Less Mess, More Yes

Ghoulishly Great Gathering

By Tori Lind of Sterilite Corporation

Happy (almost) Halloween!

Halloween is my favorite holiday and I’m so excited to celebrate this year since last year it wasn’t safe due to Covid-19. If you are thinking about hosting a small gathering for the kids but not sure what kind of activities to do, keep reading!

Gooey Slime

I haven’t met a kid who doesn’t love making slime! It’s easy to make and will keep kids entertained for hours. Here’s what you need:

• Sterilite 20 Ounce Bowl
• Elmer’s Washable School Glue (about 6 – 7 ounces per bowl)
• Elmer’s Magical Liquid (about 2 -3 tablespoons per bowl)
• Fruit coloring (just a few drops)
• Googly eyes, fake spiders, glitter, etc.

Add about 6 – 7 ounces of glue into the bowl. Mix in 2 -3 tablespoons of magical liquid and a few drops of food coloring. Stir until slime holds together. Pick up the slime from the bowl and start playing! Add googly eyes, fake spiders or glitter to make it spooky!

Jack-o-lantern Bowling

This is a great activity to do when the kids have eaten too much candy and need to burn off some energy! You can either make this game yourself or get the kids involved! Here’s what you need:

• Sterilite 20 Ounce Tumbler
• Markers
• Dodgeball

Draw faces on the tumblers and set up them up like bowling pins or stack them. Have each kid stand a few feet away and see how many they can knock down. So easy and so fun!

Marble Mummies

This is my personal favorite! This craft is adorable and kids love the final product. Here’s what you need:

• Sterilite Small Pencil Box
• Mummy cut out stencil
• Black construction paper
• Scissors
• White paint
• Marbles
• Glue & googly eyes

Have the kids cut out a mummy on black construction paper. Place the mummy into the tomb (pencil box) and add a marble covered in white paint. Close the pencil box and shake, shake, shake! Once done shaking remove the mummy and glue the googly eyes on. Kids always get a good laugh when doing this!

When the gathering is over not only do the kids leave with big smiles and candy but also gooey slime and marble mummies! Let us know if you end up trying any of these and post on social media using #sterilitenation. Have a SPOOKtactular Halloween!

Seasonal Clothing Swap!

By Michaela Coyle of Sterilite Corporation

Living in New England can be challenging with the drastic weather changes but we’re also very lucky to watch the transitions especially Summer to Fall. And it’s that time of year again where the warm summer nights turn into cool sweater weather evenings. All those shorts, tank tops and summer dresses need to be put away to make room for the cozy Fall/Winter clothing and shoes. As much as I’m sad to see summer go, being able to wear comfy sweatshirts and leggings is always exciting for all of us “cool weather lovers”.

Picking the storage box is crucial for me for a few reasons:

• Clear storage is preferred so I can quickly find my clothes when it comes time to swap them out again
• Sturdy latches to ensure that the lid is secure to the base to keep my seasonal clothes protected
• Making sure they stack securely so I can utilize the most space in my basement

I bought the new Sterilite Hinge Lid Storage Boxes in both 60 Quarts and 80 Quarts. They share the same lid so they stack securely for efficient use of that vertical storage space!

The transitioning of clothing for seasons can be overwhelming but it’s such a good feeling when its neatly packed away in your storage boxes and you have a refreshed wardrobe to rotate throughout the colder months. So tuck away those tank tops and lighter clothing and put on some comfy clothes and enjoy watching the seasons change!

Camping Trip

By Michaela Coyle of Sterilite Corporation

Planning to escape for one more camping trip before it’s too cold? Make you pack everything you need and don’t forget your storage boxes and totes to keep everything safe and dry!

Packing for a camping trip can seem daunting and you may feel like you’re forgetting everything but as long as you have your essentials and good company, you are certain to have a great time. Here are some of my ‘must haves’ to survive a few days “off the grid”.

Packing List:

• Tent
• Tarp
• Sleeping Bags
• Extra blankets/pillows
• Matches
• Flash light/Batteries
• Folding chairs
• Appropriate hiking clothing
• Toiletries
• Sandals or moccasins
• Food/snacks/water
• First aid kit
• Portable charger

With all of these items to pack, you’re going to need some secure storage to ensure it lasts the whole weekend rain or shine. For my camping equipment and hiking gear I chose the Sterilite 27 Gallon Industrial Tote. The latches keep all of our supplies secure and the key holes allowed me to bungee cord the items when traveling and at the campsite.

