If you are kicking around ideas of what to do for your child’s next birthday party listen up. Find your nearest Zap Zone location, we love our Lansing, MI location, and book a party package pronto! As soon as I told my son and daughter they could invite friends to come along for a birthday party their excitement exploded. This party was a huge hit with both the birthday boy and girl AND everyone who came. It was the perfect mix of food and fun all in one afternoon.

Thinking about planning a birthday party for a group of kids was overwhelming. Picking a party package from the Zap Zone made it easy, our location has 6 different party packages to choose from, all with different activities and price ranges. We did the Triple Play Party Package – it included picking any three of the following activities: Laser Tag, Glo-Golf, Bumper Cars or Springz. My kids were stoked for the Laser Tag (so we did that twice) and they also picked Springz. The Zap Zone website even includes an invitation you can download and print and use to invite everyone! See, so easy!

We had amazing service from our hostess and our pizza had been pre-ordered and arrived shortly after we got there. It was perfect timing since we had a lunch time party! Look how excited these little ladies are to have something to munch on. Did I mention all the party accessories are included? No need to bring any plates, napkins, or cups. Nice, right?

Ok, let’s skip to the fun and games part of the party. When our hostess let us know it was our turn for Laser Tag my kids cheered and ran for the Laser Tag arena. The black light ambiance was super cool and of course all the kids got a kick out of seeing what type of things light up under the black lights. As VIPs we got our first pick of what team color we wanted to be and the kids headed in to put on their game vests. (Do keep in mind really small children will find it hard to play Laser Tag because the gear is heavy and sort of one-size fits all…) Before my kids headed into the arena I checked to see what their game names were and then I had fun watching outside on the Laser Tag game board and seeing all the scores changing for the members of our team. I did take a few pictures inside the arena, although my kids were major annoyed they had to stand still for a second. As you can see the lighting in the arena is totally wonky and fun! When the game was over my kids talked over one another recounting their Laser Tag stories to one another for at least ten minutes. Seriously, your kids will enjoy this so much!

Next it was our turn for Springz. If you know you are heading there with a large party you might want to print out the waiver forms ahead of time and have that all ready to go. My kids were very antsy waiting as we filled out the forms for 12 kids. Yikes! Also note that you will need special socks with grippies, if you don’t have some you can get them there for $2 a pair. If you’ve been to any other jump places bring the socks you got there along to use! Ok, we are past the technical stuff, now for the real review. The whole group had a blast jumping and bouncing off the walls. There is a pit of foam bricks you can take turns jumping into, a basketball hoop where you can practice your dunking skills, and an enormous area filled with trampolines on the floor and walls. FUN, FUN, FUN! There was also a bench for us adults to sit and relax while more crazy fun for the kids was taking place. It doesn’t look like they are having fun at all does it?

So maybe you aren’t interested in booking a party or you are just looking for something to do for fun with your kids. You can also check out the game floor. My five year old didn’t enjoy the Laser Tag because it was too hard for her to manage and play; so we bought her some tokens and she played a bunch of fun games. Zap Zone has a huge variety of things you can try and you earn tickets that you can cash in for prizes. Don’t forget you can also pay for the Laser Tag and Springz on a pay per play basis. No need to purchase a package or make any decisions until you get there! It’s great fun for everyone because you can select what each person likes the best.

As we wrapped up our party we brought out the birthday cupcakes, you are welcome to bring your own birthday treats with you to the Zap Zone. Of course we sang the obligatory Happy Birthday to my son and daughter and everyone was thrilled to have a dessert to end the afternoon.

The birthday duo also received a gift from the Zap Zone. Our party package included a zipper pouch with a Zap Zone t-shirt, 50 prize tickets and two FREE Laser Tag passes. (I’ve already been asked when we are going back to use these passes!)

