autumn Archives - Bare Feet on the Dashboard

04
Oct
2015

Frugal Living: Tips for a Happy Halloween on a Budget

Life on a budget means making choices about spending, even when it comes to holidays. Without a plan, holidays and special days can become total budget busters. Did you know that in 2014, Americans spent an estimated $7.4 BILLION on Halloween. With only about 67% of the country celebrating the holiday, that number becomes even scarier. I love celebrating Halloween with my little monsters, and with a little planning and a few smart choices we can have a happy Halloween on a budget. Today I’m sharing my favorite tips for saving money on costumes, treats, decorations, and party supplies so you can have a spooky celebration that doesn’t bust your budget.

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19
Sep
2014

Preschool Pumpkin Fun ~ 20 Easy Ideas for Your Toddlers & Preschool Kids

categories: crafts, kids, parenting, play

Pumpkins are one of my favorite things about fall. I love to have them around the house, eat them in everything, and create pumpkin fun for my kids. Today I’m sharing 20 easy ideas for pumpkin fun for preschool and toddler age kids. Pour yourself a DIY pumpkin spice latte and pin these ideas to do with your favorite little ones. Did I mention I’m partnering with some other fabulous bloggers to give away $2000 at the end of this post? {It’s true!}

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12
Sep
2014

Easy DIY Football Themed Halloween Family Halloween Costumes

categories: diy, family, frugal

Last year was our first Halloween as a family of four, and I was so excited to dress our crew up in family Halloween costumes for the holiday. We go to a neighborhood Halloween parade in a friend’s neighborhood, and trick or treat in our own (mostly to meet and greet neighbors). I wanted our costumes to be simple and frugal, but still cute and made to fit a family theme. You can read about the Bear’s first Halloween costume here. When the Bear got a hand me down football jersey from his big cousins I knew I’d found it. Read on to find out how I pieced our costumes together quickly and easily.

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30
Oct
2013

Painting Pumpkins with Toddlers

categories: crafts, play, toddler school, toddlers

Painting pumpkins is the perfect way to let your toddlers decorate the gourds of the season with out knives or messy pumpkin guts involved. It is simple and an be pretty mess free if you do it just right. The pumpkins turn out really pretty and don’t rot instantly like a carved one. Want to try it? Here’s how we do it…

Pumpkin Painting Instructions:

1) Go outside and set up a little station cleared of anything that might get ruined.

2) Put a blob of each color of washable paint on a piece of construction paper.

3) Show your child what to do, and then let them go for it. If they don’t like the sensation of paint on their hands, foam brushes work well.

4) You can use painter’s tape to tape off designs on larger pumpkins, or leave well enough alone and drink your coffee.

5) Leave your pumpkin out to dry for several hours. Throw away your paint paper, or save it for this project. Wash down your station with a wet rag and wash your child’s hands. You’re done! Don’t you feel festive?

The Bear is so proud of his masterpieces.

We actually did this on two different days and it kept him entertained for quite a while. Fine motor skill building is the best entertainment.

Have you decorated pumpkins with your wee ones? What techniques do you use?

Tag: autumn