13 Smart Pet Organization Ideas

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Do you have pets? We have a dog, a cat and a fish and keeping all of their food and accessories organized can be a challenge. We use a few of these fun pet organization ideas here because they are just so smart. I love finding new ways to keep things tidy in a simple way.

If you’re still on the fence about a pet, here is some advice from other moms about the best pet for a family.

13 Smart Pet Organization Ideas

Keep your pet food in these plastic containers used for holding shoes and add a little decorative label. via Real Coake

If you’re traveling with a pet, use a toiletry bag to keep their road trip essentials close by like their leash and food. via Bark Post

This pet cabinet is super smart. Keep everything for your pup in one place. They even painted the inside door with chalkboard paint to write down the last feeding time. via Polished Habitat

This adorable wicker basket in the shape of a bone is a great spot for hiding dog toys.

Keep your dog food in a stylish trash can that will match the rest of your home. Spray paint the lid to match and add a vinyl label to the front.

This wire dog bone shelf so cute and will give you a tidy place to keep your toys and leashes. via Pottery Barn

Use this free printable vet records sheet to remember exactly when and what vaccines your pet has had. via Proud Dog Mom

Keep all of their bath time things together with this grooming caddy. via I Heart Organization

This canned cat food organizer is the perfect size to keep all those small food cans.

Are your dog toys starting to smell a little? All that dog slobber needs to get cleaned once in a while. Follow this guide for cleaning pet toys. via Good Dogs Co

This adorable pet food station with custom prints of your dog is a special little place just for them. via Hudson and Co

This pet food container has a pop-up lid and reseals with just the push of a button.

Using shelving in the garage to hold all your pet supplies works great. There is so much room for absolutely everything. via HGTV

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Awesome Aluminum Pan Drawings

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Do your children love to color? Mine sure do!

In fact, my oldest son recently remarked, “There is nothing better than a box of new markers and a fresh stack of white paper.” I have to agree with him, but I also think it’s fun to change things up once in a while.

Boy, was he surprised when I left a box of new Sharpie markers and a stack of aluminum pans on the art table. Creating Aluminum Pan Drawings was fun, exciting, and something different to try!

Aluminum Pan Drawings

Kids will have an unforgettable art experience when they combine vibrant Sharpie markers and shiny aluminum pans. Perfect for home, school, or camp, this craft is easy for kids of all ages.

Materials and Directions:

• Aluminum Pie Pans
• Sharpie Markers (all colors!)

After gathering supplies, invite children to color on the aluminum pans.

Some kids may enjoy creating robot faces.

Others may enjoy coloring flowers, nature scenes, or their favorite cartoon character. The possibilities are endless!

Hang the aluminum pan drawings on the wall with a string or from a pole in the garden to keep birds away.

More Creative Art for Kids

If you liked this idea, you may also enjoy:

Scribble Art for Kids

Watercolor Art with Markers

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DIY Necklaces and Accessories For Kids

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Do your kids love making DIY necklaces? We have found so many adorable tutorials for necklaces, bracelets and even earrings and hair bows! Your kids will love making their own fashion statements!

We can’t help it — we are obsessing over all of these cute options, and we think your kids just might too! Oh to be young again and able to pull off these adorable looks!

The best part is, these are actually d0-able. Nothing too complex or scary. Simple steps to make your child’s day and give them some new fashion to wear!

DIY Headbands

Your kids will love making headbands from t-shirts. All you need is scissors and old shirts!

Gather up your favorite old buttons or buy some bright and shiny new ones, and you can create these adorable buttoned headbands.

Make a flowered headband with this easy tutorial. We love all the different color combinations you can do with scrap fabric.

Just a subtle bow on these homemade headbands but the effect is so cute. Perfect for wearing everyday or during playtime.

Create a scrunchy flowery headband right in your own house. These are so easy to make and adorable!

DIY Hair Clips

Spruce up those old bobby pins with some paint and buttons to make new homemade bobby pins!

From headbands to clips these adorable hair accessories are made with hot glue and glitter.

Thread your boring old clips with adorable threads. These are quick homemade hair flowers that are so fun and unique.

Curly ribboned hair accessories are perfect for the littlest girl in your life. All the colors make these so exciting.

These simple homemade hair bows are made from felt and and are a quick and easy craft to do when you need a matching bow fast!

Fun for Halloween, these google eyed hair clips are entirely too much fun.

Fashion your own DIY hair clips with this simple tutorial. We are loving all the buttons!

