Out of This World Space Party Ideas

This post may contain affiliate links or ads. Read my privacy policy and disclosure policy here.

March 17, 2023 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Birthday, Crafts, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

3,2,1 – blast off into a Space-Themed Birthday! Create an out-of-this-world party with these Outer Space Birthday Party Ideas. Astronauts, planets, stars, galaxies, and more. These Space Party Ideas include space cakes, space games, galaxy-themed party décor, and more. All with a chance to soar you to the moon, to infinity, and of course, beyond!

Have a reason to celebrate an astronaut with their very own Space-Themed Birthday? We have plenty of fun ideas to honor your astronaut.

What do you do at a Space Theme Party?

There are plenty of fun and entertaining ideas for a space birthday party. Keep kids active and entertained with games, activities, and crafts. Some fun space party ideas include…

Play Space Themed Games
Make an astronaut kit out of recycled materials
Create a constellation out of marshmallows, toothpicks, and craft paper
Decorate planet-themed cupcakes and cookies
Visit a planetarium
Sleep under the stars and use a telescope to look at the stars
Make your own rocket crafts
Make mason jar galaxies

… and more!

In addition to these fun space birthday party ideas, take a look at all Outer Space Birthday Party Ideas that will create an out-of-this-world experience.

Host your ver own space-themed birthday party and enjoy a few great DIY party ideas including galaxy-themed décor, space birthday cakes, astronaut party ideas, and space crafts and games.

3…2…1… blast off into some amazing galaxy-themed party resources!

Note: There aren’t many space htemed party names bu they are very clever ideas for examplet his two year old themed party idea. Space parties are great for second birthday party ideas. Use the pun two the moon! Amazon has an excellent, Two the Moon Birthday Party Kit that includes many outer space-themed party supplies for a two year old. This would also be a cute twin birthday party idea.

Galaxy Themed Birthday Party

Galaxy-themed parties are especially great for the night. Let your ceiling be the night sky. You can bring in glow-in-the-dark party elements or use it as a slumber party theme. They are perfect for hosting an outer space-themed birthday at a party venue or a home birthday. For a galaxy party, your main focus is the colors – silver, purple black, and blues. Man each lightyear goes fast, don’t they!?!

Galaxy Party Decor

A galactic out-of-this-world birthday must have the right colors to create a galaxy color palette – black, purple, silver, and blue. Get your supplies together! | Kara’s Party Ideas

LED Balloons

These LED light up balloons are the perfect touch to a galaxy-themed night party. Grab a hula hoop to make some astronomical rings and allow them to orbit the room. Little kids would love them as galaxy theme party favors too. If doing these galaxy birthday party ideas for older kids, keep the same idea of galaxy colors and turn the clothes (or themed focus) into a white party or neon party.

Galaxy Ice Cream

Now to the dessert table for a space-themed birthday. Desserts and sweet treats can fit the theme too. Your space chimps will love this cool treat. Serve with your space-themed cake this very easy-to-make homemade galaxy ice cream. | Some of This and That

Rock Candy Party Food

Rock Candy on a stick makes an amazing meteorite display on your space birthday party tablescape. | Catch My Party

Planet Party Decor

How about plan-it party decor – get it? I love how Cyd hangs frugal paper lanterns and turns them into an entire affordable galaxy of space party décor. Have printouts of the different constellations and planets and let guests identify Mars, Saturn, and all the plants and stars for these space birthday ideas.| The Sweetest Occasion

If you lack a crafty thumb, pick up silver star wire tinsel garland & paper lantern planets on Amazon.

Astronaut Party Ideas

Space party decorations can absolutely set the mood of a party. Take a look at these astronaut party ideas that bring the outer space party together. These space theme party ideas include upcycling materials to keep your party at a low-cost.

Space Party Decor for Chairs

Start collecting 2-liter soda bottles to make this frugal-friendly space party decor. Easily, and affordably, put together water bottles using construction or tissues paper and aluminum foil and have your party blast off into something really cool. Use them as astronaut party favors for youngsters.| Kara’s Party Ideas

Space Birthday Party Food

A tasty healthy snack for space parties is these easy fruit kabob rockets. Who wouldn’t love these? Pair them with astronaut ice cream for a fun and tasty treat.| Party Like a Cherry

Space Birthday Party Invitation

Every adorable party needs an adorable birthday invitation. Personalized this Outer Space Blast Off Birthday Party Invitation. Grab this Astronaut Party Invitation on Etsy. Order to have it shipped to your home using Staples or learn how to download Etsy digital prints.

Space Themed Party Decor

Let the space party supplies and space tablescape tell the story for you. Michaels has amazing Outer Space Boys Party Decor (but totally girl worthy too!) These planet theme items add a cute touch to the food or activity tables.

Astronaut Party Kit

Every astronaut loves NASA. Instead of goody bags, turn USPS Priority boxes into NASA Kits. Depending on your budget for the goodie bag, you can add Space Party Favors. Include galaxy slime, galaxy bouncy balls, space bookmarks, space shuttle gliders, and space stickers. You can toss them all in your cardboard boxes with printed NASA logos or consider picking up these Space Party Favor Boxes as an alternative. | Life Frosting

Space Party Crafts

To infinity and beyond. It’s important to keep astronauts from getting lost in space by organizing space party crafts to keep small hands busy.

