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Crafts, DIY, Recipes, and more

Best Crib for Small Spaces

Not every parent lives in a palatial estate. Instead, they have modest homes or apartments. In those cases, finding the best crib for small spaces is a must. That way, their baby can have a safe area for resting and relaxing that doesn’t overwhelm the room.

Luckily, there are plenty of great small space cribs. They offer all of the safety and security of their larger counterparts without taking up as much of the floor or room. If you need a great option, here is a look at the best crib for small spaces products around today.

Best Crib for Small Spaces

Bloom Alma Mini Urban Crib

At a mere 36.5 inches wide, the Bloom Alma Mini Urban crib is about as compact as possible. In fact, it’s even smaller than your typical pack ‘n plays, making ideal for modest homes and tiny apartments.

As a bonus, it has lockable wheels that allow you to move the crib with ease. Once in place, you just lock the wheels, ensuring the crib won’t move when you don’t want it to. Its size means you can even push it through many doorways, giving you full control over its placement.

For the ultimate in a space-saving design, this crib is also collapsible. You can fold it up and stash it away. That allows you to transport it with ease, as well, which is a great benefit. The design is also incredibly attractive, which is a nice bonus.

DaVinci Kalani 4-in-1 Convertible Mini Crib

With the DaVinci Kalani 4-1 Convertible Mini Crib, you get an attractive design with the convenience of a small footprint. It can work in a tiny second bedroom or living room. If you’d prefer, it can usually be positioned next to a parent’s bed, in many cases. That makes it a great alternative to a pack n’ play, both aesthetically and when it comes to comfort for your baby.

Plus, you get extra longevity out of this crib. It can be converted into different arrangements as your child grows. From a crib, it can become a toddler bed, a day bed, and a twin bed. All you need is the right conversion kit (for the latter two), and you’re set. Since the look of the crib is a classic, it will still look appropriate, even as your child gets older.

Dream On Me 4-in-1 Aden Convertible Mini Crib

Offering a 4-position mattress support system and a compact design, the Dream On Me 4-in-1 Aden Convertible Mini Crib is a solid choice for small spaces. When your baby is younger, you can raise the mattress height, making them easier to reach. As they get older and more mobile, you can lower it, ensuring they remain safe.

This is another model that can be adjusted as your child grows, all the way up to a twin-sized bed. All you need is the rail system for the twin, and you have a bed that can last through your kid’s childhood. Since it features classic styling, it can easily mesh with the look of a child’s room as they grow up. Plus, it’s available in a variety of colors, giving you more options than you find with many other cribs.

Delta Portable Mini Crib

If you’re looking for a very affordable option that is still easily one of the best cribs for small spaces, the Delta Children Folding Portable Mini cribis a great choice. Not only can it fold up for easy storage, but it also comes with wheels, giving you the ability to shift it around your space with ease.

The footprint is very compact, and may even fit next to a parent’s bed in a small bedroom. For added convenience, the mattress height is adjustable, which is a nice touch on a foldable crib. The design of the bed is also fairly classic, and it’s available in several colors, allowing it to blend with nearly any décor.

Choosing the Best Crib for Small Spaces That’s Right for You

Before you make a purchase, it’s wise to consider your needs carefully. Select a spot in your home where you’d like your crib positioned. Then, measure the floor area in that spot. That way, you’ll know what your maximum crib dimensions are and can make sure any one you choose will fit.

Additionally, consider any of the available features. Do you need a collapsible design for easy storage or transport? Are wheels that allow you to move it around a necessity?

By reflecting on your needs, you can find the best crib for small spaces for you. In the end, it’s worth taking the time and effort to get it right. After all, the crib will be a safe space for your child, so make sure you select one that is ideal for you and them.

4 Fun Winter Crafts for Kids

Playing in the snow during the winter can be a lot of fun. But, sometimes, being outside isn’t going to be a great idea. On cold or rainy days, staying inside might be a necessity, and you’ll need an option for keeping the kids entertained. That’s where fun winter crafts for kids come in.

