Want all the fun of making s’mores, but without the sugar-high afterwards?? These pretend play s’mores are SO easy to make, and they are calorie-free so the kiddos can make (and pretend to eat) as many s’mores as they could possibly want!! First, make up your pretend campfire — arrange stones in a circle and […]
Search Results for: pretend
Pretend Play on a Dime — Weather Station
Emily and I visited WFMZ’s News studio for a fun segment on getting the most out of your time with the kids this Summer, and Emily was a big help with showing all the fun crafts and activities! Afterwards meteorologist Mark Shanaberger invited Emily to help with the weather segment too!! (You can view the clip […]
DIY Pretend Play Cooktop from Recyclables
I made a little pretend cooktop from recyclables, and it’s been a big hit around here! It was super quick & easy to put together, and isn’t it adorable??? Added bonus — practically free! I love that it is small and lightweight enough that the girls can easily carry it from one room of the […]
Pretend Car Wash
Inspired by Emily’s recent request for a car wash toy, both of the girls were kept busy for a long time with this pretend car wash activity, and they had a lot of fun! To make up the cars, I pressed down on a sheet of inexpensive craft foam with car and truck shaped cookie […]
Pretend Play on a Dime — Donut Shop
It rained all day today, so while Clara was napping, Emily and I had a nice pocket of time for some crafting. She worked on some adorable paper dolls, and I put this together — A Mini Pretend Donut Shop! I used tan felt to sew the donuts (and batting to stuff them), then cut […]
Pretend Play on a Dime — Garden Center
Emily loves to pretend that she works at a garden center. She can spend hours arranging and re-arranging the flowers (as seen here), planting pretend seeds, and caring for her pretend plants. So Mark and I put together a little store front for her about a year ago, and she has been playing with it […]
Pretend Play on a Dime — Movie Day
After Emily and Clara went off to bed last night, Mark and I got to work on this ticket booth made from cardboard, masking tape, a tension curtain rod, an old curtain, some scraps of gold wrapping paper, a foam meat tray, and some LED Christmas lights. When Emily found it this morning, she was […]
Frugal Gift Idea — Pretend Play Sets
Out of all of the games and toys Emily has, she seems to enjoy playing pretend the most. I try to encourage this as much as possible because pretend play is one of the most beneficial types of play for a child’s development. Child psychologists claim pretend play helps increase creativity, memory, fine motor skills, and […]
How to Make Paper Stars
These paper stars are simple to make and an awesome paper craft activity to keep your kids entertained for a long while. My kids love to make loads of these paper stars to string together as garlands or gifts for friends. This is a quick and easy paper craft to introduce kids to the world […]
Screen-Free Activities for Kids Ages 8-12
In a world dominated by screens, it’s important to provide kids with screen-free activities that stimulate their minds, foster creativity, and promote physical activity. If you’re seeking engaging and budget-friendly options for children aged 8 to 12, look no further! Here’s a handy list of 15 screen-free activities that utilize common household items, ensuring hours […]
Easy Paper Crafts for Beginners
Paper crafts are a great way to engage both children and adults in a fun and creative activity. These projects are perfect for beginners and require minimal supplies. This post will share five easy paper crafts that anyone can do. So grab some paper and get crafting! 5 Easy Paper Crafts for Beginners: Paper Hearts: […]
How to Make Paper Claws
Learn how to make paper claws with this easy tutorial from Clara, age 13! This is such a fun boredom buster or rainy day craft for kids. Perfect for pretend play or fold up a full set for dress-up! Scroll down for step-by-step directions using a sheet of letter-sized paper (8 inches x 11 inches). […]
Cooking with Kids: Getting Started Guide
Cooking with kids can be a lot of fun, and it’s a great way to teach them about healthy eating. Here are a few tips to help make cooking with kids easier: Get the kids involved in the process as much as possible. There are many ways kids can help in the kitchen. Have them […]
How to Turn a Rainy Day into a Fun Day
When the forecast calls for rain, it can be hard to know what to do with your kids. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are some great ideas for how to turn a rainy day into a fun day. Read a Book Together One rainy day activity that’s always a hit is reading […]
Fun Indoor Learning Activities for Kids
Disclosure: This list of fun indoor learning activities is sponsored by our friends at Beaches Resorts. All opinions are my own. These educational activities are a great way to make learning fun for kids without leaving your home! Scroll down for simple science experiments, a colorful & creative printable, an easy recipe, and more. For […]
50 Fun Things To Do With Your First Grader At Home
Parenting during the coronavirus pandemic is difficult, especially if you are under home quarantine. Many of you have reached out asking for ideas on things to do with your first grader at home. Here are our favorite resources for creative stay-at-home activities, and lots of learning fun too! We use common household items you probably […]
50 Fun Things To Do With Your Kindergartener At Home
Hello, friends, I know times are uncertain and many are facing difficult decisions. Many of you have reached out asking for ideas about what to do with your kindergartener at home. Here are our favorite resources for creative stay-at-home activities, and lots of learning fun too! We use common household items you probably already have […]
50 Fun Things To Do With Your Preschooler At Home
Hello, friends, I know times are uncertain and many are facing difficult decisions. Many of you have reached out asking for ideas about what to do with your preschooler at home. Here are our favorite resources for creative stay-at-home activities, and lots of learning fun too! We use common household items you probably already have […]