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how to make moving with kids easier : an age-by-age survival guide
are you moving with kids and freaking out? me too! after chatting with lots of fellow parents who have gone through moves with little ones at all different ages, i’ve learned that each age group handles the change super differently so hopefully this post can prep you a bit for what’s ahead!
for babies and toddlers (0-2 years)
stick to routines
the #1 thing for the tiny humans — keep their schedules as normal as possible! same nap times, same meal times, same bedtime rituals. trust me, this consistency is their security blanket during the chaos.
pack a “first day” survival box
grab their favorite stuffed animal, blankey, books, and whatever else they’re obsessed with. keep this box with you (and not the movers!) and unpack it first. having their comfort items immediately available will be a total game-changer.
their room comes first
i know you want to set up the kitchen (or is that just me?) but resist. setting up their room first helps them feel at home faster. try to arrange things similar to their old room – they notice this stuff even when they can’t communicate that with you.
prepare for some regression
if your potty-trained toddler is suddenly having accidents or your good sleeper is waking up and crying all night, that’s all normal. just be patient, gentle and know this phase will pass as they adjust.
for preschoolers (3-5 years)
make them your “special helpers”
preschoolers love feeling important! let them pack their own stuffed animals, decide where toys go in their new room, or put stickers on packed boxes. giving them ownership in the process is huge.
create a moving picture book
grab your phone and take photos of your current place, the packing process, the new house, and cool things near your new home like parks or pools. make a simple book you can flip through together. this visual story helps them understand what’s happening.
play “new house” with dolls or toys
use dolls to act out moving scenarios with their toys. this helps them process what’s happening and gives you a chance to talk through their feelings.
visit the new neighborhood before moving day
if possible, take them to the new house and explore nearby parks, the library, or ice cream shops. finding exciting new places helps balance the sadness of leaving familiar ones.
for school-age kids (6-12 years)
give them decorating power
let them choose paint colors, bedding, or arrange the furniture in their new room. having pinterest browsing sessions together for room ideas can build excitement about the move and their new space.
help them stay connected
set up video calls with old friends, plan a goodbye party, and create an address book with everyone’s contact info. knowing they can maintain friendships makes the transition less scary.
research cool stuff together
make a bucket list of fun things to explore in your new area. museums, hiking trails, splash pads, pokemon card shops– whatever they are into! having adventures to look forward to helps overcome the “new kid” anxiety.
create a memory box
before leaving, help them collect mementos from your old home and neighborhood – a rock from the backyard, a leaf from a favorite climbing tree, photos with closest friends.
for teens (13-18 years)
acknowledge it’s hard and listen
teens might have the toughest time with moves. let them be upset without trying to fix everything. sometimes they just need you to say, “yeah, this really sucks, and i’m sorry.”
give them control wherever possible
let them make decisions about their new space, keep their room arrangement similar if they want, or completely reinvent it if that’s their preference. this control is crucial when everything else feels out of their hands!!
help them research their new school
look up clubs, sports teams, and activities at their new school that match their interests. this gives them a starting point for finding their people.
encourage social media connections
before moving, help them connect with kids their age in the new location through supervised social media or parent networks. having potential friends before arriving will make such a huge difference.
general tips for all ages
be honest but positive
kids can sense when you’re stressed or anxious, so acknowledge the challenges while focusing on the positives. “yes, saying goodbye is hard, but i’m so excited about the big backyard at our new house!”
create moving day kits
pack backpacks for each kid with snacks, water bottles, comfort items, and activities for moving day. having their own “survival kit” gives them something to focus on during the transition.
maintain family rituals
keep up taco tuesday, sunday movie nights, or whatever traditions your family loves. these familiar routines feel like they provide security even when everything else is different.
celebrate new beginnings
plan a special “first night” dinner in your new home, even if it’s just pizza on the floor surrounded by boxes. creating positive associations with the new space helps everyone adjust faster.
be patient with yourself and them
some days will be rough for all of you. that’s ok! adjustment takes time, and sometimes the best parenting move is ordering takeout and building a blanket fort in the living room.
things that can hopefully make moving with kids easier
here are some items that might be lifesavers to make the transitions smoother.
for the actual move
amazon
packing cubes
these are game-changers for organizing kids’ clothes during the chaos. you can use different colors for each kid so there’s no confusion about whose stuff is whose when you’re living out of suitcases those first few days.
amazon
car seat activity tray
if your move involves a long car ride, these car seat trays keep snacks, drinks, and activities contained.
amazon
travel tray
and for the little ones who need more snacks than entertainment during the car rides!
for the emotional stuff
moving-themed books
here is an age-appropriate list of moving themed stories to make your kids feel less alone in their big feelings.
