Genius Parenting Hacks That Make Life With Kids So Much Easier

Play Ball

You need to keep it simple with kids, and nothing is simpler than a paddle made out of popsicle sticks and paper plates. Make these easy toys and then blow up a balloon. Your kids will have a blast playing this wonky version of tennis (or maybe ping pongs?). Just don't let the balloon touch the floor, and get ready to play tiebreaker when things get heated.

The More You Know

Store small extension cords neatly with this simple office supply hack: Attach a paperclip to a small rubber band. Then wrap the rubber band around the bundled cord and clasp the paperclip onto the rubber band again.
To have an ice cold can in just a few minutes, put your drink in a large pot and cover it with ice. Fill the pot with water, add a couple cups of salt, and stir until the salt is dissolved. Your canned beverage will magically be cold.
To keep your pot from boiling over, put a wooden spoon over the top of it. If it starts to boil up too high, the spoon will pop the bubbles and keep it from overflowing quickly.
Did you peel a label off a jar only to find paper and residue left behind? Using a cotton pad and some cooking oil, rub the residue and let it sit for a few minutes.

Post originally appeared on Upbeat News.