Pulling out the play dough during your next baking spree is the perfect way to occupy your younger crowd who aren’t quite ready to help measure the cream of tartar for snickerdoodles, but will surely love being a part of the kitchen camaraderie. Give them a table nearby or a spot at the kitchen island, some cookie cutters, and a few cinnamon sticks and let them “make cookies” to their hearts content!

It’s brilliant really. Cinnamon playdough isn’t the only option, either. We have more fantastic holiday doughs like this Peppermint Play Dough for instance. Your kids will also love this Chai Tea Playdough and as an added bonus, both of these smell fantastic! 

Supplies Needed for Cinnamon Playdough

• 1 cup flour
• 1⁄2 cup salt
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch
• 3 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp cream of tartar
• 1 cup water
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• Brown food coloring (optional)
• Medium saucepan
• Spoon or spatula
• Parchment paper

How to Make Cinnamon Playdough

1. Gather all the ingredients needed.
2. Add the dry ingredients to the saucepan and stir to combine.
3. Add the water and oil to the dry mixture.
4. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir to combine.
5. Stir frequently for 4-5 minutes until it starts to pull away from the sides and a dough ball forms.
6. Take off the heat and place on a piece of parchment paper to begin cooling.
7. If you want to add food coloring, wait until the play dough is cool enough to handle. Add 8-10 drops of food coloring, then knead the dough to combine.
8. Once the dough is completely cooled, the dough is ready for play.
9. Store in a container with a tight fitting lid in the refrigerator.

Tips for Awesome Playdough Play

Making this homemade playdough is super easy. A few things can derail the recipe. Old cream of tartar is one of the fastest ways to ruin a batch of new playdough on the stove. Another way it goes south fast is if you use to high of heat or cook it too long after the ball of dough starts to form. 

Make sure the playdough is completely cooled. Pockets of heat can hide in the dough, so knead it a few times yourself before passing it on to a child. 

You’ll need playdough tools, but they don’t have to be expensive. A few cookie cutters and a dough roller from the dollar store or your kitchen cabinets should do the trick. Those cookie stamps you’ve never known what to do with are a great idea to use with this dough to make designs.

Given the smell and the theme of this playdough, it makes sense to add kitchen toys like little saucers and cups for pretend milk. Maybe we are making “cookie for Santa” or maybe just cookies for Grandma, but either way the plates add to the fun and festivity. 

Add cinnamon sticks or star anise to the play table. Or both. They can be used to make imprints in the dough, decorate the “cookies” act as a stick for lollipops, or even function as a dough roller. 

Portion the playdough into small bags, tie with a ribbon and a gingerbread man cookie cutter and give it as gifts to small friends. Perfect for a class party, Sunday School, or besties. 

What Else Can You Do With Cinnmaon?

Cook with your kid! Make Snickerdoodles. Or Cinnamon Buns. Or both! 

Make this Autumn sensory bin with birdseed and cinnamon.

Read great books! Who knew you could find kid’s books about cinnamon? You can find Cinnamon from Sri Lanka by by Erandi Hettipola at the library or on Amazon. Timber The Little Cinnamon Tree by Marcy Patterson is another fun choice. If you are in the mood for a slightly longer read-aloud, check out Cinnamon Ben By Macio Selby.

What’s Important about Sensory Play that Smells Good?

Our sense of smell can bring back the past in a single breath – Grandma’s sweater, a plateful of cookies, or a pan of chili – all can instantly take you back.

For kids, smells can remind them of the love, happiness, and joy associated with holidays or special days in the past and create a sense of familiarity that carries over from year to year and becomes ingrained in traditions. Joyful play is powerful play! One of the benefits of sensory play is that way it empowers kids to separate from big emotions and gain control. When this is combined with the power of scent to evoke emotions of joy, and love and safety – it’s a winning combination.

Smells also engage your child’s imagination, and create opportunities for pretend play – making playdough cookies for instance, or picking pretend flowers, or whatever comes to mind as the smell is experienced. The power of activating the olfactory nerves is a way to practice and strengthen awareness of all the senses. Plus, it’s just flat-out fun! 

The post Cinnamon Playdough appeared first on The Chaos and the Clutter.

Growing up, there were always loot bag (also known as treat bags or party favors) at our birthday parties. It’s something that I continued doing for my own kids, but I noticed that over the years, they became more expected and seemingly less appreciated by party guests. 

That’s when I began to think of new ways to incorporate that into the event. Sometimes, that meant having an epic Put Away Scavenger Hunt and having the treat bags be the prize at the end of the hunt. This was usually somewhere like in the dryer when they returned the dryer balls or in the garage when they returned the wrench.

