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Easter Basket Scavenger Hunt

Posted on 03/20/202310/02/2024 by Addie

A fun way for kids to find their Easter baskets!!

Every year, we come home from Easter Mass and my kids go on a mad race to find their Easter baskets. It starts with an egg filled with a clue on the kitchen counter, and they run from clue to clue until their Easter basket is found. More detailed instructions are found in this video

How many Easter eggs?

You can do this hunt for kids of all ages, but the hunt may vary a bit. For example, babies up to 2 years might only have between 1 and 4 eggs with clues, and the clues will be very straight forward – ‘dishwasher’, ‘bed’, ‘couch’. The clues are simple, very near each other, and have an adult help them.

Once they get a little older, that 2-3 age range they might advance to 6 clue eggs. The clues will still be pretty straight forward – you could go completely simple like the 2 and under age, or you could take it up a notch by doing a clue like: “where you sleep”. They will still need adult help!

As the age increases the egg clue count and clue difficulty can increase. For 4-5 year olds, think about maybe 8 clues, for 6 and above you could do 10 and increase the difficulty in clue and where you hide them as they get older. My mom was still doing an Easter basket scavenger hunt for us when we were in high-school, and I can tell you it is still one of my fondest Easter memories to this day.

Some example Easter basket scavenger hunt clues

Easier Clues for 2-4 year olds

Where you sleep at night (bed)
Look where you’d store the thing you use to cook an egg (pot/pan drawer)
Where you go to watch your favorite show (couch)
Where you get buckled up (car seat)
Mom and dad go here to let coffee flow, but I prefer hot cocoa (coffee bar)
Milk, eggs, yogurt, cheese and more are kept cool here (refrigerator)
Where you would find your crayons (art supplies)
A special place where only your toys belong (toy box)
Where mom and dad sleep (parents bed)
Where you get your underwear (drawers)

Harder clues for 5-7 year olds

I have prongs and help you to eat, I also help you keep your hands neat (utensil drawer)
I cook things really fast in here, when it’s done a beep you will hear (microwave)
If you open me up you’ll feel the heat, I often cook things on a baking sheet (oven)
Scrub your head, scrub your toes and everywhere in between, when you get out of me you’ll feel squeaky clean (tub or shower)
Some nights I count sheep, in the place where I go to sleep (bed)
First you throw your clothes in a bin, then it’s my job to make them spin (washer/dryer)
Mama sits here to do her work, but I also like to go there to draw my artwork (desk/office)
Add some dish soap and pick my mode, and open me up to load and unload (dishwasher)
If I want my room to look nice and clean, I put my clothes here where they won’t be seen (closet)
It’s always fun to go outside, put on your helmet and jump on me to ride (bicycle)

The riddles or clues can get even harder for 8 years and up. I don’t have that age kids yet, so I haven’t come up with any example clues, but I bet you could find some with a quick Google search if you need some ideas!

Setting up the Easter scavenger hunt

For more in depth steps, make sure to watch this video

Write out your clues
Organize them in the order you want them to be hunted. I like to send my kids all over the place, from one end of the house to the other, from the top of the house to the bottom (unless their babies, then they get clues right next to each other). When you have them in the order you want, keep this as a master list. A master list is key for a quick set up of the hunt and also for if someone gets confused during the hunt and needs a little help in course correction.
Write out (or print) the clues on paper and cut them out into strips, making sure to write the clue number lightly on the back. If you have multiple kids doing the hunt, make sure to label their first initial as well as the clue number to keep yourself from getting confused later on
Get some Easter eggs, and start stuffing the clues inside the eggs, labeling each egg with a sharpie with the first initial and clue number as well
As you stuff and label the clues, organize them into different bags according to the levels in your house. This will make it easier for you when hiding all the eggs. For me, I have 4 bags – 2nd floor, 1st floor, basement & outside.
Using your master list, go around your house and place the Easter eggs where they should be hidden. Remember that you will be working 1 clue backward from your master list – so clue 1 will be handed to your child, clue 2 egg will be placed in the place that answers riddle 1. So for example, clue 1 says “go where you keep your food cold”. That clue will be given to your child to start the hunt, clue to will go in the refrigerator, then so on and so on with the rest of the clues.
Hide the Easter basket in the place where the last clue tells them to go. Make sure that it is hidden enough so that they don’t accidently see the Easter basket when hunting for the other clues.
Hand them their first clue and send them on the hunt!!

At my house, we do the basket hunt as soon as we get home from Easter Mass. The night before, when the kids are sleeping, I will set up most of the hunt, leaving only the starting eggs and the baskets to be set. Then on Easter morning, as we are heading out for Mass, my husband will take them to the car, and when they are out the door, I will quickly go hide the Easter baskets and set the starter eggs in a bowl on the kitchen counter. When we come in the door after Mass the kids see the Easter eggs on the counter, scream in excitement, and start their hunt!!!

