DIY Outdoor Board Game with Sharpie Paint Markers

"This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media

Group and Sharpie, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #PaintYourWay 

http://my-disclosure.es/OBsstV"

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What is all the rage in outdoor Summer fun? Well your very own DIY Outdoor Board Game of course. Trust me I have a neighborhood full of kids who think this giant sized Outdoor Board Game is the bees knees. Okay so, they didn't say that specifically and they would be confused with the concept of bees having knees.

You get the idea though.

They loved playing a human sized board game outside, especially because in our custom Outdoor Board Game water was involved.

Putting together your very own Outdoor Board Game is super easy.

You only need a few items and all the imagination and creativity you already possess.

The number one must have item, these Sharpie Paint Markers. PAINT markers! Paint in marker form. They are amazing.

I picked up this colorful variety pack and a single black marker at my local Michael's Craft Store. They have water based and oil based. They sell them as packs and as individual markers. Seriously, you should head over to Michael's and check them out either at your local store or online at Michael's.com

Once you have yourself some of these markers, then all you need is a bed sheet, a vinyl tablecloth, some fabric, iron on transfer, and a couple of boxes.

 Then let your imagination run wild. You decide the theme of your Outdoor Board Game. Then you can decide how many spaces and what kind of spaces they should be.

I used fabric and iron on transfer for the plain squares and attached them to the white sheet.

Since our Outdoor Board Game was a water themed game, I used my Sharpie Paint Markers to make several water activity spaces. I thought up some fun activities and then I drew pictures that represented that activity.

Then I sewed the sheet and the vinyl tablecloth together. 

For the die I spray painted two boxes. Then I drew dots and wrote phrases, like "lose a turn" on each dice with my Sharpie Paint Markers.

I got to tell you, I LOVED these markers. They were great to work with. I was able to write easily on both the sheet and the cardboard box (which of course were a giant set of die). The coverage was great and they lasted through my whole project, with paint to spare for some extra projects. I also have to tell you that the paint dries quickly.

So quickly in fact, we didn't have to wait to long to play our very own Outdoor Board Game.

In case you want to make a water themed Outdoor Board Game like we did, here are the water activity spaces I did.

Water Activity Spaces--

Get Hosed (sprayed by a hose)

Take Aim (one on one water gun fight)

Ice, Ice Baby (stand or sit in a bucket of ice water)

Kick the Bucket (bucket of water over the head)

Attack (player's choice of water activity to another player)

Run the Sprinkler (run through the sprinkler)

Ambush (water balloon fight)

I also got to say how impressive my pictures held up during this very wet game. Since I had several neighbor kids dripping wet from before mentioned water activities I was a little worried that all that water would cause the pictures to bleed. Guess what, they didn't! They held up and after the game dried they still looked as good as when I first drew them.

Seriously, these paint markers are crazy awesome.

5 Steps to Bathroom Independence for Your Toddler

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Cottonelle but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #CtnlCareRoutine  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO”

So your toddler is potty-trained, and has been for a while. The hard work is out of the way. You earned your parent potty training gold star. There has been underwear wearing, no accidents, and going to the bathroom in public restrooms. Yup. You have mastered all that is potty training and both you and your pupil have come out successful.

Well except for that one thing.

You know.

That whole number two issue.

You know, what I am talking about? Right? 

You hear your all-by-himself-to-the-bathroom-toddler running to the restroom. You hear the door shut. A bit of time passes. The longer the time, the more you know to wait for it.

The inevitable, "MOOOOOOOOOM!!! I went poop. Wipe my bum!"

I immediately think, Oh that is okay. It will pass. Sighing, I go in because the inconvenience and/or foulness of the chore does not outweigh his need for a clean tushie.

However, there comes a time when it is absolutely necessary that my potty-trained kid needs to be completely independent in the bathroom. I can't go to school with him after all. So the question is, how do I help my toddler gain independence in the bathroom?

I came up with 5 pretty easy and self-explanatory Steps to Bathroom Independence for Your Toddler.

The first step is one you probably have already accomplished if your toddler is potty-trained. First thing you have to do is Teach Them. This definitely falls under Potty Training 101.

The second step I think is one of the most important steps of helping them transition to big kid independent conqueror of the bathroom. The second step has to do with the tools you give your toddler in the bathroom. A TP (toilet paper) station if you will. For best success, your toddler needs access to the best bathroom bum cleansing products.

Guys, without a doubt that product is the Cottonelle Clean Care Routine line. The Cottonelle Clean Care toilet paper and the moist Cleansing Cloths

Success for independence in the bathroom for my toddler had everything to do with the ease in which he could get clean. The moist Cleansing Cloths allowed my toddler to more easily clean his tush without help plus they are flushable. Can I get an AMEN?!? Then the Clean Care toilet paper just dries everything off making sure that little bum is clean and dry.

Having a TP Station equipped with both the moist Cleansing Cloths and the Cleaning Care toilet paper and within reach of the toilet helped my toddler have all the things he needed. This way he doesn't feel he needs to call out for me. I really can't say enough about Cottonelle's Clean Care Routine line. Dream come true for this momma. The clean simply cannot be beat. Their Clean Care Routine line also helps all members of the household feel clean. Definitely a must for both the newly trained and er...the...uh...more experienced.

Step Three is to allow a couple of Trial Runs. I call this the, clean-yourself-still-have-mommy-check-your-tush step. In step three they have their independence, but there is a little quality control check just to make sure. Snags are worked out. Tips given. Some reteaching done if necessary.

In Step Four it is time to let go and simply Trust Them. Once you have given them the knowledge, the tools, and the time to practice they are ready to be independent.

In other words, it is time for the Mom to let go.

I know I worried about how clean my toddler could really get his bum. Sometimes that got in the way of me trusting him. Now with the help of the Cottonelle Clean Care Routine line, I can in all honesty say I do not worry at all that he is getting himself clean.

The last step is an easy one. Step Five is to let them know they did a big job. To let them know they are like the most amazing of amazing big kids ever and that you are thrilled with this new found bathroom independence. Step Five is to give them the Thumbs Up for a job well done.

Happy kid. Happy Momma.

There ya have it, 5 Steps to Bathroom Independence for Your Toddler. The Cottonelle Clean Care Routine line is a major player in these steps.

In fact, my trust in the Clean Care toilet paper and the moist Cleansing wipes has gotten me all geared up and ready for this--

 --my very last potty training journey is about to begin.

I for sure am going to go to Walmart to stock up on the Cottonelle Clean Care Routine line.

You should too because, for the month of February Walmart is running an offer available when you buy both the Cottonelle Clean Care toilet paper and the Cleansing Wipes. You will receive a $5 Vudu (a movie rental system similar to Redbox) when you purchase BOTH the toilet paper and the wipes at a Walmart store.

To receive the $5 Vudu credit, you simply have to take a picture of your receipt showing both items purchased. Then text or email the photo to clean@drvsusa.com. You will then receive a $5 Vudu movie credit. You can get more information by heading to www.drvsusa.com/cottonellemovies.

Doing this Momma thing can be tricky sometimes. I am always grateful for fantastic products that make the day-to-day bits better. Thanks Cottonelle!