Camping

Fun Gear and Gadgets for Your Next Camping Trip

People try and make camping so complicated. They think they need to bring their entire bedroom and kitchen in order to have a good time, but to be honest the less hassle the better. A tent or hammock, a sleeping bag, a way to make fire, and a tinfoil dinner is all you need to have a fabulous camping trip with a few friends.

Hiking

Must-Have Gear for Your Bucket List

Getting out and hiking is a wonderful way to stretch your legs and breath in some fresh air. Make sure you use the buddy system and stay on the trail so your adventure into the wilderness will be accident-free.

BBQ

8 Great Gifts for Every Guy

If you do a BBQing party you can have everyone bring an item or two. That way it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to have great food with fabulous company. Most apartment complexes offer patio grills so it shouldn’t be hard to find somewhere to cook your meat. Also, to keep the event stress free, try sticking with easy BBQing options. Grilling up steaks for an entire party of people probably isn’t worth the effort you’re going to have to put into it.

Campfire/bonfire

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Campfires don’t have to include food, but a bag of marshmallows, some graham crackers, and a few chocolates can go a long way to make a group happy. Encourage your musically include friend to bring along their guitar so you can enjoy a few silly songs by the glow of the fire.

Fishing

Life’s a Beach: Activities To Be Had On the Seven Seas

You don’t have to be an avid fisherman to enjoy a little fishing. Find yourself a pole, hook, and line and take a relaxing trip down to the side of a river. If you catch something, that’s great, fish for dinner! If not, that’s alright too. At least you had an excuse to be outside.

Picnic

50 Things To Plan For When The Weather Is Nice

Picnics are another great pot luck activity. Have some people bring food and others bring games. With everyone pitching in something you’re bound to have a fantastic day at the park.

Birdwatching

All the New Tech of the Great Outdoors

While perhaps not the most thrilling activity, birdwatching can be very fascinating. Bring along a bird book or download an app on your phone to help you know what you’re looking at. Some apps even have the birds calls available so you can draw your new feathery friend in for a closer look.

Biking

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Biking can be whatever you want it to be. If you’re in the mood for some intense mountain trails remember to wear a helmet and stay safe. You could also stay around town and enjoy a leisurely ride around the park to get you outside and breathing in the spring air.

Slacklining

Adrenaline Junkie Loves Doing Flips On Slackline

If the area you live in is filled with trees then it might be time to live out your childhood dream of being a tight rope walker. All you need is a slackline and two trees that are relatively close together. As you’re learning, start with your line close to the ground so your fall isn’t quite so painful.

Climbing

Top Summer Activities for All The Family

Few things provide a greater adrenaline rush than going out and scaling a cliff face. Whether you are just trying out the sport or are an avid climber remember to always use the right equipment correctly so you can stay safe.

It doesn’t really matter what you’re doing as long as you are getting outside and staying safe. Enjoy the nice weather!

The post 10 Spring Activities To Get You And Your Group Out And About appeared first on InstantELLA.

1. Start Early

Hate that daily battle? Here’s how and when to brush your toddler’s teeth

The perfect time to have your child learn about brushing teeth is as soon as those baby teeth start coming in. Be gentle and careful, and introduce them to a soft toothbrush that they can munch on. About the age of two is when you’ll want to help them brush their own teeth. It might be a little messy, but that is a small price to pay for good oral health.

2. Make It A Game

Brushing teeth doesn’t have to be a tedious process. Try making a game out of keeping your child’s mouth clean. Use your imagination. Maybe the toothbrush is a train and your kid’s teeth make up the track. Now your kid can choo-choo their teeth clean.

3. Race the Time

3 Great Ideas To Make Brushing Teeth Fun for Kids

Get a small sand timer for your child to watch while they brush their teeth. Let them flip the timer to start the time and then they can watch the sand flow out while they brush their teeth. This gives them something to do and something else to pay attention to besides the brush in their mouth.