DIY Hair Bows

Easy no-sew flower hair clips. We love how easy these are to make, and they are unlike any other bows you’ll see on all the other kids!

Ready for even more fun with felt? There are so many options for homemade flower bows in this amazing tutorial list.

Make this simple DIY bow with very few items, and only a little bit of time for a whole lot of cute.

While this one does require a bit of sewing these ruffled flower clips are so cute they are worth every moment they take to create.

DIY Necklaces

Make homemade princess necklaces with this simple tutorial. Perfect for a princess party!

Sand art is so much fun, which is why we combined it with another favorite – homemade jewelry!

Turn simple recyclable materials into a pretty bottle cap necklace. Some stickers and Mod Podge make this such a fun craft.

For the little horse lover in your life, make these fun DIY horse necklaces, each one is different so she can wear a new one every day.

Not gonna lie, we are obsessing over these Disney princess inspired necklaces. Those color combinations are perfection.

This is DIY jewelry on another level. Mini clothespins painted and spruced up into a gorgeous necklace.

Make a DIY best friends necklace out of puzzle pieces. So fun to make these from home and there is room for many BFFs!

Combine lots of buttons to make this adorable DIY retro necklace.

We were majorly impressed with all of the DIY jewelry that can be made using colored pencils! So many colorful options.

Take those buttons to the next level with these cute homemade animal necklaces made with buttons.

Homemade diffuser necklaces are pretty, and you can use them to surround your kids with your favorite essential oil blends.

Combine nail polish and tools to make these unique DIY charm necklaces.

Create a homemade chunky necklace using this fun tutorial and gum balls!

DIY Bracelets For Kids

These DIY bangle bracelets are made using clay. They are so colorful and fun, I never would have guessed they were homemade!

There are so many types of rainbow loom bracelets your kids can make using these fun tutorials.

Yarn and toilet paper rolls mix together to make these cute little DIY bracelets for kids!

Paper clips to rubber bands, these homemade bracelets are all made from different office supplies!

Homemade Bracelets

Using fabric beans you can make DIY bracelets and necklaces, so many options.

DIY wooden bracelets are decorated with Washi tape to make the fun and fashionable.

These bandanas make adorable fabric bangle bracelets! Make your own fashion statements with this fun activity.

Button bracelets are all the rage right now. So sweet and customizable for the kids to get to show off their own styles.

Glitter tubes and fun mix together to make the cutest homemade bracelets ever!

Easy homemade jewelry comes in the form of plastic bottles! Bracelets, headbands and so much more!

Friendship bracelets made at home with this fun jellyfish bracelet activity.

You know the cardboard sleeve that goes around coffee cups? Grab that and turn it into a custom made bracelet!

DIY Rings

For a splash of summer make this adorable strawberry ring for your girls.

For some weekend fun, make an evening of creating DIY cardboard rings for this cute look.

Fun homemade rings created with coins and Mod Podge. The initials are super fun!

Duct tape rings made from all the different colors and patterns, for the cutest rings possible!

Even more homemade jewelry from office supplies, these rubber band rings are so quick and easy to make and adorable to wear.

Homemade statement rings are so bright, colorful and flowery, your girls will love making them and wearing them!

DIY Crowns

The last of our beautiful felt jewelry options, make this fun crown for the little princes and princesses in your life.

Such a fun homemade crown, using feathers and a little pie plate!

Make your own birthday crown with this adorable tutorial. The kids will love all the sparkles!

Make natural crowns using colorful pinecones. Perfect for your little fairies and woodland princes!

Make a fun DIY butterfly crown using things around the yard and a few things from the craft store.

If you are looking for something fancy for your little princess dancer to wear while twirling but not too special to keep for only special occasions this breath crown is perfect!

 

Which of these fun DIY necklaces, jewelry and accessories will you and your kids try first?

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Under Armour Uniforms: Because Kids Don’t Sit Still in School

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I am the mom of three boys who all go to a school that wears uniforms.  This is why I am so thrilled to be sharing with you this information from our sponsor, Under Armour…

Under Armour now makes school uniforms!

 

If your kids are like mine, they are constantly treating their uniforms like athletic wear!  The ability for me to provide uniforms that WEAR like athletic wear is a big deal.

Because I have 3 boys who are all 2 1/2 years apart in age, I am a huge believer in the hand-me-down system.  Each closet has bins on the shelves above the hanging rod filled with the next size from big brother.  One of the issues I have with uniforms is that they rarely make it to that box because they are worn out.