Alexandra Cassel
moving to the neighborhood
age 2-5
for all the daniel tiger fans out there (my kids!) — in this story he helps his new neighbor feel at home.
Marta Altés
my new home
age 3-6
a little raccoon discovers how moving somewhere new comes with fun adventures. a warm and reassuring story for kids about to move or start a new school.
Mick Jackson
we’re moving house
age 3-7
when a little boy learns that his family will be moving, he feels excited and curious at first. but when he realizes that means saying goodbye to his first-ever home, he’s suddenly not so sure. a touching story full of whimsy and nuance.
Sam Taplin
we’re moving house
age 3-7
a gentle and reassuring introduction to the idea of moving to a new home, illustrating the practical aspects of moving but also the emotional highs and lows. a sweet way to help littles warm up to the idea of moving.
Eugenia Mello
moving
age 5-8
inspired by her own nomadic childhood, eugenia mello tells the story of a lonely young girl who soon finds family within her new community through art, dance and music.
ann banks
goodbye, house
age 7-11
this workbook is full of project ideas that span from the moment kids learn about a move all the way through settling into their new home.
Joy McCullough
across the pond
age 10+
callie can’t wait for her move from san diego to scotland to live in a real-life castle. but the reality is a little less comfortable. will she ever be able to make this strange new place feel like home?
Jamie Sumner
one kid’s trash
age 10+
hugo is not happy about being dragged halfway across the state of colorado. but when his peers find out about his talent for garbology, the science of studying trash to tell you anything you could ever want to know about a person, hugo becomes popular for the first time in his life. but what happens when it all goes to his head?
friendship keepsakes
for the older kids who are emotional about leaving their friends behind, friendship bracelets would make saying goodbye a little less traumatic and give them something tangible to hold onto.
little word project
the friendship collection bead kit
to make their own bracelets for their friends 🥹
for the new place
amazon
portable blackout shades
because you will likely move in without any window treatments (and my kids can only sleep well with total blackout!) these suction cup blackout shades will save your sleep during those first weeks before real curtains are up!
amazon
safety 1st childproofing set
if you’re moving with babies on the move, the first thing you should do in your new place is put up corner guards and cabinet locks. they take 5 minutes to install and mean you can actually unpack without having to helicopter parent.
amazon
retractable baby gate
we are putting up this baby gate right at the top of the stairs immediately because we’ve never had stairs before!
amazon
tender leaf toys wooden doll family
giving preschoolers little dolls to act out “moving day” and “new school” scenarios can help them work through anxiety about the changes.
for staying connected
amazon
aura digital picture frame
our kids are so attached to our aura frame that i’m going to make sure i can unpack it right away. i love the aura carver because friends and family can easily upload photos through the app. i know it will help my kids feel connected to their grandparents and cousins even from 3,000 miles away.
amazon
portable wifi hotspot
if you’re moving and don’t have internet set up right away, anyone with kids, but especially kids who just moved, need that comfort of their favorite shows on immediately!
amazon
friendship lamps
these are pricey, but so sweet and possibly worth every penny for helping with the emotional transition?? we have been considering getting these for our kids and their cousins. when someone taps their lamp, yours lights up in the same color, letting you know they’re thinking of you.
and some things for you …
moving is even more stressful for the parents, because we have to deal with managing everything PLUS their emotions! here are some things to help with your mental health too.
amazon
smudge kit
call me woo-woo, but if you’re moving into a new house you need to clear the energy with a sage smudge kit! it helps you feel like you’re doing a refresh on your own personal vibes, it also covers up that previous owner smells!
hawkins new york
simple seeded glassware
christening your new home with a set of fresh glasses will make that end-of-day wine hit different.
amazon
maude bath salts
sinking into a hot bath with this some fancy bath soak is what we all need after moving (so long as your new bathtub isn’t gross!)
hilma
sleep support
for move-induced insomnia! magnesium can help with anxiety symptoms and muscle tension, perfect for when your brain is making to-do lists at 2am or hearing all the unfamiliar new house sounds.
pura
pura smart diffuser
setting up a scent diffuser is such a vibe booster. you can control the scents and intensity from your phone, so even when your house is in chaos, at least it smells good!
amazon
seaside + citrus candle
there is nothing quite like burning a fresh new candle in your fresh new house. i love a citrus scent to boost the mood, it feels all light and fresh!!
revolve
sunnylife portable speaker
having a fave playlist following you around while you unpack makes everything less terrible, and this is especially convenient if you don’t have your internet situation setup yet.
moving with kids isn’t easy, but with some planning and lots of patience, you can help them not just survive but thrive through this big life change.
do you have any moving tips!? would love to hear them in the comments!!
