150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids (Plus a Giveaway!)

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Between the snow that started earlier this week (and the extremely cold temps we will be having in Minnesota for the next several months) and the upcoming arrival of baby boy #2 any day now, I am more concerned about keeping Skyler well entertained and not plopping him down in front of a screen to pass the time. We love the occasional episode of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and some educational iPad apps, but I want to make sure that I am still providing Skyler with a variety of learning activities at a time where we will be cooped up at home and with a new baby that will require a lot of attention. The timing could not be more perfect for the book I am reviewing today!

When I found out that Asia of Fun at Home with Kids was working on her first book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it!! I have been a huge fan of Asia and her incredible blog since she started and have been so happy to get to know her since starting Minne-Mama. Her simple hands-on activities are appealing to kids of all ages and every single thing she posts is SO fun! Skyler and I frequently do the activities and crafts that she posts, and I have many of her other posts on my must-try list (my Pinterest is proof of that!) Well, the wait is over, the book is out and it is AMAZING!

Many of the activities I have been dying to try are included such as Moonsand, Baked Cotton Balls, Crystallizing Watercolors, Soap Foam, Dirt and Worms, and every single small world activity. You have got to check them all out - the coolest! 

Skyler and I have happily been going through and trying some activities from the book. I had everything for the following activities at home already which is one of my favorite things about this book. You can buy almost everything at the grocery store or superstore that you are probably stopping at at least once a week (if you don't have it stocked in your pantry already!)

We did two activities from the book on Monday when we had our first snowfall. We started with the recipe for Magic Expanding Paint and it was a HUGE hit with Skyler. He started off by making small dots, but after I mentioned the word "squeeze" he filled page after page with awesome puddles of paint. His favorite way to create was by making a circle with one color, filling the center with another color, and switching off until his page was full.

Seriously, this recipe was so quick to put together and we spent the next half hour talking, laughing, and creating some beautiful pieces of art! This activity is going to become very popular at our house - just look at the joy on Skyler's face!

We also tried Oobleck for the first time! Going along with our snowy morning, we kept with the Plain Oobleck from the book, and then Skyler added snowflake sequins to play with. I wasn't sure how this would go since Skyler is not really into slimy sensory play.

At first he touched it and said "I don't like this!" I sat and played with it, talking about how cool it was (seriously this stuff is incredible to touch - I have never felt anything like it!)

With some manipulation, the sequins started dropping down into the Oobleck, so I told Skyler we had to play peek-a-boo for them. That caught his attention, and my little man who is not a fan of gooey stuff was on a mission to find snowflakes! He still didn't love it, but it was a start. There were smiles :) I will definitely continue to use this activity with Skyler.

We also made the PomPom Shooter from the book which was a ton of fun! The next two up for us are the Flax Goo from the slimes section and the Banana Playdough. Both things we have all the ingredients for at home and I think Skyler will love them both!

I am planning on buying a stockpile of 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kidsto give as Christmas, birthday, and 'just because' gifts for everyone I know that has a child baby to school-aged. For an extra special gift to give, check out Asia's post for including the book with this DIY sensory kit!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

 

I could keep gushing about the book - how great it describes ways to manage messy play (something I thought I would avoid as a mom because I hate to make a mess!), how clearly labeled each activity is with any potential allergens, or the huge amount of variations included - but really, you have to check it out for yourself!

150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kidsis available worldwide and can be purchased through the following links. If you don't see a link for your country, email Asia at and she will be able to help you track one down! (funathomewithkids@gmail.com)

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon CA
Barnes and Noble
From your local US bookstore
Book Depository
Fishpond AU

Asia has a super fun giveaway going on and you can enter here to win a handmade activity from the book (made by the author herself)! I would be thrilled to win any of her amazing creations!! Enter to win below:

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I was asked by Asia to be a part of her online book tour and was given a copy of the book 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The Okee Dokee Brothers and a Giveaway!

