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4 Amazing Ways To Save Big On Your Kid’s Birthday Party

1. START WITH THE INVITES

If your budget does not allow you to invite your child’s entire class, then you do not have to. Instead, you can opt for the “age plus one rule”. For instance, if you are planning to throw a party for your 5-year-old, then invite 6 guests. Keep the numbers down by making it clear that the guests’ siblings are not invited.

Aside from that, you can forgo printing services by sending out electronic invitations through Facebook or Email. This works just as fine!

2. SAVE ON THE VENUE

If your home does not have enough space, parties can be hosted at the local park or playground.

For a playground venue that kids will surely love, go to Tiong Bahru Adventure Playground. Tiong Bahru Adventure Playground’s center has a train-themed structure that is perfect for your boy’s Thomas the Tank party. There is also a little maze and a merry-go-round.

For a park venue, consider having it at East Coast Park as its wide open spaces is suitable for energetic party games and active guests. While parks are generally free, if you are planning an organized party, some parks do require permission to be given ahead of time.

3. D-I-Y YOUR PARTY BAGS

A children’s party will not be complete without the party goodie or loot bag. Assemble your own loot bag by purchasing S$2 brown or white paper bags from Daiso and decorating it with colored markers. Put a multitude of sweets and stickers that are also available at Daiso, for the same price.

4. TRY THESE PARTY THEMES

There are two exciting yet affordable party themes that you must try, namely: Circle Party and Indoor Games Party. The circle party is ideal for children aged 2-4. You start by decorating the place with all things circle such as balls, balloons, polka dots, and candies. Then, keep the activities simple such as running while forming a circle.

For children beyond age 5, you can entertain them with a party that is filled with board games, cards, and puzzles.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

If you need to purchase a board game, you may check out Toys “R” Us. Toys “R” Us provides huge selection of toys and infant products that are priced to give you value for you money. Round up the guests and play the Disney Assorted Inlay Wood Puzzles (S$9.95), UNO® Disney Frozen Cards (S$11.90), or the Pavilion Giant Snakes & Ladders (S$19.95)!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Wallet-Friendly Ways To Make Parenting Simple And Fun

One of the best parts of parenting is spending quality time with your children. Most of the time, creating fun memories are simple. However, there are days when it is far from easy.

This is why you must unlock the “inner child” within you by trying these inexpensive ideas:

1. BE A PART OF WHAT THEY LOVE TO DO

In the weekends, you just want to lay down and rest your body from all the week’s work. But, you also want to spend time with your beloved ones. Kill these two birds with one stone with the “Car Play Shirt”.

The Car Play Shirt allows you to relax and lay down while your kids are playing with the activity on your back. The interactive puzzle is drawn at the back of your shirt lets your boys imagine where they want their cool cars to go. You can either purchase them for S$32.17 or make your own by following this tutorial.

Image Credits: thebluebasket.blogspot.sg/2011/09/tutorial-car-shirt.html

2. TALK ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS

Children who do not express themselves genuinely can become people-pleasers with low self-esteem or unhappy adults who cannot reach their fullest potentials. This is why as parents, it is important to encourage the child to be more demonstrative.

Do so by making “Paper Plate Emotion Masks”. The goal of this artistic activity is to open up a conversation with your children to know more about them. With this, you can emphasize more on happy situations and decrease the sad situations.

Simply gather these materials: paper plates, popsicle sticks, markers, crayons, scissors, and tape. Then, let your child create a mask with basic emotions such as happy, sad, scared and angry. If you need more help, follow the instructions here.

Image Credits: thepinterestedparent.com/2013/11/teaching-toddlers-emotions

Note: This activity is great for toddlers and preschoolers.

3. FEED YOUR CHILD’S IMAGINATION

If you want a few minutes to an hour to yourself to do some work at home, you can try indulging your child with arts and crafts. Aside from keeping him or her occupied, art therapy is especially beneficial for children since they are naturally more imaginative and creative. Furthermore, it enhances the child’s problem solving and cognitive (brain) skills.

