Toddler Matching Game- Shapes & Numbers

Now that we’re quarantined and can’t leave the house, we’ve been looking for activities to keep Hailey busy. She’s been getting a LOT of screen time, so I wanted to make something for her that was fun, easy and educational. Also, bonus points for something that didn’t contain 3,000 pieces for her to throw on the floor and for me to pick up! That’s when I came up with the idea for this felt educational mat- a toddler matching game, if you will. I knew we could teach Hailey her numbers and shapes, but she could also play with it on her own while we cooked or just relaxed. It was perfect timing when Cricut sent me their new Cricut Joy machine, which I’ve been eyeing since they released it! Whether you’ve got a small hobby room or even just a craft cart in the corner, this machine is perfect for you! And, there are SO many projects that you can make with it. If you’ve been on the fence about getting the Cricut Joy, here is the universe telling you- it’s time. Get it now, and see how many amazing things you can make! You won’t regret it.

*This post contains affiliate links.

You will need:

Free Template (here)
Cricut Joy (here or get the bundle here)
Cricut EasyPress 2 (here)
Cricut Smart Iron-On Vinyl (here, I used white)
Cricut Joy StandardGrip Mat (here)
Cricut Starter Tool Set (here)
Cricut EasyPress Mat 12 x 12 (here)
Felt pieces for the shapes (similar here)
Thick Felt (Stiff or Double Thick)
Felt glue (here)
Velcro (here)
Glitter paper (similar here)
Ruler or T-Square (similar here)
Tailor’s chalk (similar here)

Directions:

This project has a lot of small steps, but is simple to make. So, I split each part up into smaller pieces so that it’s less overwhelming of a blog post.

Prepping To Make Your Toddler Matching Game:

1. Open the template on Cricut Design Space. The template is free to use and can be found here.

2. Cut your paper template using cardstock. I took one page and cut it in half, and ran each one through the Cricut Joy on the StandardGrip Mat. This paper template is for the felt matching shapes.

3. Load your vinyl into the Cricut Joy. I used Cricut Smart Iron-On Vinyl (here, I used white), which means I didn’t need a cutting mat.

4. A couple of notes when cutting vinyl: When using an Iron On, always go shiny side down. And, remember that you want to cut the numbers backwards so that they are mirrored. I’ve already done this on the template, so you don’t need to worry about it!

5. Weed your vinyl using your weeding tool, then carefully cut out the shapes individually. You’ll want to leave the protective (shiny) layer on so that you can iron it.

To Make The Toddler Matching Game Mat:

1. Arrange the vinyl shapes on your felt. Try to keep them centered on the mat and lined up.

2. Once you’ve arranged your shapes, use a ruler to make sure they’re straight. I did this by placing a T-square under the first shape and then lining up the rest of them along the ruler’s edge.

3. Set up your Cricut EasyPress 2 to the appropriate settings. You can use their handy Heat Guide but for this project, you’ll use 280 degrees for 30 seconds with light pressure.

4. Put your felt on the Cricut EasyPress Mat, and use your Cricut EasyPress 2 to iron on the vinyl.

5. Once your vinyl has cooled, carefully peel off the protective (shiny) layer.

To Make The Shapes For Your Toddler Matching Game:

1. Pick out your felt colors. I used 4 colors and figured out which shape should get which color by using pom poms. This ensured that each color wasn’t too close together. 

2. Take your cardstock shape templates that you had cut out and arrange them on the corresponding felt colors. Make sure that you have plenty of space around each shape so that you can cut it out afterwards.

3. Slip your vinyl numbers under the template and ensure (once again!) that you have enough room for each shape.

4. Use your Cricut EasyPress 2 again to iron your numbers. Note: You can also use the EasyPress Mini for this! Especially if you’re using scrap pieces of felt, where the larger EasyPress would just be too big. Let cool and carefully peel. You’ll now be left with a sheet of felt with a few numbers on it.

5. Place your shape templates back on the vinyl to ensure that your number is centered in the shape. Trace around your shapes with chalk. Then, cut them out.

To Make The Envelope For Your Toddler Matching Game:

1. Cut out your envelope pieces from felt. I used a rectangle that was 5 x 2.5 (aka, smaller rectangle) and then a second piece that was approx 5 x 7.5 (aka, the house side).

2. Take your larger 5 x 7.5 felt rectangle. Fold the two top corners into the center to meet at a point and then cut at the folds. This will create your point at the top while still keeping it nicely centered. Hence, the nickname “the house side”!

