Toys Taking Over?

Doth your playroom runneth over with toys?

You are not alone if you find yourself suffering the post-holiday buried in toys syndrome.

Take advantage of this time to do some decluttering and organizing your kiddos toys.

Make room for the newly acquired toys by playing a game of lining up and counting all of the new toys. Next, have your child match each new toy up with one that is no longer being played with.  An excellent opportunity for teaching your children a lesson in sharing exists here. Explain how happy some other children will be to receive the toys and how they will be new toys for the other children to play with.

If resistance is encountered,  ask your child to think about the last time a particular toy was played with, and if it’s been over six months, “wouldn’t it be nice to let another child play with it?”

There are charities all across the country that collect toys for various organizations. Almost everyday Totally Kids fun furniture and toys receives new and gently used toys donated for Twin Cities families affected by Autism. If you are in the Minneapolis St. Paul area please drop off any toys that you can spare.

We would like to express gratitude to all of those who have so generously donated toys over the last few years. Thank you!

Yesterday’s Sweater

The term UpCycle is generally a reinvestment in the environment. In the simplest terms, UpCycling is the practice of taking something that is throwaway and repurposing it into something of greater utilization and intrinsic worth, in its second life.

White Dandelion Works introduced me to what yesterday’s sweater can become. Just look at the soft cashmere hats that are still a necessary wardrobe item here in Minnesota.

Happy  Birthday (day before) yesterday)  Dr. Seuss! White Dandelion Work’s soft hot pink and light pink striped elfin baby hat by was inspired by Dr. Seuss. Made from an upcycled felted sweater it is eco friendly. Cute, cute and it stands up on its own like a pixie’s.

Loneweever UpCycles sweaters into “re-originals” like this pin cushion or brooch cushion.

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Heather from Dollar Store Crafts felts sweaters to create stunning mittens. She has a picture tutorial so you too can give it a try.

 

 

Put your arms around this idea. The Green Kitchen knows how to turn sweater sleeves into little pants and has a step by step DIY.

Unravel a couple of your no longer favorite sweaters and send the yarn off with dimensions to Biscuit Scout and get a Fisherman style sweater custom knit for your chair. Yesterday’s sweater – do you have one to Upcycle?

Playroom Runneth Over?

Doth your playroom runneth over?

You are not alone if you find yourself suffering the post holiday buried in toys syndrome.

Take advantage of this time to do some  decluttering and organizing of  your kiddos toys.

Make room for the newly acquired toys by playing a game of lining up and counting all of the new toys. Next have your child match each new toy up with one that is no longer being played with.  An excellent opportunity for teaching your children a lesson in sharing exists here. Explain how happy some other children will be to receive the toys and how they will be new toys for the other children to play with.

If resistance is encountered,  ask your child to think about the last time a particular toy was played with, and if it’s been over six months, “wouldn’t it be nice to let another child play with it?”

There are charities all across the country that collect toys for various organizations. Almost everyday Totally Kids fun furniture and toys receives new and gently used toys donated for Twin Cities families affected by Autism. If you are in the Minneapolis St. Paul area please drop off any toys that you can spare.

We would like to express gratitude to all of those who have so generously donated toys over the last few years. Thank you!

Totally Kids fun furniture & toys

7876 Portland Avenue South Minneapolis, MN  55420 952-881-2425 http://www.shoptotallykids.com

National Costume Swap Day Party

RECYCLING FUN FOR KIDS
If we want our children to grow up to be environmentally conscious, we must start teaching them at a young age. The Totally Kids National Costume Swap Day Party on October 9th is a fun way to begin an echo-friendly lesson for children, plus a great way to find the perfect Halloween costume for girls and boys.

WHEN: Saturday,October 9th from 11A.M. – 4 P.M.
WHERE: Totally Kids fun furniture & toys at 7876 Portland Ave. South, Bloomington, MN 55420
WHAT: National  Costume Swap Day Party
WHY: To offer families a creative, eco-friendly Halloween tradition

There will be contests, prizes, hot cider, cookies, treats, fun and games.

GRAND PRIZE DRAWING – Energy Efficient Kid Size ATV

Added bonus: With your costume swap you will receive 10% OFF your purchases that day!

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Photo credit: Lisa Wikman

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More Earth Friendly Ideas:

Learn how to make a Spooky Recycled Ghost

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Are  Organic pumpkins are really green?

Carve your Jack-O-Lantern, but don’t throw away the seeds eat them.

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Scare Up Some Scary  Halloween Food

Recycling Fun For Kids

If you want your children to grow up to be environmentally conscious, you must start teaching them at a young age.  When kids see the trash from their home being taken away by the garbage collector, it may be very difficult for them to grasp the concept that garbage does not magically disappear, but it actually goes to a landfill.  By using environmentally responsible practices in your home, you will be teaching your children both where the trash ends up, but  how they can help produce less garbage and helping protect our environment.

The Totally Kids fun furniture & toys Hallo-Green Costume Exchange is a fun way to begin an echo-friendly lesson for your children, plus a great way to find the perfect Halloween costume for girls, boys and even dogs.

We will be serving Betty Crocker’s recipe for Hot Spiced Apple Cider and cookies.