FREE Printables for Kids! Fun Ways to Entertain at Home

WELCH'S 

It looks like certain areas are going to start reopening on May 1st, if what I saw online today is to be believed. Are we ready? Who can say for sure. I know schools put a LOT of work into the online atmosphere, so I honestly thought kids would be home the rest of the school year. I just read, however, that the governor for our state wants schools opened in the second phase of getting back to 'business as usual' so if that's before school ends, so be it. Even so, kids are still home now, and they like different things to do each day for entertainment. Welch's was kind enough to give me some links to share with you: Free Printables and games for the kids (BINGO, Mazes, Word Searches, Matching Games, Crossword Puzzles and Coloring Pages)! It's always nice to have a few extra tricks up your sleeve for entertainment. I know my kids always liked these kinds of things when they were little. Thank you Welch's!

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WELCH'S ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE KIDS!

Extreme Oceans by Sylvia A. Earl

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions stated are genuine and my own.

"The crab that I held in my hands could barely move. It wasn't old. It wasn't diseased. It as smothered in black, tarry oil." That is an excerpt from the book I am reading right now, Extreme Oceans from National Geographic Kids. Of course anything running under the National Geographic name is quality material, so it was no surprise to us that this would be too. My favorite thing about it is the information that it is giving, but I also love that it speaks to you conversationally. It is written from the viewpoint of Sylvia A. Earle, the National Geographic Explorer who wrote the book. 

While the book is informative (and it is informative) it is also a call to action. For instance, it helps children see the importance behind things they are told not to do. There is a page about the dangers of plastic bags when they fall into, or are thrown into, the ocean. There is a huge picture of a plastic bag on the water, and how it looks from below. Well, to the fish (and to me when I am looking at that picture) it looks like a jellyfish. If you are a hungry fish that eats jellies, there is no danger warning that is going to go off to let you know what you are about to consume. Seeing the connections and having the visual to go along with them really helps drive the information home. 

The book is 110 pages and is recommended for children ages 8-12, but of course anyone can enjoy this kind of presentation. 

Discover the most outrageous aspects of the deep blue---from record-breaking depths to towering tsunamis, underwater giants to tiny sea creatures--along with ocean conservation challenges and what you can do to help.

Dive into a world of aquatic mystery in this action-packed combination of science and adventure. Famed National Geographic Explorer Sylvia Earle leads readers on an in-depth tour of life beneath the waves. Come face-to-face with whales and sharks, learn about the newest and most hi-tech ocean gear and gadgets, experiment with hands-on activities, and join Earle as she recounts her most daring dives. Packed with fascinating tidbits, animal profiles, and up-to-date science, each chapter combines stunning photography with fun, accessible text. Perfect for curious kids, ocean lovers, young explorers, and the classroom. Extreme Ocean reveals the mystery, majesty, danger, and--above all--the importance of our ocean.

Extreme Oceans from National Geographic Kids is available in retail stores. It is also available online, including at Amazon. If you are looking for something to do, and reading is on that list, I highly recommend it.

Playmobil Mermaid Cove with Illuminated Dome Giveaway

Disclosure: A sample was received. All opinions stated are genuine and my own.

My oldest granddaughter's birthday is in May, and I know this Playmobil Mermaid Cove with an Illuminated Dome is just the kind of toy that sends her over the moon. So, as a grandma who spoils her grandbabe twice a year (her birthday and Christmas, no regrets!) I think it should, of course, be wrapped up for her, and placed alongside her birthday cake (which will also be a mermaid or a unicorn, I suspect). She is at that perfect age where she can take a toy like this and turn it into a whole new world of fun and make-believe, and I know this one will keep us occupied for quite a long time, and on multiple visits.

Welch's Fruit Snacks also Come Inside of Easter Eggs!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions stated are genuine and my own.

Every year, for quite awhile now, I've talked about Welch's Fruit Snacks with a holiday theme to put in our Easter Baskets. This year, while I am certainly doing the same, I want to talk about the big egg packaging!! I love that it's a lot bigger than a traditional Easter Egg because that means we can use it as the 'prize egg' or the egg the kids turn in to get something bigger (I remember when a handful of pennies was such a huge delight!). Though the prizes have gotten more sophisticated in our house (my middle-schooler doesn't love pennies anymore, but the joy of finding eggs, especially if he is lucky enough to get the prize egg, is still a big deal). In years past, we have used a golden egg. I think it's time to switch things up a bit and use this Welch's Fruit Snack egg instead. Since we will not be socializing this year for the holiday, the egg hunt at home will be even more special because other activities outside of the house will not be happening (and if they were, we certainly wouldn't go because for this pandemic, I believe 'safe is better than sorry' applies in many ways).