3. Take your “house side” of felt and put felt glue along the two side edges. Then, place your 5 x 2.5 smaller rectangle on top. See the pics for reference on how to make the envelope since it’s a bit funky!

4. Turn your envelope over and put glue on your envelope as shown in the picture. Then, press it down on your felt mat and wait for it to dry.

5. For the heart, I used my heart punch but you could just as easily cut one using the Cricut Joy with the Light Grip Mat.

6. Glue your heart onto the tip of your envelope point. Then, add a piece of velcro to seal it.

I’m happy to say that Hailey LOVED playing with this matching game! She hasn’t quite gotten the hang of matching the shapes and numbers, but she loves to play with the felt shapes and put them on top of the vinyl on the mat. She’s gone back to it every day, and has even put down her iPad to fiddle with this! It makes a momma so happy. 

Although this project has a few steps, it’s really fun to make and quite simple. It keeps Hailey busy and it’s pretty to look at! And, it all tucks away nicely into the envelope to make clean-up a breeze. I leave this out on the coffee table to she can have easy access when she gets bored. I can’t wait to make more projects like this using my Cricut Joy!

Starting today through 4/25, Cricut is launching their Spring Cleaning Flash Sale, featuring 40% off select materials and accessories, and Explore Air 2 Machines at their lowest price ever of $179.99! In addition, snag a Maker Machine for $329 or a BrightPad for $49!

Explore Air 2 Machines at Their Lowest Price Ever - As Low as $179.99! Valid through 4/25 

Maker Machines Starting at $329! Valid through 4/25  

Save 40% off Select Materials! Valid through 4/25 

Save up to 75% off Materials & Accessories Clearance! Valid through 4/25

Cricut.com is offering Free Economy Shipping on orders $99+ with code SHIPAPR or APRSHIP, and Cricut Access Members receive free shipping on orders through 4/30. Head over to their website and load up your cart girlfriend- let’s get crafting!

25+ Easter Egg Fillers (That Aren’t Total Crap)

Now that I'm a mom, I see how toys can accumulate REAL QUICK. The worst ones are the useless crap that no one wants. You know... the stuff that kids play with for 2.5 seconds and then abandon forever. Easter is definitely a holiday where this plays out, particularly when it comes to filling up Easter eggs. I mean.... they're so small! What can you really put inside that's worthwhile? With the sheer volume of disposable junk we put into the environment, I wanted to highlight some ideas for easter egg fillers that aren’t total crap. Instead of candy and awful little toys, try these ideas for fillers that both you and the kids will LOVE. 

Psst: If you’re looking for Toddler Basket ideas, check out this post!

Easter Egg Fillers

Rings- You can DIY a bunch of rings really easily using some supplies you have around the house! You can also make rings using gemstones and metal rings. Kids love playing dress up, and they're sure to use these gems to play princess. Or, teach them how to make their own shop and "sell" them to their stuffed toys- or each other!

Stickers- Not sure what it is about kids and stickers but they love 'em. I still have my collection from when I was young! Do a mix of Easter stickers and ordinary pastels to keep the theme, but also make them actually usable outside of Easter. This is also great for encouraging trading amongst the kids!

Activities- It's a fact- people prefer experiences over material possessions! Fill the eggs with clues for your activity plans, and watch the kids guess. You can take them to a movie, go bowling, visit a local museum, etc.

Easter books- While these won't fit in the eggs, you can give books as prizes for Easter egg hunts! Include a print-out in the egg to show the kids what they get. If you have multiple families, this is also a great way to get rid of excess books, or shift around your collection to introduce some new books! I've got a list of our faves here.

Movies- Encourage them to work together! Add letters for a movie title to each egg (like H-O-P) for a DVD they can all watch together. If you do this more than once, color-code the letters so they know which letters go to which word. And, keep a list for yourself to reference in case you forget what's what!

Chalk- You can DIY some egg shaped chalk that fits perfectly into your eggs, or break up some pieces to fit. Toss a chalkboard into their Easter basket, and they'll be entertained until Christmas! Or, at least until the end of the month.

Snack tickets- Have a basket with their fave fruit snacks, chips, goldfish crackers, etc and let them choose one for each ticket. This is super affordable AND useful! Kids love their snacks and hey- I do too! I've got some free printable snack tickets here.

