College is stressful. Period. For most students, college means taking on a whole new set of responsibilities without mom and dad’s supervision. Plus, there’s the course load, which for many is best described as brutal.

What School Supplies Do You Need for College?

In college, you will need a laptop, noise-canceling headphones, paper, a planner, folders, binders and other everyday basic school supplies. You will also need a quality backpack for carrying your essentials across campus.

Here are 7 places to snag free school supplies for college students.

Free School Supplies for College Students – Online

#1 – Amazon

Other than tuition, one of the biggest college expenses is textbooks. Luckily, Amazon can help you cut costs. Thanks to Kindle, you can download a ton of totally free textbooks. (And if you don’t have a Kindle, no worries; using the app or cloud reader function you can read Kindle books on nearly any device.)

Tip: If the textbook you need isn’t free, you can usually rent it from Amazon and still save money!

Bonus: Students get a big discount on Amazon Prime membership, which includes free 2 day shipping on a ton of products! This can really come in handy as your running through your college supplies shopping list.

#2 – Online Groups

Online communities, like Facebook, are a great place to track down free school supplies for college students.

In addition to helping you get free college school supplies, these groups may be able to provide much needed support for your first college days. You’d be surprised at how much just having someone (or thousands of someones!) to vent to can help you deal with the stress of college.

Tip: Really embrace any online group you join. Don’t just be about getting freebies! Contribute to the group, check in regularly, and do your best to help others. For instance, give away college supplies you no longer need to help out other needy students.

#3 Freecycle.com (and Similar Sites)

Freecycle.com is basically a ginormous online swap meet. In addition to getting free school supplies for college students, this site will allow you to offload unwanted items which is great because that dorm room is small! (Especially the closet, trust me. )

Looking for more ways to get free college school supplies online? Here are some alternatives to freecycle.com.

#4 – Craigslist

Craigslist has a section for free stuff that may help you snag free college supplies and other goodies. (The “Free” category is under the “For Sale” section.)

Craigslist also has a section (“Community”) where you can learn about local events, yard sales, etc. which may also help you track down cheap or even free school supplies for college students.

Bonus: Want to make some quick cash? Consider selling some of your own stuff on Craigslist. Here’s how to sell on Craigslist in just 10 steps.

#5 – Frugal Living Sites

Another way to get free school supplies for college students is to hit up your favorite frugal living blogs (like freebiefindingmom.com). These blogs can help you learn about current freebies and when that fails, deep discounts.

For instance, here are some articles on free school supplies for college students (and all students) I’ve published in the past:

• Free School Supplies: Where to Find Them
• How to Get School Supplies for Free or on the Cheap
• Free Stuff for College Students

Frugal living blogs (and blogs dedicated to college students) can also help you successfully tackle college life. Here are some articles that may be useful:

• 25 Cheap and Easy Meals for College Students – Save money at college by eating in. Here are some delicious (and easy) recipes to try.
• Free Printable Budgeting Worksheets – Every college student needs a budget. Use this free printable worksheet to get started.
• Free Printable Homework Charts – Okay, this was originally intended for kiddos but even college students could use some help tracking their school work!
• Printable Book Covers (8 Free Options) – When you can’t find free college school supplies, sometimes you have to make (or at least print) your own!

These are just a few great ways to get free school supplies online. Don’t limit yourself to these options! Do Google searches for things like “free school supplies for college students” to find even more great opportunities to snag freebies.

Free School Supplies for College Students – Offline

#6 – At School

When searching for free school supplies for college students, many people overlook their school. Contact your college to ask about free college supplies. While they may not be able to help you out directly, the college can generally point you in the right direction. For instance, they can review your financial aid options and direct you to ways to snag free money such as scholarships. In addition, the college may be able to help you find charitable organizations that can lend a helping hand.

Tip: Can’t find the free school stuff (specifically textbooks) you need? One way to snag books for cheap is to:

1. Figure out what textbooks you’ll need in advance (1-2 semesters ahead of time).
2. Find someone who has that textbook (who is currently taking the class).
3. Offer to buy the book off of them for $5 more than whatever the bookstore will give them when they go to sell the book back.

#7 – Community Events

Many communities host back-to-school events and fundraisers during the summer to ensure kids head back to school on the right foot. While many of these events are geared toward younger students, with some research, you may be able to locate some that are open to college students. Here are some places to check for community events offering free school supplies for college students:

• Local news stations/newspapers – hit up their websites
• Chamber of commerce
• Restaurants
• Retail stores
• Churches
• City website
• Public library – be sure to also check their website

There you have it, 7 places you should definitely check out if you’re looking for free school supplies for college students. Unfortunately, no matter how good of a freebie hunter you are, you probably will not be able to get everything for free. If you need to make some money to cover the rest of your school supplies, be sure to check out this article on 10 good jobs for college students and this one on 20 ways to make money while in college.

Have more tips for scoring free school supplies for college students? Please share with the class by leaving a comment below!

 

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Zucchini Cookies Recipe: Homemade Zucchini-Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sometimes I feel like an evil super-villain….

