Tag: Kid Stuff

Candytopia – a Willy Wonka Play Ground

May 17, 2019 3:00 AM May 17, 2019

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Recently my bestie came into town for a girls weekend, while research fun things for us to do a place called Candytopia came across my feed. A magical candy wonderland –…

Recently my bestie came into town for a girls weekend, while research fun things for us to do a place called Candytopia came across my feed. A magical candy wonderland – think Willy Wonka meets Instagram. We had to go!

After scavenging the internet for information I came up empty handed so here it is – your complete guide to visiting Candytopia!

What To Take

Start to finish, I’ve got you covered. Everything you need to bring for a successful Candytopia visit!

Small Purse or Backpack – Each area of Candytopia features a free candy sample! Having a bag makes collecting these samples much easier. Keep in mind though that Candytopia is a maze of photo opportunities! So be sure to pick a bag that is photogenic so you don’t have to put it on the floor for every photo.
Immunity Roller Ball – There is no shortage of people walking though Candytopia with you – most of whom are children. Pack your immunity roller and use it before and after, at least.
Comfy Shoes – It’s not a lot of walking but there are some fun activities to do along the way. Wearing heels might hinder some of the fun.
Stress Away – With masses of children comes mass chaos. To combat social anxiety and tension keep your Stress Away handy.
Battery Back Up Phone Charger – As stated Candytopia is a maze of photo opportunities and you do not want to be out of battery before the marshmallow pit! (I LOVE this one!)
Inner Child – This massive candy playground is the best of Willy Wonka in an Instagram world. There are swings and confetti cannons and best of all a MARSHMELLOW pit! Remember to let loose and have fun! This oil will help you release your inhibitions and enjoy the experience!

What to Expect

From the moment you enter, the wild imagination that created Candytopia captures your eye. Every little detail is perfectly displayed.

Your tour guide starts by giving you the rundown, dos and don’ts, things to watch for and such. While he or she is talking you are free to walk around the room and examine the art. Be sure to do so – these pieces are amazing!

As a group, you will move from room to room. We chose to lag behind a bit so we would have more time in each room by ourselves. Once we separated from the crowd we had more freedom to run around and take silly pictures.

Each room has a theme, which was such a fun feature! With each theme there was also a candy sample, from Pixie Stix to Air Heads – they had it all! (There are more samples than you really want to eat all at once – thus the bag or at least functional pockets!).

The art museum room was one of my favorites, the details were amazing. Above you see a “painting” made entirely of jelly beans! 😳 From Frida Kahlo to the Mona Lisa the walls are lined with amazing recreations of beautiful art. Each handcrafted using various types of candy!

Throughout the maze, there are various activities to participate in. Be sure to give each a try. In addition to fun art and activities, there are green screen photo ops!

With these photo opportunities, you have to download the Candytopia app. After you create an account it will give you a QR code. At each photo station, they will scan your code before taking the photo.

Each of these photos will upload to the app where you can easily download them for private use (for FREE).

Just look at that amazing unicorn covered in white gummy bears!

Two rooms that stood out to me were the confetti room and the marshmallow pit! The confetti cannon photo op proved to be the perfect Instagram moment while falling into the marshmallow pit made for the perfect boomerang!

From start to finish Candytopia was such a fun experience, one that I highly recommend. Be sure to add a visit to your summer activity list your (inner) kids will LOVE it!

Location

Currently, there are only two locations nationwide one in Dallas, TX and the other in Atlanta, GA. It appears that one is coming to Houston, TX next!

If you are in the Dallas area you can find our Candytopia near Walnut Hill Lane and I-75.

Candytopia Dallas
8021 Walnut Hill Lane Suite 2000
Dallas, TX 75231

Ready to purchase tickets? Click here to select your time slot.

BONUS – If you have little ones in tow, be sure to pack your Thieves wipes! Soooo many sticky surfaces. 😆😝

Enjoy your visit, I hope you find this Candytopia Guide useful!

xo,

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Kid-Friendly Ball Ornament Crafts

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December 18, 2018 3:00 AM December 18, 2018

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Creating unique and interesting ornaments at the holidays is always so much fun! The crafting, the conversation and the memories – always a great time to be had. For this…

Creating unique and interesting ornaments at the holidays is always so much fun! The crafting, the conversation and the memories – always a great time to be had. For this round of kid-friendly holiday crafts, we chose to use plastic ball ornaments!

As our base we used plastic clear ball ornaments, I got this 25 pack at Michaels – plenty to go around!

To embellish these ornaments we used various materials:

Glitter Glue
Fake Snow
String
Ribbon
Scraps of Fabric
Bells
Pom Poms
Pipe Cleaners

To attached the embellishments we utilized a mix of Quick Dry Tacky glue and hot glue *use caution – requires adult assistance/supervision*

For this ornament, we painted the tacky glue on the bottom of the ornament using our fingers. We then rolled it in a paper plate of fake snow and allowed to dry.