Galaxy Mason Jar Crafts

This Galaxy Jar Craft is perfect for a space party. Amy gifts an option for a messy mason jar galaxy version using glue or a non-messy version with a free printable. | Living Locurto

DIY Paper Rockets

Grab this free space shuttle printable and make your own DIY straw rocket crafts. When everyone is done, have a contest to see how can launch their rocket the furthest. | Six Clever Sisters

Cardboard Rocket Craft

Take some flight and blast off with these upcycled Cardboard Space Shuttle| A Little Pinch of Perfect (also seen in our Cereal Box Crafts) Children can use stickers, crayons, and markers to decorate their space shuttle. Incorporate an activity of seeing whose rocket can go the furthest. Throw them off the patio (or porch) or even off the living room couch for some height!

DIY Constellation

Constellation crafts are great for keeping busy hands. We share this Stellar Constellation Viewer for Kids in our Camping at Night Tips post.

Space Party Games Printable

Our Party Games for Kids can be incorporated into your space-themed celebration or you can try some of our space party games to teach your pilots new tricks!

No party is complete without some fun party activities. Find more Space Party Games including directions for how to play Star Light, Astronaut Challenge, Alien Capture, Pilot Capture, Musical Planets, Planet Grabber, Asteroid Crash, and more. party guests will love these space-themed games.

You can also see more of our Party Games for Kids for more kids’ games ideas on Frugal Coupon Living.

Space Party Game Printable

Get all of our free printables including these Space Birthday Party Games downloads.

Space Party Games Printable

Another fun game that will busy the kids is a Moon Rock Hunt treasure hunt. Use acorn vending machine capsules or Easter eggs. Insert space party favors and treat it like an Easter egg hunt. | Domestic Charm

Tip: If you are doing a night party, consider a glow in the dark Easter egg hunt!

Space Themed Birthday Cakes

You can sing happy birthday without a sweet treat to eat! These space cakes will make all your birthday wishes come true (maybe)! Serve with fun space-themed snacks and drinks. Make sure you label your drink as rocket fuel to give energy to all your little space guests. It’s time to blow out the candle.

Galaxy Cupcakes

You say cake, I say cupcakes. Make your own Galaxy Cupcakes and everyone gets their own slice of the sky with this chocolate cake recipe! | The Mommy Mix

Rocket Ship Cake with Fondant

Are you good with fondant? Use your talent and create this fondant outer space theme birthday cake with planets and a rocket ship! Serve with moon rocks cookies using a simple cookie cutter for the shape. Also, get inspired by this adorable backdrop which can easily be recreated with paper plates and a tablecloth from the dollar store. | Frost Your Cake

Space Fondant Planets

Are you not good with fondant but you want that look? You can buy your own fondant Space-Themed Birthday Cake Toppers and worry about making the cake or buying it from your local grocery store. Purchase these Fondant Solar System Cake Toppers with Rocket. Also shop on Etsy for asteroids, spaceships, stars, and other fondant space-theme cake toppers.

Space Cake Rocketship

Using a round cake pan, follow these cutting steps to make a rocket ship cake. This rocketship cake is perfect for your space buddies on the next space odyssey adventure. | Apples and Beavers

Alien Space Cupcakes

If you are going to far-out galaxies, make sure you have your UFO to get you there. These alien cupcakes are quite cute and perfect for your close encounters of the third kind. | Wonder Mom Wannabe

DIY Space Cake Moon

Do you have a few outer space party supplies around the house? Add them to your cake for easy decor. This round moon rock cake is an incredibly easy space cake. Sphere cake pan, white frosting, and an astronaut from this Out Of-This-World Safari Ltd kit.

Moms, in addition to the Space Party Games, also take a look at these 50+ Kids’ Party Games – indoor, outdoor, night, and birthday themed. These party games are great for younger children to adults too.

More Themed Birthday Party Ideas

We have so many birthday party ideas, save many of these for ideas for future years or for other children.

Additionally, keep some of these celebratory ideas in the home with family birthday ideas.

Enjoy another year!

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

Easy Baby Sign Language Basics

This post may contain affiliate links or ads. Read my privacy policy and disclosure policy here.

April 11, 2022 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Baby, Facebook, Instagram, Parenting, Pinterest, Printable, Social Media

There has never been a better time to start. Easy Printable Baby Sign Language Cart – 25 Basic Signs and Words For Moms. Teaching young children sign language gestures has never been easier. Details on how and when to start early communication. Instantly download six baby sign language printable charts custom to your own style.

Easy Baby Sign Language Basics

What is baby sign language?

Baby Sign Language is the use of hand motions and gestures to communicate with infants and toddlers. This language of movement takes place prior to spoken language development to share emotions, desires and objects.

Sign language for babies is used to communicate with young children before speech is formed. It is a language that is not only used for those with hearing loss or difficulty. ASL baby sign language can prevent cries for babies who don’t have the words to express themselves. It also has the benefit of connecting auditory learning (via verbal communication) and kinesthetic learning (via the use of movement and motions.)

Is baby sign language the same as ASL?

What does ASL mean? In the case of sign language, ASL is an acronym for American Sign Language. ASL is one of many sign languages. Like spoken language, different countries use different sign language. Our baby sign language instruction chart is ASL.

When to start baby sign language

It is never too early for a baby to learn signs for early communication. Through sign language, communicating with preverbal children can began before speech envelopment occurs. The earlier you introduce sign-language, the more familiar your child will be when they have the motor skill to sign back to you. Babies as young as six months of age can benefit from sign language to express what they are feeling.

When you begin introducing food is a great time to start teaching sign language to babies. Start signing five simple words. Eat. More. Please. Finished. Thank you.

How to to teach baby signing

It is very simple and easy to teach baby sign language. Your baby will watch you sign the words and hear you say the word. Sign the word and say the word multiple times and then perform the action. For example, if I see my child has finished their Cheerios, I might say and sign more three times before I had my child more cheerios.