Only instead of plotting to take over the world, I’m scheming to get an uncooperative toddler to eat fruits and veggies. Hey, if you’re a parent, you know that sometimes tackling the world seems preferable to dealing with a picky eater!

Part of my ingenious plan is to sneak fruits and veggies into my little one’s snacks. (As I did with this homemade Go-Gurt). This zucchini cookies recipe is my next attempt at world domination healthy eating.

Don’t get me wrong, this zucchini cookies recipe is not as good for you as eating an apple for a snack or indulging in some carrot sticks, but it is better than just about any store-bought cookie in terms of nutrition. Good for you ingredients include zucchini and oats.

Luckily, despite being at least somewhat nutritious, this zucchini cookies recipe is still darn tasty. Your little one will be so busy trying to steal another one off of the plate he or she won’t even realize these are hiding vegetables.

In addition to being a healthy snack option, this zucchini cookies recipe is pretty easy to make. Other than shredding the zucchini it’s basically just mixing everything together and trying to be patient while you let the oven do its thing. (That last part is always the hardest step for me.) The whole thing will take about 25 minutes (including 15 minutes for baking).

Note: While this zucchini cookies recipe does call for nuts (pecans), if you and your family aren’t fans, simply leave them out. You could also customize this zucchini cookies recipe by experimenting with different chips. For example, instead of chocolate chips you could try cinnamon chips or peanut butter chips.

If this zucchini cookies recipe inspires you to go on a baking binge, here are some more of my fav cookie recipes:

• Cookies and cream cookies

• Mason jar cookies

• Strawberry milkshake cookies

• Easy Christmas cookies – Great for anytime of the year

• M&M quinoa cookies – Another healthy cookie option

Try this zucchini cookies recipe today; it’s sure to be your new secret weapon!

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups zucchini shredded (approximately 1 large zucchini)
1 cup dry oats
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Baking sheet
Parchment paper

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugars.

3. Mix in egg and vanilla.

4. Mix in flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

5. Fold in zucchini, oats, pecans, and chocolate chips.

How to Shred Zucchini

To shred suchini, wash it and then cut off both ends. Rub the zucchini down the large holes of a box grater or put it in a food preocessor with a shredding disc.

6. Mold dough into golf ball sized balls.

7. Place on parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Oh, I almost forgot the last step of this zucchini cookies recipe: Enjoy!

If you and your family don’t scarf down all of this zucchini cookies recipe as soon as it comes out of the oven, store the leftovers in an airtight container so you can enjoy more cookies in the days to come.

Stomach growling for more? Be sure to follow Freebie Finding Mom’s Cookie Recipes and Toddler Meals & Snacks Pinterest boards.

Homemade Zucchini-Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Need an easy and delicious way to sneak vegetables into your picky eater’s diet? Put your summer zucchini to good use and whip up a batch of these yummy zucchini-oat chocolate chip cookies. This zucchini cookies recipe is loaded with nutrients and chocolatey goodness. Serve them as a healthy snack or breakfast cookie.

4.3 Stars (32 Reviews)

Print

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups zucchini shredded (approximately 1 large zucchini)
• 1 cup dry oats
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugars.
3. Mix in egg and vanilla.
4. Mix in flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
5. Fold in zucchini, oats, pecans, and chocolate chips.
6. Mold dough into golf ball sized balls.
7. Place on parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

 

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Give yourself (and your wallet) a break, and take a moment to celebrate the start of another school year.

Use this customizable first day of school sign to commemorate your child’s first day of school, no matter what grade they are entering.

Free First Day of School Sign Download

How to Use the Free First Day of School Sign

Using this free first day of school sign couldn’t be easier!

1. Download either the PDF or the Word document by clicking one of the buttons above.
2. If you selected the Word document, open the file and customize the first day of school sign by typing in your child’s grade and teacher’s name.
3. Print out your first day of school sign.
4. If you selected the PDF, write your child’s grade and teacher’s name on the first day of school sign, after it has been printed.
5. Have your child pose with the first day of school sign and take a picture.

Want to take it a step further? Alright, Super Mom (or Dad)! Combine the first day of school sign photo with a list of “firsts” for the year, preferably written on a pretty piece of paper or stationery, or with a completed ‘All About Me’ worksheet.

You can further flesh out that academic album by including a completed back-to-school goals worksheet and last day of school sign photo for each year.

Cheap First Day of School Signs

Not a fan of the free first day of school sign shared above? Don’t worry, there are plenty more first day of school signs where that came from, and while they aren’t free, they are affordable!

Pencil First Day of School Sign

The pencil-themed first day of school sign covers your child’s entire pre-college academic career. Yes, this bundle spans preschool through 12th grade, making it incredibly easy to keep the tradition alive.

Bonus: The pencil-themed first day of school sign bundle includes a homeschool option for each grade!

Dot First Day of School Sign

If you’re concerned that some of the other first day of school signs might be a little too cutesy, especially as your child grows, try this dot template. The dot first day of school sign is a little more abstract and may be more acceptable to older kids.

