Easy DIY Summer Party Ideas on KSL

{Summer Party Tips For Any Gathering}

Thank-you summer.  Thank-you for bring the warmth of the sun, the cool of the pool, and the smell of the BBQ grill.

My fondest memories of childhood happened in the summertime. Family gatherings, beach trips, camping, picking berries...I think you all probably have similar feelings about summer. Now that I'm the "grown up" planning the event schedule for the summer I want my kids to love it as much as I did so I love to make each activity as easy and fun as possible.  

Over the years I have learned a few things about a having a successful summer party & I'm going to share a few of my favorite party activities with you! You will also be able to catch me on KSL Ch 5 in Salt Lake City (NBC affiliate) at 5:45 AM tomorrow morning talking about these fun ideas! 

{Easy Ideas for Any Outdoor Party}

Toad's Gathering Tip: Whether I'm in charge of a big family reunion or just getting together with friends,  I always like to have a little something ready to keep everyone busy and happy.  (For some great reunion ideas you can see my grandpa's 95th birthday party. My siblings, their wives, and my cousins are pretty amazing and had some pretty great things prepared!) 

Here are some of my most recent favorite summer party activities that are super easy, but have been big hits!

{Water Bottle Labels}

Bottle labels are the easiest way I know to add a little "party" to any party! 4th of July, sports team party, family reunions, birthdays...you name it, you can do it! These "Summer Party" printables are available from this previous post. Ah, I love summer. 

Sports Team Parties are another fun place to feature labels!

{Home Cotton Candy Machine}

Yes, a homemade cotton candy machine.  For Aidan's 5th birthday party last summer I ordered one off of Amazon for $40 and it was the hit of the party.  This is not the fastest cotton candy maker, but for a small crowd its a great fit. (If you have more than 15-20 people I would probably rent a big one.)

Joke: How many brother's does it take to make a serving of cotton candy? Answer: See picture below :)

{Water Fight Featuring Sponges!}

The staple of any summer fun is to have some sort of water fight.  If you don't want to worry about kids getting mad or hurt try these...sponges! They hold water you they make a good impact on your victim, but they don't hurt.  Another easy tip for any summer party. 

{DIY Huge Bubbles!}

Best ideas for any party. Seriously. Kids both young and old have the best time with these giant bubbles! Plus they are so easy to make!

These bubble makers are made of straws and string. Our ancestors would be proud. 

Yahoo! So fun! This was another hit at Aidan's birthday party last summer. Loved it.

Bubble Recipe
6 cups of water

1/2 cup blue Dawn dish detergent

1/2 cup corn starch

1 TBL baking powder

1 TBL Glycerine

Add all of the ingredients together and mix gently. Let set overnight.  Have the time of your life!

{Homemade Snow Cone Machine!}
Need I say more? Long gone are the days of the Snoopy Snow Cone Machine. Man, I love that thing as a kid...but boy was it SLOW!

This little gem makes cooling off in the summer so easy.  I don't know anyone who doesn't appreciate a snow cone.  Even my dad who is diabetic and make a nice slushy, put sugar-free syrup on it, and enjoy a treat with the rest of us!

Amazon: $25

{Happy Summer}
Whatever you do this summer...make it a fun adventure! Life's too short not to enjoy the simple things...right?!

XOXO, Toady
+Emily Ashby

Busy Parent Baby Products and Giveaway

{Hurry!}
When was the last time you felt rushed? Wait...are you trying to hurry and finish reading this right now? Um, you must be a typical busy, all-american tax paying person.   I won't waste any more of your time chatting and I'll get right to the point of this post which you might find helpful if you have a little one. Unique on the go parenting time/hassle saving gear AND a giveaway! 

{TV Time}
You can catch me on KSL Ch 5 (NBC affiliate in Salt Lake City) during the Noon news (Thursday May 29) to show off some of these great time saving and hassle saving gear...PLUS I'm giving away a Sachi Wipe Off Lunch Bag, Ulubulu Baby Bib, a MyDrinky Cup, and a pair of toddler NuFoot shoes! 



Just leave me a comment at the end of the post. Drawing will be June 1! 

1).  Ulubulu Baby Bib 

Cute, functional, and a fast clean up! I love that you can throw these right into the dishwasher.  Don't waste another minute wiping off those messy bibs! Plus, they are almost as cute as the baby who will wear it. :)

Features:
-100% silicone bibs, a non-toxic alternative to the
various plastic and vinyl bibs on the market. 
-Adjustable neck and nifty crumb-catching pocket
-11 different animal shaped stylesEach Ulubulu has an
.-Can be safely washed in the dishwasher or easily wiped clean. 

Cost: $9.99 ulubulu.com

2).  Inchbug Orbit Labels 

Put away the Sharpie. Who has time to labels every bottle you take out the door? Just throw these little personalized labels right onto your bottle or sippy cup and off you go!  The great things is that that can be easily cleaned in the dishwasher and reused over and over again.

Features:
-Personalized, non-adhesive, reusable.    
-Stretchy,elastic design allows it to snugly fit around or "orbit" a container, but
can simply be taken off when not needed.  
-Works on drink containers, sports bottles, as well as common other items like flashlights and other gadgets.  

Cost: $12.95 per 4-pack ($13.95 for 3D icon option)  inchbug.com

3).  MyDrinky 
If you've never had a juice box spill you have my permission to scroll right past this next one.  Ha. My guess is that you are still reading.  (Did the thought of your last car ride come to mind?) :) This next product is a quick and easy way to prevent a time sucking mess from happening.  The MyDrinky cup.

Features:
-Adjustable juice box holder that easily securesany size juice/milk box or pouch making it easy for kids to drink withoutcausing a mess from squeezing it.  
-Easily adjusts to fit the smallest 4 oz boxes and pouches up to the larger 8 oz versions. 
-Unique 2-piece system locks into place, keeping the juice box/pouch from falling out.  

Cost: $5.95 inchbug.com

4).  Nufoot 
Let's talk about those fast food indoor place places. They want your kids to wear their socks but if they do then they can't run up the slides. Solution: Nufoot.  These little booties have a little traction and you may actually get out of the restaurant without that extra million germs picked up from your child's feet. (The anti-bacterial gel will have to do for the hands.:) 

Features:
-Made from comfy but sturdy neoprene, they are water and germ resistant.  
-Light-weight and skid resistant soles. 
-The 4-way stretch neoprene fabric accommodates growing feet, stretching as your child grows,
staying comfortably snug at all times.  

Cost: $12.99 - $14.99 depending on style www.nufoot.com

5).  Sachi Insulated Food Handbags 

Large and in charge. These new Sachi Food Handbags will let you bring all of your lunches to the park and still keep it cool! No need to waste time packing 5 separate lunches...all of the food will fit in this easy to carry bag!

Features:-Insulated lunch bags with many designs to choose from.
-Roomy enough to double as a handbag,while effectively keeping food hot or cold as desired.  
-Easily wipes clean with a damp cloth.  

Cost: $5.99 - $27.99 sachi-bags.com

Now, what will you do with all of that time you saved? I know what's on my "if I had more time" wish list...a nice, fat nap. :)

Don't forget to enter to win! 

+Emily Ashby