Kids Bowl Free

Kids Bowl Free is starting up again on May 1, 2011. Bowling alleys across the country are offering two free games of bowling every day all summer long.

To participate, you just have to register your children. You’ll be sent tickets at the beginning of each week that your children can use.  You will have to pay to rent your shoes or bring your own.

Thanks Money Saving Mom

Craft of the Week

This May Day basket is a great way to recycle and use materials you have on hand along with a pack of flower seeds.  This is the perfect craft to make for yourself or to give as a gift.

Egg Carton Flowers

I'm sure you all have leftover egg cartons from all the Easter egg dyeing you did last week. Instead of throwing them away recycle them to make these cute egg carton flowers. I made these with my daughter and her favorite part was painting them.

Materials:
Egg Carton
Paint & paint brushes
Pom-poms
Green pipe cleaners
Glue
Scissors

Directions:
Cut the egg compartments apart into individual cups, these are your flowers. If needed shape top with scissors to look like a flower. Depending on what kind of egg carton you have you can paint each cup (works best with cardboard cartons) or if your egg carton is already colored (Styrofoam carton) you can skip the painting step and use as-is. Once the cups are dry, poke a hole through the bottom and then insert the pipe cleaner. This is the stem. Glue the pom-poms in the middle of the cup. Display flowers in a decorated toilet paper roll or a glass jar.

Cricut Giveaway

 

I got a Cricut for Christmas this year & I love it! Want a chance to win a Cricut Expression 2: Anniversary Edition of your own? Face crafts is giving one away here. Good Luck!

Pottery Barn Event

If you have a Pottery Barn near you you might want to check out the National Geographic Explorer Club. Kids ages 3 and up will learn about ocean creatures hands on activities, quizzes, songs and much more.  Kids will receive a badge after each event and a gift if they attend all three sessions. Each session has a theme-
Saturday, April 30th - sharks
Saturday, May 21st - turtles
Wednesday, June 8th - World Ocean Day

May Day

May 1st is known as May Day around the world. The traditions and stories surrounding May Day vary from place to place. However, one common theme is FLOWERS.
One popular tradition is to hang a basket full of spring flowers and/or other small gifts on a neighbor's doorknob. You have to be sneaky because if you get caught you get kissed. 

Another popular tradition is to decorate a pole with brightly colored ribbon, streamers, flowers and balloons.  People would carry the pole in parades and then dance around them.


In London, May Day is celebrated with the children going from house to house. They bring flowers and get pennies in return. The pennies are then thrown into a wishing well. The pennies are then donated to charity.

 

On May 1st, people in Hawaii celebrate their own version of May Day; they call it Lei Day. People give Hawaiian leis to each other. They put them around each other's necks and sometimes give a traditional kiss.

 

In Germany, one tradition is for boys to secretly plant a May tree in front of the window of the girl they love.

Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 2- 6th.  Here are some great gift ideas from my favorite craft sites. Even if you don't give your child's teacher a gift make sure to write a note telling her thank you for all that she does.  As a former teachr I know how hard they work.

We Need S'More Teachers Like You!

You're a cut above the rest!

 

Whoopie!

 

Subway Art

Michael's Mother's Day Make and Take

OK all you dad's out there this one is for you.  Take the kids to Michael's on Saturday, April 30th where they can make a t-shirt or apron(purchase required) for mom.  The event takes place for kids 3 and up, 10:00 AM - noon.  While supplies last.

Wacky Wednesday

Everyone make a paper airplane and have a contest to see who can fly it the furtherest.

Kids Eat Free at Chili's

On April 26 head to Chili's and get two FREE kid's meal for children under 12 year old when you buy an adult entree.  

Tasty Tuesday

I don't know about your kids but my son wil leat just about anything if it taste like pizza. This recipe is so easy you kids can do these on their own and fill with their favorite pizza toppings.

Ingredients:

1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

1/4 cup pizza sauce
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
pizza toppings of your choice - pepperoni, ham, peppers, mushrooms, etc..
1 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese

Directions: Preheat oven to 375°F. Unroll cresent rolls on cookie sheet and separate into 4 rectangles; press each into 6x4-inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations to seal. Spread 1 tablespoon pizza sauce on half of each rectangle to within 1 inch of edge. Sprinkle each with 3 tablespoons mozerella cheese. Place favorite toopings on top of cheese. Fold dough diagonally over filling; firmly press edges with fork to seal. Sprinkle each triangle with 1/4 teaspoon grated cheese. With fork, prick top of each to allow steam to escape. Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until deep golden brown. Provide extra pizza sauce for dipping.