Another must have is the Sterilite 32 Quart Gasket Box. This is great for storing your camping items away and keeping them protected. For my camping trip I used this storage box to store my food and other perishables. It kept all the moisture and pests out all weekend long!

 

Luckily I brought two gasket boxes and filled them with day trip items for a nice canoe ride down the river! We packed up some lunch and a backpack with the rest of the essentials and stored them in this secured water resistant storage box.

Being so prepared took a lot of time and effort but it was well worth it to enjoy the outdoors and some fresh air. Now get your camping supplies together and enjoy your weekend away in the wilderness!

Final Days of Summer

By Tori Lind of Sterilite Corporation

Who said summer has to stop after Labor Day? Here in Massachusetts, the weather is still pretty hot and it looks like the sunshine is planning to stay, at least for a few more weeks! My family is planning to take advantage of the warm weather and spent another weekend out on the lake. Below are my favorite, go-to storage items that are perfect for the boat.


The 20 Quart Gasket Box is perfect for keeping items sand and water protected. Not to mention, it’s super easy to transport. In this box I keep:

• Plastic utensils
• Plastic cups
• Paper plates
• Paper towels
• Trash bags
• Wipe

I love this box because it’s very slim so I can keep it on the boat all season long and then I can restock items as needed. It’s also super easy for family and friends to find things, thanks to the clear base and lid!

The FlipTop is a great small storage solution for any miscellaneous items! I try to stay stocked up on the following:

• Band Aids
• Advil
• Sunscreen
• Bug Stray
• Lip Balm
• Tissues

This is the perfect size container for the boat and can hold various other items including cell phones and small wallets!

It wouldn’t be a successful day out on the water without a yummy lunch. I love using the Ultra Seal 4.0 Cup and Ultra Seal 5.8 Cup. Both of these items are lightweight which is a win for me since I always end up carrying the cooler! We offer different sizes and colors of food storage containers so be sure to check them out to make sure you get a size that works for you.

Happy boating and enjoy the last few sunny days!

Back-To-School Teacher Appreciation Gift!

By Michaela Coyle and Tori Lind of Sterilite Corporation

September is here and school is back in session! Last year’s school year was difficult and terribly stressful for the kids, parents and especially the teachers. Virtual classrooms and parents trying to help by becoming the teacher’s assistant was the reality that everyone faced last year. But now the kids will be back in school buildings and hopefully get back to some normality!

In preparation for the first week of school, I felt it would be thoughtful to give back to those hard working teachers and help start off the new school year right with a back-to-school gift. For this teacher gift, I wanted to make sure that the whole gift could be helpful in the classroom, even the packaging, so I started with the Sterilite File Crate as my base.

The File Crate is a perfect storage solution for classroom organization. It not only serves as a cute way to package your gift, but the crate itself can be used in multiple ways!  

• You can flip the crates on their sides and interlock them to keep them secure, which creates a great bookshelf solution
• The crates also hold file folders so the teacher can keep papers and documents organized
• Lastly, what teacher doesn’t love a good DIY Crate Seat?!

Now pick some thoughtful essentials and fill up the File Crate! Below is what I included, but pick out items that you think your teacher will appreciate most!

• White board markers
• Starbucks gift card
• Post it notes, pens, highlighter
• Lysol wipes, hand sanitizer
• Tissues
• Gum/Mints
• Chocolate/candy treats
• Lotion

A nice added touch to your teacher gift could be some personalized labeling on some items and some colorful tissue paper to make it a little bit more fun! Whatever you chose to put together will most certainly put a smile on your teachers face. Have a happy and safe school year!

Water Balloon Fun!

By Tori Lind of Sterilite Corporation

August is a HOT month here in New England! To help keep cool and create some easy outdoor fun, consider buying a couple packages of water balloons. There are a TON of different games you can play and the best part is that all ages can participate. Keep reading to learn how to play a few of my favorite water balloon games.

To prep for all of these games, you will first need to fill up the water balloons. I suggest putting them in a tote, so they are easily accessible (this will also keep them from breaking before the games begin)! The 18 G Tuff1 Tote is the perfect size and allows multiple people to grab balloons at once. 

Leaky Water Relay:

Step 1: Divide into two teams and place two 12 Quart Spout Pails 30 feet away from the tote filled with water balloons

Step 2: Have an adult prick a small hole into two water balloons and give them to the first player on each team

Step 3: The player with the water balloon runs as fast as they can to the pail and releases the remaining water from the balloon into the pail

*repeat these steps until one team has successfully filled the pail with water!

