Tip of the Day: Make Slides More Fun

If your kids have tired of that expensive playground set you bought them, make the slide even more fun by giving them each a large piece of wax paper. If they sit on the paper as they’re going down the slide, they’ll move much faster, and they’ll never call it boring again (or at least for a few weeks).

Tip of the Day: Instant Water Toys

If you’re looking for a cheap and practical toy for kids, thoroughly wash old ketchup, salad dressing, and shampoo bottles and let the kids use them to play in the swimming pool or bathtub. They’re also a good way to wash shampoo out of hair at bathtime.

Tip of the Week: Free Coloring Pages

Check out www.free-coloring-pages.com and you'll never have to buy a coloring book again! They feature printable coloring and activity pages for kids including holiday themes, popular cartoon characters, and more.

Must-Visit Site of the Week: Orientaltrading.com

While Oriental Trading may not have the most PC name, it does have fantastic deals on crafts, decorations, and large quantities of toys. If you're having a kids party, this is the must-visit site for goodie bags. For example, $25 for 50 glow bracelets, $8 for 72 sticky lizards, $9 for 48 yo-yos with snowflakes printed on them, and more.

Oriental Trading also has tons of fun decorations, and today, of course, begins their sale on Halloween decorations, so act fast if you want a cheap head on a platter for next year. Check their sale section for more deals on decorations for birthdays, baby showers, and more.

Right now, the site is running a contest to win $500 in Oriental Trading gift cards. You can enter every day, so check back frequently! They are also offering a FREE subscription to Martha Stewart Living (or an extension if you already subscribe) and free shipping if you spend $50. Not a bad deal!