As you progress, you can sign and say the word then take your child’s hand and gently teach them the action. Say and sign more three times. After you do that, take your child’s hand and gently say and sign more with your voice and their hands. Repeat three times. Then hand your child “more” (in our example, the Cheerios.)

Repeat these same steps with all the new words you introduce. Start small, mastering a few simple words and skills. As your child becomes familiar with these basic signs, introduce more signing motions and gestures.

Examples of Baby Sign Language Basics

Start with some common phrases. In our family we began with these five examples of baby sign language basics.

More: Bring your thumbs and fingertips together, to make flat O shape. Then, bring your hands together and pull them apart repeatedly.

Finished: Open your palms and spread your fingers. Face your palms toward you and twist your wrists a couple of times.

Drink: Make your fingers and thumbs in the shape of a C like a cup. Plus the C on your chin and tilt the C toward your mouth as if drinking a cup.

Thank You: Place your fingers together and extend your thumb. Touch you fingers to your chin and bring your fingers forward as if blowing a kiss.

Please: Place your fingers together with thumb extended. Rub your fingers on your chest in a circular motion.

Eat: Place your fingers and thumb together in a pinching motion (as if making a duck bill or birds beak). Put your fingers and thumbs to your lip with the top of your hand facing outward. Repeat the motion as if feeding yourself with pinched fingers.

It’s important when you sign the motion, you also speak the motion for hearing babies and for non hearing babies. Hearing babies will connect the sound and motion. Non hearing babies will connect the motion and lips.

For additional resources, take a look at this Video Signing Dictionary.

Even with my three boys (ages 4, 4, 5) I find myself uses these basic signs in communication as part of their everyday interactions. Just a matter of habit.

Overall, give yourself some grace. The sign language gestures that you use in your home can be personalized to your family. What sign language motions work for your home? Even if they are different from ASL or any other foreign sign language, they fit for your family. Your child will not go to Harvard University based on the wrong signs they learned at 6 months of age!

Baby sign language printable

Consider our Baby ASL Sign Language printable your baby and toddler sign language dictionary. It contains the most basic and easy baby sign language motions for your infant and toddler. Make learning fun! The baby signs printable is an easy-to use resource for parents, siblings and grandparents.

How download your free ASL chart printable

Get all of our free baby signing printables, subscribe and look for a link and password in our inbox. The password allows you to access and download all of our free printables including this printable baby sign language chart PDF.

1.) Enter your email address HERE.

2.) Confirm the email request in your inbox.

3.) Look for the link and passcode in your inbox.

By downloading you are accepting the terms that this baby signs printable is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!

How to print at Staples

I have a video to show you how I print my PDF documents at Staples. This allows me to print on Cardstock at a good resolution. You can also laminate your cardstock, because we all know this can get messy around the dinner table! Consider adding magnets with adhesive to to hang on the refrigerator.

Go to Staples to upload and print.

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final ASL Sign Language Chart. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

Why didn’t I think of that? Don’t forget our Newborn Hacks and Tips for new and experienced moms! Pin to Pinterest.

Save these Toddler Hacks and Tips too. Pin to Pinterest.

We Had a House Fire | My Busy Mom Solution

This post may contain affiliate links or ads. Read my privacy policy and disclosure policy here.

July 8, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Amazon, Hacks, Online Shopping

I wanted to share with you my life lesson to hopefully become something that helps you and your family in the future – might even save someone’s life.

As some of you know, we moved in the middle of March. I quickly had an alarm system installed and decided not to go with the alarm systems smoke detectors. Instead I had an electrician come out for work and when he was out here, I had him look at our smoke detectors. I also replaced all of our smoke detectors batteries.

Smoke Detector Tip: Put 9-Volt Batteries on your Amazon Subscribe & Save every 6 months. That way you are reminded to change your smoke detectors twice a year!

We Had a Home Fire

Last week, I was home alone working. The kids were at the park, the cat and I were sitting in my office. All of a sudden the smoke detectors went off. Typically, my first instinct is to assume the battery. Only I smelt it. Something was burning. Immediately I called 911 and ran to a neighbors house to drop off our cat. The neighbor ran back with me and he shut down the electricity and HVAC circuit breakers while we tried to trace the source of the fire. We couldn’t find it and assumed the attic due to the top floor having the most odor.

After the fire department came out, we discovered our instincts were correct and the HVAC indoor unit had a small electrical fire in the attic. My neighbor shutting down electricity was the right thing and aided in changing our outcome.

Busy Mom Tips

The point of my email is to share lessons that I learned to help you too.

Lesson 1: Shutting Down the Electricity

First, if you are in a safe situation and you can access your home circuit breaker panel(s), flip the entire unit off. In our case, the breaker was the farthest thing form the electrical fire.

Lesson 2: Get Alerts When You Are Away

Second, I am not always home. I wanted a future solution in case I was out. I called my alarm company and they installed smoke systems that will alert my alarm company (the same detectors I declined before) and me if a fire occurs. Perhaps your alarm system has this type of smoke detector too.

Mobile Alert Smoke Detectors

Don’t have an alarm system. No worries. there are smoked detectors with mobile alerts. You could pick up this one I found on Amazon in my Home Store. This smoke detector sends text alerts to your phone if the smoke detector goes off.

A more expensive option is the Google Nest Protect smoke detector. It will also send an alert to your phone if the detector goes off.

If this fire happened while we were away, 911 would not have been called until it was visible to neighbors and at that point, maybe too late!

Lesson 3: Reminder – Smoke Rises

Lastly, I re-learned is that alarms are best at the highest point of the home (where ours went off) and at stairwells, as smoke rises.

