Playground Scavenger Hunt Cards

This little deck of playground scavenger hunt cards consists of 32 cards, each illustrating an object that can be found in many typical playgrounds, parks, and backyards. They're great for encouraging outdoor exploration, and are a handy size to carry in a purse, glove box, or backpack.

The set can be used as a whole, or unclasped and divided between children for independent or competitive play.

The original illustrations were hand drawn using colored pencils, then scanned for layout. Each set is color laser printed then laminated, trimmed, punched, and strung onto a natural hemp strap which buttons around itself on a wool felt ball.

Get the scavenger hunt cards for $16.00 at Blynken & Nod's store on Etsy.com.

Crafting a Green World

Just found a great blog titled Crafting a Green World. It has entries on green crafts and projects that can be done by parents and children alike. Get the family together and browse around the blog or take a look at some of the more recent entries:

• Reusable Shopping Bags (made from t-shirts)
• The Crafty Cookout
• Eight Projects for Tins and Cans
• The Handmade Spa
• Create Gift Boxes out of Soap Boxes

Need Another DVD Player in Your Car?

Need another dvd player in your car to stop the kids from arguing? Do you have a laptop and $24.99 $19.99? Check out the CradleVue laptop travel harness at VueGear. It's designed to securely suspend your notebook computer between the front seats of your vehicle — positioning it perfectly for unobstructed backseat viewing.

The CradleVue installs in about one minute and is fully adjustable to accommodate SUVs, mini vans, cars, and trucks. It'll also custom-fit nearly any size notebook computer. Made of durable nylon webbing, tent-quality bungee-like shock cord, hook and loop fastening, and sewn to rigid standards, the CradleVue … well … cradles your computer and keeps it secure and in place while traveling.

Share Calendars the Easy Way (Mac or iPhone Required)

Always on the go? Have a Mac or an iPhone and use Google calendar? Check out BusyMac's newest product, BusyCal. It combines a beautiful, personal desktop calendar with their award winning calendar sharing and syncing technology — in one integrated application. BusyCal syncs with the iPhone, MobileMe, Google Calendar, and just about any other application or device that supports Sync Services. And its backward compatible with BusySync too. There's a whole assortment of other features, including:

• Sync with Google Calendar
• Sync with iPhone
• Multi-user editing
• Security
• Offline editing
• Recurring ToDo's
• Live Weather
• Graphics
• Sticky Notes
• Rich Text

Also, check out some screenshots and videos of the public beta!

The Perfect Vacation: Woodloch Pines

When thinking about our family vacation this year we wanted something different.  With two small little ones we wanted something that everyone in our family would enjoy;  something that didn't cost an arm and a leg.  For us it was a tall order to fill.  We were traveling with 2 adults, a 15 year old, a 14 year old, 3 year old and a 7 month old, so we really needed something for everyone.  We new that places such as Disney weren't the best option for the 7 month old as it's hot and he'd be stuck in a stroller all day, and we searched and craved for something different than the same old thing.  We thought and contemplated several locations but in the end we kept going back to a childhood favorite of my husband, Woodloch Pines.

Woodloch Pines is located in the heart of the Pocono Mountains in Hawley, Pennsylvania.  Woodloch Pines in one of the best all-inclusive family resorts out there.  They literally have something for everyone.  They have scheduled activities such as good old Scavenger hunts, which is no old school scavenger hunt (hint: bring your laptop), Bingo, Double Dare, Family Olympics, and the list goes on.  When you aren't attending a scheduled activity you won't have to look far for things to keep you busy, such as the mini-golf, go-karts, the numerous pools, the lake, boats, and again the list goes on.  

The best thing about Woodloch is that it brings the family together while still allowing for some alone time.  There is something for EVERYONE at Woodloch.  It includes most of the activities, 3 full meals a day and a variety of different accommodations.

See their website for a full list of activities and to start dreaming about your next vacation.