Tag: how to

Meet Kate Talbot: Successful Author, Content Creator, and Digital Strategist… and an UrbanSitter Babysitter!

Kate Talbot has built her successful career by using digital storytelling to empower communities at brands like Kiva and Virgin America, as well as scale early-stage startups for growth. In her free time, she writes for online publications like Social Media Examiner and KISSmetrics, educating small business owners and entrepreneurs on how to successfully use millennial social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat to build their brands. Recently, she published a book on the topic of Snapchat Marketing. Of course, like any city girl she was at the Dry Bar downtown on a recent Monday morning getting glam for an important event and ran into UrbanSitter CEO Lynn Perkins (whom she babysat for years back) and they got to chatting…

Here, Kate shares with us her experiences with UrbanSitter, what it’s been like having written a successful book, and more insight into her career and life.

Can you tell us a little bit about how you know UrbanSitter CEO and Co-Founder, Lynn?
For me, I am all about the side hustle. SF is expensive and any avenue in which you can use technology to create multiple revenue streams is important. My girlfriends and I (as many of us) have babysat since our tween years, and after business school in 2012 we all signed up for UrbanSitter. This was a great way to supplement our job incomes off the bat.

I learned from my friend Lisa, who is a babysitting all-star, that the best way to build your babysitting profile is to reply to jobs right away and babysit on a Saturday night. From doing so, I ended up replying fast to a query and booked a job during the 2013 holiday season for Lynn. I had a wonderful time babysitting for her son and she was highly supportive of my own story and helping me succeed. We connected on LinkedIn, and I always loved following all the news about UrbanSitter; especially this amazing feature in the First Round Review on Lynn and UrbanSitter.

As fate happens, I ended up running marketing for a First Round Capital company—which also funds UrbanSitter—so at a dinner roundtable I met Daisy [Downs, Co-Founder of UrbanSitter] too! I let the other attendees know that even though I was in the tech space, I also was an UrbanSitter babysitter, which delighted everyone.

You mentioned going to business school, where did you study?
I went to the University of San Francisco, where I focused on Marketing and Entrepreneurship.

I grew up in Moraga in the East Bay —I have lived in New York City, too—but I knew I wanted to be in the Bay Area long-term. My dad and brother both went to USF for law school, so I knew I’d be getting a great education.

Can you tell us a little bit about what you’re doing now?
I have my own consulting firm where I lead growth marketing for early stage startups—whether that’s influencer marketing tools or cybersecurity technology—it really runs the gamut but I love it all.

I also write on the side. I do that because it’s a passion of mine.

In fact, when I babysat I am able to write when the kids are asleep. One of my favorite articles I wrote on Snapchat was written in a Pacific Heights apartment overlooking the Bay, while babysitting for a great family.

You just wrote and published a book about Snapchat, what was the process like?
I combined the writing which was already published on the topic and leveraged my community. I’m extremely fortunate to have contacts across all industries at big brands and media entities, and they were able to provide case study insights into their own execution of the platform. My mentor, a VC from Onset Ventures, who encouraged me to write the book, wrote the foreword about the future of enterprise marketing and Snapchat.

I also mentor at Stanford for an undergraduate course in media and technology. From this class, I was able to hire a recent graduate to design all the creative assets. That was probably my favorite part, because we had so much fun thinking outside the box and what would help the audience understand the platform from a visual perspective.

What interested you about Snapchat enough to write about it ?
I’ve always been really in tune with the millennial, and now Gen Y, audience on what the next trends will be. As a user myself and talking with my 22-year-old god-sister and her friends, I realized the power of Snapchat as an authentic way of telling stories and connecting with friends. Since I’d already been writing about social media for Social Media Examiner, I pitched the topic of Snapchat for Business. I was one of the first writers to do so, and it’s led to amazing opportunities speaking at business schools and conferences. I figured next steps, why not write a book!

What has the reception been like for your book?
It did amazingly well! I felt so thankful for my community that downloaded it. During the 5-day free promotion, it went to the #2 spot in all of Business Marketing and Sales on Amazon. It was also #1 on Amazon for Advertising and Professional Development and #1 on Product Hunt books.