Setting up a homemade prize punch game is another twist to the usual favor bags.

This grab bag game is another idea that keeps the favor bags exciting and memorable.It also creates another party activity that helps pass the time. And if you’re a parent, you know that that can be a very important thing on those party days!

I’ve also included suggestions below on how to adapt the game for adults and how to create a Christmas grab game game or gift exchange version.

How to Play the Grab Bag Game:

Supplies needed:

• Brown paper bags
• Permanent marker
• Candy
• Small treats or toys (see list of suggestions for bag fillers below)
• Dice

Instructions:

1. Put a pile of treats on the floor or in a tray on the table.
2. Write names on brown paper bags in black marker and put the bags in a circle around the pile down so that names are showing.
3. Have each person sit in front of their bag.
4. Take turns rolling the dice.
5. When you roll doubles, you get to pick a treat from the pile and add it to the bag with your name on it.
6. When all the treats are gone, the game is over.
7. Everyone gets to keep their bag filled with treats.

Variations of the game:

• For teens and adults, you can play so that on your turn if you don’t roll doubles, the dice pass to the next person. When playing with younger kids, it’s usually best to let everyone continue rolling until they get doubles and then continue on.
• Tailor the prizes to the theme of the party. For instance if you’re hosting a dinosaur themed birthday party, you can choose dinosaur shaped candy, dino figurines, dino crayons, dino temporary tattoos, etc. You can also use coloured paper bags that coordinate with the party’s colours to go along with the theme and decorations.

Grab Bag Gift Exchange Game:

To play this as a gift exchange game, have each party guest bring one or two items to add to the pile. You can give them a suggested dollar limit or even request that all the gifts be along the same lines such as all gift cards or all books, socks, or holiday ornaments.

The first person to roll doubles will get first dibs on what they most want in the treat pile. The game continues until all the gifts have been taken.

This may of course result in some guests walking away with multiple gifts while others get none. For this reason, this version of the game is best played with adults. It creates a frantic race to roll doubles and lots of hilarious ribbing back and forth!

Christmas Grab Bag Game:

It’s easy to create a Christmas version of this game. At your holiday party, you can play either the gift exchange version of this game or the regular version. Make it more festive by using Christmas candy or Christmas themed gifts. 

You can decorate brown paper bags with Christmas drawings or stickers or you can use red and green paper bags to add even more of a holiday feel. 

The great thing about this game is that you can include anyone from preschoolers to grandparents. 

List of suggested favors for kids:

• candy
• playdough
• small figurines
• toy cars
• temporary tattoos
• spinning tops
• crayons
• costume jewelry
• silly straws
• slinkys
• slap bracelets
• slime
• stretchy animals
• coins
• bubbles
• sensory items
• fidget toys
• pencils
• notepads
• mini flashlights

List of suggested favors for teens and adults:

• gift cards
• nail polish
• makeup
• lotions
• face mask packets
• playing cards
• candles
• books
• candy
• socks
• markers
• money
• gardening seeds
• homemade or store bought soap
• cookie cutters
• tools
• keychains
• drinks
• chocolate
• coffee mugs
• reusable water bottles
• pens
• notebooks
• flashlights
• wine
• hats 
• lip chap
• wooden or metal logic puzzles
• headlamp toques/beanies

Suggested favors for Christmas:

• any of the items on the above lists
• candy canes
• hot chocolate packets
• hand warmers
• Christmas ornaments
• Christmas decorations
• hot chocolate bombs
• Christmas crackers
• holiday cookie cutters
• holiday baking
• poinsettas
• pinecone fire starters
• snowman bath bombs
• stockings
• ugly Christmas sweaters

Get your free printable Christmas Gift Exchange Dice Game. 

Check out some of our other party games:

• Minute to Win It Games
• Minute to Win It Dollar Store Games
• Minute to Win It Build (LEGO) Edition
• The Flour Game
• The Bag Game
• Prize Punch Game
• Saran Wrap Ball Game

The post Grab Bag Game appeared first on The Chaos and the Clutter.

When done well, these gift exchange games can be the central activity at your gathering. They are a great ice breaker and can help everyone get in on the fun. 

Gift Exchange Games for Parties

Christmas Gift Exchange Game

In this gift exchange dice game, you just never know which way the gift is going to go until the dice get rolled. Print off the easy to follow instructions and get playing!

This twist to the usual gift opening is sure to become a new holiday tradition.

Read More

Photo Credit: www.itsalwaysautumn.com

The Christmas left right game

With this printable story, you pass the gift left when you hear the word "left" and right when you hear the word "right".

