kids

Eco Princess Shampoo and Conditioner Review

March 28, 2013 By NerdMom Leave a Comment

My girls hair with Eco Princess

We recently got a chance to review Eco Princess Shampoo and Conditioner with my 2 little girls.

I admit it. I usually use one of those 3 in 1′s on the girls just like I do on my boys. Which means we also use a lot of detangler;).

I was very excited to try this mom created product. I sent my girls in with these new products and they giggled with excitement all the way. I have to say that I was impressed with their hair when they came out! Not only did I not have to use any detangler, there was no build up. Normally, my 9 year old has issues with build up. But with this we had none of that! Her hair was light and manageable! Of course it all smelled so good! But it wasn’t perfumey at all. There citrus essential oils that I am sure help it work but also lightly fragrance it.

All the Ecoprincess products are sulfate-free, paraben-free, vegan, toxin-free, and cruelty-free. You can get these products online! I loved them and recommend them!

This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. I received items from Eco Princess for the purpose of this review.

Filed Under: bath and beauty, kids

10 Math Card Games

March 17, 2013 By NerdMom 3 Comments

It isn’t shocking that math skills are built by repetition. It is also well known facts that we remember having fun and if we are learning at the same time, we remember that too! In that spirit here are some fun math games to play with your kids! All you need is a standard deck of cards. You will have learning and quality time! Can’t beat that!

1)Multiplication Math War: Flip cards and who ever yells out the multiplication fact first wins the cards!

2)Guess my number: Basically 20 questions. Are you a factor of 10? Are you higher than 3?

3)Make the highest number: Deal out 4 cards. Who ever can make the highest total (using addition or multiplication) wins.

4)Go Fish Add Up/Subtract Down: This is great for preschool kids. If you have a four you could ask for a 5 or a 3. Teaches number orser.

5)Largest pile: Come up with a total goal (say 20) then deal out cards evenly among the players and who ever can get to 20 with the largest amount of cards wins. You can chose addition and/or subtraction.

6) Addition Math War: Flip cards and who ever yells out the addition fact first wins the cards.

7) Factor Family: Deal out 5 cards and the first person who can make a factoring relationship with all 5 wins. Say you get a 2, 3, 5, 10 and 6. You could go obvious and say 1800 (all multiplied together) or go a bit smoother with 60. 10 time 6 is 60 and 5, 3, and 2 are factors. The lowest number wins because that is the best factoring relationship.

8) Skip Series Rummy: Like regular rummy but instead of runs (1,2,3) or groups of 3 you are looking for skip runs (2, 4, 6, or 1, 3, 5).

9) Sum 10 memory: Instead of looking for boring pairs you are looking for pairs that add up to 10.

10)Make up a math sentence: You are dealt a card. You must make up a math sentence that results in that number. Round 2 is to deal out 2 cards. 1 card is the answer to the math question and 1 is in it.

Filed Under: Educational, Frugal Homeschooler, Games, kids, math

Spring Break Fun

March 4, 2013 By NerdMom 1 Comment

I was trying to figure out what I was talking about this week on my TV spot for next week. The producer on the show suggested great travel things to do during Spring Break. I had to think about it and then had to confess, we do not and will not vacation during Spring Break;).

If you are a home body like we are you can still find plenty to do over Spring Break!!! Some things are just fun but they all have an element of learning!

1) Visit the library!!! No, not just to check out books but do that while you are there;). Almost every library system has activities for all ages! The Fresno County Library system always has great shows and activities. All you have to do is look on the website and see which branch is doing what when.

2) Get some great books! Ok, we love to read here in the NerdFamily and I cold go on forever extolling the virtues of it. But seriously, get a book with a great story and put on a play with it!!! It helps kids to learn how to fully comprehend the plot line when they are going to stage it in a little production!

3) Have a day of paper airplane creation! Not only is it a great way to use up scratch paper, it is all science!! As they figure out how to manipulate the wings, nose and body they are learning the science of aerodynamics!

4) Color some carnations! Get light colored or white carnations. Then place then in glasses of water that you have added food coloring to. Ask the kids what they think will happen and wait. Not only will you have custom spring flowers, you will also see the capillaries at work!