Seeds- This is super easy, affordable, and seasonal! Give the kids a packet of seeds that they can plant and watch grow. You can get individual packets, or buy a larger pack and create smaller envelopes for the seeds using card stock.

DIY Kits- Make use of that craft stash! Put in embroidery floss or a bead kit so they can make their own bracelets. If they're too young for that, try pre-made bracelets.

Puzzles- Break up a puzzle into several eggs and have the kids come together to make it. Have a special puzzle piece with a sticker on the back to decide who gets to keep it at the end!

DIY paper clips- This is a great idea for older kids or those who use planners, need a bookmark, etc. Make some cute paper clips using pom poms or felt cutouts. You can also make some cute tassel ones!

Pom poms- these are perfect for young kids and can be used to make crafts or even to d some learning exercises, like matching colors or practicing fine motor skills. And best of all they're super affordable!

Magnets- kids love magnets and it’s a great way to keep them entertained! You can get letter magnets, animals, fruit… pretty much anything!

Coins- This is great for older kids- and a great way to get rid of all your coins! I remember that any money as a kid was AMAZING to receive. Throw in a few rolled up dollar bills, and the kids are sure to love the hunt!

Washi Tape- A fun way for kids to decorate their eggs, tape up their artwork, and more! You can get large packs of these at Michael’s, Amazon, or even at your local dollar store!

Hair bows- Here’s a super useful filler! They’re small and affordable, plus you can totally DIY some if you want too!

Cars- Depending on the age of your kids, you can probably grab some cars they haven’t played with in a while to stuff the eggs! You can also make them a track using tape on the floor or draw it on a poster board. Then they won’t mind getting some of their old toys back!

Legos or Lego people- This is a great way to spread one useful item across many different eggs.

Band Aids- Like stickers, kids love band aids. Add some fun printed ones and they’ll be ecstatic!

Pebbles- My daughter has a thing with pebbles that I don’t quite understand. Grab some from the yard to fill your eggs, or get some fancy ones in pretty colors.

Plastic animals- These are prefect for playing and adding to dollhouses or playsets. I like to paint my animals to be pretty, but you could also add some fun embellishments like a tutu or a sweater.

Fruit snacks- Pop a pack of fruit snacks or puffs into an egg for a fun and nutritious snack!

Crayons- kids love to draw, so pop some crayons into the eggs and let the kids color after they finish their hunt! Stick a coloring book into their Easter basket and you’re good to go.

Finger Puppets- These are so small and you can get them in all sorts of designs. You could even DIY some too!

Game Pieces- Throw a few pieces of their favorite games into the eggs and gather together to play once you’re done!

A prize bucket- Make coupons for your kids to pick their own prizes! You can write something like "prize ticket" for larger items that won’t fit into the eggs like pencils. (Pssst- I've got free printables for that here)

Once you've got all your egg fillers, don’t forget to make bunny ear headbands for all the kids! These are easy to whip up and can be customized in any style. And as a bonus, they’re no sew!

I hope these ideas were helpful, but I've gotta know- what do you put into your Easter eggs?!

Free Printable Easter Egg Prize Tickets

I've always loved doing Easter egg hunts. I remember that one year, my aunt hid the eggs for us to find. We found them super fast, so then we traded- my sister and I hid the eggs for my aunt and younger cousin to find. After a while, he was complaining because there were SO many eggs to find and we had hidden them really well! We hid empty eggs just for fun, but I think part of the fun for kids is getting a prize at the end.

Psst: If you’re looking for Toddler Basket ideas, check out this post!

The usual tradition is to put candy or junky little toys inside, but I figured there had to be a different solution. I have a blog post with over 25 non-candy fillers that aren't total crap, but first I wanted to share these cute coupons! You can print these out on white cardstock and cut them out easily using scissors. I cut around each ticket individually, but to make it MUCH easier, I recommend getting a paper cutter and cutting around each one and leaving a white border.

Using these coupons is simple- fill your eggs with a coupon or two, and then have your kids trade them in for prizes! You can use them 1:1 (aka 1 ticket = 1 prize) or set up an arcade system where you can pool tickets for larger prizes. As for the printouts, I've got several options- tickets that say what they're for, tickets that only have a picture on them, and blank tickets that you can label yourself. Use them all however you'd like!

Once you've got all your egg fillers, don’t forget to make bunny ear headbands for all the kids! These are easy to whip up and can be customized in any style.

I hope these ideas were helpful, but I've gotta know- what do you put into your Easter eggs?!

