(As an Amazon affiliate I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you).

Our Favorite Easter Books

The Classic Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter HERE

Ten Little Bunnies: A Magical Counting Storybook by Amanda Sobotka HERE

How to Catch the Easter Bunny by Adam Wallace HERE

Happy Easter, Mouse! (If You Give…) by Laura Numeroff HERE

The Good Egg Presents: The Great Eggscape! by Jory John HERE

True Meaning of Easter: Religious Easter book for kids about Jesus by Melissa Wingo HERE

The Donkey Who Carried a King by R.C. Sproul HERE

Marshmallow: An Easter and Springtime Book for Kids by Clare Turlay Newberry HERE

Little Blue Truck’s Springtime by Alice Schertle HERE

Too Many Carrots by Katy Hudson HERE

Happy Easter, Little Pookie by Sandra Boynton HERE

Easter is Coming! by Tama Fortner HERE

Little Blue Bunny by Erin Guendelsberger HERE

Home for a Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown HERE

The Little Rabbit by Nicola Killen HERE

Here Comes the Easter Cat by Deborah Underwood HERE

E is for Easter by Greg Paprocki HERE

A Little Chick by Rosalee Wren HERE

Check Out My Other Book Lists:

The post Best Easter Books for Young Children appeared first on Burnt Pancakes.

Traveling with kids can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it also comes with its unique set of challenges. From managing their behavior to ensuring they are comfortable and entertained throughout the journey, parents need a well-thought-out plan. Lowering your expectations, packing strategically, and embracing flexibility are some of the keys to a successful family adventure. Here are some essential travel tips to help you make the most of your trips with kids:

Katie’s 10 Tips for Traveling with Kids

1. Lower Your Expectations in Regards to Behavior

It’s essential to realize that your kids’ behavior might not be picture-perfect during the trip. Traveling can be overwhelming for young ones, as they are exposed to new environments and routines. Lower your expectations and be prepared for distractions and tiredness. Remember, it’s all part of the adventure!

2. Snacks, Snacks, and More Snacks!

Snacks are a lifesaver when traveling with kids. Opt for easy-to-carry and non-messy options like Gold Fish Crackers or granola bars. Avoid items that melt, especially in warmer climates. Also, keep in mind that salty snacks can make kids thirstier, so try to balance with hydrating options. Don’t forget to pack snacks for those long queues at amusement parks to keep everyone’s energy up or for the hours you might spend buckled on a plane ride!

3. Potty Train Before the Big Trip

As a certified potty trainer, I always recommend to clients to start the potty training process at least three weeks to a month before your trip or wait until you return. However, even after the initial training period, accidents may still happen. Be understanding and patient while vacationing, and always carry a travel potty, extra clothes, and a mattress cover.

My favorite Potty Training Travel Options:

Foldable Travel Toilet Lid – Get it HERE Use code Katie10 for 10% off

OXO Tot Travel Potty – Get it HERE

4. Be Flexible with Sleep

Sleep routines can get disrupted during travel, but it’s essential to be flexible. Kids might take car naps or nap in a carrier, and sometimes bedtime might need to be adjusted. To maintain a consistent sleep environment, consider using a sound machine, a slumber pod, or portable blackout curtains to help them sleep better. And we’ve even put the pack-n-play in the closet to create a dark sleeping environment for our kids.

Favorite Items for Travel Sleep

Slumber Pod click HERE

Traveling Sound Machine linked HERE

Portable Blackout Curtains click HERE

5. Flying Tips

When flying with kids, consider boarding last to minimize the time spent on the plane. While lap infants don’t need a seat until age 2 but some parents will purchase an extra ticket for more space. Be sure to pack entertainment like interactive books, puzzles, and games to keep them occupied. iPads with pre-downloaded content can also be a savior during long flights. Get a list of our favorite airplane toys that we have travel with HERE.

