This week I'm taking a cue from nature. Nature often provides wonderful inspiration for art. Whether a sunset or a flower or an insect, nature provides a veritable feast for the eyes to inspire an artist's imagination and creativity. So this week I'm highlighting four nature-inspired crafts for kids that were shared by some very talented ... Continue Reading
Color Zoo unit study {Ivy Kids review}
This is a sponsored post. I received the Color Zoo Ivy Kids Kit as compensation for writing a review about Ivy Kids. I was not required to write a positive view, and all opinions expressed here are my own. I love doing unit studies with my kids. In a previous post, I discussed the benefits of doing literature-based unit studies ... Continue Reading
Apple outlines {free printable}
Sometimes when you are doing an art project, the only thing you want or need is a simple outline illustration. Indeed, it was that sentiment that led me to create these apple outlines printables. Note: For more kid-friendly apple activities and apple printables, see my Apple Unit Study page. You can use ... Continue Reading
Apple Printables Pack
Apple season is soon to be upon us. I look forward to the next months when the grocery store is once again filled with a wide variety of delicious, juicy apples for us to eat. Last year our family went apple picking for the first time. We brought home 24 pounds of sweet, ripe apples and had so much fun making apple sauce, apple crisp, and other ... Continue Reading
Put the clothes on the 3-D shapes
One of my recent goals has been to think up playful ways of teaching 3-D shapes to my kids. We previously did some fun activities to learn about 3-D shapes through play, and I wanted to continue building on those lessons. The activity I'm featuring today uses the 3-D wooden blocks from our Spielgaben set and was ... Continue Reading
10 science activities to amuse, amaze, educate, and delight
One of the things I most love to share on my blog are science activities for kids. I love using science as a tool for helping my children to discover the world around them. This week I'm over at Simple Play Ideas sharing 10 science activities that will amaze, amuse, educate, and delight your kids. Click on over now to see all the fun science ... Continue Reading
Glittery calm down bottles
In the Montessori training course I am taking right now, they talk about a new approach to time out that involves giving kids something constructive to do while regulating their behavior rather than having them sit in time out with nothing constructive to focus on. In Montessori parlance this approach is referred to as the "peace table" ... Continue Reading
Building with foam blocks and shaving cream {fine motor skills}
The temperatures have been so high lately that we have been inside quite a bit to escape the heat. But when possible, I make an effort to get the kids outside in our backyard in the late afternoon when there is enough shade to keep us cool. One recent afternoon, I set up an activity to have my kids build with foam blocks and shaving cream. I have ... Continue Reading
Books about living and nonliving
My kids and I have been doing a small unit on living and nonliving things. We have been learning about the characteristics of living things, how living things and nonliving things are different, and also learning to recognize once living things. As part of this work, we have checked out a number of books about living and nonliving things. ... Continue Reading
10 awesome crafts for kids
I am not the most crafty momma around. My strengths lie more in doing science, literacy, and math with my kids than in doing art. That being said, I recognize the value and importance of the arts. And my kids always have fun when I pull out the paper and paints. So I am grateful when other, more crafty parents than myself share their wonderful ... Continue Reading
