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Halloween is just around the corner! Shared below is an easy tutorial for Paper Plate Witches, a cute and easy craft for Halloween.
Paper Plate Witches
This easy and fun craft is a cute decoration for kids’ Halloween parties. We made some to tape to our kitchen door to celebrate fall! We used green paper plates, but of course kids could paint white paper plates green.
After gathering supplies, invite children to cut 8 strands of black yarn. Tape the strands of yarn to the paper plate. If kids want their witches to have thicker hair, simply add more strands of yarn.
After taping the hair to the paper plate, use scissors to cut a witch’s hat from black paper. Tape or glue the hat to the top of the witch’s head. If desired, cut a small buckle for the hat from orange and yellow construction paper. Kids will also enjoy creating witch hats from colored paper or scrapbook paper.
Last, secure the wiggly eyes to the witch’s face with glue. Use the black permanent marker to draw eyebrows, a nose, and a mouth.
You know what they say “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” — so why not make it a hot breakfast! Today on Family Food Live, we are sharing 5 Hot Breakfast Ideas to Start Your Day!
Family Food Live is live every Wednesday and Friday at 12 Noon CST. You can find us on the Burnt Macaroni Facebook page on Wednesdays or every Friday at 12 Noon CST on the Quirky Momma Facebook page. And that includes today! Make sure to like us now so you’ll never miss an episode!
Here’s what we are making today…
Apple Breakfast Crisp
This very light but delicious hot Apple Breakfast Crisp combines the yumminess of cooked apples with cinnamon and honey. This is one of my favorite hot breakfasts!
On the Go Omelet Breakfast Bites
These are the perfect make ahead breakfast for the kids as they are running out the door. Your family will love these On the Go Omelet Breakfast Bites!
Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Casserole
Shopping List:
2 cans Biscuits
1 package ground Breakfast Sausage
4 tablespoons Flour
½ teaspoon Salt
½ teaspoon Black Pepper
½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
2 and ½ cups milk
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400° F
Cut biscuits into quarters
Spray 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray. Fill the bottom with half of the quarters of biscuits.
Bake for 10 minutes
While the biscuits are baking, brown the sausage until cooked through
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Add the flour mixture to the skillet with the browned sausage
Add milk and stir completely until the mixture comes to a simmer
Reduce heat and continue to simmer until the gravy thickens
Pour gravy over bottom layer of cooked biscuits and top with remaining biscuit quarters
Bake 15-20 minutes or until top biscuits are golden brown
Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal
Shopping List:
1 3/4 cups milk
1 cup quick oats
1 large ripe banana, mashed
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1 to 3 teaspoons honey, optional
Sliced bananas, and cinnamon, for serving
Instructions
In a saucepan, bring milk to a boil
Stir in oats and reduce heat to a simmer for about 2 minutes
Remove from heat and cover for a few minutes
Stir in mashed bananas, peanut butter, honey, cinnamon, vanilla and salt
Top with banana slices
Serve
Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
Shopping List:
2 1/2 cups non-dairy milk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sugar to taste
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Add sugar if needed
Pour into a saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally
Creative Play is really important. We know it is important for kids, but have you thought about how important it is for moms as well? Kids shouldn’t have ALL the fun! Today we’ve compiled some of the best 15 Creative Play Ideas for Kids and Moms!
Encourage your kid to play independently with these Good Morning Tubs…written for a classroom, but I’m so stealing these for HOME! -via The Brown Bag Teacher
Want to raise a helper? Get your kids off to a great start with these 15 Ways to Raise a Helper. -via Rhythms of Play
Supporting Your Kid’s Creative Play
You know how much we love paper plate crafts over here at Kids Activities Blog and here’s 10 Creative Paper Plate Crafts to keep your kids busy all afternoon. -via Kids Activities Blog
Your kids will have fun turning their gifts into fruit with this very creative Fruit Wrapping Paper idea! -via The House that Lars Built
Here’s a creative homemade gift idea –> a Play Dough Cupcake Factory Kit! I’ve never seen anything like this before. -via Plain Vanilla Mom
Teriyaki Quesadillas are a fun twist on a cheesy favorite! If you like this recipe, check out this subscription meal plan service, and if you sign up, use the code KAB20 for 20% off your entire order!