Fun Winter Crafts for Kids

Crafting can be great for children. It encourages creativity and lets them see the results of their hard work in a tangible way. Plus, they might end up with a fun keepsake or decoration when they are done, making the experience extra special.

If you are looking for fun winter crafts for kids, here are four projects to consider.

crafts for young children

1. Snow Globes

Many children are mesmerized by snow globes. That means, what could be more fun than creating a customized one of their own.

Making a snow globe is surprisingly simple. All you need is a jar with a lid, some “snow,” glue, water, and fun miniatures to place in the scene.

Usually, Mason jars with gasket lids are the best option. The rubber seal prevents leakage, and that’s important for a snow globe.

Once you have one, glue the ring and insert together. Next, you glue the miniature (make sure it’s waterproof) to the inside of the lid with a hot glue gun or other strong adhesive. Then, you’ll fill your jar with water or a mixture of water and Clear Elmer’s glue. If you use the mixture, it will take longer for the “snow” to settle.

After that, add your “snow” to the jar. Glitter can be a great option, as it shines when light hits it. Finally, carefully place your miniatures inside the jar and screw the lid shut. You can also hot glue the lid closed if you want to be extra safe.

Once everything’s in place, you have beautiful custom snow globes!

2. Paper Snowflakes

If you’re looking for a classic craft, paper snowflakes can be a great option. Every design will be unique, and unveiling each one after they are cut is always a fun surprise.

While you can certainly use regular sheets of paper, using coffee filters can be a great alternative. The material is thinner, so you can get in more folds. Plus, they are round naturally, which may make the snowflakes seem more authentic.

Just make sure to show your children which areas to cut. Give them guidance to make sure they don’t cut all the way through their snowflake.

winter crafts

3. No-Sew Sock Snowman

If you’ve ever wondered what to do with socks after their matches goes missing, consider turning then into a no-sew snowman. All you’ll need is a white sock, a colorful sock, rubber bands or heavy string, some buttons, a few orange mini pompoms, ribbon, rice, and some paint or markers.

Begin by filling the white sock with rice. You need to keep filling until it reaches the size you want your snowman to be, which, for many, will be about the size of a softball.

Tie the top with a rubber band or some string. Then, use another rubber band or piece of string just about the middle of the rice, forming the top into a head shape.

Glue buttons to the lower portion in a vertical line. Use paint for markers to draw the snowman’s face on the head, using two dots for the eyes and a series of dots for the mouth. Secure an orange mini pompom or two to the face to serve as the carrot nose.

Attach a piece of ribbon to work as a scarf. Next, cut the foot part (without the heal) off the colorful sock and roll up the open end a bit. Place it on the snowman’s head as a hat. That’s it!

4. Pinecone Bird Feeders

A fun winter craft that is great for local birds, pinecone bird feeders can be as fun to create as they are to enjoy once the birds come flying in. Plus, they are really easy to make.

First, you can head outside with your kids to gather up some pinecones. Ideally, you want larger ones as they will be a bit easier to handle. Once you have those in hand, it’s time to head back inside.

Take each pine cone and carefully cover it in peanut butter. You don’t have to cover every inch, but getting a good layer on the outer most areas is ideal.

Next, roll the peanut butter-covered pinecone in birdseed. The easiest way is to fill a casserole dish an inch or so deep. If it doesn’t hit every area, sprinkling or patting on the seeds can also work, but that may get a bit messier.

Then, take some twine or cotton string (preferably natural and biodegradable materials) and wrap it around the top. This gives you a way to hang the bird feeder.

Finally, head outside and choose a nice branch. Loop the string over the branch, and you’re done.

kids crafts

Bonus: Craft Kit Ideas

If you are looking for even more ideas, consider one of these fantastic beginner dollhouse kits. They are like three dimensional puzzles and provide a great way to work together creatively. If your children are younger, our list of other craft kit ideas might provide some inspiration.