So simple and pretty!

These ornaments were especially easy!

Begin by cutting square pieces of holiday fabric. Wrap them around the ball and tie using fun ribbon or string. For some extra jazz, we added bells to each one.

The red ornament was painted using red craft paint and then sprinkled with white glitter for a beautiful snow effect!

Some of the ornaments were filled with surprises, like little snow globes and others were wrapped with candy cane string and red rickrack.

This beautiful snow globe ornament was then embellished with holiday ribbon and fake snow!

Always remember to write the artist’s name and year on each ornament so you can relive the memories every year!

Happy Crafting!

xo,

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Finger Painted Holiday Cards – Kid Craft

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December 13, 2018 3:00 AM December 13, 2018

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One of the many things on the “to-do” list this time of year is holiday cards. Running short on time or funds? These fun finger painted holiday cards are just…

One of the many things on the “to-do” list this time of year is holiday cards. Running short on time or funds? These fun finger painted holiday cards are just the answer. Full of color and personality – each one an original piece of art.

Finger Painted Holiday Cards - Kids Craft

To begin gather your supplies:

Cards (I got this pack at Michaels)
Craft Paint (I used these paints from Michaels and was very vigilant, a safer alternative would be this Homemade Finger Paint recipe)
Black Sharpie (This is my favorite everrrr)
Paper plate
Protection for your work area and wet paper towels

Using the black Sharpie doodle on each card the basis for each design, I did four designs:

A curly line, to look like Christmas Lights (add black squares at the base of each “bulb”)
Holly leaves, using a green marker
Straight vertical lines and bows, to look like hanging Christmas ornaments
Christmas Trees

Place a very small drop of paint on to the paper plate. Have your kiddo use their pointer finger (or assist them in this, if younger) to make fingerprints in the appropriate places on each card. We did one color at a time and completed all the cards.

For the ornaments we made bigger circles by spreading the paint out.

Continue adding different colors of paint. For this project I was lucky enough to barrow my 14 month old nephew. For us it was best to do two colors per sitting. 🙂 Kept him interested and attentive.

Finally allow to dry completely and sign with the artist name and the year on the front. Family and friends alike will LOVE these one of-a-kind masterpieces!

Like this craft? Please pin the above image and spread the cheer!

Happy Painting!

xo,

Carolyn

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Kid-Friendly Holiday Pine Cone Crafts

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December 6, 2018 3:00 AM December 6, 2018

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The holiday season is always a great excuse to get out the glitter, pipe cleaners and googly eyes. It’s a time to get together with the kids in your life…

The holiday season is always a great excuse to get out the glitter, pipe cleaners and googly eyes. It’s a time to get together with the kids in your life and create memories. In today’s kid-friendly craft we are using pine cones as our base. Pine cones are great crafting tools because they are so versatile. On this crafting day we made pine cone Christmas trees, angels and reindeer!

Start by choosing a design, I printed a few inspiration ideas from Pinterest so the kids could get their creative juices flowing. If you are lucky enough to have pine cones in your backyard, harvesting them for this craft is a fun part to add for the kids. If you don’t have that luxury you can pick up a bag of pine cones at any craft store or even Walmart.

As tree trunks several of the kids chose to use a bottle cork, this made the tree easier to decorate because you could use the cork as a handle. Others made tree skirts with felt and stood them on a paper plate for decoration.

Once you make a decision on the design the first step is to paint. For this craft, we used craft paint from Michaels and of course glitter glue!

Some of the kids chose to paint the whole tree, while others painted just the edges. Once done painting the next step for many was glitter – of course! The use of glitter on the trees made it look like freshly fallen snow – so pretty!

To decorate the pine cones we utilized pom poms, bells, pipe cleaners and fake snow. To attach the decor we used the hot glue gun *use caution, have adult assistance/supervision* and some Quick Dry Tacky Glue.

For the angel, we utilized wire ribbon for the wings and added a plastic dove for decoration.

The reindeer was really fun, for this we used felt for the ears, pom poms, googly eyes, pipe cleaners and sticks we found in the yard.

These pine cone crafts are easy to do for all ages and great memories that last a lifetime!

Let me know how your pine cone crafts come out!

Happy Crafting!

xo,

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Hot Cheetos Mac – Perfect Thanksgiving Side

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November 15, 2018 3:00 AM November 15, 2018

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It is that time of the year again! Time to dust off the old cookbook and look for something new and interesting to bring to holiday dinners. Choosing a side…

It is that time of the year again! Time to dust off the old cookbook and look for something new and interesting to bring to holiday dinners. Choosing a side dish can be harder than you would think; you want a recipe that will please the masses, encourage conversation and most of all be eaten in its entirety – no leftovers. 🙌🏼 If you can achieve these three things your side dish is a complete success. #winning

This recipe is one of those #winning recipes. It is flavorful, creamy and topped with everyone’s favorite Flamin’ Hot Cheetos! The crunchy Cheeto crust gives the Mac a wonderful flavor and unexpected spice.