Ingredients for Teriyaki Quesadillas
1 clove – garlic
1/4 cup – soy sauce, low sodium
2 tablespoon – water
1 teaspoon – sesame oil
1/8 cup – brown sugar
2 tablespoon – cornstarch
2 cup – broccoli, florets
1 – cooking spray
1/2 pound – chicken breast
4 medium – tortilla, whole wheat
1/2 cup – cheddar cheese, shredded
Directions for Teriyaki Quesadillas
Mince garlic and add to a small bowl. Add soy sauce, water, sesame oil, brown sugar (2 tablespoons of honey may be substituted here) and cornstarch; whisk together and set aside.
Bring a medium pot of water to boil and add the broccoli. Boil for 5 minutes, then blanch by immediately transferring to an ice bath (a large bowl of water with ice in it to stop the cooking process.) Set aside.
Spray a medium, non-stick skillet with cooking spray; add chicken and heat over medium-high. Brown on both sides, cooking until no longer pink in the center; chop or shred as desired.
Drain broccoli and add to the skillet with the chicken; turn heat down to medium-low. Gently pour in the garlic mixture and heat about 5 minutes until thickened. Toss together until everything is coated well and heated through, then remove from heat. (If mixture seems to thick or sticky, add 1-2 tablespoons of water for a thinner consistency).
Heat a separate sauté pan over medium-high heat.
Place 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture on one side of a tortilla. Sprinkle cheese on top of the chicken, then fold the tortilla in half to cover the chicken and cheese.
Cook quesadilla on both sides until cheese is melted and tortilla is slightly browned. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
These 35+ Adorable Tissue Paper Crafts are sure to put you in a crafting mood! We love tissue paper crafts and if you’re anything like us, then you have lots of scrap tissue paper hanging around your home too. Check out our great list of tissue paper crafting ideas for you to try today. We’ve included a wide age range so there is something for the littlest crafters all the way to the older kids.
You also may be interested in these creative 80+ Paper Plate Crafts for Kids. There are just so many awesome things you can make from a paper plate.
35+ {Adorable} Tissue Paper Crafts
Tissue paper crafts for kids of all ages
Are you watching the Olympics? Let your kiddo make their own olympic torch with tissue paper and an ice cream cone. -via Kids Activities Blog
This pretty tissue paper garland would look so pretty hung up on a wall and it’s simple enough to make that kids can help. -via Linen, Lace, and Love
Attach this Duct Tape Luggage Tag with Child Safety Card to the inside of your child’s backpack for peace of mind when tragedy strikes.
It’s something no parent wants to think about: What if I get separated from my child during a natural disaster or emergency? They could be at school or in daycare when a crisis hits — how would you be able to find them?
When Hurricane Katrina struck 10 years ago, this was reality for many parents. There were 5,000 reports of missing children after the accident, even with 48 hours to prepare.
Save the Children is working to help keep that from happening again. Their grassroots efforts help raise awareness among parents to create a plan of action for disasters. We love the In Case of Emergency Contact Card that they offer online, and used it to create a Duct Tape Luggage Tag to attach to the inside of our kids’ backpacks!
Duct Tape Luggage Tag
Here’s what you need to make this Duct Tape Luggage Tag:
Print out your ICE card onto card stock. Cut out the cards and fold along the edge.
Use the packing tape to cover the front and back of the card.
Outline the edges of the Emergency Contact Card in duct tape. Turn it over and do the same to the back, sticking the tape sticky-side together.
Cut the duct tape into the shape of a luggage tag, and use the hole punch to add a hole in the top. Attach to the inside of your child’s backpack with string.
Now your child has the important info they need in case something were to happen. It’s always better to be prepared, right?
We put these cards inside our emergency go bag for kids to ensure that they always have identification on them in the event of an emergency.
If you’re like me, you could live on flatbread or pizza! And the best part about making these recipes is you can experiment with as many different toppings as you want! Today on Family Food Live, we are sharing 5 Ways to Top Flatbread!
We’ve compiled 30 Fantastic Kids Pumpkin Activities to Do this Fall right here into one post! Pumpkins are everywhere this time of the year. Wondering what to do with your kids and pumpkins? Well, here are some of our favorite pumpkin activities for kids!
30 Fantastic Kids Pumpkin Activities to Do this Fall
Yummy Pumpkin Recipes Your Kids will LOVE!
