Cardboard Mini Plinko Carnival Game

For the occasion of my daughter's birthday party this month, I decided to construct a game for the party-goers.  Recalling the fun we had playing plinko at various carnivals, I bought some golf tees and practice golf balls to make a miniature version of our own.

 Materials Used:

• Large cardboard box
• Golf tees
• Plastic golf balls
• Packing tape
• Metal skewer (to puncture the thick cardboard).
• Clear packing tape
• 3 Plastic cups
• Cardboard tubes (for side bumpers)
• Wrapping paper

Playing the Game:

Each child was given the same number of golf balls to drop (four or five).  They released each golf ball from the top of the board to roll and bounce down into the cups at the bottom.  My daughter thought it would be fun to make it a point-based game (she likes math).  In this case, each cup had a number, and we added the number of points scored by each child.  The person with the highest point total was the winner.  We let that person choose first from a prize box.

It's Playtime is where you'll find more playful ideas like this.

How We Made 3 Birthday Pinatas in One Month

A "Starrific" Number 7 Pinata

As is the custom, I asked my soon-to-be 7-year-old what kind of birthday pinata she wanted this year. Unlike last year's unicorn pinata, her request was blessedly simple.   She wanted a number seven pinata. So in typical last-minute form, the morning before her afternoon party, we made it. We cut a cereal box to serve as the frame. It took around two hours to decorate and was gone in three smacks.

Our Easiest "Pinata" Ever!

Next, we had a mini-party for my son at a park where a weekly playgroup meets.  To help keep things simple, I let him make his own pinata.  I used Emma Salk's idea for an inside-out pinata. All that was required was:

• tape
• fruit snacks with his favorite characters.
• a latex balloon
• string for hanging
• random stick for smacking

This Year's Tank Engine Pinata

And finally, I had promised to make a proper pinata for my son.  We made it for our family party at home.  He chose a Thomas-themed pinata for the second year in a row.  To attempt a tank engine required a few more materials however.


We used:

• an empty oat canister with lid
• a cardboard toilet paper roll
• an empty cereal box
• an empty ice cream cone box
• glue
• blue tissue paper
• red crepe paper
• black construction paper
• paper plate (for the face)
• black and blue markers/crayons
• white or blue paper
• string for hanging
• tape for securing face to lid

Since I had made a similar pinata the previous year, it didn't take as long to make it the second time--less than two hours I think.  (I have a complete tutorial for a star pinata here. ) Again, speed, not perfection was my goal.  My son also had a wonderful time working with me to make it.

Thus, despite a busy summer of preparing to move, I concluded that keeping our birthday pinata tradition was worth doing.  My children seemed to agree.

June Plans and Goals

In two months we are moving to Canada.  Packing up a family of six would be difficult for anyone, but for a procrastinator who is chronically disorganized?  Seemingly impossible.  Our last move was not pretty.  Back in 2007, our three children and I got out of the way and left 99% of the work for my husband to do.

However, "everything I need" is available to me (II Peter 1:3).  Will I trust God's divine power or continue to bumble along in my own strength?  That's a question I must answer every hour until our departure.

This week I have four windows of time when my three older children will be at VBS.

                                        My plans are to:

1.  Have quiet dinners with my husband.

2.  Do most of my grocery shopping.

3.  Finish packing up our winter gear.

4.  Catch up on washing and putting away clothes.




Streamlining and simplifying meals this week and every week until it is time to go will be crucial.  And since this week's VBS is in the evenings, my kids will be eating earlier than usual.  We rarely eat until 6:30 most nights.  Can I have their meals ready by 5 p.m.?  It has to happen somehow.

This week's menu plan:

• Pasta and sausage for the kids (Steak for my husband and I)
• Fried Baked Chicken, Baked Sweet Potatoes
• Meatloaf, Rice, Salad
• Pigs in a blanket, Veggie tray (Dinner out for my husband and I?)
• Slow cooker chicken, Steamed vegetables
• Shrimp stir fry, Rice

Other goals for June:

1. Start prepping & painting rooms.
2. Have our realtor do a walk-through so we know what the priority repairs are.
3. Make weekly visits to the local libraries.
4. Play outside & exercise every day.
5. Gather all items for a moving sale in July.
6. Low-mess projects with the kids.
7. Read to my kids every day.

 Do you have any helpful tips for preparing to move with a family?  Please share.