Tips for New Hockey Moms

I am not an expert when it comes to hockey, but I am a mom of 3 hockey-loving boys. When they started playing hockey a few years ago, I didn't have a clue about what gear they needed or how to put it on, so I thought it might be helpful to share a few tips with all the NEW hockey moms out there.


First of all, you need to get the right equipment. We started with the youth hockey starter kit from Canadian Tire, and then we added the other gear we needed.  (It is definitely the cheapest way to get started).  

Basically, you'll need: skates (which are usually 1 size smaller than the child's shoe size), a stick (with a curve that fits the way they shoot), an approved helmet with a face mask, gloves, shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin pads, hockey pants, an equipment bag, jock/jill protective shorts, a neck guard, hockey socks, a jersey, hockey tape, and a water bottle.

Then, once you have all the gear, you'll need to know how to put it on.  Here's an easy step by step tutorial:


1)  Start with the clothes that you want to wear under the child's gear. My boys always wear long underwear (or PJs for early morning practices).
2)  Pull on the jock/jill shorts (which have velcro on them to hold up the hockey socks).
3)  Put on the shin pads (which are marked left/right).
4)  Put the hockey socks on over the shin pads, and secure the tops with the velcro on the shorts.
5)  Pull the hockey pants on over the shin pads and hockey socks.
6)  Put the shoulder pads over the child's head, and secure with the velcro.
7)  Secure the elbow pads (which are marked left/right) with the velcro.
8)  Put the jersey on over the shoulder pads and elbow pads.
9)  Don't forget the neck guard.
10) Buckle the helmet so that it is secure.
11) Pop on the gloves and skates, and hit the ice!

That's it.  If you have a little one playing sports this winter or fall, have fun, and stay warm!


Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)


Disclosure: I am taking part in the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Pedal For Kids blog campaign. While I have received compensation as part of my affiliation with this program, the opinions shared are my own.

Alphabet Crafts - A to Z

Several months ago, my youngest son and I decided to "craft our way through the alphabet".  We had a lot of fun, and we successfully completed 26 days of alphabet crafts. Below, I share our 100+ alphabet crafts and activities. I guarantee your children or students will LOVE them all!




Fun, right?  

Below, you will find links to tutorials for the 100+ adorable alphabet crafts we completed.  You will also find free printable printing practice sheets for each of the letters.






A is for Apple and Alligator (Click the link for instructions and MORE A crafts and activities.)





B is for Bunny Ears and Bear (Click the link for instructions and MORE B crafts and activities.)





C is for Caterpillar and Cat (Click the link for instructions and MORE C crafts and activities.)





D is for Dog (Click the link for instructions and MORE D crafts and activities.)




E is for Elephant (Click the link for instructions and MORE E crafts and activities.)




F is for Face and Fox (Click the link for instructions and MORE F crafts and activities.)




G is for Guitar and Gumball (Click the link for instructions and MORE G crafts and activities.)




H is for Hat and House (Click the link for instructions and MORE H crafts and activities.)




I is for Ice Cream and Iguana (Click the link for instructions and MORE I crafts and activities.)




J is for Jet and Jellyfish (Click the link for instructions and MORE J crafts and activities.)




K is for Kite and King (Click the link for instructions and MORE K crafts and activities.)




L is for Lion and Ladybug (Click the link for instructions and MORE L crafts and activities.)




M is for Monkey and Mouse (Click the link for instructions and MORE M crafts and activities.)




N is for Necktie and Night (Click the link for instructions and MORE N crafts and activities.)




O is for Octopus and Owl (Click the link for instructions and MORE O crafts and activities.)




P is for Pirate Ship and Pig (Click the link for instructions and MORE P crafts and activities.)




Q is for Queen's Crown and Queen (Click the link for instructions and MORE Q crafts and activities.)




R is for Rabbit (Click the link for instructions and MORE R crafts and activities.)




S is for Snake (Click the link for instructions and MORE S crafts and activities.)




T is for Turtle and Tree (Click the link for instructions and MORE T crafts and activities.)




U is for Umbrella and Unicorn (Click the link for instructions and MORE U crafts and activities.)




V is for Vase and Volcano (Click the link for instructions and MORE V crafts and activities.)




W is for Windsock (Click the link for instructions and MORE W crafts and activities.)




X is for Xylophone and X-ray (Click the link for instructions and MORE X crafts and activities.)




Y is for Yarn and Yellow (Click the link for instructions and MORE Y crafts and activities.)




Z is for Zebra (Click the link for instructions and MORE Z crafts and activities.)



I hope you enjoy these alphabet crafts as much as we did.


Gina Bell
(aka East Coast Mommy)



Find MORE fantastic preschool crafts and themes here.




And the crafts here are adorable too!

Don't miss any of the fun....