Chalkboard First Day of School Sign

What could say school better than a chalkboard, right? The chalkboard first day of school sign, complete with “first day” written in what appears to be chalk and an apple, is a classic option for your new family tradition. 

School Supplies First Day of School Sign

This school supplies-themed first day of school sign is super cute. That probably means it’ll be a no-go for tweens and above. (Sorry, Mom!) That just means you should definitely use it while the kids are young.

Save on the Back to School Season

These first day of school signs are great, but they probably aren’t at the top of your school supply checklist. And, if you’re anything like me, it’s those school supplies that are really stressing you (and your budget) out!

Free School Worksheets and Printables

• Free Kindergarten Math Worksheets

• First Day of School Printables
• 3 Printable ABC Tracing Worksheets (PDF Downloads)

Free School Supplies

• 10 Ways to Get Free School Supplies by Mail or In Person

• Free School Supplies for College Students

How do you celebrate the start of the school year? Please share in the comments!

 

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Grandparents really are awesome, aren’t they? I guess that’s where the grand comes from. This year, help your kids celebrate Grandparents’ Day with these Grandparents’ Day crafts for toddlers and kids!

My mom and I scoured the Internet to serve up a heaping helping of Grandparents’ Day crafts, printables, and projects. Among these Grandparents’ Day craft ideas, you’ll find something for everyone, whether you’re a DIY diva or crafts challenged! Seriously, whatever your skill level, budget, and availability, I know there’s a “Nana-approved” Grandparents’ Day craft for you in this article.

So, what are we waiting for? The clock is ticking… let’s dive right into these unique Grandparents’ Day arts and crafts projects!

Grandparents’ Day Crafts For the Kitchen

1. Personalized Tea Towels – Some of the best Grandparents’ Day arts and crafts, like this one, include everyday objects. This project transforms a mundane dish towel into a work of art —specifically, your child’s work of art!

2. Personalized Grandparent Mugs – I love Grandparents’ Day craft ideas that can be scaled up or down based on your budget, how crafty you’re feeling, and what else you have going on. This is one of those gifts. Scale these personalized mugs up by adding homemade chocolate spoons and/or this hot cocoa Mason jar. You could also add coffee or tea bags.

Grandparents’ Day Crafts with Photos

3. Homemade photo luminaries – The problem with photos is that they tend to languish in a scrapbook or photo album, only seeing the light of day once or twice a year (at best). However, this Grandparents’ Day craft allows you to commemorate those special memories by turning photos into luminaries.

4. Painted Popsicle Sticks Bouquet – Here’s a great Grandparents’ Day craft for toddlers! Younger kids can help color the popsicle sticks that’ll be used to make this beautiful, undying bouquet.

5. Homemade Photo Coasters – This is one of the Grandparents’ Day craft ideas that can work for just about any holiday or even as an everyday craft project. Seriously, I love the idea of taking photos and turning them into coasters to place around the house.

6. Grandkids Make Life Good Wood Sign – What grandparent doesn’t love to show off his or her grandkids? Make it easy for them with this DIY sign, complete with adorable photos of all the grandkids! Let the kids help pick out which photos to contribute.

7. Bottle Cap Photograph Magnets – This great Grandparents’ Day arts and crafts project is not only fun and frugal but also green. Yep, this project allows you take discarded bottle caps and turn them into adorable photo magnets.

Grandparents Day Crafts with Handprints and Footprints

8. Personalized Flowerpot – Grandparents’ Day crafts for toddlers don’t have to be complicated to be impressive. Have your little one help personalize a flower pot and then finish things off by planting a pretty flower or a low-maintenance succulent.

9. Personalized Pillow for Grandpa – Sadly, this probably is not the best grandparents’ day crafts for toddlers. While you’re child can definitely contribute their handprint for this personalized pillow, a lot of the heavy lifting will have to be done by Mom and Dad.

10. Handprint Tree – This is probably one of the most impressive Grandparents’ Day craft ideas on the list. It takes a lot of talent to make a DIY project not look like a DIY project. Even more amazing, the cherry blossoms in this project are made from old clothes!

11. Mail a Hug – Can’t see Grandma and Grandpa in person this year? Give them the next best thing—mail them a hug! This gift is perfect for Grandparents’ Day, but it also works well for any holiday or really, any day.

12. Hand and Footprint Flower – Flowers fade, they wilt and die, but one made using little hands and feet will last forever! This Grandparents’ Day arts and crafts project may be a smidge messy, but it’s pretty quick if time is of the essence.

13. Count the Ways I Love You – Turn this Grandparents’ Day craft idea into a tradition. Each year, dip your child’s hands in paint and attach this saying to make a touching gift. Over time, Grandma and Grandpa will get to watch those little hands grow.

14. Grandpa and Grandma’s Angel – Grandparents’ Day crafts and printables are perfect for those of us who are a bit craft-challenged. If you just aren’t feeling your inner Martha Stewart today, this is an easy and adorable Grandparents’ Day craft option!