4. Incentives

If you have a child that can be incentivized then you might consider doing some sort of chart where if your child brushes consistently for a whole week straight then they earn something. This could be a toy from a toy chest or if you want to stick with the teeth theme they could earn a new flavor of toothpaste or a cool new toothbrush.

5. Fun Toothbrush/paste

The best toothpaste for kids

Speaking of a cool toothbrush, it might help your child to be interested in brushing their teeth if they like their toothbrush and toothpaste. Having a toothbrush with Paw Patrol on it instead of just a plain blue one can make a huge difference to an obstinant toddler.

6. Never Use Scare Tactics

This isn’t necessarily to help your kid brush their teeth, but it will save you a world of headache at their next pediatric dental appointment. Never tell their children that if they don’t brush their teeth then they’ll have to go to the dentist. This will just make them afraid of their dentist, which won’t be fun to deal with in the long run.  

7. Be A Good Example

Brush your teeth at the same time as your kid. This will help them to see that even big people need to keep their teeth clean. If you aren’t actually ready to brush your teeth for the night, you can always forgo the toothpaste and just act like your brushing your teeth.

Every child is different so what works for one might not work for another. The key is to stay consistent and positive. Compliment them on how good they are at brushing their teeth as you teach them to make good oral hygiene a part of their daily routine.

The post 7 Ways to Help Your Kids Brush Their Teeth appeared first on InstantELLA.

High school is done and as you reflect back you probably think of all the fun times you had with your friends, all the football games and activities you went to, the dances, and just all your teachers and classes.

For some these are very fond memories, maybe some of the best so far, and for others, let’s just say they were very excited and eager to leave those years behind.

The Best College for the Best You

Whatever feelings you had about high school the good news is that for pretty much everyone, starting college and the things you will see and do will trump anything you experienced in high school. You will make some of the best memories of your life.

Here are four reasons why college is going to be the best time of your life and a time to grow and change into the best version of yourself.

You get to leave home

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For some, this may sound scary and overwhelming and it definitely might be at first, but you will find over time that leaving home is probably the best thing you ever did to let yourself grow and to become the independent person you always wanted to be.

Whether it’s a couple hours away or clear across the country, leaving home is one of the big steps of the college experience but one that teaches you self-reliance and how to make your own choices based on what you want and not anyone else like your parents, teachers, or siblings.

You get to live on your own

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Part of leaving home means you get to live on your own whether that means a dorm room or an apartment.

But the good news is that you usually aren’t completely alone and have roommates and friends around to keep you company.

And the best thing about living in a dorm or student apartments is that you can make the place your own and make it comfortable and do fun things like game nights, all-night study sessions, or movie nights with your friends.

You can choose what you want to learn

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Remember all those boring or super hard classes in high school that you had to take?

Well, the great thing about college is although there will be some general education classes that you will be required to take the rest will all be classes that you get to choose, including the major you want to eventually focus on.

Fun Things To Do For College Students this Fall

That means if you’ve always wanted to learn about art history, or anatomy, or sociology you can! And if you have no idea what you want to study you can take a bunch of random classes and find something you like.

You can even take fun classes like guitar, dance, or slam poetry; basically whatever sounds good to you.

You can find your tribe

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One of the best parts of college is that you are now in a place with thousands of intelligent people who are around your age and many of them interested in a lot of the things you are. Whether it’s bonding over a shared love for doom pedals in a music club, attending poetry readings and writing, joining the dance club and enjoying dancing the night away at campus events or immersing yourself in the theater scene, there’s a group for every passion. Dive in, and you’ll soon realize that your tribe is just waiting to be found.

Most colleges have so many groups and organizations that you can be a part of that help you to find out more about yourself as well as connect with like-minded people.

And a lot of these people will turn into some of your best, lifelong friends.

The post 4 Reasons Why College Is Going to Be the Best Time of Your Life appeared first on InstantELLA.

If you already have a special someone or are looking for a something to do or see with someone you are interested winter is a great time of year for fun and festive date ideas.