Pack essentials like extra clothes for both kids and parents, as accidents can happen at any time. Bring along activities that can keep kids engaged, such as reusable puffy stickers, water painting sets, and sticker puzzle books. Interactive games like “Spot it” can be great for family fun.

6. Utilize Delivery Services

Consider using delivery services like Instacart to have diapers and your kids’ favorite snacks snacks delivered to your destination. It saves valuable luggage space and ensures you have the necessary supplies upon arrival.

7. Safety First

Practice safety measures by teaching your child your phone number or writing it with a sharpie on their hand or arm. In crowded places, if they get separated from you, instruct them say where they are and to find a family or a worker if they get separated.

8. Consider Kid-Friendly Transportation

Look into kid-friendly transportation options like Kidmoto, which is like an Uber service specifically designed for children. This can make your travel experience more comfortable and convenient as well as provide car seats for your travels.

9. Plan Trips with Other Families

Traveling with other families can be a fantastic idea. It provides kids with playmates and gives parents a chance to share responsibilities, making the trip more enjoyable for everyone.

10. Take the Trip!

Don’t hesitate to embark on new adventures with your kids. The memories you create as a family are priceless and last a lifetime.

Even if your kids don’t remember every detail of the trip, the experiences you share together are precious, and you will remember them which is important too. Seeing your child hugging Mickey or exploring a new culture will etch beautiful memories in your heart forever.

Traveling with kids can be both exciting and challenging. By preparing ahead, staying flexible, and embracing the unpredictability, you can create unforgettable family adventures. Remember that the joy of exploring the world with your children far outweighs any minor inconveniences. So, go ahead, pack your bags, and embark on new journeys together, creating memories that will stay with you and your kids for a lifetime! Happy travels!

Listen to More Episodes of the Burnt Pancakes Podcast:

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I want things that I know my boys will actually use but toys also need to be tough because my boys are very rough on their toys.

I have put together a list of our favorite gifts. These are toys that my boys have played with the most but that have also lasted at least a year in our house without break (if you know my boys, you will know that this is a very hard thing to ask).

My Ultimate List of Toys for Boys That Will Actually Get Played With and Last at Least a Year

As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. All these items are things that we personally own and have use.

Brio Train Set

This is the absolute best toy train brand. Brio is a bit of an investment (this was the kit that we first started with) but I can honestly say that my boys play with this so much. The best part is that you can start with a small set and build on it through birthday and Christmas lists. My 3 year old is obsessed with these.

No Mess Paint Sticks

I love these No Mess Paint sticks. They are so fun for little kids to use, giving the same look of painting, but without the materials and mess to clean up. They are great for all ages too as my 8 year old still loves using them.

Melissa and Doug Interactive Dashboard and Steering Wheel

We found this gift at a local toy shop downtown and it was a HUGE hit. We gave it to my youngest when he was 2 but can honestly say that all three of my boys will play with it. It has gotten more use than I could have ever imagined.

Large Garbage Truck Toy

We have had this trash truck for almost 4 years now and can honestly say that we still haven’t lost the trash cans. My boys love filling the cans up with their lego pieces dumping them into the trash truck.

Bruder Fire Truck

If you have boys that play rough with their trucks then you NEED to invest in the Bruder brand. Like the Brio trains, these are a bit pricey but our firetruck is over 2 years old and has every piece still intact (and I can admit that I have seen this truck tossed off our play set more than once). I love that it has realistic parts including a working hose and adjustable ladder.

Sandbox Excavator

My boys LOVE this toy. We have had it over two years and even though it has been outside in our backyard the whole time, it is still in great condition! This is such a cool toy for any truck loving boy.

Melissa and Doug Ice Cream Set

Believe it or not, but this might be my 3 year old’s favorite toy at the moment. I have had to “eat” lots of ice cream since my 5 year old got this for his birthday, but I love the imaginative play that it creates.

Cash Register

Who knew a cash register would be such a hit, but pair it with the ice cream set and you’ve got yourself the perfect gift combo. My boys have played with this thing for hours.

