A Memory Of Us

gift guide - Thursday, May 30, 2024

Fun Golf Polos for Men | Golf Polos for Father's Day | Father's Day Gifts

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Outdoor Toy Ideas for Kids this Summer | Outdoor Toys for Kids Ages 4 and Up | What to Do Outside with Older Kids | Summer Toys for Kids | What to Do outside with Kids | A Memory of Us

Following up to last week's post that contained 20+ ideas of outdoor toys for toddlers, today's post is all about outdoor toys for older kids. I had so many ideas when I first started writing my post about the best outdoor toys for kids last week, that I had to split it into two age groups. There are many things in my toddler outdoor toys post that my 4 year old still plays with today. That being said...

My post today is all about ideas for the older kids. I would say most of these outdoor toy ideas are for kids ages 4 and up. However, there are plenty of things in here that younger kiddos will love too like a splash pad, chalk, etc.

We love playing outside at our house! At time of publishing, my kids are ages 2 and 4. We make it a priority to get outside every single day. Some of these are things we have and love, others we play with at friend's houses, or I have them on my "to buy" list. I hope you find some unique ideas for outdoor toys for your kids in this post!

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Car Wash* - This is essentially a water table but it is shaped like a truck and comes with all the accessories to wash the truck*. I've put it in my category for older kids just because I worry a younger kid might not be able to reach the top of the car. I know this is something both of my vehicle obsessed kiddos would absolutely love!
Car Wash Activity Kit* - Similar to the item listed above, consider this car wash activity kit* for your kiddos. My boys love to help Dad wash our cars. Of course they can just use whatever you have at home already, but some tools are nice to have child sized. This set includes an appropriately sized bucket, squeegee, microfiber mitt, wheel brush, and 3 cleaning cloths.

Rake and Shovel Set* - My kids got these this year and I am impressed at the quality. They are actually usable! My kids have loved helping us clean up the yard this spring.
Garden Tools* - Another yard tool you could consider getting your kid this summer is a garden set. This one* comes with a little canvas bag, gloves, watering can, a small handheld rake, and a little shovel. If you want something with less pieces, consider this one* that is just a little rake and shovel.

Splash Pad* - My kids got one of these for Christmas this year so I can't wait to try it!
Water Slide* - If your yard offers the space for it, consider one of these awesome water slides*. This one* has 117 reviews and a 4.9 star rating.

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Chalk* and Chalk Stencils* - My four year old absolutely LOVES to draw with chalk outside. We always buy this 48 pack of colors* for less than $5. For something different for Easter, he got a chalk stencil set*. I had never seen one before! If your kiddo loves to draw chalk, a chalk stencil set* might be a fun addition to your outdoor activites.
Bubble Machine* - Kids (and adults) will get a kick out of chasing bubbles from the bubble machine. Bonus that you don't have to deal with the mess of bubble wands. Don't forget the solution refill*!

Scooter* - I shared about this in my best gifts for a 3 year old blog post. My son got this exact scooter* when he turned three and he loves it. It gets used all the time! We ride it around the block, to the park, etc. He is so fast on it! I am eyeing something like this youth scooter* or this razor scooter* for a future present as he outgrows what he uses today.
Soccer Ball* + Goal* - I feel like soccer is often the first team sport for most kids. If this is the case for your family, consider getting your own soccer ball*and soccer goal*! We have these so that my son can "play soccer practice" in our yard. It is a great way to just play, but also allows him to keep practicing what he has learned now that our soccer season is over. The first link to the goal included 2, so if you only need 1 you might consider this option* or this fold-n-go one* instead. We have the fold-n-go*.

Pool* - Once your kid is big enough to upgrade from the wading pool, you might want a slightly larger pool for your yard. This is the one we have.* If you have the space, this one* even has a little bit of shade available.

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Mudkitchen* - A mudkitchen is such a fun idea for outdoor play. This is a fun outdoor toy starting at age 3. With a mudkitchen* they can have all the fun of playing in the kitchen outdoors. If your kiddos especially love pretend play, this is a great outdoor toy idea. This one* even has a working sink - so fun!
Net Tree Swing* - A great option for when you don't have enough room for a full swingset in your yard but still want your kiddos to have a swing*! This style is big enough to fit multiple people at one time*.

