Tag: Kid Friendly

Michigan Getaway Spot: Frankenmuth.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 11 Comments

One of my favorite things? Mini weekend getaways, especially when they are close to home.

We kicked off Summer vacation heading to Frankenmuth in our home state Michigan and it was a BLAST! Not only does it have the cutest downtown and the best shopping plaza but it has two fun waterpark hotels and we stayed at one of them, Bavarian Inn where they have the Bavarian Blast Waterpark.

I swear my kids are little fishes and would swim every single day if they could. I can’t blame them though, I was the same way when I was younger and still love swimming every chance I get.

We spent 6 hours total in the waterpark area on Saturday and there was plenty to keep them busy thankfully. You honestly didn’t even have to leave the water area. They had drinks, bars, and food all conveniently located in the waterpark.

That wasn’t the only hit though, their arcade area was massive and it was so fun getting dried off, comfy clothes on and spending the evening playing games, getting pizza, ice cream and hanging out. I think my husband may have had just as much fun or more in the arcade area. The best part was when our five-year-old made two hole in ones while we were playing putt putt and beat us all.

We spent Friday waiting for our room and Sunday after we checked out exploring the downtown and shopping area’s. The kids loved the big hills they had and were rolling down them, again made me think of my childhood. Nothing like a good hill roll.

They have so many shops to browse in and I of course had to make a pit stop into Charlin’s Book Nook because is there anything better than a coffee and browsing a used book store? I love those, you can tell how much a book has been read and loved.

It was such a perfect weekend getaway for us and we can’t wait to go back!

If you are visiting Michigan or even live here and have never been, you should. It has so much for everyone and it’s a great vacation spot for all.

Kids don’t need more “stuff”. They need outdoors & adventure.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 24 Comments

There’s something about being cooped up all Winter and then a sunny Spring day comes along and you just think “it’s all alright” 

We had a Sunny Spring day here in Michigan last week and the kids and I took total advantage! 

Growing up my parents always had trails in their backyard, back then they were pretty wooded and used a lot for four wheeling which we would do but now it’s a lot more cleared so it works so well for walks and adventures in the sun. 

My favorite part was listening to my kids get excited about finding deer tracks but then thinking “is it a Bigfoot!?” Or finding big sewer drains and thinking “I wonder if ninja turtles are down there”

I love imagination 🥺 I think it’s just the best thing ever and I make sure I can bring it out as much as I can. 

Days like this one just put in perspective how much you need outdoor time. Especially as a child, the best memories are made and it helps them reset so much. Get that pent up energy out. Unplug and plug back in!

Although if you live in Michigan or a state like it, Spring can still be chilly and very rainy but that shouldn’t stop the fun and the excitement that the warmer weather is coming.

Here’s our 5 favorite activities in the Spring to get outside even if it’s just for 30 minutes or so. 

Bike riding 

Hikes/trail walking

Bubbles/Chalk 

Park Play Date 

Scavenger hunts

Cheers to all the sunny days coming our way! ☀️ Let’s take full advantage of them and spend as much time outside as we can 😃

When Friends Become Like Family. Camping Trip!

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 19 Comments

I feel like once I had my children and even more so that I have hit the age of 30, I realize more and more just how precious family and friendship really is.

Especially when those friends turn into becoming more like family. When your kids grow up together and you are best friends and they are little besties and it’s just a wonderful experience and I am so thankful for it.

It’s turned into a tradition to go on a mini Summer vacation each year towards the end of the Summer with friends and this year it was a Jellystone Park campground and it was a BLAST!

So many memories made.

They had everything you would need to keep kids occupied and it was all right there from pool, splash pad, waterpark, putt putt, fishing, parks, bike riding.

I loved the huge splashpad the most so the toddler’s could enjoy all the water fun too, it’s always stressful making sure you find somewhere where your young ones can participate and have fun too.

The cabins were really spacious and nice, fit two families perfectly and most had a view of the water so it was fun for fishing which my son did for the first time and now he loves it.

We had a rain day but even that was fun because the kids played board games and we were able to go to lunch to get them out and out of the cabin for a couple of hours until it cleared up for some water fun.

Our experience was such a great one and we can’t wait to go back again!

Have you ever been to a Jellystone park? I know they have a lot of them so curious who has been.

As Summer is coming to an end, I really hope you have all enjoyed it. I love Summer so I am sad to see it go, but it was defiantly a fun one with the kiddo’s and my hubby this year!

What was your favorite thing you did this Summer?

Dandelion Days.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 6 Comments

Some of my best memories of childhood are walking around picking dandelions as you go adventure outside just knowing it’s going to be the best day.

Spending a whole day outside getting dirty, swimming and being with family are my fondest memories and it’s what I strive for my children’s childhood.

Especially now.

So when my 4-year-old son came up to me while we were playing in the backyard after I was home from a long day at work and handed me a handpicked dandelion just for me I was so happy.

And then when my 2-year-old daughter followed suit and soon I was blessed with a bouquet of dandelions my heart burst.

So of course we had to make a wish on some of our dandelions, pick them apart and keep a couple as well.