Tips for Creating Winter Crafts with Kids

When you are crafting with children, things can get a bit tricky. Not all kids have the same attention span, manual dexterity, or interests as their peers.

If you want to make winter crafts with kids enjoyable, you need to make sure the options are age-appropriate as well as intriguing. Consider your child’s interests and choose a craft that corresponds with something that already captures their attention is within their capabilities. Otherwise, they might get bored or frustrated quickly.

Additionally, make safety a priority. You need to monitor the kids, especially if they are young and using certain potentially dangerous tools, like scissors or hot glue. Usually, if making winter crafts is a family affair, this won’t be an issue.

Best Craft Kits for Kids This Holiday Season

Craft kits can make excellent gifts. They give children a chance to create, and even learn new skills, making the present engaging and fun. Plus, they usually end up with some fun art, jewelry, or toys, in the end, ensuring the enjoyment can keep going. Here’s a look at some of the best craft kits for kids this holiday season.

Pinwheel Crafts Pendant Jewelry Kit

If you have an older child or tween that adores jewelry, the Pinwheel Crafts Pendant Jewelry Kit is a fun option. It gives them a chance to craft eight pendants, allowing them to choose from over 200 images that come with the kit. That means everyone can be completely unique once they’re made, which is really nice.

Sentosphere 835 Just for Boys Bracelet Kit

Many boys enjoy craft kits, but not many kits target them. Luckily, this Sentosphere Bracelet Kit is designed just for them, featuring colors and styles that give boys some great options. Along with imitation leather, there are cords in vibrant colors, silver chains, and more. Plus, it comes with an instruction book, allowing them to create a stylish bracelet with ease.

IQ Builder 3D Puzzle Art Set

With the IQ Builder 3D Puzzle Art Set, your child won’t just get to put together a puzzle sculpture; they can custom color it, too. Each puzzle piece is printed with an intricate pattern, allowing kids to color in the sections to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Plus, it comes with nine puzzles, including everything from a butterfly to a helicopter to the Eiffel Tower.

CraftLab Woodland Animals Sewing Kit

If your child wants to try their hand at sewing and adores animals, the CraftLab Woodland Animals Sewing Kit combines both, making it a solid choice. Inside, your kid will find five pre-cut projects and everything they need to sew the critters together, including thread, needles, glue, and stuffing. The instructions are incredibly easy to follow, and the resulting animals are cute and colorful.

Pix Perfect Starter Pixel Art Kit

With the Pix Perfect Pixel Art Kit, your child can create shimmering pictures that are ideal for decorating their room. It comes with over 200 pieces and 50 designs, allowing your kid to get started quickly. It’s also reusable. They can choose new designs every season or whenever the mood strikes. Plus, there’s nothing to stop them from creating their own images, so they can let the creativity flow and create custom art whenever they want.

Craft-Tastic String Art Kit

With the Craft-Tastic String Art Kit, your child can create a canvas with each of the three included designs. There’s a rocket, planet, and star, making it a great choice for any kid who is fascinated by outer space. When they’re done, they have three works of art to enjoy, either as a small collage or by spreading them out through their room. Everything they need is included, so they can get crafting right away.

3Doodler Start Essentials 3D Pen Set

If your child loves to doodle, let them take their passion to the next level with the 3Doodler Start Essentials 3D Pen Set. It’s a 3D plastic printing pen made especially for kids, so there’s no hot parts or plastic, eliminating the burn risk. Since the plastic hardens fast, they can create almost anything they can imagine as they draw in the air. Once done, they have a fun toy or a piece of art to enjoy.

Alex Little Hands Paper Bag Monsters

This craft kit is designed with preschoolers in mind, allowing kids to use the peel and stick designs in the Alex Little Hands Paper Bag Monsters set to create puppets. Not only do the stickers work with the five colored bags, but they are also the right size for standard paper lunch bags. That means the fun doesn’t have to stop after your child’s made five monsters.