If you're hosting a holiday gathering this year, the left right game is one way to keep all your guests engaged and entertained.

Read More

Photo Credit: www.whiteelephantrules.com

White Elephant Gift Exchange Rules

Sometimes also called Yankee Swap or Dirty Santa, the White Elephant Gift Exchange is kind of the original present swap game.

There are many variations, but in all, the goal is to walk away with the best gift of the night!

Read More

Photo Credit: www.playpartyplan.com

Christmas Never Have I Ever

Looking for a hilarious spin to this year's gift giving? Add in these holiday themed "never have I ever" questions and let the laughs begin!

Read More

Saran Wrap Ball Party Game

This game is a fun way to ensure that everyone walks away with prizes. It's great for all ages. It can get quite competitive so be sure to come prepared to play!

Read More

Photo Credit: laughdreamexplore.com

Secret Santa

Whether for an office party or a friend group or within your family, Secret Santa is a nice way to ensure everyone gets a gift without you personally being responsible for buying one for each person!

Be sure to set a budget and to be clear on the expectations (example: that every gift be homemade or re-gifted or purchased) to ensure the best results.

Read More

Photo Credit: www.playpartyplan.com

Scrooge Your Neighbour Gift Exchange Game

A fun twist on the usual, this game has a Christmas Carol theme. It's a cute way to involve everyone at the party. It's kid-friendly festive fun!

Read More

Photo Credit: www.playpartyplan.com

Gift Exchange Card Game

Using the printable cards, create a fun game that gets everyone involved. In this game, it doesn't really matter which gift you originally pick because chances are, you're going to trade it anyway.

Get Full Instructions

Christmas Party Scratch-Off Card

If you want to put a much more competitive twist on the gift exchange, have less gifts than there are people and use these scratch off cards to determine who will get to go home with a present and who will go home empty handed.

Read More

Photo Credit: christmas.lovetoknow.com

23 Fun Christmas Gift Exchange Themes

No need to get the same box of chocolates every year when you choose a unique theme for your gift exchange.

Read More

Other Gift Exchange Ideas:

Ornament Exchange – Every year for the past 17 years, a group of friends and I have participated in an ornament exchange. We each buy a unique ornament (we are on the lookout for them all year and have managed to find some awesome ones over the years!) and place it in a gift bag. Then we take turns choosing a restaurant to meet at and at the end of the meal, we ask the waiter or waitress to randomly hand out the bags. It’s become a treasured tradition. 

Christmas Cookie Swap – If you’re looking for a great way to add more variety to your holiday baking, a cookie swap is the way to go. Each guests brings a dozen cookies (all the same type) for each other guest present. So if you were one of 8 attendees, you would arrive with 8 dozen of one type of cookie and go home with 8 dozen different types of cookies.

Hot Potato – In this version, you’ll be using gifts instead of a potato! Set a timer. Pass the gifts around one at a time and whoever is holding the gift when the timer goes off gets to unwrap it and keep it. Kids like the fast pace of this game.

Family Auction – Using Monopoly money, distribute the same amount to each player. Players can then pick up, rattle, squeeze, and examine the gifts before bidding on them. The highest bidder or each one “wins” it and can open and keep it.

You’ll also love these other Christmas party games:

• Minute to Win It Christmas Games
• The Bag Game
• The Flour Game
• The 26 Best Christmas Games 

The post The Best Gift Exchange Games Ever appeared first on The Chaos and the Clutter.

The holiday season is full of reasons to celebrate. And if you’re hosting a party this Christmas, gift exchange games are the perfect way to keep your guests entertained! With this fun dice game, your guests will have a blast at your next white elephant gift exchange.

Christmas Gift Exchange Game

Supplies needed:

• Printable game rules (download those here)
• Dice
• Gifts

Instructions:

1. Ask your guests to bring one gift to your party.
2. Place the gifts on a table and tell everyone to grab a gift.
3. Ask everyone to sit in a circle and take turns rolling the die. Then follow the rules for the number they roll.
4. When a person unwraps their gift, they are out of the game and may not swap with anyone else or pass their gift.
5. Continue rolling the dice and playing until everyone has unwrapped their present.

Christmas Gift Exchange Rules

The rules for this fun Christmas party game are simple. That’s because all you have to do is roll the dice and refer to the printable sheet to figure out what to do. That means kids and adults of any age can play this fun game at your next party.

To play this game, roll the dice and take a look at the number. Then, follow these rules for each number:

1. Pass all the gifts to the left.
2. Pass all the gifts to the right.
3. Trade your gift with someone.
4. Open your gift.
5. Pick someone to open their gift.
6. Keep your gift.

