Homemade race cars, pumpkin flavored play-doh, pumpkin finger-puppets, hearty rump roast and veggies, shrimp, oat bars, and homemade taco seasoning are all featured this week at Family Fun Friday. Want to enrich development and learning for your little ones?  This week also features a gratitude journal for kids, counting pumpkins, sensory bins, drawing maps and more.

If you enjoy the features on Family Fun Friday please leave me a comment, I would love to hear from you! If you see things that you like here – please PIN them on Pinterest! If you PIN these lists it will help this blogging party grow. To PIN a specific blogger’s post please click through and pin directly from their site.  Thanks so much!

If you’re a mom keep reading because we have some wonderful fun ideas to inspire you with your little ones and family.  My blogging friends are linking up craft ideas, fun in the kitchen, preschool & homeschool ideas, and ways to spend time as a family. My blog is growing but I need your help, please like my facebook page or PIN a button and help spread the word about HappyandBlessedHome.com. Thanks so much.

This week I shared My Beautiful Mess and our Counting Money – FREE Printables.  Of the Morning Board Printables that I’ve created for my preschooler, these were my son’s favorite.  To find out more you can click the link or image below.

My friend Kayse Pratt just released her new book “Undivided Mom“.  Kayse’s book is a two week devotional based on the book of Luke and is written to be an encouragement for moms longing to find a glimpse of Christ in the chaos of everyday motherhood. You can check out her book by clicking on the image below.

Thanks to all my blogging friends for linking up last week at Family Fun Friday.  I have a special YouTube Video for you at Thank You All My Blogging Friends!  So many great ideas, crafts and things to do!  If you link up, you permit me to use your pictures/ideas as part of future posts and/or social media. Now on to some fabulous posts for moms.

Featured Bloggers:

Family Fun 

After reading these posts I want to build my own lego-car, make some pumpkin play-dough, get outdoors, and dance to music with my little guys.  I hope these posts inspire you too. If you like this list I hope you’ll PIN it. 😉

1. I LOVE these homemmade race cars featured over at Home on Deranged. Melissa’s post, “Chasing Rabbits: homemade racing cars are the best cars” truly is family time at it’s best.  Thanks Melissa for sharing such a warm and wonderful post!
2. Paula at Beauty Through Imperfection shared her 6 Ways to Help Your Kids Release Energy When You are Stuck Indoors.  With cooler weather on the way, this is a great post to look at for some ideas.
3. Amy over at Wildflower Ramblings shared this Fall Sensory Bin with Pumpkin Play Dough. I was inspired by the way she focused on some of the unique sensory items of fall. Great post Amy!
4. Clarissa over at Munchkins and Moms shared a super fun way to spend time with children – Playing Music!  In her post she shares some fun ways to use music for play and learning.
5. Stephanie at Twodaloo shared these adorable Pumpkin Finger Puppets. Her post includes a poem for use when playing with the Five Little Pumpkins.
6. And if you like field trips, you’ll love these posts: 1. The Traveling Classroom shared a field trip in Palo Alto Panama; and 2. Visit Highhill Homeschooling for a field trip to see Ancient Apple press in Germany.

Food

This week’s posts feature some practical recipes like homemade taco seasoning and ten minute lunches; as well as some hearty dishes – two with bacon and one with beef.

1. Alice over at Mums Make Lists shared a wonderful compilation of 14 Super Tasty Ten Minute Lunches for Moms.  If you enjoy quick, easy and tasty pasta dishes – this post is for you.
2. I love a good all-in-one pot meal and this recipe for Rump Roast and Veggies by Michelle Wiles from Love Lines from God looks simple and delicious.

3. Gina from Klienworth & Co shared some amazing looking Cookie Butter Rolo Oat Bars.  Gina has created her own Chocolate Chip Cookie Cookie Butter.  She used the cookie butter to create the Rolo Oat Bars. Read her post to learn more.

4. Bacon Eggs & Waffles – Breakfast Muffins is an easy breakfast or dinner recipe from Krissy at B-Inspired Mama.
5. Lori from Lori’s Culinary Creations shared these Garlic Shrimp over Jalapeño Cheddar Polenta. She writes, “This is a wonderful weeknight meal or something you can put together for a dinner party by cooking the polenta and bacon early, then assemble before serving.”
6. A Bright and Beautiful  Life posted a Homemade Taco Seasoning. Lori explains, “This recipe uses common kitchen ingredients, contains no MSG, and can be mixed up in just minutes.” I buy taco seasoning all the time so I’m excited to use this recipe to save $.

Learning

I am so inspired by these bloggers who are teaching some great skills to their little ones at home.  I’m just thankful that they are sharing their ideas and resources online.  If you like this list please PIN it!

1. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I loved this post from Upside Down Homeschooling titled My Book of Thanks: Gratitude Journal for Kids. Heather writes, “Help develop a spirit of Thanksgiving in your kids with this fun 29-page printable keepsake book where they can express their gratitude through journaling.” The book is on sale for $1.99. For more info, check out Heather’s post (this is not an affiliate link).
2. Where Imagination Grows shared a fun Counting Pumpkins Activity – perfect for fall.
3. Highhill education has some wonderful ideas for Drawing Maps with Kids.  Just think of the possibilities – scavenger hunts, treasure maps, planning a hike…  Map reading and drawing is a wonderful skill to teach young children!
4. Nadie from Teach Me Mommy shared this wonderful idea she called an Invitation to Create.   In her post she uses the sticky side of contact paper to inspire creativity.  I have some contact paper and I love this idea for my boys.
5. Little Bins for Little Hands created a pretend pumpkin patch and apple orchard in her post Pumpkins and Apples Play.
6. Sharon at Rediscovered Families shared a round up of 5 Amazing Science Activities including bottle composter, animal camouflage, soda rockets, exploding paint bags, static electricity, and drying flowers. Fun learning for little ones.

Thanks again for all your wonderful ideas! I hope these Family Friendly and Fun ideas inspire you.

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I pray you are blessed by this effort to share ideas on having Family Fun.

In His Grip,

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