Want to know what to eat for Breakfast in the fall? Make Gluten-free pumpkin pancakes – These would be a yummy fall breakfast treat for the kids to enjoy. -via Kids Activities Blog
Who says that all the pumpkins you decorate are the kind that sit on the porch? Try Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies. -via Kids Activities Blog
Don’t these pumpkin oatmeal cookies look yummy? Decorate to give them faces. -via Little Moments to Embrace
Have Fun Playing Personality – it’s a fun pumpkin activity – play drama and bring your squash to life. This post uses the pieces of a potato head to give the pumpkins personality. -via Praises of a Wife and Mommy
Experiment and explore with pumpkins as part of a pumpkin lesson theme, this family put pumpkins in water to watch them float, then had fun cutting them apart to see the “guts”. -via Preschool Powol Packets
For a fall craft that gives, consider making a Pumpkin Gift bag out of ribbons, or paper. This is a great tutorial. -via Crafty Moms Share
We love playing in the bathtub, this pumpkin pouf would be a great addition as a homemade toy for a preschooler. -via Crafty Journal
Help young kids practice motor skills with this Five Little Pumpkins activity. -via Still Playing School
Hammer a pumpkin! It’s more fun than whack-a-mole. -via Scrumdilly Do!
Create Art with Kids Pumpkin Activities
Paint and pumpkins are a great combination to create fall art – let your kids drizzle paint over the pumpkin and personalize them with letters. -via Inspired Housewife
Try out this fun pumpkin sock no sew craft. -via Meaningful Mama
Do you have a kid that loves cats? Here is a Kitty Pumpkin Craft you can make together! So adorable! -via All You
Older kids will love making these DIY paper pumpkin and basket craft. -via Lia Griffith
Pumpkin tic tac toe is a great twist on a classic kids game. -via It’s Overflowing
A fun fall activity is to share secret messages – via mini pumpkins, made from egg cartons. -via Reading Confetti
Stamp pumpkin art with Legos in this fun pumpkin art craft. -via Crafty Morning
Journal and sketch the “death of a pumpkin” in this rotting science experiment. -via Kids Activities Blog
Create clay pumpkin pencil toppers in this fun DIY craft for kids. -via hello, Wonderful
Mix up the homemade pumpkin decorations this year, add stickers and pipe cleaners to create your silly faces. -via Praises of a Wife and Mommy
Here is a simple pumpkin craft for preschoolers. Paint a paper plate orange, use bits of black construction paper for the face and use green hand prints for the leaves! -via Atkinson Drive
You can create fall faces on almost any surface in this math game for kids, we used rocks that were painted orange with blue faces. -via Kids Activities Blog
We want to see what you’re making with pumpkins–share with us your pumpkin creations on our Facebook page!
Spaghetti Squash with Homemade Marinara sauce is a low calorie, vitamin-packed, savory lunch selection! If you like this recipe, check out this subscription meal plan service, and if you sign up, use the code KAB20 for 20% off your entire order!
Ingredients for Spaghetti Squash with Homemade Marinara Sauce
1 spaghetti squash
1½ cups homemade marinara sauce
pinch of salt and pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes,
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
7 garlic cloves, slivered
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon Dried oregano, adjust to taste
Optional
Additional grated Parmesan for topping
Directions for Spaghetti Squash with Homemade Marinara Sauce
Poke holes in spaghetti squash with a cutting knife (just past the tip of the blade). Try to cover most of its surface area.
Place Squash into a microwavable dish. Cook for 12-15 minutes (or five minutes per pound) in microwave. Stop halfway through total time to rotate and continue microwaving.
Wait 5-10 minutes for squash to cool. Remove seeds with a spoon.
Scrape spaghetti strands into a colander and sift to drain excess water. Set aside
Empty tomatoes into large bowl and break them down into small pieces with your hands. Be sure to wash your hands after :).
Silver garlic while simultaneously heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
Add garlic to skillet once oil is hot. Cook until garlic sizzles. Don’t let them brown!
Add tomato sauce, red pepper flakes, and dried oregano.
I am so glad that I started a blog on a whim almost 10 years ago. It was a decision I thought about for about 30 seconds.
Funny how such a quick decision can change the course of the future so dramatically!
My impulsive action is something I am incredibly thankful for today.
One of the questions I get all the time is, “should I start a blog?”
Yes!
Yes!
Yes!!!!! <–extra exclamation points intentional
I know this sounds a little melodramatic, but blogging has made my dreams come true. It has allowed me to build a business from my living room that I can do while raising and {partially} homeschooling my children.
Blogging can do that for you too. Your dreams may be different than mine, but whether you are trying to find your voice online, connect with other likeminded individuals or even make a business out of blogging, it can happen.
Here are 10 reasons why you need to start blogging ASAP!