Elmer’s Deluxe Galaxy Slime Starter Kit

If your child is like most, they love slime. It’s been a bit of a craze recently, so many kids would adore getting the Elmer’s Deluxe Slime Starter Kit this holiday season. Since the materials are kid-friendly, non-toxic, and washable, this is easily one of the best craft kits for kids of almost any age. Plus, it’s a great one for parents to do with their younger children, as creating slime is actually a lot of fun.

Best Baby Swing for Small Spaces

If you have a newborn (or will soon), having a baby swing can be a lifesaver. The rocking motion can be incredibly soothing for babies and gives them a safe place to rest during the day. But, if you live in a small home or apartment, having a full-size baby swing might not be practical. They can take up a surprising amount of floor space, blocking walkways and making it hard to get around in your home.

Luckily, there are plenty of options that are great for houses and apartments that don’t have a ton of room. Here is a look at some of the best baby swings for small spaces.

Best Baby Swings for Small Spaces

Fisher-Price Deluxe Take-Along Swing & Seat

With the Fisher-Price Deluxe Take-Along Swing & Seat, you get a portable baby swing and infant seat all rolled into one. Along with six swing speeds, your child can also enjoy 10 sound options, including music and nature audio recordings. The seat also has vibration settings and two small birdie toys hang from the bar, giving your baby something fun to engage with.

The frame folds quickly and easily, making it a breeze to travel with. Plus, the seat pad is machine-washable, ensuring you can clean up the messiest spills or accidents with ease.

This baby swing is designed to hold infants between 6 and 20 pounds, securing your child with a 5-point harness to ensure their safety. Just keep in mind that it requires batteries to operate (so you can’t plug it in when you’re at home to save the batteries) and it can go through them surprisingly quickly

Pros:

  • Portable
  • Multiple swing speeds
  • Sound options
Cons:

  • Battery-operated only
  • Batteries drain fast
Check Price on Amazon

Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing

The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing offers a compact design that works great in smaller homes and apartment. Plus, along with batteries, you can plug this baby swing into a wall outlet, allowing you to save money.

Along with a gentle side-to-side swaying motion, the seat also has two vibration settings. The head support is also removable, allowing you to adjust your infant’s position to maximize their comfort and keep them feeling cozy.

Baby’s between 5 and 30 pounds can use this baby swing as well, giving you a wider range than some other options. It also comes with music, though not everyone enjoys the available tunes.

Additionally, while it looks like the swing comes with a mobile, it doesn’t actually spin. Instead, the toys simply hang. But, with this swing’s affordable price, most buyers don’t mind the stationary toys.

Pros:

  • Both battery and plug-in power options
  • Affordable
  • Larger weight range
Cons:

  • Some people dislike the music
  • Toys look like a mobile but aren’t
Check Price on Amazon

4moms mamaRoo

In comparison to many other baby swings, the 4moms mamaRoo 4 is pretty high-tech. It comes with five unique motions and speed settings. Plus, it’s Bluetooth-enabled, allowing you to control the movement and sound options (which includes four built-in audio tracks as well as MP3 capabilities) remotely.

This swing also has an AC adapter, so you don’t have to worry about using batteries. The seat can recline, and the fabric is machine-washable, making it comfortable for your baby as well as easy to clean.

The maximum weight on this swing is also pretty respectable, reaching up to 25 pounds. In reality, one of the biggest drawbacks of this option is the price, as it is easily one of the more expensive swings on the market. Additionally, the toys look like they are on a mobile, but they are stationary.

