Products we Love Archives - Page 3 of 19

Easy Potato Soup & Cider Recipe

January 12, 2019 by Kelly Dedeaux

Thank you Idahoan® Steakhouse® Soups for sponsoring this post. Enjoy the flavorful, slow-cooked taste of restaurant-quality soup at home, in minutes.

While I’m grateful to live in a place warmer than Utah now, it’s still been plenty cold here lately with a bit of freezing rain this month. I don’t know about you, but when it gets cold I have even less of a desire to spend forever cooking – but, we still have to eat, right? Luckily we can still make a delicious and comforting (aka: nice and warm!) meal with this Easy Potato Soup & Cider Recipe! with hardly any effort required, you can whip up a family-pleasing dish in practically no time at all, meaning more time you can spend wrapped up in that blanket.

Okay, so maybe us moms don’t ACTUALLY have time to just lounge around wrapped in a blanket – but you know I’m gonna try to stay as comfy and bundled as possible once the temperatures get into the 30’s and 40’s here! That’s one reason this meal is so perfect – the apple cider cooks in your slow cooker a few hours, making the house smell like cinnamon and deliciousness. Meanwhile the Idahoan Steakhouse® Soups cook in just 5 minutes, and are full of flavorful seasonings and rich cheeses – not to mention real Idaho® potatoes – giving you a creamy, hearty flavor with every bite. All you have to do is add water, making it about as easy as a quality meal can be!

Are you in for several weeks of chilly weather in your area? Don’t worry, you can enjoy more than one tasty meal that’s easy to make and brings warming comfort to your family because Idahoan Steakhouse Soups offer a variety of great flavors, such as Loaded Potato (which we enjoyed for this particular dinner), Creamy Potato, Cheddar Broccoli (my favorite!!) and Cheddar Potato. So many options to choose from, but since they’re quick to cook maybe just whip up a variety and let your family test out their favorites!

Apple Cider Recipe

Ingredients

Large Container Apple Juice
3-4 Cinnamon Sticks, plus some for garnish as desired
Caramel Syrup, if desired

Directions

Pour the apple juice into your slow cooker.
Add 3-4 cinnamon sticks.
Cook on low for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally to spread the cinnamon flavor throughout.
When serving, add a bit of caramel syrup as desired – enjoy!

When your cider is close to done, grab your flavor choice of Idahoan Steakhouse Soup and follow the directions on the back. For our Loaded Potato, I simply had to boil 4 cups of water (for 1 package), whisk in the contents of the pack, lower heat and simmer (uncovered) for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then remove it from the heat and let cool about 5 minutes. That’s all it takes, guys!

I’m a huge fan of things that help make our busy lives easier, so of course I not only love the great, slow-cooked, full-of-flavor taste of Idahoan Steakhouse Soups – but also being able to give my family restaurant-quality soup right in our home in just minutes! They really help make comfort easy, despite the chilly temps outside.

What’s your favorite cold-weather drink recipe?

Creative Way to Include Batteries with Gifts – with free printable!

February 12, 2019 by Kelly Dedeaux

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

How many times have you been super excited about a gift, but once it’s opened realize it needs batteries – then the search begins! That hassle and waiting to be able to actually ENJOY the gift can cause so much unneeded holiday stress. Especially with kids, you don’t want to deal with the pressure (aka nagging) that’s sure to ensue while you hunt through cabinets and drawers. Don’t worry, because I’ve learned a Creative Way to Include Batteries with Gifts (plus giving a free printable so it’s even easier). No searching or stress THIS year!

While you’re doing your holiday shopping, make a note of which items need batteries – including what type and how many. Then stock up on however many Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ batteries you need during your next visit to Walmart (because Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ is the #1 Longest-Lasting Battery). It’s probably a smart idea to nab a few extra packs, just in case! To help with the holiday budget, click here to receive a $5 Walmart eGift card with your $15 Energizer® battery or lights purchase.**

Make sure you have everything ready – your gifts, wrapping paper, scissors, tape, ribbon, hole punch and your Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ Batteries. As a mom, I rely on these for all our toys and electronics because nothing outlasts their long-lasting power – I want to be switching the batteries as infrequently as possible, because heaven knows I have plenty other things to handle each day. I also really appreciate each battery’s safety-conscious and leak-proof design, helping me feel confident that the most-loved toys and devices are protected against leaks and corrosion! They’re the clear choice to power the essential devices in your life dependably! Gather everything together, then you’re ready to start making your fun ‘battery holder’ gift box!

Click on the photo below to easily shop for all your batteries!

You need to print off this template – I highly recommend printing onto colored cardstock type paper. This is more sturdy so works best, and printing onto the color you want the box to be saves you from having to trace it. Don’t worry if you can’t print directly onto the paper you’ll use for your ‘box’, because you can print on normal paper, cut it out, then trace it onto what you’d like. It prints onto 8.5×11 size, and has 2 per page. Once you have the template, here are the steps for creating your awesome ‘battery holder’ to attach to your wrapped gift!

Print out the template
Cut out each box on the outside lines
Hole punch slightly into each of the triangle tips
Fold inward on the inside lines
Add your Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ batteries and use ribbon or string to loop inside, then carefully tighten and secure in a bow!

