I've been reading the original Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, with my 12-year-old daughter. Thank goodness we know how to use Study Technology as developed by L. Ron Hubbard.

This has really helped her (and me!) in understanding what we read. It's useful in studying anything, but I have found in particular that my enjoyment of the classics has really increased as a result of using this technology.

I found that Office Depot is a great place to find inexpensive paper, crayons, school glue, markers, etc. The very best time to get these things is in August, when parents are preparing for the school year. One year we got about 40 packs of 200 count lined notebook paper - it lasted us for 2 whole years, and the paper was something like 25 cents a pack.

Other great places for school supplies for a large family are Costco, and places like Big Lots.

One of my children is an origami artist. So, we go through lots and lots of paper here!

I found a great site about saving money on vacation, when you have a large family.

Most large families probably don't vacation MUCH - or, when we do, we tend to do really inexpensive things like camping. But I found this very helpful:


Family Fun.

Here's a discussion of Large Family vacationing on a shoestring budget that I thought was full of really practical, good advice.

A great site for craft & art ideas is Crayola.

My kids have gotten great ideas from this site before.

Also, Oriental Trading is a really inexpensive catalog store for crafts. These aren't generally as conducive to total creativity - largely they consist of pre-packaged crafts. But it's nice for a big group, since the crafts are individually packaged.

If your artistic children are interested in an art contest, there is the Youth for Human Rights International What Human Rights Means to You annual art contest.

I've seen some of the artwork created by contest participants in past years - really good stuff!

Wow! We found the coolest thing at WalMart this week: a cardboard playhouse, with a Rainforest design all over the walls and roof - white with black line drawings. PERFECT for coloring with magic markers!

They also had a preschool design (ABC's, etc.) and a "dog house" with dogs on the outside.

The kids each picked a side (two shared the roof) and had a really, really grand and creative time.

Here are some good places to find stuff for kids to do:

Cranberries for kids

Fun Stuff for Kids

Awards Programs for Kids