For this recipe I used whole milk, butter, cheddar cheese, gouda cheese, elbow pasta and of course Flamin Hot Cheetos (crunchy).

Prepare al dente pasta as instructed on the box. Drain cooked pasta and set aside.

Then, begin the sauce by melting the stick of butter. Once melted whisk in the flour to create a nice creamy rue.

On medium-high heat continue to heat the flour-butter mixture until it bubbles and begins to brown. Then add the shredded cheese. Mix constantly as the cheese melts into the mixture.

Once thick and creamy season with black pepper, salt and cayenne to taste. Mix sauce into the cooked pasta and place in a 9×13 baking dish.

Prepare the Hot Cheeto topping by crushing Cheetos with a blunt object. Working to achieve a uniform size.

Sprinkle another layer of cheese onto the prepared mac. Place baking dish in the oven to broil for 2-4 minutes. When the cheese is bubbling and turning golden remove from the oven. Cover immediately with the crushed Cheeto topping. Gently press the Cheetos into the melted cheese and serve.

If you are making this dish ahead of time I recommend preparing the macaroni initially and doing the topping just prior to serving.

I hope your holidays are filled with new recipes, clean plates and overflowing fridges!

xo,

Carolyn

Hot Cheetos Mac

This thick and creamy mac and cheese is topped with crushed Flaming Hot Cheetos giving it a great crunch and exciting flavor! Always a winner amongst the kids!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Author Carolyn of Handrafted

Ingredients

1 box Elbow Pasta
1 stick Salted Butter
1/3 cup All-Purpose Flour
2 cups Whole Milk
1 cup Gouda shredded
1 1/2 cups Cheddar shredded
Black Pepper, Salt and Cayenne to taste
2/3 bag Flaming Hot Cheetos crushed

Instructions

Cook noodles in boiling water until al dente (4-6 minutes).
Drain noodles and place off to the side.
Melt one stick of butter in a large saucepan.
Over medium-high heat slowly whisk in flour to create a creamy rue. Continue cooking until it starts to brown. Stirring constantly.
Slowly add milk, whisking continually.
Once incorporated add the cheese, pepper, salt and cayenne. Continue to stir until fully mixed. If sauce is too thick add small amounts of milk to thin as desired.
Combine drained noodles and cheese sauce in a 9x13 pan.
Sprinkle the macaroni with additional shredded cheese.
In a bag crush Flaming Hot Cheetos. Pieces should be about 1/4 inch in size at the largest.
Broil cheese on the mac until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown (2-4 minutes).
Remove from the oven and cover with Cheeto crust, serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

DANGER -- DO NOT Broil the Cheeto Crust - Cheetos are very flammable 🔥.

If you are making this dish ahead of time I recommend preparing the macaroni initially and doing the topping just prior to serving.

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Spooky Chocolate Covered Strawberries

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October 25, 2018 3:00 AM October 25, 2018

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This spooky twist on a classic favorite is perfect for any Halloween party, open house or pot-luck! Chocolate covered strawberries are always a crowd pleaser and with some imagination a…

This spooky twist on a classic favorite is perfect for any Halloween party, open house or pot-luck! Chocolate covered strawberries are always a crowd pleaser and with some imagination a few sprinkles you can have some really fun designs. Plus you can get the kids to help! Can’t beat a family fun Halloween treat!

Gather Materials

Before you begin it is important to have all your decorations together and ready for use. Once the chocolate (or candy coating) is melted they come together pretty quickly. For this project, I got my materials from Michaels.

I used

1 pound of Fresh Strawberries (cleaned and dried completely)
8 oz White Candy Coating (can sub white chocolate if desired)
Sprinkles
Milk Chocolate Chips (for drizzle)

Time to Dip

Using a double boiler or the microwave heat your candy coating (or chocolate) as instructed on the packaging. Remove from heat and begin dipping your strawberries. Press the strawberries into the chocolate carefully rolling from side to side to cover as much of the berry as possible. Once covered lift up and swirl to finish. This is the fun part, once dipped begin decorating. Place dipped strawberries on a lined cookie sheet for easy transport to the fridge.

Refrigerate for 15-30 minutes or until chocolate is set then remove from the fridge and place in an airtight container and keep at room temperature. Strawberries left in the fridge with get mushy faster.

Tips & Tricks

Use room temperate berries for the best results.
After washing your berries make sure to pat them dry completely. Any water on the berries will break the candy coating (or chocolate).
Use the leaves as a handle for dipping. If you prefer no leaves remove them and skewer the strawberry for dipping.
For chocolate drizzle melt chocolate in a ziplock baggie. Cut a small hole at the corner of the bag and use to pipe chocolate on to the strawberry.
If you choose chocolate over candy coating add butter for a smoother consistency. Melt together 2 teaspoons of butter for 8 ounces of chocolate.

Are you hosting a Halloween party this year?

Hope you have some spooky fun!

xo,

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