Memorial Day weekend is almost here, kicking off the Summer and a time to celebrate our servicemen and women. Make your day off from the daily grind special by getting crafty with your kids and creating something patriotic to display in your home. From seriously simple activities to projects that are perfect for older tots, this roundup of red, white, and blue crafts is perfect for showing your love of the great USA.
10 Fun Books For Introducing Shapes
From everyday objects to the wonders of nature, shapes are found all around. Hone your tot's shape-recognition skills during story time with one of these fun and educational books. Reading together encourages language skills and is also a great opportunity for a nice snuggle, making these age-appropriate books a fun way to bond as well as educate. Click through this collection of 10 shape-filled books perfect for little ones.
Instagram Challenge: Your Best Halloween Costume Pictures
We know you found the perfect pumpkin in our last Instagram challenge, so now we want to see all of your adorable Halloween costume pictures! From celebrating at All Hallows' Eve parties to heading out for a night of trick-or-treating fun, we hope you grabbed your phone, and snapped pictures of your tot dressed in Halloween garb. Now it's time to upload them to Instagram — being sure to include the hashtag #lilsugar in your caption. We want to see all the cute and spook-tacular lil goblins.

We'll pick our favorites and share them back here on LilSugar in the coming days. And make sure to follow LilSugar on Instagram (username: lilsugar1) for daily parenthood inspiration!
Super Cute! 8 Girlie-Girl Dresses For Any Occasion
It doesn't have to be a special occasion for your sweet girl to don a cute frock. And these dresses are lovely all year round for wearing to parties, walking the aisle as a flower girl, or dressing up for holiday dinners. From flowered prints to sparkles, these dresses are age appropriate and simply adorable. Layer with soft sweaters or thick tights during the cooler months, or pair with simple sandals when the weather is nice and warm. Click through for some super-cute festive dresses.
How Calming: 8 Soothing Lullaby CDs For Babes
Lull your lil one to dreamland with soothing lullabies that fit with every style of music. From soft jazz to sweet renditions of your favorite rock tunes, these lullaby CDs are perfect gifts for baby showers and new moms. Not only do these lullabies soothe babies, but also, they introduce them to new styles of music and ethnic beats. Click through to find the perfect collection of lullabies for cuddling up with your newborn.
14 Halloween Costumes to Make From a Cardboard Box
Halloween is right around the corner, and along with awesome handmade costume options and go-to choices from big-box stores, you can also get crafty and make your own from something you probably have hanging out in the garage: a cardboard box!
These box costumes definitely stand out from the rest and are easier to put together than you think. But if DIY isn't your thing, we've even found a few cardboard costumes you can purchase ready-made. Along with being really special, these costumes are eco-friendly and a great way to repurpose old boxes into a cool costume this Halloween. Click through for some cardboard box costume inspirations and easy-to-follow directions.
80 of the Best Kid-Friendly Recipes
Kids love macaroni and cheese, pizza, and lasagna, but the same old recipe gets boring for kids and adults. Mix things up with reinvented recipes and spins on the traditional and try one of these dishes. Tried and tested by moms, these recipes are sure to become new family favorites — from 30-minute pasta recipes to slow-cooker dishes that take only minutes of prep work. Invite your child into the kitchen to help make one of these quick and easy kid-friendly recipes tonight.
Tips and Tricks For Halloween Face Painting Success
Along with wearing adorable Halloween costumes, this is the time of year for fun face paint. From cute kitties to scary monsters, doing your tot's face paint is easier than you think — with the right design, the face paint itself could be all the costume your tot needs. With a bit of patience and planning, you can pull off any of these amazing looks. Click through for tips, ideas, and must-have products for successful face painting this Halloween.
So Sweet: 8 Wall Decals For Girls' Rooms
Transform your sweet girl's room with adorable wall decals that instantly turn a plain wall into something special. Wall decals are durable and can be repositioned and reused without damaging walls. Perfect for nursery-room walls or for updating big-girl rooms, these wall decals are seriously sweet, totally cool, and can even be personalized to match your lil one's room decor.
Scent of the Season: Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments
Celebrate the Fall season with homemade scented ornaments made from fragrant cinnamon and applesauce. Your lil one will love stirring and mixing this fun dough together and then rolling and cutting out shapes and designs. Hang the dried ornaments from plants or in a window to help usher in the season or just to scent your home. Your child can use cookie cutters or a craft needle to make her own unique shapes.