Reusable water balloons* - Another repeat from my best gifts for a 3 year old blog post. We absolutely love these resuable water balloons for outdoor play. We drop them in a bucket of water, or our kiddie pool, and the kids can open them and fill them up to throw them. We also take them on vacation with us and play with them at the pool! I recommend you order at least a 12 pack of reusable water balloons*. More is better if you have multiple kiddos!
Little Explorer Play Set* - My four year old loves keeping maps from places we go (the zoo, botanical gardens, etc.) and using them to go on adventures in our neighborhood. He has such a good imagination. There are lots of fun explorer play sets* that I know he would absolutely love to use on these adventures! He got a set of binoculars* in his most recent Christmas stocking.

Sprinkler*- This and the pool* are a repeat from my outdoor toy ideas for toddlers blog post*. However, I wanted to share this again because I wanted to call out something special my older son loves to do. He loves to push the cozy coupe* car through a sprinkler tunnel* and play car wash. This is something his class does at daycare during water play! A really fun creative play option using both a cozy coupe car* and a sprinkler*. Little Tikes does also make a sprinkler designed like a car wash*.

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Battery Powered Car*- Raise your hand if growing up you always wanted a Barbie jeep to ride around the neighborhood in?! They still make really cool batery powered vehicles for kids. (Although this* was the closest I could find to a Barbie jeep!) This one* comes in more than 10 colors.
Sandbox Excavator* - My son got this for his birthday last year and he loves it! If your kid loves construction vehicles and you have the space for it, this sandbox excavator* is a great outdoor toy for older kids. With this toy you can dig sand, move dirt, or even use it in the snow! This is a great toy as it helps teach hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

Inflatable Bounce House* - I have some friends who have inflatable bounce houses for their kids and they love them. Hours of entertaiment for the kids! Prices really range on this one. This one* is just over $100, here is one for $200*,and this one has a basketball hoop and a slide for $300*. This one* is just over $400 and this one has over 10,000 reviews and 4.7 stars*.

Climbing Dome* - A climbing dome can be a great addition to your backyard play. My older son loves to climb things, and I am sure little brother is not far behind. This one includes a slide* and here is another climbing dome with slide*. This is the one I see in our neighborhood* most often.

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What is your favorite thing to do outdoor with kids? Share your favorite outdoor toys for kids in the comments! I think a lot of these are great outdoor toys for kids ages 5-7, but if you have older kids would love to hear what your kids love to play with outside!

gift guide - Thursday, May 16, 2024

Outdoor Toys for Kids this Summer | Outdoor Toys for Kids Ages 4 and Up! | Outdoor Toys for Older Kids

Links with an * at the end are affiliate links and I may earn commission. Thanks for supporting me and my blog! Following up to last week...

Links with an * at the end are affiliate links and I may earn commission. Thanks for supporting me and my blog! FYI - Throughout this post I will link at a variety of stores, but if the item is the same price at Kohl's as it is at other stores, and is enough for free shipping, I will always link it at Kohl's so that you have the opportunity to earn Kohl's cash on your purchase!

Outdoor Toys for Toddlers | The Best Outdoor Toys for Your Kids This Summer | Toddler Outdoor Toys | Outdoor Toys for Toddlers | Outdoor Activities for One Year Old | One Year Old Outdoor Toys | Outside Play Ideas for Toddlers | A Memory of Us

We make it a priority to get our kids outside every single day. During the warmer months, usually that means some form of water play, probably a park run, and more! At time of publishing, my kids are 2 and 4. Since we spend so much time outdoors, I have a lot of ideas about fun outdoor toys for kids. These are my outdoor toys ideas for toddlers. Many of these are great outdoor toy ideas for a 1 year old as they will grow with your child. These are great outdoor toys for boys and great outdoor toys for girls. I had so many ideas for fun things to play outside with your kids, that I ended up needing to make two posts. Today's post is geared for younger kids and shares outdoor toy ideas for toddlers. In my mind, a lot of these are great toys for ages 3 and under. (Although many will grow with your kids as my 4 year old still plays with what we have from this list.)

Still want more ideas? Looking for outdoor toy ideas for older kids? Check out my blog post with outdoor toy ideas for kids ages 4 and up!