10 Survival Secrets From A Stay At Home Mom

With all the isolation/social distancing going on out there, I figured this would be my time to shine and finally share all the ways that I keep myself sane while staying at home with my daughter. I’ve been a stay at home mom (SAHM) since she was born, and then became a work from home mom (WFHM) about a month after she was born. I definitely made some mistakes when I first started, so I’m hoping to make it easy for you and give you some guidelines that will help you to hit the ground running like a rockstar. The truth is that so many people are home now, for an extended period of time, and no one planned for this. So, here are my tips to make it as easy as possible for you!

*This post contains affiliate links

10 Survival Secrets From A Stay At Home Mom

1. Create a loose schedule. Plan out breakfast, lunch, and activities. Try to keep it as close as possible to what your kids are used to at daycare or school. This doesn’t have to be super detailed- just something like time to wake up, time you’ll be eating, and when activities and naps will be scheduled for. This helps you to flow through the day, knowing that you don’t have to entertain them for 10 hours but instead that you’re doing different tasks in time blocks of 1-2 hours.

2. Plan some activities. Look on Pinterest based on the ages of your kids- there are hundreds of ideas! It doesn’t have to be complicated though. Set up a jump rope competition, hula hoop- keep them moving to burn off that energy. Do reading time, or play store, do crafts, listen to music and dance- anything goes! I’d make a list of 20 activities that you can do and then work from there when you feel overwhelmed.

3. Go with the flow. This is SO IMPORTANT. If your kids are having fun, let them be. If they don’t want to do the craft project you planned out, try again another day. I found that when I tried to schedule the day too much, nothing was fun. I was frustrated that nothing was working out according to plan. However, I found that when I loosened up and let Hailey lead the way, she could know me new ways to play with her or just let her do her thing and try something new.

4. Let them explore, play and be kids. This kinda goes off the last one- let the kids do what they want. If you think you can Pinterest the crap out of your day and they will follow through, you’ve got another thing coming. And that thing is STRESS. It’s not just kids- I’ve even noticed that when I’ve tried to plan too strictly for my friends, I end up with stuff that doesn’t get done because we were busy chit-chatting. So, let everything be and save the planned activities for when they are bored or can’t entertain themselves. 

5. The crock pot is your best friend. I hate cooking. Really and truly do. And on the days when I have to cook dinner (I usually do breakfast and lunch, my husband does dinner) I tend to opt for a crock pot meal. The last thing I want to do at the end of the day is make something elaborate. With the crock pot, I put everything in first thing in the morning and let it cook on low heat all day long. Then by the evening, my husband comes home and dinner is done and smells delicious. It’s easy and usually leads to leftovers, which is wins all around for me! My favorite recipes are Salsa Verse Chicken, Greek Chicken, Hawaiian Chicken and Mexican Stuffed Peppers.

6. Plan major work tasks and calls for nap time. If you think that you can hand your kids a few toys and they will be entertained and leave you alone to work… well, bless your heart. Sometimes that works. Many times it does not. So, I schedule all major work tasks and any calls or video chats for nap time. I know I have 1-2 hours to get things done and you’ll be amazed how quickly you work once kids are around. All that lallygagging goes out the window. If your kids are too old for naps, tell them it’s quiet time and they can watch a movie or do something else that will keep them entertained. For us, if it’s not nap time it’s Youtube Kids. I feel guilty, but I pick my battles sometimes. There will be days where she’s entertaining herself ALL DAY LONG. Then there are days where I’m lucky if I can get anything done during nap time besides crying. You gotta roll with the punches. 

7. Take them outside for fresh air. Some time spent in your yard or a brief walk should be fine. Let them run around. Just don’t get within 6 feet of other people or touch play structures. For this, I will say to do your homework in your region. But from what I’ve seen and heard, it’s ok to be outside in public places as long as you don’t go near other people or touch stuff. Either way, fresh air is so important and even a few minutes outside will help everyone’s sanity. Even if all you do is take the dog for a walk or go around the block!

8. Don’t totally reinvent the wheel or totally give up. I know it’s tempting to create a whole curriculum or just say “oh well- tv all day!” The truth is that keeping kids entertained doesn’t have to be complicated or even lazy- find a middle ground. There are tons of online programs for kids to be entertained at all age levels. I know scholastic is offering their services for free this month, and there’s tons of youtube videos and online courses. Either way, fill your time with things that you love. Learn some skills, or have your kids watch an educational program. Even Animal Planet is or Disney Earth movies are educational! Mix that in with some fun stuff, and they’ll be learning while still being entertained.