Christmas Gift Exchange Game Ideas

Since this fun game is so simple to play, it’s going to be a popular choice at holiday parties. And with the help of these gift exchange ideas, you can be sure your party game is a success.

• Set a price range. To ensure someone doesn’t overspend on their presents for the gift exchange, it’s a good idea to set a price limit on the gifts. Make sure you let everyone know the budget for the gift exchange before the night of party.
• Make sure the gifts are wrapped. The point of the game is to keep the gifts a surprise, so it’s important that all the gifts are wrapped so the players don’t know what’s inside. Tell your guests to wrap their gifts to make the game more fun.
• Decide on regular or white elephant gifts. Your guests can bring regular gifts or funny gifts for this exchange game, so it’s up to you what type of gifts you want everyone to bring. Just make sure to make the instructions clear so everyone knows exactly what to bring before the party starts.
• Add an extra round after the gifts are open. If you want your game to go on a little longer, consider adding another round of rolls after everyone has opened their gift. This will give everyone a chance to score a new gift and make the game play a little more exciting. Once everyone has opened their present, give each player a chance to roll the dice one more time, then follow the instructions for each roll.

Check out some of our other popular Christmas games:

• Christmas Minute to Win It Games
• Saran Wrap Ball Game
• The Flour Game
• Christmas Movie Bingo

Sign up to receive a free printable download of the game.

The post Christmas Gift Exchange Game appeared first on The Chaos and the Clutter.

My Favourite Things 2021

I’ve chosen 12 things that I love or are special to me in some way to share with you.

You can enter each day until midnight pacific time on December 12th. I’ll be adding one new prize each day. 

Enter to win just one or all 12 and you can come back again each day until the contest closes.

Winners will be notified personally via email the day after the contest ends, so be sure to use an email where I can reach out. Good luck!

(Please Note: Some giveaways are open to anyone worldwide, while others are only open to those in the U.S. and Canada due to shipping. Please note that as you enter the various giveaways).

Another Gift for You

In addition, as a thank you, you can also save 30% off anything in my shop for the duration of the giveaway by using the coupon code HOLIDAY2021.

Day #1 – Click & Grow Smart Indoor Herb Garden (3 slot size)

I’ve had my Click & Grow Herb Garden for just over 2 years now and I love it! I’ve grown many things in mine (lettuce, wild mini strawberries, cilantro, dill, basil, chives, rosemary, and mint). With practise, I now have it down to a science of a rotation of the herbs we use the most.

When I first add the pods, I like to mix them up so I don’t know which is which. Then I have fun guessing what they are as they begin to grow. I’ll admit that I even sometimes talk to them in the morning! 

“Oh hello my little cilantro!”

The things I love most about my herb garden:

• it’s a way to bring some life and greenery into my house, especially in these cold Canadian winters!
• it’s so easy to use (the grow lights are one a timer – all I need to do is add water when it gets low)
• adding fresh dill to perogies or potatoes, fresh basil to pastas, fresh mint to sparkling water or salads, fresh rosemary to gravy, chives to eggs and dips, cilantro to homemade guacamole or to top our dinners

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Day #2 – You Are Special Today Celebration Plate

One of the best gifts we’ve ever received was a red plate. This plate says “You are Special Today” and it has become a treasured family tradition in our home.

We received this gift after bringing two of our kids home from Ethiopia twelve years ago. Since that time, our entire family has used it to celebrate each other.

You Are Special Today Red Plate

On birthdays, the birthday person has this plate set out for them at their birthday supper. We have also put it out to honour special days such as one of our kids getting their first job, getting their driver’s license, graduating, or even for facing hard things and overcoming. 

The red plate symbolizes being cherished and being part of a family who is there to celebrate you in the good times and support you through the bad. 

My hope is that the winner of the red plate giveaway uses it to start their own family tradition of making each member of the family feel seen and celebrated.
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Day #3 – Cup of Té London Luxe Silver Starter Kit

I discovered Cup of Té last year during the holidays. The company was featured on Oprah’s Favourite Things last year and I was intrigued by their backstory and impressed by their founder so I ordered some of their tea to try.

I start every day with a mug of hot tea (with sugar), but I’m pretty picky about my tea. After trying many of their selections, London Calling is my favourite of theirs. I’ve chosen that as one of the teas I’m including in the giveaway.

Their founder, Taylor Lindsay-Noel was a former competitive gymnast who was paralyzed in an accident on the high bar. Her mission to find a new dream and to pursue that is very inspiring. 

