Spice Up Your Valentine’s Day With DIY Date Night Jenga

Dominoes aren’t just for the card table anymore. Paint a set of wooden blocks with a splash of color that *screams* summertime, and you’ve got a weekend hit. (via Iron & Twine)

Because everything is more fun when it's giant-sized. Paint the outer edge of the blocks with a few coats of colorful house paint to make the tower extra pretty, and get ready for a bit of fun competition among friends, fam, and kids. (via A Beautiful Mess)

A traditional game of Scrabble has 100 tiles (eek!), so you might want to consider cutting down on that a bit – unless you live for the game. Stock up on some wood tiles at your local hardware store, then use paint and stencils to get the letters on each tile. And don’t forget the points in the lower right corner! (viaConsider The Peel)

Embroidery thread isn’t just for friendship bracelets — it’s also for making the *cutest* set of horseshoes you ever did see. Start by spray painting the horseshoes and the stake, and then wrap them in a thread for a colorful, boho-chic look. (via Mr. Kate)

This game could totally double as yard decor after the holiday weekend is over. If you have a nice grassy area available and you’re short on time (or are sticking to a budget), skip the pots and just stick the flamingos straight into the ground! Otherwise, fill some mini planters with sand or soil to keep your fun-loving flamingos upright. (via Sugar & Cloth)

Just... ignore the funny looks the hardware guys give you when you stock up on a cartful of bucket lids. Spray paint half of them black for a traditional color palette, or shock your uncle with a snazzy set of pink and orange checker pieces. (via Jessie Daye)

Make sure there’s a game station for *all* ages and interests at your party. While the rest of the crew is battling it out at the corn hole game, set up a couple of these rad color-dipped board games to keep everyone entertained. (via Brit + Co.)

This game is perf for the backyard — it’s made with cork tiles, so it’s totally reusable and light enough for the little ones to carry around. There are printables for all these symbols so you can have a summertime themed set, but feel free to get creative and come up with your own stencils. (via Studio DIY)

Supersize this old-school game, and let the good times roll with these giant dice. This DIY even includes a free printable scorecard so you can refresh your memory on a winning strategy. (viaStyle Me Pretty)

The traditional version might not be cool enough for the kids, but give them a giant version, and they’ll be all over it. This game actually takes a lot of skill to get the frisbees to land *exactly* right. (via Better Homes & Gardens)

Ring toss just got a very trendy upgrade. If you'd rather spend your budget on tasty snacks and cocktails, you'll love that this yard game is made out of nothing more than cardboard boxes and paint. Bonus: You can use these adorable cacti as home decor later on! (via Brit + Co.)

When it comes time to bust out the bocce balls, make sure your color scheme is *on point* and in full patriotic form. Spruce up an old set of bocce balls with a starry makeover and a fresh coat of paint. (via Brit + Co.)

Give your lawn the star-spangled treatment for Fourth of July weekend. And don't panic: it's not *actual* paint. Cut a star shape from a piece of cardboard, spray the grass lightly with water, and use a flour sifter to fill the shape with flour. The stars should last until your sprinklers wash them away. (via Better Homes & Gardens)

Bring along this little game to your neighborhood block party, and get ready for it to be an instant hit. You can use any sized letters for this DIY, but the bigger the letters are, the more fun (and photogenic) it will be. (via Hey, Let's Make Stuff!)

This game is practically a requirement at all summer festivities. You can totally DIY it from scratch, or you can try this simple makeover for your very own custom set. (via Brit + Co.)

Host A Game Night With Your Friends And Family

An easy way to have a blast with your closest friends and family this summer is to bring out their inner competitor with some fun games. I love doing this in the summertime, because it really brings people together for some quality time without phones — just talking, playing, and being silly. Plus, this is usually a free activity if you or someone you know already owns some games! Score!

