Things I Do All Day

A Mom Blog

The Best Board Games for Preschoolers and Small Kids

by Leave a Comment

Best Board Games for Families, Kids, Preschoolers and Toddlers

Are you looking for the best board games to play with preschoolers and young children?

I love playing board games and game with my toddler and preschooler, and I love family game time as a family of four!

My youngest is 2.5 and there are some games that he loves to play too, although some games are better than others! My preschooler is the perfect age for board games and loves to play with us!

It’s such a fun and easy family activity with quality family time, and a lot of the games are a little educational too!

Here are my favorite board games for preschoolers and young kids:

*This post does contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy if you have any questions.

The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game

The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game is an award winning family favorite game!

It’s a great game that teaches fine motor skills and color matching and it’s just so fun too!

You basically need to collect the most acorns first to win! It’s a simple game, but it’s a lot of fun and great educational game without even knowing it!

My 2.5 year old is just getting the hang of it but it’s perfect for my 4.5 year old! We love playing this one as a family too!

For more information or to purchase The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game, please click here.

Banana Blast

Banana Blast was gifted to us and this game was an instant MEGA hit!

My 2.5 and 4.5 year old LOVED playing with this and my little one did pretty good at playing this!

You roll the dice and you try to sneak a banana from the monkey! Whoever gets the most bananas before he jumps, wins! You also try to catch that monkey to steal two bananas away to help you win the most!

Usually whoever catches that jump monkey, will usually win!

We sometimes get some sore losers, even my husband, but my kids can play with this for awhile all together!

Some great family fun for all!

For more information or to purchase Banana Blast, please click here.

Pop the Pig

Pop the Pig is a fun game, and perfect for little ones who are just getting into games! It was one of our first games!

Truthfully, we use Pop the Pig more as a toy than a game.

We feed him him burgers and when he gets full, he pops out! It’s super silly! My younger one loves this more than my almost 5 year old, so it’s a great beginner game!

It’s a great game to play casually and more like a toy if you’re little one is quite into board games yet too!

For more information or to purchase Pop the Pig, please click here.

Guess Who?

Guess Who? is a classic board game that I remember playing when I was little!

You need to make guesses to narrow down the person the other person picked, and to find the correct person first!

This is a two person game that my almost 5 year old is just getting into! I would say 5+ is good for actually playing the game and is too young for my little one, but my 5 year old and I have a little quality time together with this one!

For more information or to purchase Guess Who?, please click here.

Richard Scarry’s Busytown, Eye Found It Toddler Game

Oone of our favorite authors is Richard Scarry, and we love Busytown and it’s great to see the world in a board game!

Richard Scarry’s Busytown, Eye Found It! game has you racing around Busytown to find hidden objects!

We actually are gifting this game for our son’s fifth birthday after hearing so many positive reviews so I’ll post an update with my thoughts later when we play this as a family!

For more information or to purchase Richard Scarry’s Busytown, Eye Found It! game, please click here.

Zingo!

Zingo! is an award winning preschool game that is great for pre-readers and early readers.

Zingo! is basically Bingo with a Zing and a great way to learn sight words for preschoolers and young kids!

For more information or to purchase Zingo!, please click here.

I’ll add more as we find more family favorites too! What are your favorite board games for small children?

How to Make Quick and Easy Homemade Hand Soap

by Leave a Comment

Quick and Easy Homemade Hand Soap

I love making homemade hand soap… it’s quick, easy, healthy, and really inexpensive too!

I started making my own homemade hand soap shortly after I had kids because I wanted to use less harmful chemicals in daily life and organic soap was really expensive!

Now, I still make it because it’s actually SO CONVENIENT and CHEAP!

I buy a 32oz bottle of Dr. Bronner’s on Amazon for $16 and it lasts a really long time… that one bottle usually lasts close to a year. Crazy.

So here’s my recipe for this super easy, clean homemade hand soap:

*This post does contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy if you have any questions.

Easy Homemade Hand Soap Recipe

  • 1-2 tsp of Castile Soap (I use Dr. Bronner’s)
  • Filtered or Distilled Water (I use filtered water from my side fridge dispenser)
  • Foam Pump Dispenser
  • Essential Oils (Optional)

Fill the foam soap dispenser almost full with filtered or distilled water and then add 1-2 tsp of castile soap to the top.