To wrap up: If you could give advice to sitters using the service, what would it be?
My advice would be to think of your profile as a personal brand. Fill out your profile in the best light possible. Also, remember parents are really looking forward to their date night or event they are off to, so be as professional as possible and always make sure you are doing your best! I know it can be tough sometimes, but keep trying to babysit more and more even if you get overwhelmed.

Babysitting in SF is a great way to explore the different neighborhoods—I didn’t know about all the parks that were out there—and connect with the families! If I hadn’t followed up with Lynn, I wouldn’t be in this position. You never know what will happen!

You can pick up a copy of Kate’s book, Oh, Snap! You Can Use Snapchat for Business, on Amazon, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and see more of her work on her website at http://www.katetalbot.me/.

How to Interview a Babysitter – VIDEO

How to Interview a Babysitter from UrbanSitter on Vimeo. Featuring “The Quintessential Haute Mommy” Paula Miranda. Produced by 11th&B.

Five Questions to Ask A Babysitter in an Interview

We asked parenting expert, Paula Miranda, to share her top tips for interviewing a babysitter. Watch this How to Interview a Babysitter video or read on.1. What kind of experience do you have? It’s important to ask about babysitting experience–and more broadly about any experience they’ve had with children (tutoring, camp counselor, mentor, etc.). Ask specifically about the sitter’s CPR and First Aid certifications, any coursework that relates such as early childhood development, and how many years experience she has caring for young infants, toddlers, elementary aged kids, etc.

2. What kind of activities do you have planned? Have the babysitter give you an idea of the types of activities they might plan for your child: Games (hide and seek, soccer, board games), arts and crafts projects, bubbles, charades, etc. This will help you determine if the sitter will have good chemistry with your kids. If you have a budding soccer player, you’ll want a sitter who is willing to take him to the park.

3. Are you open to helping out around the house? This is a big one. If you expect anything else to be done while you’re gone — dishes, laundry, or even errands, you should ask upfront if the sitter is willing to do it.

4. Are you comfortable disciplining my child? Lay out your house rules and the methods you usually use (time out, etc.), so the sitter is not in the dark, and make sure she/he is comfortable with saying “no” and being firm.

5. What do you expect from us, the parents? This is something parents often forget about. Set your sitter up for success by asking how much guidance they want from you. For instance, the sitter might appreciate a written schedule outlining feedings, bath time, and bedtime procedures. A written list is always helpful, and don’t forget to include emergency contacts.UrbanSitter makes finding and interviewing a babysitter easy. After signing up, you’ll immediately see a selection of babysitters recommended by parents in your local network (child’s school, YMCA, or mother’s group). After narrowing your candidates, there are several types of interviews you can schedule at the click of a button:

Phone interview – For some parents, a phone interview is all you need. You can gauge a lot from a 10-20 minute call.
In-person interview – This can take place in your home or public location. At home, your kids would have a chance to meet the sitter, however, you may be able to focus better without your kids around.
Paid, working interview – Hiring a babysitter to watch your kids while you’re home can be a great way to get to know a sitter. You set the desired pay rate.

Check out More Questions to Ask a Babysitter in an Interview.

how to interviewing a babysitter tips for parents

Our Favorite Pins for Hosting the Perfect Valentine’s Day Party

There are so many delightful, inspiring ideas for Valentine’s Day decorations, crafts and treats out there! We’ve pulled together some of our favorites to show you how to host a truly adorable Valentine’s Day Party. Keep the guest list small – think of it as a pumped up play date for a few friends – and choose from these awesome ideas you can make yourself (or with the help of a handy babysitter!). Before you know it, you’ll have the makings of an unforgettable party.

We’ve pinned our favorite ideas to our UrbanSitter Pinterest Boards: Kid’s Party Ideas, DIY Holiday, Crafts for Kids, Sweet Treats and Printables Pinterest Boards. Check them out!

Where’s the Party!?

Welcome your guest with a hint at what’s inside by decorating your front door with an eye-catching pop of festive color. This DIY wreath is made out of burlap and paper roses. Click here for the tutorial.

“Homemade” Valentines

Why resort to a box of store-bought Valentines when you can print or make your own? Take your pick from several gorgeous Valentines offered as free printables. We especially like the one with a mini bottle of bubbles (instead of more candy!). For those with patience and handy kids, get the kids involved and make your own, like these super awesome hearts made from bit and pieces of broken crayons.