15. Super Sweet Poem – If you’re looking for Grandparents’ Day crafts for toddlers that are sure to bring a tear to Grandma’s (and even Grandpa’s) eye, look no further. This sweet poem, complete with hand and foot prints, is sure to do the trick.

16. Salt Dough Hand Prints – I love Grandparents’ Day crafts that make affordable yet thoughtful gifts and help me entertain my child. Trust me, your kids will have a blast making these cute keepsakes.

Grandparents’ Day Crafts Printables and More

Rounding out this list of Grandparents’ Day crafts ideas are projects that are perfect for the non-crafty mom (or dad)!

17. Iris Coloring Pages – Looking for a Grandparents’ Day craft that’s sure to brighten their day? Snag these printable coloring pages, let your kids reach for the funnest colors in the crayon box, and then turn these into homemade cards.

18. Paper Flower Bouquet – This post contains three easy printable crafts for toddlers, and the paper flower bouquet is a great way to gift flowers that won’t ever wilt.

19. I Love My Grandparents Muffins – Are you more comfortable in the kitchen than the craft room? (Do you have absolutely no desire to even have a craft room?) If so, maybe you need an edible Grandparents’ Day “craft,” like these delicious muffins!

Among these Grandparents’ Day crafts, you’ll find something for just about any situation. Whether Grandma and Grandpa live next door or 2,000 miles away, this list has got you covered! Whether you’re a DIY legend or the type who can’t imagine why anyone would ever own a glue gun, again, these Grandparents’ Day craft ideas can work for you!

What are you doing for Grandparents’ Day? Share your inspiration in the comments!

 

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Have you heard the term “growth mindset?” Chances are you have … it’s been around the block a few times. However, you may not know what it really means, why you’d want one, or how to cultivate a growth mindset. Keep reading, because we’re going to get into all of that and more!

In this post, I will focus on a growth mindset for kids, but let me be clear: everyone can benefit from developing a growth mindset. In fact, it could be really cool (and beneficial) to tackle these worksheets and activities as a family.

While there’s never a bad time to work on a growth mindset for kids, I think now is a particularly relevant moment. The back-to-school season is approaching, and with it comes a host of new challenges. A growth mindset can help kids take on these challenges in a less stressful way.

Tip: If you’re a teacher, consider using some of these activities and worksheets at the start of the new school year! They make great first-day-of-school activities for kids of all ages. Helping your students develop a growth mindset is a great way to boost their confidence as the school year kicks off.

What Is a Growth Mindset?

A growth mindset is the belief that your abilities, including intelligence, can be improved through your own efforts. In other words, with hard work, practice, and continued learning, you can improve your skills, whether they involve athletic or academic abilities.

The opposite of a growth mindset is a fixed mindset. When you approach things with a fixed mindset, you approach with the belief that your abilities are static. In other words, your skills in a particular area are what they are and really can’t be improved or changed.

Examples of Growth Mindsets for Kids

Here are two examples of a growth mindset for kids that may help clarify the definition.

Growth Mindset Example 1: Math Class Performance

Fixed Mindset: “I’m just not a math person. I’ll never be good at this, no matter how hard I study or how many tutoring sessions I attend.”

Growth Mindset: “Math doesn’t come naturally to me. I have to work at it, but that’s okay! If I keep practicing, asking questions in class, and using tutoring sessions when needed, I know I can get this.”

Growth Mindset Example 2: Auditioning for a School Play

Fixed Mindset: “I didn’t get the part, so I must not be a talented actor. I should try out for different types of extracurriculars in the future.”

Growth Mindset: “I didn’t get the part, but I learned a lot from my audition and watching other people audition. Next time I’ll prepare differently!”

Benefits of a Growth Mindset for Kids

Now that you know what a growth mindset is, the question is: why spend your time cultivating one? Great question. There are actually numerous benefits of a growth mindset for kids (and adults). According to Mindset Health, here are some of the benefits that you may see when you consistently employ a growth mindset:

• Reduced burnout
• Reduced depression
• Reduced anxiety
• Increased motivation

Additionally, a growth mindset can enhance resiliency in the face of challenges and obstacles.

See why a growth mindset for kids could be so beneficial at the start of a new school year?

How to Develop a Growth Mindset

Good news—there’s no one “right” way to develop a growth mindset for kids. (And also, maybe that’s bad news?)

While it might be easier if there were some correct formula to follow with steps 1 through 10, I think the lack of a set path to follow may make the process of cultivating a growth mindset for kids more fun. You can figure out what works for them.

The first thing to note is that developing a growth mindset requires time and effort. It’s a journey. It will take practice, and you (and your kids) won’t get it right immediately. (And that’s okay!)

Here are five tips to help you develop a growth mindset for kids:

#1 – Practice!
As already mentioned, building a growth mindset will take effort. Practicing, even when you aren’t facing a “real” challenge, will make approaching things with a growth mindset easier when an actual obstacle presents itself. You can practice by using the activities and worksheets in this post.

#2 – Don’t avoid challenges.
Learning to adopt a growth mindset requires you to change how you perceive challenges. Instead of seeing an obstacle as something to be overcome (or worse, something that can’t be overcome), try to see an opportunity to learn and grow!