That’s it. It’s super easy.

I reuse the same pump dispenser (one I had from a store bought soap) and just fill with my water from my fridge dispenser and add a few squirts of castile soap.

You can also use essential oils to add a little scent and fun to it, but it’s totally optional.

It takes me less than 30 seconds, and I really run to the store to buy soap.

And, even better, castile soap is available on Amazon and it’s the price I normally pay.

If you figure $16 a bottle for castile soap with 2 tsp each time, you’re spending around .16 per refill without figuring the cost of changing your filter. But it’s still cheaper than the store bough stuff.

Super easy, super green, and super cheap.

There you go. Happy hand soap making!

The 100 Best Baby Books Recommended by Moms

by Leave a Comment

100 Best First Baby Books and Children Books Recommended by Fellow Moms

There are SO many great baby and children books to add to any kid’s library!

There are also a lot of terrible books out there that makes you realize that you could write a children’s book better than some currently out there!

And there are A LOT of children’s books to choose from that is can be totally overwhelming!

However, here are a list of 100 books recommended by real life moms that are all-around family favorites to add to your home collection!

You’ll find a lot of these on many lists and you probably have a few of these already! You may also discover a few new ones! I know I have discovered a few new favorites already!

This post does contain affiliate links and I get a small percentage if you make a purchase (thank you!) but it can be on whatever, and don’t have any particular interest or stake in any book whatsoever.

The books are listed in no particular order, just how they were recommended and compiled.

You’ll notice a few from the same authors too– you can’t go wrong with anything from Eric Carle, Sandra Boynton, Nancy Tillman, Mo Williems, or Dr. Seuss + many other authors!

Here are 100 baby books and young children’s book to add to your home recommended directly from fellow moms!

100 Best Baby Book Suggestions:

  1. On The Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
  2. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
  3. Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton
  4. The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
  5. Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
  6. The Fat Cat Sat on the Mat by Nurit Karlin
  7. You Are My I Love You by Maryann Cusimano
  8. Pajama Time by Sandra Boynton
  9. Time for Bed by Mem Fox
  10. Ten Tiny Toes by Caroline Jayne Church
  11. The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
  12. Peek A Who by Nina Laden
  13. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  14. I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti Shustak
  15. I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa Mccourt
  16. Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
  17. Good Night, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
  18. Snuggle Up Sleepy Ones by Claire Freedman
  19. How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen
  20. Night Night Farm by Amy Parker
  21. Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
  22. I’m Going to Give You a Bear Hug by Caroline B. Cooney
  23. If I Could Keep You Little by Marianne Richmond
  24. I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love by Nancy Tillman
  25. Goodnight Little One by Susan Larkin
  26. Gregory, The Terrible Eater by Mitchell Sharmat
  27. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
  28. Jamberry by Bruce Degen
  29. Richard Scarry’s Best Word Book Ever by Richard Scarry
  30. Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
  31. The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Audrey Wood
  32. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
  33. The Belly Button Book by Sandra Boynton
  34. Olivia by Ian Falconer
  35. But Not the Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton
  36. Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
  37. Milk and Cookies by Frank Asch
  38. I’m A Dirty Dinosaur by Janeen Brian
  39. Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You by Nancy Tillman
  40. I’ve Loved You Since Forever by Hoda Kotb
  41. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
  42. The Napping House by Audrey Wood
  43. Snuggle Puppy by Sandra Boynton
  44. My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss
  45. Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers
  46. Little Owl’s Day by Divya Srinivasan
  47. Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle
  48. Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
  49. Hound from the Pound by Jessica Swaim
  50. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
  51. There is a Mouse in My House by Jeanne Dore
  52. It’s Time to Sleep, My Love by Nancy Tillman
  53. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  54. Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
  55. God Gave Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren
  56. Little Pookie by Sandra Boynton
  57. Starlight Sailor by James Mayhew
  58. Bear Takes a Trip by Sheila Blackstone
  59. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
  60. Never Touch A Shark by Rosie Greening
  61. Never Touch A Dinosaur by Rosie Greening
  62. If Animals Kissed Good Night by Ann Whitford Paul
  63. I Love to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth
  64. Just Shopping with Mom by Mercer Mayer
  65. Where’s The Bear by Nosy Crow
  66. Moo Baa La La La by Sandra Boynton
  67. If You Give A Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
  68. The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith
  69. Don’t Push The Button by Bill Cotter
  70. Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
  71. Night-Night, Little Pookie by Sandra Boynton
  72. Hippos Go Berserk by Sandra Boynton
  73. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Williems
  74. Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
  75. The Belly Button Book by Sandra Boynton
  76. If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Numeroff
  77. Never Tease a Weasel by Jean Condor Soule
  78. Dr. Seuss’s ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book by Dr. Seuss
  79. Peekaboo Kisses by Barney Saltzberg
  80. Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers
  81. Mama Loves You So by Terry Pierce
  82. Baby Beluga by Raffi
  83. Mary Had a Little Glam by Tammi Sauer
  84. Corduroy by Don Freeman
  85. Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? by Dr. Seuss
  86. My First 100 Words by Roger Priddy
  87. Dream Big, Little One by Vasti Harrison
  88. Noisy Baby Animals by Patricia Hegarty
  89. Llama Llama Nighty-Night by Anna Dewdney
  90. Me and My Dad! by Alison Ritchie
  91. Tubby by Leslie Patricelli
  92. Potty by Leslie Patricelli
  93. I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
  94. The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin
  95. Oh, The Thinks You Can Think! by Dr. Seuss
  96. The Shape of Me and Other Stuff by Dr. Seuss
  97. Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb by Al Perkins
  98. From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
  99. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  100. Go The F**k to Sleep by Adam Mansbach