Picture from Taste of Home

Plastic Easter Eggs

Now that Easter is over what do you do with all those plastic eggs? Believe it or not you can keep your kids entertained for hours with these creative ideas:
Spoon Race: See how far or how long your child can walk with a plastic egg on a spoon without dropping it.
Planter: Fill egg with soil and plant a couple of bean seeds or grass.
Egg Toss: Toss plastic eggs back and forth with a friend, getting further apart after each toss until it drops.
Surprise Egg: Put a small object inside an egg and give your child clues.  Let the guess what is inside.
Count and Deliver: Set out baskets or boxes with numbers attached to the front (or draw different amounts of eggs on an index card for each basket). Have your child count and deliver the correct number of Easter eggs to each basket.
Sound Match: Fill pairs of eggs with matching objects. Tape them closed and have your child shake each egg and find the matches.
Egg Push: Mark a finish line on the floor with masking tape, or outside with chalk.  Push the plastic egg with your nose and see which one crosses the finish line first.
Upper/lower case alphabet match: With a permanent marker, write upper case letters on one half of the egg and lower case letters on the bottom half.  Place them in a basket and have them match the letters up.
Sort and Graph: Sort a basket of plastic eggs by color. Older preschoolers will be able to color in a simple bar graph showing how many eggs there are for each color.
Treasure Hunt: Set up a treasure hunt with clues inside eggs hidden around the house or outside. Fill the last Easter egg with some candy or toy treasure!

Maybelline Superstay Lipcolor Winner

Congrats to Jan for winning the Maybelline giveaway.  Thanks to all who entered.  Be sure to check out the Purex giveaway.

Craft of the Week

Light up the world this Earth day with this luminary from Twig and Toadstool.

Authur Turns Green

Here is a great read for you and your children this Earth Day.  A new book by Marc Brown has been released in honor of the holiday, Arthur Turns Green .  In keeping with the green theme, the book is printed on recycled paper with soy based ink.

Swagbucks

If you read our blog on a regular basis or any blog really you probably have heard about  Swagbucks.  We have described all the great ways you can earn Swagbucks and that it only takes 450 Swagbucks to get a $5.00 Amazon giftcard (this is the best deal in my opinion).  You really have to use Swagbucks consistently to see your "bank" grow.  So today I want to tell you how I fit it in to my day without it taking a great deal of time and still see the benefits of the program.
First, you will recieve Swagbucks just for joining.  Then download the toolbar.  This makes Swagbucks easy to use.  Plus, you get a Swagbuck everyday just for using it.

Everyday, I start off by doing a few searches (just like Google) in the toolbar. I usually get a win.  If not I go ahead and answer the daily poll (1 Swagbuck), visit trusted surveys (I rarely do the surveys because I never qualify I just get 1 Swagbuck for opening it) and NOSO ( 2 Swagbucks).  These can all be found under the Earn tab.  Then I check special offers for any videos and I watch those.  You can do those offers if something appeals to you, however again I rarely do these. 

Throughout the day I use the tool bar to do searches, a few at a time.  I get up to 3 -4 search wins a day. Also, I will checkout Swagbucks TV when I have time.  I pick the shortest videos to watch so that I can get 3 Swagbucks in about 10 minutes. I do this while I eat lunch, watch TV, fold clothes...

Swagbucks has a daily code.  Nine times out of 10 it is in the afternoon so several times during that time period I check facebook to see if there is a code out.  I hope I get lucky but I probably only get it 50% of the time. 

I usually get about 100 Swagbucks a day through these simple steps so that I earn enough for a $5.00 Amazon gift card a week.  It will vary from day to day a little though.  I plan to use my gift card to help pay for my son's books for college.

Ten Things to do With Your Kids on Earth Day

1. Take a hike
2. Plant a tree, flowers, vegetables... Lowe's is giving away one million free trees
3. Eat locally organic grown foods
4. Make recycled art work
5. Make a list of environmentally friendly changes you make in you home - such as turn off lights, recycle, use less paper products
6. Take the Recycle Bank challenge - earn points you can redeem for discounts, coupons
7. Grab some friends  and pick up trash at your neighborhood playground
8. Walk or ride your bike to school
9. Unplug things appliances, computers, gaming systems... when not in use
10. Limit all activities that involve using electricity - cook out, turn off TV and computers, open windows and let the sunshine in

Candy Holder

 Here is another great treat holder for Easter. Stop by Betz White site to see the tutorial on how to make these felt candy holders.

Kellogg's Coupons

 

Sign up to get great coupons on Kellogg's cereal.  To make the deal even sweeter be on the lookout for specially marked boxes of cereal participating in the Cars 2 promotion.