As you work on your growth mindset, don’t avoid challenges. Putting yourself out there will allow you to assess how your growth mindset is progressing.

#3 – Deploy the word “yet.”
Someone with a growth mindset does not see their skills and abilities as fixed. There is always room for improvement. This means that while you may not be innately good at something or good at something right now, you can always get better.

To help reinforce this, when you face a challenge, reach for the word “yet.” In other words, say things like “I am not good at this yet.”

#4 – Pay attention to your self-talk.
Tied to tip 3, negative self-talk can keep you stuck in a fixed mindset. Pay attention to how you talk to yourself and try to use more positive, appreciative, and supportive language.

#5 – Document your progress.
Since we’re stuck with ourselves all day, every day, sometimes it can be hard to see changes … especially those that aren’t physical. Engage in self-reflection to check your progress toward developing a growth mindset. That might include reviewing the activities and worksheets you complete or journaling about how you approached a new problem.

Bonus: Here are some other things that may help you develop a growth mindset moving forward. (These tips come from Positive Psychology.)

• You need to believe in your ability to grow. If your self-esteem could use a little boost, try these printable self-esteem worksheets.
• Be curious, ask a lot of questions, and commit to learning as a life-long journey.
• Seek out and embrace challenges; get out of your comfort zone.
• Set goals. This printable SMART goals template may help!

Growth Mindset for Kids Worksheets

Excited to help your kids (or students) develop a growth mindset? One easy way to get started is by using the growth mindset activities for kids bundle! Here’s a sneak peek at what’s included.

Change Your Mindset Worksheet

The Printable Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset Activity is a hands-on way to practice deploying a growth mindset for kids. On the left-hand side are fixed mindset statements, such as “I’ll never be good at soccer.” On the right-hand side are blank boxes that invite your child to reframe the statements from a growth mindset.

Bonus: Add an extra challenge to this activity by having your child write one fixed mindset statement they have used recently and then help them reframe it. Doing so will help your kid apply growth mindset activities to real life!

“I Have a Growth Mindset” Worksheets

These 2 Printable Growth Mindset for Kids Worksheets offer a lot of bang for your buck. Not only do they provide the opportunity to practice writing growth mindset statements, but they can also be used as coloring pages. Coloring is a great way to unwind and reduce stress.

Challenge your kids (or students) to write growth mindset statements from scratch that feel relevant to their current goals and challenges.

Tip: If you’re using this activity in a classroom setting, it may be beneficial for students to share one or two of their growth mindset statements with each other.

Growth Mindset Quotes

Okay, this last one is a series of growth mindset quotes you can use to inspire your kids and reinforce the concepts behind having a growth mindset. Get the 5 Printable Growth Mindset Quotes for Kids here.

Place these quotes in high-traffic and high-visibility areas of your home (or classroom) so that your child (and you) see them regularly. Also, when you initially hang them up, take the time to walk your child through each quote and ensure they understand what it means.

Bonus: Place these quotes in your child’s printable student planner to help inspire them throughout the school year!

Have you worked on developing a growth mindset for your kids (or yourself)? What activities did you find helpful? Share your tips and tricks in the comments.

The post Growth Mindset for Kids: Printable Worksheets and Activities appeared first on Freebie Finding Mom.

    

 

 

If your kid is anything like mine, he or she is growing up so fast. Seriously, where does the time go? And part of growing up is advancing in academic subjects, like math. In fact, your kid may even be ready for more advanced number lines, like these number line to 20 printables.

Psst! If not, head on over to Free Printable Number Line to 10 Worksheet + 3 Number Line PDF Downloads for slightly easier number lines.

Still not 100% on board with number lines? No doubt about it, changing how you learn, even basic math concepts, is hard, but I encourage you to embrace number lines for the sake of your kid. For one, he or she will almost certainly be using them in the classroom so contradicting that teaching tool at home may cause confusion. For two, they’re really beneficial for kids.

Jennifer Hogan, for Scholastic.com writes, “A vertical number line is a great tool to help middle school students understand positive and negative numbers. It is especially useful with absolute value and adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing integers. Encouraging the use of number lines at home will reinforce what is being taught in the classroom. It will also help your children to become more independent in their thinking about numbers and in their own modeling.”

So embrace number lines, like these to 20 number lines, because they’re here to stay!

Free Printable Number Line to 20

This free printable number line to 20 PDF features multiple number lines on one sheet so that your kid can try out a variety of math concepts. Number lines, including this to 20 number line, can be used to demonstrate the relationship between numbers, with smaller numbers to the left and bigger numbers to the right. This concept is even more important as your kid graduates to more complex numbers like negatives, decimals, and fractions. This number line to 20 printable can also be used to teach:

• Addition.
• Subtraction.
• Multiplication.

Free Printable Number Line Negative and Positive to 20

If you’re kid is up for an even bigger challenge, opt for this printable number line negative and positive to 20 PDF. As the name suggests, these number lines go all the way from -20 to +20. This printable number line negative and positive 20 PDF is a great visual tool if your child is struggling with the relationship between positive and negative numbers. For example, if your kid is having trouble understanding that -10 is actually smaller than 0 or any positive number.