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a fill-in-the-blank printable for your teacher!
someone suggested i make a fill-in-the-blank printable for teachers appreciation week and i thought it was such a good idea! giving teachers something unique is so challenging — they have PLENTY of coffee mugs! but what i love about a little gesture like this is that your childs teacher will feel like they really thought about them hard to fill one of these out.
ps, if you’re gifting your kids teacher something for the end of the school year or for teacher appreciation week, i ALWAYS suggest a gift card! and i have gotten confirmation from many a teacher that i’m correct on that!
when to use this printable
if you’re looking for a sentimental way to show your teacher you care for teacher appreciation week (or anytime!) – this would be a perfect little addition to whatever you’re gifting them or just something sweet all on it’s own.
i love a fill-in-the-blank, because the prompts encourage a little more creativity and tapping into what they love about their teacher rather than just writing the standard “thank you for being my teacher!”
ps if you’re looking for gift ideas that teachers will actually like/want – here are lots of ideas!
how to print
click below to access the printable in a new browser window. for best results, do not print directly from the browser window!
right click to save to your computer directly, then open the file from your finder and print from there.
i designed this to be standard paper size 8.5×11″, but you could also print it smaller and cut it out if you want it to be a little less large! just choose to print at a smaller scale (less than 100%) and cut out to your liking.
click here to download the printable
printables are for personal use only. not for redistribution or resale of any kind.
i hope you enjoy! please let me know if you do!!
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a cute mother’s day fill-in-the-blank printable
there is something SO cute about kids of almost every age filling in prompts about you, right?! i made one of these for father’s day last year, but it just dawned on me that us moms need one too! (i promised i would and forgot till right now!)
i did simple prompts that can be totally sappy or totally silly (depending on your kids ages and personalities)!
here is arlo’s… 🙂 the MMMmmmmm is a reference to “what about bob” haha
when to use this printable
if you’re looking for a sentimental way to show your moms or spouses you care on mother’s day – this would be a perfect little addition to whatever you’re gifting them or just something sweet all on it’s own.
i love a fill-in-the-blank versus a typical mother’s day card, because the prompts encourage a little more creativity and tapping into what they love about their mommy rather than just writing “i love you” etc!
ps if you’re looking for a good mother’s day gift idea – here’s the link for this years gift guide.
how to print
click below to access the printable in a new browser window. for best results, do not print directly from the browser window!
right click to save to your computer directly, then open the file from your finder and print from there.
i designed this to be standard paper size 8.5×11″, but you could also print it smaller and cut it out if you want it to be a little less large! just choose to print at a smaller scale (less than 100%) and cut out to your liking.
click here to download the printable
printables are for personal use only. not for redistribution or resale of any kind.
i hope you enjoy! please let me know if you do!!
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mother’s day gift guide 2025
mother’s day is may 11! whether you’re shopping for your own mom, or you want to send very subtle not subtle at all suggestions to your loved ones, we put together some beautiful simple things any mom would want!
aurate
toi et moi gemstone necklace
because what is sweeter than a necklace with her baby’s birthstones?!
cailini coastal
coral dozen oyster plate
the prettiest oyster platter around! (you could totally use an oyster platter for deviled eggs too!)
terrain
fresh ranunculus bunch
i lean towards faux flowers almost always (don’t judge me) but this bunch of ranunculus is STUNNINGGGGG.
crate & barrel
mepal multi-bowls
this bowl set is JUST THE BEST. i’ve had it for years. they’re beautiful prep bowls, but each has a really nicely fitting lid so you can use them as tupperware, or if you’re bringing a dish to a party or picnic. you can also microwave, dishwash and freeze them!
amazon
watercolor paint set
i no longer can live without my little watercolor kit when i travel, this is the one in my cart for when mine runs out. what mom wouldn’t love it?!
west elm
recycled coupe glass set
i love love these coupes! so cute for entertaining or drinking in solitude!
material
the table knives
i’ve also used the material knives for years, and they’re not only great knives — they’re so pretty! i love this variety of colors! you can use them for prep and would look great set on the table too.
mark & graham
pencil & paper co. domino set
because moms love games like dominoes? or is that mahjong?
amazon
aura digital picture frame
our digital picture frame, of course! the kids and the grandparents alike love this thing so much. it’s the best! (and you can upload pics automatically if you’re gifting someone else the frame) use code gift35 for a discount on their site.
artifact uprising
modern wall tile
and for the analog moms — these photo tiles are so good. they stick right onto the wall and you can swap out the photos!
mark & graham
steele waterproof zip-top tote
obsessed with this giant monogrammed tote. perfect for schlepping all the mom things whether it’s diapers or like… crochet tools?
nest
bamboo classic candle
this “bamboo” candle scent is incredible, it makes your house smell like the most luxurious spa but in a good way because that can also be in a bad way, but this is in a good way!
a note — i know mother’s day can be a really hard time for so many people. sending lots of love to anyone who may be struggling right now.