Under Armour uniforms are all stain resistant, machine washable and will not shrink or fade.  The fabric chosen for uniform bottoms has a two-way stretch which makes them comfortable whether your student is sitting or playing.

Girls will appreciate that uniform choices include skinny stretch Bermuda short, skinny stretch chino pant, and stretch twill skort.

I know my boys will be obsessed with the hidden zippered technology side pockets…cool!

When I was in school, I actually fought FOR uniforms.  The school that I went to had such a restrictive dress code that it was challenging to find clothing that fit the requirements.  My boys have been at this school since Kindergarten and don’t know anything different, but after a long summer of wearing what they want it is hard to get them back in the mood.

Their summer “uniform” includes many of the Under Armour sports clothes – even if their plans the day don’t include competitive sports!  I think the transition will be easier this year.

School uniforms are exclusively on UnderArmour.com and at select Armour Factory House stores.

Watch the #UANEXT hashtag for all sorts of Under Armour fun!

 

 

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5 Foods for Picky Eaters

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Do you have a picky eater in your home? I do and today I am going to share 5 Foods for Picky Eaters on Family Food Live with Holly & Chris. These recipes will help hide the good stuff so your kids won’t even know they are eating healthy!

Our show is going to be live on the Burnt Macaroni Facebook page at 12 Noon CST today.

Here’s a look at some of the recipes for 5 Foods for Picky Eaters:

Zucchini Cupcakes

This is one of my kids favorite recipes. You can’t even tell Zucchini is the main ingredient. Here’s the recipe for Zucchini Cupcakes!

Spaghetti & Meat Sauce

This special recipe for spaghetti and meat sauce is another family favorite. I like to add a few extras to the sauce to get a healthy treat. Check out what you need for this Spaghetti & Meat Sauce recipe!

Taco Quesadilla

Shopping List:

• 1 pound Hamburger Meat, ground
• Taco Seasoning
• 1 Cup Shredded Cheese
• 1 cup Spinach
• Flour Tortillas

Instructions:

• Brown your hamburger meat, add taco seasoning and prepare as directed
• In a medium pan, layer flour tortilla, taco meat, shredded cheese and spinach in between another flour tortilla
• Cook on each side until the cheese is melted
• Slice into 4 quarters and serve

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

Shopping List:

• 1 cup Spinach
• 1/2 Banana, cut into pieces
• 1/4 cup Plain Yogurt, put into ice cube trays and frozen
• 1 cup mixed Frozen Fruit
• 1 cup Milk

Instructions:

• First put yogurt in an ice cube tray to freeze
• Add frozen yogurt, mixed frozen fruit, banana slices and spinach in plastic bag, put in freezer
• When ready for smoothie, add milk and frozen smoothie pack to blender
• Serve cold

Apple Nutella Pops

Shopping List:

• Apple, cut into 8 slices
• Lemon juice
• Nutella spread
• Sprinkles
• Shredded Coconut
• Pop sticks

Instructions:

• Slice apple into 8 slices
• Dip into lemon juice to keep from browning
• Push the pop sticks into bottom of apple
• Dip the top into Nutella spread
• Dip into sprinkles or shredded coconut
• Put in freezer for 1 hour or serve immediately

Join Family Food Live with Holly & Chris every Wednesday and Friday at Noon CST on the Quirky Momma Facebook page.

Here are a few of our favorite products from Family Food Live (affiliate links)

• Cuisinart 2 Quart Ice Cream Maker
• Victorinox Fibrox Straight Edge Chef’s Knife, 8-Inch
• Lemon Squeezer
• Mason Jars
• Williams-Sonoma Open Kitchen Half Apron in Red or Blue
• Crockpot
• Apple Corer
• Popcorn Bowl
• MaxiMatic double burner hot plate
• Glass Egg carton
• Black & Decker 4 slice toaster
• Hamilton Beach Hand Mixer
• Cuisinart 8-cup Food Processor
• Meat Mallet
• Zoku Quick Pop Maker
• Ice Cream or Cookie Scooper
• Norpro Butter Keeper
• 3-Piece Veggie Peeler
• Garlic Press

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Melted Bead Suncatcher On The Grill

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A melted bead suncatcher is such a fun way to celebrate the return of lots of sunshine and warm weather.

Any other sunshine fans out there?

It will make a great addition to any outdoor ornaments to make with kids that you have already. You know you want to start a collection.