Cup of Té donates $1 from each starter kit to mental health initiatives. Mental health has been something that has dramatically shaped our family, so that is all the more reason for me to love this company!

What’s in the Luxe Silver Starter Kit? 

• tea infuser
• luxe tin
• luxe spoon
• 100 g loose leaf London Calling tea
• 100 g loose leaf Cream of Earl Grey

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Day #4 – Multiplication Pop It Math Fidget

Pop Its are a great fidget for kids or adults. If you’re not familiar with them, they are essentially a reusable, quiet version of bubble wrap!

What I like about this Multiplication Pop It is that it gives older kids an excuse to use a fidget in a practical way and still get the sensory benefits from it.

Sensory play is so important for older kids and teens, but isn’t always as easy to accomplish for that age group. That’s why this math fidget gets my vote this year as one of my favourite things.

Multiplication Pop It Math Fidget

Enter the giveaway below.

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Day #5 – Bliss Collections Daily Planner Tear Off Pad

As a disorganized, wish-I-was-more-organized person who lives by lists, I love these Bliss Collections Daily Planner Tear Off Sheets. I use one for every weekday and in busy seasons, even use them for the weekend days as well. 

By the end of each day, mine are a mess of additional notes, random thoughts, and being able to check things off the list! But that’s just evidence of how useful I find them.

Bliss Collections Daily Planner with 50 Undated 8.5 x 11 Tear-Off Sheets

What I love about them:

• the appointments clock where I can shade in not only the time of the appointments, but the driving time so that I can see at a glance how much time will realistically be left in the day
• the “must get done today” section which helps me prioritize
• a slot to add in what I’m grateful for to give me perspective
• meal plan section which helps me plan what I’m serving for dinners and remember to eat lunch!
• “today’s achievements” – this has helped shift my focus from how much I didn’t get done to what I was able to accomplish

Enter to win a set of your own below.

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Day #6 – Lift As You Climb – The Story of Ella Baker

I love reading. I love books. I love my children. And I love inspiring, enlightening, world changing children’s books the very best!

Lift As You Climb, The Story of Ella Baker fits that criteria.

Lift as You Climb: The Story of Ella Baker

It was hard to pick a favourite book this year, but in honour of my youngest daughter who is fearlessly facing some adversities of her own this year and my wish for her right at this moment is to believe she can change the world. Plus, it’s a great anti-racism book for kids and that’s another topic close to my heart.

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Day #7 – 24 piece Copper Box of Chocolates from Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut

My guilty pleasure is chocolate. I’m also going to admit that I’m a total chocolate snob. I buy these amazing quality chocolates, but in my defence, I only eat one or two every few days so that they last a long time.

Cococo, the company that makes this chocolate is a Canadian owned company that is Rainforest Alliance Certified™, certified sustainable, and fair trade. 

Enter below to win a 24 piece Copper Box of Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut chocolates. Please note: Due to shipping considerations, this giveaway is only open to residents of Canada and the United States. 

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Day #8 – Holiday Guide to Sensory Overload PDF (3 Winners)

Now I know it may sound like I’m tooting my own horn to say that something I wrote is one of my favourite things of the year, but I’m really proud of this new resource that Heather and I wrote this year.

I know how much the holidays used to be a struggle in our family and it warms my heart to know that those struggles led to something good…the ability to help other families avoid some of that same struggle.

Today, I’m giving away The Holiday Guide to Sensory Overload (PDF) to 3 winners. Enter below. 

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Day #9 – Hallmark Christmas Movie Watching Shirt

This time of year, my “guilty pleasure” is watching those super cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies. (If you like them too, you might enjoy our Christmas Movie Bingo).

Last year, I got myself a shirt to fully embrace this holiday tradition.

Hallmark Christmas Movie Watching Shirt

Enter below to win a shirt for yourself to wear while you snuggle under a blanket with a mug of hot cocoa and have a holiday movie marathon. (Due to shipping, today’s giveaway is only open to residents of Canada and the United States.)

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Day #10 – Encouraging Mug

Since we’ve already established that I like to start my mornings with a nice cup of tea, I chose an inspirational mug as today’s giveaway. I have a collection of mugs, all with either a word or a phrase on them and I choose one each morning according to what I feel like I’m needing that day.

Let Your Faith Be Bigger Than Your Fear Mug

Enter to win a mug that will hopefully help you start the day with a bit of extra encouragement. (Due to shipping considerations, only residents of Canada and the United States are eligible for this prize.) 

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Day #11 – Discussion Napkins

I love, love, love these! They make a great hostess gift or you can keep them for yourself. Set out these cloth napkins, each of with a different discussion question on it and break the ice at your next family gathering or dinner party.