All is okay. Shutting down the electricity prevented the electrical fire from continuing and spreading. The fire was contained in the unit. Our ceiling, roof and attic are otherwise okay. Want to know what I grabbed (other than the cat)? My computer. Only my computer from which I write you now.

Chances are if I was not home, our house would not be here today! Grateful to be able to write you all this email today. Quick thinking, Quick acting. My my lessons become future fire prevention for you!

Disclosure: I am not a fire expert, please contact your local fire department, your local electrician or the American Red Cross for fire safety tips.

Beach Camping Basics & Tips

This post may contain affiliate links or ads. Read my privacy policy and disclosure policy here.

May 17, 2021 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media, Summer, Travel

Reinvent your typical camping vacation by taking your tent to the beach! These Beach Camping Basics and Tips will have you ready to embrace the sand and sun at your favorite local beach campsite. Camping at the beach has never been easier or more enjoyable!

Beach Camping Basics & Tips

Nothing feels more relaxing and fun to me than kicking back on a sun-drenched beach while my kids giggle and splash in the water. This could just be the Florida girl in me, but very few things beat beach camping in the summertime. Whether you’re embarking on this adventure for the first time on your own or with your family, preparation is key to making this a worthwhile endeavor for everyone, especially you. Keep these tips for camping on the beach handy for your next excursion to stay prepared and make some unforgettable summer memories.

Can you camp on the beach?

In short, it totally depends on the beach! Make sure you research the rules and regulations pertaining to camping on the beach at your desired shore. Doing your research ahead of time will give you peace of mind knowing that you well-prepared for an unforgettable beach vacation.

Know Your Destination Area

Whether you’re camping directly on a beach or at a nearby campsite, it’s important to know the area you’re going to. Will there be a source of water available? What about electricity and showers/bathrooms? If it’s a bare campsite, that means you’ll need to bring everything you need and be prepared to haul it back out again.

Regardless of the facilities and amenities provided, you’ll need to plan accordingly for how long you’re going to stay. There are plenty of camping hacks out there to help you improvise for what you need as well. Grab a map of your campground and see if you can get there by car or you’ll need to walk a ways. That will affect what you decide to bring with you!

Make a List

There’s no worse feeling than arriving at your camping spot, boogie board in hand and poised to dive in, and realizing that you forgot diapers or deodorant. While that might be a unique tactic for claiming more sleeping space, forgetting necessary items will most assuredly add unwanted stress to your getaway vacation.

It might be the natural organizer in me, but I feel more confident that I have all the essentials when I have a checklist in front of me. Try this free beach packing list to make sure you remember everything for your beach camping trip.

Plan Your Meals Ahead

While carving a fishing spear out of a tree branch in order to “live off the land” may seem quite rugged and exciting, that excitement will quickly wane after your three-year-old’s piercing screams for animal crackers. Unfortunately, you can’t hunt and gather those in the wild.

It’s important to have meals planned BEFORE you arrive at your campsite. Make sure the meals are low-prep and can easily be prepared over a campfire. There are some delicious foil packet meals out there that my family has tried and loved. Also, speaking from experience, aluminum foil is the quintessential camping meal prep item that every beach camper should have in their arsenal.

Snacks are a must. After all, the sun can quickly take you from full to famished. One recipe we always make for the beach is our beach snack mix! Double or even triple your recipe for hungry bellies.

Have the Right Equipment for Camping at the Beach

Having the right camping equipment can make or break your beach camping experience. You’ll want to invest in gear that’s appropriate for the place and time of year you’re making your trip. This doesn’t mean that you’ll have to take out a second mortgage on your home, though. Ask your friends if you can borrow their tents/gear first, and there is nothing wrong with gently used camping tents and equipment either.

Regardless of how you get your hands on a tent, you’ll want to ensure it has the following qualities:

Well-ventilated
Easy set-up and breakdown
Lightweight
UPF 50+ Protection (Recommended)

You’ll also want to make sure that you have good ground cover to prepare for any type of weather. If it’s hot, there’s a virtual certainty of sand fleas and ticks. No one wants to worry about sharing their sleeping quarters with sand fleas. No one.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

The type of beach you’re camping at (sandy or rocky) will determine what clothing you’ll want to throw in your suitcase, but for the most part, you’ll want items that are:

Lightweight and moisture-wicking
A nice hat that shades you from the sun
Mosquito netting
Water shoes (if beach is sandy)
Water-resistant sneakers (if beach is rocky)

Have Activities Planned

While it is fun to be spur of the minute, consider planning ahead some of the things you might want to do on your trip. Get organized by downloading these Beach Games or Camping Games. Both can be played when beach camping and include game directions and a supply list (so you have your camping packing list ready before going!)

All in all, the key to a fun, memorable beach camping experience is preparation, organization, and a healthy thirst for adventure. Follow these Beach Camping Basics and you’ll be a pro in no time. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s go to the beach!

Don’t forget our Camping Hacks and Tips. Pin to Pinterest.

Also take a look at our Overnight Camping Tips. Pin to Pinterest.

Memorable First Day of School Ideas

This post may contain affiliate links or ads. Read my privacy policy and disclosure policy here.

July 11, 2022 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Back To School, Crafts, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

What didn’t I think of that – memorable first day of school ideas?! Create memories they will cherish with these First Day of School Ideas. Back to school printables, first day of school photo ideas, activities for kids and new family traditions you will repeat yearly.

Do I address what a crazy year 2020 has been or move on and act like all of us didn’t experience a terrible end of the year? While going back to school is always a milestone, this year is especially special. Celebrate the start of a new school year with these memorable First Day of School Ideas. We bet many of back to school ideas will become annual family traditions!