Also, don’t forget you can always reserve a few of these through your local library!

I know I’ve checked out a few books at the library and ended up buying them because my kids loved them so much!

It’s a great way to expose your baby to more books for free!

Also, check to see if your library does book sales– we’ve gotten a few children books for .25 each and the proceeds support the library! Win, win!

Amazon will also have book deals, usually around Prime Day in July and Black Friday week in November, as well as some other random times during the year,

Keep an eye out for all those great book deals to save money to help make a big collection of books!

What are your favorite first baby books and children books?

The Easiest Fudge Recipe Ever

by 1 Comment

Easiest Fudge Recipe for the microwave and with two ingredients!

I love easy, simple recipes and I love recipes that I can easily do with my young kids.

My four year old LOVES to bake and is always asking to make things in the kitchen.

However, sometimes I just want to do something quick with little mess– and something everyone will love to bake and eat too!

So, here’s the Easiest. Fudge. Recipe. Ever.

Super Easy Fudge Recipe with only two ingredients for the microwave for 15 minute fudge

First, take one can of condensed milk and a bag of chocolate chips.

Dump the can of milk into a microwavable bowl and pour the bag of chocolate chips over the milk.

Cook in the microwave for one minute.

Stir.

Cook in the microwave for one more minute.

Stir.

If the chocolate chips have not melted yet, put the mixture back in the microwave for 30 second intervals until combined smoothly.

Grab a 8×8 pan and add parchment paper to the bottom.

Note: I didn’t have parchment paper so I used tinfoil, but parchment paper is preferred!

Pour mix into the pan.

Place the fudge in the fridge for one hour or more.

Cut and Enjoy!

Easiest Fudge Recipe

Super Easy 2-Ingredient Fudge Recipe
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 14 oz Condensed Milk
  • 12 oz Chocolate Chips

Instructions
 

  • Dump the can of condensed milk into a microwavable bowl and pour the bag of chocolate chips over the milk.
  • Cook in the microwave for one minute.
  • Stir mixture.
  • Cook in the microwave for another minute.
  • Stir, and then microwave if needed for 30 second intervals until chocolate chips are completely melted.
  • Put parchment paper on the bottom of an 8×8 pan and add mixture to pan.
  • Place pan in fridge for one hour or more until ready to serve.
  • Cut and enjoy!

This is such a super easy and fun activity with kids or a delicious treat for childless adults too!

Happy Baking!

Easy Salt Dough Ornaments with Kids

by Leave a Comment

Easy Salt Dough Ornament Recipe with Kids

I love making ornaments with the kids to give as gifts and every year we do Salt Dough Ornaments!

