Learning through play is like sneaking vegetables into your meatloaf – it’s sneaky, and it works. For the children who won’t sit down at the table and practice their letters over and over again, a playdough mat might just come in handy. The way we use the playdough mat is simple. Stick it in a […]
Watercolor “Spray” Painting
Painting has been my daughter’s favorite at-home activity since she was 18 months-old. She used to drag our little paint basket over to me, which meant she was ready to get her hands, face, and whatever clothing she was wearing at the time, messy. Now at 5.5, painting is still fun, but exploring different techniques […]
1-Minute Playdough
The best thing about this playdough recipe is…. there is no actual recipe. It’s that easy! Materials Needed: All purpose flour, water, hair conditioner (or shampoo), and a big bowl to mix it all in. Add the flour, a couple squirts of water, and a big squeeze of hair conditioner and mix. Mix with your […]
Animal Tracks
When we were in Maryland earlier this month on ‘vacation’, Lorelai and I had a lot of downtime during the week. It was really quiet one day, so we decided to go outside and explore. We hopped on a four-wheeler and rode over to the farm in which my dad care-takes. One of the great […]
Bubble Snakes
Need a simple, yet fun, activity to help fill up these summer days? Look no further; this activity will work out perfectly. I saw these bubble snakes on both Come Together Kids & Housing a Forest (and all over Pinterest) and immediately put it on our “to try” list. Tried and true, this activity is […]
Printable Pretend Play Set: Dress Shop
Dress Shop Order Form & Dress Shop Design Center A while back, I put up a printable paper dresses so that my little fashion designer could decorate and “design” dresses when we play Dress Shop. It hit me last week that I should make a Dress Shop Pretend Play Set! Pretending to be a dress […]
Squirtable Sidewalk Chalk
Summer is upon us, and with that, fun summer activities! Sidewalk chalk is a much-loved art supply here. We are always outside drawing and playing hopscotch. Two fun activities that we have done in the past inspired this one – Sidewalk Paint, and Paint the Snow. For the snow paint, we used condiment squirters and […]
Farm Crafts Round-Up
Having grown up and lived on a farm for most of my life, it should come as no surprise that farm crafts have a special place in my heart. While my daughter was born and raised in a city, we go home to the country to visit my family every year. She loves everything about […]
Natural Paintbrushes
Making natural paintbrushes is a fun activity that produces great results! We really enjoyed this one – from making the brushes, to seeing the end product of the painting. It was all really neat! We have painted with spaghetti, pinecones, and cotton before, but this one definitely took the cake. These brushes would also work […]
Summer 2013 Bucket List
This is our last summer before kindergarten, and we are determined to make it a really fun one! Here are a list of activities that we hope to do this summer. Please feel free to share yours in the comments below! Water Activities: Go to the beach. Go to the pool & re-learn how to […]
Printable Playdough Mats: I & J
Playdough mats are a fun way to teach letters to young children. They are also great for review for those who already know their letters (like my daughter). Up next are letters I and J. I did plain cones for “I is for ice cream” so that Lorelai (and your kids!) could make their own […]
Printable Pretend Play Set: Airport
I have mentioned this many times, but pretend play/imaginative role play is one of our favorite activities. In the past, I have blogged about our adventures in pet adoption & vet clinics and showed you how we play restaurant/chef. We still play all three of those quite regularly. I decided to design this set when […]
Printable Letter Match Flashcards
Flashcard games and activities can be a fun way to introduce a new learning concept to your child. Whether your child is just now learning the alphabet, or is an old pro, doing a match-up of upper and lowercase letters is good fun. We are visiting family out-of-state right now, so I don’t have access […]
Nature Collage Craft
Doing a collage is a fun way to incorporate nature into art time. We did one last year when we were in Maryland. This time, we used contact paper and pressed different leaves, flowers, and other small, flat pieces to the sticky paper. It turned out great! If you don’t have contact paper, construction paper […]
{ Patterning with Foam Stickers }
I have mentioned this before, but I have a serious foam sticker problem. If I see a tub on sale, I have to get it. I mean really, who can pass up a 100-count foam sticker bucket for only $2? Not this girl! Anyway, I am always looking for a way to use our foam […]
Printable Pretend Play Set: Restaurant
Pretend play is my five-year-old’s favorite way to play. Ever since I made the Pet Adoption & Vet Clinic Pretend Play printable sheets, she has requested again and again for more. I finally got around to making this Restaurant set last night, with her glued to my side and making suggestions here and there. There […]
Printable Cinco de Mayo Memory Game
Memory games (or any game, really) are always a big hit here. So, it was no surprise when Lorelai asked to play round after round of Cinco de Mayo memory. I designed an Earth Day Memory a few weeks ago, as well as an Ocean Animals Memory. This one is for the upcoming holiday, featuring […]
{ Playdate with Daddy: Paper Roll Marble Run }
Hey guys, I would like to introduce you to my husband, “M”. He wrote this fun post for you all! It took him a while and he wanted me to point out that he is not a writer, though I think he did a great job! Leave him some feedback in the comments. I would […]
Printable Playdough Mats: C & D
Playdough mats are a fun way to introduce letters to your child(ren). If you have an older child (like me!) then they are great for just providing a backdrop for playough play. Think: coloring with playdough! I don’t have any action shots of these being played with. I’m saving them for when I have a […]
{ Rice Sensory Habitats }
After playing with our water beads earlier this week, and seeing how much Lorelai enjoyed it, I was inspired to make some rice sensory bins. I took it a step further and made “Habitat Bins” – not sure if that term has ever been used, but I’m using it! =) I found some pretty awesome […]