Decorations

There’s no shortage of inspiring party decor photos out there, but we especially like this one that shows you sweet simple can be.

Fun Crafts for the Entertainment

Create some bling with this wildly popular craft idea from Mom On TimeOut. Especially good if you have a party of girls, you need only Hershey kisses and pipe cleaners to whip up a few of these! Have a mixed crowd or slightly older kids, try these Valentine Cala Lillies, which can be taken home for a gift for Mom, Dad or the babysitter.

The Menu

Make it a dessert-only party, which is oh so fitting for this sweet holiday.

Cupcakes, (but, of course!) – Inspiration for an easy treat – top pre-made (store-bought) cupcakes with whipped cream and candy hearts.

XO Cakes – Lots of love here!

Cherry Cutie Pies – Hard to pick just one, we bet.

Pudding Cups – Make little cups of pudding extra tempting by dipping the cup rims in melted chocolate and then rolling them in pink and red sprinkles.

Melon Hearts – Easily sneak in a little healthy to your feast with these melon hearts.

Beverages – You can click on this Pin to order printables to embellish drinks, or you can simply glue paper hearts to the outside of water bottles or plastic tumblers, and even insert a straw through one. Our advice as veteran parents – with all the sugar in the treats, no need to serve a sugary beverage, too. Stick to water or milk!

Take-Home Treats & Party Favors

Order a simple sewing pattern from Craftsy to create magical wands & crown that are sure to thrill any of the little princesses attending. Stick them in a vase for instant decoration, too. Rely on free printables to embellish bags of candy for a tasty take-home.

diy holidays how to kids parties round up tips for parents Valentine's Day

Jump the Food Rut in Three Easy Steps

Regardless of how good our intentions about feeding our families nothing but whole, healthy goodness, hectic schedules and picky eaters often have a way of derailing even the best of us. If your family has fallen prey to eating the same old foods, regardless of how healthy they may or may not be, here are a few ideas about how you might just jump that food rut once and for all:

Choose your battles.

Committing to an overall better eating plan is admirable, but overwhelming and tough to sustain. Instead, pinpoint an area of food weakness in your house that could use some improvement. Do you feed your kids too many sugary breakfasts? Know the value of eating your greens, but not get enough veggies into your kids? Do you rely on processed dinners a little too often? Maybe your crew snacks on empty calories rather than having healthier alternatives on hand. Once you identify a target area, you can start to see through the weeds and realize that improvements aren’t so tough to make. Make one change or try one new recipe per week. Here are a few simple ideas to remedy some of the trouble spots we listed above:

Start their day off with a tummy filling, warm, nourishing breakfast that requires very little morning time. Fill a slow cooker with steel cut oats the night before, and wake up to warm oatmeal everyone can scoop into a bowl and top with their favorite toppings.
Get a head start on your green veggie quotas by whipping up a green smoothie. It makes for a good breakfast accompaniment (or an entire breakfast if you add protein via soy milk, yogurt or tofu) or a refreshing mid-day snack.
Have a go-to dinner that can be deconstructed to fit the tastes of each family member. A burrito bowl/taco salad/taco/quesadilla does just that. Set the ingredients on the table, and let everyone assemble their favorites. Pick from these: a pot of brown rice, chopped tomatoes, black beans, avocado, corn, cilantro, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, grilled onions and peppers, leftover chicken, and chopped romaine.

Have a plan.

Whether you shop for a week’s worth of groceries at once or make stops at the local market nearly daily, you’re guaranteed to make better choices (and save money) if you plan ahead and have a strategy. Take 20 minutes each Sunday to plan your meals for the week, and add them to your smartphone, so there’s no last minute scrambling to figure out what’s for dinner. Make sure you plan for breakfasts, lunches and snacks, too. If you’re heading out for a date night, prepare an alternative to ordering pizza and ask your babysitter to heat it up.

Try a free web app like Food On the Table, which simplifies life by helping you create weekly meal plans (with recipes) and grocery lists based on food your family likes, then hooks into your local grocery stores to find the best deals on your groceries. If you don’t need that level of meal assistance, try a printable grocery list that already has the staples filled in so you simply check off what you need to replenish each week and add other items in the designed blanks.

Be a better shopper.