Math Problems to 20 Number Line Worksheet

While the two printable integers number lines up to 20 above are great, they don’t actually include any math problems. (Although, you could create your own by writing on the printables.) However, this number line to 20 worksheet includes easy addition problems so your child can practice his or her number line knowledge. If you want to allow your kid to also practice subtraction or even multiplication, simply re-write some of the plus signs on the number line to 20 worksheet.

Beyond the Number Line to 20 Printables

As your kid continues to grow, he or she is going to need even more number lines. No, sadly, these free printable number lines to 20 won’t carry them all the way through high school. Here are more options:

• 9 Free Printable Number Lines For Kids
• Fraction Number Line
• Inequalities on a Number Line

• 8 Free Printable 4th and 5th Grade Decimal Number Lines
• Blank Number Line
• Integer Number Line
• Number Line to 100
• Negative and Positive Number Line
• Negative Number Line

 

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Whether you make the card from scratch, go the semi-homemade route (like Happy Birthday printable cards to color), or attach a thoughtful message to ready-to-go free happy birthday card printables, a little effort can go a long way!

Happy Birthday in cursive writing is a relatively easy way to add a personal touch to a printable or to dress up a homemade or semi-homemade birthday card. You can even customize it to the birthday boy (or girl) by opting for different colors or Happy Birthday cursive fonts. If you’re wondering how to get started, keep reading!

How to Write “Happy Birthday” in Cursive

When it comes to how to write “Happy Birthday” in cursive, you can print your chosen pretty “Happy Birthday” in cursive template, place a thin piece of paper over top, and trace. Repeat again and again until you’re satisfied with your tracing or ready to try a free-hand “Happy Birthday” in cursive writing.

Looking for more “Happy Birthday” writing styles? Try “Happy Birthday” calligraphy or “Happy Birthday” bubble letters. 

Happy Birthday in Cursive: Party Animal

This “Happy Birthday” cursive font is for the party animal in your life! 

Happy Birthday in Cursive: Balloon Bash

This pretty “Happy Birthday” in cursive printable offers a touch of whimsy with the two balloons appearing to hold the “a” in “Birthday” aloft. This would be a great option for a loved one; you could even add words in other writing styles, such as bubble letters or calligraphy, to create “Happy Birthday, Mom” in cursive or “Happy Birthday, Dad” in cursive!

For “Happy Birthday, Mom” in cursive:

• the Word “Mom” in Bubble Letters

• “Mom” Calligraphy

for “Happy Birthday, Dad” in cursive:

• How to Write “Dad” in Cursive Writing

• The Word “Dad” in Bubble Letters

• “Dad” Calligraphy

And if you want to create a different message, like “Happy Birthday wishes” in cursive writing, be sure to download the:

• Lowercase cursive alphabet and uppercase cursive alphabet letters.

• Cursive bubble letters alphabet, which is a fun hybrid!

• Free Printable Royal Fancy Cursive Alphabet Letters

• Cursive Calligraphy Alphabet Letter Printables

• How to Write Happy in Cursive Font (3 Free Printables)

• How to Write Cursive Letters

• Learn How to Write in Cursive for Beginners

• How to Write Cursive Numbers 1-20 Handwriting Practice Sheets for Adults and Kids

With those alphabets and cursive printables, you can create any message on the front of the card you want whether it’s “Happy Birthday wishes” in cursive writing or “best wishes on your birthday!”

Happy Birthday in Cursive: Whole Lot of Heart

If you’re looking for a template that shows you how to spell “Happy Birthday” in cursive with a little extra style, try this one! 

In addition to birthday cards, you can use these templates to create birthday décor! For example you could create a cursive version of these Happy Birthday sign printables or create a banner that says “Happy Birthday” in cursive and is decorated with colorful free printable star templates.

How else would you use these “Happy Birthday” in cursive printables? Share your ideas in the comments!

The post How to Write “Happy Birthday” in Cursive (3 Free Printables) appeared first on Freebie Finding Mom.

    

 

 

This Halloween, do you want to turn your home into a haunted house? Or maybe you want to turn your party into a monster mash? If so, you’re in the right place! These free printable Halloween decorations can help you accomplish your goal (or should I say “ghoul?”) without making your budget howl. 

In addition to 20 free printable Halloween decorations, you’ll also find some DIY craft projects that are perfect for keeping kids entertained. In other words, they’re just what the witch doctor ordered to stave off a nasty case of cabin fever. (Get it—”witch doctor?”) 

Free Printable Halloween Decorations: Labels

1. Creepy Halloween Potion Bottle Labels – The devil is in the details, right? These bottle labels are a small touch, but they go a long way. In fact, some of my favorite free printable Halloween decorations are small and simple, just like these labels.

2. Halloween Bottle Labels – Choose from 6 more spooky bottle labels to make your home, Halloween bash, or quiet dinner party scary good!