How do you start the first day of school?

Starting the first day of school can really establish the rest of the school year. It’s the fist day for re-establishing routines and it’s important to link those routines to positive feelings. The first day of school is very important because the feeling you child has walking through their classroom door can really set the tone for the rest of the year. Do they establish the feeling they love this day? Do they establish the feeling they like their teacher? Do they establish the feeling of self-confidence?

How do we celebrate the first day of school?

Living for the moment is important. Treasuring precious time with family and friends and looking for activities for bonding create a good first day of school experience. Celebrate the first day of school with a fun back to school treasure hunt to collect school supplies. Take a yearly first day of school photo. Eat a tasty first day of school snack when you get home. After school or after dinner, go for a first day of school ice cream treat. If the budget it tight, run to the grocery store and grab a cheap ice cream novelty box and take an evening walk to enjoy it. You can talk about the first day of school activities your child experienced at school!

First Day of School Traditions

You might find yourself asking, what are some (really awesome) school traditions? Back to School traditions are are first day of school ideas you want to continue and keep consistent every year. These can include first day of school lunches, first day of school photos, DIY crafts, back to school printables and mores. Start with a couple ideas and build on them year after year. You can always hault back to school activities you don’t want to stick for future years.

Love family traditions? Some of our birthday family traditions can be easily transferred into back to school ideas for the first day. Don’t forget these end of the year traditions too!

First Day of School Lunch

Make their first bite special with a First Day of School bento lunch box. Add a sweet Back to School Lunch Note. | Must Have Mom

Balloon Avalanche

This is one of those first day of school and birthday traditions you can use either way. We always keep balloons and streamers in our gift supply area. Whip it together when the kids go to bed and they will wake up to a pleasant first day surprise. | Side Tracked Mom (no longer active)

School Gitters Necklace

Have a nervous Nancy? This first day jitter glitter can go to school with your child on a necklace or can be sprinkled on them the night before school. | The DIY Mommy

German School Cones

Adopt a First Day of School German Tradition. Make these adorable DIY Schultüte, or school cones. Fill your homemade Schultute with treats and school supplies to make the start of school sweet for little ones. | Frog Prince Paperie

You can also purchase German School Cones.

Have a huge first day of school bus greeting. Host a water balloon or a silly string fight! Have a barrel of silly string and silly string guns. Gather the neighbors at the bus stop. | Source – Bower Power Blog

First Day of School Photo Ideas

There are so many first day of school photo ideas and we share many that have free downloads in our Back to School Printables post. For this list of First Day of School Photo Ideas, we are taking them outside the box. Instead of First Day of School Signs you can download, we are finding items you have to craft and create.

Sidewalk Chalk Photo

Spell it out on the driveway. This first day of school sidewalk chalk art is easy and adorable. Think you can continue it through 12th grade? | Blue Cricket Design (no longer active)

Reoccurring Photo

Create a reoccurring DIY Photo in Photo first day of school idea. Starting kindergarten year your child will hold no photo. Each consecutive year, your child will hold the previous years first day of school photo and you can watch your child grow. This will take planning ahead as you need to order the print. We recommend ordering from CanvasHQ. | She’s Making Cards (no longer active)

First Day of School T-Shirt Photo

This is an extra special idea your child will grow into. This DIY Back-to-School Shirt with Handprints for Every Grade! You can make your own first day of school shirt (with a silhouette cameo and iron) or you can pick up a handprint first day of school shirt on Etsy. | Where the Smiles Have Been

First Day of School Banner Photo

Announce a new school year with a colorful DIY First Day of School Banner. | Make it My Own

Balloon Photo

Using a white balloon. colorful stickers, and balloon sticks, write the school grade and year on a balloon! | Design Improvised

First Day of School Printables

These First Day of School free printables are helpful in creating memorable family traditions.

Time Capsule Printable

Conduct a school interview. Mark the changes school year with these yearly interview school printables fitting for kids from pre-school through high school. Add them all to a notebook or scrapbook for a printable time capsule!

Honorable mention at Mortiz Fine Designs

Back to School Breakfast Printables

Celebrate the first day a back to school breakfast with this free printable school table place setting. | The Real Housewife of Fresno (first day of school breakfast) & A Girl and a Glue Gun (table printables)

Back to School Supply Scavenger Hunt

Get the kids excited and have little fun collecting school supplies with a Back to School Scavenger hunt! 20 fun Back to School Themed treasure hunt riddles. This at home scavenger hunt leads them through a series of clues to collect their back to school supplies.

DIY Time Capsule

Make a printable Back to School Time Capsule. This adorable pencil time capsule is made with a Pringles can. | Aimee Ferre

Back to School Minute to Win it Games

Host a family game night with a Minute To Win It Back To School Edition Printable. You can also take a look at our list of Minute to Win It Game Night Ideas. | My Digital Creations.

Back to School Minute to Win it Games Printable Set

Classic Minute to Win It PDF Printable

Summer Party Minute to Win it with Water Printable

First Day of School Activities

Make going back to school to school exciting with memorable first day activities for kids.

Back to School Party

Get everyone together with a Back to School Party. So many beautiful tablescape ideas and goodies to welcome the first day of school. | The Sits Girls

First Day of School Ice Cream

When the school bell rings, bring the kids to get ice cream. This has been a tradition we have continued for years.

