The time to set our clocks back is coming soon now that the long days of summer are over. Smartphones keep most of us on time no matter if we are springing forward to Daylight Savings Time, or falling back to Standard time. But, for some of us, if we don’t pay attention, the jump by an hour may come as a sudden surprise regardless of whether we live by our smartphones or not.

While I’m preparing for that move back an hour as winter arrives, I need to find a way to help my kids become accustomed to the time change too. “Alphamom” has thought of a few ways to get your kids involved in the time change routine by exploring the fun of Daylight Savings Crafts. The process of catching onto what may be a difficult concept for many kids can be more easily broken down with an educational and creative art activity.

My favorite idea from this website is the Spring Forward cards. The same concept can be applied for Fall Back to Standard Time. Print out these little cards for your children to decorate and pass out to friends and family.

DIY Fall Back Reminder Cards

What You’ll Need

• Cardstock
• A printer
• Pipe cleaners
• Markers, crayons, pencils, gel pens, or paint
• Anything else you’d like to use to decorate such as glitter glue or stickers
• Scissors

Card Assembly Steps

1. Using a word processing or other appropriate program on your computer, create a template for a small card that your children can decorate. The template provided by Alpha Mom features the words “Spring Forward!” at the top, and a reminder at the bottom: “Don’t forget to set your clock an hour earlier on Sunday.” You can follow the same pattern but with wordage that’s appropriate for Fall.
2. Print your template out and cut out the cards.
3. Let your children cut out small circles and create clocks to attach to the cards.
4. Wrap pipe cleaners around a pencil or pen to create a spring/coil effect
5. Glue or tape the pipe cleaner to the front of the card and the back of the clock to create a bouncy, springy effect.
6. Let the kids decorate the clocks and cards with crayons, markers, stickers… whatever inspires their creativity

Tips for Extra Punches of Originality

An easy way to give this particular craft some colorful flare is by using unconventional materials or effects that fit with a fall inspired theme.

Go Bold With Black

If we’re getting ready for shorter days and longer nights, why not accentuate that theme with black paper and vibrant neons or metallic writing materials? Mystery Metallic Gel Crayons are a beautiful way to decorate a pitch dark night sky made from black coloring paper. A card made with these pops of vibrant, glittery color will be sure to get everyone in the mood for fall while giving them a reminder card they won’t forget.

Try Metallics for Fall Flare

Another stunning way to decorate your card for adults and children alike is to use Modern Metallics Colored Pencils. Use glimmery reds, rusts, and golds to highlight the crispness of fall colored leaves. Or try covering the card first in a misty background of sparkly color created by Sparkle Watercolor Gel Crayons before adorning your card with fall leaves on top.

Whatever method you choose to create the look, these cards are the perfect way to teach your children about the complicated concept of Daylight Savings time. And they’ll have a ton of fun passing them out so that you and all of your family and friends will be reminded and prepared!

When you’re expecting a new family member, one of the first concerns that comes to mind is finances. From diapers and baby food to checkups and babysitting fees, there are not just heavy expenses but several expenses that add up quickly. Are you financially prepared?

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Summer is fast approaching.

It is time to start making our plans and finalizing booking for accommodations.

Does last years bathing suit still fit?

Is car tuned up?

Does everyone have there designated duckie floaty?

Yes, even mom can enjoy a duckie floaty.

Most summer activities take place outdoors, so reasonably that is what we need to be prepared for.

Will you go to the beach, lake, water parks, backyard, or a city park?

One of our biggest concerns is, how can we stay safe and keep our family safe while having the most fun?

Preparing yourself

Many babies are born during the summer and it can be exhausting on the expecting mother carrying extra weight in the heat and the extra heat your body produces.

It is critical if pregnant to have all doctors, emergency information, hospital locations, and in case of any birth emergency having the contact information for CPR Law in Philadelphia readily available.

If you are not expecting, you still need to make sure you are ready for the energy level children (and yes a husband) have when entering into a fun situation.

This means taking care of yourself so that you are not sick, tired, and ready to paste sunscreen on little noses.

Preparing for the family

For on the go summer fun have a safety bag in your car, a mini go bag.

Some items that I keep in mine are all doctors contact information, a copy of insurance cards, first aid kit,

sunscreens, aloe vera, pain medicines, small amounts of normally taken medicine by any family member, benadryl, towles, compact beach blanket, water, non-perishable snacks, or anything else you feel your family might specifically need.

Associates

So now your car is ready and you have a destination in mind but then what about association?

My husband and I are very close.

My friends are his friends and he knows what friends we have that may be crazy, kid friendly, the family with 6 kids that at least one gets a broken limb a year, or just not right for the adventures we are going to have.

We are the family that all goes together, with the father who plays along with the kids and keeps games safe and fun.

With kids it is good to always be prepared as they are full of the unexpected.

I am know as being “the woman who always has everything’’ and it has literally saved lives.

Enjoy Summer!

Life can be stressful enough when things get financially tough, but when you have kids, especially of the younger variety, that stress can get a whole lot worse. What’s more, the usual home entertainment never seems to cut it when it matters most. While same day lending is available in the case of a financial emergency, keeping the kids entertained when you’re short on money is an art that parents are eager to learn. Here, we’ve pulled together a list of five free things to do with your kids that they will actually enjoy.

• Make The Most Of Your Garden

If you have a garden, front or back, then make the absolute best of it that you possibly can. Whether it’s breaking out the gardening equipment and teaching the little ones the art of perfect planting, or you set up the sprinklers during the hotter days and watch them jump around while you eagerly sip a cold drink, you can ‘spruce up’ your garden easily. If all else fails, set up a picnic in the garden for a fun way to enjoy your lunch! The fresh air will be good for them, and you get to spend some time together as a family.

• Conduct A Science Experiment

Science is cool, right? Whether you actually agree with that statement or not, your kids will – at least, they will when you break out the science experiments. Mentos and Coke is a classic. Any kid will love to watch as the coke fizzes up and spurts everywhere! For something a little cleaner, you could build parachutes for toys from paper or plastic bags to see which float and which don’t. There are plenty of experiments you can find online with things you’ll have right there at home, and your kids will love watching the reactions!

• Cook Something

There’s nothing better than mixing up a cake, eating half the batter, then cooking the rest and getting to eat all of that too – and don’t even get us started on the icing. If you have kids who love being in the kitchen with you, why not get them involved? Whether you opt for something simple like cakes or biscuits, or you get them to help with dinner, there’s plenty you can do to teach them about nutrition too. Why not get them to make up their own pizzas, or have more choice over what goes in their burger?

• Take Them To An Animal Shelter

If your children are fans of animals but you can’t afford a pet of your own, you could visit your local animal shelter! Most animal shelters are always happy to accommodate anyone wanting to look around and play with the animals for a while, but always check before you go! You’ll need nerves of steel, though – just think about all of those literal puppy eyes looking in your direction, including your kids.

• Set Up A Movie Night

As fun as a trip to the cinema can be, it can also be expensive. While the tickets might start off cheap, the transport, snacks and more can add up quickly and turn into quite the expensive trip out. Instead, why not set up a movie night at home? You can set up pillows, blankets, snacks and drinks and put on some of your kid’s favourite movies to keep them occupied for a while. It’s valuable family time and valuable quiet time!

Keeping your kids entertained doesn’t have to be as much of a struggle as it may initially seem. Finding something they actually enjoy is a battle worth fighting, and hopefully our list has given you a good place to start.