Author: Sara May

Snow Forts When There’s Not Enough Snow

Snow Fort

 

One of the amazing qualities that most children seem to possess is the inability to get cold on frigid, snowy winter days.  Maybe they’re having too much fun to notice the cold, but it’s only when fingers and toes are numb that kids think about retreating indoors to huddle around the fireplace with hot cocoa in hand.

When I was a kid, I recall my older sister and her friends creating elaborate snow shelters in the yard and how much fun it was to pretend we were stranded in an arctic hideaway with only our creativity to get us through the “harrowing” experience.  As a little kid, though, I wished I could create my own snow shelter, but I lacked the ability, and older siblings aren’t always willing to let little ones take part in the action.

It was only recently that these memories came flooding back to me.  My own young child asked if we could build a snow shelter this winter, and I had to stop and think whether or not we could.  As I grew to be an older kid, I gradually learned the finer points of snow shelter construction, but the key element in the process is snow.  What if we don’t have enough snowfall this year to produce the kind of colossal shelter that exists in my child’s imagination?

When snow is at a minimum, or if time is not available to build a full-scale shelter out of snow, the solution can be foundSno Fort / Snow Shelter in the cleverly designed inflatable Snow Fort.  The snow fort, which is made from heavy-duty PVC, resembles an igloo and provides a cozy hide out on cold winter days.  Whether there is snow on the ground or not, kids will always be able to enjoy their own private shelter thanks to the inflatable snow fort.  Fun outdoor times don’t have to be limited by the amount of snow on the ground or by the willingness of older siblings to include younger ones in their big-kid adventures.

Escaping Winter? Don’t Forget the Necessities

Warm Weather Holidays

For many families, the idea of spending the cold winter months at home fighting holiday traffic and shopping center mobs is not the best way to enjoy the season.  Escaping the madness can make for happier holidays — no holiday parties, no baking marathons, no throwing money down the drain on gifts for people you hardly know… So, if you are in the “let’s just get away” camp, then why not escape to someplace warm and sandy?

Before you leave town, make your list and check it twice so that once you get to your sunny destination, you can unpack and unwind right away.  Here are a few necessities you won’t want to forget:

1.  Beach chairs

Recline Backpack Chair

2.  Fair-weather family-friendly outdoor games

Portopong Floating Pong Table

3.  A portable grill for cooking up money-saving and delicious meals

Portable Gas and Charcoal Grills

4.  A portable shade canopy to keep you cool on those hot, sunny days on the beach

Portable Pop Up Canopy - Navy

When you bring along these necessities, plus your sunblock, swim suits, and sunglasses, there’s nothing else you’ll need to have the happiest holiday ever.  Bon voyage!

A Greener Approach to Gift Giving

Environmentally Unfriendly Gift Wrapping

If you or someone you love is conscious about environmental issues, then gift giving times can be less than joyful occasions. Wrapping paper, ribbons, packaging materials, and even the gift itself often demonstrate our wasteful tendencies when it comes to giving gifts. Being more environmentally considerate about what we give as gifts and how we present those gifts can go a long way to show our loved ones that we care about them as well as about the environment.

One unique gift ideathat is itself environmentally friendly and that would also appeal to anyone who loves to spend timeEarth Friendly Hammock Swing relaxing is a recycled rope hammock swing.  A hammock swing is a gift idea that is rarely considered, but it’s one that many people would love to receive. Unlike a traditional hammock, a hammock swing allows you to sit up comfortably and enjoy reading a book, having a conversation, or just taking in the surroundings. Hammock swings can be constructed from weather-resistant outdoor fabrics or woven with rope materials, but the most environmentally friendly hammock swing is one whose ropes are made from 100% recycled polyester fibers. These ropes are extremely durable and resistant to harsh weather, but they are also soft to the touch like cotton.

While you may not want to install a hammock swing gift before presenting it to your loved one, you can add value to the gift by installing it yourself once a location is chosen, or you can hire an installer to do the work. No wrapping is necessary for a hammock swing, but tying a reusable decorative fabric bow around the gift before you present it can provide a festive touch.

Smart Solution: Handy Helper for On the Go Cargo

Folding Utility Wagon

How many trips does it take you to get all of your gear from the car to your destination?  If you consistently return to your vehicle more than once to unload cargo, then it’s time to consider bringing along a handy helper.  Whether you’re a parent, a coach, an avid shopper, or a business person who needs supplies and samples always at hand, you can save yourself time, as well as headaches, back aches, and shoulder strain, by loading your belongings into a sturdy folding utility wagon.

The On the Edge Folding Utility Wagon is lightweight, but it’s constructed with solid metal which makes it durable, strong, and able to support up to 150 pounds of groceries, baby gear, garden supplies, sports equipment, and anything else you need to haul.  The wheel base is made with durable steel wheels and real rubber tires for a smooth ride over a variety of surfaces.  The handle is extra long, which prevents the wagon from tipping over and makes quick turns easier to manage.  The wagon is also designed with a no-pinch ball joint in the handle that keeps fingers from getting pinched, a must for protecting the fingers of little helpers who insist upon pulling, too.  The best part is that this utility wagon folds to a mere 8 inches thick, leaving lots of room in the trunk of your car.

No matter what kind of cargo you need to transport, the amount of time and effort required to move it all from point A to point B can be significantly decreased with a handy helper like the On the Edge Folding Utility Wagon.  For anyone who could use a few extra hands, it’s a smart solution.

Go from Snow-Poke to Speed Demon on the Sledding Hill

Slow Sleds

Winter let-down #22:  Climbing to the top of the sledding hill while wearing 10 pounds of clothing and carrying an awkward sled only to enjoy a paltry 15 foot ride before the sled stops dead in its tracks.  When it seems like everyone else is zooming by, you try to get that trusty old sled going again by digging your hands into the snow on either side of the sled to push yourself along.  Sometimes this works, but many times not.  Time to go inside for hot chocolate.

This winter, change the scenario.  Give yourself the opportunity to be the one zooming down the snowy hill past all the slower sledders, and revel in the excitement that each ride gives you.  Thanks to winter inflatables, your trek to the top of the sledding hill can be less burdensome, and your journey down can be unbelievably fast and fun.  The hot chocolate can wait, and it will taste all the more divine after a day filled with inflatable sledding adventures.

 

 Snowmobile Rider
Tube  Speedseeker 2 Person Inflatable  Sno Fort
Inflatable