Pampers Gifts to Grow Code

Enter JRYHAFFCR6WDPHY on Pampers Gifts to Grow to get 10 points.



Make Easter Cards at Michael's

Michael's is offering a free make and take for kids ages 3 and upon Saturday, April 23rd from 10:00 AM to noon.

Lowes Build And Grow Clinic

Lowe's Build and Grow clinics give children the opportunity to create a wooden project with their hands.  Think how proud they will feel when they say " I built it"!  At the upcoming clinic on Saturday, April 23rd  children they will build this unique birdhouse that sticks to your window so you can actually see the nest! Your child will love it!  In addition to the birdhouse, each participant will receive a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project. Be sure to register in advance for the 10:00 clinic.

Wacky Wednesday

Do the bunny hop!  Everyone hop around the house instead of walking.  Be careful if you are carrying something that spills.  it could be a little tricky.

Toy Story Operation Game for $2.00

Here is a great deal for your birthday or Christmas Stash:
Walmart has Toy Story Operation in the ad this week for $5.00, Use the $3.00 off coupon (click toys and games on the left) to get it for just $2.00.  Remember, if you happen to be shopping at Target they will price match if you bring in the ad.

Thanks Couponing to Disney

Save $5.00 off Thred Up through Recycle Bank

On Recycle Bank right now you can grab a $5.00 off your purchase at ThredUp.

If you are not familar with ThredUP . It is a site where parents exchange gently worn kids clothing. You can set up a circle of friends across the country or shop from the "pool" of other registered users. You will simply choose the “box” of clothing that you wish to receive, then pay shipping and handling. Next, you pack your own box (it will be shipped to you) of clothing to swap, and when someone choose’s your box, you print out a label and mail it. Remember, only the recipient pays shipping and handling.


Right now when you join (free) you will get your first box free except for shipping. Also, you can earn credit for trading clothes in high need sizes (and there are many).

If you are not familar with Recycle Bank be sure to check it out.  You earn points you can redeem for great rewards and coupons.  It is easy to use and fun to learn about being green.  Points add up fast.  Right now you can get $2.00 off Naked Juice, $10.00 off at Staples, $1.00 off Coke products and much more. 

Tasty Tuesday

Sometimes the secret to getting children to eat well  is to put in pint size, easy to grab and go "containers".  These make ahead mini quiches are perfect for a quick breakfast. You can switch out the veggies for ones your kids like. 

Tiny Prints- Free Mother's Day Cards

April 19th is the last day Tiny Prints is offering a FREE year membership to be a Greeting Card member, which includes Three Free Cards to use for Mother’s Day and discounts on future cards. You can receive up to 50% off each card for FREE for the next year.  Sign up for your free trial here.

 On top of that wonderful deal they are offering $0.99 Mother's Day cards (versus $3.99 regular price) when you use: AFFMDAY at checkout. This deal ends tomorrow also! I love sending personal cards for birthdays and holidays with special pictures I took that year. Order your cards here.

 

Don't wait till the last minute order your personalized Mother's Day cards now!

Dyeing Easter Eggs

This weekend I dyed Easter eggs with my daughter. I have seen so many great ideas out there that I will have to try with her when she gets older. Here are some different ideas for dyeing eggs:

1.  Wrap rubber bands around the eggs before dyeing to create a striped design.

2. With crayon personalize your egg with your child's name or a design. Dye your egg and the crayon design will show through. It works best if your make the crayon design while the egg is still warm.

3. Dye you egg normally with a light color. Then add a couple of teaspoons of oil (I used vegetable oil) to a darker egg dye color. Swirl the oil around with a fork. Dip the egg in the dye and you will get a marble-like effect.

4. Take different shaped stickers like stars or circles and stick them on your egg before dyeing. Dye egg normally and once the egg has dried remove stickers.

I have yet to try the blown-out egg technique. It scares me:) Has anyone tried it before?

Freebie's from Vistaprint

Checkout Visatprint today for some great freebies!!!  If you haven't tried it before give it a shot.
I just ordered my son's graduation party invitations from Vistaprint and was very pleased with this company. I am not very apt at doing this type of thing but I found Vistaprint easy to work with and fun.  The hardest part was deciding on my design because they had such a wonderful selection.  And thank goodness they send a proof before you order because I noticed I forgot to put the date of the party.  The price was very reasonable - 100 postcards including 3 pictures were shipped in 3 days for under $20.00.
Oops.. I forgot to mention I used ShopatHome and got 10% back.

Free Admission to National Parks

 This week, April 16-24th you can get free admission to more than 100 National Parks in celebration of National Park Week. Check out all the information or to find out about other upcoming free days by going to their website.