This Top 10 List for a Whole Foods Approach to Shopping from Going Home to Roost compiled this list so well, we pinned it to our Favorite Tips for Parents Pinterest Board. Our favorites on the list: Shop the perimeter of the store – that’s where the good, fresh stuff is; and shop what’s in season – it simply tastes better and is better for you and the Planet. Be sure to check out all 10 tips – they really are good ones!

Do you have a few tips in your back pocket for feeding yourself and your family good food without stress? We’d love to hear from you!

healthy kid recipes how to nutrition for kids

How to Wrap Christmas Presents with Ease!

wrapping christmas gifts — Photo by Tiffa130

Christmas is quickly approaching, and chances are you’ve got at least a handful, if not a closet full of gifts to wrap. You’d love to give packages that look like the ones you see in magazines, but who has time to pull that off, especially with kids running around?!

There are a few secrets to getting picture-perfect presents that don’t require much more time than throwing them in a gift bag: Commit to a look, keep it simple and take advantage of free printables to personalize and add pizzazz.

Being huge Pinterest fans, we’ve scoured pins and would like to share with you five of our favorite, festive wrapping ideas and free printables that are sure to make your gifts stand out under the tree.

1. Au Naturel

Use recycled paper, such as a brown paper grocery bag, an old map, even newspaper to wrap a box. Tie a bow on it with simple twine, and tuck in a sprig of holly, a cutting off an evergreen branch, tiny pinecones or a cinnamon stick or two.

The resulting presentation is anything but old news. Personalize it with this printable gift tag, keeping the look natural and fuss-free.

2. Boutique

Inspired by a beautifully wrapped bar of soap at a chic boutique, this packaging keeps it fresh and unexpected by going a shade or two away from traditional Christmas colors.

Wouldn’t this look great with a lime green print or a coral paper like the one shown here? How about using a Japanese paper you find at a stationery store? Awesome and unexpected, yet festive, right?

Wrap a single band of ribbon around it and add one of these classic gift label printables.

3. Family Affair

Even little kids can help with this one. Wrap with a recycled grocery bag, tie with a thin striped ribbon and hand-stamp the recipient’s name in contrasting ink.

Think of it – you need a stack of grocery bags, a bit of ribbon and a stamp pad with letters! You can even forego printable gift tags with this one.

4. No Two Are The Same – Snowflake Packages

What a pretty way to embellish a package! Your kids will love helping you cut out snowflakes and taping them to the top of simply wrapped boxes.

Keep it clean and modern by wrapping in solid paper and using baker’s twine instead of ribbon. In case you don’t remember how you made paper snowflakes when you were a kid, use this handy printable template.

5. It’s in the Bag

For little gifts, no need to find a box. Instead, create your own gift bag – far better looking than anything you could buy – with white paper or glassine bags and spray paint. Use painters tape to keep lines straight and paint edges clean, and (using a really steady hand – glassine paper is slick) press with stamps to create patterns and words. Here are detailed, how-to steps, provided by the ingenious blogger who created the bags shown in the Pin.

Friends and loved ones lucky enough to receive these gorgeous gifts will be touched by the time and thought you took to show how much you care.

Find great babysitters and nannies on UrbanSitter!

holidays how to

Five Creative Ideas for Hosting a Classroom Party

It’s officially the Holiday Season. To many of us, that means our proverbial plates are about to overflow with all the obligations the season brings. There’s soon to be food to cook, meals to share, parties to plan, gifts to buy and wrap, and friends, classmates and strangers to lend a helping hand.

We’re bringing you helpful suggestions to make your lives easier and to free up some of your time, so you can enjoy what the holidays are really about – having fun and cherishing time spent with your children.

First off, let’s tackle the classroom holiday party! If you’re next in line to bring the snack or treat or lead a project for your child’s classroom holiday party, why not try out some of these ideas to make it simple, non-secular and memorable for all:

Stone Soup — There are never too many cooks in the kitchen when it comes to Stone Soup. Send in the well-loved book by Marcia Brown for the teacher to read to the class, and ask to assign each child an ingredient to contribute to the class’s very own Stone Soup. It’s best if they can bring veggies and herbs chopped and ready to go. You bring a (carefully scrubbed!) stone – you can buy a river rock from a craft supply store – and mini bowls and spoons for sharing. Obviously, you’ll need access to the school kitchen to simmer your soup, as well as a bit of time to let it cook before serving up their tasty class concoction. Here’s the recipe from the book:

Sundae Bar — Host a yummy spread and a fun time by bringing everything needed for making ice cream sundaes. Shopping list: two gallons of ice cream (more depending on the size of the class), sprinkles, maraschino cherries, fudge and/or other toppings, and whipped cream. Divide and conquer by recruiting other parents to bring bowls, spoons and toppings.

