Here’s where you’ll find crafts, DIY ideas, recipes, short cuts, and life savers for those of us who take care of little ones. If you have a great hack, please e-mail it to kate@tattooednana.com.

Hack on!

Here’s a quick and easy (and cheap!) game I created for my grandson.

The best part is that you can take it outdoors, to the sandbox, or anywhere you need a distraction and not worry about it getting dirty, broken, or lost – because it’s so easy to replace.

All you need are miniature red cups (okay, they’re probably shot glasses), and an empty egg carton. Fill, stack, recombine…it’s a pre-puzzle, if you will.

 You can always make healthy eating fun and attractive.

The Crafting Chicks have all kinds of cute snack ideas that you can make with your little helper. Directions are here.

If you’re read my Facebook page or Nana Says blog, you know how much I value exposing children to the wonders of a natural environment.

This beautiful picture comes from Traditional Medicinals, and they have suggestions for bringing children closer to nature. Click here for more lovely pictures and good ideas.

The big kids may be heading back to school, but the little guys still have plenty of warm weather left.

Formulamom.com has plenty of great ideas to keep the wee ones entertained – just when you thought you’d pulled your last rabbit out of the hat. Click here to see more.

Not all of us live close to the beach.

This ocean in a bag is a small step in that direction. This is a variation on the Squish and Crinkle posted March 28. I’ll say up front that neither I nor any moms or grandmas I know have tried this, and because it’s held by the child rather than taped to a window, I’d want to be sure you have a really good seal on that bag before putting it in little hands! Sure is pretty, though. If you have any concerns, just tape it in the window. 🙂

Just a few supplies can provide lots of fun.

Paper, paint, google eyes, yarn and markers, and you’re set to go to make these individualized “monsters.” The directions at Kids Activities Blog say “no mess,” but with summer coming you can always play on the safe side and create outdoors. The video how-to can be found here. Thanks to our Arizona grandma for this hack.

Sidewalk chalk is a long-held childhood tradition.

This spray version from Over60.Com gives you all kinds of artistic options.

Here is the link to the directions.

Literacy skills start long before school.

Sheryl Cooper’s site on Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds has some great games for learning literacy. Click here to see them all. Thanks to Grandma Kris in Florida for this link.

Here’s an idea for Easter breakfast

that will get your little one fueled up for the egg hunt. Mommy Moment shared this link from Handmade Charlotte, where you’ll find a variety of attractive and yummy alternatives to the chocolate bunny.