#Free Green Kids Crafts Trial Kit - Plus Giveaway

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*** Limited Time Offer ***

Do your children enjoy making crafts, drawing and simply being creative? Most families interduce their little ones to arts and crafts pretty early and their interests for creativity simply grows with age. 

GreenKidsCrafts is a favorite subscription service of many parents, and here's why... Their monthly boxes include fun and educational activities that are created to inspire, entertain and help to teach earth-friendly habits to our kids!! They're amazing and kids LOVE them!

For a Limited Time Only you can receive a FREE Trial Kit!!!
What's better then letting the kids test out the fun before actually committing to a subscription! Very RARE! 

- You don't want to miss this amazing opportunity -
Surprise your kids with their very own GreenKidsCrafts Trial Kit today!

Educational Fun, promised in each box!!!

**Reserve your Trial Kit today! **

While your at it: Enter the
Sensational September Giveaway!!
Ending Soon!!

Testing opportunity from Crayola - Try out a New Product for FREE

-- Attention Parents --

The days have flown by and the end of Summer will be here before we know it but that is no reason of why we have to stop creating new memories with our kids. Right? Everyday is a new day for creating lasting memories!!

Crayola and ExpoTV have joined forces with an opportunity for a selected number of parents to test out one of their new products and share their honest opinions with other parents as well as with Crayola themselves!
How cool would it be to receive a package in the mail, full of Crayola goodness, knowing that you didn't have to pay a dime for your kids to enjoy the product to its max, building all kinds of creative memories and art magic!!

Apply today for the Crayola Fun Program from ExpoTV!

Only a selected number of people will get accepted into this tryolgy so its best to apply early to get your name seen. You'll receive an email confirming your spot in the program if your selected!!



(You DO NOT have to have a blog to be accepted for product testing from ExpoTV)

Disclaimer: This blog accepts compensation in the form of products and/or monetary for selected posts which will be labeled as sponsored. No matter the compensation, I only write about items and/or services that I have personal experience with and believe my readers will enjoy and/or benefit from. All opinions are my own and may differ from those of others.

View Full Disclosure for further details.

This post may contain affiliate links.

How's Your Family Celebrating Black History Month?

Little Passports is all about empowering your whole family to know everything there is to know about this big world of ours and the incredible culture intertwined into each generation.

Little Passports
Black History Month Info

February is Black History Month, an opportunity to talk with children about race and civil rights, as well as the heritage, accomplishments, and culture of African Americans.
Join Sam and Sofia as they explore these 3 ways to celebrate and learn!

1. Read a Book

Spark a conversation by reading children’s books that highlight our nation’s African American heroes and their achievements. Here are a few inspiring selections:

Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., By Doreen Rappaport

An introduction to Dr. King’s life and message, this picture book pairs age-appropriate educational material with beautiful images.

The Story of Ruby Bridges, By Robert Coles

The inspiring story of a courageous 6-year old girl who helped shape US history by being the first African American child to go to an all-white school.

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball, By Kadir Nelson

This gorgeously illustrated book tells the story of the African American baseball league and the challenges they overcame to pursue their passion.

2. Play a Game

Sam and Sofia learned to play Mancala, a counting game that originated in Africa and is now popular all over the world!

DIY Activity: It’s easy to make your own Mancala board! Simply get an empty egg carton with 12 small “pits,” trim off the sides, and decorate it with markers or paint. Get two containers (such as bowls) and place one at each end of the egg carton as the “banks,” where players collect their winnings. For the “stones,” you can use small items, such as marbles, beans, or even candy! For detailed rules on how to play, click here: How to Play Mancala

3. Take a Trip

Visit a landmark, attraction, or museum, celebrating black history. An interactive and engaging field trip is a great way to capture a child’s interest! Here are some ideas:

• Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial (Washington, D.C.)

• Booker T. Washington National Monument (Franklin County, Virginia)

• Tuskegee Airmen National Museum (Detroit, MI)

• Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience (Permanent exhibition at the Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY)

For more hands-on activities celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr., check out the Little Passports Pinterest board.

**The links in this post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link.

Disclaimer: This blog accepts compensation in the form of products and/or monetary for selected posts which will be labeled as sponsored. No matter the compensation, I only write about items and/or services that I have personal experience with and believe my readers will enjoy and/or benefit from. All opinions are my own and may differ from those of others.