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I have mentioned our favorite children's band, the Minnesota based Okee Dokee Brothers on more than one occasion. Skyler received their Grammy winning CD/DVD Can You Canoe? for Christmas last year, when he was just six months old. I've never been into bluegrass, and was especially skeptical of a children's bluegrass band (working in childcare and teaching for years, I have heard my share of awful children's music). I have always been a ska/punk music kind of person, but after getting that CD, we went from my music and the occasional Baby Einstein lullaby CD, to bluegrass music every day. It was the perfect CD for when we were playing in Skyler's room and was calming enough that I remember walking around his room, bouncing him before sleep to The Bullfrog Opera and Small and Simple. It was a bonding experience for us and I still love listening to those songs and remembering that one on one time with my tiny baby boy. 

Last summer the Okee Dokee Brothers toured all over Minnesota. We could have seen them every day if we wanted, they were always so close to where we live. We didn't see them every day, but we did go to three shows (two were in the same week). Skyler had just turned one at the first show we saw and even though he was so little, he got very excited when he heard the songs he recognized and bounced up and down where I held him up. We got a picture with the guys after the show. I think my husband was kind of horrified that I wanted to wait and get a picture with them, but Skyler was so much younger than the other kids there and I wanted him to see that picture from our first family concert. I love that he will always have that. They are just as friendly as they look in the picture!

The Okee Dokee Brothers playing at our local library and two local outdoor concert series last summer.

Since those three shows (we also saw them at Rock the Cradle a few months back), we usually listen to Can You Canoe? when we are playing in Skyler's room and Take it Outside in the car, plus you can't forget about The Okee Dokee Brothers Pandora station, which plays pretty much every where else in the house. We have heard most of the songs from their other albums that we don't own yet through that station. (We don't have their first album, Kids with Beards, or their awesome Spanish album, Excelente Fabuloso! They are on my must get list!) I excitedly pre-ordered their new adventure album, Through the Woods to add some new tunes to our day!!

When we got our CD in the mail, I put it on in Skyler's room, thinking we would just listen while we played. His reaction when the music started was not at all what I expected. I am so happy I thought to grab my camera and take a video.

He was so emotional about the music, after every song he would say "new song!" and then quietly listen on his own, or would sit on my lap. He didn't want to play or do anything, just listen to the music and soak in all of the new songs. He danced to Walking Through Spring and Echo because he had heard them before. The next morning, the first thing he said to me was "New Dokee Brothers?" I put on the CD and laid down on his floor. He laid on my chest and we listened to all of the songs, completely silent. More moments that I will treasure, because of these beautiful songs.

I cannot say enough great things about this amazing band and the music they make. We love the new CD. I expected to do more of a review about the songs, but basically they are just really wonderful. The lyrics are witty, the band is exceptional, the topics are interesting, and I often forget I am listening to "children's" music. It is music I feel really good about letting Skyler listen to. There are fun upbeat songs and some slower songs too - every song is great to dance to, listen to in the car, or use as background noise during play time! Skyler even asked about the DVD, remembering the one from the last album. We sat on the couch together and he actually watched the entire thing - a big commitment of time for a not quite two-year-old! The DVD is just as awesome as the album it accompanies. The Okee Dokee Brothers, and especially their adventure albums, are so so special.

We went to their album release party for Through the Woods yesterday. Here are some pictures from the event. My dad came with me and Skyler, and the three of us had such a fun time!

The first full band show we have seen! Also, we ended up sitting behind their families.

Baby boy was so patient waiting for the show to start!

If you've read the blog for awhile, you have probably noticed Skyler's SUPER serious face. It is the most obvious when he is focusing, and throughout the concert he was completely fixated on the stage, watching them play. No clapping, so singing, no dancing. It was so cute. He excitedly waited after the show to meet the guys, and clammed up when we got to the table :)

The entire way to the car and during our drive home, Skyler was talking about the concert. "See Okee Dokee Brothers! Sitting with Okee Dokee Brothers on a bench! hear a banjo!! Lotsa people...dancing!" It was sweet. Minnesota locals, the Okee Dokee Brothers are playing at the MN Zoo on Father's Day. We won't be there, but it will be such a fun show! Check out their tour schedule to see if they are playing a show near you this summer!

We love the Okee Dokee Brothers and their new adventure album, and I am so excited to be doing a giveaway with this great band. One reader is going to receive their new CD and DVD! You can enter below until Friday and I will email the winner directly. Good luck!

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