As a professional snack distributor, argument negotiator, and CEO of Mess Containment (aka, nanny), I’ve seen my fair share of creative chaos. But nothing — nothing — prepared me for Squirt Gun Super Soaker Painting! From the brilliant brain of Louise McMullen in “Fun Painting Projects for Kids,” this fun activity is part Jackson Pollock […]
Patriotic Sensory Tray
July 2, 2025 Leave a Comment
Children love sensory trays because they provide a fun and engaging way to explore different textures and sights through hands-on play, stimulating multiple senses at once. I loved creating this 4th of July sensory tray theme for a toddler in my care. Although I could have easily purchased red, white, and blue colored sensory rice, […]
Patriotic Paper Plate Ring Toss
September 2, 2020 Leave a Comment
Creative Wednesday This paper plate ring toss game is a fun way to keep the kids busy for the afternoon both painting and coloring and then practicing their tossing skills. Use patriotic colors for national holidays like Labor Day. If it is a rainy day it’s safe to play indoors. If you’re looking for an […]
Giant Bubbles
July 15, 2020 Leave a Comment
Summer Fun: Boredom Buster Nannies all across America keep asking me for fun activities to do with their nanny kids as summer camps have been cancelled due to coronavirus this summer. I highly recommend making Giant Bubbles with little and big kids. I simply bought WOWMAZING Giant Bubble Wands Kit and WOWMAZING Giant Bubble Refill […]
Craft Stick Patterns
July 8, 2020 Leave a Comment
Creative Play This is an inexpensive project to make for toddlers and preschoolers that just takes a few minutes to make. I start with making simple designs of triangles, squares, and rectangles for toddlers and make designs more complex as the children grow and develop their matching skills. Just google craft stick pattern ideas for […]
Dinosaur Fossil Sand Toys
July 5, 2020 Leave a Comment
Products Nannies Love Who doesn’t love dinosaur fossils? The best sand toys inspire hours of imaginative play for children. Whether it is a trip to the beach or just a sandbox in the backyard, these dinosaur sand toys are sure to provide hours of summer fun for you and your Nanny Kids. The best part […]
4th of July Paper Plate Hats
July 1, 2020 1 Comment
Creative Wednesday July 4th is Independence Day in the United States of America. Here is a very inexpensive, fun, and easy craft to make with your Nanny Kids to wear this weekend to help celebrate Independence Day. Although there are seven red stripes on the American flag to represent valor, six white stripes to symbolize […]
Trace Kids with Sidewalk Chalk Self Portraits
June 10, 2020 1 Comment
Creative Wednesdays Every child I have ever cared for while working as a nanny has loved being traced. My youngest Nanny Kid giggled happily as it tickled a little as I traced her with sidewalk chalk on her driveway this week. Then I let her color her portrait with sidewalk chalk. She even gave herself […]
Clover Necklaces, Bracelets and Tiaras
July 17, 2018 1 Comment
My Nanny Family’s yard is full of blooming clover. So I taught my nanny kids how to make clover chains. We picked blooming clovers with long stems to make jewelry. One of my nanny kids even made up her own way to make clover chains. Be sure to watch her video instructions below. Braid Chain […]
Creative Relay Races, Obstacle Courses and Sack Races
July 7, 2015 Leave a Comment
Summer Boredom Busters Most of us don’t have burlap sacks on hand to have traditional sack races so have the kids make up their own variations of group races in the grass. You can use the ideas below to plan the races for the kids, but let them come with ideas of their own too. […]
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