View Full Disclosure for further details.

This post may contain affiliate links.

Expired: FREE Thanksgiving Coloring Book

Before you start the Holiday traveling, take advantage of this great FREEBIE from Educents! Get a Thanksgiving Coloring Book for 100% FREE! (Original price is $5) The coloring book is best for young kids but all "kids" from ages 1-99 will enjoy these fun Thanksgiving Coloring Pages!!

Only 7 days left

Below are a couple samples of what the coloring pages look like.
These are NOT the coloring book pages.

This blog accepts compensation in the form of products and/or monetary for some posts which will be labeled as sponsored reviews & sponsored posts. No matter the compensation, I only write about items and/or services that I have personal experience with and believe my readers will enjoy and benefit from. All opinions are my own.

This post may contain affiliate links.

KIDS CRAFT: "Painted All By Myself" Wall Art

"Painted All By Myself" Wall Art Craft Project

Spend quality time with your little ones with this fun Art Project that is not only a fun activity to do with your child, but a piece of art as well! I saw this project on one of my friend's facebook page and fell in love! She was kind enough to let me use her pictures and share this cute craft that she did with her daughter, with all of you! I hope you enjoy it! 

You will need:

• A Tall Canvas (Purchased at craft store) or a sanded piece of wood
• Painters Tape
• Washable Paint
• Clear Acrylic Spray Paint
• Large or Medium Paintbrush
• Paint Tray

Directions:

If your using a piece of wood, the first step would be for you to add a base coat for the background of the art. Wait until it's completely dry.

Spell out your child's name across or down the canvas with the painters tape. (Make sure the edges are pressed down firmly)

Add paint to the tray and let your child decorate the canvas any way that they like.

Isn't she adorable?!

Once the painting is complete, Sit it in a safe place until it fully dries.

Slowly and Carefully peel off the tape to reveal the finished art work.

The finished masterpiece!!!

These would make memorable gifts for the Holidays! Not to mention the fun you and your kids will have making these neat and personal Wall Art Pieces!

Little Passports USA Edition - Month 2 Review

#Sponsored By Little Passports

Remember me talking about receiving Month 1 of our Little Passports USA Edition?

Month 2 showed up in the mail a few weeks ago and the excitement was outstanding! When we got the chance to open the package, the girls couldn't wait to see what kind of goodies was hiding inside but we needed one more thing before opening.... Jade and Loran's USA Field Guide and the neat storage folder that came with Month 1.

Inside the Month 2 package, we found Sofia and Sam's field journal for the states of New Mexico and Michigan among all kinds of other fun stuff. The book is pretty awesome! On one side it's New Mexico and then you FLIP it, as in: holding the book in front of you and flipping it from the bottom up.... Upside down and backwards, and there you have Michigan!! The girls thought it was the coolest thing ever and truthfully, so did I :) I loved how the very first page, with both states, is a letter from Sofia and Sam explaining all of the things they did while on their trip. Within the field guide there are many learning activities, games and even a recipe. We even found a couple project ideas with neat facts that were spread out among the directions! (We're planning on making a Hot Air Balloon soon!)
Little Passports truly knows how to make learning fun! Along with the field guide book, we also found stickers that go in Loran and Jade's field guide as well as little thumb-tack stickers to add to the map, on Michigan and New Mexico! I believe those tiny stickers were one of Loran's favorite parts!! The girls also received a post card from each state and 2 paper models that we've been afraid to start :) Actually they are really awesome and the Bat seems like it will be pretty easy but the car... looks harder! I know I know! It's a paper car model from a KIDS Subscription package... it can't be THAT hard, right? Well, that may be true but I'm one of those people who would get upset in a sad and crying way if something went wrong during the building process that couldn't be fixed and ruins the car....... I'm a pitiful pitiful girl... I know, I know, but I can't bare the thought of me messing up something of the girls'..... So I'm letting Alan help Jade and Loran with their car. His next day off sounds perfect!
(If something goes wrong... there's always tape, right?)