11 Halloween 2018 Date Ideas To Try

From sleigh rides and winter hikes to fun night activities in Hollywood, California (or wherever you are), there’s something magical for everyone to enjoy.

Here are five fun and festive date ideas to do this winter that will make this time of year the best time of all.

Bake a pie together

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Nothing starts the holiday season more than pumpkin pie, apple pie, or pecan pie.  Whatever pie is your favorite create a fun evening by getting all the ingredients for your favorite pies together and then make and bake them!

You can even turn it into a fun little competition, and the best part is that you get to enjoy a yummy treat at the end of it, so this date idea is really just a win, win.

Get lost in a corn maze

The Most Romantic Fall Date Ideas

Who says you can’t go to a corn maze in the winter? Corn mazes are a super fun date activity in the fall, but in the winter you can find one that’s abandoned and get lost alone with the special someone.

It’s a fun date where you will have to work together to get out of the maze, which is a great way to get to know each other. You can look up some really creative corn mazes in your area that were created by Mazeplay, which are not only fun to walk through but fun to look at as well.

Go on a sleigh ride

5 Fun Family Friendly Activities in Teton County, Idaho

Another fun activity that gives you an excuse to cuddle up to that significant other is a sleigh ride.

Most of the time you can find these downtown or in your city center. Just do a quick search for sleigh rides in your area. Bundle up in warm clothes and snuggle up as you enjoy a relaxing sleigh ride together.

Take a long drive

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Even if the snow has started to fall, a long drive is always a good time with someone you enjoy spending time with.

A great way to get a front-row seat of some beautiful views is to take a drive up into the mountains to check out the snow or drive through a forest. You can even make it more of an adventure by stopping at a few breweries in PA or elsewhere along the way to sample seasonal craft beers and warm up between scenic stops.

Listen to your favorite music, talk and get to know each other better, or just hold hands and take in the peaceful scenery.

Have a cozy night in

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A date doesn’t necessarily have to be extravagant or involve a complicated activity, in the winter it can be as simple as simple as cuddling up to a warm fire together and putting on your favorite movie.

Throw in some hot chocolate and a couple of fuzzy blankets and you have a fun, cozy night for two.

While a cozy night in with a movie is wonderfully relaxing, sometimes the perfect date involves stepping out to enjoy exceptional food without the fuss of cooking. Imagine a leisurely Sunday, where someone else handles the preparation, serving up a hearty, traditional meal that warms you from the inside out. For those seeking a truly memorable culinary experience, places like Temper restaurant offer a fantastic Sunday roast, complete with succulent meats, crispy potatoes, and giant Yorkshire puddings. It’s an ideal way to spend quality time together, savoring delicious British produce cooked with a unique, fiery flair. This kind of relaxed, indulgent meal can be just as intimate and enjoyable as a night on the sofa, providing a perfect end to the weekend.

Whether you stay in or dine out, the essence of a great date lies in shared moments and genuine connection. It’s these simple yet meaningful experiences that create lasting memories and deepen your bond.

The post 5 Fun and Festive Date Ideas to Do This Winter appeared first on InstantELLA.

If you’re not sure where to start on your journey of fun, here are some activities that you can do in the fall in most college towns.

Bonfires

Fun Gear and Gadgets for Your Next Camping Trip

Whether it’s for the homecoming football game, or just a small group of friends at some nearby sand dunes, go! Enjoy listening to good music, roasting hot dogs, dancing with friends and having a good time. This is a great time to forget about your classes for a while and just take a break from your everyday stresses.

Straw Maze

12 Fun Fall Activities for College Students

It’s fall, so there’s bound to be some fall-related activities nearby that you and your friends can carpool to. Find a straw maze or corn maze near by. MazePlay has a great corn maze locator if you’re not sure where to start.

Get lost in the maze, have a race to the finish, or just have fun socializing away from school.