I’m someone who finds small talk torturous, so questions like these help move the conversation past the weather and into things of real substance. This builds or deepens relationships.

Enter below to win a set of Discussion Napkins. (Due to shipping considerations, today’s prize is only available for residents of the USA and Canada)

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Day #12 – Freezer Meals 101 Membership Master Level ($97 value!)

Freezer meals save my sanity so they are of course one of my favourite things. The winner of today’s draw will win a Master Level Freezer Meals 101 Membership. The coolest part? The doors aren’t even open yet so the winner will be the first!

The membership includes things like being able to create your own customized meal plans with printable shopping lists and exclusive videos to help you take the stress out of dinner. This prize is open to anyone worldwide.

Interested in more information? Sign up to get an email when the membership community is open.

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***Don’t forget that you can get 30% off EVERYTHING in our shop with the coupon code HOLIDAY2021 from now until the end of the giveaway!***

Thank you for being part of this year’s holiday giveaway! I hope this holiday season is filled with joy, hope, and love. ❤️

The post 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways 2021 appeared first on The Chaos and the Clutter.

What is oobleck?

Oobleck is a sensory play material that acts like a solid when under pressure but is a liquid at rest. That’s where the science of it all comes in. Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid because it can mimic the properties of both a solid and a liquid.

This festive Christmas offers a way to combine science discovery with sensory play.

Candy Cane Oobleck Recipe:

Supplies needed:

• 4 cups cornstarch
• 2 cups water
• red food dye
• baking dish
• optional: peppermint essential oil
• optional: plastic candy canes, pretend peppermints, and holiday cookie cutters

Directions:

1. Make one batch of white oobleck by mixing together 2 cups of cornstarch and 1 cup of water in a bowl.
2. Pour it into a glass baking dish to form a single layer.
3. Stir some red food dye into 1 cup of water.
4. Mix the red water with 2 cups of cornstarch to make red oobleck.
5. If you want, you can stir in a few drops of peppermint essential oil to make the oobleck smell like candy canes too. 
6. Drizzle the red oobleck over the white.
7. Drop some mini candy canes in there if you want or some Christmas cookie cutters or plastic candy canes and pretend peppermints.
8. Invite kids to play.

There is so much great sensory input in this activity. It provides wonderful tactile input, visual input, proprioceptive input, and if you use scent, olfactory input. Kids can squish it, squeeze it, tap it, drizzle it, smush it around, and pour it.

The science of it all:

I always find that kids learn best when they don’t even realize they’re learning. Invite your child or students to explore the oobleck and talk about their observations. 

When does the oobleck behave like a solid? When does it behave like a liquid?

Discuss states of matter. 

Read about Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids.

Important notes:

• Oobleck doesn’t keep as well as slime or playdough so it’s best to make it the same day you want to play with it.
• Never dispose of oobleck down the sink or it will clog your drain. Just allow it to dry a bit and scrape it directly into the garbage.
• Adult supervision should be used at all times with this or any sensory play activity.
• Although this recipe is technically taste-safe, I wouldn’t recommend eating it!

Sign up for your free Christmas Fun Jar activity ideas. 

Check out these other Christmas sensory activities:

Nativity Slime

I Spy Christmas Sensory Bag

Peppermint Playdough Station

The post Candy Cane Oobleck appeared first on The Chaos and the Clutter.

Christmas Activity Ideas

One of the hardest parts about creating holiday traditions with your family is coming up with Christmas activity ideas everyone in the family will enjoy. But with this easy holiday craft, the hard work is already done for you!

The printable PDF included with this fun craft comes with 30 different easy holiday activities. In addition to being simple to do, most of the activities on this list can be done right at home. That makes them perfect for enjoying time together while you’re stuck inside!

This big list of Christmas activities includes traditional holiday ideas, like baking cookies and wrapping Christmas presents, as well as some unique activities to enjoy together as a family. But the best part about pulling an activity out of this cute jar is that you never know what you’re going to get!

How to Make a Christmas Fun Jar

Making this Christmas activity jar couldn’t be easier. Start by downloading the printable list of activities and the jar label. Cut out each activity on a single strip of paper. Use the helpful guide lines to cut the activities so that each activity fits perfectly on a popsicle stick.

After you have all the activities cut out, just glue one strip to the top of a popsicle stick. You can give your jar a festive holiday look by using red and green popsicle sticks. I got mine at the dollar store or you can use plain popsicle sticks to hold your Christmas activity ideas.

