Thursday, October 14, 2010

A Bumper Crop of Family-Friendly Halloween Contests & Giveaways During October

Bookmark this page now and keep checking back as MommyBlogExpert will add additional contests to the list as they are confirmed. Know about a Halloween contest that's not already listed here? Then feel free to leave a brief description and link (if you have one) in the comments below.

Handmade Teletubbies Costumes MommyBlogExpert Made for Her kids
Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert

Who doesn't love to be a winner?

Here is a run down of just a handful of the many FREE Halloween-themed contests and giveaways that you and your family can enter this month.  The more contests you enter, the more likely you are to win something, right? So what are you waiting for? Follow the links to the giveaways that appeal to you right now.
  • MommyBlogExpert and Kidtoons Spookley the Square Pumpkin Giveaway enter here, Ends 10/25
  • PopChips Snack-o-lantern contest - Pop your pumpkin for chance to PopChips for your Halloween Party enter here , Ends 10/24
  • FamilyFun.com Family Costume Contest - WIN a $1,250 Disney Store Gift Card enter here, Ends 11/1
  • FamilyFun.com Terror-rific Kid's Costume Contest - WIN 4 movie tickets every month for a year enter here, Ends 11/1
  • Babyzone.com Boo-tiful Baby Costume Photo Contest - WIN a Bugaboo Bee or Clek Oobr Booster Seat, Pooh Bedding Set, and $250 Disney Store Gift Card enter here , Ends 11/1
  • Kaboose.com Bow-Meow-Ween Pet Costume Contest - WIN a Solvit Houndabout Pet Trailer or a King Kong Pet Toy & Gift Basket, enter here, Ends 11/1
  • Divine Chocolate Contest - Share your Halloween Dress for Success story enter here, Ends 10/23 
  • Michael's Spook-duck-ular Duck Tape Costume Contest - WIN a $500 Gift Card, see rules here and enter here, Ends 10/31 
  • Swap.com is running a really green contest.  For this one, the Best Recycled Costume Wins!  Upload your photos to their Facebook Wall page here 
  • Decorating with Glue Dots for Halloween Contest, enter here, Ends 11/5
Don't miss MommyBlogExpert's
Know of additional Halloween Family-Friendly Contests and Giveaways?  If so, please leave a comment including a brief description of the contest/giveaway with a link to it. Remember, this is a family-centric blog, so as always all posts must be G-rated.
FTC Disclosure:  I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this particular post.   See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.     
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    Tuesday, October 12, 2010

    Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment Presents Special Creatures of the Night Event for Halloween

     1st in a Multi-Part Series

    October 27 - October 30, 2010
    Creatures of the Night 
    Evenings from 6 - 9 p.m.
    At the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

    COMMENT at bottom of this post: What's your fave Halloween costume from childhood? 


    My kids, hubbie and I are so excited to be coming to this family-friendly event at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, California later this month.  Though we are busy working on some really creative costumes for this already, I wanted to take some time off to share all the details with those of you who are lucky enough to be in Southern California later this month.

    Photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton


    Families, kids and adults alike are invited to the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel for a fun event entitled Creatures of the Night presented by Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment.   The lavish Halloween bash takes place nightly from 6 to 9 pm starting Wednesday, October 27 through Saturday, October 30. 


    Party guests will have the chance to participate in lots of activities designed around each of the five senses.  For example, for hearing, participants will be challenged to listen and identify animal noises and scary sounds.  Another game involves the sense of touch, requiring guests to stick their hands in a box to blindly guess what the object is.  They'll be more fun activities and surprises including the Shadow Game, Guess the Ghoulish Smell and the Candy Bar Taste Test, too.  And what would a Halloween Party be without a Costume Contest with a prize for the best outfit?  The all-inclusive cost for this lavish event is $65 per person.
     