Campus Activities

New Engage platform eases communication between clubs, organizations and students

Most universities have a range of activities and workshops to participate in throughout the week and on the weekends. These are great ways to meet new people or to learn something new with your friends. Take a yoga class, learn some dance moves, participate in a karaoke night, or whatever activities sound appealing to you. Just look at your school’s activities calendar and you’re sure to find something fun to fill up your spare time.

Haunted House

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Halloween is growing near, so there are bound to be some haunted houses nearby that you can your friends can go scare each other at. Whether they are haunted attractions or an abandoned ghost town, you can make some great memories and get a much needed break from classes during one of these adventures.

Parties

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This doesn’t have to be a large scale frat party, even just hosting a fun game night in your apartments at The Landing or another school housing complex can be a good time. Go in with your roommates on some drinks and snacks, and have everyone bring their favorite game or movie and just enjoy a night relaxing and talking with friends.

5k Runs

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College towns are all about fun runs. Whether it’s a color run or a costume run, there will probably be something taking place in your town soon. So check out community and school calendars to see when the next fun run takes place and sign up with a group of friends. Plan out a crazy outfit, meet up with friends, and it won’t even feel like exercise (until about halfway through).

Don’t be bored this fall when you finish your homework, and don’t resort to Netflix binges on the weekends. Get out and do something fun. Make the most of your college experience!

The post Fun Things To Do For College Students this Fall appeared first on InstantELLA.

See how many of these things you can do before the summer ends.

1. 1. Go camping off the grid. Don’t go to a well-groomed campground. Pack up your gear and hike out into a forest to camp where no one else has been.
   2. Spend an entire day at a water park. You always wanted to do this as a child. Now you’re an adult and can do whatever you want! So go for it!
   3. Play slip’n’slide kickball. Get a few tarps, some kiddie pools, a beach ball, and a bunch of friends and you’re set! Just be careful not to knock out a tooth or you may be paying a visit to the dentist.

Stargazing Tips for Summer Skywatching

1. 1. Sleep under the stars. Take a hammock out or just some blankets on a warm night and sleep under the stars. Find someplace quiet and dark where you can enjoy the serenity that a calm night offers.
   2. Do a fun-run. There are tons of fun 5ks everywhere throughout the summer. Whether you want to do a color run or an obstacle course, get a couple friends and sign up for one before the summer is done.
   3. Live like a tourist in your hometown. Visit all the touristy hotspots in your town. Maybe you’ll finally see the appeal in why all these people visit.
   4. Go white water rafting. If you’re inexperienced, make sure you find a location where a guide can take you out on the water to be safe (trust me, it’s still just as fun).
   5. Have a water balloon fight. Water balloons are not just for kids. Find an open field, put up some cardboard or wooden “bases” to hide behind and bring a couple hundred water balloons.
   6. Spend the day at a lake. Go swimming or fishing in the lake. Have a campfire and roast hot dogs and marshmallows. Just enjoy a break from the busy world.
   7. Go on that fair ride that you always chicken out on. You know the one I’m talking about – the one on the bungee cords that shoots you up into the air. You’ll regret it if you don’t.
   8. Learn something new. Take a cooking or pottery class. Learn to ride a motorcycle. Get chickens for your backyard and learn how to take care of them using an automatic chicken feeder. I don’t care what it is, just learn to do something you’ve never done before.

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1. Go on a biking trip. Back a light bag, get a couple friends to do the same, and just take off on your bikes and see where the road takes you.
2. Spend a day thrift shopping with a budget of $50. See if you can find any real treasures worth keeping.
3. Build a sand castle. Go to the beach, whether it’s at a lake or on the coast, and build the biggest sand castle you’ve ever seen. Make it a group effort or have a contest with your friends.
4. Spend a day reading in the sun. Make some iced tea or lemonade, lay out your beach towel or lounge chair, and relax in the sun while enjoying a book you’ve been meaning to get to.

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Don’t wait for the summer to pass you by. Start making it count now!

The post The Ultimate Summer Bucket List for Adults appeared first on InstantELLA.

Things To Do on a Summer’s Day

Is there anything you didn’t do last year that you wished you would have done? Now’s the time to make plans that you want to fulfill this year when the weather is nice again.

