DIY Bingo Game for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Recently, Mia came home saying she won something out of the prize box at school. Turns out she's been playing BINGO at pre-school! For the 3-5 year olds at school, they were playing  BINGO with pictures. To take the game a step further, I made a custom BINGO game for us to play at home so Mia could practice writing and recognizing the sound of letters - for free! Here's how to make your own free custom DIY BINGO game to play with toddlers.

Materials (instructions for each below)
blank BINGO cards
DIY BINGO markers from cardstock
clip art with a picture for each letter of the alphabet (i.e. apple, banana, cow, dog, elephant, etc)
Cost: ZERO!

Instructions: blank BINGO cards
1. Open a word doc. Or just search the internet for one to print off.
2. "Insert" a "table" with 5 rows and 5 columns. Right click your table and go to "table properties". Set each row to be 1.5 inches.
3. Type BINGO at the top, above your table. Adjust letter size and spacing as necessary. Don't forget to type FREE in the middle box!
4. Print as many as you'd like!

Instructions: BINGO markers
1. Use a craft punch to punch circles out of card stock. If you don't have a craft punch, use scissors or a paper cutter to cut squares. The number you'll need will depend on the number of players (at least 25 per player). My pink and grey circles are Valentine's Day party leftovers (via The TomKat Studio) and the purple circles are leftovers from Mia's Winter ONEderland birthday party.

Instructions: clip art for each letter of the alphabet
1. Open a new word doc.
2. Search for clip art for each letter of the alphabet and copy and paste into the word doc. (i.e. apple, banana, cow, dog, elephant, etc). I liked the free clip art at mycutegraphics.com. She even makes it easy by having pictures for each letter readily available.
3. Double click the image in the word doc and resize the height/width to be 1 inch. All 26 images should fit on one page.
4. Evenly space out each image on the page so your toddler can easily cut each picture out with straight lines.
5. Print and have your pre-schooler cut each picture out. 

How to play:
1. On the blank BINGO card you printed out, have your pre-schooler write one letter in each box. Don't duplicate any letters. Have each player do this for their own cards.
2. Put all pictures in a container (box, basket, bucket, etc).
3. Have your toddler pull out a picture. Have them figure out what the first letter for that picture is (i.e. apple = A). If that letter is on someone's board, they can mark it with a BINGO marker you made.
4. Take turns pulling pictures and continue play until someone gets 5 in a row!

Mia was super excited to play with us and I don't even think she realizes that she's "learning" at the same time!

 

linked up with Tatertots and Jello

DIY Printable Paper Dolls

After Mia and I had a peaceful breakfast on the balcony on a quiet Saturday morning, I wanted to make use of our non-busy time at home while Doug slept in a little longer. Well, most of the time she "read" me princess stories from my IKEA catalog while I enjoyed my bagel, warm coffee, the unseasonably cool summer breeze and the little person behind this vast imagination.

We made easy DIY paper dolls together thanks to free printables from Mr. Printables. All you need are the printables, scissors, tape and fifteen minutes! Mia likes to dress, undress and change their interchangeable clothes. According to Mia, these girls live in a castle in Evanston while the {royal} ball is in Northbrook. Sounds like we have a future North Shore girl on our hands! She requested boys or other dresses, but there are none. However, there are cute Halloween costumes and winter outfits! We'll definitely be cutting those out for a rainy day activity. 

Normally I would let Mia cut out our paper projects, but the round and small patterns would've been difficult for her three year old hands. Mia had no problem patiently waiting for me to cut and tape each girl and outfit.

They even come with tiaras or bunny ears for their heads.

And it's always a plus when toys can be cleaned up nicely! The paper dolls and outfits easily stack when not in use.

And this little lady insisted that I take her picture as well. 

Check out Mr. Printables for other free kids activities, like this USA map puzzle and alphabet wall art. 

DIY Hair Clip Tutorials

One afternoon with Mia, we had an hour to spare before Doug got home from work. Rather than doing our usual this and that, I knew I had to make the most of my day off with her. Instead of continuing to put off projects, always claiming that I don't have enough time to get them done, I finally decided to just do something. After rounding up our supplies, Mia and I made a dozen DIY hair clips. The next day when Mia excitedly showed Grandma her new accessories, Grandma asked, "Did Mommy make those for you?" Mia said, "No, we made them together." And that's why I knew I had to make the most of that one free hour we had together. Here's how to make DIY alligator clip accessories for the little girls in your life...