Inspired by various craft from the Internet, a blogger that goes by the name of “A Little Learning For Two” came up with the “Sticky Window Art”. This easy craft lets your child illustrate endless images with colorful sticks drawn on the “sticky paper” that is plastered in the window. You would need these four items: scissors, clear contact paper, tape, and colored matchsticks/popsicle sticks. After which, follow the tutorial here.

Image Credits: alittlelearningfortwo.blogspot.sg/2010/11/sticky-window-art.html

Much to the blogger’s surprise, her daughter played this activity for almost an hour without losing interest!

Note: A roll of clear contact paper can be found at your nearest stationery shop such as Popular Bookstore.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Tidy Up Your Family’s Life In 5 Professional Steps

With a house full of children, life can quickly get a little topsy-turvy! Juggling through the chaos of household chores, family relationships, and work responsibilities can become overwhelming. Luckily, you can adopt a professional system that has been present for centuries.

This system is none other than the “business system”. Businesses, enterprises, and firms are organized because they follow a synchronized structure. Apply this to your home life by following these simple tips:

1. DETERMINE YOUR FAMILY’S CORE VALUES

Core values exhibit what is important in the company and its members. In your case, you must consider what are the important beliefs and morals that you want your family members to uphold. Determine your family’s core values to help guide your every decision. For example, if your family values saving money and hard work then your plans for your next vacation will be based on those values. Furthermore, it will affect how much you will save (i.e., practices) and what you will spend your money on (i.e., strategies).

2. SET YOUR PRIORITIES

Spreading out your energy and time to things that are not necessary can be a waste of your resources. This is why efficient companies set their priorities straight and focus more of their resources on the top priority. Your priorities as a family can be anything that you would like to accomplish in the near future such as exercising together everyday. These priorities are personal and subjective to you.

3. ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE

Most of the firms follow a strict schedule for every employee. Apply this to your family by using a digital calendar to automate your family’s schedule. A beloved digital calendar by most is the Google Calendar, which is available if you have your own Gmail account. Establish a schedule that includes household chores, special events, school works, and etc. You can assign a different color for each child too.

Alternatively, you may use a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and assign a color and a row for each child. It is best to plan the week ahead by making the schedule every Sunday night.

4. PRACTICE TEAMWORK

Cooperation and teamwork can extend the walls of your home too! Join or organize a parenting group including the other parents in your children’s school. Aside from meeting new people, you can save more money by taking turns in babysitting each other’s children. Use WhatsApp or a private Facebook group to exchange your contacts for emergency purposes and to schedule events together. Taking care of each other’s kids are matters of trust so make sure that these newfound friends can be trusted.

5. REVIEW YOUR PROGRESS

As a whole, you must sit together once a week for at least 10 minutes to review your progress in terms of your priorities, your schedule, and your other issues. Talk openly and honestly.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

To increase the positivity and the sense of accomplishment, commend your children for their achievements that week (no matter how big or small it may be).

Sources: 1 & 2

6 Amazingly Affordable Toys That Can Make Your Child Happier And Smarter

I smiled when I saw the definition of the word “toy” at dictionary.com. According to it, toys are supposed to serve as a diversion rather than practicality. It is also an object that typically represents something familiar for children or others to play with. As a children’s teacher I can vouch for that meaning. Sometimes, we use toys to divert the kids’ attention while we prepare for the class. I am sure some moms use toys as a distraction for them to do chores too!

If toys are so helpful and pervasive, are there cheaper alternatives? Fortunately, there are. You can use your imagination and creativity to make handmade toys. Not only can you save more money but you can also increase the toys’ safety.

Two types of toys are mainly in the market today namely: educational toys and entertaining toys. Let us start with the latter…

FUN TOYS

1. MADE OF MILK CARTON

It is vital for kids to consume more milk in order for their bones to grow stronger. And, after they finished the whole carton, do not throw it just yet. You can transform an empty milk carton into a sailboat that can survive sizable splashes of water.

Full instructions – here.

2. MADE OF SPONGES

Have you ever played Jenga or Tumbling Towers? It is a fun game that you and your little ones can get addicted to. But, a new box can cost over S$19. Save more money while retaining its structure by making block pieces out of sponges.