Top Summer Activities for All The Family

We’ve made a list of 50 things that you should do this year to take advantage of the beautiful warm weather.

1. Plant a garden.
2. Go hiking.
3. Go camping.
4. Climb a mountain.
5. Run a 5k.
6. Lounge in a hammock.
7. Repair your asphalt driveway (call some paving contractors!)
8. Smell the flowers.
9. Swim in a lake.
10. Go horseback riding.
11. Do a nature photo shoot.
12. Have a barbeque.
13. Visit the ocean.
14. Go bird watching.
15. Have a picnic.
16. Play frisbee.
17. Try golfing.
18. Go fishing.
19. Watch the clouds roll by.
20. Go stargazing.
21. Climb a tree.
22. Go to a waterpark.
23. Make a slip-n-slide.
24. Volunteer to walk dogs at a local dog shelter.
25. Read a good book (outside!)
26. Do yoga on your lawn as the sun rises.
27. Go for a bike ride.
28. Visit a zoo.
29. Build a fence.
30. Watch fireworks.
31. Have a water balloon fight.
32. Play beach volleyball.
33. Try water skiing (or tubing).
34. Have a garage sale.
35. Make lemonade.
36. Build a fort outside.
37. Have a bonfire.
38. Throw a backyard party.
39. Have a luau.
40. Dive into a pool.
41. Make salsa.
42. Go berry picking.
43. Make strawberry jam.
44. Go to a farmer’s market.
45. Drive a four wheeler.
46. Go mudding.
47. Get lost in a corn maze.
48. Go apple picking.
49. Visit a haunted forest.
50. Go to a pumpkin patch.

All of this and more are waiting for you when the weather is nice again. Don’t spend all of your time this spring, summer, or fall indoors. Get out and experience the world. Take advantage of the local activities and sites around you.

The post 50 Things To Plan For When The Weather Is Nice appeared first on InstantELLA.

Beholding The Golden Green Goose That Hatched One Of The Richest Counties in America

Teton County, Idaho has an abundance of fun recreational activities for the whole family to enjoy, and we want to share some of our favorites with you.

Kotler Ice Arena in Victor, ID

Kotler Ice Arena

The Kotler Ice Arena holds public open skating every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for all ages to enjoy. Whether you’re a pro skater or just beginning, all are welcome to participate in the fun. You can pay daily or purchase a season pass, which are also good for their “Stick & Puck” sessions to practice your hockey skills.

Check Teton Valley Foundation for times and prices.

Geotourism Center in Driggs, ID

Experience the West Side of the Tetons

If your family enjoys museums, then you have to visit the world’s first geotourism center in Driggs. Explore the beauty of the Teton Valley all in the exhibits of the Teton Geotourism Center and learn to love it as the locals do. This is a great place to bring the family for a day trip. Learn all about what makes the Tetons and Yellowstone so unique.

Yellowstone National Park

Snowmobile & Snowcoach Tours

Of course you can’t go wrong with Yellowstone National Park. It is the first and oldest national park in the world. Your family can enjoy an experience fully immersed in natural wonders, from the thousands of geysers to the wildlife that lives there. Just be sure your dress for the weather.

National Elk Refuge in Jackson, WY

National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole

Take your family on a sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge this winter. Find yourself within 20 feet of thousands of elk. Dress warm and get ready for an experience of a lifetime. You might even encounter other wildlife, such as eagles, coyotes, foxes, bison, and swans.

Grand Targhee Ski Resort in Jackson, WY

Winter at Grand Targhee Resort

As soon as the winter season starts, you can take your family snow tubing at the Grand Targhee Ski Resort. Enjoy the thrill of speeding down a snowy hill and then the convenience of being pulled back up the hill by their conveyor surface lift. Reservations are recommended because the tubes can sell out quickly.

The post 5 Fun Family Friendly Activities in Teton County, Idaho appeared first on InstantELLA.