Time: Depends on the style and how many you make. Took me 2 hours to make 12.
Supplies/Cost: 
Alligator/Single Prong Clips - $3/12 I bought mine from a local Sally's Beauty Supply over a year ago
Scraps of Fabric/Ribbon/Tulle/Felt - any material you want
Buttons/Flowers - any doodads you can find
"Shabby Chic Naked" Flowers (in #1 and #4) - $4 from a Very Jane deal
Needle/Thread
Hot Glue Gun
Total Cost - 60 cents each!
Instructions: See below for each style.
Notes:
1. Since I was making these for my own daughter, I didn't take the time to hide the back of the clip with felt. If I were buying hair clips from someone else, I would definitely expect them to do this, which makes it softer on the child's head and is a more finished look.
2. Also, prep/cut/hand sew all your designs and then glue them to the clips all at once. That way your hot glue gun isn't sitting on for too long while you hand sew each piece together.
3. When you hot glue each one to the clip, make sure you open the clip while it dries so you don't glue the clip shut!

1 - Simply hot glue fabric flower to alligator clip. My fabric flowers were purchased, but you could make your own rolled fabric flowers like I did here.

2 - Take a 24 inch strip of tulle and tie the ends together to form a circle. Hold three fingers up and with your fingers in the middle, wrap the tulle around until there's no more. Tie securely in the middle with a piece of twine/thin ribbon. Now you should have a tulle bow. Take 2 small flowers, layer them and hand sew them to the middle of your tulle bow. Slide your alligator clip through the back of your twine/thin ribbon. If that doesn't seem secure enough, hot glue to clip. 

3 - Make a bow lout of 3 pieces of felt like I did here.

4 - Layer two different sized/colored buttons and hand sew to middle of fabric flower. Hot glue to clip.

5 - Tie a bow like you would on a present or your shoe lace. Adjust to your liking. Slide clip through the loop in the back of the bow. If that doesn't seem secure, hot glue to clip

6 - Cut a strip of felt. Glue ends together. Cut hearts from felt. Cinch middle of felt loop and hand sew heart to center. Hot glue to clip.

7 - Same instructions as seen here for the singed flower. 

8 - I've seen these cabachon flowers all over lately. I hot glued three of them to a tiny strip of felt. Then hot glue the strip of felt to the alligator clip.

And there you have it. Pretty {and cheap} little accessories for the little girls in your life!

linked up with Tatertots & Jello

How to Make a DIY Fringe Party Backdrop

A reader asked me how to make the DIY fringe party backdrop seen in my Glam 30th Birthday Party featured on Hostess with the Mostess. I wrote this tutorial up so you can easily recreate the look for upcoming events. This is for you Brittany!

I was inspired by the DIY project over at Shiny Happy Sprinkles, but didn't want to bust out the sewing machine. Here's a DIY fringe backdrop tutorial that is no-sew, requires 4 basic materials, is super simple (you know how to use scissors right?!), and budget friendly (only real cost is tissue paper). The time it takes and amount of tissue paper you'll need depends on the desired backdrop size. I just covered my TV, so I only needed 10 sheets of tissue paper and 30 minutes the night before my party.

Time: 30 minutes - will vary depending on desired size of backdrop
Materials:
- Tissue Paper (10 sheets covered my TV - will vary depending on desired size of backdrop)
- Ribbon/String
- Tape
- Scissors
Cost: $5
Instructions:
ONE - Cut a piece of string a little bit longer than the desired length (horizontal) of your backdrop. For me, this was the length of my TV + a few inches. Open two sheets of tissue paper next to each other to make one long piece (or as many sheets as necessary for your desired backdrop length). Place string down the middle (horizontal), tape it down in just a few spots.
TWO - Fold tissue paper in half over the string.
THREE - Keeping (a) the ribbon in place at the top and (b) the top fold in line with itself, fold your tissue paper in half, and then half again and one more time. This will speed up the cutting process so you cut through multiple layers of tissue paper.
FOUR - An inch from the left, cut vertically from the opening (bottom) of the tissue paper to the top (towards the ribbon), without cutting through the ribbon or fold. You do not need to cut perfectly straight or even lines. Repeat cutting inch wide strips, all the way across the length of your tissue paper.
FIVE - For some texture, crumple up the strips a bit and then smooth them out. Unfold your tissue paper. You just created a row of fringe!
SIX - Pick up each end of the string, with tape handy, and from the bottom of your wall, tape the fringe in place.
SEVEN - Repeat steps 1 through 6 to create each row of fringe until you reach your desired backdrop height. Tape each row right above the last, with some overlap.