Image Credits: facebook.com/pages/Toddler-Approved/179029702145360?fref=photo

Alternatively, you can practice making patterns or letters out of it. Full instructions – here.

3. MADE OF SHOEBOX

Have you saved up old newspapers, shoeboxes, and rubber bands? Well, you can turn those things into an old-fashioned toy guitar. Browse here for full instructions.

SMART TOYS

1. IMPROVE THE CHILD’S TOUCHING SENSATIONS

Various childcare and preschool centers include sensory tables to improve the fine motor skills and touching sensations of the young minds. Make your own by taking a simple wooden base out of a plastic bin. Then, you can fill it with colorful beads, dried beans, handful of rice, and so much more. This set toy will keep your child occupied for hours!

Image Credits: https://www.facebook.com/RingAroundtheRosies

Full instructions – here.

2. IMPROVE THE CHILD’S VISUO-SPATIAL AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

Say the weather is not friendly enough to go to the nearby playground, what you can do is to round-up your kids, take a large sheet of paper, and several shaped blocks. Then, challenge them into a giant block puzzle. Let them figure it out on their own. Full instructions – here.

3. IMPROVE THE CHILD’S PHONETICS

A toy made out of inexpensive materials can go a long way in terms of improving your child’s language abilities. Repeat the letters and add sounds as you read along the alphabet board (full instructions – here).

Image Credits: nicandkate09.blogspot.com

Also, you can incorporate magnetic letters for your child to match it with the alphabet board accordingly. This activity is both educational and enjoyable! 🙂

Reminder: Although the ingredients and materials used are safe, it is still essential to look after your child from time to time to avoid any unforeseen events.

Sources: 1 & 2

Budget-Friendly Ways To Amuse Your Children

Spending quality time with your children need not be costly! What is important is to shower them with your unconditional love and undivided attention. Here is a list of “Budget-Friendly Ways To Amuse Your Children” especially this upcoming school break…

1. FAMILY GAME DAY

Entertain your kids with a solid hour of board games, cards, and puzzles. If you need to purchase a board game, you may check out Toys “R” Us. Toys “R” Us provides huge selection of toys and infant products that, are priced to give you value for you money.

Round up your kids and play the Disney Assorted Inlay Wood Puzzles (S$9.95), UNO® Disney Frozen Cards (S$11.90), or the Pavilion Wooden Snakes and Ladders (S$19.95).

2. EXPLORE THE PARKS OR PLAYGROUNDS

Going to the nearby playground and watching your child get active would not cost you a cent! Alternatively, you may take your child to the nearby parks (e.g., East Coast Park, Bishan Park, and Lower Seletar Reservoir Park) to have a simple picnic or to play outdoor games and sports such as Frisbee, Hula Hooping, and Cycling.

For a complete list of parks in Singapore, visit: nparks.gov.sg.

3. GO TO BEACH

Nothing screams fun with kids more than a sunny day at the Palawan Beach at Sentosa. Enjoy building sand castles, splashing water, and running around on the shore with your children. It is not only fun for them but it will definitely send them to a peaceful sleep afterwards. And if your child is still fueled with energy, experience the beauty of nature and the variety of its species as you go to Imbiah Lookout, Sentosa’s Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom. An admission rate for children aged 3-12 is S$10 while it is S$16 for adults.

4. BRING YOUR CRAFTS ON

Gather the available Arts and Crafts you have at your house to make a crafts box. If you fall short with items such as scissors, glue, crayons, stickers, and assorted colored papers, you can always go to Daiso as everything is priced at S$2 only. Each kid has a unique artistic expression so it is best to introduce your child to the different outlets such as drawing, singing, music, or dancing. The cost of these outlets is less than S$10!

5. EDUCATE AND AMAZE THEM

Activate your child’s imagination by going to the libraries or museums. At the libraries, you can save more money by borrowing books and graphic novels rather than buying them. At the museum, you can ask your children to imagine that they are traveling in a different place as an archeologist, a historical writer, or an adventurer.

Image Credits: chriskay via Flickr

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