Loran and Jade can't wait for their next Little Passports package! Month 1 and 2 have been so neat and fun! Way more that we expected. The girls play with the maps all the time are just about done with their Photo Scavenger Hunt. (We only have a couple more pictures to take and then it's off to the photo lab we go, we keep forgetting about the camera!) Jade is my little Photo Princess, she's had an addiction to photography for a few years now and has gotten pretty good and Loran is just as good with a camera as her sister, so I can't wait to get the photos developed! And best of all... Everything from Month 1 and Month 2 fits in the storage folder and has plenty room for more months!! No worries about loosing your goodies!

Little Passports is the perfect way to keep kids learning and having fun while at home, on the road, during the weekend or even on a plane or vacation!
The girls have always been curious about other places and ask lots of questions, Little Passports has given them something that Fact-Books and Google Searches can't.... Fun and exciting entertainment that cloaks the learning aspect and helps kids enjoy education! It's simply amazing and deserves nothing less than receiving the biggest A+ that's available to be given!

We LOVE LOVE LOVE Little Passports!

**FLASH ANNOUNCEMENT**

 From October 22nd through October 31st, Little Passports is have a sale that can save you $20 on a new 1 year subscription when you use the code OCT20 at checkout, or use the code OCT5 to receive $5 off of a a new 3 or 6 month subscription!! Take your children on new adventures around the US or the world, depending on which option you decide to choose... Take a peak at the subscriptions yourself and choose your child's next "vacation":
Early Bird Sale at Little Passports from Oct 22nd-31st!

To learn more, Visit the Little Passports Website

Or visit them on Facebook or Twitter

Coloring with Lil' Creepers - Review & Giveaway

#Sponsored Review By +Lil' Creepers Shawna Carter 

"Every-one is good at atleast 1 thing!

FIND YOURS!!"

Quote by Shawna Carter via Lil' Creepers

How many Zombies do you know? I bet you have at least one friend who's waiting for the Zombie Apocalypse! Am I right? What about Bats, Vampires, Werewolf and all those other Creepy Monsters? Has your addiction (or your friend's addiction) worn off on the kids? If you have kids that are Monster Fans then they are sure to LOVE the Lil' Creepers! With the Lil' Creepers, you get to follow the adventures of a little Zombie named Brenna. Brenna cooks, colors, plays with her friends and much more! These adorable monsters are "creepy" enough for the Pre-Teens and Cute enough for the Pre-School/Elementary Age kids!

When the opportunity arose to work with Shawna Carter, the author/creator of Lil' Creepers, I jumped at the chance to introduce my daughters to Brenna and all of her Lil' Creeper friends! I don't often tell my girls about the upcoming reviews that I have planned until the product shows up because I LOVE the look on their little faces when they carry a package into the house and quickly realize that it's for them! That's excatly what happened when the Coloring Book from Lil' Creepers showed up! Loran and Jade checked the mail and brought me a large brown envlope and just stood there in front of me.... Waiting on me to open the package. It's become some sort of a game for them:

Jade and Loran bring in the mail/packges

Hand the packages to me

Almost "Demand" for them to be opened

Either Stand infront of me or Sit beside me to watch the opening process

Take a good look at the contents of the package

If it's a Kid Product then I get to see the Excited - Surprised Look on 2 beautiful little faces

If it's an Adult Product, they try and guess what I will use it for

Either run and play with their new item or continue doing before the mail showed up.

Our package routine is quite fun and seeing the girls search the house for a box of crayons that I knew was in the bathroom, was very entertaining. (Don't ask why the crayon box was in the bathroom, I'm still wondering about that one myself. When I asked Loran, she laughed in my face and walked off!! No joke!) I finally retrieved the Crayon Box for the girls and they headed straight to their bed to stretch out and color! Loran said that she loves the "Creepy Monster Characters" while Jade mentioned that she likes the bat picture that her sister colored. She said that what she loves most about her new Lil' Creepers Coloring Book is all of the cool coloring pages for them to color. Jade also enjoys the fact that the pictures are drawn and not the perfect computer-made lines!