{My little party planning assistant}

And that's it! What do you think? Cheap and easy with a big wow factor, right!? My favorite kinda projects! You can check out other parties I've styled here and other cheap and easy DIY projects.

linked up with Home Stories AtoZ and:

Choose happy.

While Doug gave Mia a bath the other day, I forget what they were talking about {those two talk a lot}. But I overheard my three year old say, "Because we choose happy. Right?" Hearing her sweet little voice remind my husband how we should decide to feel each day {and understand what it means} made me one proud mama.

In our tiring, busy daily lives, there are countless nit picky things that can upset us. But really, there are so so many overlooked blessings to be happy about...When changing out my birthday party decor, this free printable from Paper Coterie graced my inbox and it couldn't be more perfect. Mia's at a whiny age right now. Having a simple visual reminder for us to choose happy definitely minimizes her meltdowns and reminds me when to breathe and not sweat the little stuff.

99% of the time, she is one happy little lady. "Mommy take my picture here. I'm taking lots of pictures because I'm the flower girl!" Get other free printables here to add a fresh dose of springy sunshine to your day. Have a wonderful week!

30th Birthday/Favorite Things Party {Pink, Gold & Glitter}

**Thank you for the full party feature, Hostess with the Mostess!**

To celebrate my 30th birthday, I didn't want to go to a bar {those days are long gone} or go to a restaurant where all night, you can only talk to the same four people sitting next to you. Since most of my girlfriends are also turning 30 this year, I thought it'd be fun to celebrate all of us with a Favorite Things Party! Click here to see my inspiration board.

These stemless wine glasses were vases at my previous two parties, but this time they were candle holders. Get the tutorial for the DIY tissue paper fringe backdrop here!

I embellished plain white gift bags so everyone could take their new favorite things home. Since the party was to celebrate all our birthdays, every bag included a simple {~$10} gift that I specifically picked out for each long-time friend.

Speaking of more wine, check out my wine & cheese birthday party here.

DIY tags and food tents/picks so we knew what appetizer, drink or dessert everyone brought.

Is it weird that this little bow tie around the napkins was my favorite detail of the entire party??

How a Favorite Things Party Works: Each person thought of a favorite thing that costs around $10. They brought 3 of that same item. Each person’s wine glass had a number at the bottom and I had numbers 1-12 folded up in a bowl. Daniela, my first guest who arrived at the party, had the honors of drawing a number first. Whoever’s number she drew, she received their favorite thing. Then that person went and drew a number and so forth. Everyone explained their gifts as they were given out. We repeated the drawing from 1-12 three times so everyone went home with three different favorite things!

I also requested everyone bring a favorite appetizer, drink or dessert. The twelve of us gathered 'round my dining table to enjoy a delicious spread of food while catching up since it's not often we all get together anymore.

After our bellies were full, it was time for a quick little game of Guess What Year?! I went through my photo albums from 8th grade on up (when I started organizing my own pictures) and found a picture of me and each guest. I love that I've known each of these girls anywhere from 9 to 27 years ago! Trying to guess the year of each photo and where we were was a perfect way to reminisce and retell stories from our younger, less than finer moments.

Thank you to every single one of my long-time friends who came to celebrate this milestone with me. Love you guys! Cheers to what the next 30 years will bring us! And let's not forget the most memorable words of wisdom for the night...red wine in your Cheerios does not mean lower cholesterol!

Favorite Appetizers, Drinks or Desserts: Art of Pizza, Spinach Dip Crescent Rolls, Bacon Wrapped Dates, Filipino Eggrolls, Giordano's Salad, Great Beijing Spicy Chicken Wings, Rumchata,  Prosecco + Peach Bellinis, Polka Dot Riesling, French Silk Pie, Chocolate Filled Strawberries and lots of cheeeese!

