My niece Zoe turned six last June, and the moment her mom texted “camping theme?” I went into full planning mode. Three tents in the backyard. A s’mores station loaded with six toppings. A trail mix bar in mason jars lined up on a kraft paper table runner. Forty plastic bugs hidden in the grass …
There was a before and an after. The dividing line was a baby shower in my living room — the one where my sister built something out of $12 worth of balloons that made every single guest walk through the front door and audibly gasp. But what I remember almost as clearly as that balloon …
Picture this: It’s 4:30 on a Saturday afternoon in late May. The backyard smells like cut grass and sunscreen. There’s a bubble machine running near the fence line, three oscillating sprinklers making overlapping arcs across the lawn, and somewhere between the s’mores station and the giant Jenga set, a 7-year-old is losing her mind with …
My friend Emma has an October birthday, and every single year she does something that makes me slightly annoyed at how good it is. Last fall, I walked into her backyard at 6 p.m. — she had a long wooden table with a linen runner, mismatched taper candles in varied heights, mini gourds and real …
4th of July safety tips for party hosts — fireworks, grill, food, alcohol, heat, water, and pet safety, with a quick-reference table and host FAQ. Keep your party fun and accident-free.
20 hilarious minute to win it games for adults, kids, and large groups — simple rules, common household items, and quick setup for any party or get-together.
4th of July crafts for kids — easy patriotic projects with step-by-step instructions, age ranges, and supply lists.