Salt Dough Ornaments are pretty easy but still very hands on and fun for kids to get involved!

I’ve done this every year since my child was around 20 months, so any age is good!

Just keep in mind you may lose a few over the years because they are somewhat fragile.

Here is a super easy recipe for Salt Dough Ornaments:

  • 1 Cup of Flour
  • 1/2 Cup of Salt
  • 1/2 Cup of Water

Mix together Flour and Salt then add the 1/2 cup of water. Stir in water until dough forms. You may want to use your hands to knead the dough– or have your kids stir or knead it!

It may take a few minutes (5 mins or so) until the dough forms!

Roll dough with rolling pin on parchment paper and add some flour to the paper to make it easier to roll out!

Once the dough is nice and flat (with around 1 inch thickness, or whatever you desire), use cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes!

I use Christmas Cookie Cutters (affiliate link) on my Salt Dough Ornaments, but you can even just use circle jars and make snowmen! Or just stick those little kid hands in and use their hands as a mold and an ornament!

You may need to continue to add flour to the dough to make it less sticky or more water if the dough gets to dry. Either or neither may happen!

Don’t forget to use a pen or another sharp tip to make a small hole on the top so you can add a ribbon to the ornament for later!

Bake at 200 degrees for 2 to 3 hours.

After baking, feel free to paint and decorate your salt dough ornaments!

*You can also double the recipe if you want to make a lot of ornaments for gifts and such, but this recipe still makes a bunch!

These do make great gifts and are fun to make with the kids!

Enjoy!

You May Also Like: Christmas Bucket List with Kids

Christmas Bucket List with Kids

by Leave a Comment

Christmas Bucket List with Kids for fun ideas of fun things to do this holiday season

Are you looking for some fun things to do this Christmas Season with kids?

Well, you make want to check out my Christmas Bucket List with 40 Ideas to do with kids this holiday season!

I definitely want to do SO many things with my toddler and preschooler while they are so into the Christmas Magic!

I’m going to try to do as many Christmas-y things as humanly possible but needed to make a Christmas Bucket List to keep track of everything! There’s so many fun things to do and so little time!

Also, don’t forget to check out 15 Christmas Traditions to Start with Your Family to get some good ideas of traditions to do ever year with your kids!

Here’s 40+ items on this Christmas Bucket List with Kids this Holiday Season:

  1. Write a Letter to Santa
  2. Take a Picture with Santa
  3. Chop Down a Christmas Tree
  4. Decorate the Christmas Tree
  5. Make a Popcorn Garland
  6. Decorate the House for Christmas
  7. Make a new ornament for the Christmas Tree
  8. Find The Elf on the Shelf
  9. Drink Hot Cocoa by a Cozy Fireplace
  10. Listen (and dance) to Christmas Music
  11. Watch Christmas Movies with Friends and/or Family
  12. Build a Snowman
  13. Go Sledding
  14. Drive around and look at Christmas Lights
  15. Go to a Tree Lighting
  16. Go to an annual Holiday Event
  17. Donate a Toy to Charity
  18. Volunteer your time to Spread Holiday Cheer
  19. Make a Christmas Gift this Year
  20. Make a Gingerbread House
  21. Bake and Decorate Cookies for Santa
  22. Deliver Cookies to a Neighbor or Friend
  23. Make an advent calendar and count the days ’til Xmas
  24. Go Caroling
  25. Go Ice Skating
  26. Read Polar Express
  27. Go on a Christmas Train Ride
  28. Go on a Sleigh Ride
  29. Send Christmas Cards to Family
  30. Make Gingerbread Playdough
  31. Make a Holiday Craft
  32. Wear Christmas Pajamas
  33. Make reindeer food for Rudolph
  34. Take Family Holiday Pictures
  35. Leave milk & cookies for Santa
  36. Wear an Ugly Christmas Sweater
  37. Wrap Christmas Gifts with Music in the background
  38. Send a Care Package to a Loved One
  39. Read the “Night Before Christmas” on Xmas Eve
  40. Do a Random Act of Kindness

What’s on your Christmas Bucket List with kids this year?