3. Printable Halloween Labels – Keep it simple (and cheap) with these free printable Halloween decorations. Place these spooky labels on mismatched bottles and jars you snag from the local thrift store or a yard sale. The more eclectic the better!

Free Printable Halloween Decorations – Home Décor

4. Candle Wrappers – Choose from 3 different free printable Halloween decoration templates. Any of which are sure to give your home spooky vibes. Use these wrappers with real candles or with battery-powered flickering tea lights, which may be the safer option if you’ve got little ones (or pets).

5. Halloween Countdown Dry Erase Printable – Countdown the days until Halloween with this printable Halloween decoration! Trust me, your child will love getting to change the number of days left.

Bonus: Looking for more things your little ones can help out with? Check out these Halloween crafts for toddlers and Halloween crafts for preschoolers.

6. Trick or Treat Halloween Wall Art Printable – This wall art proves that free printable Halloween decorations don’t have to look free (or cheap).

7. Printable Halloween Backdrop – Make a spooky statement with this large backdrop. This is a great way to create a Halloween focal point in your home.

8. Printable Watercolor Spider – Looking for free printable Halloween decorations that aren’t too gaudy? If you prefer understated, more grown-up decorations, look no further! This watercolor spider web wall art strikes a balance between spooky and classy.

9. Pumpkin Printables – There are a lot of things you can do with this assortment of printable pumpkins. They’d make great kid-friendly décor, but they’re also fantastic free printables for Halloween crafts like coloring.

10. Bat Printables – Okay, I never thought I’d say this, but these bats are adorable! Use these free printable Halloween decorations to create window or wall art, a Halloween banner, and more.

11. Candy Corn Printables – Free printable Halloween decorations don’t get much sweeter than this candy corn printable. (Get it—candy corn … sweeter?) This printable is perfect if you (or your child) simply aren’t down with the scary side of Halloween.

12. Ghost Printables – Choose from 5 different free printable Halloween decoration templates all themed around ghosts! Use them to decorate your home or Halloween party, or as materials for Halloween crafts to keep the kiddos entertained when they’re stuck inside.

13. Printable Halloween Shapes – Lucky number 13 on the list of free printable Halloween decorations are these iconic Halloween shapes, which include a witch’s hat, black cat, spooky spider, and more!

Free Printable Halloween Decorations – Party Supplies

14. Printable Pumpkin Labels – These adorable free printable Halloween decorations are the perfect Halloween treat. Use them to brighten anyone’s day!

Tip: Use these pumpkin labels as lunch box notes. For more lunchtime inspiration, check out these Halloween lunchbox notes.

15. Owl Treat Box – I love free printable Halloween decorations that look super complicated but are actually super easy to pull off. These owl treat boxes definitely fall into that category. Don’t worry, how simple they are will be our little secret!

16. Monster Mash Party Kit – Party like a rockstar? No, party like a monster … err, or, I guess mash like a monster! This free printable kit, complete with invitations, will help you stay on budget and on theme.

17. Cupcake or Muffin Printables – Top off cupcakes or muffins with these adorable bats, ghosts, and cats. The addition of the printable Halloween decorations makes them almost too cute to eat. Almost.

18. Halloween Coffin Favor Boxes Template – These free printable Halloween decorations are easy enough that the kids can help out with them. That means you get to keep little hands occupied and get frugal party favors; it’s a win-win.

19. Halloween Spider Party Printables – Whether you’re throwing a large Halloween party with multiple tables or a small, more intimate dinner, these spider webs are the perfect addition. Use them as table centerpieces, wall art, or accent pieces.

20. Halloween Party Printables – Rounding out the list of free printable Halloween decorations is another party kit that’ll help you throw a scary good (and budget-friendly) kids’ Halloween party.

Bonus: No Halloween party would be complete without food and costumes, right? Here are some frugal options to check out!

• Pretzel pumpkins
• Pumpkin cheesecake
• Halloween face paint recipe
• Face painting ideas for Halloween
• Printable Halloween masks for kids

These 20 free printable Halloween decorations are great for decorating everything from your evil lair (a.k.a. your home) to your monster mash (a.k.a. your Halloween party). They can also help keep your kids entertained now that the weather is getting colder. Do you know of other crafty ways these free Halloween decorations can be put to use? Share your ideas in the comments!

 

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There’s something strange about time when you’re a parent. Some days feel like they last forever—and yet, somehow, the years go by in a blink. Just me?

One of the most magical (and let’s be honest, sometimes dizzying) parts of motherhood has been watching my son discover new interests and passions. And while a picture may be worth 1,000 words, sometimes they just don’t do those evolving versions of him justice.

That’s why I created this free All About Me worksheet. It’s a fun, simple way to capture who your child is right now, in their own words. It’s a little time capsule of their personality, favorites, and dreams.

The All About Me printable isn’t just for me. It also gives my son a chance to reflect, share, and express himself. It gives him the opportunity to reflect on who he is and what he enjoys and to be creative about it.