Now, because of the flaps on two of the ends (this provides more support for the pyramid shape), threading the ribbon the wrong way can cause weird lumps or issues. Here’s how I found works best for the smoothest closure…

There you have it – a super fun, festive gift box allowing you to safely include batteries WITH a gift by just taping the bottom of the paper box on top of your wrapped present. That means no more hunting around to power your kiddos new toy! If you don’t want to tape it on top, just wrap it inside the box with the present so it’s right there handy – or you can hang a bunch of these battery boxes (carefully) from your tree – high up where young ones can’t reach, of course – to easily grab when a ‘batteries required’ gift is opened. So fun!

Want to know another perk of hitting up the Energizer® battery displays during your Walmart shopping trip? You can nab these amazingly useful Energizer® Brand Headlights for a great stocking stuffer! I couldn’t resist getting another for hubby, because he uses his All. The. Time!

If you’re in a hurry so don’t have time to do this fun battery gift box, just use festive ribbon and tape to secure the needed batteries to their corresponding gift – easy!

Now go enjoy your holidays knowing that you’ll have a lot less stress when present-opening time comes, because any needed batteries will be right there with the gift, not only making it easy to grab but also look fabulous!

**See Offer Terms & Conditions for complete details

How often have YOU forgotten batteries during the holidays? Me….well, way too many 😉

Chocolate Lovers BBQ Sauce

December 8, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

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

As many of you know, there’s a divide in our house when it comes to chocolate – I absolutely love it, hubby doesn’t. So far the kids are on my side, which I’m quite pleased about. As such, sometimes I find fun ways to incorporate that flavor into foods that you wouldn’t normally find it in, such as the Chocolate Lovers BBQ Sauce I tried the other day! Not only does it have incredible flavor, but also just a hint of chocolate goodness that really makes it special. It works amazing as a marinade for chicken, a dip, or even as a sauce to put on your burgers. You’ve got to give this unique and tasty recipe a try!

The secret to making this chocolate BBQ sauce work so well is the TABASCO® Chipotle Pepper Sauce, which really enhances the flavors with overpowering them. Being a family who has varying tastes, TABASCO® Sauce is one of the best ingredients to stock up in your kitchen (and when you run low, just restock on your next trip to Walmart!) because it’s perfect as not just an ingredient, but also as a condiment that lets each person personalize our food how we like best. Since it’s found anywhere in the world (it’s TABASCO® Brand’s 150th anniversary, so they’ve been around quite a while), you can use it to add or enhance flavor to practically any type of cuisine! So whether you’re whipping up this tasty BBQ sauce or preparing another dish, TABASCO® Brand’s variety of flavors has a bit of something for everyone. Don’t forget to take advantage of the Ibotta offer to save $1 off of 5 oz. or larger TABASCO® Brand Sauce in any flavor now through 12/31/18!

The reason I chose TABASCO® Chipotle Pepper Sauce as the perfect flavor for our chocolate BBQ sauce is that the flavor of smoke-dried jalapeno peppers brings a rich balance of smoke and heat to the sauce. It really pairs well with any type of protein dish, but I think it’s particular excellent for chicken. You can use this sauce flavor for plenty of marinade recipes, or as a condiment over prepared meats. Another great trick – combine it with pineapple for a sweet-savory dish!

This dish is super easy to make, just mixing some ingredients over the stove, letting them simmer to really bring out the flavor, then adding the melted chocolate. Love it!

Ingredients

1 can (15 oz) Tomato Sauce
1/2 cup Water
1 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp. Salt
2 tbsp. Onion Powder
1-2 tbsp. TABASCO® Chipotle Pepper Sauce
1 tbsp. Cinnamon
1/2 cup Milk Chocolate Chips

Directions

In a saucepan, mix all of the ingredients except the chocolate chips over medium-low heat. Once it begins to boil, reduce heat and simmer 25 minutes.
When almost done, melt the chocolate chips carefully, then stir into the sauce mixture until smooth.
Enjoy as a marinade, dipping sauce or even a sauce for your burgers!

What could be really fun is to try it with other TABASCO® Brand Sauces, such as their original TABASCO® Brand Pepper Sauce (hubby’s personal favorite), or the milder TABASCO® Green Jalapeño Sauce. Then we could see how the flavors in this chocolate BBQ sauce are changed – maybe making your next favorite dip to serve on game day!

The possibilities are practically endless when you have incredible, flavor-enhancing sauces to help you out! Just don’t tell anyone your secret ingredient, so you can stay the hero chef at your next party 😉

Which TABASCO® Brand Sauce is your favorite?

Adding Memories to Our Walls with Canvas Wraps: The Perfect Gift

April 9, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

This post sponsored by our friends at CanvasDiscount.com – all opinions are mine alone.

Who else loves having family photos decorating their home? They help make it more YOURS, and can be happy reminders of those you care about. We moved into our new home over 7 months ago now, but life was busy so I kept putting off hanging things up. This past weekend it was a blast adding memories to our walls with Canvas Wraps – and they’re the perfect gift for any occasion!