Pros:

  • Offers high-tech features including Bluetooth-connectivity
  • AC adapter (no batteries required)
  • Machine-washable seat
Cons:

  • More expensive than many other swings
  • Toys look like a mobile but aren’t
Check Price on Amazon

Graco LX Gliding Swing

Compact and reasonably priced, the Graco LX Gliding Swing has an AC adapter but can also be operated with batteries, allowing you to choose the option that’s right for you. The frame design takes up 40 percent less space than traditional alternatives, ensuring you don’t have to sacrifice a ton of floor space.

The seating area is also very plush and comes with three reclining positions for your infant’s increased comfort. This swing also has a generous weight range, reaching all the way up to 30 pounds.

Along with the gently gliding swing, the seat has two vibration speed options. However, you do have to install one D battery to use vibration, even when plugged into the wall, which isn’t the most convenient.

Additionally, while there is music, not everyone appreciates the synthesizer sound. The animals or stars that come on the mobile also aren’t attached with anything more than Velcro, so they don’t always stay in place for long, especially if your child pulls at them.

Pros:

  • Good price
  • Three reclining positions
  • Gentle swinging and vibration
Cons:

  • Have to use batteries for vibration
  • Music isn’t great
  • Toys might not stay attached over time
Check Price on Amazon

Ingenuity Cozy Kingdom

With six swing speed options and a portable design, the Ingenuity Cozy Kingdom baby swing is great for small apartments of while traveling. It’s also less expensive than many other options, making it ideal for parents on a budget.

Six onboard songs come programmed into the swing, and there is an auto shut off timer. Two plush toys for the bar are also included, as well as a removable head support to keep your baby comfortable.

Many of the fabrics are machine-washable, and the set cushion can even be put in the dryer on the low heat setting, which is convenient. However, this swing doesn’t come with an AC adapter, so you have to use batteries even at home, and it can go through them fast.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Portable
  • Machine-washable
Cons:

  • Battery-operated only
  • Batteries drain fast
Check Price on Amazon

5 Easy to Grow Vegetables for Beginner Gardeners

These 5-easy to grow vegetables for beginner gardeners help ensure successful gardening. The reasons to grow your own food are many. Some of those include concerns about GMO food or the rising cost of groceries.  Organic gardening is a viable way to avoid GMO foods and to reduce your grocery costs. These five easy-to-grow vegetables help beginners to become gardeners.

Garlic - a good pick for beginner gardeners

1. Garlic. Garlic is super easy to grow. You simply have to stick a glove of garlic in the ground and water it. Garlic is planted either in the fall for warmer climates or in late spring in colder climates. The correct way to plant garlic is to work the soil about a foot in depth. The finished soil should be soft, silky and free of clumps. Using the end of your shovel (or another garden tool) make a small one-inch depression in the soil. Place the clove of garlic with the pointy end facing upwards into the depression and cover it with dirt.

Garlic should be watered once a day until it sprouts. Then it should be watered every other day until the shoot is six-inches tall. After that is should be watered every third day. Harvest garlic in June or July when the stocks have turned halfway brown. If it should flower, snip off the flower so that the plant puts energy into producing larger bulbs.

Kale in garden - a good vegetable for inexperienced gardeners

2. Kale: There are a few varieties of kale available for gardeners. The Red Russian Kale seems to be the least bitter. Kale is super easy to grow, and it works perfectly as a cutting green. To cultivate kale, turn the soil down about one foot in depth. Make sure the soil is free of lumps. Using the edge of a hoe or rake, make a shallow ¼ inch deep furrow down the middle of the row. Plant the seeds about four inches apart. Some gardeners plant the seeds close together and then thin the row later.

Once you plant the kale seeds just gently pinch the furrow closed. Water every day until the seeds sprout and continue the daily watering until the plants are about four inches tall. Once the plants are four inches tall, water them every other day. Begin to harvest when the plants are six-eight inches tall. The best way to harvest is to snip off leaves selectively along the entire row instead of harvesting a single plant. Two rows of Kale that are ten feet long should supply a family of four with ample greens all season long.