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olive oil cake with cream cheese frosting
i got asked so many times for this recipe so i thought i should share! i went to an easter party at a friends and she served the olive oil cake from little flower bakery and OMFG it was soooo good. gid and i were obsessed, and we talked about it for days until i tracked down the recipe. not exaggerating.
they serve theirs with a brown butter frosting, but gid really thought it would be good with cream cheese instead — and it is! it’s a very grown up cake and it is so moist and special. it’s also super easy to make, so it’s perfect for a dinner party you’re throwing or attending.
cake recipe adapted from Little flower baking co.
frosting recipe adapted from wicked good kitchen
olive oil cake with cream cheese frosting
this olive oil cake is so moist and special. it’s also super easy to make, so it’s perfect for a dinner party you’re throwing or attending.Ingredients
for the cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 3 eggs
- 1 ¼ cups extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 ¼ cups whole milk
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
for the frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter slightly softened
- ½ cup salted butter slightly softened
- 1 8 oz package chilled cream cheese
- 2½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 4 to 4½ cups confectioners’ sugar spooned in cup, leveled off & sifted
Instructions
to make the cake
- preheat oven to 375°F. lightly grease 2 9″ cake pans with olive oil or butter. sift together flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and baking powder and set aside.
- in the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat eggs on medium speed. slowly pour in olive oil and continue whisking until mixture thickens slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. pour in milk and orange juice and mix until just combined. add the orange zest. add dry ingredients on low speed until just combined, about 30 seconds. use a rubber spatula to scrape bowl to ensure all dry ingredients are incorporated. batter will look similar to pancake batter.
- pour batter into prepared pan. bake until cake begins to dome, about 30 minutes. rotate pan and continue baking until top is golden brown and an inserted toothpick comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. cool cake at least 2 hours before unmolding.
to make the frosting
- using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or handheld mixer) beat butter on medium speed until creamy.
- add cream cheese and vanilla, beat until fully incorporated. gradually increase mixer speed to high and continue beating until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of bowl as necessary with rubber spatula.
- gradually add 4 cups of confectioners’ sugar, beating on low speed until well combined. add additional confectioners’ sugar until desired consistency for spreading and level of sweetness is reached.
- beat on high speed until well combined and smooth while scraping down sides of bowl as necessary, about 1 to 2 minutes. before frosting cake layers, you can re-beat buttercream to ensure smoothness.
i hope you like it as much as we do!
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20 cute ideas for 2nd birthday party themes
while their first birthday party theme is at your complete discretion, by their second birthday, it’s probably easier to come up with a theme because they’ve developed interests this year!
i know it can still be hard to brainstorm the perfect theme, so i hope this collection of pinterest-worthy adorable party ideas will inspire you (and your littles!) and in my opinion these themes aren’t just cute, they are totally special and unique too!
speaking of unique, for my son’s 2nd birthday party we did a mamma mia 2 theme (his all time favorite movie that year) and my daughter’s we did a barbie party. i love a theme you wouldn’t necessarily expect, it makes the challenge all the more fun to come up how to execute it!
1. two-nado
photos: the sisters co. / karen.june.cookies
if your kid is fascinated by tornadoes, or just acts like a tiny human tornado, this theme is so cute!
my son saw twisters and is now totally into them.some party supply ideas:
2. two fast / race car theme
photos: emelbe design
for the little car enthusiasts, a cute race track theme!
fortunately there are tons of cute car decorations out there now too, this theme would be a breeze (get it?)some party supply ideas:
3. chugga chugga two two
photos: becca brooks events / the hive / emelbe design
lots of two year olds love trains, whether it’s thomas the tank engine or just trains in general! i love the cupcakes with the puffs of steam above.
some party supply ideas:
4. two the moon / space theme
photos: pinterest / b. lovely events / kaila walls
celestial themes are always magical!
i did a sky theme for arlo — lots of ideas here 🙂some party supply ideas:
5. two-tti fruitti
photos: kara’s party ideas
what kid doesn’t live for fruit? fruit themes are always cute, simple and makes the menu easy too!
some party supply ideas:
6. digging two / construction theme
photos: this life of ours
a construction party that is actually pretty! you could do so much with this theme!