I also love the drawn pages! (My friends and I steal the coloring book after the girls go to sleep and color a few pages!! I know I know it may sound mean but Jade and Loran enjoy finding our pages when they flip through their book!) Shawna is a WONDERFUL artist, I bet her daughter is one proud little girl! (Shawna's Lil' Creepers Series are based on her young daughter named Brenna) I love how every illustration that's affiliated with Lil' Creepers are pieces of art! If you visit the Lil' Creepers Website, you'll see exactly what I mean when I say that Shawna Carter is an outstanding artist! I can draw but nowhere near as good as this girl! Each coloring page in the Lil' Creepers Coloring Book is unique and different! You get to meet Brenna and all of her friends through simple but detailed coloring pages pages, not to mention the brightly colored book cover! I bet your kids will keep up with this coloring book for atleast 1 week longer than normal! :) Jade and Loran are still coloring in their new coloring book and find a new details that they didn't notice before! 

Make sure you also check out Shawna's Kids Cookbook called "Cooking with Creepers" - A friend of mine did a review for "Cooking with Creepers" and her little ones loved it just as much as my girls enjoyed the Lil' Creepers Coloring Book!! That tells me that Lil' Creepers are a BIG HIT with little ones!

Who don't like Adorable Creepy Monsters?!?!?!

If you would like to learn more about Shawna and the Lil' Creepers Collection:

Visit the Lil' Creepers Website

Lil' Creepers are also on Facebook and Twitter

GUESS WHAT?!?!

Shawna was so kind that she not only sent my girls and I a Lil' Creepers Coloring Book for review, She also sent another Coloring Book to use as a Giveaway on the blog!!
You know what that means... right?!

You all get the wonderful chance to WIN your very own Lil' Creepers Coloring Book!!!

This Giveaway is for US and Canada Only -- Age 18+

Runs from August 28 12pm EST - September 11 at 11:59pm EST
Full Giveaway Rules can be found in the Giveaway Tools - Terms and Conditions.

Enter the Giveaway Using the form below


Good Luck Everyone!

Entry-Form

Disclaimer: In accordance with FTC guidelines - NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to enter The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. We are not associated with any of the companies named above. Void where prohibited by law.

The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received.

** This promotion is no way sponsored, endorsed/administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Etsy or Instagram**

This giveaway is compliant with Facebook Rules!

Must be aged 18+ to enter and win. US Only.

Bloggers are NOT responsible for delivery of prize. 

Get Creative and Spend Less on your next Family Movie Night

This post may contain affiliate links, view full disclosure policy for details.

 

Finding the extra money to take your kids to the movies is getting harder and harder to do these days. Bills pile up and home supplies have to be bought, next thing you know, we're out of spending money and family movie day has to get postponed, or at least changed up a bit to better fit our abilities.

Family Movie Day don't have to be completely canceled when you realize that your budget don't have room for a family's worth of movie tickets and snacks.

Try a few of the idea's below to spice up your next Family Movie Night!

Dealflicks is like Priceline for movie tickets!! -- Did you notice all of those empty seats on your last trip to the movies? Did you know that $40 billion dollars are spent each year on movie tickets, soda and popcorn, but about 88% of theater seats are empty!  Dealflicks partners with many theaters to help fill all of those empty seats by selling mot only movie tickets online but popcorn and soda as well for up to 60% off! No convenience fees, 24/7! Enjoy your Family Movie Night with discount prices!
Use the code READERSCHOICE for an extra $5 off!!!

A Homebound Movie Night -- Choose a family movie that everyone agrees on (Maybe a new movie no one has watch before or check on Netflix) Pop some popcorn, pour drinks, turn the lights down low and have some family time on the couch while watching a family movie!

Acting Out -- With snacks and drinks prepared, have the kids act out different parts of their favorite movies, they can even dress-up like their favorite characters! Be creative with the costumes and don't be afraid to join in on the acts! Mommy needs to have fun too!

Playwrite -- Find one of your child's written stories or have them write a new one. They can act out their own story they way they want to! Don't forget to encourage them to dress the parts!

Lights-Camera-Action -- Video tape your kids acting out their creative stories and watch their mini-movies after the taping is done. If you end up with a collection of your kids' movies, you can have a Family Movie Night where you watch nothing but the movies acted out by your kids! WHAT FUN!!

Do you have any other ideas for cheap Movie Night options for families?

Learning on the Go - Roads Trip with Kids

While on a road trip with kids, it can be hard to keep everyone occupied. Kids get bored easily and while coloring books and crayons are fun, they run out of interest with them pretty quickly. Try out a couple of the ideas below on your next road trip and see what works for your family!!