    MommyBlogExpert's Kids Some Years Ago
    In Eel, Bat Ray, Clownfish, and Octopus Costumes
    Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com


    Ambassadors of the Environment is part of an agreement between The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., and renowned diplomat for the environment, Jean-Michel Cousteau and his Ocean Futures Society to develop Ambassadors of the Environment programs in select Ritz-Carlton locations worldwide. The mission of Ocean Futures Society (OFS), a non-profit organization based in Santa Barbara, California, is to explore our global ocean, inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly for its protection, documenting the critical connection between humanity and nature, and celebrating the ocean’s vital importance to basic survival of life on our planet.
    Jean-Michel Cousteau, Ocean Futures Society
    Photo by Carrie Vonderhaar


    Situated atop a 150-foot bluff along the California Coast half way between Los Angeles and San Diego, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel in Dana Point boasts panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and two miles of sandy beach.  The luxury property has catered to the world’s most discriminating guests for more than 26 years and has nearly 400 rooms and oceanfront views, offering guests refined elegance, a graceful atmosphere and impeccable oceanfront service.  For more information or reservations call 800-241-3333 the hotel direct at 949-240-2000, a travel professional, or visit The Ritz-Carlton Web site at www.ritzcarlton.com.

    Be sure you are following MommyBlogExpert on Twitter and Facebook to see all the pictures that I'll be posting after the event. 

    Also - Don't miss MommyBlogExpert's
    Other Fun & Creative Halloween Posts
    Crafty Ideas and Giveaway Contests
    What is your favorite Halloween costume from your own childhood?  COMMENT at the bottom of this post to share your memories. 


    FTC Disclosure:  To facilitate MommyBlogExpert's live Tweets from the event and pre- and post-coverage of the actual event, her family will be receiving hotel accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton as well as Creatures of the Night passes to attend.  I did not receive any other payment or other compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.     
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    10 Fun Easy DIY Kids Play Activities

    Parenting
    Post updated February 1, 2024


    10 Ideas to Enhance Playtime


    When my children -- triplets plus one more all born within a year were toddlers -- I learned by trial and error how to survive with four kids in diapers at once and to have a great time while doing it.  Now that my kids have turned into teenagers, I've been able to look back and reflect on all the ways I created a fun and playful environment for them.




    MBE partnered with TwitterMoms, post contains affiliate links

    1. Simple Toys Were, Are, and Will Always Be the Best

    As a Baby Boomer toddler, Real Wood Lincoln Logs, Basic Wood Building Blocks, Classic Tinker Toys were my favorite play things, luckily these are all still available in 2024. Then, when my own kids were toddlers about a decade ago they preferred Legos and blocks to any of the more complicated age-appropriate electronic gadgets available then. Fast forward to today. I've noticed that my friends and the next generation of moms with toddlers all keep saying the same thing. Their kids consistently would rather play with basic stuff rather than the toys with all the bells, whistles, and electronic buttons. Based on that history, I'm predicting that building blocks will continue to be in vogue for generations to come. 

    2. Boxes Intrigue Little Minds

    When I was little I was usually more thrilled with the box rather than the contents that came inside it. The same thing happened when my own kids were younger and also with today's preschoolers. If you haven't tried this already, definitely do.  You'll be absolutely amazed at how much kids love boxes of all sizes and shapes, whether they once held corn flakes or a new flat screen TV. Non-mechanized ride on toys like this HOMCOM Ride On Excavator Tractor (2024) are a blast for children. 

    That's my oldest son you see at left when he was almost 3 years old playing hide and seek with the big box that Daddy brought home.   


    3. Books for Babies and Beyond

    When thinking about objects for fun and play and all the smartphones us moms use, I bet a lot of you would not automatically include books in that category. Reconsider that picture books are a form of entertainment, a way that you can spend quality time with your child, and a source that stimulates young intellectual development. With advantages like that,  who wouldn't want to include at least some reading (starting with picture books for the very young) in playtime?