9. Video chat with friends and family. At times like these, it’s easy to isolate yourself. But, I encourage you to video chat with friends and family. Maybe play a game together or do crafts. Read books, watch the same movie and then hop on a call to chat about it. Keep in touch with my family and if you don’t like the conversations, politely shift them away. You are totally within your right to say “I don’t want to talk about the news right now. Let’s just discuss what you did today” or discuss summer plans… whatever the case may be. I definitely have people in my life that only want to talk about the tragedies. I am more about enhancing the human experience and making things fun. 

10. Give yourself (and your kids) some grace. Patience is KEY here. There are good days and bad days. You will probably feel frustrated and your kids will too. The only thing we can control is our mindset and our attitude. Be annoyed if you want to, but don’t let your mood be ruined all day, everyday. I try to change my mood day by day. If today is bad, I assume tomorrow will be good. I try to change things for the better. I think about what I can do differently- what went well or where did things go awry? I analyze a little too much sometimes, but it’s the best way to ensure that there’s hope for a better tomorrow.

I hope this was helpful for you! This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to staying at home and/or working from home. If you have any specific questions, let me know in the comments and I’d be happy to answer them!

Stay at Home Date Ideas

My husband and I have never really been the “go out on Valentine’s Day” type of people. Between the crowds, the increased fees, and now the inability to get a babysitter, staying in looks better than ever! Although we can just be lazy and watch Netflix like any other night, I decided to brainstorm some ideas to make staying in on Valentine’s Day special. And then, I figured lots of others couples and families probably stay home too- so, why not write a post with some ideas for everyone?! These are easy ideas you can whip up in a few hours or less- so, pick one you like and get to planning!

The best part is that these ideas can be used ALL YEAR LONG! So, pin this blog post to your Pinterest and reference it any time you want to add a little more fun to your date nights at home!

*This post contains affiliate links

Stay at Home Date Ideas for Adults

-Pick a country and "vacation" there (ex: watch an Italian movie while eating Italian food, drinking Italian wine, and an outfit you would wear to vacation in Italy!)

-Wine and cheese night (brie, bread, wine, various cheeses and crackers). Listen to romantic music, make a fire, or watch a movie.

- Order your fave takeout, watch your fave movie, and fave dessert

-Take a "cooking class" by making a new dish following a recipe you find online together. Bonus points for adding a dessert!

- Do a wine tasting or beer tasting. Get different wines or beers. One of you places them in random bags, the other one adds numbers and pours them into glasses. The surprise won't be ruined!

-Watch a video on Youtube and learn a new dance together!

-Have a picnic in your yard (if it's warm where you live) or on your living room floor.

-Give each other massages or some other spa treatment

-Learn a new skill (like juggling) together

Stay at Home Date Ideas for Families & Kids

-make a love fort & fill it with pink, red, white or purple sheets and pillows, or just all the items they love.

-Do a craft day together

-Hide valentines around the house for kids to collect (write what you love about kids and hide them or spell out an activity to do together another day)

-Create games at home- bowling with half-empty bottles, ball toss with buckets, etc. Pinterest has about a billion ideas for this!

-Do a photo scavenger hunt. Come up with items they need to find, and watch as they peruse the house for the items. Give them a kid's camera to take some pics of their treasures! (Also, this helps avoid a broken iPhone screen!)

Stay at Home Date Ideas for Friends

-have a spa/pamper day (each friend picks a treatment, like face masks, nail polish, etc). Or, pick up a few of these kits!

-Rom-com marathon. Get some popcorn and add gourmet flavoring for a special twist!

-Do a craft together (like making your own candles!) with wine and a cheese platter

-Do a paint nite together by following a Youtube video or letting each person pick their own idea. Grab a set of canvases and some paints!

Stay at Home Date Ideas for All Ages

-Karaoke! Get a cheap microphone on Amazon or fake one using a hairbrush. Watch videos on Youtube or get a fancy machine. The choice is yours!

-Make fondue! I think this would also be great for kids.

-Host a game night!

-Make smores and sing campfire songs! Bonus points if someone knows how to play guitar.

-Make breakfast for dinner! Switch it up and make homemade waffles.

There are TONS of ways that you can make staying at home feel special. You just need to be creative! Do you have any other great date night ideas? Or, is one of these your fave? Let me know in the comments below!