Go On A Bike Ride In A New Area

Taking a bike ride through a new-to-you part of town is always an exciting little adventure! Maybe make your way to the beach and take it for a spin there, or go to a cute nearby neighborhood to window shop and people watch. I love riding somewhere I can park with a little snack and take in all the sights!

Fly A Kite

We're throwing it back to childhood days with this old school activity. A regular kite at Target costs around $8, and it's a sure bet to make you feel super nostalgic and at peace. I love doing this on days when I want to be outside or at a park. Surprise your significant other with this sweet activity for the summers and you'll definitely have a blast!

Host A Projector Movie Night

I love cool, summer nights spent outside. If you have a backyard, pull out a projector and host friends for a little movie night for a great nighttime activity! I usually borrow a projector from someone I know, hang up a bedsheet, and voila! Built-in movie theatre right in your backyard!

Another option is to find the nearest drive-in movie theater or pop-up movie screenings in the park! These are usually much cheaper than seeing a film in a traditional movie theater, and it can make for a great, summer experience.

Have An At-Home Spa Day

Looking for a cozy night in to relax this summer? Treat yourself to a few single-sheet face masks, put some lavender essential oil in your diffuser, and spend the night relaxing at a spa...AKA your home. You can make it an oasis with just a few self-care steps. Do an everything shower, get your favorite book ready, make a tea, put your phone on DND, and get ready for your coziest (and less costly) night in.

Have A Beach Day

Being by the ocean is one of the most summer activities I could come up with! Whether you're a swimmer, a sun-tanner, a drink-sipper, a beach-reader, or any combination of the above, this is a great low-cost activity! Bring your favorite snacks, drinks, treats, and whatever else you may need to minimize the cost of any pricey beach-front dining.

Have A DIY Night

Opt for a creative night by taking some pieces of furniture you don't like, and giving them new life with a fresh coat of paint. You can find paint for great deals at most homeware stores, so look out for any discounts or sales. You can also opt for buying a canvas and creating some art to hang if you're home. I recommend checking out our Pinterest for some inspiration!

Plant An Herb Garden

Did you know that buying herbs to plant in your garden or backyard usually costs less than $10? There's this 12-pack of culinary herbs from Amazon that's a great option! Not only is this fun, but this budget-friendly activity will actually save you money in the end, because you won't have to keep buying herbs!

Go To A Local Farmers Market

Skip going to a grocery store, and hit up your local farmers market instead. I like to get all my produce fresh, from local and organic sellers at the farmers market. It's a fun weekly activity for me that allows me to walk around a cute area and explore local small businesses. It ends up being the same price as the grocery, and often times can be a lot more fun! Invite a friend, and do your weekly shopping together!

Have A Cute Picnic With Friends

If you're feeling in the mood to dress up, and take cute pictures, then we have the perfect option for you that doubles as a sweet date idea! Here's all you need:

• A blanket
• Snacks or charcuterie
• Books or games

​Every Show Needs A Villain — Enter Whitney Leavitt

While Taylor dealt with the fallout of the soft swinger scandal, Whitney Leavitt was dealing with her own scandal. She led the #MomTok group to believe she relocated to Hawaii when the scandal broke to get away from the noise, but Whitney shared that was a cover up, and the real reason her family relocated was because the rumors of her husband having a Tinder account (for their entire marriage) were true. So she basically admitted Taylor was her scapegoat to get out of town.

And while Whitney was hoping for the girls to rally around her during this truth bomb about her marriage, she felt her announcement was overshadowed by Taylor’s miscarriage news (who became pregnant shortly after), ultimately driving Whitney to not attend Taylor’s baby shower. All of a sudden, Whitney doesn't want to be involved with Taylor, and claims her and Taylor only have an online relationship instead of a real one… Umm I’m sorry what? This was the start of Whitney paving her way as the show's villain.

