DIY Shape Projecting Lantern

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PowerYourSummer #CollectiveBias 

This past weekend, my oldest daughter and I kicked off the summer season, by crafting this super fun DIY Shape Projecting Lantern. When placed in the dark, the glow of the battery operated lights casts the moon and star shapes all over the surrounding surfaces, ceiling and walls. This DIY lantern craft was so simple to make, and all of the kids are absolutely LOVING the finished product. My toddlers are completely mesmerized. This was a total craft WIN!

Hi friends, how have you been? SUMMER. It's finally here. I can't even tell you how excited I am! I feel like a kid again. For real.  So, as I told you all a few months back, we've ditched the electronics (almost entirely!) with the older kids. They have very limited access to the Internet for school, and not much else. Can I just tell you, the difference, is nothing short of amazing. Amazing, folks.  They're reading again; for fun! They're going to the library to learn (real solid facts and all of the supporting information. Bye-bye Wikipedia!) They're creating and crafting. They're actually talking; they're not absorbed in screen time or social media. It's glorious. I'm never turning back. This is  the way that childhood was intended to be. There's plenty of time for screens when they're all grown up. For now, they just need some uninterrupted time to be kids.

The agenda this summer is pretty simple. Sunshine, aquarium and zoo visits, museum visits, a camping trip close to home, hiking, pool time, water park visits, backyard fun, crafting and creating, reading and picnics. Lot's of picnics. Simple, good old fashioned, fun. Friends, despite our lack of grandiose plans, I have a feeling that this summer is gonna' be one for the books. Bring on the fun!

Ready to kick off the summer fun with your family? Read on for the full supply list and our simple tutorial, to make your own DIY Shape Projecting Lantern craft with the kids this summer.

Disney•Pixar Incredibles 2 Hits Theaters June 15th + A Giveaway #Incredibles2

This post is in partnership with Disney•Pixar. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

They're back! Disney•Pixar’s Incredibles 2 hits theaters June 15th, and we can't wait! In this much-anticipated sequel to the first film, "The Incredibles," Helen (voice of Holly Hunter) is called on to help bring Supers back, while Bob (voice of Craig T. Nelson) navigates the day-to-day heroics of "normal" life at home with Violet (voice of Sarah Vowell), Dash (voice of Huck Milner) and baby Jack-Jack whose super powers are about to be discovered. Their Mission is derailed however when a new villain emerges with a brilliant and dangerous plot that threatens everything. The Parrs don't shy away from a challenge though, especially with Frozone (voice of Samuel L. Jackson) by their side. That's what makes this family so Incredible!

Read on for more on Disney•Pixar’s Incredibles 2, including the official trailer. PLUS Enter to win a family 4 pack of Fandango vouchers (valued at $21 ea.) to see Incredibles 2 at a theater near you!

DIY No-Sew Watermelon Flip Flops

These DIY No-Sew Watermelon Flip Flops are so stinking cute, and they're incredibly easy to make. My tween assembled her DIY Watermelon Flip Flops in just 10 minutes! These no-sew Watermelon Flip Flops make a great summer craft for kids, tweens, and teens (and even adults!)

If you're ready for all things Summer like us, read on for the simple supply list and tutorial  (with step-by-step imagery) to make your own DIY No Sew Watermelon Flip Flops. This is such a fun way to jazz up inexpensive flip flops this summer!

2 Ingredient Taste-Safe Yogurt Play Dough Recipe + Super Fun DIY Kitchen Experiment For Toddlers!

My toddler absolutely loves play dough! It's a fun medium to play and create with, and it's even more fun when we make our own. This 2 ingredient taste-safe yogurt play dough is silky and soft, and it smells absolutely scrumptious! If you're looking for a fun science experiment to do in the kitchen with little one's, that also results in endless hours of creative play and fun, this yogurt play dough is definitely worth trying.

All you'll need is two simple ingredients (that you most likely already have on hand), a mixing bowl, and a spoon. I love simple recipes like this. My toddler can help stir and knead the ingredients, and then he gets to enjoy the fruits of his efforts, by playing with his homemade yogurt play dough! You can even divide the yogurt play dough up and use a few drops of food coloring to make a rainbow of colors.

Grab the simple supply list and instructions below, to make your own 2 ingredient taste-safe yogurt play dough.

Embroidered Handprints - Perfect For Gifting This Mother's Day! Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #4

Embroidered Handprints! Kids handprint crafts are really such an adorable way to capture the early stages of childhood. Since my oldest daughter is a little older now (11) she was able to stitch all 4 of my children's handprints to create this cute little keepsake for me, for Mother's Day.  DIY Embroidered Hand Prints would be a great handmade gift for parents and grandparents alike! Stitch your children's handprints, or the entire family's handprints. This is such a fun little treasure to hang and enjoy for years to come. This embroidered handprints craft is project #4 in our Kids Sewing Series here at One Savvy Mom™.

Read on for the easy supply list and tutorial below, to make your own embroidered handprints wall hanging.

Owl Embroidery Hoops - Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #3

These Owl Embroidery Hoops turned out SO CUTE! My favorite part? The large Owl Embroidery Hoop (made on a 10" embroidery hoop) and the small Owl Embroidery Hoop come together fairly quickly, and only require very simple supplies and simple stitching. If you're looking for an easy sewing project / craft for the kids, this is it! Each Owl Embroidery hoop took under an hour to complete, and when they're finished your child will have some adorable DIY wall art for their room (or a great handmade gift for someone special!) This is project #3 in our Kids Sewing Series, here at One Savvy Mom™. My reasoning behind this series, is simple. In short, sewing is a constructive activity that helps occupy idle minds and hands; it's an activity that requires mindfulness / presence in the moment. This is something that I believe many children are missing these days with all of the connectivity, media, and screens. We have largely disconnected our children by choice from a lot of that in our home, and we're now getting "back-to-basics" so to speak, with fun activities and crafting. You can read more on why I started this kids sewing series in my first post of the series, HERE.

Read on for our simple supply list and tutorial (along with step-by step imagery) on how to make your own Owl Embroidery Hoops, with the kids!