Tag Archives: art

Mommy 101, Parenting 101, Product & Gear

Educational Activity Kits for Kids

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My new “normal” of juggling work from home, schooling from home and just being home ALL THE TIME, is making me anxious. On the one hand, I was thrown back to my days of being the stay at home Mom when the kids were still rolling around in a stroller…which is sort of like self-quarantine, because one thing I always craved was adult interaction.

Fast-forward, now the kids are school age and while they are self-sufficient in some ways, distance learning and keeping them (educationally) engaged are the new challenges. I try to give my kids balance, some screen time as long as they complete school assignments, and then encouraging them to play outside or inviting them to join me for my walks and workouts.

However, a common theme and complaint is the “I’m bored.” I wish it was as easy as saying, well let’s go here, or why don’t we invite so and so over for a playdate. *sigh* All this to say, I created a roundup of Children’s Activity and Craft Kits/Boxes/Sets…ideas really that are all “Aubrey Approved!”

I do this segment (for work) of items that I hand-pick and create product roundups with a theme. I felt this one was very necessary, since I’m sure many parents are also looking for different activities and projects to keep their kids busy, while also having some fun.

The thing I like about these items is they offer multiple activities and really help the kids be creative and encourage them to think independently to complete the tasks and assignments.

Among my picks are artistic pieces the kids can bring to life, STEAM and STEM, coding, cooking, jewelry making and current events centered projects. From monthly subscription boxes to one-off projects, I put something in the mix for everyone!

Watch the video for all the details and here’s the complete rundown of items for more info!

Parenting 101, Video

Sidewalk Chalk Art Mosaic

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I’ve been taking my queue from social media and other photos I’ve seen posted by my fellow Mommy friends, as far as activities and things to do with the kids while we shelter in place. An easy, yet fun and creative project is to make your own mosaic with sidewalk chalk! I have also seen this done on windows too.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-aeyZYju7i/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

It’s a pretty simple activity for any age, toddlers on up…and the only supplies you need are tape – we used blue painters tape, and the chalk! I purchased the $1 chalk tubs at Target and found the tape there as too, but I’m sure you can find these items at the dollar stores or other arts and crafts and school supply aisles! You can use your imagination to lay it out however you please. We decided to create a star. The first thing I did was lay out the outline of a star, then I criss-crossed the tape to create smaller shapes within out star for several spaces to create our mosaic.

Another nice thing about this project is you can do it as a family, or the kids can divide up the spaces that need to be filled in or they can even do it solo.

I really enjoyed seeing my boys take some time to plot out what colors they would use, and there is no right or wrong way to do it. I encouraged them to use all the colors and make it their own.

Plus, after being home for a few weeks, it was nice to enjoy the fresh air and just be…let those creative juices flow!

Perhaps the most satisfying part of the project…pulling up the tape and seeing the big reveal!

Mommy 101

Decorating A Family Home

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Brushing the wall by people

Your home is your own corner of heaven — a place where your family members will interact, enjoy quality time together, and share important events; the nest in which you’ll raise your children; the palace you’ll return to whenever you need comfort and calm. A family home is a space for traditions and heirlooms, to-do lists and laundry, and sticky fingerprints that are frequently removed from the walls. It’s a collection of rooms that are familiar and beloved; a shelter from harm. Your home is your world, and decorating it can become something of a labor of love.

Five top tips for the perfect family home

Decorating a home is a personal endeavor, during which the needs and desires of each family member should be taken into consideration. However, if you’re stuck for inspiration consider the following tips your starting blocks…

Put functionality to the fore

Before you begin waving color charts or wielding brushes, consider how each room of your home is to be used, and how you can preserve the functionality of the space. For example, your kitchen will require plenty of clear surfaces and storage space, while the bedrooms should be reserved for moments of calm and restfulness. Decorating your home should be as much about furniture and accessories as it is the shades you’ll be using — ensure you’re creating a home that works for your growing family.

Be bold and bright

Decorating a family home is a fantastic opportunity to experiment with colors, patterns, and shapes; if you can’t mess around with primary colors and geometrics when you’re raising a young family, when can you? A family home should be bright and friendly, fun and practical. If you’re nervous at the thought of applying bold colors, consider using wall decals, borders, and colored soft furnishings to add character to each room. These can be changed at regular intervals, allowing your family home to grow and change as its occupants flourish.

Make the most of natural light

Natural light is one of the greatest resources we have access to, and yet so few of us make the most of the sunlight that bursts into our homes on a daily basis. Sunlight has the ability to brighten the smallest of spaces, lighten those dark, unfriendly nooks, and make even the pokiest of spaces appear large and welcoming; it’s a miracle worker that so many homeowners have yet to harness. Installing plantation shutters is a great way to make the most of natural light, controlling its flow in and out of the home, and helping to regulate the temperature during periods of extreme heat or chill – oh, and they look incredible, too.

Get smart with storage

It doesn’t matter how carefully you decorate your home — if it’s filled with clutter, few people will notice the consideration you’ve paid to color. If you’ve decided to decorate your home, dedicate a little of that time to the kinds of storage you have available. Can you get rid of a little clutter along the way? Are you really making the most of the space you have available? Funky toy boxes and hanging baskets are fantastic for children’s toys and belongings, while cupboards under the stairs are seldom used to their full potential.

Don’t be afraid to decorate it with love

Finally, never allow yourself to be ruled by home décor sites or mood boards; your home is a safe haven from the world outside, and should be decorated to reflect your family’s passions, characters, and quirks. By all means take inspiration from elsewhere, but don’t let yourself be dissuaded from hanging your children’s artwork, or allowing your little people to choose how they decorate their rooms. Stamp your family members’ personalities on those walls, and ensure that decorating your home becomes a real group effort — your family home should show a little piece of everyone.

The colors, patterns, and accessories that you choose to adorn your home are, of course, up to you. When decorating your family home, you can pay as much, or as little, notice to sites such as Instagram and Pinterest as you wish. What really matters at this point is your budget and determining how your family will be using those spaces over the coming years. Make your mark, allow your children’s personalities and creativity to shine through, and always, always, strive to make yours a happy home. It’s the least your family deserves.

Mommy 101

Summer Stop: Chicago with Kids

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We jump started our summer with a trip to Chicago after school let out. And, what I love about the Windy City is that there’s so much to do and see for all ages, and one place I always make it a point to visit is Millenium Park!

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Turns out there’s a new addition adjacent to the park since our previous visit to Chi City and that’s Maggie Daley Park. It’s near the Lake Michigan Shoreline and is filled with awesome play structures for climbing, sliding, jumping, running, etc… It’s pretty massive and there are several areas for imaginative play! My boys loved the castle/tower structures, and my advice for parents is to keep your eyes peeled, because as big and exciting as it is…you could easily lose sight of your child. However, if you’ve got your runnign shoes on, the play structures can accommodate grown-up sizes too!

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A couple of the other fun areas for more boys were the ship and the lighthouse! Where were these kinds of playgrounds when I was a kid!?

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Okay, so back to “The Bean.” I don’t know what it is about this piece of art, but people love it, it’s a total photo opp and so we stopped for a snap there too. The boys really got a kick out of looking at their reflections in its metallic shell .

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Exploring both of the parks an certainly be a day long outing or even two days… There’s plenty to play see and do. I love looking at the tall skyscrapers in the backdrop, or Lake Michigan to the east. And — for lunch, it’s an easy walk into downtown for some food and shopping too!

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And — while Buckingham Fountain is a sight to see at any time of day, if you can, cruise by at night when it’s lit up in different colors to a musical soundtrack!