As the days are becoming warmer and Summer finally is almost upon us I strive for dirt filled finger and toenails, chasing butterflies, bug hunting, riding bikes for hours, a day full of swimming.

There’s something so magical about a young learning mind. Creating fond memories for them that they will think back on when they are older just like me reminiscing on a dandelion.

So next time you see a dandelion, I hope you don’t get annoyed about the weed in your perfectly green lawn and think of it instead of happier Summer days spent soaking in the warmth that the world has to offer.

Peel apart the petals, make a wish and a perfect time to make some memories with your littles because it’s ones they will always remember.

It’s a gift.

Summer Bucket List Ideas For You & The Kids!

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 19 Comments

Warmer weather is finally here!!

There is just something about Summertime with your kids.

The days are longer and you just feel a sense of freedom for them and yourself. No more cold cooped up days.

Making the most of Summer matters so much for us moms. Anyone else feel the same?

It’s just such a great time to make special memories and just slow down. Soak it all in, take a breath of fresh air.

I feel like moods are lifted everywhere.

The sunshine and warmth just does wonders for everyone.

I thought it would be fun to come up with a bucket list for my family to check off this Summer.

Beach day

Fair Day

Zoo Day

Exploring your town

Slushy run

Summer sports

Park day and picnic

Long naps

Camping

Swimming

Outdoor movies

S’mores by the fire

Splash pad

Long walk

Bubbles

Baseball game

Outdoor concert

Ride bikes

Boat ride

Wilderness exploring

Watch a sunset and sunrise

Painting outside

Firework shows

Summer parades

Star gazing

Road trips

Putt putt

Cookout

Ice cream date

Lemonade stand

Make our own popsicles

Water gun/ water balloon fight

Dance in the rain

Read in a hammock

I am just so excited for Summer with the kids and my husband! Definitely checking off as much as I can on the Summer bucket list and adding as we go!

What’s on your bucket list this Summer?

Any exciting plans?

Get outside as much as you can and just enjoy every moment.

Slow down, take it all in and soak it all up 🙂

Enjoy those dirty little barefoot feet running around.

Top 7 Rainy Day Activities.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ Leave a comment

I know for me rainy days can sometimes be a blessing and relaxing! I love curling up with a good book or finding my favorite movies on TV. The gloomier the better!

But for kiddos!? Not so much! Spring/Summer time can be tough to keep these little ones from going crazy with all the back and forth weather. I know here in Michigan it’s 80 degrees one day and then 40 degrees the next!

So I’m sharing 7 rainy day activities that kids will love!

Build An Indoor Fort.

My son is obsessed with this lately. He loves building blanket forts and playing with his toys in them. For older kids it’s fun to build one and read in them or even play games or watch a movie on a tablet. So many possibilities!

Paper Airplanes/ Crafting.

Who doesn’t love making paper airplanes? You can either have a paper airplane toss or even make those paper footballs and click field goals. Anything paper crafting is so fun for all ages!

Board Games.

Always a classic. My kids are still very young but I always say I can’t wait for the days until we can have family board game nights! Something I always enjoyed as a child and even as an adult.

Play-Doh or Sensory Bins.

This is geared more towards the toddler age like my son but play-doh and sensory bins can keep him busy for a while! Kinetic sand is always fun as well.

Library Day.

If you must get out and about, I think the library or a bookstore is such a great rainy day activity! Nothing better then finding a good book to bring home and read the rest of the day! Plus sometimes your local library has fun things going on.

Indoor Bowling.

So fun! If you have some plastic cups laying around and a ball you are good to go! I love bowling in general and bowling toys or making your own are so fun.

Baking.

I love baking and I plan to get my kids involved when it comes to baking and cooking as much as possible! It keeps you busy, plus it’s just fun and the outcome is delicious of course.

I hope these ideas help you for the next rainy day coming your way this Spring.

What are some of your favorite rainy day activities?

Five Valentine’s Day Family Ideas.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 31 Comments

Although you still have your occasional date nights, Valentines Day sure does change once you become a parent.

The best part though? It’s still so much fun, but instead of romantic quiet dinners as a couple, it can become a loud family date night.

I’m here to give some great ideas to celebrate Valentines Day as a family. It is after all, a day full of love and what better way to spend it than with ALL the people you love the most?

Let’s check out some fun ideas for the family below 👇

Ice skating/ roller skating night out.

How fun does this sound? Ice skating is such a fun winter activity in general but I feel like it, along with roller skating if that’s what you prefer could be such a fun Valentines family date. I wish my kids were just a bit older so we could do this as a family this year!

Family game night.

These are always my favorite type of nights. Game nights are so fun for any type of night but it would be a great Valentines Day family date! Order a heart shaped pizza to go with it and you’re all set.

Movie night in or movie at the theatre.

There are finally good movies coming out again and movie nights are such a great classic family night idea.

A trip to the bookstore.

Grab a hot chocolate, a heart shaped treat and hit the book store! Pick out a good book and have a cozy family reading night.

Family karaoke night.

Along with game night, I think karaoke is so much fun even if I do have a terrible voice. Get creative and have fun! I’m sure the kids will love it as much as you do.

