“The Little Lamb’s Easter Miracle” and Lamb Craft

To prepare for Easter, read “The Little Lamb’s Easter Miracle” by Kellie Hurley with the children in your care and make a doily lamb craft.  “The Little Lamb’s Easter Miracle” is a children’s picture book by Kellie Hurley, aimed at children aged 2 to 6. Through the perspective of a curious lamb, the story introduces […]

Easter Window Sun Catchers

This is an easy, fun, and colorful Easter project to make with children as young as toddlers. Using high quality self-adhesive laminating sheets is easier than using contact paper so I recommend purchasing some by tapping the link in the supplies list. I also like using pre-cut paper otissue squares but colored cellophane sheets look […]

“Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons” and Craft 

After reading, “Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons” by James Dean make a simple button craft with the toddlers and preschoolers in your care.  Pete the Cat puts on his favorite shirt, which has four colorful buttons. He loves the buttons so much that he sings a simple song about them: “My buttons, […]

“Spring is Here” by Heidi Pross Gray and Spring Blossom Crafts

It’s finally spring this week in my neck of the woods and the children I care for have enjoyed finding the new blossoms of yellow forsythia, pink cherry trees, and white apricot trees in the neighborhood.  After reading, “Spring is Here” by Heidi Pross Gray help the children in your care make their own spring […]

Make a Leprechaun Trap and Read “How to Catch a Leprechaun” by Adam Wallace 

Read “How to Catch a Leprechaun” by Adam Wallace and make a leprechaun trap with the children in your care. Irish folklore describes leprechaun as little fairies. Legend says they keep pots of gold at the ends of rainbows. Every Saint Patrick’s Day my Nanny Kids and I make leprechaun traps along with thousands of […]

“Bear Snores On” by Karma Wilson and Paper Plate Bear Crafts

The end of February and March, when it’s still cold but the days are getting longer as Spring approaches, is the perfect time to discuss animals coming out of hibernation with children.  Start the conversation by reading the board book, “Bear Snores On” by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman and then make these […]

“Whispers of the Snake” and Split Pin Snake 

It is the start of Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year) and it is the year of the snake. Read “Whispers of the Snake: A Chinese New Year Book: A Story for Kids to Celebrate the Year of the Snake and Learn about Chinese Traditions” by Chloe E. Gore and then help the children […]

“Snowflake in My Pocket” and Making Paper Snowflakes 

Making paper snowflakes is fun at any age — from elementary school to adult. Read “Snowflake in My Pocket” by Rachel Bright and make paper snowflakes with the children in your care. I found plenty of free templates to print and use at madeinapinch.com, superstarworksheets.com, and thebestideasforkids.com.  “Snowflake in My Pocket” by Rachel Bright  is […]

“Martin Luther King the Peaceful Warrior” and Peace Sun Catcher  

To prepare for Martin Luther King Jr. Day read children’s books about the civil rights leader and make a peace sun catcher to recognize Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.  In “Martin Luther King the Peaceful Warrior” by Ed Clayton readers follow the inspiring life of Martin Luther King Jr. in a moving, vital, and informative […]

“The Three Little Pigs” Story and DIY Puppets 

My Nanny Kids love puppets and puppet shows. Puppetry is a great way to promote story telling and to foster language, imagination, communication, and more.  Using construction paper, white and pink paper plates, jumbo or extra large craft sticks, crayons, markers, glue sticks, and hot glue, I made a few quick puppets for the story […]