BIG test coming up? Help kids ease STRESS & ANXIETY - DIY testing bag - Test day prep ideas - card, treats, stress relief ball

Have you seen testing bags?

I saw this idea when we volunteered to make testing bags for all the students at a charter school. I sat down ready to start and thought it was about about testing them. Maybe a pre-test before the test???

Lol! It's not. 

It's a care package to help ease stress and anxiety from testing.

This could be for a big spelling or vocabulary test, standardized state tests, midterms, finals, SAT, ACT, etc. It can be stressful leading up to the "big day."

I thought this was such a neat idea so I made one for my son before he took his SAT.

Here are some ideas:

Encouraging card

Snack & small water.

My boys love trail mix. 

Lol! This made me laugh.

Lollipop

Pencils (pre-sharpened)

Stress ball (homemade or store bought)

We used rice to make them for the charter school but I used baking soda.

I made an easy DIY stress relief ball and wrote "squeeze me" on it.

Balloons, baking soda, and funnel.

I cut the end off an empty water bottle to make the funnel.

Fill with baking soda. Leave enough room at the top to tie the balloon.

I put everything in a small bag in his favorite color. I really wanted to write all over it with good luck and do your best, but thought that would be too embarrassing.

He also had a place for his calculator, ticket to enter, and identification.

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RENT a REDBOX on US! Random Acts of KINDNESS - Appreciation IDEAS - FREE downloadable - Teacher, Mail Carrier, Trash Collector, First Responder

A small token of appreciation goes a long way to brighten someone's day. The boys brought these to school for teacher appreciation week this year. After creating the treat and drink bucket for our deliver drivers we decided to make some for our mail carrier, trash collectors, and recycling collectors.

I was in luck that our HEB was having a sale!

I went to Redbox.com and purchased gift codes. Cool, right!? I clicked on eGifts at the top of the page and selected promo codes.

You can buy 5, 10, 20 or 50.  They are meant to be emailed as a gift so I used my email. I bought 5 to give one to our mail carrier, two for our garbage collectors, and two for our recycling collectors.

The free Redbox rental is great by itself but with popcorn and candy makes it even better!!!!

I attached the popcorn and candy with a tiny dot of hot glue.

I debated about the bows but it needed something. 

I settled with a black bow. :)

Our mail carrier is a woman so I used a prettier bow for her. 

We appreciate all that they do and I hope they enjoy this small gift.

FREE 4x6 downloadable print HERE

(click link and right click to save)

UPDATE: I added a sticky note so she would be sure it was for her. She wrote a sweet thank you note on the back. :)

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PRINTABLE Peeps S'Mores Party Favor Tags, You Print - class/teacher gift

PEEP S'MORES!!!!! Yummmmmmmm!!!!!

We made these the last two years for classmates, friends and neighbors {{POST HERE}} and they are always a huge hit!

The tag was seriously bugging me because it was really busy, didn't like the font, too much going on with the bunnies and eggs, and the text color was hard to read...whew! Why didn't I change it last year? Laziness. After posting I would revise it this year I felt that would give me some motivation. 

I changed a few things and it still has a lot of text but looks better. Now you can download/print for FREE!!! Yes, I'm awesome. Stop it some more. :) (jk)

I tried two different size bags and two different tag styles. I'm very indecisive. I *think* we are going with the 4x5 bag and folding tag on the top. Maybe not. Okay, yes we are. ;)

Pictured is the 4x6 bag (top peep) and it seems  a little loose so the graham cracker slides around. The 4x5 bag (bottom peep) keeps everything together better. Both bags can be sealed and purchased at Micheal's Craft store.

I ended up not using the green peep tag because the yellow peep looked a little greenish after printing. :/ If you like it better let me know and I'll post the downloadable.

Click HERE to download 4x6 PEEP S'MORE (fold) tag for FREE

(right click and save)

Click HERE to download 4x6 PEEP S'MORE (single) tag for FREE

(right click and save)

Send the file to a 1hr photo lab for easy printing or print at home

Look! Yesterday I found GREEN peeps!!!

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For my Peeps! - Easter/Spring class treat - teacher gift- FUN for the kids!

When I first started making these (2 years ago) I never had a peep. (WTH, right?) By themselves they are okay BUT as a s'more...OMG!!! Sadly with my summer "Operation get my butt in gear or I'll be sad when I can't fit into a swimsuit" going strong, I know these little sugary, irresistible, yumminess {{drool}} will not be a good idea in the house. Lets test that will power! I do have some taste testers in the house that insist we need to experiment for microwave time accuracy EVERY year. :)

I had no clue they came in so many colors and felt I went a little overboard on my first purchase but this is what it looks like every year. 

Supplies:
Peeps
Graham crackers
Individually wrapped chocolate
Bags (I tried several but like the Celebrate It 100 bags 4 in x 6 in @ Micheal's.)
Tape
Tags (optional)

I would like to start off saying this is an extremely MESSY MESSY process. Peep sugar everywhere!!!!

One peep, two graham cracker pieces, one Hershey's chocolate. 

We made 45 individual packages for classmates (two different classes) and some for friends and neighbors. 

 I made the little tags that said "To one of my favorite peeps" and the instructions for microwaving them. After looking back at these I really *dislike* how busy they look. Geez! I'll be re-doing them and adding a free download. Check back soon!

UPDATE:

NEW REVISED (free - downloadable) TAGS HERE

When you make the s'mores in the microwave, the peep gets fat and rolls. Lol. Watch out not to microwave more than 10 seconds. If the chocolate is still a little hard just wait a few minutes (if you can) and it will get soft. 

For the teachers we used a whole package of peeps and over sized chocolate bar. We switched out the peeps from each package to make them more colorful. I bought the baskets the year before for $1 during Easter clearance. 

LOVE how these turned out!

LAST YEAR

I thought the WHOLE pack of peeps and large chocolate bar was excessive so I scaled it down a little for teachers. Mini 4pk and regular hershey bar. :)

They turned out really cute too

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