There is so much you can do to have a great Valentine’s Day while including the kiddo’s.

I hope some of these ideas helped you out and as always, thanks for reading!

Create A Learning Nook for Your Toddler.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 20 Comments

With a busy bee of a toddler running around at all times, books and coloring are so important to have accessible when it’s time for some down time.

Redfin reached out to us and asked to write a short piece describing an at home learning area that would work well.

You can read the full article here but I thought it would make a fun post to show you the little nook my toddler has for all his fun activities.

When it comes to at home learning or activity areas it’s so important to have everything open and easily accessible because I feel like it makes less of a mess. That way your kids will see it automatically and be able to grab what they need.

I love using little bins for crayons, art stuff and activity books. I use this cute personalized basket for my toddler’s things.

Another great tip is storage cubes! I feel like they are so great for toy organizing, book organizing or even learning and school organizing.

Adding pops of colors with books and crayons are always great to keep your kids engaged.

I like to keep our seasonal or favorite books on this bench ottoman and a couple inside it as well for easy reading access since majority of our time is spent in our main living area.

Also it’s a great place to store toys away and still have your living space look nice!

So many fun ideas you can do for a little learning nook but these are some of my favorites!

What type of areas do you have for your children when it comes to their learning and activities?

Thanks for reading!

https://www.redfin.com/blog/how-to-enhance-learning-at-home-for-kids/

6 Rookie Mistakes New Moms Make.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 41 Comments

Becoming a mom was the best/scariest experience! Being a first time mom myself I know just how scary it can be not knowing anything.

I’m here to give you a few tips today on the mistakes I’ve made as a new mom in hopes it will help all you other mamas out there!

Moms supporting moms is my favorite thing!

Believing everything you hear.

I can’t even tell you how much advice you will get while you are pregnant or a brand new mom.

Some of it is fantastic but then there’s the horror stories and the snarky comments.

Trust me when I say, you just can’t believe everything you hear. Every parent has a different experience with parenthood. Every birth is different.

Most of your anxiety comes from listening to others and your own mind so relax mama, you’ll be fine!

Not napping while the baby naps.

I was notorious for this. I felt like I needed to get EVERYTHING done while the baby napped but you don’t.

You really, really don’t!

Take that nap, or just take time for yourself when your baby naps. It’s so important and you will appreciate it in the long run!

Comparing your baby or yourself to others.

Just don’t do it. Nothing good will come of it. Each baby goes at its own pace and that’s perfectly fine. Just because your friends baby is walking at 8 months, doesn’t mean your baby won’t be up and running around soon!

So many women I know were having babies when I had my son and I felt myself comparing and it was the worst thing I could ever do.

Just because one mom looks like a superhero by getting everything done, doesn’t mean she’s not exhausted and feeling as defeated as you are at times.

Don’t compare!

Ignoring your spouse.

I feel like the easiest thing as a new mom is to get wrapped up in the baby, it’s just the most natural reaction to motherhood.

But don’t get so wrapped up that you ignore your spouse, the one who helped create this beautiful tiny human. Yess they might seem annoying because they get out of the house daily or get to sleep more but they are feeling overwhelmed too so lean on each other.

Communicate and be kind to each other.

Take time for yourself.

Even if it’s just an hour at your favorite store or 30 minutes reading a book. Or even a nice long hot shower.

Do it.

Take time for yourself as much as you can to recharge, to clear your mind, to breath.

You’ll be a better mom, you’ll feel better and you just need to do it.

Ask for help.

As much as you want to, you can’t do everything. It’s impossible.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Having a support system will be the best thing for you and your family.

Whether it’s meals being dropped off or maybe just an extra hand with laundry or dishes. The best thing I ever learned as a first time mom is definitely not to be afraid to ask for help when you need it!

I hope this helped you out mamas! And if you are a seasoned mom please feel free to leave advice in the comments below!

Always love hearing others experiences since everyone’s is always so different ❤️

Peep Play-Doh

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 22 Comments

Those fluffy sugarcoated marshmallows are good for more than just eating! Today we made ‘Peep Play-Doh’! I have seen this idea going around on Instagram.

My girls said it felt more like Peep slime, rather than Play-Doh.

I’m going to share the recipe with you today. It is super simple and so easy. A great activity to do with your kids with Easter right around the corner.

All you need is three simple ingredients. Peeps, shortening and flour.

Just add five peeps to a microwave safe bowl.

Add 3 tbs of flour, and 1 tbs of shortening.

Put it in the microwave for 30 seconds.

When it comes out, stir with a spoon. The mixture is super hot, so make sure your kiddos don’t do that part!

When the mixture is all stirred, knead the dough on a hard surface for a few minutes. It might be sticky at first, but it gets better as you knead the dough!

My girls are a little older, so they were able to do most of this activity on their own.

This would be a wonderful craft or activity to do on or before the holiday. Even if you don’t celebrate Easter you could always just make this for fun!

Do you like peeps?! I’m not not a huge fan of them, but I love sugar so I eat them anyways.

Let us know if you try it, and make sure to follow our social pages for more fun activities!