20+ Outdoor Toy Ideas for Toddlers | Outdoor Toys for a 1 Year Old | One Year Old Outdoor Toys | Outdoor Play Ideas for Toddler | Summer Toys for Toddlers

Water Table - A water table is an absolute must have outdoor toy for your little one! This is a great way to get sensory water play at a young age. We have this Little Tikes Fish'n Splash Water Table* and both my boys love it. My oldest got it as a birthday gift when he turned 1. They can send the fish down the slide, use the launcher to launch fish into the wable, go "fishing", and scoop up the animals with a net and cup. I've seen some other ones out there that are 2 stories (like this Step2 Double Showers Splash Water Table*) and I think it might have more longevity than the fishing table since it is taller. My oldest is currently 4 so I will be curious to see how much he plays with our exact water table this summer. This one* that has options to send balls around and around in the water table also looks super fun! Water tables can get pricey, so I wanted to call out that this one is currently on sale for less than $40*.

Sink or Table Top Water Table* - If you don't have room to store a full water table in your house, consider this Table Top Water Table* instead. Another option here is a play sink with running water*. We gifted this sink to my youngest when he turned 1 and it is something that a year later both he and my 4 year old enjoy playing with. The faucet runs on a battery and they can turn the faucet on and off to play in the sink and wash dishes. The play sink also comes in pink*.

Sandbox* - A sandbox is a classic outdoor toy -- no kid can resist playing in the sand! This caterpillar design* is unique and something I haven't seen before. Here* is an otion that lets you raise it off the ground if you wanted to put it on a patio or deck. If you think this a toy your kiddo will get a lot of use out of, consider this one that has both an umbrella and a cover for the sandbox.*

Toddler Outdoor Activities | Outdoor Toys for Toddlers | Outdoor Toys for One Year Old | Summer Play Ideas |

Little Tikes Gas 'n Go Mower* - A play lawn mower is such a fun outdoor toy. My kids like to play with it on their own, and also like to get it out when Dad is mowing the lawn to be like Dad.
Green Toys Watering Can* - We love Green Toys in our house. (See my Favorite Gifts for a 2 Year Old blog post for proof!). We gifted my youngest this watering can and shovel set* for Easter when he was a little over one. The plastic is made out of recycled milk jugs and is really good quality. Great for outdoor play!

Up and Down Roller Coaster* - This roller coaster* is something we don't have room for in our yard, but anytime we are somewhere and they have this toy.... my kids are alllll about it! Kids will love riding the car up and down the little ramp.
Balance Bike* - We picked up a balance bike* for my son when he was a little under 2.5. This is a great way to expose young kids to balancing on a bicycle. We got ours from a garage sale. They can be a little pricey, so here* is an option that is about half the cost of the first link!
Radio Flyer Steer and Stroll Trike* - Another item listed in my Favorite Gifts for 2 Year Olds Blog post -- the steer and stroll trike* is one of our most used outdoor toys and has been for years. Both of my sons have loved being pushed on the trike - the tall handle makes it so easy to push them through the neighborhood and they feel more independence than in a stroller. As your child grows and gets comfortable pedaling, you can remove the handle. My kids also love finding "treasures" while we are out on a walk to put in the storage compartment in the back.

Swing* - Both of my boys have loved this swing*. You can easily hang it by hooks and move it around. In the warmer months it is on our front porch ,and in the winter we have hung it in our basement since it is unfinished. Weight limit is 50 pounds so there is a lot of life in it!
T-Ball Bat Set* - We gifted this t-ball set* to my oldest for Easter when he was roughly 18 months old. It still is a great option for him at four. I love that it stores easily.
Kickball* - A classic outdoor toy for a reason! We always take ours to the park with us.

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Table and Chairs* - If you'll be outside a lot with your kids this summer, consider getting them a kidsized table and chairs. This way they have a place to rest and also have snack! Here are a few options you could check out that are at different price points: $75 for a table and chair set*, $100 for this set*, and here is a wooden one for $140*. This isn't something we personally have room for, but we do have a couple of these cute kid-sized adirondack chairs* and the kids love having a spot they can sit in between playing!