some party supply ideas:
7. tea for two
photos: pretty please design / glitter inc.
for (probably) their very first tea party!! you could make cute little finger sandwiches and put party hats on their favorite stuffies 🥹 floral everything, bows and crowns, i LOVE a tea party.
some party supply ideas:
8. tutu cute / ballerina theme
photos: a party that pops / style me pretty / kara’s party ideas
this one is so sweet and feels easy to execute because there are lots of cute ballet decorations available. plus you can just buy tons of pink balloons and other accessories to fit the theme. have everyone come in tutus or wear pink and maybe even hire someone to teach a ballet lesson! adorable!
some party supply ideas:
9. two sweet / two cool / ice cream or popsicle theme
photos: katie corley / studio diy / lattes lilacs & butterflies/ arin solange
i saw a few different takes on this theme, but i love the idea of a popsicle or ice cream party, especially in the summer or for a pool party! again, lots of cute premade decorations for this one.
some party supply ideas:
10. two rocks / rock n’ roll theme
photos: parties365
love the idea of a rock n’ roll party, for your musical kids. there is so much you can do with this theme, and even cooler if you hired a band to play!
some party supply ideas:
11. toy story theme
photos: mace + mare
for the toy story lovers, you can do it in such a sweet, simple way! i love the design of this party.
some party supply ideas:
12. mermaid theme
photos: a beautiful mess
such a cute theme for the mermaid lovers. a beautiful mess shared lots of diys for this party here.
and for more ideas, i did an under the sea theme for arlo one year too!some party supply ideas:
13. in “two” the sea / ocean theme
photos: pinterest / pinterest / 100 layer cake
slightly similar to the above, but this one is a little more general. you could make this feel more classic ocean or go a more nautical route. i love the fish net as a photo display of your kid, and an ocean-themed sensory bin is a cute activity for the littles!
some party supply ideas:
14. bluey theme
photos: kara’s party ideas
this one’s a really cute (and very aesthetic) bluey beach theme, but i’ve also seen “wackadoo [your kid] is two”!
some party supply ideas:
15. our little rookie is two / baseball theme
photos: a party that pops / a touch of pink
for the tiny sports lover (or more likely, offspring of the true sports lover), this is proof that you can actually make a baseball theme totally aesthetic! and the menu could be so fun as long as you come up with toddler safe ways to serve stadium food (peanuts, popcorn, hot dogs — lol just realizing it’s all the least friendly toddler foods ever!?)
some party supply ideas:
16. sesame street theme
photos: and so the storey begins
because what kid doesn’t live for elmo, this is such an adorable sesame street party. so many cute details!
some party supply ideas:
17. chicken / farm theme
photos: lauren conrad
this chicken theme is so adorable!! but you could also open this up to a general farm or barn theme. i’m obsessed with the “egg” macaroons. if you really wanted to go for it, you could even look into having a petting zoo at your party!
some party supply ideas:
18. bibbidi bobbidi two / cinderella theme
photos: monika hibbs / project nursery
if your two year old is into cinderella, this is such a sweet idea! pumpkins and spools! and get a relative to dress up like cinderella!
some party supply ideas:
19. berry sweet (to be two)
photos: kara’s party ideas
yes we did fruit, but how about berries specifically! this is cutest strawberry theme, the berry baskets are a fun (and inexpensive) touch. then just throw in lots of pink and red and gingham and call it a day!
some party supply ideas:
20. mickey mouse / disney theme
photos: kara’s party ideas / pinterest
another example of a typically not-so-pretty theme turned very pretty. lots of different directions you could go in — the vintage mickey route is so fun. i also love the idea of disney / theme park food!
some party supply ideas:
i hope these ideas inspire your kid’s next party!
and if you’re looking for ideas for 1st birthday parties, we have tons here!!
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izzy’s 2nd barbie themed birthday party
ok well it’s actually been 6 months since izzy’s barbie themed birthday party, but better late than never!!! this has to be one of the cutest parties i’ve ever thrown, i got so obsessed with making every detail pink that i actually started seeing pink when i closed my eyes haha.
the best part is, izzy LOVED her party. she was not only obsessed with the details, but actually enjoyed the party and all the attention she got all day, she loved hanging out with her real life barbie and it was such a magical day! arlo’s 2nd birthday party was not such a success (he was pretty overwhelmed and i realized a 2 year old may not need such a big party until i had another kid and all lessons went out the window!)
izzy spent a year exclusively watching the barbie movie (yes the adult movie) and listening to the soundtrack. she was OBSESSED. everything had to be barbie and even the color pink was called “barbie”. so obviously i had to do it for her birthday theme. my brother made her the cutest birthday video and included a little montage of her love of BAHHHHBIE.