After we had family photos taken at the end of last year, I was so eager to get them printed to hang on my walls. It makes me so happy seeing all the kiddos, how much they’ve grown over the years, in our home! One of my hold-ups was that we were moving soon after, so I knew I wouldn’t be able to hang them for a bit. Honestly, though, my biggest holdup was price – because with this big of a family (and wanting so many fabulous canvas wraps), it can add up! Luckily I was introduced to CanvasDiscount.com where I was able to get all the prints I wanted for up to 90% off – meaning huge savings on this incredible holiday gift for my family!

Once I figured out the layout and size of every Canvas print I wanted, I completed each upload on their site, placed my order, then patiently waited while it shipped. It arrived more quickly than I expected, and then I was begging hubby to help get a bunch of them up on the walls. My first goal – this huge blank wall right inside our front door…

I mean, look at that space begging to be filled up with beautiful Canvas prints! That photo doesn’t give quite the scale of how TALL this blank wall is, so here’s another shot…

See, it’s SUPER tall and just – well, blank! Luckily, I received my beautiful canvas wraps and – once I decided on how I wanted them laid out – got them all up to really help our home look more cozy, welcoming, and much less bare!

Now once you walk in the front door, this is the view people will be greeted with…

I absolutely LOVE IT!!! Although I’m still a bit in shock with how old all my kiddos look – weren’t they just babies yesterday???

You may be wondering why I’m such a huge fan of canvas wraps versus regularly printed photographs in frames. First of all, I don’t like the glare on glass in photo frames. Second, these wraps are super sturdy, with frames behind that help them hang securely. Not only that – but check out the amazing quality of the photos!

You also avoid those silly smudges that tend to get on photographs (especially if you have kids!).

I’m looking forward to hanging the rest of my awesome photos soon – I got a few of just hubby and I for our reading nook in our room, some from family vacations and with extended family for our big family room (though right now the tree is blocking the wall, so that may have to wait until after the holidays) and even sent several to family for Christmas. When you get older, it’s the memories, family and friends that really matter so one of the best gifts you can give is canvas wraps of their loves ones and special memories shared!

I also wanted to include our pups with our family photos, so was really excited with how nicely their photo went at the bottom of our layout…

Whether you want fabulous canvas prints for your own home, or as a great gift that’s perfect for practically anyone your list, you’ve got to check out CanvasDiscount.com – they’re my go-to place for amazing prices and quality prints to decorating my wall with memories!

You can save up to 90% on your Christmas photo canvas HERE!

Perfect Grilled BLT

November 29, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

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

I can’t remember the first time I had a BLT sandwich, I just always remember loving them. The crunch of the bacon, the juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce – and it’s always made better with some turkey slices. I’ve since learned to up my sandwich-making game by trying new sauces, and finding a way to make the Perfect Grilled BLT. Not only is this toasted just right, it also has a delicious basil mayo sauce that really completes this classic lunch recipe!

First, let me tell you our secret to getting a perfectly toasted sandwich Every. Single. Time. The trick – adding some NEW Land O Lakes® Soft Squeeze™ Spread onto the outsides before placing on the heated grill! This is super easy to spread on, in a convenient, easy to squeeze bottle which means less mess to deal with. I wasn’t sure this would really make much of a difference at first, but after using it OH MY GOSH – I love it, and now keep some constantly handy in my fridge – kind of like having squeezable convenience right at my fingertips in the fridge! Stock up on this fabulous NEW product, made with real butter, during your next trip to your local Kroger store. Because we could all use a little something extra special, you can even Save $0.75 off ONE (1) Land O’Lakes Soft Squeeze® Spread with their current promotion – score!

It’s awesome to be able to save money – and also to enjoy a super delicious and easy to make BLT sandwich! Now that we don’t have to deal with crumbs or mess while making out meal, thanks to NEW Land O Lakes® Soft Squeeze™ Spread, we can really focus on just making it and enjoying EATING it.

Ingredients

Slices of Bread
Bacon
Lettuce – washed & cut into strips
Tomatoes – washed & sliced
Turkey Deli Meat
NEW Land O Lakes® Soft Squeeze™ Spread
1 cup Mayo of Choice
1-2 tbsp. Basil
1 tsp. Garlic Powder

Directions

First, use a bit of NEW Land O Lakes® Soft Squeeze™ Spread to grease a skillet for your bacon. Grill it crispy, then set aside.
Whip the mayo, basil and garlic powder until creamy.
Gather the ingredients, then build your sandwich – spread some of the basil mayo onto the inside of each bread slice, then add your desired amount of turkey, lettuce, tomatoes and bacon.
Spread some easy-to-squeeze NEW Land O Lakes® Soft Squeeze™ Spread onto the outside slices of bread, then grill your sandwich over medium-low heat until perfectly toasted.
Serve warm – ENJOY!

What creative ways would YOU use NEW Land O Lakes® Soft Squeeze™ Spread in your cooking or baking?