    4. Creativity is Only Limited by Your Child's Imagination

    I have always been amazed at what kids will create if you just give them a pile of odds and ends and a few simple craft materials. When I gave my second grader an old cardboard box, some pipe cleaners, yarn, packing shredding, poster paints, and glue he created the horse in a pasture you see at the top of this blogpost.  In my wildest dreams I would have never thought of such an original idea on my own. The lesson here is that EVERY child with the proper motor skills can create something really imaginative if you just provide some tools for them to create with.  Remember: giving a kid opportunities to be creative is an important way to help child grow and learn to problem solve, all while having fun.

    5. Fresh Air Family Fun During All Four Seasons

    Fresh air has been proven to be physically and emotionally good for kids and adults. So whenever possible, try and spend some time together outdoors each day, whether it's winter, spring, summer or fall doing something fun. Take a small child to a local park, dressing them properly according to the weather. And don't forget the sunblock, no matter what season it is. For an older kid, how about taking a bike adventure together around the neighborhood?

    6. Special Toys and Activities Just for Rainy Days

    But what about those days when you fear your kids will get cabin fever because it's raining or snowing so hard outside they can't go out and play?  This is a must-have tip for any stay-at-home mom or dad's playtime arsenal that I learned from the preschool my children once attended. If you stash some special toys that you bring out ONLY during those times when the weather is inclement your kids will never be bored when they must stay inside for many hours at a time and might even start looking forward to stormy and snow days.

    7. Playdates and Playgroups With Similarly-Aged Children

    Once children begin to develop social skills at around three years old, it will be beneficial for you to seek out other children the same age as yours to arrange play dates with. Whether you enroll in a Mommy and Me Class or organize an informal play group in your neighborhood, the benefits will be the same for your child. One-on-one play dates are also a great way for kids to have fun together with others who are at the same stage.

    8. Clean Up Time Can Be Just as Fun as Play Time

    With all these toys and playing, all the play areas in your home are bound to get a little (or a lot) messy. At as early an age as possible, it's a good idea to teach your child by example that picking up and putting away their games and other play things is part of having fun. That's because if they put everything away neatly each time when they are done, they'll always be able to find things easily the next time they're in the mood for playing. When it's time to clean up, turn on some music, and transform cleanup time into a game that you play along with your child. If you at least look like you are enjoying the cleanup, your child will likely enjoy it too.

    9.  Community Resources are Everywhere

    If you are lucky enough to live in a good-sized town, city or metropolitan area where museums and other venues offer kid-friendly activities you will have no trouble finding lots of fun places to go where your child can play. You might even buy an annual membership in one of these places so you can visit often without having to pay admission each time. Conversely, if you live in a smaller community you might be within driving distance of a city that offers a great zoo or dedicated children's museum. Even better, there might be fun scheduled events for kids that you can take advantage of which are offered by your public library or even small town local merchants who have set up play areas in their stores so parents can shop.

    10. Good Deeds for Less Fortunate Kids That Your Child Can Do

    Help your child do something nice for a little one that is less fortunate than he/she is. This is a lot easier to do than you might think. When your child has out grown their toys simply gather these up and take them and your child to donate them to a children's shelter or thrift store, which creates jobs as well as provides an affordable place to shop, such as Salvation Army or Goodwill.

     This last revelation may be #10 on this list but actually it is the most important way you can incorporate fun and play into not only your child's life but also to another child in need. This definitely bears repeating because your children are looking to you as a role model.  If they see you being kind to others, and giving back to your community, they will learn to be helpful as well. Not only that, but there will be a whole lot less kids who grow up without having fun things to play with.

    How about you? If there was just one thing you could share with other parents about making everyday life more fun for kids, what would you tell them?

    Mommy Blog Expert participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, so if you make a purchase on their site using one of the links in this post, we earn a bit of compensation without extra cost to buyers.


     FTC Disclosure:  I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and The Hub blogging program, and was compensated for my work. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one. 
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