Story time — Keep it calm by bringing a seasonal story to read to the class while kids enjoy a treat of cookies and milk. Kids love wearing their PJs to school, so make it a Pajama Party! Need a fun, easy way to serve the treat? Check out this milk and cookies idea from the creator of the blog, Four Men, One Lady.
Cookie or Cupcake Decorating — Buy or make a few dozen sugar cookies or cupcakes, leaving the icing and toppings for the class to decorate with. The store or bakery where you buy the cupcakes will likely have frosting in an assortment of colors you can bring along for the decorating. Don’t forget to also pick up some candy and sprinkles. Teach the meaning of the season by letting kids eat one of their creations and package the rest to take on a class visit to a local nursing home or shelter.
Feed the birds — The classic DIY bird feeder project involves peanut butter, a definite no-no in most classrooms due to the prevalence of peanut allergies. Instead, bring a peanut butter substitute like soy butter or honey, pinecones to spread it on, and a bag of birdseed to roll it all in (check that the bird seed doesn’t contain nuts). Tie a piece of yarn around the top of the pinecone to easily hang it from a branch to give the birds a holiday feast of their own. Not so sure you want to deal with that many sticky fingers? Instead, bring pipe cleaners to string with cheerios and popcorn.

One more bit of advice: Don’t go it alone! Bring a trusty sitter to help you streamline the activity. You’ll get props for hosting a successful party, while having a chance to snap a few photos of your little one and his classmates, and join in on the fun. UrbanSitter has no shortage of sitters who would love to join the holiday party!

diy holidays how to

Your Turn for Snack Duty!

Add up all the school classrooms and sport’s teams your children participate in and you’ll see that it’s likely you’ll be handed snack duty more than a few times.

Bringing a snack for the class or the team to enjoy at half-time is a chance to help out the teacher or coach, and to provide kids with a tasty pick-me-up.

Before you choose a snack to share, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Homemade is great for avoiding preservatives and other ingredients we either can’t pronounce or would rather not see our children consume, but your child’s school or team may have a policy against bringing homemade snacks. Some require snacks be store bought and pre-packaged. Make sure you check the rules.

If you’re bringing a half-time game snack, keep in mind your biggest objective is to keep the players hydrated and fueled. Water is key, as is avoiding overly sugary, salty or fatty foods.

Parents of kids with allergies often send a separate snack for their kids, but it’s nice to be considerate and not leave anyone out when choosing a group snack. Play it safe and ask parents if anyone has an allergy you should be aware of and check labels to accommodate them.

Younger siblings often attend their big brother or sister’s game, and love to join in on the snack. It’s nice to bring extras. Their parents will greatly appreciate not having to keep little ones away from the tasty temptations.

Keep it simple. Snacks are often eaten standing up and at lighting speed. Nothing fussy.

So what do you bring? Here’s a helpful round up of tasty, healthy food to feed a crowd:

Save your wallet and the planet by foregoing juice boxes and bottles of water. Instead, bring a large jug of water or a healthy sports drink made from a mix, and don’t forget a stack of reusable cups.
Fresh fruit. Go beyond orange slices (although they are popular for a reason!). Think apples, Cuties, grapes and bananas, or make it fun by serving frozen fruit cubes or melon balls on skewers.
Yogurt sticks. Choose the ones without high fructose corn syrup and other nasty stuff, and freeze them to turn them into satisfying popsicles.
Air-popped popcorn served in brown paper bags.
String cheese sticks.
Individual serving bags of pretzels, Pirate Booty or Apple Chips.
Mini boxes or raisins or craisins.
Fruit leathers or twists made with 100 percent fruit.
Unsweetened applesauce in the pouches.
Jello cups.
Mini cinnamon raisin or whole-grain bagels.
Popsicles – packed in a well-insulated cooler.
Healthy granola bars or other kid-sized energy bars.