Ten Reasons Why a Zap Zone Birthday Party Will be a Winner:

1. Laser Tag (your kids will LOVE it) and your score sheets are brought right to your private room!
2. Springz will allow them to flip and jump and bounce off the walls. Weee!
3. Assorted games like SkeeBall and Pinball throughout the entire location.
4. Your party group gets VIP treatment for all the activities you select.
5. You get your own party room.
6. Pizza and pop delivered to your room.
7. All party supplies are provided.
8. Bring your own birthday treats.
9. Take advantage of a token package to play games on the game floor.
10. It will be a birthday party everyone will enjoy and never forget! (Mine are still talking about it days later!)

It was a wonderful afternoon filled with fun for all attendees. We love the Zap Zone and will be back for more fun soon. If you haven’t visited a Zap Zone I highly recommend you do, you and your kids will have a great time there.

(This is a sponsored post. For my review I received a free party package. My opinions are my own and were in no way influenced by the sponsor.  See my disclosure policy here.)

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Are you getting a little tired of our Michigan weather? Maybe your kids need to burn off some extra energy… I know mine do! Have you ever checked out a Zap Zone in your area? If not you should. My kids LOVE this place and what better time to visit than during these dreary and cold winter days.

Zap Zone is Michigan’s premier spot for laser tag, glo-golf, mini-bowling, arcade action, go-karts, and much, much more! They are located all across Michigan in convenient locations. You can find them in your neck of the woods: Farmington, Canton, Utica, Lansing, Taylor, Brighton, Waterford, Ann arbor!

Whatever the occasion – whether it’s for the kids, families or adults – Zap Zone delivers unsurpassed excitement and the most exhilarating, action packed, heart-stopping unforgettable adventure you’ve ever imagined!

AND DON’T MISS THIS – My readers get to enjoy extra savings! $2 Off any regular priced attraction!!! Attractions vary by store (laser tag, bumper cars, jump zone, cannon blaster, glo-golf, mini-bowling, go-karts, time freak, spin zone, slime bucket). GET YOUR ZAP ZONE COUPON HERE

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You might remember a couple months ago when I posted about my newest find at the New York Stationery show – Compendium Books. When I was visiting their booth in May I found this book, What Do You Do With an Idea? I loved everything about it and knew I needed a copy to give my son for his birthday.  I asked them if I could review it and they sent me a copy. The worst part was I had to wait until September when it was my son’s birthday so I could give it to him. I wanted it to be a special gift and not just ANOTHER BOOK.

This son is my story lover, my illustration lover, and my thinker. He is always thinking of new ideas; always combining things in new ways. Always asking, “What if this…?” and “What if that…?”. Sometimes the what ifs and ideas are serious and thoughtful, and sometimes they are silly. I knew a book about an idea was perfect for him.

You see I don’t want to give away any of the story. The illustrations are brilliant. I mean how do you illustrate an idea? The story is beautifully and simple written. It’s a story that will make you wonder.

My son opened his gift, the book, and laid it aside. A book isn’t the most exciting present. Of course he got other presents too. That night at bed I read it to him and his little brother. The two of them were quiet the entire time. That right there is saying something. At the end I could tell they were thinking about the story. They started asking questions and we talked about the book and they went to bed. The next day they went to school. That afternoon when my son got home he told me he had thought about the book during the day while he was at school. Hmmm, I thought. That’s a book that leaves an impression. That night at bed he asked if he could read What Do You Do With an Idea? to me. He asked to read to ME!!! Well, that is a big step. He doesn’t ever want to read aloud and he acts as if I am torturing him when I ask him to. This was a giant leap for all man-kind. Well at least in our-kind.

If you are looking for a great book to read to your kids or to give as a gift, this is perfect. Maybe you have an idea generating child or just a little one who likes to look at pictures. This book is for them also. You can find the book at Compendium’s website store by clicking: What Do You Do With an Idea? Tell them I sent you!

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Crafting while camping is always on our agenda.  Coming up with another project for the girls was simple with this fabulous crepe paper flower kit from eeBoo. The girls basically ripped into these kits before I could get enough pictures!