Favorite Things: Necklaces, HomeGoods Linen Spray + Mason Jar Candles, Nicholas Sparks DVD - 4 movies in 1, Loreal Shampoo and Conditioner, Starbucks Giftcards, Vosges Haut Chocolat, Essie nail polishes + Clif Shot Energy Gel + Orbit Gum, Oregon Chai Tea + Biscotti, Bath & Body Works hand soaps and candles.

Sources:
Party Styling & Photography - a {day} with lil mama – me!
Favorite Things Party - inspired by Inchmark and Day Dreaming and Sight Seeing via Kara's Party Ideas
Birthday Party Invitation – TinyPrints
Free Wine Printables – Hostess with the Mostess 
Free Gift Tag Printables - Ellinee 
DIY Fringe Backdrop - inspired by Shiny Happy Sprinkles
Square and Rectangle Appetizer Plates - World Market
Black & Gold Votives, Black Napkins - Party City
Gold Frame and Bowl - Target
Gold Glitter Tape - Shop Sweet Lulu

In the evening, Mia called me to say, "Mommy, I wish I could drive home to have fun at your party." Oh Mia, she sure loves girl talk with mommy and her friends. She also wondered, "Mommy, why are your decorations pink? Your favorite color is red." *sigh* love her!

 

Sweet Surprises

Happy {almost} Friday! If you're stopping by from Mia's Princess Ballerina Party featured on Kara's Party Ideas today, hiiii!  Feel free to check out other parties I've styled here.

My baby girl's birthday party knocked two things off my {unwritten} blogging bucket list - getting featured on Tatertots and Jello and Kara's Party Ideas! Yippee, thank you ladies!

Another recent sweet surprise was a package I received from Pick Your Plum. I knew I hadn't placed an order with the daily craft deal site recently, so I wasn't sure what was inside.

After sharing how I used their french fry cups, PYP sent me more goodies to DIY my little heart out! The hand-written note topped off this sweet little Thank You package. Now that is customer service that keeps people around. 

Speaking of DIYing my little heart out, I better get started on the party I'm hosting next weekend!

90th Birthday Party: Photo Themed Decorations

As I mentioned last week, recently we celebrated my Grandma's 90th birthday. {Thank you to my aunt who let us use her restaurant.} With my Grandmother's well kept photos, we highlighted milestones in her long and successful life to look back and celebrate all that she's done. Here's a look at her photo themed 90th birthday party decorations...

We Love You Photo Collage Banner
While waiting for the best spread of Thai food I've ever seen, friends and family could take in this "We love you!" photo collage banner I made with wrapping paper, red cardstock and photos in the shape of a heart - {inspired by Emily Mughannam}.

Photo Family Tree
My Grandma is the tie that binds this family together. I am so so glad that {almost} everyone came to the house my Grandma purchased in 1975, where we could bond over good food, shots of Rumchata and late night card games {where I may have lost $180}. With this life size family tree, we were able to showcase our growing family...

Yarn Wreath and Yarn Pom Flowers
My Grandma knit/crocheted a baby blanket for all seven of her great-grand children. She's made countless hats and scarves for anyone who will take them. Although I ran to Michael's many times to buy her yarn, I regret never taking the time to learn how to knit/crochet from her. This DIY yarn wreath and yarn pom flowers were a nod to one of Grandma's many talents.

Small Floral Centerpieces
My Grandma loves all things beautiful in nature and according to my dad, would grow roses wherever she went. I re-arranged small flower arrangements for each table from grocery store bundles. Rather than tablecloths, each vase {really stem-less wine glasses} was wrapped with gold glitter tape and laid atop a cloth napkin {shop your house!!}.

 Each centerpiece held two photos - one self portrait and one birthday celebration of years past.

Photo Timeline
Since my Grandma maintained her photo albums with notes of who, where and when each photo was taken, it was easy to put together this timeline starting with her and her 11 siblings, my aunts and uncles as young children, my aunts and uncles in their first house in the US, and my grandmother with each grandchild and each great-grandchild.

Truly amazing how one woman who immigrated to Chicago by herself in 1968, laid the foundation for the lives of over twenty of our family members and friends and generations to come. We love you, Grandma B.

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