Ultimate List of Holiday Gift Guides

November 17, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

I love holiday shopping – picking out items that I know will bring smiles and happiness to my family and friends! It’s just so fun to focus for a bit on each of their personalities – the things that they enjoy doing, to really choose the right thing. Especially with my kids, I find real joy in thinking of what they liked in the past, what’s changed, how they’ve grown, all of it. If you’re also working on your holiday shopping list, then let me help a bit with this Ultimate List of Holiday Gift Guides. We’ve gathered links to ALL of our gift guides, so you can look for the theme or topic you want and then get tons of great gift ideas for friends and family!

We tried to cover a big range of personalities and interests – from Disney fans, teens, pets, nerds & geeks (my favorite list!), to ideas for kids who love to learn as well as a HUGE list of over 100 stocking stuffers under $10! We even made sure to have a whole list of ideas for gifts that aren’t really STUFF – because sometimes activities, events, and memory-making moments are the perfect present. Hopefully this helps make your holiday shopping a bit easier and less stressful, so you can truly enjoy the time you spend picking the right thing for those you care about!

Gifts That Aren’t STUFF

Gifts for Disney Fans

Gifts for Kids who Love to Learn (and Homeschoolers)

Stocking Stuffer Ideas Under $10

Gifts for Nerds & Geeks

Gifts for Teens

Gifts for Boys (roughly ages 5-10)

What’s your favorite thing about holiday gift shopping?

Don’t miss our gift guides from previous years!

Gifts for Travelers

Gifts for Harry Potter Fans

Gifts for Boys

Gifts for Creative Kids

Gifts for Preteens

Gifts for Kitchen & Home

Gifts for Families who Love Game

Gifts for Star Wars Fans

Gifts for Pets

Gifts for Superheroes

Gifts for Moms

Gifts for Harry Potter Fans

Gifts for Creative Kids

Over 100 Stocking Stuffers under $10

December 28, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

In many families, setting out stockings on Christmas Eve is full of excitement, wondering what they’ll be filled with the next day. Then they’re the first thing that gets seen or opened on Christmas morning. Since this is such a fun time for the kiddos, we really try to include things they’ll love in their stockings – but that won’t break the bank, of course. I also try to find little gifts that aren’t just ‘filler’ stuff (although we do include the typical toothpaste and such), because things that will last and be useful or used quite a bit are more worthwhile. If you’re also on the lookout for quality, useful, fun AND affordable stocking ideas, here’s Over 100 Stocking Stuffers under $10 to help out!

Keep in mind, all of the items on this list of affordable stocking stuffers were listed as $9.99 or less when I compiled the list – take into account sales, merchandise changes and such may have altered the price (for better or worse). There’s a huge variety here, for both the kiddos AND adults, as well as a variety of themes to hopefully include something for anyone on your list. Yes, we even included a few things for the pets in your house 😉

Original Super Cool Slime®

Priced at just $4.95 or less per bottle, these make terrific stocking stuffers! There’s a bit of variety for every kiddo – from Emoji Poop Slime to Glow in the Dark Slime, as well as Unicorn Poop Slime, Jurassic World Slime (in Indoraptor black or T. Rex Cyptogenic green) and, of course, the Original Super Cool Slime! Each themed glop comes in a fun container – so much play to be had by all!

Edna Mode Holiday Socks in Ornament for Adults

Charades for Kids – Travel Size

This classic game of Charades is designed especially for kids to play and enjoy! There’s 3 levels of clues, so kids of all ages can join in the fun. Each card includes a clue with a picture – no reading is required (although the combination of the picture AND its corresponding word helps reinforce early reading skills, so bonus!). Perfectly sized for travel – a great family game on-the-go. For 3 or more players, ages 4 and up.