Harvesting carrots is a satisfying exercise for new gardeners

3. Carrots: There are many varieties of carrot, and they come in more colors than just orange. A good trick to get kids to eat more vegetables is to let them help plant vegetables and then care for them. Carrots are easy to grow, but they require diligence. These colorful root vegetables have a long germination period of about 20 days or longer. That means that once you plant the seeds they require watering every day for 20 days.

To plant carrots, work the soil to about 18-inches in depth. The soil should be silty so that the carrots have an easy time growing straight down. A good tip is to dig a trench and fill the bottom four inches with chicken manure. Then fill in the trench. Using a hoe or rake, create a ¼ deep furrow. Plant the carrot seeds about three inches apart. This will give the carrots room to grow without over competing for nutrients with their neighbor. Competition between vegetables causes stunted growth.

Beets are super easy to grow for even the most novice gardener

4. Beets: Growing beets is super easy. There are the red ones and golden beets. Both are awesome when steamed. Beets make a wonderful side dish, or as an addition to a salad. They are also good pickled. A good tip for cooking beets is to peel them, slice them into 1/3-inch rounds. Lay them on a piece of foil. Add salt, pepper and either sprinkle them with garlic powder or add a clove of garlic. Drop a teaspoon of olive oil onto the beets. Fold up the foil into an envelope and back at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-minutes. The result is a tender beet with a ton of flavor.

To plant beet seeds work the soil to a depth of one foot. The soil should be finely works and free of clumps. Make a furrow that is about ½-inch deep. Plant the seeds four inches apart. Beet seeds are larger, so it is much easier to plant them. Water every day until the plants are four inches tall. Harvest beets when the top of the bulb is wider than an inch in diameter. Beets are best when their bulbs are between one and three inches in diameter.

Swiss Chard is beautiful, tasty, and easy to grow

5. Swiss Chard: Chard is another easy green to grow. There are a few varieties that do well in most gardens. Swiss chard is very leafy, and the stalks are white. A hardy variety is rainbow chard that comes in a variety of colors, such as yellow, red, and magenta. Chard is a very beautiful plant.

To plant chard seeds, simply work the soil to a depth of about 18-inches. Soil should be free of clumps and full of organic matter. Supplement the soil with compost if needed. Using a hoe or rake, created a furrow that is about 1/3 inch deep. Plant the chard seeds one foot apart. Chard grows to be fairly wide and tall. Water it every day until the plants are about four inches tall and then water it every other day. The plants are harvestable when they get to about eight inches in height. Like kale, just snip off the leaves that you want. The medium-sized leaves are the best ones for steaming. Four to five chard plants will keep a family of four in greens most of the season.

Notes: It is usually best to plant at least two types of greens. Other easy greens to grow include collard greens and spinach, which you plant as though you are planting kale.

Helpful Tip: Successive gardening is a trick to use when you want to extend a crop. For example, if you plant 100 carrot seeds they all are ready nearly at the same time. Can you use 100 carrots all at once? Usually not. To solve the problem, gardeners use successive gardening. Instead of planting all 100 carrot seeds at once, plant 20 seeds every two weeks. You can adjust the number of seeds you plant based on your use of these foods. If you continue to plant in the successive method, you will never run out of carrots.

Also consider perennial vegetables to reduce the work you need to do and to harvest year after year. Gardening is not difficult and it is definitely rewarding. These five easy-to-grow vegetables represent an excellent place from which new gardeners can begin the journey of growing food. The benefits include healthier food choices and a decrease in the cost of buying food. But the real benefit is the satisfaction of preparing a meal from produce that the garden has grown.

Bonus Tip: If you are a family looking to reduce your costs, consider a variety of other family money saving ideas such as: making food from scratch, selling unused items, and more. There are great ways to get the whole family involved and gardening together is just one!

So whether your motivation for gardening is over GMO foods or the rising cost of groceries, these five vegetables help get new gardeners started down a successful pathway. Here is to happy gardening and wonderfully healthy meals!