Encouragement Post It Notes

Begin a tradition of kindness and start the first day off right by hanging a positive affirmation sticky note each day. Add these messages as the days go on until they fill your child’s mirror. | Source

Backpack Fairy

Have a visit from the backpack fairy. Leave your backpack in a designated spot the night before school and in the morning the back to school fairy will leave a special gift! | Blissful Roots

Paper Chain Countdown

And before the first bell rings, start a countdown. Perhaps build each day with a special bucket list on the calendar. Make a paper chain with a different activity for each day until the night before school. | Brassy Apple

Back to School Printables

Take a look at these Back to School Printables – our favorite is “If you give a teacher a cookie” as a sweet treat on the first day of school. Pin to Pinterest.

School Year Traditions

Save for later these End of the Year Activities and Ideas. Pin to Pinterest on your School Board!

Road Trip Scavenger Hunt

This post may contain affiliate links or ads. Read my privacy policy and disclosure policy here.

October 29, 2021 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Games, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Social Media, Travel

Erase cries of “I’m bored” with a list of Kid’s Road Trip Games for the Car. You can download this free printable Road Trip Scavenger Hunt to keep the kids busy until you reach your final destination. Honk if this makes you happy!

Road Trip Scavenger Hunt

Keeping the kids busy in the car is a lot easier than when we were growing up, no? Between game systems, tablets, e-readers, audio books and movies, it’s easier to get fewer and fewer complaints of “I’m bored!” Of course, when it is uttered, we all have a long story of “Let me tell you what it means to be bored. When I was growing up….”

While your kids might have plenty of resources for staying distracted in the car, we wanted to provide you with some newer ideas to keep their minds fresh, to keep family engaged, and to just go back to some of the original “old school” resources of a paper and pencil.

Road Trip Games for the Car

Before embarking on a road trip (Or any travel for that matter), I try to pick up at least one or two new items. This often includes road trip games. Having something that is new 1.) buys time learning the game 2.) kills time enjoying the game 3.) and often gets reused because it was … well, enjoyable.

Take a look at these Road Trip Games for Kids.

Scavenger Hunt Games

More Road Trip Games

How to Play Road Trip Scavenger Hunt

We created a collection of Printable Scavenger Hunts for Kids, but one thing that was missing was a Road Trip Scavenger Hunt. Take a look at this printable game as well as Road Trip Games in the car for the kids.

Our road trip scavenger hunt is general enough, it can be played on most any adventure. You can make the game your own identifying your family’s rules and directions or follow these directions for how to a play road trip scavenger hunt.

Directions

Each player gets their own printable game board. Set the game for a certain amount of time (30 minutes, one hour, the entire trip.) As you travel down the road, check off items you see on your journey. You must identify the object out loud before checking it off. Once that object has been identified by the first player, the same object cannot be used to check off another players box. They will need to find that same object in another place. For example, if player A finds a deer they announce “deer” and check it off on their scavenger hunt printable. All other players must wait to find another deer before they can check it off. The first person to check off all their scavenger hunt boxes wins or the person with the most checks at the end of the time limit, is the winner.

Road Trip Scavenger Hunt List

Camper/RV
Motorcycle
Person on their phone
Red Truck
Park with a playground
Cow
Flag
Ambulance
Yellow flower
Water tower
Dog in a car
Bumper sticker with a name on it
VW Beetle
Church steeple
Airplane
Bench
City bus
Squirrel
Caution sign
Duct-taped car part
Flowering tree
Bicycle
Rusty car
Taxi cab
Person wearing sunglasses
Tractor
Billboard with children on it
Gas station
Sleeping passenger in a vehicle
River
Population sign
Fire Truck
Hospital sign
Smart Car
Deer
Toll booth
Personalized license plate
The letter “Q”
Hotel
A picture of a chicken
Detour sign
Flashing lights
Horse
Police car
Tow truck
Windmill
Military vehicle
Stick figure family stickers
Helicopter
Field
Adopt-A-Highway sign
Someone eating in a vehicle
Purple car
Barn
Statue
Train
Duck
Lake

If you have a toddler, also take a look at our Road Trip Bingo. Perfect companion to our Scavenger Hunt Road Trip game for the older kids.

Road Trip Printable Scavenger Hunt

Get all of our free printables including our Road Trip Printable Scavenger Hunt. Subscribe and look for a link and password in our inbox. The password allows you to access and download all of our free printables.

Games You Can Play in the Car

Want more? Also take a look at these Car Games for Kids. 12 Road Trip Games for Kids using little to resources. This set of seven printable games with the Road Trip Scavenger Hunt, Family Conversation Starts and 12 Games for the Car including instructions. It is a must for any sized road trip with the kids.

The Best Car Games for Kids Printable PDF

By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!

How to Print with Staples

I have a video to show you how I print my PDF documents at Staples. You will first, sign in or create a Staples account. Then return to the Staples Printing Service Page. You can ship this to your home or pick up at the store.

How to Preserve Your Road Trip Printable

I suggest you laminate your printable. This will allow you to check the boxes with a dry erase marker and then wipe off with a wet paper towel to reuse. It also will keep the printable in the car sturdy and keep it form getting dirty or wrinkled.

I have had my Scotch Thermal Laminator for 12 years and it still is going strong. I suggest this brand though there are many other great laminators on Amazon.

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final Road Trip Scavenger Hunt. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

Enjoy these Road Trip Hacks and Tips for Kids. Pin to Pinterest.

Planes too? If you are embarking on an adventure of planes, trains and automobiles, take a look at these Airplane Activities for Kids. Pin to Pinterest.

College Dorm Room Ideas for Girls

This post may contain affiliate links or ads. Read my privacy policy and disclosure policy here.