Spoon Race:

Step 1: Divide into two teams and place two 12 Quart Spout Pails 30 feet away from the tote filled with water balloons

Step 2: The first player on each team grabs a water balloon from the tote and balances it on a spoon.

Step 3: Walk (or run) around the pail and back while balancing the water balloon on the spoon. If you drop the balloon, go back to the starting line and grab a new balloon from the tote and try again.

*the first team to have every person successfully bring back their water balloon without dropping it wins!

Water Balloon Toss:

Step 1: Divide into teams of two and face towards each other

Step 2: One player will get a water balloon and will throw it to their teammate

Step 3: Every time a team successfully catches and throws the water balloon they will take a step back

*the last team standing is the winner!

DIY Slim

Written By Natalie Aguilar, Photos By Michaela Coyle of Sterilite Corporation

Familiar with Slime? And no, I’m not talking about the legendary green liquid that’s poured on celebrities by Nickelodeon. The slime I’m referring to is comparable to homemade silly putty. It is a quick, easy and safe summer activity, that will be fun for both you and the kids! With 3 key ingredients, your slime is almost guaranteed to last you all summer long. After looking all over the internet and skimming through some YouTube videos, I found the ultimate slime recipe for you. Keep reading for a DIY Slime mixture that will be oozing with stretchable, squishy, and gooey fun!

Ingredients:

• Contact Solution (containing saline)
• Elmer’s Liquid School Glue
• Food Coloring and Glitter (optional)

Tools You Will Need:

• A large bowl, the Sterilite 8.1 Quart Ultra Seal Bowl is my favorite 
• Spatula
• Vinegar, for cleaning purposes
• Rags

Helpful Tips:
•Make sure that your contact solution includes boric acid as one of the key ingredients. This will ensure the slimy texture.
•There are no precise measurements when making slime as everyone’s texture preferences for their slime will be different. If the consistency seems off to you, adjust as you please!

Let’s Make Some Slime!
Step 1: Empty the whole bottle of Elmer’s School Glue into the Ultra Seal 8.1 Quart Bowl
Step 2: Add food coloring and glitter as desired and mix it all up!
Step 3: Keep stirring and slowly but surely the mixture will start to get thick and slimy.
Step 4: Next, add the contact solution to the mixture. Begin by adding this in ¼ cup increments, mixing well. Every time you mix in an additional ¼ cup, check the consistency with your hands. There is no right answer, simply add the contact solution until the mixture becomes the texture you desire.
Step 5: Finally, knead the Slime with your hands for 1-2 minutes, this will help it become less sticky, therefore making less of a mess for you!

Ready, Set, Road Trip!

Written By Natalie Aguilar, Photos By Tori Lind of Sterilite Corporation

It is easy to get caught up in the stress of work, school, family and just life in general. However, we have to remember to give ourselves a break once in a while and let our minds and bodies unwind and recharge. This summer, make it a priority to do something fun with your family, whether it’s a day trip or a week long vacation! Continuing reading for a few of my favorite road trip hacks.


On The Go Snacks
If you are anything like my family, you NEED to pack snacks. Heck, I have to pack snacks for a 15-minute drive to Target. One of my biggest pet peeves is when all the snacks are mixed into one bag and you have to dig to find something that perks your interest. That’s why I am always telling friends and family about the Sterilite Stack & Carry Layer Handle Box & Tray! This item is perfect for keeping everything organized and sealed, especially with you kids in the car. The person sitting in the back can find a snack, latch it up and pass it to the next person. Can it get any easier?!

Bonus: when you get to your destination, any uneaten snacks can be stored efficiently in the pantry or refrigerator for later!


First Aid Kit
Accidents happen, and although we try to avoid them as much as we possibly can, there’s no telling the future and what can occur. So, what’s the best thing you can do? Stay prepared! That’s why I always keep a first aid kit in my car. I drive a small SUV and hate having bulky things that I don’t use every day take up space. That’s why I use the Sterilite Flip Top to store all my supplies. Some items to stock up on are band aids, gauze, ibuprofen, motion sickness medicine, bug spray, and sunscreen.

Bonus: most hotel rooms and vacation homes don’t have a first aid kit so if anything ever happened you will be prepared!


I hope you all have an amazing summer and find some time for a road trip with the family and utilize these hacks!