Harvest was an incredible time to ask a girl on a date. There are always amazing events and activities available. But now that the time for corn mazes, pumpkin carving, and haunted houses are behind us, it’s time to find fun ways to enjoy dating this winter.

It is no surprise to many of us that winter is a hard time to plan or go on dates. We get busy during the winter, important holidays come up, and soon it is the new year. Where did the time go, and did we even do anything this winter? It doesn’t have to be this way, however, with a couple of dating ideas, you will find that this miserable and cold winter could bring about great memories.

Christmas Movies

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The norm would say that watching movies on a date would be the worst date scenario, but if you make the right choice of a movie then you never know what could happen. During Christmas, there are plenty of movies that fit the mood of any date. Grab some hot chocolate and pick out a nice movie and get to snuggling, to keep warm of course.

Gingerbread Houses

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There is nothing quite like a situation where you are on a date, and decisions must be made, and no one can make up their mind. When you create gingerbread houses together you and your date’s creativity and imagination come alive. It is fun to see a different side of someone, especially their creative side.

Shopping

Shopping would probably not even make it onto this list, but when you make shopping for one another a game then it can get interesting. Take the example of Stephanie, 21 who went on a date with her boyfriend. Another great idea is to find an organization that is doing a ‘giving tree’ and go out with your date to find what the family or person needs.

Snowball Fights

Image Source

If you want to have a date that is more on the friendly competitive side, take your date outside where it is snowing and show them your snowball fighting skills. If you go on a group date, turn a casual snowball fight into an all-out war. Split into teams, where you’re with your date and begin strategizing what you could do to win!

These ideas and many more will turn the holiday season into a year to remember. Just be creative, have fun, and enjoy the time with your date.

The post 4 Super Fun Winter Date Ideas appeared first on InstantELLA.

1. Thankful Tree

Gratitude and giving thanks is what this holiday is all about. Try this fun little thankful tree from The DIY Mommy this Thanksgiving season. Let your littles explore outside for the perfect fallen branch to be the base for their tree. Find a cute bucket or vase to place it in, filled with marbles, moss or dirt. Help them cut out leaves on which they can write down the things they are thankful for. Hang the leaves on the tree and you’re done! You can even have your child think of one thing they are thankful for each day and add a leaf every day.

2. Paint Chip Turkey

This is a fun one. Pick up some paint chips from the store, or let your kids pick out some color. Then use those for the turkey’s tail feathers. Have your kids write or draw what they are thankful for on the paint chips. You can pull these out at the Thanksgiving dinner table to have each child read off what they are thankful for this year. Find the full tutorial at Preschool Alphabet.

3. Wreath of Gratitude

Make a wreath with your child like this one from Parents.com. Pick up some colored paper and a styrofoam wreath from the dollar store. Have your kids write down or draw what they are thankful for and pin their leaves to the wreath. You could even go on a nature hike and find real leaves to add to this project.

4. Thankful Dry Erase Boards

With this craft, let your child pick out a picture frame and frame a paper that says “Today I am thankful for…” with some space to write what they are thankful for. Each day have them write down with a dry erase marker what they are thankful for. Let them decorate the frame with pompoms, glitter, leaves, or whatever their little minds can imagine. You can find some free printables for this craft at Bren Did.

5. Thankful Pie

With this fun craft, all you need are some paper plates, a bracket, paint (or markers), and something to write with. Turn one of the plates into a pumpkin pie with the paint, cut out a “piece” of the pie, and write the words “I am thankful for…”. On the bottom plate, have your child write the things they are thankful for. Attach both plates with a bracket in the center so they can turn the plates to show what they are thankful for each day.

6. Grateful Rocks

Find some rocks on a hike, or pick some up from a craft store, and let your child paint, write, or draw what they are thankful for on them. This is a great activity for the entire family to participate in. For a fun activity afterwards, you can even let your kids hide the rocks around the house (inside or outside) and try to find each other’s rocks. Find the tutorial for these rocks at Teach Kids Art.

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