Back to School

Craftykins // Crepe Paper Pencil Surprise

Can you believe summer whizzed on by and kids are headed back to school?! I simply cannot! Let’s get the children excited to head back to school with this Crepe Paper Pencil Surprise! Inspired by the Crepe Carrot Surprise that I made one Easter, this fun gift will definitely get your kids enthused about the start of the new school year. You can fill it with some pretty school supplies or maybe some sweet treats to celebrate your little one’s new school adventures. This would even make a great gift for a teacher! I wouldn’t mind receiving it loaded with chocolate treats; chocolate definitely helps me get through the school year.

Crepe Paper Pencil Surprise

Total time: 30 minutes

Supplies:
Crepe paper streamers, various colors to get the pencil look
Paper towel cardboard roll
Small piece of pink construction paper
Brown cardstock
Glue
Scissors

Directions:
1. With the brown card stock (or can use a stiff paper bag), cut out a triangle with a rounded base (similar shape to 1/4 of a pie) and use that to create a cone. Glue the sides together to form the cone. Place on top of one end of the paper roll, and glue the cone and roll together. Add a dab of glue as you go and proceed to wrap the cone with beige crepe paper streamer.

2. Add dabs of glue as you go, continue to wrap the roll with yellow crepe paper streamer to create the body of the pencil.

3. Once about 2 1/2″ from the top, wrap with grey/light blue crepe paper streamer stopping about 1/4″ from the top of the roll.

4. Fill your roll with surprises! Since children are heading back to school, put in pencils, markers, erasers, and some clips.

5. Using the pink construction paper, cut out a circle slightly larger than the roll opening. Line the edges of the circle with glue, cover the opening, press down the edges of the circle to secure to the top of the roll.

6. Proceed to cover the top of the pencil with the pink crepe paper streamer, glueing as you go to secure.

Featurekins // Model Behavior

By Leslie Schor, Senior Fashion Editor Leave a Comment

Happy Monday! At this point, we are all settled into our school routines and looking forward to cooler weather and holidays. This fun editorial explores the relationship between the different social groups that develop in middle and high school in such a creative manner.

Photography: Jennifer Krantz| Styling: Bethany Florek | Hair and Make-up Artist: Tamara Woodrow | Models: BMG Chicago

Clothing & Accessories // Vintage, Bobo Choses, Gap, MSG Naturals, J. Crew, Lemoniez, Hannah Anderson, Sara Jane, Caramel Baby & Child, ASOS, Gucci, J. Crew, Molo, River Island, Egelbel, Jeepers Peepers, Leo & Lily, Scotch and Shrunk

Fashionkins // Back to School Unicorn

By Zacha Carpenter, Contributor 1 Comment

Heading back to school is so exciting and magical in a way. Full of new beginnings and excitement for what’s ahead, in the growing minds of our children’s future. This year was extra special for us, as we sent our youngest to Kindergarten. She will paint the world someday with her colorful ideas!

Credits // Glasses: Children’s Place // Choker: Forever 21 // Sweater & Joggers: digaponykids.com // Shoes: Gap // Backpack: Rebecca Minkoff

Healthykins // The School Lunchbox Series: Star Wars Inspiration

By Liz Jacob, Copy Editor Leave a Comment

When it comes to making school lunches, we like that time to be organized and stress-free. When it comes to the actual lunch, we focus on healthy options that will fuel hungry tummies and get the kiddos through the day. And it’s always a bonus when the school lunchbox has a Star Wars twist!

When you’re making school lunches every single day it’s easy to fall victim to routine. We wanted to break free of the lunchbox rut and offer creative inspiration to blast boredom and present healthy kid-approved options.

This Planetbox lunchbox is a great tool for creating school lunches that are exciting and creative with a healthy twist. With each compartment, your child can have the perfect portions for a well-balanced meal. And, we totally love that meal prep is quick and easy and involves very little clean-up time. A win-win for all busy moms!

On today’s menu:
1. Tie Fighter cutout sandwich made with whole wheat bread, turkey and cheddar cheese. Served on a bed of lettuce with black olives.
2. Cucumbers, carrots and sharp cheddar cheese stars.
3. Yogurt dip with sprinkles and fresh fruit.
4. Trail mix and yogurt covered pretzels.
5. Dark chocolate square for a sweet treat.

