Early last week, I took the kids to visit Michael’s craft store for their Passport to Imagination program. It was a big hit!! Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from now until August 2nd 10am-noon, Michael’s is hosting 2 kid-friendly craft projects inspired by countries around the world for just $2 per child per visit. It’s […]
10 Ways to Stay Cool with Water Play
June 27, 2013 by
If you find yourself stuck in a heat wave this Summer, it may be a good time to try some water play ideas to stay cool, and keep the kids entertained without the use of batteries or screens! Some tips to keep in mind — Avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day, […]
Salt and Watercolors Art
June 24, 2013 by
Process-based art is exactly as it sounds. It’s all about the process- the fun, creativity, and exploration that comes with creating art. And your kids will surely love the process behind this crowd-pleasing art project. In fact, chances are that they’ll want to do this again and again! You can watch the tutorial here: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56cZQZXXJCk] […]
Around the Web: Sidewalk Chalk
June 23, 2013 by
There are so many ways to learn and play with sidewalk chalk. It’s great for play prompts, open-ended play, and educational activities. This makes it a must-have in the summer, and we know you’ve been stocking up! Are you looking for creative ways to use your stash? If so, you’ll want to stockpile these 10 […]
5 Tips for a Great Sandbox All Summer Long
June 20, 2013 by
One of my kids’ favorite summer activities is to play in the sandbox. Even my nine-year-old can spend long periods of time playing in the sand. In fact, recently, when I added some new sand to the box, my 4 yr old exclaimed, “It’s just what I always wanted!”. I love how something so simple […]
The BEST Outdoor Summer Toys for 2013
June 18, 2013 by
Summer time means lots of active outdoor play time fun! Here are ten of our favorite outdoor toys for Summer to keep the kids entertained for long periods of time without the use of batteries or screens. Yay for creative outdoor play!! 1. Zing Air Huntress Z Bow (shown above) — New for 2013! Emily […]
Sponge Bombs for Summer Fun and Learning
June 17, 2013 by
The days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer, and that can mean even more time spent outdoors. Wouldn’t it be great if you could find a way to sneak in some learning and beat the heat? I think so too! So I’m excited to share this simple craft that can accomplish both of those […]
Exploring Nature with Books
June 12, 2013 by
The best part about summer for me is getting outside with my children! I love watching their eyes light up when they pop a wild berry into their mouths or find a snail along a forest trail. We spend hours and hours outside each day, sometimes doing more formal learning such as species identification and […]
2013 Unplugged Summer Pact
June 9, 2013 by
I’m so excited to share that I have just signed the Unplugged Summer Pact, sponsored by our friends at Michael’s®. What I love about this pact is that instead of going completely screen-free, the pact calls for 2 hours of dedicated screen-free time every day this Summer, and 2 hours a day is definitely do-able! […]
Small Toys with BIG Play Value
June 3, 2013 by
Do you live in a small or rented space? Looking for toys that don’t take up a lot of room, but still provide plenty of creative playtime fun?? Here are some of our favorite toys that are perfect for small spaces, and inspire lots of imaginative play! These toys are cleverly designed to stack, nest, […]
Around the Web: Homemade Learning Manipulatives
June 3, 2013 by
There’s a lot of learning potential in the simple items you can either find around your home or make yourself with a little creativity. There are many benefits to making your own learning manipulatives. It can be a fun, rewarding experience that allows you to save some money and perfectly tailor the end product to […]
Free Printable Blank Comic Pages
May 28, 2013 by
Do your kids like to draw comics? Need a quick and easy boredom buster for the kids this Summer? Here’s a free printable for blank comic pages the kids can use to make their own comic books at home! This is one of Emily’s favorite activities for a rainy day, or anytime she just feels […]
Patriotic Crafts for Kids- Easy Note Cards
May 27, 2013 by
Today is Memorial Day and the Fourth of July is right around the corner, so I thought it would be a great day to share this super simple patriotic craft from Inner Child Fun. But you don’t have to wait for a special holiday! This is a great craft for any day you’d like to […]
101 Free (or Low Cost) Things to Do with Kids this Summer
May 22, 2013 by
Not sure what to do with the kids this Summer? Are you putting together a Summer bucket list? Need some fun activity ideas to do with the kids that are free or low cost? Here’s a list of over 100 FREE or cheap activity ideas to help inspire you to make the most of your […]
20 Favorite Must-Do Activities for Summer
May 10, 2013 by
Are you looking forward to Summer? Need some inexpensive activities for the kids to do to help celebrate the season?? Here are 20 of our family’s favorite Summer activities that have become special traditions — without breaking the bank. 1. Kick Ball Croquet — Repurpose some old pool noodles to make your own kickball croquet […]
How to Make a Simple Kite
April 29, 2013 by
The breezy days of spring are perfect for picnics and kite flying, so today we’re sharing a super easy kite tutorial that you can make with your kids. You can watch the kite tutorial video here: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-6yjy1-ymc] Having trouble viewing this video? You can click here to watch it on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe […]
Spring has Sprung — the definitive guide
April 28, 2013 by
Do you find it difficult to know when Spring has arrived? Do the weather patterns confuse you? Are you looking for an easy, definitive guide for knowing exactly when Spring has officially begun?? Look no further — Here are seven ways to know, without a doubt, that Spring has sprung! 1. You live in a […]
Rainy Day Fun — 7 Modern Art Projects for Kids
April 24, 2013 by
Know what’s fun to do on a rainy day? Modern art! Here are seven of our all-time favorite modern art projects for kids to do using common household items or easy to find art supplies. I love how all of these projects encourage kids to create their own unique works of art! There is no […]