Summer Essentials Caddy!

By Michaela Coyle of Sterilite Corporation

Are you and your family ready for some fun in the sun this summer? By creating a “Summer Essentials Caddy”, you will have everything you need readily available in one convenient location! Keep this caddy stocked with the items you and your kids most frequently use during the summer months and store it either in the trunk of your car or near the front door so you can easily grab and go when an activity comes up!

There is nothing worse than feeling unprepared when you want to have a spontaneous outdoor adventure and everything you need to pack is scattered throughout the house. For me, I love to spend my summer weekends up at the lake on the boat! So instead of constantly packing and unpacking everything, I wanted to have all of my essentials readily accessible in one spot. The Sterilite Caddy was the perfect solution! I filled it with everything I need for a day at the lake and I keep it right in the garage, making it a great on the go option!


Here are some suggested fillers for your caddy:
• Sunblock
• Bug Spray
• Chap stick
• Sunglasses
• Bluetooth speaker
• Water bottles
• Band Aids
• Hair Elastics
• Keys

These are just some ideas. Customize your caddy with the items that you and your family most often use and whatever else you may need to have an enjoyable day outside!


Wherever you are going, whether it be the park, beach, lake, or a friend’s pool… this caddy is a perfect organization tool for all of your on-the-go activities. So grab your caddy, load it up with your necessities and enjoy some summer fun!

Lemonade Stand Fun!

Written By Shannon Fahey, Photos By Tori Lind of Sterilite Corporation

Picture this…
Your kids just finished their last day of school and summer vacation has officially begun! The sun is shining and there isn’t a cloud in the sky. You are outside in your neighborhood with your kids running around with all their friends. They are biking, scootering and making the sidewalks colorful with chalk. Other families are out with their kids too and some are taking their dogs for a walk. It seems like the whole neighborhood is outside enjoying this perfect summer day.

You know what this day calls for? A Lemonade Stand! With so many people out and about today, your kids and their friends decide they want to try and make a little money while having some fun! What better way to kick off summer vacation?! All the kids in the neighborhood work together to get ready. They have everything they need – a sign, a folding table with a festive summer tablecloth, some sidewalk chalk to promote the lemonade stand – all they need now is the lemonade!


You can always use store bought lemonade or the powder mixes, however there is nothing quite like a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade. Keep reading for a quick and easy recipe.

Here what’s you need:
• 2 cups lemon juice (10-15 lemons, depending on the size of the lemons)
• 8 cups of water
• 2 cups of sugar

Start by squeezing the lemons until you have 2 cups of fresh squeezed lemon juice. Pour into Sterilite’s 1 Gallon Pitcher. Then, simply add the water and sugar to the picher. Mix the contents until all the sugar is dissolved and add a few ice cubes from your Ice Cube Tray!


The Lemonade Stand is now open for business!

DIY Rain Catcher

By Michaela Coyle of Sterilite Corporation

Summer is right around the corner and we’ve all started to plant our flower and veggie gardens, which means we’ll have to frequently be watering them to keep them flourishing! This is also the time of year where towns start to enforce water bans, which makes it difficult to nourish your plants while also saving on water - unless you have a well of course.

We have an eco-friendly solution that can help you save money and also recycle unused rain water - a DIY Rain Catcher. Although this project may seem a bit intimidating, this particular rain barrel is very simple and great for first timers! With a little help from a friend that has power tools, I was able to create a fully functioning rain catcher in less than 30 minutes.

Supplies you will need:
• Container (I used the Sterilite Utility Can)
• Water Spigot (Amazon has many affordable options)
• Safety Gloves
• Safety Glasses
• Drill
• Crushed Stone or Pebbles

First, grab container you would like to use to create the rain catcher (we recommend using the Sterilite Utility Can) and carefully drill some holes in the lid so the rain can trickle in. In this case, the lid of the Utility Can is recessed which was a perfect spot to drill the holes. The recessed lid also nicely holds the crushed stone that will prevent any debris from polluting the fresh rain water.

Next, create another hole about 2 inches up from the bottom of the Utility can, big enough in diameter so you can install your spigot. Make sure the seal is secure between the spigot and the utility can to prevent any leakage!

Lastly, grab your crushed stone/pebbles and place them in the recessed part of the lid above the drill holes.

Once complete, simply place your rain catcher in your desired area of your yard. You will use less water from your home and also recycle old rain water to nourish your beautiful plants!