Stay tuned for more inspiration, but in the meantime, dust of those cookie cutters and get creative! Cut sandwiches into shapes, turn plain cheese into stars and hearts or add notes or messages to your little one. These simple touches are bound to make them smile!

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Schoolkins // Recess And Refuel

By Donna Tweedale, Former Contributor Leave a Comment

The first day of School, or even coming back after a long summer is a real mixture of emotions for kiddo's and Mumma's alike. Everything a new experience, new faces, new sounds, routines. While I'm sure he'll be having the best time, I'll be pacing the floor wondering if he's made friends, if he's overcome his nerves. I was thinking how I could get my little Babiekin a message through the day to let him know I'm thinking of him. Make him smile.

Recess would be the best opportunity. Sandwiches can be fun right?

Craftykins // Schultüte (School Cone)

By Debbie Jovel, Contributor Leave a Comment

My son started Pre-School in Germany this week, and it is a German tradition to give your babiekins a Schultüte (a prettily decorated big cone filled with toys, sweets, school supplies, and other goodies) on their first day of school to make their big day a little sweeter. A Schultüte is really meant to celebrate entering the first grade, but since my family is new to living in Germany and I love starting traditions with my son, I decided to make him a Schultüte (entering pre-school is a pretty big deal too). I searched Pinterest for ideas and showed him several Schultütes: decorated traditionally; with ninjas; with soccer balls; with a giant crocodile; and one like an ice cream cone. My son, with wide eyes, picked the ice cream cone (an ice cream cone is his favorite treat after all). With my design inspiration in hand, I accomplished making my son his very first Schultüte, and this is a tradition I am thrilled to share with him and continue. Do you have back to school traditions you share with your babiekins?

Measure a large triangle for your Schultüte & or the paper to wrap your Schultüte with, then cut it out with scissors.

Decorate your Schultüte – I used washi tape, a drawing of an ice cream cone, and painted wooden letters to spell my son’s name.

Staple fabric to the top of your Schultüte, I also stapled a fabric scallop that I cut out to represent ice-cream, then fill the Schultüte with toys, sweets, school supplies, and other goodies.

Fill & shape the top of the Schultüte, I used bubble wrap or you could use tissue paper, then tie it closed with a ribbon at the top.

Lastly, decorate the top of the Schultüte to look like candies on the ice cream cone by sewing on beads. My son helped by picking out the beads to use, but I didn’t let him look inside the Schultüte – that was a surprise for his first day of school!

My son’s first Schultüte!

My son loved his Schultüte and he loved his first day of school. I hope your babiekins have a wonderful first day of school too!

Fashionkins // Back to School

By Liz Jacob, Copy Editor Leave a Comment

Back to School is officially here and we are ready and geared up for the season. Use this inspiration to pull some casually chic pieces together for those early mornings. Mix and match, get creative and stay comfortable this school year.

Back to School // Photography and Styling: ELizabeth Pettey Photography

Look 1 // Models: Graice & Dallas | Hair: Hello Shiso | Romper: Wunway | Jacket: Homespun Vintage | Shoes: Zuzii

Look 2 // Model: Dallas | Top: Homespun Vintage | Jacket: Homespun Vintage | Pants: Gap | Shoes: Gap

Look 3 // Model: Karsyn | Hair: Zuzii | Necklace: Wunway | Shirt: Gap | Skirt: Gap

Look 4 // Model: Caylee | Headband: Wunway | Dress: Homespun Vintage | Lunch Sack: Oh Little Rabbit

Look 5 // Models: Banks & Fox | Shirts: Oh Little Rabbit | Button up, Pants and Backpack: Gap | Shoes: Birkenstock, Sperry | Lunch Box: Oh Little Rabbit

Look 6 // Model: Claire | Hair: Zuzii | Top: models | Shorts: Lemlem for Crewcuts | Shoes: Zuzii

Look 7 // Model: Bea | Hairclip: Zuzii | Dress: models | Shoes: href=”http://www.florahenri.com”>Flora & Henri

Look 8 // Model: Elaina | Floral button up: Wolfechild | Dress: Marie Chantal | Shoes: models | Backpack: Target

Look 9 // Model: Marco | Shirt: Oh Little Rabbit | Jacket: Homespun Vintage & Kira Kids (Collaboration) | Pants: Crewcuts | Shoes: Vans

Look 10 // Model: Bella | Hairclip: Zuzii | Dress: Mini Rodini | Socks: Wovenplay | Shoes: Elephantito