Cable Clips & Cord Management System

Harry Potter Lenticular Movement Notebook

Fidget Snake Cube Twist Puzzle

Shower Wow LED Rainbow Shower Head

Slinky

Jack Sparrow Costume Accessory Set

Nanoblock Pokemon Mewtwo Building Kit

Little Letters of Thanks

Emoji Fidget Spinner

Wimpy Kid Fregley Mini Journal

Kanoodle – Brain Twisting Solitaire Game

Harry Potter Golden Snitch Sticker Mini Kit

Dinosaur Christmas

Star Wars Millennium Falcon Book Light

Color Bath Dropz

Fabric Patches Materials Kit

Scratch Art Rainbow Mini Notes

Incredibles 2 Two-in-One Deluxe Puzzle Set

Home Essentials & Beyond “I Don’t Need Google..” Collection

Chalk Markers

Captain Hook Wallet for Adults

Unbreakable Polarized Sports Sunglasses for Kids

Blinded by Science Trivia

Hair Chalk Pens

Cruz Ramirez Pull ‘N’ Race Die Cast Car

That’s Christmas To Me

Assorted Chocolate Gold Favor

Turtles Silver Tone Necklace

Cartoon Thor Christmas Ornament

Harry Potter Facts and Trivia

Crayola® Metallic Silly Putty

Ultimate Joke Books for Kids

A-Maze-Ball Maze Game

HedBanz Game, Family Guessing Game

Cinderella ”Bobbidi” Ultra Glossy Lip Gloss

American Girl Doll Glittering Star Watch for 18-inch Dolls

Jenga Classic Game

Mix & Match Puzzle Wall Art Pieces

Stitch Light-Up Pen

Locker Dry Erase Board

Mini Karaoke Microphone

Pack of 12 Emoji Magnets

Fetch Toy Keep Away

Photo Clip String Lights Wall Decor

Groot Plush

Portable Car Trash Can

Pikachu Portable Charger

Play-Doh Modeling Compound 10-Pack Case of Colors

Aloe Moisture Gloves™

Multi-functional Car Duster

Baymax and Hiro Canteen

Holiday Red Paw Stocking

Dumbo Tiny Big Feet Plush

Stitch Tiny Big Feet Plush

Jyn Erso Force Link Action Figure

Poké Ball Pillow Danglers

Jack Skellington Reversible ”Tsum Tsum” Plush

Alice in Wonderland Charm Necklace for Women

Mickey Mouse Safari Binoculars

Poké Ball Serving Bowl Set

Vampirina Glow-in-the-Dark Bat Wings for Kids

Multicolor String Lights Battery Operated

Star Wars Ice Cube Trays

Fetching Fashion Holiday Santa Sweater

Solar Eclipse 20oz Heat Changing Ceramic Mug

Pastel Unicorn 2pc Pen Set

Pikachu Silicone Mold

“At Grandma’s the Answer is Always Yes” Mug in White

Star Wars Ep VIII Droids 2 pc. 16 oz. Cold Reactive Glass Set

Magnetic Hourglass

Baby Groot Playing Cards

Minecraft Enderman Earrings

Chocolate Favor Gift Box with Holiday Ribbon

Holiday Tennis Balls

Design A Saurus

Shower Shock Caffeinated Soap

Exclusive Planetary String Lights

Colorations® Decorate Your Own Masks

Star Wars Best Kid T-Shirt

DohVinci Door Décor Kit

Lightning McQueen Fleece Throw – Personalizable

Cute Unicorn Bracelet Wristband

Mini Instant Film Stickers

Star Wars Boxer Shorts for Men

Holiday Cotton Rope

Disney Holiday Socks in Ornaments Collection for Adults

Harry Potter Hogwarts 1.5in Binder

Michelangelo Child Vinyl Mask

Notes To Self – Mini Tool Kit

Squishy Raglan Long Sleeve T-Shirt for Adults

National Parks Wall Calendar

Hexbug Nano

Minnie Mouse Ear Headband

Red Party Cup String Lights

Hades Necklace for Adults

Avengers Wristbands

“Silent Night” Mug in Red

Unicorn Makeup Bag

Lilo Jewelry Set for Women

Mini Instant Film Photo Clips

Rogue One Ship Decal

Vampirina Fashion Boots for Girls

Anti-Stress Microwavable Comfort Wrap

Greenies Dental Chews Holiday Candy Cane Tube

Baby Dinosaur Outfit Set

Minecraft Grass Activity Block

HEARBEAT LIGHT UP KEYCHAIN

Unicorn BUBBLE Bath Bomb with Surprise Necklace

What stocking stuffers do YOU love to receive?

Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Learners & Homeschoolers

December 28, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

My kids have always loved learning, and I try to encourage that with the types of games, activities and toys we have in our home. Now that we’re homeschooling, it’s even more important! If you have kids who love to learn then you’ll love the incredible ideas in our newest Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Learners & Homeschoolers.

Whether their interest is in science experiments, studying astronomy, life and nature exploration, learning to code or robotics, we’ve got a bit of something for everyone on this list. Pick your favorite gift for a kid who loves to learn, or for your homeschool kiddos!

Professor Maxwell’s 4D Chef

Kids can get immersed into this fun 4D Kitchen while creating 18 interactive recipes. They come alive in augmented and virtual reality, and Professor Maxwell (the 4D Chef) helps teach them the science behind food – they’ll love exploring the wonders of food science while trying new recipes. There’s a ‘lesson behind every bite’ – so give it a try!

14-in-1 Build Your Own Educational Solar Robot

Scientific Explorer Tasty Science Kit

GeoSmart Flip Bot 2019 Toy Of The Year Finalist

Kids will have great fun when they build, then flip, this remote-controlled vehicle! The 30-piece geomagnetic set has turbo motors which allow it to zoom and spin all over – as well as FLIP over! Learning is super fun with this robot featuring bright colors, strong magnetic pieces and a (patented) double-safety system. Use the included building guide, or let your kids use their own creativity to build different versions with the included pieces! This entertaining bot – weighing less than 2 pounds when fully built – flips whenever direction is changed form forward to back or vice-versa making for hours of learning fun!

Mastermind®

Kids can test out their code-cracking with Mastermind, a challenging game of logic and deduction. Try to crack the code in 10 moves or less, or create one that cant’ be cracked! It’s a great stategy game and one of the world’s most popular games ever. It’s easy to learn, fast to play and has thousands of possibilities, making it different every time you play. For 2 players, ages 8 and up.

littleBits HALL OF FAME Collection

Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret

Whether our kid loves adventure, learning, reading or just trying new things, they’ll love this new book by Trudi Trueit brought to you by National Geographic! This first title in what will be a 7-book middle grade series was inspired by actual, real-life missions of the National Geographic Society. Inspire your kids to adopt a mindset of an explorer to set them up for a lifetime of adventure!

