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Winter Activity #7 - Play a Life-Sized Board Game

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:22:53 +0000

My preschooler loves board games. He also loves being super-active. I combined the 2 to make a life-sized board game filled with fun and adventure. These instructions show you how to create your own life-sized board game in a short amount of time.

A life-sized board game brings the family hours of fun.
Photo © Apryl Duncan

Our game design always changes. I use painter's tape to mark off the board's spaces. One day we'll play in the living room. The next day, the board game will have him traveling down the hall, into the dining room and through the kitchen.

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Winter Activity #7 - Play a Life-Sized Board Game originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 at 10:22:53.

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5 Things Parents Should Never Post on Facebook

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:35:10 +0000

Proud parents love to show off their kids. Used to be that we would just force our wallet full of photos onto unsuspecting strangers at the doctor's office or in grocery store lines. Today, it only takes a couple of clicks for us to share our kids' photos with everyone from Aunt Susie in London to an old kindergarten classmate in Alaska.

Be careful of what you post on Facebook.
Photo © Getty Images

Facebook can easily be called the number one resource where parents post their children's photos. It's easy to keep up with family members and reconnect with our long-lost friends.

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5 Things Parents Should Never Post on Facebook originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Monday, February 13th, 2012 at 10:35:10.

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Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Moms

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:42:02 +0000

Roses wilt then leave a mess mom has to clean up. Jewelry is pretty but isn't practical for a mom who chases toddlers all day.

Make sure your gift is memorable in a good way.
Photo © maxlain / stock.xchng

This year, think outside of the chocolate box for Valentine's Day gift ideas for mom.

There are plenty of great gifts for mom that aren't cliched or impractical. So when you head out to do your shopping, keep walking past the aisle with the pink plastic hearts and red balloons to stay off the bad gifts for mom list.

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Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Moms originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Friday, February 10th, 2012 at 10:42:02.

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Winter Activity #6 - Create an "I Ruff You" Foam Dog

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:07:37 +0000

One of the very first Valentine's Day projects I created with my older son is the "I Ruff You" foam dog. This cute pup has been living on our refrigerator for the past 3 years.

Say "I Ruff You!" to family and friends
Photo © Apryl Duncan

Step-by-step instructions show you how to create an "I Ruff You" foam dog of your own. And your supply list is simple: a few foam sheets that cost about 50-cents each, some googly eyes, mini pom poms and a pen. Everything can be found at your favorite craft and hobby store.

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Winter Activity #6 - Create an "I Ruff You" Foam Dog originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 at 10:07:37.

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Take the Kids Around the World Without Ever Leaving Home

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:40:45 +0000

Where can children see monkeys roaming through their neighborhood? Where do kids eat beet soup topped with sour cream?

Photo © mckaysavage / Flickr

Go on a global adventure with your kids to explore other countries. You don't even have to leave your living room. With activities that start with preschoolers and go all the way up to your school-age children, the whole family can explore world cultures together.

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Take the Kids Around the World Without Ever Leaving Home originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Monday, February 6th, 2012 at 10:40:45.

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Things to Do with Kids in February

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:02:06 +0000

Are your kids screaming, "I'm bored," from being trapped indoors yet? We're starting to hunker down around here with the nippy weather forcing us to stay inside.

Enjoy family time together inside during these cold winter months.
Photo © Manchan / Getty Images

February is full of fun activities to enjoy with your kids, despite the weather outside. And with important month-long observances, such as American History Month, Black History Month and American Heart Month, there are plenty of opportunities to teach your kids something new while you're waiting for the weather to warm up.

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Things to Do with Kids in February originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Friday, February 3rd, 2012 at 11:02:06.

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Winter Activity #5 - Shoot an I Love You Photo Collage

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:39:29 +0000

Just in time for Valentine's Day, this week's winter activity lets the whole family get creative to shoot an "I Love You" photo collage. It's a great gift for grandparents, but you'll soon see you want to make one for yourself too. These step-by-step instructions show you how to make a unique collage.

Get creative with the camera and the kids this week.
Photo © Apryl Duncan

My son was barely 2 when we started creating these for Dad. I printed off the letters in "I Love You" and "Daddy" on 8.5x11 sheets of glossy paper.

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Winter Activity #5 - Shoot an I Love You Photo Collage originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 at 10:39:29.

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Keep Kids Safe on Field Trips

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:12:33 +0000

My older son recently went on his first field trip at school. It was a big deal for him ... and for his dear, old mom too.

I made sure he was wearing brightly-colored clothing. I reminded him to stay with his teacher. I labeled his clothing with his name. I wrote my phone number on his hand. I did everything I could to make sure we followed the rules of field trip safety.

Yes, I went overboard. I admit it. But it's hard to turn your five year old over to someone who's going to be outnumbered by kids as they travel to a new place outside of the school.

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Keep Kids Safe on Field Trips originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 10:12:33.

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This Month's Moment for Mom

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:57:50 +0000

The kids are trying to hibernate now that the weather has turned cold and this can make your four walls feel like they're shrinking. Take a well-deserved time out with this month's Moment for Mom to see what's new on the About.com Stay-at-Home Moms site:

New Articles:

How to Organize Photos
Now that the holidays are over, get your digital photos organized in a few easy steps.
Preschool Field Trip Ideas
Burn off that preschooler energy with age-appropriate field trips.
Elementary Field Trip Ideas
Load up your grade schooler for field trips that challenge their minds outside of the classroom.
Middle School Field Trip Ideas
Middle school students are ready for unique field trips that take them to places they weren't quite ready for as elementary school students.

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This Month's Moment for Mom originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Monday, January 30th, 2012 at 10:57:50.
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Cloth Diaper Reviews

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:31:28 +0000

The cloth vs. disposable diapers debate is as much of a hot-button issue in parenting circles as the stay-at-home moms vs. working moms battle. Well, I have a confession.

With my firstborn, I exclusively used disposable diapers. Shocking, I know. And when my younger son came along, I went the same route, forking over about $40 a month for a giant box of diapers.

You see, what I knew about cloth diapers was what my mom had told me cloth diapers were like back when I was a baby. Think: bulky-butt babies and giant safety pins!

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Cloth Diaper Reviews originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Friday, January 27th, 2012 at 11:31:28.

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