Fast forward to a girls trip for Mayci Neeley’s birthday, Whitney felt the group’s friendships haven’t been authentic. “Let’s be honest,” she told Mayci, “have we all ever been genuine, real friends? Or has there always been an agenda? Has there always been some sort of transaction needed?” Tell me if I’m wrong, but Whitney hasn’t been a true friend if she feels a transaction is needed and feels like some of these friendships don’t exist IRL, but I digress.

After the girls trip, Whitney thought it would be in her best interest to unfollow the women on social media and abruptly leave the group chat, but later expresses how nobody called and asked why she left...Unfollowing your friends and leaving the group chat feels so high school and attention seeking IMO. At this point of the show, I was questioning what I was watching, but I couldn’t turn it off.

In the series finale, Whitney made the not-so-shocking decision to not attend her best friend Mayci’s launch party, claiming she “wasn’t in the space and needed some time from the group.” Hasn’t Macyi always had Whitney’s back through everything, and now she’s not going to show up for her? Aren’t one of the #Momtok’s core values to support each other and have one another's back? Whitney I need answers!!

​The Soda Obsession

Let’s move on to another revelation in the show that I can’t stop thinking about. So you may or may not have caught that in every episode, the women mention their love of soda or have a giant soda in hand. My immediate thought was "what is up with this soda obsession?" Well, Mormons do not drink alcohol or hot beverages, as they have been told by God “Hot drinks are not for the body or belly.” Therefore Mormons like to indulge and treat themselves to a soda. Which is why in Utah, you’ll find Soda shops on almost every corner.

For these women, nothing brings them more joy than a soda. And no they aren’t slamming back a Diet Coke or Dr. Pepper. They’re drinking dirty sodas, which consist of a classic soda mixed with syrups or creams.

As shown in the show, Demi Engemann has a very specific Swig order which consists of sparkling water, sugar free coconut syrup, sugar free vanilla syrup, sugar free raspberry syrup, sugar free pineapple syrup and coconut cream.

I am desperate to try her drink. Does Swig ship? Or can someone please open a location in Miami?

​The Cereal Brand Heard Around The Country

During episode 3, we found out Demi Engemann confided in Whitney Leavitt during a girls trip about some intimate details regarding her sex life with husband Bret Engemann. Well, Whitney shared those details with other women in the group and the series producers. Whitney told producers, “What can I say? The fruity cereal has to do with taste,” in an interview during the episode, while smirking about it like a true villain.

Fast forward to later in the episode during Demi's Galentine’s Day celebration, Whitney thought it would be a funny prank to gift Demi a box of Fruity Pebbles and have her open the gift in front of the group (and the cameras), making this intimate detail of Demi’s marriage more public. But the prank of course, does not go the way Whitney had planned because Demi is not happy. I am so curious to know what Whitney thought Demi’s reaction would be?

And if Demi did send out texts about the intention of the evening, that was a low blow on Whitney’s end to gift her a box of Fruity Pebbles onscreen. And honestly, it's a bit hypocritical coming from Whitney, who's been preaching she wants to create a safe space with #Momtok. It’s a little sus.

​What Happened in Vegas?

One of the more dramatic moments of the series happens in Vegas…of all places! The group celebrates Layla’s birthday in a very non-traditional Mormon way, at Chippendales. It's revealed Jen Affleck’s husband Zac Affleck (yes — related to Ben Affleck — first cousins once removed) has a controlling and misogynistic ick to him when he questions her character and threatens to divorce Jen if she goes to the Chippendales show. Which 1) she knew nothing about, considering the show was a surprise and 2) she didn’t even stay to see the show!

In a very authentic display of friendship and sisterhood, the women really rally around Jen, voicing their concerns, and ultimately their disgust, for her husband. (This man even talked badly about her friends and their marriages, woof.) We don’t often see acts like this on reality TV. This felt very real and raw, and we must protect Jen at all costs.

The series ended with a few unanswered questions, #1 being will #MomTok survive this? And with this show being one of Hulu’s most-watched unscripted shows, we’re waiting patiently for Hulu to announce a second season.