“The Crayons Trick or Treat” by Drew Daywalt and Making Costumes for the Crayons

Last week the kids and I made costumes for the Sheepy in “Creepy Sheepy” and this week we did the same with the crayon protagonists in “The Crayons Trick or Treat” by Drew Daywalt. After reading “The Crayons Trick or Treat” with the children in your care, set up a coloring and drawing station where […]

“Creepy Sheepy” by Lucy Ruth Cummins & Make a Costume for Your Own Sheepy

Nothing tested a nanny’s patience quite like the annual Halloween costume crisis — until “Creepy Sheepy” came along. In Lucy Ruth Cummins’s hilarious “Creepy Sheepy,” the wooly protagonist is determined not to follow the herd. While every other sheep in the pasture decides to dress up as a classic, generic ghost, Sheepy wants a look […]

Real Flower Brushes

Skip traditional paint brushes and head outside! Real flowers make wonderful, natural stamps and paint brushes to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind artwork that kids will love. Choose sturdy flowers with strong stems, such as daisies. Try different flowers, colors, and amounts of paint to see how each one creates a unique design.  Don’t forget to read […]

“Nanny in a Book” by Louise Heren

As a nanny, I love resources that combine practical advice with real-world experience, and “Nanny in a Book” delivers exactly that. Drawing on the trusted methods of the renowned Norland Nannies, Louise Heren offers straightforward guidance on everything from sleep routines and potty training to behavior, manners, and everyday childcare challenges. What makes “Nanny in […]

Pressed Dried Flower Sun Catchers

There’s something magical about turning nature into art! Making butterfly and circle sun catchers with pressed dried flowers is a beautiful way for nannies to encourage creativity, fine motor skills, and an appreciation for nature with kids. They are keepsakes they’ll be proud to display long after the craft is finished. Be sure to read […]

Pressed Flower Clay Decorations and Coasters

Looking for a wonderful nature craft for kids this summer? These DIY Dried Pressed Flower Ornaments, Magnets, and Coasters are made with air-dry clay are a fun, hands-on activity that encourages creativity, strengthens fine motor skills, and helps children explore the beauty of nature. Whether you’re a nanny, parent, teacher, or au pair, this simple […]

10 Best Children’s Books for Father’s Day

Children’s books make a wonderful, inexpensive Father’s Day gift because they create a special opportunity for dads and children to slow down, cuddle, and share meaningful moments together. A favorite story can become a family tradition and remind children that reading together is one of the simplest ways to build connection. Instead of a gift […]

Paper Plate Butterflies

Kids love butterflies. This easy, hands-on activity encourages imagination, strengthens fine motor skills, and gives children a colorful creation they’re proud to display. Be sure to read children’s books about butterflies while making this project: “A Butterfly is Patient” by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long; “The Butterfly Alphabet Book” by Jerry Pallotta, Brian Cassie, and […]

Make a Mouse from Shapes After Reading “Mouse Shapes” by Ellen Stoll Walsh

What can you make with one oval, two circles, and eight triangles? Just ask three clever mice. In “Mouse Shapes” by Ellen Stoll Walsh. In the book the mice play with shapes while hiding from a cat. In the end, the mice build a big mice to scare the cat away. After reading the book […]

Shape Finders

Great lesson plan finding shapes