July 27, 2021 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Back To School, Crafts, Facebook, Home Improvement, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

Inspiring College Dorm Décor Ideas are covered – from storage, to organization, decorations, and hacks. These dorm room ideas for girls include all the dorm essentials, where to buy dorm room décor cheap and affordable college living spaces you will want to copy.

College Dorm Room Ideas

If this post has desire anything, I have a huge craving to use my wallet size of today and go back to college to decorate my dorm! Your jaw will hit the floor with these college dorm room ideas. Find the best places to buy dorm room décor and get inspired by all the budget-friendly options!

Happy Decorating.

Best Places to Buy Dorm Room Décor

You cannot decorate a dorm room without knowing the best places to buy dorm room décor. While it has been almost 20 years since I have been in college, my my pre-teens are not yet at this stage, I found (through this post) there are so many awesome places to buy college dorm décor.

Many of these dorm room purchases can be used for apartment living, small homes, or even carried over into a starter home. Some of the ideas (like rugs) you might want to toss at the end of the school year. other items, you will find yourself carrying to your first home. In fact, a combination of eight kids later, my college roommate still has the bookshelf we used in our first college room. I actually still sleep with the same blanket.

Shop Dorm Room Décor

Best Dorm Room Ideas for Girls

Get inspired with these Dorm Room Ideas Pinterest worthy for girls. All the social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok dorm room décor inspiration. Let’s create the best home away from home.

Dorm Room Pinterest

Follow Neelam, an interior designer who turned a cold college dorm into a warm home away from home. Details about dorm room storage, laying textures, and adding little touches to define your personality through your college room décor for girls – five stars and two thumbs up! | Patterns and Prosecco

Dorm Room Door Decorations

Inspire your welcome with a temporary polka dot door. If looking for things to put on a dorm room door, try vinyl. Using white vinyl, a cutting machine or a circle cutter this dorm room décor ideas craft can be done in under 30 minutes. Make sure you are using Removable Vinyl! | Sarah Hearts

Free Dorm Room Décor

This college dorm room wall décor is cheap. So cheap it’s free. Use command strips and decorative clipboards. Easily change out art or calendars using clipboards for dorm wall décor that is constantly on the change.

You can download our free Dorm Sweet Dorm printable. Subscribe and look for a link and password in our inbox. The password allows you to access and download all of our free printables.

By downloading you are accepting the FCL printable terms that free download is for non-commercial use. Please contact Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

Dorm Room Storage Idea

This dorm room storage ideas acts as both a Collapsible storage ottoman and a bench with seat back for dorm room seating. Comes in white, gray and black to match to any dorm room theme for girls. Get this dorm storage ottoman here.

Mood Board Example

Display all your feelings on a rotating mood board for cheap dorm decorations! You can use anything from magazines, articles, sticky notes, and other materials to put together your board and of course turn to inspiration of Pinterest. | Just Josie (page no longer available)

Dorm Room Layout

Sometimes for dorm room layout ideas, take it a different direction like an L shape. For more design ideas, layer textiles. Cover your standard title floor with the largest rug you can to fit your room. Even if you don’t like this larger rug, you can add smaller rugs on top to define your space and style. | Dormify

Dorm Room Light Ideas

Instead of using the overhead florescent lighting, adding your own DIY lighting will warm up the room and make such a mood difference. Head to Home Goods (Marshalls, TJMaxx, etc) and find affordable table lamps. Jump on Amazon for hanging string lights. We used these Command light hooks to hang my daughters. I highly recommend adding Powered Bed Risers for more opportunities to make your dorm room brighter. | Belly Itch Blog

Tip: See our Vibey Lights and Cool Lighting Effects for a bedroom too for more dorm room light ideas.

Dorm Room Picture Wall

Smile with this dorm room picture collage idea. Place your favorite memories when you these this Dry Erase Polaroid Frame Decal Set. This allows you to easily rotate photos plus it it’s safe for walls and won’t leave a sticky residue.

Dorm Room Ideas for Two

Talk about a dorm room makeover. These college roommates took a scary 50 year old residence into a place to relax and rest with custom drapes, two loft beds, white dressers, monogrammed chairs, and more. They took this two person dorm room idea from drab to fab. | Today.com

Dorm Room Decorations for Girls

For this college student bedroom decorating idea, white brick wall paper will change the entire feel of an ugly cinder block wall! Bring a charming vibe within a matter of minutes. The best part about it is, if you mess up, it’s repositionable and removeable! Get your white brick removeable wall paper here.

Dorm Room Wall Décor Ideas

Create perfect under bed storage as well has hide an ugly wall with a tapestry. You can get this pull out storage here, tapestry clips here and black/white tapestry here. | Driven by Decor (Take a second and look at this entire blog – so much inspiration for mom’s home too!)

Dorm Room Wall Décor Tip: Look at our Dorm Room Hacks for a trick for hanging dorm room wall décor.

Dorm Room Décor Ideas

This dorm décor is doing so many things right. A perfect mix of textures, prints, pom-pom garland duvet cover, and a dorm room gallery wall add serious personality to this space. And of course for the ultimate small dorm room hack, a table beside the bed triples as a bedside nightstand, a vanity, and a desk. | René Quickle’s Freshman Dorm on Pinterest

Tip: Everyone needs a fur chair cover to hide basic dorm room chairs.

Dorm Room Plants

Easy to maintain pants will create some responsibility as well as provide some fresh air. Succulents, cacti, and aloe plants are super easy to take care of. Not to mention, those leafy greens can help purify the air quality in your dorm. If you’re too intimidated by becoming a plant mother, then just buy fake ones. | Room 264

Dorm Room Essentials

Create your own dorm room kitchenet with this Mini Fridge Organizer. This freestanding organizer fits over a compact mini fridge to provide organized storage in the available space above your fridge. Will also fit a microwave. Get your mini refrigerator storage cabinet here.