LEGO Chain Reactions Craft Kit

Wordsearch

Who doesn’t love a great wordsearch game? With this exciting version, turn a solitary activity into a fun group game as players go on a word search. The specially-designed circular board rotates to reveal the word they’ll race to find on that turn. You can even create your own custom Wordsearch cards with the online Puzzle Generator! Visit http://www.wordsearch.eu and enter up to 20 of your own unique words to generate a customized puzzle board; then download and print. For 2-4 players, ages 7 and up.

Large Sunprint® Kit

LED Activity Panel

Base Inventor Kit

Learn & Climb Kids Science Set

Building Brilliance® Magnetic Shapes

Solar Building Helicopter

Gizmos & Gadgets Kit

Scientific Explorer Magic Science for Wizards Only Kit

STEM Robot Mouse Coding Activity

HEXBUG VEX Robotics Offroad Truck

Electronic Music Inventor Kit

Solar Powered Robot

Crayoligraphy Calligraphy Kit

Mini Explorer Light-up Crystal Growing Kit

Rule Your Room Kit

5 lb Air-Dry Clay Resealable Bucket

LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox Fun Robot Building Set

Women in Science

DIY Star Globe

Space Rover Inventor Kit

The Educational, Augmented Reality Based Globe

Science! Stationery Set

Telescope for Kids and Astronomy Beginners

The Albert Math Clock

Liquid Timers

Leapfrog: Gift Of Learning for Kids Ages 4-7

Marvel Avengers Hero Inventor Kit

ERUPT! Volcano and Fossil Science Kit

Star Wars Bloxels Video Game Builder

Creative Projects with Raspberry Pi

Hexbug VEX Robotics Bundle: SNAP SHOT, CROSSBOW, CATAPULT

Earth and Space Adult Coloring Book

Microscope for Kids Science Kit

Kids GPS Smart Phone Watch

GeoSafari® Talking Microscope™

Droid Inventor Kit by littleBits

Mini Explorer Light-up Terrarium Kit Kids

Butterfly Garden

Create-A-Maze™

Children’s Organic 4 Plant Kit

First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet

Kids Binoculars set

5-in-1 Build and Play Toy Set

Two-Tiered Mini Greenhouse

Educational Insights Kanoodle

HEXBUG VEX Robotics Screw Lift Ball Machine

Circuit Kit With Lighted Bricks Magnets

National Geographic Dinosaur Dig Kit

What do your kids love learning about most?

Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Disney Fans

November 13, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

Where are my fellow Disney-lovers? Disney is a huge part of my life – maybe it’s how I was raised – but I love sharing the magic and fun with my family! As such, we often have several great Disney type gifts either given or received each year. If you’re also looking for some magical gifts (whether for yourself or to give someone else) here’s a new Holiday Gift Guide full of wonderful Gifts for Disney Fans!

There’s seriously SO MANY incredible Disney gift ideas out there, so this is in no way covering everything. To sort the many suggestions, though, we separated it into some topics:

Collectibles, Home & Decor
Toys, Games & Plush
Clothing, Costumes, Jewelry & Accessories
Park Items for your Disney Trip

If you’re looking to give a Disney trip – check out Get Away Today for great deals! Promo Code: BusyMomsHelper

Collectibles, Home & Decor

Limited Edition Disney Mickey Mouse 90th Anniversary Figurine “Mickey The True Original”

Just in production for one year to celebrate Mickey’s 90th Anniversary, this adorable cold-cast resin piece features several version of Mickey throughout the years as well as a film reel with some of his films! Sized at approximately 10.5H x 8W x 7D inches, it’s the perfect collectors piece for the Disney fan in your life!

Thor Ragnarok Framed Art

Millennium Falcon Micro-USB Charging Cable

I Love You / I Know Stemless Flute Glasses

Mary Poppins Hat Hair Clip

Death Star Waffle Maker

”Castle Ballroom Interior” Limited Edition – Beauty and the Beast

Mickey Mouse and Friends Character Bowl Set

Mary Poppins Doll – Barbie Signature

Lilo and Stitch ”Goodbye Sun”

Mickey Mouse Silicone Breakfast Mold Set

BB-8 Bath Rug

Mickey Mouse Love Pillow

Tinker Bell Framed Wall Decor

Mickey Mouse Constellation Accent Lamp

Star Wars Shelf

Mickey Mouse Mug Set

Finding Nemo Seagulls Beach Towel

Mickey Mouse Toy Organizer

Mickey Mouse Gummy Treat Maker

Pua Fleece Throw

Mickey Mouse Bandana Dish for Pets

Disneyland ”While Everyone Sleeps”