Easter Adventure at Toy R Us

Toys "R" Us 3D Easter Adventure  Saturday, April 16, 2011 ● 12 - 2PM

Fun Activities, Free Gifts & More!
Activities are intended for, ages 3 and up. Parental supervision required at all times. All giveaways and event materials available while supplies last and distributed to participating children only. Limit one per child. Quantities limited; no rain checks.Check to see if your local store is participating.

Craft of the Week

I love art that uses recyclable materials (in honor of Earth Day) you have around the house.  When children do open-ended ar projects in encourages their creativity, sparks imagination and improves writing skills.  Let your child's imagination run wild with this shoebox art.  Check out all the details on Inspiration Surrounds Creativity Abound.

If you have a craft you would like to share add it to the linky below.

Purex with Zout Review and Giveaway

What is Purex Complete with Zout?  - Purex Complete with Zout combine the proven performance of Purex detergent with the triple-enzyme stain-fighting power of Zout stain remover.


How does Purex Complete with Zout fight stains?  Purex Complete with Zout contains THREE powerful stain-fighting enzymes. Each enzyme targets a different type of stain: Protease (works against protein based stains such as grass and blood), Amylase (works against starchy stains such as chocolate and tomato sauce), Mannanase (works against guar, which is used as a thickener in many foods, such as ice cream, barbeque sauce, and salad dressings which are very sticky–sticking to fabrics making stains very difficult to remove).

 

How to use Purex Complete with Zout?
Purex Complete with Zout can be used as both a pre-treater and a detergent making it great for everyday laundry and heavily soiled loads. For normal wash loads, use it just as you would a normal detergent. For really tough stains, pour a little directly on the stain and rub into fabric. Let it sit for 5 minutes before putting it into the washer.


Available Fragrances
Fresh Morning Burst - Gives your laundry a light fresh scent
Free & Clear - Fragrance free and has a hypoallergenic formula for sensative skin


*Purex Complete with Zout is the first Free & Clear detergent to call out an added stain fighter.

Will Purex Complete with Zout work in my washer? YES!! Purex Complete with Zout is specially formulated to work in both traditional and High Efficiency (HE) washers.


Great Value!!  Purex Complete with Zout is not only tough on stains, but it also costs far less than the leading brand of liquid detergent. It is priced from $3.49 to $7.99 depending on the size and retailer. It is available at select retailers now, and by the end of March it will be available nationwide in stores such as Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Publix.

Want to give it a try?  Get your free sample of Purex Complete with Zout while supplies last.


Do you want to win Purex Complete with Zout? Enter our giveaway! We will be giving away coupons for Purex Complete with Zout. Giveaway is open to all US residents 18 years old and up.  Winners will be posted on the blog shortly after the giveaway ends and you will have 48 hours to respond.  Giveaway ends April 29, 2011.
Mandatory:
1. Follow Kid Kapers. Leave a comment.
2. Tell us how many loads of laundry you do a week.
3. Blog about this giveaway. Leave a comment with link.
4. Follow us on our new Twitter page! http://twitter.com/#kidkapers. Leave a comment telling us you follow us on Twitter.
5. Add a giveaway to the linky below and leave a comment.


Disclosure: As a Purex Insider Purex sent me one full sized product of Purex Complete with Zout for review purposes. Product information was provided to me by Purex however all opinions on the product are my own. Purex is also providingtwo free full size product coupons to giveaway to our readers.

Michael's Free Family Event

I love it when I find something for teenagers.  Michael's is hosting a Body Art event on Sunday, April 17th from 1:00 - 3:00 PM.  This would be great for prom, team spirit, and special occasions. While supplies last. Ages 13 and up.

QUICK!! 50 Point Pamper Gifts to Grow Code One Day Only

 

Add 50 points to your Pampers Gifts to Grow account with the following code:  happybdaypamprs
This code is only valid today (April 14, 2011). 
If your not registered sign up today and get 100 additional points.

Kellogg's Cars 2 Promotion

Kellogg's is offering FREE Cars 2 prizes, concession stand cash, gas cards (woohoo), and other prizes when you enter codes from specially marked packages of Kellogg’s cereal, bars and Eggo waffles on the Kellogg’s Cars2 Website.



You can enter up to 30 total codes (each code is worth 1 point) and cash in for the following prizes:


■1 point – Screensaver
■3 points – Spy Pen
■4 points – $5 Gas Card (it’s really a $5 prepaid Visa!)
■5 points – $5 Concession Cash
■6 points – Pocket Translator
■8 points – Soccer Ball


This special offer is good through June 30th, 2010 and is limited to one account per person. Go here to read the Frequently Asked Questions.

Thanks Couponing to Disney