When all the activities have been added to popsicle sticks, place them inside a mason jar. Decorate the front of the jar with the Christmas Activity Jar label, then add a holiday bow on top to make it look extra special. After that, all you have to do is set the jar out for your family to enjoy!

How to Use the Christmas Activity Jar

There are a few different ways you can use this Christmas activity jar to enjoy time with your family during the holiday season. Each of these methods are a great way to put a focus on making memories instead of purchasing gifts, ensuring your family has an amazing holiday season without the need for material things.

1. Activity advent calendar. Advent calendars are a popular way to count down the days until Christmas. But there’s no reason you have to use a traditional calendar to incorporate this fun activity into your holiday celebration. Use your activity jar as an advent calendar by picking a different popsicle stick activity each day leading up to Christmas. Your family will have tons of holiday fun every day until the big day, helping you build up the excitement for Christmas day in the process.
2. Memory makers. Make the most of the activities in your Christmas jar by using them to create lasting memories with your kids. Since most of the activities on the list are easy to do, there’s not much work involved in creating a fun time for your kids any day of the week. And allowing each kid to pick an activity for the day will ensure everyone in your family feels special throughout the holiday season.
3. Adding new traditions. Finding good holiday traditions that everyone in your family enjoys can sometimes be a game of trial and error. This year, work your way through a variety of holiday traditions by drawing a new activity from the jar each day. This method will help you figure out which traditional holiday activities your family likes to do together and which ones aren’t very popular. Make a note of the activities your family enjoyed and start to incorporate them into your holiday celebration from year to year.
4. I’m bored jar. Another fun way to use the jar is to help pass the time during the holiday season. If your kids are stuck at home this winter, you’re likely to hear the words “I’m bored” more than once. Every time one of your kids says those two words, let them pick a stick from the jar to help them find a fun way to pass the time.

Christmas Activity Jar

Supplies needed:

• popsicle sticks (you can use regular or coloured popsicle sticks)
• glue
• mason jar or other glass jar
• printable activities
• printable label
• holiday ribbon

Directions:

1. Print out the activity sheet and label.
2. Cut out the activity strips along the outer borders. (find the download for the label and activities here)
3. Cut out the printable label around the outer edge.
4. Glue the activity strips to the popsicle sticks and place the sticks in the jar.
5. Glue the label to the front of the jar and decorate the top with ribbon.

Sign up with your email to receive your free printable jar label and activity idea strips.

Check out these holiday family activities:

Christmas Movie Bingo

Minute to Win It Christmas Style

Nativity Playdough Station

The post Christmas Activity Ideas Jar appeared first on The Chaos and the Clutter.

Courtney has a gift for simplifying photography tricks. She allows moms to feel confident in forever preserving those treasured moments.

We all know that kids grow up too fast. Even by next year, they will have changed. That’s what makes photos such a blessing. 

If you struggle with things like:

• how to capture a good shot when your subject (aka busy child!) is constantly in motion
• memorializing those candid moments without it feeling forced
• taking good photos by the tree or Christmas lights
• the inspiration to document the moments before they’re gone
• getting that group shot without everyone feeling frustrated
• knowing how to create a heartwarming video using your phone camera
• taking memorable photos of the people and traditions you love,

then this is for you!

I know that this Christmas and the weeks leading up to it might look very different than you’re wishing they did. But I also know that you can make the best of them.

Create new family traditions.

• Do a holiday puzzle.
• Play board games.
• Watch Christmas movies snuggled under blankets.
• Make a hot cocoa bar. 
• Read a novel together every night.
• Bake cookies.
• Go toboganning.
• Decorate gingerbread houses.
• Sponsor a less fortunate family for the holidays.

Then capture those new traditions as well as some of your old ones using your amazing new photography skills. (there are also holiday video tips in there too…)

I’ve learned so much from Courtney and I’m sure you will too!

For those who want to get a jump start and just take the course now, Courtney is offering a $30 off discount for my readers with the code: CHAOS.

The post Make This a December to Remember appeared first on The Chaos and the Clutter.

You reading and interacting and sharing what I write allows me to keep doing that. Not only does it help support my family (those pesky ads actually help pay our groceries 😉), it also gives me the motivation to keep writing, to keep sharing. As a sign of my appreciation, I decided to host 12 Days of Christmas giveaways. I know 2020 has been a hard year for many of us. I also know that a few free prizes aren’t going to make up for all that loss. But they might bring a bit of extra cheer. They are a nice distraction too.

I thought a lot about what you might want. While I may not know each of you personally, I hear from many of you.