as if you had any doubts, i did obviously make the dress code pink as well!
read on for tons of photos and all the details of how i put on this (dare i say) epic barbie party!
the decorations
the most fun (and overwhelming) part of throwing a barbie party is that more really is more, so you really can’t overdo it.
first things first, if you’re throwing a barbie party — you’ll want to download the barbie font (it’s free!) i made lots of signs with dollar store foam core, iridescent paper i’ve been using for years for the lights, and vinyl lettering with my cricut. they looked pretty homemade but i loved how they turned out.
just like in the barbie movie, i wanted it to feel like you were leaving the real world and entering barbieland! i had balloon arches professionally done and they added soooo much life and magic to the backyard. we did a combo of light, medium and hot pinks along with some fun balloons i got to enhance the vibes — the disco balls and bows were so perfect!
i picked up every pink flower i could find from the grocery store and made simple little arrangements to sprinkle around every table and used izzy’s actual barbies as decorations along with pink disco balls.
we haaaad to make a nod to kendom — so we made some saloon doors from cardboard and then i made a fun pink condemned property sign hahah, it was hard to create it exactly from the movie because i had a lot of trouble finding a high res version of what the saloon doors looked like, but i was able to scale up one i found, printed it out on regular paper and glued right onto the cardboard. this was one of my favorite details for sure!
the barbie box
obviously we needed a barbie box and i debated making it adult size so anyone could fit inside, but ultimately realized it would be so much cuter and more special if it was izzy sized! she LOVED it and so did every other kid who came to the party!
here’s a little video of some of the process of making the box, but we built it out of large foam core and then wrapped it in dollar store pink gift wrap, it was super tedious and hard to make it perfect but it turned out pretty great.
we found a pink foam core that was perfect for izzy’s name, so i printed out IZZY really large with my cricut and then stuck it onto the foam core and cut around it. we glue that right onto the box and then finished it off with some cute foil curtain in the back to give it a little glitz since we were obviously not putting plastic on the front.
i loved putting it on its own wall with a balloon arch for a little MOMENT it deserved!
the pink food
i had the party catered because i’ve sworn off trying to setup an elaborate party the day of while also making food (once we have a big house and i can setup the party INSIDE in advance, things might feel more chill!)
we went with really simple food i knew the kids would enjoy : gorgeous red fruit, pigs in blankets, chicken tenders and cucumber & carrot crudite cups. but the best part is the pink hummus and the pink ranch!! SO CUTE AND FUN!
i also filled dollar store pink bowls with pink snacks and scattered them around the party.
and the little izzy garland above– i cut out some of my favorite faces of hers and made little party hats using barbie box packaging!
the pink drinks
at this point in the party planning, my brain was exploding. i went and picked up all the pink beverages i could find at the grocery store, because everything had to be pink or … i would die? who knows! i got a pink tablecloth from the dollar store and even lined the drink bucket haha.
i made cute barbie movie style labels our drink dispensers — pink drink (lemonade) and woman water (the best i could do lol)
i couldn’t find cute simple barbie cups i liked, so i made these ones with my cricut again! and how cute is the little coupe tower?!
the kids table
now my go-to for any kids party is this little long table made from three mini camping tables put together (i use two regular size tablecloths and tuck in underneath). here i set a little tablescape for them and scattered some sunglasses around to barbie it up.
the glam bar
i thought a little station for temporary tattoos would be so fun and arlo insisted on doing face paint at the party (that didn’t really happen and the face paint palette just got trashed by the little kids within seconds, but the idea was cute!) we got the cutest little heart sponges, fun barbie tattoos and i got a big pack of cute little pink bows that everyone put in their hair.
the real life barbie
when i was little, my mom threw me a barbie birthday too! but it was a barbie-QUE. is that not the cutest? i wanted to do it myself but she’s not super into BBQ so i skipped it, but who knows maybe i’ll do it when she’s older! my mom had a real life barbie come (a coworker of hers) and it was so magical so i knew i needed one.
i happen to know the most lovely woman with the most warm barbie-esque personality and luckily she said yes! i got her the costume and her energy seriously made the day. all the little kids were attached to her. thank you betsy!!!
and of course, poppy (my dad) requested to dress up like ken so how could i say no?
the moon bounce
we are lucky enough to own this adorable bounce house, and i thought it would be so cute to fill it with the balls we already had but added in some pink beach balls too!
our homemade weird barbie stayed here all day.
the giant blowout party with all the barbies, and planned choreography, and a bespoke song
we didn’t do much for entertainment beyond what i already listed (it’s nice when they’re little and you don’t need to worry about filling all the time with activities and games) but i did make a good long 4 hour playlist because izzy loves to dance so we did a lot of that!
here is the link for my party playlist if you want to throw your own! (its a 4 hour long playlist!)
we also had our bubble machine going too, which is really all you need for a 2 year old to stay entertained!
the dessert table
of course the key to any great party is an amazing dessert table!!