Need a little extra help with snack duty? Hire a sitter to help at UrbanSitter.com.

cooking with kids family health healthy eating healthy kid recipes how to kids sports preschoolers school school age kids

10 Solutions to “What to Be For Halloween?”

What’s your child going to be for Halloween this year? If you haven’t decided, dread the thought of hitting the costume isle or combing the Internet to find something that will please both you and your kids (and is the right size), let us help.

We’ve found 10 Super Cool Make-It-Yourself Halloween Costumes that are sure to impress your friends and neighbors, and more importantly your kids. No matter what your needs or limitations, we’ve found your perfect costume!

When you need a good excuse to dress up, too: Little Lamb

Mary had a little lamb, and you can, too! You can be Mary, and will have a blast turning your munchkins into a doting herd of little lambs. These lambs are outfitted in batting sewn onto a leotard worn over a black tee and tights. There’s a template for making the ears, and a little face paint will finish it off.

When the budget is bust and time is of the essence: Baby-saurus

It doesn’t get much easier or cheaper than this one… and it’s pretty dang cute! Cut sponges in half on the diagonal and super glue them to the back and head of a matching one-piece suit (or jammies) and a cap.

When Brother and Sister are best of pals and two is better than one: The King and The Queen

It’s hard to believe these are no-sew costumes. They look to good to be easy, but truly they are. Follow the instructions for making the capes and embellishing a suit and fancy dress your kids already own.

When you crave homemade, but DIY is not your thing: Max from Where the Wild Things Are

Cheating a little? Yes, but not really. Here’s a homemade costume made by someone else. It’s adorable, original and looks way better than anything mass produced.

When you’re a master of the glue gun and love a little glam: The Peacock

Gorgeous and eye-catching, this little peacock comes together with a onesie, pair of tights, handful of feathers, and some elastic sequin bands… and a really good glue gun.

When you have a gaggle of girls: Mermaids

Sure, you could let them all be Disney princesses, but if you have more than one daughter, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve had all the princess you can stomach. How about mermaids (call her Ariel, if she’s a die-hard Disney fan)? How cute would it be to make them all tails and have each girl choose her own color top and crown to make it her own?

When you want a fun project to do together: Knight in Shining Armor

Plan on doing some shopping for this one, including a hardware, craft and sporting goods store… unless you already own a lot of duct tape; a clean, empty paint can; and knee and elbow pads, among other materials.

When you want to light up their world: Sci-Fi Avenger

The crafter who created this sure-fire hit costume claims it takes little more than “ garbage, spray paint, felt fire, and 20 minutes.” Even if your kid isn’t a Star Wars fan, it’s unlikely he or she will want to take this off.

When your baby is so yummy, you could eat her up: Candy Corn Baby

This is a great costume for little ones trick-or-treating, since it will keep them warm and cozy. You’ll need a sewing machine, but the tutorial is easy to follow and the lines are straight, so it’s not too tough, even for the sewing beginner.

No time for DIY? There’s undoubtedly a babysitter ready and willing to jump into a fun project with your kids! Check out babysitter profiles on UrbanSitter to find the perfect fit.

costumes for kids diy Halloween how to tips for parents

DIY Halloween Decorating

Not the crafty type? All thumbs when it comes to a glue gun and anything DIY, but longing to jazz up your home with a bit of Halloween or Falltime decoration? Have no fear. We’ve rounded up 5 super cool Pins that make DIY Halloween Decorating a breeze even for the most unhandy of us. Check out our full Pinterest board for more DIY Halloween ideas, including costumes!

Take a look at these fun, festive ideas to bring the season into your house:

