Planning my kids’ summer camp schedule is one of my least favorite things to do as a working mom. There are so many choices and it’s hard to know whether a camp is the right fit for your child and what to do if it’s not. Luckily we hit the jackpot with Galileo Summer Camp for our […]
In our house there are a few “bad” words that the kids are absolutely and completely forbidden to say, like “I hate,” “I can’t,” and “I’m bored.” But that doesn’t mean they don’t ever say say it - in other creative ways - or feel that way when we don’t have scheduled activities. How do […]
The joke around here is that our house could double as a shipping facility with all the packages continuously coming in and going out. But after heading back to work full-time, the freedom to shop in person just isn’t a luxury I enjoy anymore, so I am completely unapologetic about my dependency on online shopping and […]
If you thought DIY Batik Shirts were difficult to make - like I did before we tried this new activity - you are so wrong! Making Glue Resist Batik T-Shirts is actually super easy, super fun, and super cheap, especially if you already have glue and painting supplies handy. This is the perfect weekend activity you can […]
We just returned from one of our summer vacations and oh how much we will miss the good times together. To capture our memories, one of the things we do is a bedtime ritual called, “Review the Holiday,” where we recount the highlights of our vacation. A hands-on way to cement our happy memories is with […]
Hooray for vacation and stay at home days! Well, except for those days when the weather is too hot or too cold to get outside and run off all the extra energy from being cooped up. Even though we rotate toys - I hide stuffed animals in the attic and store birthday and holiday gifts in […]
Glitter, upcycling, and independent play: these are a few of my favorite things. When we received a box brimming with Glitter Glue, Painters Markers, School Glue and Glue Sticks from Elmer’s last weekend, I knew EXACTLY what we would do - get our craft on and create a homemade play town with items straight from […]
After our maiden voyage to Disneyland was such a magical success, we can’t wait to visit again. Short and sweet, here are our Top Ten Tips for Disneyland With Preschoolers. Don’t forget to check out our detailed post on Planning for Disneyland with Preschoolers, with tips on when to visit the park, what attractions not to […]
Disneyland is truly the happiest place on Earth. I hadn’t visited the park since 1987, so I was excited to take the kids (4 and 5 years old) on their maiden voyage, but I had no idea how absolutely magical the experience would be. Watching the children’s hearts nearly explode with joy was the best part […]
Keeping the kids occupied (meaning, not putting them in front of the TV and making sure they’re safe and not killing one another) while we prep dinner is sometimes challenging for us. A fun way to turn what can be a difficult time into an opportunity for learning is this simple Counting by Tens math […]
{Review} Galileo Summer Camp
Independence Building Boredom Busters
{Review} Amazon Prime Now
Glue Resist Batik T-Shirts
DIY Memory Box Display
DIY Board Games for Kids
Easy Homemade Play Town
Top Ten Tips For Disneyland With Preschoolers
Planning for Disneyland with Preschoolers
Easy Kitchen Math: Counting By Tens
August 16, 2013 in All Posts, Kindergarten, Kindergarten Craft, Preschool, Preschool Craft
Here’s a quick and simple paper bag puppet craft that you can set up in two seconds and let the kids enjoy for hours. This easy puppet craft for kids was a perfect boredom solution for a week of no school, mommy working from home, and daddy traveling. Materials Paper bags Self-stick googly eyes Self-stick glitter foam […]
August 5, 2013 in All Posts, Kindergarten, Kindergarten Craft, Play, Preschool, Preschool Craft
When we received a box of craft supplies to make our own DIY Costumes from Chica at Sprout’s The Chica Show, the kids nearly died from excitement! (After regaining their composure there was a very serious discussion about the difference between chicks, roosters, hens, and chickens). For my part, I was looking forward to spending […]
August 13, 2012 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
I love a simple, classic play activity, like playing with a mirror, that requires little or no setup time and is just as fun as any newfangled, intricately creative, modern game. Mirror Play is not just for babies; your toddler or preschooler will really get a kick out of it, too. Materials A mirror (handheld, […]
April 11, 2012 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
It’s a bit rainy, but it’s still starting to feel a bit like Spring! We’ve been busy planning for my mom’s birthday party - which Jane insisted be rose-themed. To make our table a little more festive, we made these cute, scrunchy “roses” to attach to the chairs - basically the toddler version of these […]
April 8, 2012 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
It’s that time again. Time to raid your recycling bin and get busy creating for Tinkerlab’s Creative Challenge #9: Egg Cartons For the last challenge, we had a lot of fun making a Paper Bag Fan and I knew we’d have fun trying to create something out of an egg carton. The difference this time […]
March 15, 2012 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
I was packing for my trip in my bedroom with the kids and they broke into my secret stash of Pom Pom Balls. What ensued was pure pom pom bliss in a battle to dodge flying neon fuzzies! For some reason, they formed a team against me. After jumping on the bed, seeking cover behind it, and […]
March 14, 2012 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
I’m what you might call an upcycling hoarder. I can’t throw out anything that might have a second - or third or fourth - life. If it can be repurposed, it will be stored. Somewhere. Regardless whether we have room for it. I’m always glad when I pick through my stash to find something I […]
February 5, 2012 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
You’ve probably seen some of the fun challenges put on by Rachelle over at Tinkerlab. If you haven’t, check them out here. For her latest Creative Challenge - Paper Bags - we made a Paper Bag Fan! Materials paper bags anything to decorate your bags: markers, paint, pencils, or glue + gems/feathers/any small objects a round […]
November 10, 2011 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
If you aren’t already playing along, Jamie at hands on : as we grow and Anna at The Imagination Tree are co-hosting the 30 Days to Hands on Play Challenge: thirty days of hands on play prompts for you and your children. Here’s what we’ve been doing over the last week: Day 1 - Develop A Mission Statement We […]
October 13, 2011 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
I love that being home with the kids gives me more time with them, but sometimes I need a little time for myself while I’m with them. The Painted Toast activity is great for a few extra minutes in the morning, but when they’re done eating the toast - and that’s usually pretty quickly - my […]