Plus, this kid-friendly craft is made on your grill outside. You know, in the sunshine. Which is the best part.

Melted Bead Suncatcher

What You Need to Make a Melted Bead Suncatcher: (affiliate links)

• Round baking pan
• Aluminum foil
• Translucent pony beads

Use the aluminum foil to line your baking pan. This makes it much easier to remove the suncatcher when finished and helps keep your pan from getting damaged.

Arrange the beads in the pan so that they are flat on their side. We made a rainbow pattern for one suncatcher, and then just added the beads randomly for the other. There are so many possibilities!

Once the beads are arranged, place the pan on the rack of your grill outside. Heat on high for five minutes, then check it. It will be ready once all the beads have melted, but you don’t want to let it sit too long.

When all the beads have melted, remove it from the heat and allow to cool completely. Lift the foil out of the pan and peel it away from your suncatcher.

Drill a hole in the top and hang it from your window!

You can also try making melted bead suncatcher custom shapes. And this glass gem suncatcher would be fun, too!

Do you have a favorite sunshine craft? Share it with us on our Facebook page!

 

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25 Math Activities for Kids who HATE Math

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If your kids HATE math, you are not alone. Here are some math activities for kids to help them learn to love math one problem at a time.  If you do one of these activities every afternoon with your child they will not only catch up to their peers and become more confident learners, they just might also discover a love of logic!

Why use math worksheets when you can use game cards to review math skills!  Check out how this mom plays and learns using Uno.

Skip counting is one of the pre-requisites for a solid foundation in math.  Help your kids understand patterns in numbers with this skip counting activity.

Do your kids LOVE games?  Ours do!  Practice and review fractions with the game Connect 4.

Have a Math white board  – I love this idea for a class opening activity!  Kids race to see how many ways they can combine numbers to make the answer.  It is great for multiple levels of learning.

Math Games for Kids

Your kids can learn while they play, on the ipad or android device with some of these Math Apps for Kids.

Watch your legos move – while exploring concepts of spatial reasoning with a Lego Maze.

Money math – so easy to create a math money review lesson.  All you need is a random handful of coins, a slip of paper with a total your kids need to reach and a jar of change.

Over at The Science Kiddo, they used legos and toys to help explain the concepts of place value.

Make Math Fun for Kids

You can literally see in 3D how multiplication and powers work and grow rapidly with 3D graphing.  Use Legos!

Got a kiddo who struggles with corners versus verticals?   They will understand quickly the importance of corners when they are made of marshmallows!  Edible geometry!

Play a math game with your whole body – great interaction for antsy kiddos!  Play Human Place Value.

Is skip counting “just a concept” to your kids?  Help them see how multiplication works by skip counting with manipulatives.

Trick to multiply the nines.  Find the answer by folding down different fingers.

Skip Counting puzzles – a great way to learn about the hundreds chart and number families/patterns.

Make a math journal more interactive by adding Pop-up bar graphs.  Kids remember things they create.

Adaptable Worksheet with number cards.  Laminate it and change the number out at the top to make a new problem!

Craft Stick Math Station idea.   It’s a puzzle.  Each stick matches another.  Make a chain from the problems.

Review math facts with a cootie catcher.  Great game for learning multiplication facts or even matching fractions and checking your work.

Help Kids Learn… when they don’t want to!

Sandwich Fractions.  Cut up your lunch and learn about fractions and amounts at the same time!

Tenzi the Math Dice Game.  This dice game is addictive!  You can adapt it for a wide range of kids learning levels.

Go big.  Create a dice from a large cube box.  Dice can be used in so many learning activities.

Jenga – this block game is super adaptable.  Use it for Speed Math Review.

Make paper hands for counting.  Got a kiddo who needs just a little extra help understanding the concept of twenty or numbers after ten?  Try these.

Have a number of the day – this is great for homeschooling families with multiple age groups and also for classroom bell openers.

Site Math Words.  Make word problems easier for your kids to solve with word cards for them to memorize the common words.

Pre-math skills – Symmetry.  It is a great way to develop spatial awareness.  You make one half and your child makes the other half.

Play the game Gridlock to help your kids learn graphing principles.  They will literally be able to see the graphs and the lines.

Number lines are a great way for kids to see the order that numbers occur.  You can make your own number line.  Remove clothespins and ask your kids what the missing number is.

Skip counting songs!  It is our kids favorite way to learn their times tables.  Here are the BEST math songs.

 

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