20 of the Best Toddler Crafts For Little Hands
If you've got a busy toddler, then this collection of arts and crafts is perfect for keeping little hands occupied. Even if you're not a crafty mama, these projects are easy and not too messy. Along with honing fine motor development and your lil one's imagination, these crafts will leave your tot with creative artwork to share with loved ones or display around the home. Click through to find fun projects to make with your lil one.
Spook-tacular Eats: Fun and Easy Halloween Dinner Recipes
Make Halloween even more exciting with a quick and easy dinner to enjoy before heading out for a night of trick-or-treating fun. Whether heading to a party or hitting the neighborhood with the kids, these recipes are tasty for children of all ages and have a bit of a Halloween edge. From spooky snacks to sweet treats, these Halloween dinner recipes are ready to fill you up before a night of spook-tacular adventures.
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese With Prosciutto and Peas
We know macaroni and cheese is a kid favorite, and smart mamas love how quick and easy it is to prepare straight from the box. But that cheesy brand might not be the healthiest option for family dinner. Try your hand at making homemade macaroni and cheese that's so easy you may never reach for the boxed stuff again. Adding prosciutto and peas kicks this recipe up a notch, making it a favorite for the entire family.
Etsy Finds: Handmade Wooden Toys For Tots
Your little one will treasure playing with these handmade wooden toys that are seriously unique. All made from fabulous Etsy sellers, these affordable playthings are cool and fun for kids of all ages. From building blocks to colorful lacing flowers, all these gadgets are made to order for little hands. Adults will have a fun time checking out these toys too!
Instagram Challenge: Your Adorable Pumpkin Patch Pictures
There's definitely a chill in the air, making a trip to the pumpkin patch a true Fall treat. From lil ones checking out their first pumpkins to seasoned pros scoping out the best gourd, thank you for sharing your family's best pumpkin gathering pictures. We've rounded up your great Instagram pictures to help get you in the Halloween spirit. If you're still unsure of what to do with all your tot's pumpkin picks, check out our no-carve pumpkin ideas perfect for accomplishing with little ones. And don't go far, our next Instagram challenge is right around the corner, and it's going to be spook-tacular!
Keep Him Warm: Adorable Baby Boy Socks
We gathered together a few of our favorite baby girl socks, and now it's time for the boys. From cozy, soft anklets to vibrantly colored knits, these baby socks will keep your tot's toes nice and warm. If your little one isn't excited about wearing shoes, soft socks are perfect for crawling around the house or for an exciting trip to the grocery store. Click through for a fun collection of baby boy socks made just for your little man.
7 Cozy Maternity Sweaters to Wrap Up Fall Baby Bumps
Keep your bump nice and warm this chilly season with a cozy maternity sweater. Rather than feeling frumpy, these comfortable maternity sweaters are seriously fashionable, keeping you nice and warm without adding extra bulk where you don't want it. Layer with a funky tee or long-sleeved shirt and you're ready for a lovely Fall stroll or a special night out. Click through to find the perfect sweater to wrap up in as the temperature drops.
Fun With Science: The Incredible Bouncing Egg
Amaze your tot with a fun and exciting science experiment using a simple egg. She'll love observing the changes the egg goes through during this scientific exploration and learn more about basic concepts such as liquids and solids. Even though this incredible bouncing egg won't stand up to hours of play, it's worth it to see your tot's face checking out the springy egg with this really cool science activity.
Seriously Smitten! Adorable Handmade Mittens For Tots
When the temperature drops, the first thing mom wants to cover is her lil one's fingers — but keeping them on is a completely different story. Handmade mittens may be just the solution to keeping them on. Handmade mittens are wonderfully unique, making them one-of-a kind gifts that are perfect for tots. Soft mittens are durable and fun, allowing your kids to enjoy hours of outdoor play during the cooler months. From fingerless wrist warmers to pairs shaped like cute animals, this collection of handmade mittens is so adorable.
Sweet and Savory Pumpkin Recipes the Whole Family Will Love
Pumpkin is popping up everywhere these days — lattes, doughnuts, and more! But you don't have to head to Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts to taste the sweet gourd. We've found main dishes and delicious desserts loaded with real pumpkin, making them healthy options compared to everything else out there. Along with having a naturally sweet flavor, pumpkin is packed with antioxidants, vitamins C and A, and protein. Toss together a creamy pasta dish or bake a batch of pumpkin cupcakes that will have your family asking for more. Click through for our favorite pumpkin recipes perfect for Fall.