1. Blogging can fulfill your dream and it’s EASY!
If you have a dream to write, to share, to publish, to help, to connect, to make money, to hone your skills or more, blogging is absolutely for you. You can start a blog and have it up and running in about 20 minutes.
There are free platforms you can use to test whether a blog is for you or if you choose a paid option like I did, it is surprisingly affordable.
2. Blogging gives you flexibility.
If you looked up a job that’s “flexible” in the dictionary, blogging would probably be it. I can’t think of many jobs or hobbies that you can do from anywhere, at any time. Blogging can be done inside or out, at your home or away, and posts can be scheduled to go live when you want them to! The flexibility that blogging allows is one of the biggest draws!
My family and I spent 3 weeks in Colorado this summer and my husband and I were able to work on this blog the entire trip without feeling like we weren’t on vacation. Meanwhile, our kids were able to experience new things and our family time had a very scenic view!
3. Blogging WILL boost your creativity.
Even if you think you are not creative, jump into blogging and you’ll quickly figure out that you are. Whether is the strategic placement of a photo or the use of a fun font to make a statement, blogs just foster creativity in unexpected ways!
When I started a blog, I had no idea how I would come to depend on it for a creative outlet. As a mom of three boys, it became easy to get lost in the daily details of motherhood and let my creative side take a very long nap.
It was the only thing sleeping back then!
Blogging woke that up and allowed me a way to express myself. It completely changed my perspective.
4. Blogging teaches you discipline.
OK, I know that this doesn’t sound glamorous, but it has been one of the easiest lessons to learn in the least painful way! Being consistent online takes discipline and keeping to a blogging schedule will hone your consistency skills if you are motivated to stick to your goals!
Working on something I love consistently over the years gives me a reason to wake up a few minutes before my family or stay up after their bedtime for a purpose. This has crept into other parts of my life allowing me to be more efficient and tackle big projects without freaking out.
5. Blogging will make you a better writer.
There’s that saying that “Practice makes perfect”, and although I don’t think that’s always the case, blogging regularly WILL make you a better writer because you practice the craft continually.
It was never my dream to be a writer. At least not BEFORE I became one!
My background is that I have a Masters degree in Physical Therapy. That meant I was more likely to be found in the science lab than an English class. When I started my blog, I didn’t have any writing experience. Now I run several blogs where my writing appears and have two published books!
Pinch me!
6. Blogging can help you get published.
Speaking of two published books…
If you are a writer or expert wanting to get published, having a blog with a loyal following is practically a must these days. Publishers want to see that their authors can not only write, but that they already have loyal readers which translates into buyers.
My first book deal came to me because of this blog. Page Street Publishing approached me because they had seen, read and liked Kids Activities Blog!
7. Blogging can help you magnify your existing business.
Whatever you are doing now to make money can be bolstered by a blog. A blog will help you become a recognized authority, spread the word and connect you with customers/clients.
It is a scalable marketing plan for your business that can be implemented with very little budget!
I have been able to sell product, recruit team members, attract clients, establish my expertise and so much more just because of this blog.
8. Blogging will teach you computer & social media skills.
Even though you don’t have to know a single thing to get started, you’ll quickly learn about things like widgets, headers, footers, sidebars, hyperlinking, simple HTML code and more. And then once you know that, the next natural lesson is how to get your word out through social media.
It might surprise you to know that I am a tech-moron. When I started the blog, I didn’t even know how to get my own email.
Oh my!
I have learned a lot in the last 10 years — although it is super fun to watch both my tech savvy brother & husband cringe when people ask ME for advice!
9. Blogging allows you to tell a story.
Story telling is as old as time and is increasingly a dying art! Now, more than ever we need to document our stories for our family and friends, but also for the future.
I love that I wrote down those simple and fleeting moments when my kids were little. They are stories I would have forgotten without this blog. The pictures that accompanied those stories are what hang on my wall and fill the scrapbooks on my coffee table.
10. Blogging will connect you with YOUR people.
Blogging allows you to meet people outside your “circle”. Blogging will allow you to meet people you wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to meet and form a “tribe” as we like to call it in the blogging world.. Share ideas, opinions and information with people you would have never interacted with before.
It’s amazing.
I am always surprised how when bloggers meet, they skip the small talk! I think it is because we already know each other’s heart from reading. I just returned from speaking at a blogging conference in Atlanta last weekend. It was like leaving 75 of my dearest friends…
We are also so excited to share our first 
