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How to Host a Successful Toy Swap With Your Friends, Family and Neighbors

November 19, 2015 by

If your children are too old for their current toys but you can’t bear to simply toss them out, you may be interested in hosting a toy swap with fellow parents. A toy swap enables you to swap your child’s old or unused toys with those of other children, bringing home a whole new haul of toys without spending a penny. Here are a few tips to help you pull off a successful toy swap.

  1. Create a list of guests. Try to pick guests who you feel comfortable with, who have children in varying ages, and who live fairly close to one another.
  2. Choose the perfect location. Because of the group of people and the large amount of toys, you’ll need to hold the swap in a large, fairly spacious room. If you don’t have this type of space in your own home, see if someone else would be willing to lend their living room.
  3. Send out invitations and guidelines. Emailing invitations seems to be the most convenient way to get the word out, so include a list of guidelines for the swap at that time. Describe what types of toys to bring, if they should be cleaned beforehand, how many toys to bring, and if there are any items that you won’t accept.
  4. Make it fun. Set out snacks, make sure everyone understands the rules, and keep things light-hearted!

How To Organize a Toy Swap or Toy Exchange [About Parenting]
How to Host a Toy Swap [30 Handmade Days]
How to Throw a Toy Exchange [Shareable]

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Safety First! Read These Safety Tips Before You Carve Pumpkins

October 22, 2015 by

Carving pumpkins is a fun fall activity that’s full of history, which makes it easy to forget that it’s also a fairly dangerous craft that involves knives. You don’t have to forbid the kids from carving pumpkins, however, you just need to take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety!

  1. Invest in a kit. Instead of using any old kitchen knife, invest in a pumpkin carving kit (usually sold online or in craft stores). The knives in this kit are a bit duller and smaller, which makes it easier for children to control them while carving.
  2. Be alert. Even if your kids are old enough to carve on their own, always keep a close eye on the process in case any slip-ups happen.
  3. Don’t remove the top. Though many people cut the top off of the pumpkin and remove the insides before carving, this makes it very tempting for a child to reach their hand inside while carving. Instead, carve the pumpkin first and remove the seeds after.
  4. Use an alternate craft for very young children. If your children are still toddlers, they’re too young to carve. Instead, supply them with harmless paintbrushes and some acrylic paints to decorate their own pumpkins.

Safe Halloween pumpkin carving [Consumer Reports]
Easy Pumpkin Carving: Safety Tips [Parent Dish]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

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