When you stop at a gas station or rest stop, grab a map.

• Hopefully you keep a couple pens or markers laying around the car /in your purse, or you can use a crayon.
• Draw a line through the road or area that you've driven through and keep track of where your going and where you've been.
• If you stop at a store, look for small stickers, even yard-sale dots, you can add them to the map as well.

You can also collect tiny rocks or pebbles and use them for Math Problems.

• For Example - Pick up a few pebbles at a rest stop or use pennies, etc. - Mom hands the child 4 pebbles, Dad hands the child 3 pebbles. How many pebbles does the child have now?
• If you have paper or a notebook, have the kid(s) write down the math problem as it's happening to help them figure it out.
• The written problem for the above Math Problem is 4+3=7

If your driving through a state that's different than your home state, Play the Tag Game!

• To Play the Tag Game you'll need a piece of paper and something to write with. Then simply keep an eye on the tags of passing cars. If you find a car from your home town then you can put a tally mark on your paper. You can play it many other ways as well.
• For Example - Write the Current State that your driving through at the top of the paper.
• Keep an eye on the passing car tags and when you see one from a different state than the current one, write it down and add a tally. 
• See how many different State car tags pass through each state that you pass through!
• Don't forget that your car has a tag that may be different than the current state that your driving through so that counts as a tally too!!
• If you have crayons or markers - Try using a matching marker to the color of the cars. Doing this will let you see what color cars are popular in the states that the tags/cars are from.

Picture It -- Your driving through Tennessee and see a Blue Car/Truck with a tag from North Carolina and a red car/truck from Georgia and a Black car from New York and another Car/truck from NC, a Red one. -- Your paper could look something like this:

Tennessee

North Carolina
I I 

Georgia
I

New York
I 

You can also use the Road Signs as learning boards!

• Ask the kids to read the road signs out loud.
• See how many of them they sound out correctly!

Playing I-Spy is always a fun way to incorporate colors into a road trip trivia game!

• While sitting in traffic or in the store parking lot while your waiting on dad to get directions to your next stop: Start the game like:
• "I spy with my little eye... Something Blue" The answer could be: The sky, a car, paint on the store, a road sign, or anything else you may be able to see from your car.
• Once the kid(s) figure out what you spy, the one who is right - Gets to spy next.
• I Spy is also a great game to play in a plane, a train or even a bus!

Make a Field Journal before you start your trip.

• Have on for each child that will need occupied. (0-4 will need other ways to keep occupied like small toys)
• Use a pre-made Notebook and come up with questions that you would like answered while on your trip. Do you know what states or cities that you will be traveling to or through?
• You can also Make-Your-Own Notebook -  Use lined paper as the center and 2 solid colored pieces for the front and back. Staple it together or punching 3 holes and tie the sheets together with string.
• Use Questions Like -- What is the State Bird, State Flower, State Capitol, etc.
• Mark off a few pages for Post Cards, Maps, Photos and other small State Finds.
• You can even collect food labels from products that are only sold in that city or state.

Always collect the information while on your trip and collect little items and such. Including Post Cards, Take photos, Food Labels, Maps and such

Your Field Journal may look a bit like:

North Carolina

State Bird - 
State Tree - Dogwood
State Capitol - Raleigh
State Song - 

Tape or Glue Collected Maps and Postcards as well as pictures that you take throughout your trip, on the extra pages!

I hope your next family road trip is 10x more fun when you start including some of these awesome little car games!!

Safe Travels!!

Make-A-Plate for Back-To-School

#Sponsored By

Make-A-Plate & USFG

I was recently recieved the wonderful opportunity to review the Make-A-Plate Art Project and I can't wait to receive it and let you all know what I think! If you like - My readers will save 30% off on their Prepaid Art Plate Kit Using the

Promo Code -- USFAMILY at Make-A-Plate

Makit has been a popular business for over 40 years!! The Make-A-Plate kits allow kids to use their imagination and be creative! My daughters LOVE painting and being creative so I know they will LOVE this project more than ever!

These plates would make great keepsake gifts for Mom, Dad, Granny/Papaw or even your favorite teacher!!

All plates are non-toxic, BPA-Free, dishwasher safe and make in the USA!

Get this deal using the following link:

http://www.makit.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductCode=K1100PP