencils. Use glimmery reds, rusts, and golds to highlight the crispness of fall colored leaves. Or try covering the card first in a misty background of sparkly color created by Sparkle Watercolor Gel Crayons before adorning your card with fall leaves on top.
Whatever method you choose to create the look, these cards are the perfect way to teach your children about the complicated concept of Daylight Savings time. And they’ll have a ton of fun passing them out so that you and all of your family and friends will be reminded and prepared!
Did You Know Your Preschooler’s Apps Are Full Of Ads?
Our lives are driven by our electronic devices, and our kids also spend a lot of time surfing the net and playing on apps. Some children get cell phones or tablets before they can walk. But did you know that screen time for kids also means getting bombarded by ads while they learn their ABCs and how to count?
Save More Money With the Best Restaurant Deals and Apps for Families
Sometimes you want more than your home cooking or a hamburger from a local fast food eatery. But if you have kids, dining out can be expensive. Thank goodness some restaurants offer free meals for kids so parents can enjoy being served instead of serving. You can check your local restaurants for deals, but here are five of the best restaurant deals (and some reward programs and apps) that will help you save money next time you’re out.
Here Are the Best Online Shopping Sites for Affordable Kids Clothes
Shopping with your child can be exhausting. You have to fight the crowds, go through racks of items, and if you are lucky, your kids will find something they like in a couple of hours. Is it any wonder that some of us put it off until our children can’t zip their pants or their shirt buttons are falling off?
Car Seat Recommendations: How To Find The Right One For Your Child
Children of the 70s and 80s rode in the front seat of the car with their parents and sometimes in the back of a truck unrestrained. Nowadays, we know it’s safer to make sure our children are properly restrained. From the time a child is born until the child is between eight and ten, parents need to have a car seat.
How to Have a Fun Frugal Halloween
Your kids are probably getting excited at the thought of all the trick or treating candy, but they are probably planning their costume, too. Costumes can get expensive with some as high as $100. That’s a lot of money for some families to spend on something your child will likely wear just once and then outgrow. But don’t worry. There are a number of great frugal Halloween ideas that will keep your kids happy without spending the money you are saving for Christmas.
Child Savings – More Than Money in the Bank
How early is too early to start saving?
Warren Buffett’s multi-billion empire arguably started at age 6, when he bought packs of gum at his grandfather’s grocery store and spent his evenings selling them door-to-door in his neighborhood. The successful gum enterprise soon led to selling six-packs of Coca-Cola, which led to delivering the Washington Post and later to magazine subscriptions. Throughout his childhood, Buffett challenged himself to earn more and save more. By the time he was 11, he had saved $114 (or about $2,000 in 2018 dollars) and invested in his first stock. The rest, as they say, is history.
5 Fun and Affordable Fall Family Vacations
Many schools give the kids a fall break and it’s the perfect time for a quick getaway. You probably don’t want to dip into your Christmas money, and you don’t want to break that piggy bank. Here are 5 fun ideas for family vacations on a budget — and a few free things you can do too!
Expecting a New Family Member? Discover These 5 Strategies That Will Prevent You from Racking up Debt
When you’re expecting a new family member, one of the first concerns that comes to mind is finances. From diapers and baby food to checkups and babysitting fees, there are not just heavy expenses but several expenses that add up quickly. Are you financially prepared?