Easy Groovy Pumpkin Cheesecake Marbled Brownies

I've realized that I am a lazy baker.  That's the reason that I like kids crafts. They're easy and there's little pressure to make things perfect.  The act of making is the fun!  But baking?  Ugh. Completely other story. Exact measurements.  Specific ingredients.  And gluten-free baking?  (My eldest is allergic to wheat.)  Double ugh.  Forget about it.  It feels like I never have the right ingredients or flours...

So it's the holiday season and recently we were invited to Friendsgiving dinner.  I volunteered to bring a dessert... which seemed like a good idea because I wouldn't have to be in charge of the heavy cooking... But then I realized... eek! I only have 3 desserts in my current potluck repertoire- Rice Krispie treats, some variant of mochi cake, and boxed brownies.  Well, the brownies seemed to be the only viable option for this meal.  But I had just made my brownies a week ago so I figured I should at least jazz up my efforts somehow... and that's when I decided to try making something new:

Groovy Pumpkin Cheesecake Marbled Brownies

(They're so puuuuuurty?)

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Giant Dia De Los Muertos Skulls

Do you celebrate the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)?  We don't, but I enjoy introducing bits of different holidays to my kids.  Recently I made some giant Dia De Los Muertos Skulls with preschoolers.  They had so much fun with this easy-to-set-up activity,  I thought I'd share it here today.

Giant Dia De Los Muertos Skulls

(A perfect preschool art project for fall!)

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Last Minute Cardboard Elephant and Piggie Costume

Halloween is only a few days away.  Do you have your costume yet?  If not, I have a super fun (and cheap) cardboard costume that you can whip up to wear this Wednesday.  Today we're making Elephant and Piggie Costumes!

How to Make Easy Elephant and Piggie Costumes

(for practically nothing!)

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How To Fold Easy Origami Vampires

If you love cute origami projects, you'll love this easy Halloween-themed origami.  We're folding origami vampires!

How To Fold Easy Origami Vampires

(in 7 simple steps)

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Folding Origami Frankenstein Faces for Halloween

Lately I've been in the mood for easy Halloween crafts.   Recently I tried my hand at making this neat Frankenstein origami craft.  The results turned out so cool (and the actual folding was sooo easy) that I had to share it with you!

How to Fold an Origami Frankenstein Face

This post contains affiliate links.  This means I make a small portion off of any purchases made through the links at no additional cost to you.  Thank you for the grocery money!  For my full disclosure policy, click here.

Cute, Marbled Ghost Banner Craft

Looking for an easy and different Halloween craft for preschoolers?  Recently we made these marbled ghosts with friends.  The results were so cute that we turned the ghosts into a banner to hang over our fireplace for a pop of DIY Halloween decor. 

Want to try this boo-tiful craft too?  Read on!

Cute Halloween Ghost Banner Decoration

Squishy, Slimey, Squelchy Halloween Monster Slime (Only 3 Ingredients!)

So what are your thoughts on slime?  Love it?  Hate it?  We've made slime a handful of times before with mixed results.  (Sometimes we get slime... and sometimes we just get weird wet stuff.) 

Personally, I love the idea of slime... but I have mixed feelings about the mess that it entails.  Recently, I was sent a copy of The Slime Book to review and I jumped on the opportunity.  40 easy slime recipes all in one book?  Count me in. 

Authors Stacey and Jennifer share a ton of fun ideas, but with Halloween approaching, the orange Metamucil slime recipe caught my eye.  I added some googly eyes to their simple 2 ingredient recipe and boom.  Then, boom.  Instant slimey Halloween monster goodness.

Super Squishy and Slimey Halloween Monster Slime 

Note:  This post contains affiliate links.  This means I make a small bit of change when you purchase items through the links.  Thank you for your support and the grocery money! For my full disclosure policy, click here.

Oil Pastel Rock Monsters

These little rock monsters are super cute and fun to make around Halloween!  Just grab some rocks and oil pastels and you're ready to go!

Oil Pastel Rock Monsters

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Super Easy Origami Witch's Claws

Is it too early for Halloween themed crafts?  I don't think so!  These super cool origami witch claws are sure to get you and the kids in the Halloween spirit! 

How to Fold Super Easy Origami Witch Claws

Note:  This post contains affiliate links.  This means I make a small bit of change when you purchase items through the links.  Thank you for your support and the grocery money.  For my full disclosure policy, click here.

