kids Archives - Our Tiny Nest

17 In back to school/ DIY/ kids

How to Make Back to School Basket

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Back to school season is upon us! There is just something about this time of year that I love. Between the weather getting cooler, back to school shopping and getting back into a routine. The kids still had school throughout the summer but after Labor Day they head into their new classrooms for the year and with that comes the butterflies.

This year I decided that I wanted to put something together to give the kids the night before their first day to ease some of the nerves and make it fun. I got the idea to put together a Back to School Basket with some things to get them excited. Below I’m sharing some of the goodies in our Back to School Basket and how to put one together.

How to Make a Back to School Basket

I collected a bunch of little things throughout the summer that I thought the kids would enjoy.

Pajamas – I found these at Old Navy for $10 each!!!!

Books – Some of my favorites for the Back to School baskets are shown and linked below.

The Kissing Hand

If you Take a Mouse to School

Our Class is Family

Water bottles – I like these personalized ones stainless steel ones.

Hand sanitizer

For more Back To School Ideas check out

My Back To School Snack Mix

This fun Back To School Countdown

My Back To School Must Haves

These Back to School Meal Ideas

I love to see what you create. If you happen to make this, take a photo and tag me on Instagram @ourtiny_nest.

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Stay tuned for my back to school countdown. Sign up below for it to go right to your inbox along with more ideas!

August 11, 2021 By Nicolle

2 In DIY/ kids

How to make a DIY Mud Kitchen

This mud kitchen has been in the making since the beginning of summer and I’m so excited it’s finally complete! (If you’ve been following along on my Instagram Stories then you know what I mean). When I think back on childhood, I have so many memories of making mudpies and little creations outside in the dirt. I wanted to create those same memories and experiences for the boys but keep the mess contained. A mud kitchen seemed like the perfect idea but rather than buy one (which costs easily over $100), decided we could make one of our own.

Using an old desk, some stuff we had around in the garage and a few details from the dollar store, I’m showing you how to make your own DIY mud kitchen.

DIY mud kitchen

You will need:

old desk
paint stripper
sandpaper 80grit/150grit/220grit – linking this pack on Amazon here
orbital sander
any exterior stain
tupperware containers (we got from the Dollar Store)
jig saw
6 2x4s
S hooks – get them on Amazon here

1.) The first thing we did was we picked up a used desk that someone was giving away on the side of the road.

2.) We brought it home, first removed the hardware and then applied paint stripper as I wanted to take the original black paint off.

3.) Once the paint stripper is completely dry, we sanded the piece using an orbital sander and 60 grit/150grit/220 grit paper.

4.) Using some extra 2×4’s we had laying around the garage Rick built a hanging rack for the back. We added some S hooks for the kids to hang their spoons, buckets and kitchen utensils.

5.) Next we stained using exterior stain.

6.) I got a few containers from the Dollar Store to act as like a sink and bowls. Trace the containers where you want them and then using a jig saw, cut out the spots for the containers.

Then you can add some fun details like measuring spoons, buckets, pails, etc. We put it back by their sandbox so it’s all in one spot.

It’s nothing fancy, but it does the job and the kids have fun! They like to pick various leaves and flowers and fill buckets of water to make “soup”.

For more sensory play ideas check out my edible sensory dough

And this homemade bubbles solution

Also be sure to check out my Earth Day Seed Bombs

I hope you found this post inspiring! Feel free to pin on Pinterest for later. Happy creating!

August 2, 2021 By Nicolle

1 In DIY/ kids

Easy homemade bubble solution with 3 ingredients

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When I think about summer I think about the smell of sunscreen, playing outside all day, eating endless watermelon and popsicles and bubbles. My kids love bubbles. It will occupy them for hours. At the beginning of every summer, I buy bottles of bubbles and usually after a few days, they end up getting spilled all over the deck. Using only 3 ingredients that you probably already have at home, you can whip up a big batch of this easy homemade bubble solution with my recipe below. I’m also sharing how to make your own bubble wands.

Easy Homemade Bubble Solution

Ingredients:

6 cups of water
2 cups of dish soap
3/4 cup of corn syrup, glycerine or sugar

Directions:

In a large gallon jug, pour the water, dish soap and corn syrup (or glycerin or sugar) stirring until well combined. Let it sit overnight.
Pour into separate smaller bottles or set up a large bubble station outside with some bubble wands (showing you how to make your own below)

Homemade Bubble Wands

You will need:

pipe cleaners or a thick wire – linking them here
scissors or wire cutters
beads – linking them here

This is a great activity for your kids to do on their own. I made a few wands ahead of time and laid them out to show as an example. You may need to be close by to help with the cutting.

Tip – I found that a thick wire (old wire hangers are great!) work better than the pipe cleaners. Eventually the pipe cleaners got soggy from the bubbles and didn’t hold up as well.

For more fun ideas to do with the kids check out:

This DIY Mud Kitchen

These Seed Bombs

Make these fun glow jars

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June 10, 2020 By Nicolle

2 In fashion/ kids

Best of Toddler Spring Clothes

This post contains affiliate links meaning I make a small commission.

Spring is here and I don’t know about your littles, but mine are growing at warp speed and need some new spring basics. I’ve rounded up the best of toddler girl and boy clothes from Old Navy and H&M (Those are my two faves for kids clothes).

As always, click the smaller thumbnail photos to shop 🙂