Dorm Room Seating

There higher you go with the bed, the more storage you are given below. Make sure to invest in a step stool. You can also use it as an end table, as storage, or even as a place to sit. Shop Blush Pink Storage Ottoman

Also consider getting these powered bed risers for bed height and extra long dorm bed skirt for covering unsightly storage.

Dorm Room Cart

Use a dorm room utility rolling cart for practical things like essential pantry items and kitchen supplies. Easy to pull out, easy to push back. | Jessica Slaughter

Dorm Room Themes for Girls

Go with a dorm room theme. These gold polka dot wall decals create a mural on a wall with little time and effort – instant dorm room wall décor. | Preptista

Dorm Room Kitchen

Head to thrift stores, search Facebook market place, look high and low for recycled furniture. Distress your own dorm room coffee station for late night studying or a mini dorm kitchenette. | Source Unknown.

College Roommates Quotes

Change messages and inspirational quotes in your room with a letter board. Hang with command strips for easily going on and coming off! Take a look at all of our felt letter board quotes or search your own college dorm room quotes. A felt board would be a great thing to put on a dorm room door.

Do yourself a favor and make sure you do this – take a dorm room before and after photo. It will be so exciting to see your artistic side and personality show when decorating a dorm room. Can’t wait to see what you do! | Cosmopolitan.

Dorm Room Checklist

We provided a free dorm room cleaning checklist printable. Included in our dorm cleaning checklist is a list of daily, weekly, and monthly responsibilities. Give each roommate their own copy or share the chores.

Daily

Make Your Bed
Pick Up Clutter
Wash Dishes

Weekly

Clean Out Refrigerator
Vacuum and Take Out Trash
Laundry

Monthly

Declutter Rooms
Wipe Windows and Mirrors
Dust

Grab dorm room checklist and our “Dorm Sweet Dorm” college dorm room décor free printable. Subscribe and look for a link and password in our inbox. The password allows you to access and download all of our free printables.

1.) Enter your email address HERE.

2.) Confirm the email request in your inbox.

3.) Look for the link and passcode in your inbox.

By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!

More Dorm Room Décor Ideas

Save these Small Apartment and Dorm Room Hacks and Tips. Pin to Pinterest.

Looking for Dorm Room ideas? Take some inspiration from these Vibey Lights & Neon Room Lighting Affects. Pin to Pinterest.

Also save these Dorm Room Recipes – Snacks, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. No Bake Recipes. Pin to Pinterest.

Savings Tracker Printable for Kids

This post may contain affiliate links or ads. Read my privacy policy and disclosure policy here.

June 27, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Frugal Living, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Social Media

A two page Savings Tracker Printable for Kids. Download this coloring sheet and color as you go. Save $5 a week for a total of $175 by the time you finish the savings challenge.

Kids Saving Tracker

Are you a role model for your child when it comes to finances? Do they see you savings money? Do they see you tithing or donating money to charities?

I admit when it comes to money, my husband and I haven’t done a great job being role models. We speak about money. We speak about the cost of things, but they don’t see the behind the scenes. A friend and I talk about this one. She found a lot of importance in putting a check in the offering plate while my husband and I tithed to our church electronically. However, it wasn’t the kids saw us doing. It wasn’t something they could hold or touch or realized the importance (for us) of donating to our church.

The same is true of our savings. Our kids do not see us saving money because it isn’t something they can touch. That is why introducing the 52 Week Savings Plan Challenge was something new and thought provoking to our home. Saving their parents money was of course exciting to the kids but I wanted to introduce saving “their” money, especially for children who get an allowance.

Savings Tracker

We offer two savings goal tracker. You can get our 52 Week Savings Tracker for Adults or now get our free Savings Tracker Printable for Kids. We include to copies of this printable for the kids. One that is already with bright colors and one that is black and white – you can color it yourself as you go!

Saving at at a rate of $5 a week, reach your savings goal in 34 weeks. Your child will have saved $170! So much they can do with that money!

Parent Challenge

As you continue to track your savings over this coloring sheet, talk to your child about their savings goals. This might be a good time to open a savings account. Also share with them your own financial goals including building an emergency fun, paying a monthly credit card, living a debt free life and reasons for long term savings.

Our Busy Mom Binder includes a spending tracker and debit payment tracker. Both are great resources to reach your savings goal too.

Savings Tracker Printable

Get all of our free printables including our Savings Tracker Printable for Kids. Subscribe and look for a link and password in our inbox. The password allows you to access and download all of our free printables.

Free Printable Directions

1.) Enter your email address HERE.

2.) Confirm the email request in your inbox.

3.) Look for the link and passcode in your inbox.

By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!

52 Week Savings Challenge

Hey mom, we have something for you too! Don’t forget our 52 week savings challenge for tracking savings for you too. Reach your savings goal along with your child. No need to start January 1, you can start this 52 week savings challenge AT ANY TIME and save $2620 in one year!

You can download for this for free in our post or get in our Busy Mom Binder (which is full of organizational goodness including a a spending tracker and debit payment tracker!)

52 Week Savings Challenge Printable PDF

How to Print PDFs at Staples

I have a video to show you how I print my PDF documents at Staples.

It should give you a general outline of how to upload and order a print on Staples.com.

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your Kids Savings Tracker Printable – it would be fun to see the finished colored product! Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

Don’t forget our Busy Mom Binder where you can find also find this Kids Savings Tracker! Pin to Pinterest.

Get Organized! These Home Organizational Printables will get your home in line! Pin to Pinterest.