Download the All About Me Worksheet

There is no shortage of All About Me worksheets floating around on the internet, but this one stands out from the crowd for 3 reasons:

• It’s free! And with back-to-school season right around the corner, you’ve got to love a freebie.
• It’s ready to use. Just download, print, and this All About Me printable is good to go. No cutting, gluing, folding, stapling, etc. required.
• It allows for creativity. Your child can write their answers on the All About Me worksheet, but they can also color in the items and some questions even provide spaces for drawing an answer.

Yep, kids of all ages can enjoy this All About Me printable.

Bonus: If you like this printable because of its creative properties, be sure to check out these back to school coloring pages!

How to Use the All About Me Printable at Home

As mentioned above, the All About Me worksheet is basically ready to use. Simply download and print it. However, let’s talk about how to make it a tradition….

The All About Me printable makes a great first-day-of-school or birthday tradition! Print a new copy each year, fill it out together, and tuck it into a scrapbook or memory box. Trust me, you and your child will enjoy looking back and seeing how some things have changed and others have stayed the same over time.

This worksheet also allows for creativity, so break out the crayons, colored pencils, washable markers, stickers, and other craft supplies and let your child really add his or her artistic touch!

Bonus: Looking for more back-to-school traditions? Consider adding a photo of the first day of school to your lineup. You can use these customizable first day of school signs to make your photoshoot extra special!

How to Use the All About Me Worksheet at School

The All About Me printable is also great in the classroom. If you’re a teacher, this worksheet can be a fun and thoughtful way to kick off the school year and help students get to know one another. (Bonus: It’s a low-prep activity!)

Looking for ideas? Try using it during morning work, as part of your welcome routine, or to support class introductions! The All About Me worksheet is a simple way to ease into the school year while helping students feel comfortable and connected.

Once completed, you can hang the finished pages on a bulletin board, turn them into a class book, or revisit them later in the year as a reflection activity!

However you use it, this All About Me printable helps students feel seen and provides a memorable way to learn more about each child from day one.

Bonus: Are you teaching older students, such as high schoolers? Check out these all about me templates that incorporate more reflective questions and are designed for older kids.

Psst! This worksheet is part of my collection of first day of school printables. Avoid FOMO … be sure to check them all out.

What other back-to-school traditions do you have? Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or both, share your go-tos in the comments!

 

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Free Printable Summer Holiday Packing List

“Be prepared” may officially be the scouts motto but unofficially it totally belongs to us moms, am I right? Seriously, if me and the family got lost in the woods with just my purse we could probably survive for 2 weeks! However, all this preparedness doesn’t come without a fair amount of stress (at least for this mom). In fact, trying to get organized, especially for BIG events like a family vacation, can be pretty stressful. That’s why I always use a summer holiday packing list when it comes to family trips. Seriously, I always use them—check me out: 

Think of it this way, you wouldn’t just make a meal plan then go to the grocery store with those meals in mind, hoping you don’t forget anything, right? Of course not! You’d sit down, look at your meal plan, and make a grocery list. Making a grocery list helps you avoid frustration (forgetting something and having to go back to the store later) and potentially, save money. A summer vacation packing list does the same thing.

Creating a detailed packing list for summer vacation will ensure you (and of course your whole family) don’t forget any important items. Forgotten items can result in inconvenience such as having to find a store in an unfamiliar area, blowing your budget as buying items on the fly (ex. a cell phone charger) can be costly, and tears if you forget your little ones favorite stuffed animal, blanket, etc. So… be safe, not sorry and always use a summer vacation checklist when preparing for your trip.

To help get my family ready, I created this summer holiday packing checklist. What I really love about this particular summer holiday packing list I’ve put together is it goes beyond just packing your bags. For instance, on this summer vacation checklist you’ll find stuff to do before you leave like putting the house lights on a timer. The pre-departure reminders on the summer vacation packing list can be a real life saver! Imagine how stressed you be to reach your tropical escape only to remember the mail is still piling up.

Probably the best way to put this summer holiday packing list to use is to print out one for each member of the family and then do a little customization. For instance, you don’t ALL need to pack a tube of toothpaste and a hairdryer. Sharing items whenever possible is a great way to decrease the number of bags you’re taking which can save you some big bucks if you’re flying! Write a family member’s name at the top of each summer vacation packing list and then cross out sections or specific items that individual doesn’t need to worry about. You can also write additional items the person may need on the back of this printable packing list for summer vacation.

While this summer holiday packing list is great for most vacations, if you’re going to the beach or on a cruise, you might want a summer vacation packing list that is a little more specific to the destination. No worries, check out:

• Printable beach vacation packing list
• Printable cruise packing list

Download this Free Printable Summer Holiday Packing List 

Grab your summer holiday packing list so you can get packed and get on with your vacation!

Did you see something important missing from this summer holiday packing list? Share what’s missing or what’s on your summer vacation checklist in the comments!

Still need to plan your vacation? Save big by reading Don’t Waste Your Money: The Best Family All-Inclusive Vacations and 5 Tips to Save Money on Summer Travel first!

Get organized and live frugal by following Freebie Finding Mom’s Freebies and Organized Home Pinterest boards.

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