When they have all found their Easter baskets, we sit around and go through them, and when they are distracted, Dan sneaks out and lays out the eggs outside for the Easter egg hunt.

I hope this makes sense! Again, watch my Easter scavenger hunt video, that might clear up some questions. Happy Easter!

Lenten Countdown for Kids

Posted on 02/20/202302/19/2023 by Addie

Lent is a time for preparation, and teaching your kids about Lent from a young age will be so rewarding! In this video, I share all about our Lenten family traditions and some ideas to get your kids involved in the Lenten season. I have also made this countdown worksheet so that they have something tangible to cross off or do each day.

There are two different versions. The first is blank, and the second contains prompts. Each has a light purple box for days of fasting, and yellow boxes for Sundays when you do not have to observe the Lenten ideals. You’ll start at the arrow, and spiral in for 40 days to get to Easter. You can cross off the days as you go, use a dot marker, or color them in.

The countdown with prompts is geared toward easy tasks that kids as young as 2 should be able to complete (some with your help). If you have an older child who is giving something up or doing something extra, they could use it to mark the days that they completed their Lenten sacrifice. Adults can also use the blank one to help hold themselves accountable.

On the countdown with prompts, you will see that I have Resurrection Eggs listed for Holy Saturday. Dyeing Easter eggs is a beloved tradition for my kiddos each year, as I’m sure is for your kids too. It’s an activity I like to do before Easter so that we have them all ready to go for Easter. With this fun comes an opportunity to learn and talk about the Easter story. You can find many resources regarding Resurrection eggs if you have not heard of them. We will talk about the stories and symbols as we dye our eggs.

Enjoy this Lenten freebie! I hope that you have a blessed Lenten season.

Preschool Valentine’s Day Activities

Posted on 01/31/202302/06/2024 by Addie

Here are 5 fun and easy activities for you to do with your preschoolers! These are great and easy Valentines day activities for your kids ages 3-5.

For some more easy Valentine’s Day activities for kids, check out the videos below.

Toddler Valentine’s Activities: https://youtu.be/V7PADKEQc68

Valentine’s Crafts & Activities: https://youtu.be/NknXkkKXGlg

Easy Valentine’s Crafts: https://youtu.be/bTRqbLtJSCo

Valentine’s sensory activity

Toddler Valentine’s Day Activities

Posted on 01/31/202302/06/2024 by Addie

VALENTINE ACTIVITIES FOR TODDLERS!

These are 5 easy Valentine’s Day activities for kids, specifically in the toddler stage (although more ages can enjoy too).

For more easy Valentines Day activities for kids, check out the other videos below!

Preschool Valentine’s Activities: https://youtu.be/eRxc7YDq51Y

Valentine’s Crafts & Activities: https://youtu.be/NknXkkKXGlg

Easy Valentine’s Crafts: https://youtu.be/bTRqbLtJSCo

Valentine’s sensory activity

2 Year Old Christmas Gift Guide

Posted on 11/01/202211/02/2022 by Addie

2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Toddlers

They call them the terrible 2’s, but if you follow this gift guide, you will have all the tools you need to support your child’s explosion of imagination, increasing coordination, and maybe even avoid those “terribles” that people always talk about.

The toys on this list have been used and tested with all 3 of my children and my older ones have grown past 2 with them and still love them. Enjoy the list and don’t forget to send to family and friends if they need ideas too.

Best Gifts for 2 Year Old Toddler

(This list contains affiliate links for your convenience. This means at no cost to you, if you make a purchase using one of these links, I may earn a commission).

You can find my complete Amazon 2 Year Old Gift Guide here.

Mini Backpack

Kinetic Sand

Doll Stroller

Play Sink

Watering Can

Ice Cream Set

Nesting Dolls

Mini Trampoline

Shape & Color Sorting Toy

Kids Kitchen Helper Set

Animal Figurines

Balance Bike

Tea Set

Stepping Stones

Transferring Practice Pitchers

Train Set

Jumbo Tweezers

Wobble Board

Spray Bottle & Squeegee

Tool Kit

Hoola Hoops

Play Kitchen

Play Cutting Food

Shopping Cart

Toddler Utensils

Scooter

Buckle Toy

Duplo

Skoolys

Picasso Tiles

Doll Accessories

Christmas Gift Guide for HER!

Posted on 11/01/202211/15/2022 by Addie

Looking for a gift for the wife, mother, woman in your life? You’ve come to the right place. Everything on this list has been either tested and loved by me (a woman, wife & mother) OR it is something that I myself am asking for this year. I hope you get some good ideas for the loved one in your life, or some ideas to add to you own list!! I’ve added some links to make things a bit easier, some of them are affiliates.

