Cool idea of the week: turn an old bikini top into a doll sling for your toddler
You know all those old swimsuit tops you’ve got lying around? Who knew you could take one and fashion into a perfectly toddler-sized baby sling?? PRECIOUS.
How you can hack a TV console and make a play kitchen
Back in the very recent past, TVs were big bulky things that played cassettes (also very bulky) via large awkward contraptions. This whole set-up took up a lot of space, and consoles like these were pretty ubiquitous. Chances are, you know someone who one that’s not being used — or you could cruise a thrift store and find plenty. In fact, I scored this one for $18 at a local shop.
Get your nerd on and DIY your own Star Wars-themed “quiet book”
The other day my friend Michelle linked me to Julie Gillrie’s ever-so-adorable “quiet books.” I imagine she did this because a) the books are super cute and b) she and her fam are as obsessed with Star Wars as we are and Julie’s book is Star Wars-themed. As soon as I saw this UTTER BRILLIANCE I knew Offbeat Mama would never be complete without featuring it… so here we go!
Put prizes inside balloons and add a little “pop” to your kiddo’s birthday shindig
You can easily add a little “pop” to your next party or gathering with balloon prizes and treats! There are so many ways to use them, and kids go crazy for balloons with a surprise inside. All you need are balloons, prizes, a balloon pump, and voila — insta birthday success!
A thrift store play kitchen makeover for a little kid’s room
I started the makeover by deciding what I wanted the kitchen to look like. I had already used apple red spray paint when I created Jax’s chalkboard, so I chose that for the main body. His table and chairs are aqua and lime (as well as the shelves I recently put in), so those became the accent colors. I had some leftover glitter paint from a Christmas ornament project, and I knew that would be perfect for hiding any water damage I couldn’t sand out.
Create a stamp from your kid’s art
My sweetheart’s goddaughter Avery turned four this weekend and we were lucky enough to score an invite to her birthday party at the zoo. I’ve been trying to include some small homemade element in gifts I give to make them more personal, but I wasn’t sure what to make for Avery… then I had an idea. Stamps! Kids love stamps, I love stamps — it was perfect.
Getting crafty with a toddler: flower press fun
I’m trying to come up with creative things my two-year-old and I can do together at home. I feel like I’ve been a little too focused on go-go-going all the time (mostly because he developed a habit of asking “Go in yellow car now?” each morning) and not really making sure that he’s cool with just… kicking it at the homestead. I wanted something we could do no matter what the weather was like, and then it hit me — a flower press!
DIY your own foam battle gear for your little ninja
I have discovered that foam is an awesome replacement for what could potentially be a dangerous object. It’s malleable, flexible, strong, lightweight, and unless you take it directly to the eye (which could happen with any toy), it’s pretty darn safe. I like to use either thin pool noodles, which are readily available at most discount chains during the late spring and summer, or pipe insulation foam, which is found year round at the hardware store; it comes in a variety of thicknesses so you can choose the one that suits you best.