Need something to keep the kids busy? This bundle of free kids printables allows them to have lots of fun and use their imaginations. Included in the download are a BINGO game, a play restaurant check, and a comic strip template!

Tell me you haven’t been here before.

You just ran around setting your kids up with a fun activity. Let’s say it’s painting. You laid out newspaper to make sure the table doesn’t get destroyed. You set them up with brushes, little palettes of paint, some water to keep things clean, and plenty of paper to go to town on. They seem happy, which makes you happy. You ask Alexa to turn some music on, sing along with them, and then it happens.

You haven’t even screwed on the lid of the last jar of paint you’re trying to put away when they ask: What are we doing next?

Their brushes drip with paint and they’re swirling colors all over the place, but they’re already thinking ahead. And you can already feel it coming. The dreaded sentence: I’m bored.

Now, I totally agree that kids should be bored sometimes and they should have to find ways to get creative and occupy themselves. However, there is only a certain number of times a parent can hear the phrase whined at all different lengths before you lose your freaking mind.

That’s where this free kids printables bundle comes in!

Perfect for keeping the little boogers entertained, these printables are great for home, while traveling, waiting for appointments, sitting at restaurants and more. To make them durable and more longlasting, print them out on cardstock and have them laminated, that way you can use dry erase markers on them and not use so much paper.

All you need to do is enter your email address here and the whole set will be sent directly to your inbox! But first, let’s take a look at what’s included…

I rounded up some fun rainbow crafts for kids from around the internet that can be modified for kids of all ages. Whether you’re looking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a craft or will spring into existence, these colorful kids activities are a great place to start.

We are so sick of winter here in New York. After being pummeled by two big back-to-back nor’easters and with another (smaller) storm on its way, any love for cold temps and the fluffy white stuff that comes along with it have completely died off. We’re ready for sunshine and green grass and buds on the trees. We’re tired of being stuck in the house and are willing to do just about anything to get spring to show its warmer, cheerier face.

But if spring is going to drag its feet getting here, we can help it along with sunshine and rainbows of our own, no?

These bright and colorful rainbow crafts for kids are a fun way to try and will some warmer temperatures along—or to simply celebrate spring and all of the color that comes along with it.

Raise your hand if the thought of your kids cooped up in the house alternating between wreaking havoc and singing I’m bored songs makes you want to pack a bag and head somewhere tropical for a week or so.

So I’m not alone?

I could’ve used this list over our snow-extended winter break, but better late than never. Plus, there are bound to be more snow and ice days (not to mention rainy days once we defrost) when this great big list of indoor activities for kids will be the only thing that saves my oh-so fragile sliver of sanity.

Take a look at this list. Study it. Collect any supplies you might need. And then feel free to send me gifts of dark chocolate for buying you enough time to head to the bathroom alone the next time the kids are stuck inside.

The holidays can be an incredibly stressful time for parents, so I’ve turned to parenting expert Sue Groner for some tips and tricks for dealing with family-related holiday stress.

It’s late on Christmas Eve. You’re bleary-eyed, devoid of cheer, and still not done wrapping presents. Every time the wind blows, you’re on high alert like a reindeer caught in the headlights. Was that a footstep? Are the kids still asleep? Wasn’t there an extra roll of tape around here somewhere?!

As your thoughts drift to tomorrow, your spirits are raised a bit. You think of the excited looks on your kids’ faces as they unwrap their gifts. A halo of bedhead encircles them and their eyes are wide and full of incredible joy. Your heart just might burst.

Then you consider what will happen when sugar is added to their already excited little bodies. And what will happen when this mixture is then combined with judgy relatives just waiting to help improve your parenting skills.

Does this rollercoaster sound familiar?

The holidays can be a bitch. With all the warm, happy, holly jolly feelings, there is also a definite side of stress. Whether money is tight, there’s family drama, or your kids have reached a point of overstimulation you’re just not sure they’ll come back from, it can be difficult to know just how to deal.

Since I’m no expert, I decided to pick the brain of Sue Groner, founder of The Parenting Mentor and author of the new book Parenting: 101 Ways to Rock Your World.

I’m not good at lying, so I’m not going to pretend here. I am not prepared for the school year to start. I know that a lot of the country is already back in the swing of things, but my girls have another few weeks before the big yellow bus comes rolling down our street. And I’m not so good with the whole preparedness thing (although sometimes I really do try).

That’s sort of my problem: a lack of preparation. I always have good intentions, but my complete and utter lack of preparation sidelines my big plans more often than not. I’m really good at making lists of things to do. But the getting started part? Not so much.

So I’m going to try to be better this year. And I’m going to start with Ellie’s lunchbox.