Mickey Mouse Measuring Cup Set

Descendants Journal

Mickey Mouse Hooded Towel for Baby

Minnie Mouse Bow Paper Clips

Belle Ball Gown Apron for Kids

Star Wars Stormtrooper Sketch Tin Wall Decor

Toys, Games & Plush

Groot 30″ Inflate-A-Hero

Disney Aladdin Genie Costume for Build-A-Bear

Millennium Falcon Play Set

Minnie Mouse Farmer’s Market Stand

Jackson Storm Remote Control Vehicle

Buzz Lightyear Spaceship Play Tent

Mack Friction Motor Hauler Truck Plus Six Pullback Cars Set

Mary Poppins Jolly Holiday Plush Doll

Vampirina Recording Microphone

Groot Mini Magnetic Shoulder Plush

Zurg Glow-in-the-Dark Blaster

Vampirina Bat Plush Doll

Disney Junior Mega Figurine Set

Rapunzel Deluxe Styling Head

Pandora – The World of Avatar Interactive Banshee Toy

Spider-Man Electric Ride-On Trike

Jack-Jack and Raccoon Boxing Puppet Set

First Order Star Destroyer by LEGO

Star-Lord Element Blasters

Clothing, Costumes, Jewelry & Accessories

Mickey Mouse Icon Braided Metallic Leather Bracelet – Personalizable

Stitch Baseball Cap for Kids

Fantasyland Castle Ring

Loki Horned Slippers

Mickey Mouse Blanket Sleeper for Baby

Snow White Costume Collection for Baby

Darth Vader ”#1 Dad” T-Shirt for Adults

Lightning McQueen and Jackson Storm Button Shirt for Boys

101 Dalmatians Patch Jacket for Baby

Minnie Mouse Holiday Costume Dress for Kids

Jack Skellington Hoodie for Men

Rapunzel Tunic and Leggings Set for Girls

Holiday Family Sleepwear Collection

Belle Simulated Leather Jacket for Girls

Minnie Mouse Holiday Fancy Dress for Girls

Stitch Sleep Set for Girls

Maui T-Shirt for Men

Cinderella Fancy Dress for Girls

Eeyore PJ Set for Women

Black Panther Costume PJ PALS for Boys

Minnie Mouse Dress Shop Collection for Women

Stitch Lounge Pants for Women

Stitch ”Misbehaved” T-Shirt for Kids

Lightning McQueen Faux Leather Jacket for Boys

Mary Poppins Pajama Set for Women

Dug T-Shirt for Men

Disney Villains Ear Hat Wristlet

Captain America Costume Pet Harness

Darth Vader and Stormtroopers Holiday T-Shirt for Adults

Park Items for your Disney Trip

Autograph & Activity Books

Maleficent Ear Headband

Star Wars Porg Back Buddy

Stitch Luggage Tag

I Am Mickey Mouse Ear Hat for Kids

Toy Story Alien Light-Up Headband

Minnie Mouse Bow Satchel

PIXAR Emoji MagicBand 2

Star Wars Light-Up Mouse Ears Headband

Pineapple Swirl Crossbody Bag

What’s your favorite Disney gift idea?

Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts That Are Not STUFF

December 28, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

I love holiday shopping, whether I’m actually buying anything (I do most my shopping online!) or just enjoying the spirit and decor browsing the stores for ideas. Now I’m not talking about Black Friday time, because with all the craziness there’s definitely not the Christmas spirit – but afterwards, further into the season, when it’s more slow and enjoyable. As I’ve gotten more years of being a mom and family under my belt, I’ve learned that while toys and clothes are all wonderful and great, sometimes it’s the gifts of experiences or memories that mean the most – and last the longest. If you’re looking for some ideas for gifts that aren’t going to clutter the shelves or end up in the toy donation bag shortly, here’s are newest holiday gift guide full of Gifts That Are Not STUFF!

Every year, especially as my kids get older and more picky, I try to find more ideas of things I can give them that will last. Or something they can DO or go actually experience for themselves. Whether it’s more simple like movie tickets to enjoy a film with friends, or some new paints to jump right in to remodel their bedroom together, there’s really so many possibilities out there to fit about anyone’s interests! So if you’re looking for gifts that aren’t stuff this year, here’s some great ideas to help out.

If you’re looking to give a Disney trip – check out Get Away Today for great deals! Promo Code: BusyMomsHelper

Events & Tickets

Sports games like baseball, football, basketball, soccer (whatever the preference is) – season passes if you want to go real big!
Town having a festival? Nab some tickets and some extra cash for spending
Movie Passes – see the latest flick
Concerts – favorite band, play, musical
Vacations – big like Walt Disney World, or small like the local Six Flags
Passes to local museums or parks
Workshops – pottery, sewings, coding and computers
Membership to yoga studio or gym

Magazine subscription (pick their favorite – comic, fashion, National Geographic, music, etc.)

Gift Cards

Favorite restaurant, fast food, drink or snack place
Music to download
Ebooks
Have a favorite clothing store? Give a gift card then enjoy a day of shopping TOGETHER

Activities

Paintball
Indoor swim center
Bowling or Arcade
Skating (ice or in-line)
Remodel their bedroom – let them help and really make it their own style!
Photo session featuring JUST themselves
Indoor skydiving
Spa Day

Dance camp
Language Course
Horseback Riding
Escape Room
Laser Tag

Rock Climbing
Camping trip
Musical instrument and lessons

What gift would YOU want that isn’t stuff?

Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Nerds & Geeks

December 28, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

If you’re new here, then here’s something that you’ll notice very quickly – we’re very dorky. We love all things nerdy and geeky, from Star Wars and Star Trek to Harry Potter, video games, and superheroes. As such, a lot of my kids’ holiday wish list items fit on this list. In case you’re in the same boat, we wanted to share our newest Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Nerds and Geeks!

Like I said, we’ve included a big variety here to try and cover almost everyone. Not just with themes, but in type of gift – clothing, home items (Captain America slow cooker, anyone?), decor, and toys for multiple ages from the littles and adults. Maybe you’ll find a few things you want to add to your own wish list, too!

Our Personal Picks This Year

MacGyver: The Escape Room Game

Bring an awesome escape room experience home with this multi-scenario game! It’s perfect for MacGyver fans AND escape room fanatics! Use the tools you’re given to solve the puzzles and diffuse the bombs – leading to a final scenario that’ll require everything you’ve learned to stop a familiar opponent! For 1-4 players, ages 12 and up. Target exclusive.

The Oregon Trail: Journey to Willamette Valley

I remember playing this on the computer when I was little, and can’t wait to share it at home with my family! For those that aren’t sure what this is: It’s 1844 and you – along with your family – have joined a wagon train in Independence, MO heading to Willamette Valley to find your fortune in the West! Players will place tiles to discover the trails, rivers, forts and towns ahead of them as they travel. Watch out, because your perfect scenic journey may be stopped by disease, drowning, rattlesnakes or other hazards you’ll encounter along the way! Hunt for food, deal with limited wagon space, and make decisions that may mean supplies OR family members. Can you survive the trek? For 2-4 players, ages 14 and up.

Star Wars Gifts

Darth Vader Holiday Shirt for Adults

3D Illusion Star Wars Light

I Love You / I Know Faux Leather Bracelet

Insulated Pop Bottle

Darth Vader Lounge Pants for Men

Star Wars Cookie Cutters

Vader Oversized Pom Beanie

Vinyl Record Design Wall Clock

Star Wars 2-Slice Toaster

Chewbacca™

Activity Tracker for Kids

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Logo Ladies’ V-Neck Top

Light-Up Lightsaber Umbrella

Yoda Holiday T-Shirt for Adults

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Purses

Darth Vader & Stormtroopers T-shirt for Kids

Galactic Necklace

Star Wars Periodic Table of Elements T-Shirt for Men

Harry Potter Gifts

The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook

Harry Potter House Crest Lounge Pants

Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall Building Kit

Newt Scamander’s Journal

Harry Potter’s Light Painting Wand

Triwizard Cup Lamp

Doctor Who Gifts

Doctor Who TARDIS Messenger Bag

TARDIS Chopping Board

Doctor Who Floating TARDIS Bed In A Bag

Superhero Gifts

Iron Man Headquarters Playskool Playset

Deadpool Split Zip-Up Hoodie

Baby Groot Pendant Necklace

Spider-Man Costume Collection for Kids – Iron Spider

Avengers Pajama Gift Set for Kids

Marvel Universe Mega Figurine Set

Black Panther Cardigan for Women

Hawkeye Deluxe Quiver, Bow and Arrow Set

Captain America Slow Cooker

Spider-Man Framed Wall Decor

Iron Man Repulsor Gloves

Spider-Man Faux Leather Jacket for Kids

Hulk Apron for Adults

Black Panther InLine Scooter for Kids

Avengers Shelf

Guardians of the Galaxy Groot Slippers

Star Trek Gifts

Borg Duvet Cover and Pillowcases

Star Trek TNG Uniform Hoodie

Star Trek Electronic Door Chime

Gamer Gifts

Snorlax “Eat Sleep Battle” Shirt and Short Ladies’ Sleep Set

Retro Gamer Geek Glasses for Boys and Girls

Legend of Zelda Classic Sword

LEGO Minecraft The Nether Portal 21143 Building Kit

Pokémon Charizard Lounger

Minecraft Redstone Wall Torch

Minecraft Adventure Kits

Pikachu Cake Pan

Minecraft Sprites Boy’s T-Shirt

What’s YOUR favorite gift on the list?

Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Teens

December 28, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

My girls are almost teenagers, and along with all the ‘joys’ of this age comes the tendency to be even pickier when it comes to gifts. Teenagers can be super hard to shop for, and they’re not always clear on telling you exactly what they want, either. Luckily, there’s some things that most teens would be thrilled to receive, so here’s several ideas in our newest Holiday Gift Guide full of great Gifts for Teens to help you out!

Some of these are more for girls than boys, and vice-versa, but a lot are interchangeable just based on your own child’s personality and interests. A few can be totally customized, too – such as a bedroom makeover! Let them pick the paint and decor, the style – seriously, it’s hard to go too wrong with that one 🙂

Photo Pearls

Transform your photos into unique works of art with Photo Pearls! It’s super easy – all you have to do is upload your favorite photo to the easy-to-use Photo Pearls app to “pearlize” your photo. Then start assembling your piece of art with the key provided, and watch your picture emerge right before your eyes! A wonderful alternative to puzzles, Photo Pearls is a great stress reliever that will leave you with a show-stopping piece of art. For ages 7 and up.