You can find these fantastic little kits in the eeBoo shop by clicking here: Arts & Crafts eeBoo Shop. eeBoo offers a number of amazing craft kits that are perfect for gift giving or Christmas presents. Make sure to take a minute to check out the variety of items they offer!

This is the kit and what it looks like, minus the wrapper. I am telling you the girls were excited about making these flowers and dove right in!

Follow the instructions on the back of the package. It is really easy. Start by separating the pieces of crepe paper. They do cling together, so look carefully to make sure you have them pulled apart.

Layer the crepe paper colors in the order that you want. Fold the paper accordion style. Wrap a pipe cleaner around the folded crepe paper. Pull the crepe paper layers apart and open to finish up your flower.

Aren’t these flowers gorgeous. They look pretty in a vase too, or my kids were using them to play outside.

(This is a sponsored post. See my disclosure policy here.)

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Ahh, look at these smiling faces. Who doesn’t feel happy after crafting with friends? We took a week long camping vacation with some friends and family and these little ladies were excited to craft together. I got these cute little Pom-Pom Necklace Kits from eeBoo and they were excited to bust them open and get started.

You can find these fantastic little kits in the eeBoo shop by clicking here: Arts & Crafts eeBoo Shop

Here is what the kits look like opened up. They have everything included that you need to make the necklace.

The girls started by sorting out the pom pom balls and mixed them up with each other.

Then they started threading the pom pom balls on to the string. The kit includes easy to follow instructions.

Look how great they are turning out!

Such a fun and simple craft for the girls to make at the camp site picnic table.

(This is a sponsored post. See my disclosure policy here.)

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I love these small chenille chicks and bunnies; oh and of course I LOVE these mushroom birds. My kids and I thought it would be fun to create these cute scenes using egg cups as a pedestal. These egg cups are kid friendly and make fun and festive Easter decor! This post first appeared for Darice on their blog – Live.Craft.Love

Supplies:

• Wooden egg cups
• Mini polyester chicks
• Pom pom bunnies
• Petaloo flowers
• Mushroom bird
• Acrylic paints
• Tacky glue
• Decorative paper or paper doilies
• Decorative edged scissors
• Easter grass
• Paint brush
• Pencil

How To:

Step 1: Paint your egg cups and let them dry.

Step 2: Choose a patterned paper and draw a circle on the paper by tracing around a cup or lid. Use decorative scissors to cut out the circle. Another option is to use a paper doily.

Step 3: Glue the cut paper piece onto an egg cup. Center over the top. Next, glue Easter grass to the paper. Let dry.

Step 4: Arrange bunnies, chicks, and flowers in place and glue them onto grass. Create your own fun spring scene.

Another option is to use a mushroom bird and pearls for eggs in a nest made from crinkled paper.

Step 5: To finish off the egg cups, glue gemstones or other embellishments to the pedestals.

And you’re done!

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Welcome back to the second week of Summer Day Camp. This week we are featuring a round-up cereal box crafts. This week’s post is written by Finding Sanity in Our Crazy Life. You can find this week’s full post here: Finding Sanity In Our Crazy Life – Cereal Box Crafts.

Here is a little more about Gwendolyn –

Gwendolyn is a Christian Wife and Homeschooling mother. She has two children ages 10 and 15. When she isn’t blogging, she loves to read, bake, cook and come up with craft ideas with her mom and daughter. When you visit her blog you find a little bit of everything as she shows you how her family finds their sanity in their crazy day to day life.

Join us next week for another Summer Day Camp project. We love to read your comments, let us know if you have tried out a Summer Day Camp project from this year or a previous year.

Here are some links to previous Summer Day Camp Project favs!

