Fun Halloween target game with Nerf guns

We are getting excited for Halloween and put together these Nerf targets for a fun Halloween activity. The sweet payoff of this activity is it takes little time to put together but provides hours of entertainment. 

DIRECTIONS:

I started by downloading and cutting out these 3 pumpkin carving templates. 

-Frankenstein

-Ghost

-Pumpkin

Next I used milk boxes and glued one piece of construction paper to the front of the box and then glued on the templates. 

Then decide what parts you would like to use as the opening for the target and then use an X-ACTO knife to cut out.  

That is it and now your are ready for target practice!

Busy Bags: Round 2

This is round 2 of our favorite busy bags. If you missed Busy Bags: Round 1, you can find it here. 

PATTERN STICKS

These pattern sticks were made using color coding labels. I used this TEMPLATE to make the pattern cards and laminated them. Then put the color coding labels on the Popsicle sticks. You can make as many different pattern cards as you would like.

NUMBER WHEEL

Here is a free PRINTABLE for the number wheel. Once I printed it out, I glued it onto cardboard. You then write numbers 1-10 on a clothespin and have your child clip them on to the correct number of dots.  

BUTTON SNAKE

You can find free instructions on how to make this from Mama Gab. There are different versions of this activity but I liked this one because of the felt shapes. This activity was given to me and the person that gave this to me added a snake tail, eyes, and tongue. I think it is so cute.

POPSICLE STICK PUZZLES

These Popsicle stick puzzles are a popular activity but they are nice because they kids enjoy them and there are so many options on what pictures to use. These Popsicle stick puzzles represent the four seasons and are graphics of mycutegraphics.com You can print out each picture from HERE, cut on the dotted lines and then use Mod Podge to glue them onto the Popsicle stick. I store each puzzle in a snack size Ziploc bag to keep them from getting all mixed together. 

All of our busy bags activities are stored away in a Ziploc bag and then we have all the bags in a plastic bin so they can be easily stored away. Do you have any favorite busy bags? I would love to share your ideas!

Busy Bags: Round 1

I have participated in a few busy bags swaps and have made several of my own. I love having extra and fun activities for the kids. There are a few activities that my kids seem to never get bored of and so I wanted to share of some of our favorites. UPDATE: Round 2 of busy bags can be found here

KIDS CLOTHING LINE

My mother in law has a real clothes line that she still uses to dry her clothes so my kids love this activity because it is just like Grandma. This activity is probably there favorite! You can found a free instruction and pattern download from Money Saving Mom. 

POPSICLE STICK PATTERNS

These Popsicle stick patterns is something I made for my kids. This activity is more challenging for younger kids but my oldest boy who is 6 loves these. There are 2 sets of patterns. 

DOWNLOAD set 1

The first set are easier patterns and there are 8 cards. 

DOWNLOAD set 2

The second set are more difficult patterns and there are 6 cards. 

PAPER CLIP MATCHING

This activity is really easy to put together. All you need is colored paper clips and matching paint samples from your local paint store. My kids have fun sorting the colors and linking them together. For durability I would recommend laminating your paint samples. 

ALPHABET MATCHING

For this activity, I used 2 inch square wood disc and alphabet letter stickers. To keep the stickers from falling off, I put Mod Podge over the stickers. You can use these wood disc to play alphabet matching game, practice name spelling, and for older kids practice sight words. 

BE READY for round 2, next week I will be sharing more favorite busy bags ideas!

23 kid activity ideas with free printable cards

We try to limit the amount of time our kids spend on electronic devices and television but the problem lately is when I say "No" to these things and suggest other activities, there is a lot of complaining, whining, and begging to do what they want. I was getting really frustrated and wanted to figure out a better way to control how much time they were spending on electronic devices or watching television. 

MY SOLUTION: I came up with these activity cards to encourage my kids to be more active and engage in different activities. 

DOWNLOAD HERE

I sat down with my boys and we came up with a list of different activities we could do and we came up with a POINT SYSTEM, so each activity it worth so many points. 

The points are worth either 5, 10, and 15 and are written on the back of each card. Once they reach a certain number of points, then they can trade in their points for electronic device or television time. 

OUR POINT SYSTEM:

  50  points = 20 min of electronic device or television time

  60  points = 30 min of electronic device or television time

  75  points = 45 min of electronic device or television time

100  points = 60 min of electronic device or television time

I also like these activity cards because as a parent it holds me accountable to try to be a better parent to my children and to spend more quality time with them!