Magnetic Tiles

What children’s play room isn’t complete without Magnetic Tiles? These things are amazing and I am blown about by the things my boys are able to create every time.

Spot It!

The Spot It! game is AMAZING! To this day I still don’t know how it works every time but these are soooo fun. The object is to be the first to find the matching animals on each card and shout Spot It! There are so many variations too. We have the Spot It! Jr, Camping Spot It! and Cubs Baseball Spot It! versions.

Outfoxed

I am a huge fan of cooperative games (anything to eliminate the fighting in my house) and this one is a favorite. Think of this as Clue for kids. Players work together to use clues to determine which suspect fox is the actual thief.

Race to the Treasure

Another amazing cooperative game is Race to the Treasure. Players work together to create a path to the treasure before the Ogre makes it to the end.

Smart Farmer Game

This is a lesser known game but is perfect for my puzzle loving 5 year old (heck, my kids caught my husband and I playing the “challenging” level). The object is to put up the fences to separate the animals according to a certain diagram. It may seem like a children’s game but it’s actually a great challenge for all ages.

Story Time Chess

We introduced the game of Chess using Story Time Chess to my oldest when he was 5. It is such a great game to teach kids step-by-step the moves of each piece. I wasn’t sure if a young child could learn to play chess but this game proved me wrong.

Catan Jr.

Talk about a game that you won’t mind playing with your kids. This Junior version of the popular Catan board game is a must for your house. It involves strategy and planning with a little dash of adventure as players race to buy and build ships and lairs before their opponents do.

Taco vs. Burrito

My 8 year old son gets the biggest kick out of this game every time we play. It’s perfect for this age.

Ninja Slack Line

This ninja slack line has been a huge hit. We put this up in our backyard and my boys love playing with it. My 8 year old especially has gotten a lot of use out of it.

Bird and Squirrel Graphic Novel Book 1

Bird and Squirrel Graphic Novel Set books 1-6

The Bird and Squirrel series by James Burke is probably my favorite graphic novel if not favorite books to read with my kids. The bird and squirrel characters have the best personalities and go on some crazy adventures each one ending with a wonderful moral about friendship and teamwork. One thing I love most about these books though is the fact that you can actually read them aloud easily unlike other graphic novels. Book 7 just came out and it is already on my 8 year olds list.

Bath Bombs Dinosaurs

Ninja Bath Bombs

You may be surprised to find bath boys on a gift guide list for boys, but these things have been a major hit in our house. My boys will beg me to take a bath because they love these things so much. We’ve gotten both the ninja set and the dinosaur set. They make really great stocking stuffers too.

The post Best Gift for Boys Ages 2-10 appeared first on Burnt Pancakes.

This year I signed up as Team Mom.Yikes! I didn’t know what I was in for. On top of all the paperwork collecting, fundraising is a huge part. We provide all the players with game socks, a hat, sweatshirt and end of the season banquet, so fundraising is necessary.

Of course we got busy finding sponsors and planning snack bar events but we also needed a way to think outside the box (or I guess you can say field).

That’s where the Touch Down Bucket came in. We decided that every time our boys scored a touch down, several of the moms would run down the field, shaking cow bells and collecting cash for our players.

But, of course we needed a cute bucket to collect the money. I swung by my local craft store, bought letter stickers and a bunch of ribbons in our team colors, bought two buckets off of Amazon and got busy decorating.

For a boy mom, I’d say these turned out pretty darn cute. I think even the cheerleading moms would be impressed.

AND, they double as 50/50 ticket buckets too. On our opening day we were able to make $160 just from our 50/50 raffle.

You can also adapt this for any sport your child plays. You can use a “Goal Bucket” or “Home Run Bucket” etc.

Get the supplies I used here:

As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

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Try playing these with your own kids!

Would You Rather…

Go camping in your yard OR Visit a zoo?

Go bowling OR Have a beach day?