• Sun Paper Art – have some fun in the sun creating mini masterpieces using Sun Paper and toys or flowers
• Hula Hoop Hideout – create a simple outdoor hideout using a hula hoop, sheet and pins
• Recycled Robots – use recycled containers to create unique robots

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T-shirt decorating is always a fun summer time craft. My kids always beg me to decorate any plain t-shirt they have. Yes, even the ones that are supposed to be school shirts. So I gave in and we headed to Dollar Tree this week to find some $1 shirts to decorate. (Have I told you how much I LOVE Dollar Tree for kid craft supplies?) So find some old t-shirts or pick up a couple new ones from the dollar store and let’s get decorating!

(This is a sponsored post. See my disclosure policy here.)

Supplies:

• T-shirts and other fabric items
• Fabric Markers
• Rolli Stamps

How To:

1. Wash your t-shirt ahead of time. Next, draw and color your t-shirt with Fabric Markers. Then accent with Rolli Stamps.

2. We also decorated socks from the dollar store.

3. When you design is finished put your shirt in the dryer on high for 2o mins. to set the ink.

4. Wear and do a fashion show with your cool new shirt!

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We are kicking off the Summer Day Camp Series with a project using Sun Paper. Creating these little masterpieces using items from around your home is easy to do. The kids will love seeing how shadows turn into art!

Supplies:

• Sun Art Paper
• Assorted Toys – Little Dolls, Tiny Cars, Tractors
• Flowers
• Plastic Letters or Letter Stickers
• Large piece of Cardboard, Tray or Box Lid
• Cutting board
• Accessible Water – Faucet or Hose

How To:

1. The best time to use Sun Paper is on an extremely bright sunny day with no wind. It will work best if the sun is at its highest point in the sky. You will get the best images that way because no large shadows will be cast off of the objects you lay on the paper.

2. Choose a piece of Sun Paper. Prepare your creation in an area where there is no direct sunlight. Lay the Sun Paper on a large piece of cardboard or on a tray (any portable flat surface).  Quickly lay out all the pieces you want onto your Sun Paper.

2. Cover your design with a cutting board or piece of cardboard. You don’t want your art to be exposed to the sun until you have it laying flat and still.

3. Carefully take your covered box lid with your Sun Paper art outside.

4. Lift off the cover and keep it absolutely still while your Sun Paper is exposed to the sun’s light. The paper starts off a medium blue color as shown below.

5. When it is finished being exposed it will be a very light blue, almost white.

6. Cover it back up and take it inside. Pull the objects off the paper and you will see a shadow of what was on the paper.

7. Rinse the entire piece of Sun Paper with water. Squeegee excess water off by running the paper between your first two fingers. Lay the wet Sun Paper on a towel to dry.

8. When the Sun Paper is completely dry it will like very dark indigo blue. Now you can frame your art or glue the art to the front of blank cards.

Join us next week for another Summer Day Camp project. We love to read your comments, let us know if you have tried out a Summer Day Camp project from this year or a previous year.

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Summer is here and in full swing and the Summer Day Camp 2014 series is about to begin. Stay tuned for lots of fun kid based craft projects coming in the next couple weeks. And read below to check out our Day Camp Instructors!

Gwendolyn from Finding Sanity In Our Crazy Life

Gwendolyn is a Christian Wife and Homeschooling mother. She has two children ages 10 and 15. When she isn’t blogging, she loves to read, bake, cook and come up with craft ideas with her mom and daughter. When you visit her blog you find a little bit of everything as she shows you how her family finds their sanity in their crazy day to day life.

Rebecca from Finding My Blog

Rebecca shares her passions, dreams and things that work for her. From recipes to parenting escapades, the blog, like Rebecca’s life, is incomplete and taking shape as it goes.

Alanna from The Craft Nest

Hey, yes, this is me! Alanna was a Design Manager in the scrapbooking industry until the birth of her first child. She then turned freelance designer, crafter and stay-at-home mom. Her website features family and kids crafts, recipes, handmade gift ideas and advent activities.

We look forward to sharing our Day Camp Projects with you over the next couple weeks! See you soon.

(If you are a blogger and would like to be a day camp instructor shoot me an email at: alannageorge (at) alannageorge (dot) com)

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