Pool* - A simple wadding kiddie pool* is a must for your water play! Here is another option that inflates*. Our water play set up always includes both the water table and little pool! We have actually always used a hand-me-down turtle sandbox* for our pool -- whatever works!
Sprinkler* - We have never used anything fancy for a sprinkler -- just the simple kind you have for watering your lawn*. That is an option or you can buy something more geared towards kids, such as this flower petal one* or this caterpillar one*

Backyard bungalow house* - I know my kids would absolutely love one of these outdoor playhouses. I like these options (patio set with canopy* or the backyard bungalow*) as they are both covered and have lots of play options. Roleplay stations for things like gardening, kitchen, grilling, mail, etc. I also like that they are open so it's easy to see what the kiddos are doing. However, there are also the traditional playhouses like this* if you wanted something a little simpler.

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Grill* - If you don't want a whole house in your backyard, consider getting a play grill* instead. (My kids have this one* from Learning Resources, but it's not something we leave outside.) There are a variety of options depending on the space you have available and look you are going for! This one* looks like it is big enough for two kids to play-on at the same time. This one is wodden* and while I don't think you'd want to keep it outside, it looks very easy to move around.

Step2 Whisper II Ride-On*- This kind of goes along with the tricycle with the handle, but is another option for ways of transporting your child through the neighborhood besides a stroller. This cute little car* has a handle you can push your child with. It has a working horn, storage under the hood, and folds for storage. I've linked it via Kohls* as it is $15 cheaper there than at Target! Also available in pink here*.

Slide* - Another classic toy for little ones. This one* is easy to move so you can take it inside when needed.
Play tent* - A play tent is another fun play space for the outdoors. This one* is shark themed and this one* is mermaids.
No Spill Bubbles* - I think all kids are fascinated with bubbles. I like this container* for little hands so that the solution doesn't spill!

What is your favorite activity to do with your kids outside? Did I miss your favorite outdoor toy for your toddler? Please share it in the comments so we can all check it out!

If you want more outdoor toy ideas, be sure to check out this blog post where I shared outdoor toy ideas for older kids.

Toddler Outdoor Activities | Toddler Outdoor Toys | Outdoor Toys for Toddlers | Best Outdoor Toys for Kids | Outside Activities for Kids | 1000 hours Outside | outdoor activities for kids | Summer play for kids | A Memory of Us

gift guide - Friday, May 10, 2024

The Best Outdoor Toys for Your Kids This Summer! | Toddler Outdoor Toys | Outdoor Toys for Toddlers

Links with an * at the end are affiliate links and I may earn commission. Thanks for supporting me and my blog! FYI - Throughout this post I...

This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn commission from your purchase. I am a HelloFresh partner, but all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting me and my blog!

Why I Love Hello Fresh | Review of Hello Fresh |Hello Fresh Promo Code | Discount Code for Hello Fresh | A Memory of Us |

I am sure you all have heard of HelloFresh before, but if not it is a meal prep service. Each week you can choose 3 meals to be sent to your doorstep. (I also recently learned you can edit your box to select more or less than 3 meals to be included!) They have over 30 meals to choose from each week, so you're sure to find something you'll like. When it ships, it ships in a temperature controlled box with preportioned ingredients. Each recipe comes in a paper bag with all the ingredients you need to make the meal, with the exception of things like olive oil. salt, pepper, or butter. (Meat products are packed separately.)

Meal prep is incredibly easy as everything you need is in that paper bag. In the bag you'll find any veggies, dairy products, sauces, spices, etc. Each recipe comes with a recipe card with step by step picture instructions to guide you as you are cooking.

HelloFresh helps reduce food waste as they only send you exactly what you need. No more buying a giant bottle of some kind of sauce if you only need 2 tablespoons. HelloFresh is America's number one meal kit for a reason! It gives you a chance to have delicious homemade meals during the week, sent straight to your door.

I have used HelloFresh off and on for years. (In fact, I went back through my recipe cards I've saved from them and have more than 30 saved!) I thought today I would share some of the benefits of HelloFresh and reasons why I love it.

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HelloFresh recipes get me out of my comfort zone.