3D Optical Illusion Halloween Drawings

Have you seen those 3D hand drawings? They're amazing.  Awhile back I became really intrigued with them and made these 3D Optical Illusion Hearts using the same drawing technique.  Now that fall is in the air, I realized that this technique could be applied to Halloween too!  So here's a super easy Halloween activity to try out with your kids after school.  Doodle these 3D optical illusion pumpkins and kitties!

How to Draw 3D Optical Illusion Pumpkins and Cats

Haunted House and Ghost Paper Weaving

I love a good paper craft.  They're easy, quick to set up, and typically don't require too many materials.  Today's paper craft is a weaving one.  We're making a  Halloween-themed craft inspired by haunted houses and adorable ghosts.

Haunted House Paper Weaving

How to Fold Origami Monster Paper Claws

Ever think about making paper claws? Do you have a kid who loves Wolverine, cats, or monsters?  Then today's origami craft is for you!  We're taking a short departure from my typical uber-cute and colorful origami projects for some more ferocious ones.  RAWR! As a mom of two boys, our home is constantly the sight of roughhousing.   Both had a blast pretend fighting* with these easy-to-fold claws.  So grab two sheets of paper and let's get folding!

 (*And let's be honest, real fighting too... ack!  Summertime shenanigans currently abound over here...)

How To Fold Origami Paper Claws in 10 Steps

(Super, super easy and only requires 2 sheets of notebook paper!)

Easy Zentangle Pumpkins for Kids and Adults!

Recently I saw this super gorgeous and easy to draw zentangle spiderweb idea....  and I was so inspired, that we drew our own versions- zentangle pumpkins!   The process was so fun that I thought I'd sharing the idea here.

Easy Zentangle Pumpkins- Great Kids and Adult art activity!

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Halloween Doodle Art Challenge

We love doing easy Halloween activities together.  It's a great way to hang out as a family and celebrate the season! Today I'm sharing a really fun art activity that you should try out with the kids.  It's time for the....

Halloween Doodle Art Challenge!

Easy Script Name Skeletons

Some days you just need an easy and fun activity to bond with the kiddos.  Our household always feels hectic at this time of the year. (Ok, who am I kidding?  It feels hectic year round... Oy!)  So I came up with this fun Halloween activity to create and connect with my eldest son.   Lately he's been learning to write script letters, so he loved making his own Script Name Skeleton with me.

Handwriting Skeletons

Cute Cat, Pumpkin, and Skull Halloween Kirigami

Today I'm sharing three designs for cat, pumpkin, and Day of the Dead skull kirigami!  Awhile back we made these super easy Halloween paper chains from construction paper.  This year I upped the ante by creating designs that opened up like snowflakes.   Aren't they neat?  I love creating different fun snowflake designs so this paper craft was right up my alley!

Super Cute Halloween Kirigami Designs

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Play the Mixed-Up Monster Doodle Game!

Looking for an easy way to be creative and play with the kids?  Well here's a super easy low-prep art activity that's perfect for fall and Halloween- play the mixed up monsters doodle game with them!

Mixed-up Monster Doodle Game

Colorful and Glittery Skull Craft

In the midst of what is going on in our country, I almost feel hesitant to keep posting this week.  How can I write posts about crafts, Sharpie markers, and glitter when there is so much misunderstanding, hurt, and turmoil going on?

But you know what?  This blog is my happy place. And being creative and making things with my son makes me happy.  So I'm going to keep making and posting... even while we try to wrap my mind around everything that's going on.

That being said- this Halloween/ Dia De Los Muertos Craft is from awhile back.  We're keeping  the skulls up until Thanksgiving... so I figure I could still post about them here too.

This post contains affiliate links.  I make a small bit of money on any purchases made through the links.  Thank you for the grocery money!  For my full disclosure policy, click here.

Play Doh Dia De Los Muertos Sugar Skull Kids Craft

I love this time of year because we celebrate Hallowen and Dia De Los Muertos at the same time.  While I'm not Mexican, I do appreciate Dia De Los Muertos.  It's a good reminder to celebrate and remember those that are no longer with us.

Every year my son and I have done an easy craft to celebrate the holiday.  (You can find the whole list below.)  This year we tried an easy open-ended play doh sugar skull activity.  Gotta say, the results were pretty fabulous!

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Stapled Paper Pumpkins

Hi everyone! Sorry for the crickets around here.  We're in the midst of hosting family so things like crafting and blogging have taken a short hiatus.  Today I'm just popping in with this super easy Halloween Craft.  Simply grab staplers, hole punchers, markers, paper, and glue.  Then get to work making some funky paper pumpkins!