Stanley Cup – A water bottle that holds 40oz but also fits into your cup holder! AND it has a straw. I’m in heaven. If you already have a nice water bottle and don’t want to spend the money on another but you can’t fit it in your cup holder, then you can look into getting an adapter instead – I have this one.
Puzzle Bags – Calling all organizers! These bags are great – I use them not only for puzzles but also for lego sets, calico critters, other figurines & sets that I want to keep together as well as manuals, cords and such.
Charging Station – this was such a game changer in organizing all the electronics and cords in my house. They are all now neatly hidden, the kids know where to put their tablets when their done, and it comes with cords so that you don’t have to buy extra.
Dry Shampoo – A must have – no explanation needed. I like this brand bc it’s more natural. This one has a tint for brunettes.
Nail Dip Kit – These days I would prefer to spend my money on my kids, but I would still love to have my nails looking nice. This dip kit comes with everything you need to pamper yourself a little.
Heated Mug – Any mom can relate to the fact that sometimes it takes ALL day to get to the point where you can actually sit and enjoy your coffee. This mug keeps it nice and cozy.
Kitchen Aid Mixer Lid – Sometimes I just want to put the cookie dough in the fridge for a few hours before I’m ready to bake, or I might need to store some shredded chicken before I have time to make chicken salad. Whatever the reason, sometimes I just need a lid! And this is great because it also doubles as a splash guard for when you’re mixing something messy like four or liquids. This is the one for the tilt mixers and this is the one for the lift mixers.
All Clad Pots & Pans – I really like the All Clad D5 line. This is my favorite pot that we have in my house – it’s just fantastic.
A Good Sports Bra – If you want one with awesome support, try this (it runs small so size up!). If you’re looking for something a bit more stylish but still has a decent amount of support, then this one is your pick.
Leggings – No matter how many she has, she could probably still use another pair, LOL! I really like this brand for everyday and these for more winter thermal. I used to like KolorfulKoala but honestly I can’t recommend that brand anymore – I returned my last pair.
Cheese Board – I love entertaining, and a good cheeseboard/snack tray is essential. I like slate so that you can do chalk labeling, and personally I like the ones with handles so that they are easily moved.
Cord Free Portable Charger – It’s convenient, eliminates and cord & is small enough to fit in a small purse.
Glass Tupperware – I LOOOVE glass tupperware. It’s so much better for you health wise, easier to clean, and just nice. I like this set because it has a variety of shapes (both round and rectangle) as well as different sizes.
Cleaning Service – Seriously, if I could only get one thing, I think this would be it. If you’re in Cincinnati, I’d recommend the Mindful Maid Cleaning Company, if not, then I would suggest going on your local Facebook moms group for some recommendations.
Qeepsake monthly subscription and book – this makes it so easy to actually do something with all the pictures that you take as well as keep special memories that you don’t want to forget!
Claw clips – definitely the ‘in’ hair item right now – I have several and love them
Sono Speaker(s) – this is a splurge, but I’ll tell you what, it’s worth every penny. I love that they can connect throughout the house if you want, or you could just do one. I use mine when I’m cleaning the house, doing dishes and of course for dance parties with the kids.
Belt Bag – AKA a fanny pack – This one from Lululemon is great, I’ve had mine for about 2 years now and it has held up great. You can use it cross body or at the waist.
Comfy sneaker – You can’t go wrong with a classic white sneaker. These ones are so comfy!
Laminator & Laminating Sheets – I use this all the time for preschool with my kiddos – if you follow me chances are you like to do preschool or activities with your kiddos too. If you already have the laminator, then just a pack of the sheets would be perfect!
Truffle Oil – If you like truffle, then this is a game changer to have in your kitchen. If not as a main gift, a small truffle salt would make a great stocking stuffer.

I have more gift ideas for her HERE!!

5 Year Old Christmas Gift Guide

Posted on 11/01/202210/25/2022 by Addie

2022 Holiday Gift Guide for 5 Year Old’s

It’s crazy the amount of growing up that a 5 year old does. A combination of starting school, brain development, emotional awareness and much more. But it’s important to remember that 5 year old’s are still kids and they need to have some hands on imaginary play. Let them have that playful attitude for as long as you can! I currently have a 5 year old, and this list includes things that she has continued to love throughout her 5th year as well as things she is getting this year for Christmas.

Kindergarten Gift Guide – Best Toys for 5 Year Old‘s

(This list contains affiliate links for your convenience. This means at no cost to you, if you make a purchase using one of these links, I may earn a commission). You can find my other Amazon Gift Guides here.

Digital Camera