I MEAN HOW EPIC IS THAT CAKE?! we really went with the more is more theme and i added in not one, not two, but three cake toppers i made (i just printed the words on my regular printed, then glued them to more of that iridescent paper and stuck onto a cake pop stick)
i also had the cutest cookies and cake pops made by some local moms so the prices were incredibly reasonable and i couldn’t resist! (found some similar ones on etsy here and here)
the barbie box favors
again, i knew the party favors had to be in little barbie boxes as well! i made each kid’s name with vinyl and my cricut and they came out SO CUTE. i hope the kids kept their boxes! i always aim to fill the goodie bags with things that will actually get used versus a bunch of little plastic crap that will get tossed right away, i would honestly rather have 2-3 items only!
i filled each favor box with either a strawberry pouch or strawberry pocky (depending on their age), a pair of sunglasses, poppy & pout birthday lip balm, and threw in a couple of barbie stickers!
izzy had THE BEST DAY! she nailed the candle blow out, loved getting sung to and was obsessed with the cake, look at that face below hahah.
there is a lot to link so please let me know if i missed anything!
sources :
gingham tablecloth / striped pink tablecloth / big pink plates / small striped plates / cups (similar) / flatware / let’s go party napkins / vintage barbie napkins / coupes / drink dispensers / mini camping tables
disco ball balloons / bow balloons / 2 balloon / barbie balloon / star and heart foil curtain / pink fan garland / wavy candles
tile curtain on back of barbie box / my cricut / iridescent paper
tattoo sponges / little pink bows / temporary tattoos
moon bounce – market splash (use code ALMOSTMAKESPERFECT for 10% off) / beach balls / bubble machine
favor boxes / sunglasses (similar) / stickers (similar) / pocky sticks / strawberry pouches / poppy & pout lip balm
similar barbie cookies here and here
my outfit / birthday girl sashphotos by lydia murty
catering by little nelly
balloons by created this events
cake by midnight sugar
cookies by f and j confections -
the cutest step stools you’ve ever seen
well as usual, i fell down a rabbit hole scouring the internet for step stools, which then becomes a mission to find all the most beautiful step stools in existence and spend hours trying to make sure i’ve seen every good looking step stool there is. it’s a problem really.
i’m especially passionate about pretty step stools not only because i’m a mom of young kids, but also because i’m vertically challenged (just a bit over 5 feet tall) so i’ll pretty much always have a step stool in most rooms of my house. i found a variety that feels like they could work for both small kids but also small adults too!! lol.
most step stools out there are either ugly plastic or just boring wood blocks, but i found some beauties that stopped me mid-scroll. these stools are all cute enough to never have to tuck away and hide from guests, as if they belong in your bathroom rather than something you reluctantly added because a small human lives here.
these bathroom and kitchen step stools are all pretty enough to leave out on display, and are versatile enough to fit in your house no matter what your style is, also totally varying price points as well, some are budget friendly and some are maybe worth the splurge.
soooo anyway, if you’re shopping for aesthetically pleasing step stools, i hope you’ll look no further 🙂 which one is your fave?
click on the products in the collage to shop directly!
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all things butter yellow
butter yellow is having a moment, so i found some cute clothing, accessories and home decor. butter yellow pairs so well with neutrals, denim and olive green and is just so fun and mood boosting for spring 🙂 and it was one of the first colors i comfortably incorporated into to the departure from my beige mom era lol.
click on the products in the collage directly to shop!
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20+ cute ideas for school auction art
school auction art a lot of times can be very corny, or something you may not actually want to bid on / hang in your house. if you’re in charge of doing the auction art for your kids classroom this year, i thought a post of beautiful projects would be very helpful!
in this post i’m sharing 20+ ideas for school auction art that are actually beautiful, doable and people might start a bidding war over! i tried to find easy projects but there are a few more advanced ideas in here depending on your level of expertise/ambition!
wait, what is school auction art?
some schools host auctions towards the end of the year to raise money for the school. each classroom is typically responsible for creating one piece of art that other parents hopefully would like to bid on and win for themselves.
the best school auction art pieces i’ve seen don’t cost much to create and also don’t feel too personalized with each kid in the classroom represented. if you want to create something that fellow parents would want to actually keep in their house, then something more generalized will probably be the most popular.
the best projects incorporate or represent a piece of each kid in the class.