Have a water fight OR Have a Slip n’ Slide

Wear Flip Flops OR Go Bare Foot

Eat a Watermelon OR Eat a Pineapple

Have a Picnic OR Go fishing

Swim in a pool OR Swim in the Ocean

Drink Lemonade OR Drink Iced Tea

Make a Root Beer Float or Make S’mores

Go Camping OR Go for a hike

Go to a Baseball Game OR Go to the Movies

Play Mini Golf OR Play on a Slip n’ Slide

Get a printable copy of these questions HERE:

The post Summer Would You Rather Questions appeared first on Burnt Pancakes.

1. Magic Leprechaun Rocks

A few years ago, I made these Magic Leprechaun Rock for my son and he still talks about them to this day. The best part is, your kids will be so surprised when they wash them with the special Leprechaun water (vinegar) a gold coin appears.

What You Will Need:

1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup water
green food coloring
gold coins
vinegar

(This makes approximately 4 rocks)

I bought these gold coins and I loved that they had little shamrocks on them.

(As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

How to Make Magic Leprechaun Rocks

First, combine 1 cup of baking soda with 1/4 cup of water. Mix until combined and it holds together. You can add more water if it is dry. Add green food coloring and mix. Take a gold coin and form a ball around it using the mixture.

Place the rocks on a plate and let dry over night. I made a double batch.

Make sure not to get caught green handed. Good thing this food coloring is washable!

On St. Patrick’s Day, leave this note out for your kids with a jar of vinegar labeled with the sign Leprechaun water. To get the kids to put the rocks in the vinegar, the note says, “These rocks contain magic inside, but first they must be washed and dried.”

Watch the surprise on your kids’ eyes when they discover what happens when they clean the rocks.

Watch my YouTube video to see how to make the rocks and see how what happens when they are placed in the vinegar.

Download this leprechaun note and water label for free here:

2. Leprechauns Don’t Flush!

My boys got the biggest kick out of this one last year. It is so easy to pull off and your kids will not stop talking about it. It’s the funniest surprise.

All you need is some washable green tempera paint and green food coloring.

Dip the bottom of your fists in the paint and make a left and right foot. Then add toes using your pinky finger and add some green food coloring to the toilet bowl.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!!!

The post St. Patrick’s Day Ideas For Kids appeared first on Burnt Pancakes.

What’s the solution? Cooperative games. We have been introduced to several cooperative board games and they have changed our game night experiences.

What are cooperative games? They are games that involve all the players working together to accomplish a task or beat the game.

Cooperative games promote:

1. Teamwork
2. Sibling Bonding
3. Encouragement of others
   

From my experience, introducing cooperative games has led to calmer and more enjoyable board game experiences.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Outfoxed! by Gamewright

2-4 players ages 4+

In this game, a sneaky fox has stolen a chicken pot pie and it is the job of the players to determine which of the 12 suspect fox is the guilty one. Think of it as Clue but for kids. There are clue cards that the players earn to help identify characteristics of the thief to determine which fox stole the pie. All the players work as a team to unveil the guilty fox before it makes it to the fox hole.

As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. We personally own and love this game).

Want to see this game in action? Watch my kids and I play Outfoxed!

Lion in the Way by eeBoo

2-6 players and ages 5+ (but my 4 year old plays and loves this)

This was our first introduction to cooperative games and it was a huge hit. My 4 year old especially loved this one. We are working on his speech and this game really got him talking and I could see his confidence rising while playing.

Object: come up with creative solutions to get past obstacles in the path. For example, in the scenario below, my son said that he would use the fireworks to blast through the mountain to get through them. After each player shares their idea with their tool card, a new obstacle card is placed in the path. Play continues for a predetermined amount of obstacles or until players are ready to stop.

You’d be amazed at the clever ideas your kids will come up with.

Which tool card would you pick to get past the fire in the path?

