We Heart Valentines

Our kids are suckers for the store-bought Valentines to give out at their class parties, but we truly believe that a Valentine’s Day without something handmade is like a birthday without cake and ice cream…just no fun.

So even though there’s only a few days before the big day, we’ve found a few fun projects that you can do for the one you love…and they’re easy enough that the kids might even have fun doing them too!

A Kiss in Your Pocket by Katie Sokoler – an adorable little flipbook

Matchbook Notepads by Mr. Monkeysuit – easy notepads

Toothbrush Messages by Twig & Thistle – a sweet morning surprise

Origami Fortune Teller by Denise Oliveri on eHow

Have a wonderfully creative Valentine’s Day!

Playing Elf in NW Portland

We were in doing a little holiday shopping this afternoon in Northwest Portland and popped into Child’s Play, a cute little neighborhood toy store, and what should we see right inside the front door…a Color Me Rocket! It’s so fun to see the rockets and playhouses when we’re out and about. It was cool because they let the kids color on the Rocket while moms and dads are shopping. It was great to see the little ones go in and out of the Rocket. One cute little girl even said she was going to ask Santa for a Rocket. Hmmm. Maybe we can talk to the big man at the North Pole about a quantity discount!

Child's Play in Northwest Portland

If you live in the Portland area, you should check out Child’s Play. It’s not a huge place, but it has a great selection of quality toys. We picked up a few things for the kiddies on our lists! Plus, NW 23rd is a fabulous area for other things like chocolate – we took our friends to Moonstruck Chocolate for a little after shopping treat!

If you have other favorite toy shops, we’d love to hear about them!

Green Giving…You Bet!

It’s no secret that here at Color Me House we are all about inspiring kids to be creative while being eco-friendly. And since it’s that time of year, we thought we’d share with you a few of the environmentally-friendly, kid-friendly gifts we’ve run across recently.

Our criteria for the list is simple: fun for kids, eco-friendly and made in the USA (let’s do our part to keep the economy going, right!). There are certainly thousands of children’s items out there that fit this criteria, but here are a few of our favorites. If you have ideas that you’d like to share, please let us know.

Hope these help make your holiday shopping just a little easier!

 

The Green Toys Dish Set

The Green Toys Dish Set ($40) is made from 100% recycled plastic milk containers that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The set includes everything you need to serve a dinner for four, and even though it’s a play set, it’s dishwasher safe and meets FDA food contact standards. And it comes in cute colors that girls will love!

 

Little Sapling Toys

This game is called Skittles ($35) – it’s a 10 pin retro wooden bowling developmental set. The 10 pins are made from maple and the two balls from hardwood. They are sanded satin smooth and a light local beeswax and organic jojoba oil finish enhances the natural beauty of the wood. All Little Sapling Toys are 100% recycled (80% post consumer) and recyclable.

 

Chase Dreams Building Block Crayons

This set of Building Block Crayons ($3) will be a hit for any child who loves Legos. They are made from recycled non-toxic crayons. Each set includes a red, orange, yellow, green, and blue.

 

 

 

 

Bebeloosh Mini Snack Bags

Forget about the plastic baggies. we don’t know any kid who wouldn’t love to open their backpack and find these great Reusable Organic Sandwich/Snack Bags ($25 for 4). The bags are made from 55% recycled hemp and 45% unbleached cotton cotton – giving them great durability and wearability. The eco-friendly sack has a velcro closure that keeps all the crumbs inside.

 

Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay

Mold and shape away with Mama K’s Play Clay ($22). This 100% natural modeling clay made from certified GF flours and organic essential oils. There are no synthetics or artificial dyes. Comes in a tube of five 4-oz. tubs in aromas like lavender, lemongrass and other wonderful smelling scents. The tubs are reusable and the tube is recyclable.

 

 

Color Me a Haunted House

Halloween is nearly upon us, and party plans are in full swing. You’ve got games planned, candy purchased and maybe even a few scary surprises up your sleeve.

As we all know, kids need lots of activities to keep them occupied. Hello, short attention span! Why not add a Color Me House playhouse to your Halloween repertoire and watch as your little goblins get crazy creative.

Pop up a playhouse and have all the little ghosts and ghouls at your party decorate it with their favorite Halloween trimmings.

Here’s what you need:

* Color Me House playhouse

* Markers

* Black, white and orange streamers

* Black, white and orange construction paper

* Scissors

* Glue and/or tape

* Pre-cut bats, spiders, cats, witches hats, pumpkins

* String (for making spider webs)

* Other fiendish accouterments

If you’re feeling ambitious, put the house up a day or two ahead of time and paint it black with spray paint or latex paint. Spray paint will dry faster than latex paint. Just be sure to give it enough time to dry before decorating it.

A Color Me House playhouse is a “ghoul-ed” way to liven up a “dead” party!