1. van Gogh inspired flower collages
artwithmrsfrench these van Gogh style art pieces look pretty incredible. as a group, students painted the background in tempera paint with mixed colors and large brush strokes. the teacher printed out a copy of an original van Gogh painting, cut out the vase, and adhered it to the painted background. then each student created a flower using crayons and water colors. the stems are made from tissue paper. i love!!
2. a flower collage art print
this is so beautiful! have students cut out shapes with paper in coordinating colors. then use gloss medium with paintbrushes to create the flowers. design a vase, arrange the flowers, and then frame!
3. kids sharpie art plate set
hellowonderful these are so simple but would be so cute to sell as a set! they would make for some really fun kids’ dinnerware. i also love this idea of kids each drawing their own fruit on a plate and then auctioning it off as a set.
4. glass magnets with kids art
hellowonderfu a small one but so easy and cute. and something you might actually use. you just cut up kids’ art to the size of the magnets and glue them on.
5. a beautiful serving tray
artcampla so pretty!! for this one, kids used liquid watercolors, liquid diffusing paper and pipettes to create the circles. you could also try using coffee filters. then use mod podge to adhere to the tray. if you didn’t want to do a tray you could turn this into an art print, too.
6. make a quilt out of kids artwork
suzyquilts okay this one is a little more advanced but it’s SO PRETTY i had to include. very detailed instructions here!
sayyes this one is also so beautiful and easier! i feel like these quilts could look so cute in a kids room! step by step instructions here.
7. story quilts inspired by Huguette Caland
artcampla if you’re not into the real quilts, you could try “story” quilts. these ones are in the style of Huguette Caland and are really beautiful. you can buy the project pdf here. you could have students color in different parts of the art and then frame, or have them create a few prints as a group for a really special series of art.
8. flower paintings inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe
artbarblog these are individual art prints but how pretty are they?? you could sell as a set or have each kid paint one flower for a large scale print. or even turn into a calendar!
9. paper mosaic art
minimadthings for this one you could have kids cut out different colors/patterns of paper and then have them assemble into interesting mosaic pieces.
10. turn kids art into a calendar
bellapamella this would be really simple (and so useful!) — have kids each do a drawing for one of the months (or do two to a month if you have more kids in the class), then upload to a custom calendar online.
i’m a big fan of artifact uprising and minted calendars if you’re looking for beautiful designs, and if you want something simple, i’d go with zazzle!
11. large scale collaborative painting
artbarblog this project was done with tempera paint on a large piece of craft paper but i think you could get a large canvas and have them do the same. this would be great for kids of any ages really!
12. a nature wind chime or mobile
themagiconions it would be so sweet to have kids collect things from nature and press into clay. combine them together to make a unique wind chime/mobile. you could also have them paint the discs instead.
13. grid collages of kids’ artwork
remodelista this is an expensive version of this idea BUT you could definitely do a cheaper version inspired by her work by scanning kids’ artwork and creating a grid-based art print.
14. diy shell ornaments
okay i’m a little biased BUT i think it would be so cute to have kids each make some shell ornaments and auction them off together as a set! here’s the tutorial!
amberthrane you could also do this idea as a vase instead of ornaments.
15. fingerprint art print
jennaburger a simpler project but could be great for younger kids. you could also have them do something like this on a platter. very very cute, simple and looks beautiful!
16. painting inspired by Paul Klee
artbarblog kids did their own individual art for this project but you could do a large-scale print and have each kid paint a square. or have them each do their own smaller piece and add them all together.
17. cutout print inspired by Matisse
artbarblog have each kid cut out Matisse-inspired shapes in different colors then assemble together into a cool print!
18. watercolor school auction art
for my sons kindergarten school auction art, i had each kid do a watercolor painting and then cut them up into small leaves, creating this flowy rainbow pattern which i glued down to a piece of thick poster board. this one took me many hours, but i’m so happy with how it turned out.
and there was a bidding war! 🙂 i believe it went for over $600 !!!
19. checkerboard watercolor art
for my sons 1st grade class, again, i had each kid do a small watercolor painting, and then using a square puncher i created a unique rainbow checkerboard pattern. i glued onto a piece of poster board and framed. it took me very little time and it would look so cute in a playroom or bathroom.
20. tiny house collages
alexandra mathias these beautiful collages are made by alexandra mathias! it would be so fun to have kids paint little houses like this and create a print inspired by their work. i’ve also seen similar projects done with butterflies and lots of other shapes!
i hope this helped inspire you if you’re in charge of creating the auction art for your childs school. and if there’s a bidding war, even better!!!
