Written by contributor Melissa Allen of Green Owl Art I am a little bit addicted to holiday crafts, food, celebrations, decorations and all else that goes along with each and every special holiday. Some traditions I have done since I was a child and I continue to enjoy these special traditions with my own children and [...]
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Painting with Produce
Written by contributor Melissa Allen of Green Owl Art Using new and different materials in art gets my children excited to create! I added some fruits and veggies to the paint table to let them explore with different shapes, colors and textures. It not only amazed my children as they discovered with this new painting technique, [...]
POSTED BY ON February 18, 2013 | Comments { 1 }
How to create an inviting art area for kids
Written by contributor Melissa Allen of Green Owl Art When I first became a mother I struggled with how to stay creative myself and not to lose my own love for creating art. Sure, I could have considered my new art of blending peas and carrots into beautiful purees something to look forward to, but I [...]
POSTED BY ON January 21, 2013 | Comments { 8 }
Glitter Pine Cones
Written by contributor Melissa Allen of Green Owl Art Crafting and holidays seem to go hand and hand in our house. I am always looking for something that is appealing to both my five and two-year old and more importantly that each can easily do and enjoy doing. We made glitter pine cones to welcome the [...]
POSTED BY ON December 17, 2012 | Comments { 0 }
Give thanks with reclaimed toys
Written by contributor Melissa Allen of Green Owl Art I love decorating my home for the holidays—not only with my children, but with things that they have made. A bonus for me is when it’s something other than macaroni art (not that I don’t love every single piece of painted pasta that my children have given [...]
POSTED BY ON November 19, 2012 | Comments { 1 }
Thanksgiving Craft Ideas to keep the kids entertained
I have been a crafting machine over at Kiwi Crate— and it sure is fun. I think doing crafts with the kids (and surrounding ourselves with twigs, pinecones and lots of felt) helps the season feel more real. To help get into the Thanksgiving spirit with your kids, why not make some of these crafts. They are Jen-approved— which means they are simple [...]
POSTED BY ON November 15, 2012 | Comments { 2 }
Eco-friendly play dough
Play dough is a staple activity of most childhoods, including mine. I have memories of sitting at the kitchen table making Care-Bear and Rainbow Brite play dough figures with my sister. I even remember eating a pretend hamburger and being very surprised by the salty taste. Now that I have my own kids, I want [...]
POSTED BY ON October 8, 2012 | Comments { 1 }
DIY Eco-friendly Party Poppers
Need a gift idea for your birthday guests? Why not make some eco-friendly party poppers with the kiddos? Best part is they are made from things you have around your house— toilet paper rolls and newspaper. I did this with my son and he had a blast packing the toilet paper rolls full of treats. We bought stickers, [...]
POSTED BY ON October 3, 2012 | Comments { 0 }
Cool Recycled Kids Craft Idea: Button Tree
What I love about trash to treasure art projects…all you need is time. And kids love spending quality time with their parents. I am a big fan of open-ended play and extended craft projects that become more of a lesson than a quick wham-bam-thank-you-mam kind of craft. This button tree craft featured on Kiwi Crate [...]
POSTED BY ON September 26, 2012 | Comments { 0 }
Homemade Stress Ball
Written by contributor Melissa Allen of Green Owl Art We call it the “squeeze your worries away ball.” I first made this homemade stress ball when my daughter now 5,was 3 years old and in her first preschool Christmas performance. She was so anxious about performing on stage. I told her she could squeeze all her [...]
POSTED BY ON September 17, 2012 | Comments { 2 }
Halloween Craft Idea #1: Milk Jug Lanterns
We brought down the fall decorations the same day Pumpkin Spice Lattes made their debute at Starbucks and the Halloween craft ideas have been pouring out of us. This is the first year we have gone all out with the crafting— it’s been a little messy, but a lot of fun. The kids have grown [...]
POSTED BY ON September 13, 2012 | Comments { 0 }
Calm Down Jar
When Melissa of Green Owl Art featured the calm down jar on Family Sponge last spring, I was in love. Not only do I love mason jars, but I love new ways to get my wild children under control. We do time outs and talk it outs, but they don’t always work. Nothing always works, [...]
POSTED BY ON September 4, 2012 | Comments { 0 }
Mud Pie Kitchen
Written by contributor Melissa Allen of Green Owl Art My children play the longest and are the happiest when there is dirt involved; so making a mud pie kitchen was a priority this summer. It is such a wonderful invitation for a child to engage in open play and let their imaginations create endless possibilities all [...]
POSTED BY ON August 20, 2012 | Comments { 5 }
Crayon Hearts : An Eco-Friendly Gift
No need to chuck all those broken pieces of crayon that drive you nuts! Find a jar and start saving them so that you can make some pretty awesome gifts for your kid’s friends. We made our first batch of crayon hearts for Valentine’s Day after I read about them on Whipperberry. They are super easy [...]
POSTED BY ON July 26, 2012 | Comments { 5 }
Homemade Birthday Gift: Cork Stamps
Written by contributor Melissa Allen of Green Owl Art try to have my children create homemade gifts whenever possible. I think it is important to show them we do not need to head out to the big box store for every occasion and that things we make ourselves can be so special to our friends and [...]
POSTED BY ON July 23, 2012 | Comments { 1 }
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HOW TO BE SORTA-CRUNCHY•••
Join our simple living + world-changing journey!
1. Adopt a plant-based diet with green smoothies
2. Start using coconut oil (for almost everything)
3. Ditch the paper towels and use cloth napkins
4. Make Trash to Treasure Art Projects with your kids
5. Unplug the TV and reconnect with your family
6. Furnish your home with second-hand treasures
7. Be the change you wish to see
8. Teach your kids responsibility and effort with important work—chores.
9. Save the world we live in and bike around town
10. Upgrade your kitchen to eco-friendly pots and pans
1. Adopt a plant-based diet with green smoothies
2. Start using coconut oil (for almost everything)
3. Ditch the paper towels and use cloth napkins
4. Make Trash to Treasure Art Projects with your kids
5. Unplug the TV and reconnect with your family
6. Furnish your home with second-hand treasures
7. Be the change you wish to see
8. Teach your kids responsibility and effort with important work—chores.
9. Save the world we live in and bike around town
10. Upgrade your kitchen to eco-friendly pots and pans