These black and white painted pumpkins are ot your average jack-o’lanterns! Think beyond a big, orange pumpkin with triangle cut-outs for eyes. These guys were created by making a base with white flat acrylic craft paint and adding the spider web or a pattern (like a chevron) with a paint pen (or Sharpee). There’s a nifty template if your heart is set on replicating the big beetle.
This black burlap wreath is super simple – just a wreath form, some burlap, a can of spray paint and some letters to paint and glue on. Best part is that it can be customized to fit your style. Keep it cute and simple like this one, go modern rustic by leaving the burlap its natural color, or go all out Halloween by adding more embellishments.
Glittery spider webs make great decorations for windows or tabletops. They are fun to make and a great craft to get the kids involved. Redbook tutorial tells you how: Tape 2 sheets of wax paper together and lay them flat. Begin drawing your spiderweb with Elmer’s glue (refrigerate for a few hours first so it’s less runny) by making an asterisk with 4 lines. Starting at the center, cast a single line connecting each asterisk spoke; continue until the web is the size you want. Pour glitter on top of glue web and let it sit overnight. Shake off excess glitter and let the web sit for another 2 days to completely dry and harden. Using a spatula, gently peel the web off the wax paper.
Bring the outside in with this pretty idea for your mantel. It’s little more than a couple of galvanized pots spilling over with baby pumpkins and one upright and brimming with natural and store-bought branches. The sparkle comes from adding lighted branches like these we found at Target.
Papier-mache ghosts to hang from a doorway or front porch are just the thing to inspire a ghoulishly fun time in your home. And who among us hasn’t dabbled in a bit of papier-mache back in the day? It’s loads of fun! Make them extra spooky by adding a battery-powered tea light or glow stick. Detailed instructions are here.

No time for decorating? Find a babysitter on UrbanSitter to watch the kids while you head out for shopping.

costumes for kids diy Halloween holidays how to tips for parents

4 Fun Ideas to Celebrate Grandparents Day

We all have stories about the wonderful ways our own Nana and Papa (or someone else’s) have touched our lives. Whether your stories are about the rich family traditions handed down to your children, the warmth of a home and the sweet smells that come from it, or about how these special people love your children as unconditionally as you do, find a way that’s just as unique as they are to show appreciation for all they bring to you and yours.

Here are 4 unique ways to celebrate Grandparents Day:

1. A great fun-to-make, heartwarming-to-give craft. Show off the family resemblance in a multi-generational hanging frame that kids can help create.

Materials:

Three 4-inch x 6-inch clip frames (available at any frame store)
One yard 1 1/2-inch wide orange-and-yellow striped ribbon
Orange embroidery thread and needle
Scissors
Ruler
One 8 1/2-inch x 11-inch sheet of orange card stock
One 8 1/2-inch x 11-inch sheet of yellow card stock
One photograph of the grandchild, trimmed to 3 inches x 3 inches
One photograph of the grandchild’s parent, trimmed to 3 inches x 3 inches
One photograph of the grandparent, trimmed to 3 inches x 3 inches
Adhesive glue dots
White craft glue

Instructions:

Trim the orange card stock so that it fits flush with the glass of 2 of the clip frames.
Trim the yellow card stock so that it fits flush with the glass of 1 of the clip frames.
Take the ribbon and cut a piece that is 20 inches long.
Centered at the top of the piece of ribbon, sew a loop 1-inch long with the embroidery thread and make sure it is securely tied onto the ribbon (don’t worry how it looks since it will be hidden).
Orient the frames horizontally and glue the ribbon so that it runs along the center of each backing piece, leaving 2 inches between each frame.
Place the card stock on the backing pieces of the frames on top of the ribbon and glue into place so that the colors alternate.
Center a photograph on each of the pieces of card stock and secure it with an adhesive glue dot.
Put the glass on the top of the photos and backing and secure in place using the two side clips.
Using the remaining ribbon, tie a bow and glue it over the base of the embroidery thread loop. Once the glue is dry, trim the ribbon ends so that they sit at the top edge of the uppermost frame.

2. Customized calendar with photos of your family together. Services such as Snapfish.com make it easy to use photos you already have to create a gift that lasts the whole year. Be sure to include photos of you, your children, and grandparents (and great grandparents!) sharing special moments or occasions, holidays and milestones.

3. Our Grammy and Pops Book. Together with your kids create a book chock full of all the things that make its recipients so special. Have your children draw pictures of their grandparents, and fill in sentences such as “I love it when my grandma and grandpa….” Even very young children can contribute to this project. Little kid drawings can be the most touching, don’t you think?

4. Family Dinner Celebration. Host a special night for your guests of honor, making it extra meaningful by tackling Grandma’s favorite recipes or serving foods that are family traditions. Children can cap off the meal by providing the entertainment, such as a dance performance, song or play. If yours guests are up for a sleepover, check out these great sleepover activities that are sure to make it a really fun, memorable night for all.

Book a babysitter on UrbanSitter and let them take charge of Grandparents Day arts & crafts!

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