Cowboy Week Part 2: DIY Horseshoe Game

Real horseshoes are banned in this house from an incident with a large heavy horseshoe, a mom who shall remain nameless, and slippery sunscreen hands. We decided to make our own and came up with a version that could possibly be played indoors as well!

For the post we put some heavy rocks in tin cans and duct taped them together. You could make one out of a paper towel roll and paper plate with some sort of weight on the bottom as well.

For the horseshoes we cut the shapes out of cardboard. You'll need some sort of weight to the horseshoes for them to throw easier. Little kids may do ok with just plain cardboard or doubled up cardboard. You could add nuts and washers or coins as well. You'll want weight on the bottom and top of the horseshoe.

Wrap with foil or duct tape and you have your set!

Rocket Launching with Estes! (a giveaway)

We are SO excited to share our latest "unplug and build" activity this time with Estes!

--------------------> Click HERE to read more and enter to WIN!

Space Week Part 2: Paper Straw Rocket

Taking the simple straw rockets we expanded a bit to make our own since the straws we buy at the store don't come with paper wrappers.

You'll need a straw, paper, tape, and paper clip if you'd like.

Wrap the paper loosely around the straw and finish off with some tape. (you might need some help for this part)

Fold the top down and secure with tape or a paper clip.

You can create fins with extra paper for the end of your rocket (would be fun to see how the fins change the rocket's flight)

When you're ready to launch put your rocket on your launcher and blow!

As always make it your own by changing it up a bit. Use less paper, different paper, less fins, more fins etc.

Building Week Part 3: Chain Reaction

This is SO fun your kids will want to do it over and over. Mom Trusted has a great chain reaction you can build from popsicle sticks that will surely create some giggles.

Want to see one in action? It will surely make you run to the store for sticks!

Pirate Week: Part 5 - Printed Paper Bag

If you want to have your own pirate party ( or just have cute lunch bags for field trips) I thought I'd share with you my printed pirate bag file.

I printed straight onto the paper bag from my regular printer. To do this you'll need to tape down the bottom and the top together so it doesn't get caught.

Put the bag in your printer according to directions and print! I changed the settings to match the size of my bag in my printer dialog before I printed. I didn't have an issue with any of them. You could use these for popcorn, chips, nuts, goodie bags etc!

If you want to print these pirate bags you can download the files here!

Regular sized paper bag

Jumbo paper bag

Water Bottle Prank

I got pranked this weekend and the boys thought it was the best thing ever. It's an easy one too - perfect for April Fool's Day.

You just need a water bottle and a pin. Fill the bottle pretty full with water. Over the sink poke holes all around the center of the bottle.

Wait until the water stops dripping, very gently wipe off and place on the counter somewhere you know it will get seen and picked up.

When someone finally picks it up (I did in frustration of the boys leaving things out everywhere)...

Yep, you get sprayed. It was pretty funny. This works best with the thinner plastic water bottles. Have fun!

(Obviously young kids should be supervised when using needles)

Hex Nut + Balloon

We have a quick easy activity for you today that's fun anytime especially because it makes noise. All you'll need is a hex nut (a smaller one) and a balloon.

Put the nut into the balloon and blow it up.

Tie off the balloon. Hold in one spot while spinning the hex nut inside around the balloon. You'll get a screechy noise!

We made a quick video so you can hear what it sounds like since photos can't show you that.

If you shake the balloon too crazy and against things it will pop and the hex nut will go flying - so play with caution (this is said from experience).

Fan Fort

I saw a similar idea last summer using plastic sheeting. My problem with that is you'd die in there in 10 minutes in the desert in the summer (oven anyone?!) so I've been wanting to try it with something a little more breathable.

 We don't have a small box fan just a tall skinny one. Instead of waiting for the perfect materials I decided to make it work with what we have. After all you all are going to be working with whatever you have at your house which isn't all the same!

I used a duvet cover since it's already secured on 3 sides but if you don't have one just secure 2 flat sheets together (you can duct tape or sew the ends together) I used duct tape to secure the open end around a fan and left an opening for the boys. You'll need to have a way to secure the opening once they're in. Binder clips, clamps, or clothespins are great for this - especially if they can do it from the inside!

That's it! A cool, breathable fan fort! The boys loved it right away.

Then this happened. And they loved it even more.

There is a dog and a kid in there somewhere.

Next week is Spring Break - wish me luck! ;)