This is a follow up to this post. If you want to add a little bit more whimsy to the world, and you're looking for something fun and crafty to do, then first, gather some rocks. Paint them bright colors. With smiley faces or hearts or four-leaf clovers or anything else you might find in a box of Lucky Charms. Then bring them back outside for others to find. Bam. Instant whimsy. And just like that, the world is a little bit better place to live. Thanks to the awesome Katie for the idea (and photos.) …
Create & Do
Two Kids in a Car Singing “Somebody That I Used to Know”
So a couple of young friends became addicted to the song "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye and began requesting it every time they were in the car together. So their parents rigged up a video camera, filmed them over a few car rides and edited it together to make this. Fun. Here's an idea: why not make a music video with some kids you know? It'll be just like the days when MTV actually played music videos. …
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Our World Needs More Whimsy
A creative group of folks led by Sean Martindale decided to do something about the various neglected city tree planter boxes that dotted Toronto. More than 30 "planter interventions" were created by a group of 17 Toronto based artists, designers, gardeners and urbanites within a 24-hour period in 2011. …
More Cheap Family Fun: The Flour Game
Had I known about this idea two years ago, it probably would have made it into The Kim & Jason Guide to Cheap Family Fun. But I didn't, so here you go. It's called The Flour Game and if you like fun and aren't afraid of getting messy, this is for you. Get a teacup or small bowl and pack it tight with flour. Regular, white, flour. Flip the cup over onto a plate, remove it, and carefully place a Lifesaver candy on top. (Some people use a coin of some sort, but candy is better in every way.) Then everyone takes turns cutting the flour with a knife, taking care not to disturb the Lifesaver. …
Traveling Potato Head
Humans love surprises. Well, not the "thank you for your 30 years of service, but we have to let you go" or "Luke, I am your father" kinds of surprises, but the fun, magical kinds that make your soul smile. The cracker jack prizes of life. …
Mom and Daughter Celebrate May Day a Little Late
I have fond memories from childhood of May Day. We'd cut some of our beautiful irises and gently put them in homemade construction paper cones along with some candy and run giddily over to our neighbor Lois' house to surprise her. The best part was ringing the doorbell and running away. When else can you do this?! …
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Bucket List, Summer Edition
A few months ago, I wrote about the idea of making a list of things you want to do this summer. A summer bucket list, if you will. This is mine. Time flies, whether you're having fun or not. Creating a great life story requires living with intention. As the old saying goes, if you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there. But if you want to create a life filled with great scenes and happy memories, you need to do your part. You need to invite those scenes and memories into your story. One way to do that is with a bucket list. Write it out. Draw it, like I did. Or …
Stage a Peep De Resistance
Imagine the look of surprise you'll see when someone in your home or office, on a mission to secure a cup of coffee, walks into a room entrenched with dozens -- hundreds! -- of Peeps, poised for an ambush! The idea of staging a Peep De Resistance, shared with us by K&J Nation member Brit Neyrinck, was not in our 20 Unconventional Things You Can Make with Peeps post, but it should have been. And if this is not already part of your Easter tradition, it should be. This article gives you all the tips you need, including these great gems: …
Easter and the Element of Surprise
Sometimes people get all grumpy about how eggs and bunnies and candy often muddy the real meaning of Easter. Even though eggs and rabbits are often considered symbols of new life, I can see their point. But it doesn't have to be an all or nothing proposition. Check out these two examples of fun Easter crafts. The first one, shown above, comes from the Rice Krispies website. It's a Rice Krispie Treat shaped like an egg, with M&Ms hidden inside. Neat, huh? The second one is a nifty project from Not Martha. On the surface, it looks like a regular hard-boiled Easter egg: …
Peeps Aplenty: 20 Unconventional Things to Make With Peeps
When it comes to Peeps, our house is divided. Kim is not a fan, but I have a marshmallowy soft spot in my heart for them. Even though I can't eat as many of them as I used to, they still provide me nostalgic memories of my childhood when I'd eat them by the pound. (Which has to be a lot, right?) Peeps make some people happy. They make other people sick. But love 'em or hate 'em, there are a surprising amount of things you can make WITH them, from the edible to the decorative. Here are our favorites. …
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