Race to the Treasure by Peaceable Kingdom

2-4 players (ages 5+ but my 4 year old plays this and loves it).

I personally have so much fun playing this game too!

Object: All players work together to build a path, collect three keys and beat an Ogre to the treasure chest. I especially like that the players need to use strategy to decide which direction to build their path. I have found my boys talking over different possible moves and deciding together which to pick.

It’s you against that ogre and the kids just love working together to beat him!

Get Race to the Treasure. Just click below!

The post Best Cooperative Board Games for Kids appeared first on Burnt Pancakes.

On A Roll

The object of this game is to roll 10 candy hearts so they all have the word side up. Players put 10 hearts in a cup and roll them onto a table. Then they take the ones with the words facing up and move them to the side, replacing the blank side facing hearts back in the cup. Play continues until one player has all 10 hearts facing up.

Heart-A-Stack

The object of this game is to stack the most candy hearts in one minute. After the one minute timer goes off, the player with the highest stack wins.

Let’s Face It

This one might be my favorite. Get your camera ready because you will get some pretty comical pictures. The object of the game is to get the candy heart into your mouth. Here’s the catch, you have to stick the heart on your forehead and can’t use your hands. It is surprisingly hard but way too much fun!

Heart Transplant

The object of this game is to move as many candy hearts into a cup in one minute, using only chop sticks.

These light up Light Saber chopsticks are favorites of my boys. You can find them HERE.

As an Amazon affiliate I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

Valentine’s Day Pyramid

Get yourself 21 red plastic cups. The object of the game is to see who can stack and unstack the pyramid of cups the fastest. To make the pyramid, players start with 6 cups on the bottom then 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. For younger children, you can change the rules to just stacking and not unstacking or use less cups. This one is always a hit. My seven year old’s fastest time was 74 seconds. Can you beat that?

Heart Order

For this one, the object is to put five cups in order based on how many candy hearts the player thinks are inside. To prepare, fill the cups with 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 hearts and cover them (I used foil). Players have one minute to place them in the order they think is correct. Player with the most correct cups wins.

Don’t Blow It

Using a straw, players have one minute to transfer as many candy hearts from a table to a cup.

Hold Your Tongue

Putting a wooden tongue depressor in their mouth, players have one minute to stack as many candy hearts on the stick as possible. When the one minute timer goes off, the player with the most wins.

Race For Your Love

The object of this game is to blow a candy heart from one end of the table to the other first. If the heart falls off or if a player uses their hands, they must go back to the start. To make this more challenging, you could have players race to the end of the table and back.

Watch us play these games on my YouTube Channel:

The post Valentine’s Day Minute-to-Win-It Games appeared first on Burnt Pancakes.

This construction themed cake was so much easier than I expected. The cake was made from a store bought cake mix, 2 round cake pans, store bought chocolate frosting, and Oreo cookies.

I added these cute trucks to the cake which, once cleaned, became a new set of toys for my son.

Get the trucks HERE

As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

Cake 2 round chocolate cakes and add chocolate frosting.

Remove white frosting from Oreos, add to a Ziplock bag and smash with a rolling pin.

Trace a number on the top of the cake and sprinkle the cookie crumbs around the number and side.

I moved the cake to a wooden board and added construction trucks, placing the bulldozer in the front of the number so it looks like this truck carved the number.

We finished off the party with these cute table decorations and plates.

Get these decorations HERE (balloons not included)

The post Construction Themed Birthday Cake appeared first on Burnt Pancakes.

What You Will Need:

Pancake Mix
Whipped Cream
Strawberries
Blueberries or Chocolate Chips (for eyes)
Bacon
Bananas

Pancake Santa

Pancake Reindeer

Well, this one turned out more like a Christmas puppy, but my middle son has never cleaned his plate in one sitting before so I call this one a win!

Watch me make them in this video:

What do you think? Would your kids devour these on Christmas morning?

The post Christmas Breakfast for Kids appeared first on Burnt Pancakes.