5) Go cloud watching! You can use this handy cloud deciphering tool that Full of Great Ideas made to go with it. Not only can you make up stories and characters in the clouds but they are learning actual earth science. We learned cloud types in the classroom and due to that I can never remember which one it which;). By learning cloud types in the wild (so to speak) it will be in everyone’s memory for ever!

6) Go to your local zoo! My kids love the Fresno Chaffee Zoo! You see the animals, learn quite a bit and get some exercise!

Of course you should also cook with your kids, watch movies and sing songs too! But hopefully these 6 are a good start!

Filed Under: As Seen on TV, Educational, kids, Smart Living Strategies, Summer Activities

Non Candy Valentines

February 11, 2013 By NerdMom 3 Comments

Valentine’s Day and kids, you don’t even have to mention the candy to know it is there. Many kids want to give there friends something special but that doesn’t mean you have to hand out candy! There are some great, fun alternatives out there. I found a few fun ideas for this year!

1. You Rule rulers: Pick up some cheap rulers. Then print out the You Rule PDF. Then cut out the strips and tape them around the ruler.

2. You Make My Heart Bounce bouncy balls: You can pick up a ton of bouncy balls either at the Dollar Store or in the favors area of any party store (or store section;). There is a pdf and directions over at The Crafty Chicks.

3. You Make My Heart Glow: What kid doesn’t like glow sticks/ bracelets? Mine love them!!! I saw a tip that you don’t actually put the bracelets in the strips of paper until the morning of just in case it cracks and activates. Then it will be glowing that night still. The PDF is over at Kommunicated!

4. You Make My Heart Race: You can go out to the Dollar Tree and you can pick up little cars for a steal! Paloma Paper Designs has a great PDF ready for you!

5. You Are a Cutie: While this is a sweet treat, it isn’t candy! You can pick up 5 lbs of Clementines (or Cuties) for less than $5. Then just plop them in the cellophane bag. Cut and staple my You Are a Cutie to the top and they are done.

Filed Under: Holidays, kids, Smart Living Strategies

Kids’ Christmas Crafts

December 3, 2012 By NerdMom 1 Comment

The NerdFamily Kids got their Christmas craft on over the weekend! They were all really fun and pretty easy! I will do a quick walk through of each one along with materials sourcing!

Snow Flake Wreath:

I bought a whole bin of foam snow flakes from Michaels years ago. So I have 10 million snow flakes and this is a great use! All this wreath is composed of is snow flakes, white glue and ribbon. Just take a stack of snow flakes (I recommend alternating fat and thin ones) and glue them up and under in a circle. Then we just put a ribbon through it! You could do a few and hang them in your front window. Very pretty!

Craft Stick Stars/Snow Flakes:

Depending on which kid you ask this is either a star or a snow flake;). It is just 4 thin craft sticks that came colored (I picked them up on clearance at Michaels). Just glue them on top of each other going different directions. Being the nerd I am, we do perpendicular first then 2 45 degrees;). I recommend after each level you apply pressure for a 5 count to help it grab. Then you can put little fuzzy pom poms on the ends if you want. You could also do jewels or glitter. I picked up the pom poms at Joanns.

Poinsettias:

I totally stole this version of the construction paper poinsettia from All Kids Network, including the petal/leaf template;). Construction Paper from the Dollar Tree.

Gingerbread Men:

I found these gingerbread forms at Target in the dollar bins for, you guessed it, a dollar;). I got 10 in the pack so there will be more gingerbread person making around here;). I had little foam pieces left over from the kids’ foam gingerbread house kits. But there were also googlie eyes in the dollar bin at Target. We took a cotton ball and pulled it apart to make the white hair and they drew on them with markers. Anything goes! For the record, the bald one is a cop. The little colored in gingerbread man on his chest is his badge;).

Do you craft with your kids for Christmas? What are their favorites?

Filed Under: crafts, Holidays, kids

Smart Strategies: Kids Crafting for the Novice

December 3, 2012 By NerdMom Leave a Comment

Ok, I am not the fun crafting mom. But I have kids and I want them to be creative and have a fun life but with as little mess and chaos as possible!!!

And if it is the holidays and you are having kids visit you need to have a plan! Kids love to craft and it will keep them happy! When they are done they will even admire their own creation for a while. To this end I have a few tips, just in case you feel like me;).

