Apple Cinnamon Stick Bubble Wands

Last fall, one of the most popular crafts shared on my blog, Fireflies and Mud Pies, were the Halloween Bubble Wands my children and I created from wire, cookie cutters, and cinnamon sticks. I thought it would be fun to recreate that craft for the apple harvest season. Shared below is how my boys and I […]

Getting Started with Homeschooling

If you are considering homeschooling, but don’t know where to start, we have rounded up some of our best resources from Inner Child Learning to help you make an informed decision for you and your family. Here are 10 of our most popular homeschooling posts covering everything from pros and cons of homeschooling, to creating […]

Books About Camping for Kids

These books about camping for kids are sure to inspire plenty of outdoor fun! From making s’mores around a campfire, to putting up a tent, here is a great collection of camping books kids will love even if you’re camping in your own backyard (or living room). Be sure to check out the camping activity […]

Creating an Ocean Sensory Table

Sensory tables are incredibly popular with preschoolers.  They bring a tactile experience to a lesson that is often remembered long after the book smarts have made their way in one ear and out the other.  Creating an Ocean Sensory Table is easy and inexpensive to do at home. Here is how we created an Ocean […]

Five Amazing Hikes to Take With Kids

These five amazing hikes to take with kids weren’t a conscious thing at first… it just started with a walk in the woods, which then turned into a weekly walk in the woods, which then turned into a hike with friends out beyond the confines of cellphone reception and into the world of “leave only footprints, take […]

Patriotic Parade Craft to Make for the Kids

4th of July is around the corner and perhaps your family is planning to attend a local parade! Parades are a great way to teach children about holidays, music, community, and patriotism. Shared below are directions to a bright red, white, and blue Patriotic Parade Craft that children will enjoy shaking, swaying, and holding during the parade […]

Life Skills for Kids: Sandwich Making

Developing life skills for kids is a great way to encourage independence, practice fine-motor skills, and foster self-confidence. Kids can do so much if only given the chance! Sandwich Making is an important life skill that children as young as 3 can do with assistance. Once mastered, kids will enjoy feeling the success of making their own […]

Ways to Play and Learn with Water Outdoors

These creative ways to play and learn with water outdoors are sure to delight kids of all ages! When the weather starts to warm up, you’ll want to refer to this list to keep cool and have lots of ideas for good clean fun on-hand.    Here are 10 of our favorite ways to play […]

Simple Fine-Motor Activity for Preschoolers

Here’s a simple fine-motor activity for preschoolers that is easy to set up, and develops important “pincher grasp” muscles. All you need is a basket and some clothes pins! Invite your child to attach the clothes pins to the outside of the basket! Other options: Count the clothes pins as your child attaches them to […]

15 Books for Learning About and Celebrating Earth Day

Annually celebrated on April 22, Earth Day is a day to celebrate the planet and raise awareness about environmental concerns. Listed below are many high quality children’s books that can help initiate conversations within your family about preserving our planet. Books About Gardening Franklin Plants a Tree by Paulette BourgeoisThe Ultimate Step-by-Step Kids’ First Gardening Book […]

Learning with Lego Bricks

For generations, Lego Bricks have been applauded by teachers and parents as one of the best toys for learning, building creativity, and strengthening fine-motor skills. Lego Bricks are an open-ended toy, meaning they can become just about anything a child or adult imagines, including an educational tool. Listed below are 3 creative ways to use […]

Learning in an Instant- Colors of the Rainbow

Did you know that there are actually seven colors in a rainbow and they are always found in the same order? Learning the colors of the rainbow can be a great starting point to understanding the science behind rainbows. This free printable coloring activity is a great way to learn the seven colors of the […]

10 Books for Early Readers

Reading with your child is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. Listed below are 10 enjoyable books for early readers! Books for Early Readers Let’s Go for a Drive! by Mo WillemsFirst the Egg by Laura Vaccaro SeegerFrog and Toad Storybook Treasury by Arnold LobelHenry and Mudge Ready to Read Value Pack […]

Map Learning Activity for Kids

Teaching your children about map skills starts with knowing the basics.  So I start with the cardinal directions!  A simple game of Simon Says can turn into a wonderful treasure hunt with a bonus of always knowing which direction to point to find the North Star! This map learning activity is sure to teach your kids […]

Ways to Play and Learn with Water Indoors

Water play has the power to keep kids entertained for long periods of time. It’s just good clean fun! Whether they are washing toys in the kitchen sink, splashing in the tub, or even learning about the properties of water with simple experiments, these water activities are sure to delight kids of all ages!  Ways […]

Books about Telling Time

Learning to tell time can be tricky for kids.  Luckily, there are several entertaining and useful picture books out there that introduce children to the concept of time telling and the function of clocks.  Here are ten great children’s books about telling time.     Tuesday In this incredibly drawn book, artist/author David Weisner explores […]

Fine Motor Craft – Winter Snowflake Ornaments

This fine motor craft to make Winter snowflake ornaments can be set up as a quick and easy “invitation to create” while celebrating Winter with the kids! Added bonus — some unique snowflake ornaments that are sure to add a little sparkle to your home. To make the Winter Snowflake Ornaments, you will need: craft […]

Valentine’s Day Montessori Trays

Valentine’s day is a time of giving and a time of love.  Getting our kids into the spirit of the holiday is often hard without a moose-sized dose of sugar.    But we can easily turn the things they normally do into special holiday crafts that create adorable keepsakes (and even better memories) with a […]