I know that you likely hold some of these traits:

• care deeply for a child or children
• kind
• overwhelmed
• hard working
• parent, grandparent, educator, or therapist
• fierce advocates
• put the needs of others first
• tendency to neglect your own self-care

So it stands to reason that you are TIRED. 

I’m right there with you.

While I can’t afford to hire you a maid or nanny, I’ve tried to choose things for the giveaway that will bring a smile, make your life a tiny bit easier, or allow you to better practise self-care.

I’m so excited! Wait until you see all the amazing prizes!

It’s actually hard for me to keep this secret and not spill the beans about what’s included each of the days…

2020 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway

I am so grateful for my readers, especially this year. In the midst of so many challenges and uncertainty, you have been a bright spot for me. I’ve watched you pivot and adapt in order to help the kids you care about. I’m so proud of all of you!

I wish that I had unlimited resources and could do something extravagant to help you. Consider these 12 days of giveaways and freebies a small token of my appreciation for who you are and what you do.

How it works:

Every day from December 1-12, come back to this page. You will find a new giveaway “unlocked” each of those days.

If you missed entering the previous days, you can still enter those draws by visiting each of those pages and participating in the giveaway. 

You can enter each one of the giveaways, giving you 12 chances to win!

All giveaways will end on December 12, 2020 at 11:59 Pacific time. You must be entered before this time to qualify. 

Winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address or another winner will be drawn.

1rst Day of Christmas Giveaway

My Favourite Things

I’ve compiled a list of my favourite things of 2020. The winner of this draw will receive one of each of the items. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Click here for a chance to win MY FAVOURITE THINGS.

2nd Day of Christmas Giveaway

A December to Remember

Click here for a chance to win A December to Remember.

3rd Day of Christmas Giveaway

Sensory Tools

Click here for a chance to win 3 Amazing Sensory Tools.

4th Day of Christmas Giveaway

Sensory Bin Starter Kit

Click here for a chance to win a Sensory Bin Starter Kit.

5th Day of Christmas Giveaway

Family Fun Night

Click here to enter for a chance to win what you need to create a Fun Family Night.

6th Day of Christmas Giveaway

Learning ResourcesClick for a chance to win 7 incredible learning resources.

7th Day of Christmas Giveaway

Christmas cheer

Enter for a chance to win a bit of extra Christmas cheer.

8th Day of Christmas Giveaway

Special Needs ResourcesVisit and enter for your chance to win some great Special Needs Resources.

9th Day of Christmas Giveaway

Happy at HomeVisit and enter for your chance to win items to help increase your happiness.

10th Day of Christmas Giveaway

Sanity Savers for Busy Moms

Enter to win these Sanity Savers for Busy Moms.

11th Day of Christmas Giveaway

Echo Dot

Visit this page and enter for your chance to win an Echo Dot.

12th Day of Christmas Giveaway

Today I’m giving away $100 Amazon gift card or $100 sent through PayPal. If you live in the USA or Canada, you can choose between the gift card and the money. If you live anywhere else in the world, I will send the $ through PayPal.

Simply enter in the Rafflecopter entry form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways 2020 appeared first on The Chaos and the Clutter.

Those Hallmark Christmas movies can be a wee bit addictive! Often, before we know it, the whole day has slipped by.

The reason it’s so much more fun to watch with your bingo cards in hand is it makes the predictability of the movies even funnier. 

Hallmark Christmas Movie Bingo:

Supplies needed: 

• Christmas Movie Bingo Cards (download yours here)
• marker, bingo daubers, or holiday stickers to cover the game squares

Directions:

1. Download and print out the bingo cards. 
2. As you watch holiday movies, mark all the squares that apply.
3. The winner is either the first person to fill five in a row OR you can just keep watching movies until you’re able to fill in every square on the cards.

So print off those bingo cards, pop some popcorn, get a mug of hot cocoa, and get ready to binge watch this season’s best!

Last year, my girls and I filled out all the squares on our cards.

That’s an awful lot of TV watching (!), but we sometimes made ornaments or iced cookies while we watched. One year, we rolled croquettes during the shows and the cheesy romance films were a great distraction for a tedious task. 

If you want to give prizes to the winner, you can choose holiday themed treats like candy canes or holiday baking. And instead of yelling out “Bingo”, you can choose a word more fitting to the theme like “Mistletoe”!

Sign up to receive your free Christmas Movie Bingo and you’ll also receive our email series 5 Secrets to Powerful Family Connection.

If you’re looking for other family holiday fun, you’ll want to check these out:

Christmas Minute to Win It Games

Christmas Printable Activities

Christmas Games for Kids

The post Christmas Movie Bingo appeared first on The Chaos and the Clutter.