I thought it might be fun to share with you some tricks of the trade that I’ve learned over the years as a mother of 3. I need to remind myself every once in a while that I need to make plans for what to do with my baby so I thought blogging about it might help both you and me become active parents with our actively learning babies.This past week we were on vacation which can be challenging enough on your own but with a baby you have to get a little creative in hotel rooms. Whenever you’re ... Read more...
DIY Spider Web T-shirt
It's fun to make cute holiday shirts for your kids. As soon as I set my eyes on this DIY project, I knew I needed to this Spider Web Shirt for my daughter. She is fascinated by spiders and the webs that they make. Making the Spider Web ShirtLast week I had bought some inexpensive solid color shirts for making holiday outfits, but hadn't decided what to do for October.This looked easy, creative, and something I could make for less than $2.00! It also connected really well with this weeks cooking ... Read more...
Using Environmental Print to Teach a Second Language
Create a print-rich environment at home to teach your child a second language by incorporating everyday items like labels, songs, and posters into their surroundings, fostering early reading skills and confidence.Does your family speak more than one language? Make sure to fill your house with print! Using environmental print to teach a second language can be beneficial in strengthening their ability to read in their second (or third) language.What is Using Environmental Print to Teach a Second ... Read more...
Owl Crafts and Learning Activities
We have been in an "owl" mood lately. It doesn't help that our neighborhood owl has been rather loud in the evenings and reminding us of his presence. That means we have been making a lot of owl crafts and learning activities!Affiliate links.Owl Crafts and Learning ActivitiesOwl Crafts and Learning Activities: Owl HeadbandMy daughter helped me design, cut, and sew this owl headband after she saw the one I made for her little brother. (more info here if you want to make one too) She has made many ... Read more...
Gardening with Kids When to use Seeds vs Transplants
Gardening with kids is a ton of fun. I can easily get overwhelmed in the seed and vegetable plant section at our local home improvement store. Ohhhh the choices of gardening! I am so thankful that we do have choices, but it is hard to decide WHAT I want to plant and then I need to choose how to get THAT plant in the garden. So when do you use seeds vs transplants?When do I use Seeds vs TransplantsIt seems that I end up with a combination split almost equally between using my seeds that I have ... Read more...
Tot School At the Beach
A beach day doesn't mean your little one isn't learning. We LOVE having Tot School At the Beach. It's the perfect place to play and learn about the natural world.Tot School At the Beach Activity IdeasIf you have ever traveled with an opinionated toddler - you would know that keeping your home routines while away from home keeps everything a little saner. It does help if you bring a dump truck along too!It is a game that my mom used to play with her family when they were kids. You make a ... Read more...
Living and Nonliving Garden Walk with FREE printable
Teach kids to pay attention to the world around them with a Living and Nonliving Garden Walk. Free printable to guide their discovery.How do you know if something is alive? For adults, it's an easy question. Your children may not easily identify. Teach them how to decide if something is with a Living and Nonliving Garden Walk How to Organize a Living and Nonliving Garden WalkNot only do I get to garden in my backyard, but I also volunteer one afternoon a week in my daughters' school garden. ... Read more...
Make a Bell Bush
There is something powerful about the sounds of children making music. Make a Bell Bush and your kids will chime music for you during their outside playtime! I don't remember where I first read about creating a natural playscape and using music, but I do remember from the first moment I read about it, that I wanted to have a place for my children to make music outside.How to Make a Bell BushMaterials Needed to Make a Bell BushDirection for how to Make a Bell BushFor the price of a bag of bells ... Read more...
Who gives a hoot about saving seeds?
Saving seeds is an essential part of keeping our plants diverse. Organizations may follow strict guidelines to keep varieties of plants separate from each other. We are pretty casual in our saving seeds.Teaching Kids About Saving SeedsWe want our kids to knowThere is just something extra special about teaching children to grow something from their own seed. How powerful can one seed truly be? Well, in our case, one seed grew this GIANT sunflower which we all enjoyed.Then it turned brown, ... Read more...
Apple Learning Activities for Toddlers
Apple can be a fun way to welcome the Fall with your Toddler! Here are a few Apple Learning Activities for Toddlers to help promote fine motor skills, sorting skills, literacy skills and creativity with your toddler.Apple Learning Activities for ToddlersDeveloping Fine Motor Skills: This week, I pasted an apple on a shoe box and punched some holes in the top for noodles to fit through. (top right picture) Who knew something so simple and inexpensive could be so entertaining!!!Transferring and ... Read more...