Although I love meal planning and finding new recipes, I tend to stick with things I know. (After all, that makes it easier to search on Pinterest!) However, it is so nice to try new things or new ingredients I might have otherwise skipped over. I love that they encourage me to try new food combinations or new ingredients.
A silly example here is HelloFresh's meal of firecracker meatballs. This is one of my all-time favorite HelloFresh dishes (my 4 year old asks for it too). It's essentially beef meatballs, with rice, green beans, and a delish sauce. Nothing crazy. However, before having this meal I would have never thought to make a meatball + rice dish! We love it so much that it has inspired me to search for other, similar recipes. Another example here is the HelloFresh Pork Schnitzel recipe. Again, no outlandish ingredients here, but the meat in the dish is a pork cutlet. This is not something I would have ever bought at the grocery store or really sought out a recipe that uses them prior to this recipe.

You can save HelloFresh recipes to make them again on your own.

The HelloFresh recipe cards are amazing for meal prep. Step by step pictures to follow could not make it any easier. I keep all my Hello Fresh cards in a special folder to reuse again and again. The only tricky part is nailing down their spices on your own -- since usually they will send something like "mexican seasoning" but I just do my best guess.
We remake a couple recipes over and over again - particularly the aforementioned Firecracker Meatballs and the Salsa Verde Enchiladas!

HelloFresh is great for making meals at home special, or for at home date nights.

When I first shared about HelloFresh on Instagram, I received a lot of DMs from people about how they loved this during the pandemic as a way to make an at home date night special. I agree that HelloFresh is a great way to make meals at home special. With two young kids, I am not currently in a phase of life where I'm going out to eat every week. (Heck, even before kids I preferred to cook at home most nights!) But, we still want to have date night and make meal time special at home. HelloFresh meals are restaurant quality at home, so it can feel like you've gone out to eat when you're sitting in your own dining room.

Side bar here, but if you compare the cost of going out to eat vs. one box of Hello Fresh that contains 3 meals... HelloFresh is going to come out ahead in terms of cost I'd venture to guess 99% of the time.

It can be easy to get sucked into the monotony of making the same meals each day of the week. Sometimes life is just busy and all you can handle is tacos and spaghetti -- things that don't necessarily require you follow a recipe. However, when you are looking for at home meals that are a little more special, HelloFresh is a great option.

HelloFresh makes meal planning exciting and easy.

I know some people hate meal planning, but I personally love it. Finding recipes that overlap in ingredients -- thinking of what needs to be an easy dinner night because we have activities vs. when we can take a little longer... it's all fun to me. But, that's not for everyone! HelloFresh makes meal planning so easy because they've done the initial work for you. If you are signing up for a HelloFresh box, you can browse the 30+ recipes they've selected for the week and just pick the 3 pictures that you think look and sound the best. All ingredients ship straight to you (minus staples like olive oil) so it also makes groceries needed minimal!

HelloFresh is great to set up for delivery after traveling.

Coming back from a vacation and having to go straight to the grocery store can be hard. Usually you're short on time as you unpack and get ready for work/school the next day. You can sign up for HelloFresh in advance of your trip and pick out the meals you want. Select a delivery date that coincides with when you arrive home and you have taken out a stressor when you come home from a trip!

HelloFresh is yummy!

Every single meal we have had from HelloFresh has been delish! No complaints from our house.

HelloFresh always has rotating promotions.

HelloFresh is always changing out their promotions. Below is the current HelloFresh promo code I have available.
My HelloFresh promo code today is for 10 Free Meals and Free Dessert for Life - with this promo your first box for two people is only $29.93!!

When you join HelloFresh you will get one free dessert for life + 10 free meals + free shipping on your first box!

Review of Hello Fresh | Is Hello Fresh Healthy | Is Hello Fresh Expensive | Is Hello Fresh Worth It | Is Hello Fresh Cheaper Than Groceries | A Memory of Us

7 Reasons Why I Love HelloFresh | HelloFresh Review | HelloFresh Promo Code | Is HelloFresh Good? | Is HelloFresh Worth It

recipe - Friday, May 03, 2024

7 Reasons Why I Use and Love HelloFresh

This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn commission from your purchase. I am a HelloFresh partner, but all opinions are my own. T...

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A Memory Of Us

Fun Golf Polos for Men | Golf Polos for Father's Day | Father's Day Gifts

Outdoor Toys for Kids this Summer | Outdoor Toys for Kids Ages 4 and Up! | Outdoor Toys for Older Kids

The Best Outdoor Toys for Your Kids This Summer! | Toddler Outdoor Toys | Outdoor Toys for Toddlers

7 Reasons Why I Use and Love HelloFresh

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