In honor of Gratitude Day

"In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy"

 

Every day we are given many opportunities to make someones else's life a bit brighter, but we don't usually recognize it at that very moment.  It's truly amazing how just the smallest kind gesture can capture's a person's heart and put a real smile on their face, but we are often so busy needing to get where we are wanting to go that we forget how many people we need to pass in order to get there.  So for this week, in honor of World Gratitude Day on September 21st we are launching the Peekaboo Beans Pay it Forward Challenge.  Lets remember... simple things leave lasting impressions. 

 

Print our Pay it Forward Challenge and see how many of these small kind gestures you can can get done this week.  Keep us in the loop by posting your comments below.  Perhaps we will highlight your good deeds and share with the world the bit of sunshine you are bringing to the people around you. 

 

 

Download your printable copy HERE and be sure to pass along to family and friends

and keep the kindness going!

 

 

lolli stick bracelets

WHAT YOU NEED

• Popsicle sticks or the larger “craft sticks”
• Jars or cups to form the bracelets
• Paints + Brushes
• Decorations: glitter, sequins, rhinestones ect.

DIRECTIONS 

The first part of this craft is for mommy or daddy!

STEP 1

Boil a large pot of water. You need to be able to fit all your sticks in the pot and enough water to boil them for 20-30 minutes. Place sticks in the pot and boil for 25-35 minutes, stirring them around occasionally.  They will look waterlogged and quite soft when ready.

STEP 2

Using tongs remove sticks one at a time and form while still warm around the outside or inside of your glass or jar- they cool down enough to hold in 5-10 seconds. 

I found two ways that worked well:

*If the cups stack into each other form stick around the inside of cup and then place another cup inside to hold its shape.

*Form the stick around the outside of a smaller cup or jar and then placed it inside a larger cup.

TIP: Smaller cups make a rounder/smaller bracelet and the longer you boil them the longer they take to dry.

Let sticks form overnight and they will be ready for decorating the next day!

STEP 3

All that’s left next is to paint and decorate!  Boys can enjoy this activity too by creating a watch or perhaps a control bracelet for their robotic or super powers! 

Here's what I came up with, definitely a fun craft for adults as well. We’d love to see what you and your bean's came up with!

    Happy crafting!

lille huset houses

While perusing blogs for spring 2014 inspiration I came across a unique dollhouse company called lille huset, which I’ve grown a little obsessed with. This company crafts simplistic houses from paperboard and reclaimed Baltic birch wood that children can make their own. I can’t imagine how excited I would be if I had this house as a child, I kind of want my own now. The website has DIY ideas and downloads to decorate your house as well as inspirational houses to provide ideas for your house.

On the online store you can even purchase a set of 6 xs houses that are individually wrapped for party favors. I think this would be a wonderful keepsake and idea for a birthday party and a great craft activity to keep your little guests occupied.

lille birthday party!

These houses are not just for girls! They are a blank canvas so boys can have just as much fun personalizing their own house. With the various designs you can create a small town with roadways and various DIY projects.

I couldn't wait to share these houses with you! Such a great way to fuel your child’s imagination and provide them with a toy that will reflect themselves. Best part is, if the walls get full you can purchase replacement paperboard ones and keep your wood wall.

This post by guest blogger Rachel, our...

Today is Grandparents Day!

In honor of Grandparents Day today, we bring you little poem and a fun printable. 

Grandparents and grandchildren,
Together they create a chain of love
Linking the past,
With the future.
The chain may lengthen,
But it will never part.

Find a cozy spot and fill this in with your Grandparents. What a wonderful keepsake it will make. 

Have your kids fill them out with their Grandparents for a fun activity. Print yours HERE

 

Find a local Play Stylist near you and earn Free Beans! Click HERE

or Shop On-Vine HERE

Back to School Picks

For most of us here on the West Coast school was back in session as of yesterday and through all the chaos and reworking of schedules we hope you can take a moment and enjoy this week.  Aside from being full of craziness, it's also a very fun and memorable week for lots of us and we thought it would be great idea to share with you some of our favorite back to school picks, everything from treats to gear!

 

Visit our Back to School Pinterest Board to see them all. 

Cici Bean... coming soon!

With Fall launch of Peekaboo Beans brand new Tween line, the ladies behind the scenes have been very busy getting all the information about Cici Bean out into the world and spreading the joy!  Not only are they bringing us amazing clothing for girls aged 8 to 14 but they are also reaching out to those same young girls and inspiring them to embrace themselves, be proud of who they are and be confident to shine with their own individuality.  We love what they are all about and invite you to have a closer looks at Cici Bean and find out what makes them so extraordinary.

 

Oh and did we mention, they are having an awesome back to school giveaway right now?  Who doesn't like a giveaway!  Get all the details HERE