Is Mama Smiles Free to Use, and Does It Disclose Affiliate Links?
Updated
Mama Smiles (mamasmiles.com) is a free-to-read parenting blog, and the site does disclose that some links are affiliate links. The homepage states that "some links on this site are affiliate links and as an associate I may earn a small co[mmission]." No subscription, membership, or paywall is mentioned in the available material, so you can browse articles, activities, and printables without a stated fee. Because the disclosure is general, check the individual post you're reading for its own affiliate note before you click through or buy.
What the site offers
Mama Smiles is a family-life blog with the tagline "Finding Joy in Everyday Family Life." Its main sections are:
| Section | Example content |
|---|---|
| Halloween | Coloring pages, felt board shapes, Harry Potter family costumes, a Cinderella gown sewing tutorial |
| Parenting Tips | Sibling rivalry, parenting clingy children, managing screen time |
| Crafts | DIY natural dye for clothing, beginner wood burning, a free felt gnome sewing pattern |
| Travel Inspiration | Exploring Loch Ness with kids, a Scotland travelogue, touring the Scottish Parliament |
| Hands-On Learning | Introducing kids to flying for free, unplugged coding, learning music at home |
Posts are dated and include comment counts, and some include free printables or patterns (for example, the Halloween haunted house printable and the felt gnome pattern).
How the affiliate disclosure works
- Where it appears: A general statement on the site notes that some links are affiliate links and the author may earn a small commission.
- What it means for you: If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, the site may earn a commission at no stated extra cost to you. The material does not specify which retailers or programs are involved.
- What to do: Treat the homepage note as a general disclosure and look for a post-level note on any article where you plan to buy something. If a specific post doesn't say, assume links to products could be affiliate links.
Is there any cost to use the site?
The provided material shows no pricing, subscription, or membership options, and no login requirement is mentioned. The only payment-related signal is the presence of Stripe, which typically indicates a way to process payments (for example, for products or donations), but the material doesn't say what, if anything, is sold. Don't assume everything is free forever—if you're asked to pay at a specific link, treat that as a separate transaction and read the terms there.
Practical tips before you buy or download
- Read the post's disclosure before clicking product links, especially in craft and travel posts where supplies or tickets are recommended.
- Check whether a printable is free—the site advertises free coloring pages and patterns, but confirm on the post itself.
- Compare prices independently for any craft supply or travel booking rather than relying on a single link.
- Use the search box on the site to find topics by section (Halloween, Crafts, Travel, etc.) instead of scrolling through the archive.
In short: Mama Smiles is a free blog by all indications, it discloses affiliate links at the site level, and the safe habit is to check each post's own disclosure before acting on a product link.