Tips to Successful Crafting with Kids:
-#1 Tip: Plastic place mats!!!! I don’t care if you have the kids working on a plastic table cloth or outside, always use a plastic place mat. Why? There is some basic convienience to start with. If they beads or some little thing they can just pick up the place mat and dump it into a bowl. But if things get messier, say glue or paint, do you want to have to scrub a table cloth or just put a place mat into the sink and rinse it off? Exactly, place mat it is!!!

-Gather supplies together before you start. Nothing is worse than 2 minutes in the kids calling you saying how they need more stuff. Except not knowing where it is at and everyone waiting as you dig around looking for it.

-Prep the kids! Take a second before the crafting starts to evaluate if the kids should change their clothes, roll up their sleeves, pull the hair back or don an apron. It takes 2 seconds but can save hours of trying to get glue out hair or marker off of shirt cuffs.

-Stay close! I know the goal is to get them fairly independent but that doesn’t mean you are off the hook. Stay close to answer questions, give direction or bail them out of a messy situation before they get glue on the carpet!

There are key things to have on hand. This is a great refresher for those who are just having kids visit and need to shop.:
White Glue
Kids Scissors
Pipe Cleaners
Fuzzy Balls
Craft Sticks
Construction Paper
Magnets
Colored Pens
Cheap paper plates (for organizing and cutting up)

Filed Under: As Seen on TV, crafts, kids, Smart Living Strategies

Melissa and Doug Toy Bargains

November 20, 2012 By NerdMom Leave a Comment

I think just about everyone agrees that Melissa and Doug toys are the gold standard of toys. But being the gold standard means they usually aren’t cheap;). If you are a Melissa and Doug toy lover you need to go get some from Amazon asap because the are Amazon’s Gold Box deal of the day!

They have a variety to choose from including puzzles, stamp sets, plush bowling sets, and play kitchen stuff! Run, don’t walk because it is a one day only deal!!!

Filed Under: baby stuff, Deals, gift worthy, kids, Online

Office Max Deals

August 16, 2012 By NerdMom 1 Comment

I know that I am a little late in posting about the awesome deals that OfficeMax has this week but life has been a little busy;). But OfficeMax has a ton of items that are only 1 cent after the MaxRewards!

There is an incentive for ordering online this week! One of the free after MaxPerks deal is a 3 hole punch! But it is only available online.

So order online! If your purchase is $50 you get free delivery but that $50 is before the MaxPerks so if you take advantage of all the free and 1 cent deals you will get free delivery and pay almost nothing!!!

Go, shop! Before the deals are gone!

Filed Under: Brick and Mortar, Deals, Frugal Homeschooler, kids, Online

LEGO Summer Brickation Giveaway

July 26, 2012 By NerdMom 7 Comments

From July 25th until September 4th (2012) Lego Brickation is hitting four spots around the US! One of those spots is in South Lake Tahoe located at 1001 Heavenly Village Way, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150!

So what is this Lego Brickation? According to The Shops at Heavenly Village:

Opening July 25 in shop #8 (on Highway 5) 10-8pm. Open 7 days a week thru September 4. The LEGO Summer Brickation will showcase the best of what the LEGO group has to offer. It will enable children and adults to benefit from a fun, hands-on experience of building and creating LEGO bricks and products. Different activity areas will be featured, providing families enjoyment in everything from building, games and challenges, to photo opportunities with life size LEGO models. Activity areas will include DUPLO® Boat, Build Tables, Creation Station, Race Ramps and LEGO Challenge Zone. Other notable experiences offered will be a LEGO South Lake Tahoe Mosaic, along with Life Size LEGO Models and a LEGO Cityscape.

I encourage you to check it out this awesome event! But why wait for the Lego fun? I am going to be giving away a prize pack just like that in the picture!!!

To enter just leave a comment with your favorite Lego memory!!!

The details: This giveaway will close on 8/2/2012 and it is limited to US addresses only. The winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize or I will pick another.

(Disclosure: This post has been compensated by GigCoin)

Filed Under: giveaway, kids, Summer Activities

Free Wiggle Music Sampler

July 2, 2012 By NerdMom Leave a Comment

Amazon has a free Wiggles music album! Just ask for it and you get it for free!!! This is great for dancing around the house, pool time or road trips with the kids.

Filed Under: Deals, kids, music, Online

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