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 […]
“The Crayons Trick or Treat” by Drew Daywalt and Making Costumes for the Crayons
“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 […]
Autumn Scent Matching Game
As the air crispens and the leaves begin to turn, fall brings a whole new world of rich, cozy fragrances to explore. Put familiar autumn scents in jars and see if kids can identify the scents and match them to the cards I have created for this game. You Will Need: Small containers: Use opaque […]
Alphabet Scavenger Hunt and Matching Letters
Turn learning the alphabet into an adventure! In this simple scavenger hunt, children search for letters hidden around the house, backyard, or neighborhood. Or, play a game of matching letters where they find objects that start with the letter you give them. It keeps the kiddos moving while practicing letter recognition. It’s an easy, screen-free […]
Paint, Pattern & Pasta Fun!
Kids love turning ordinary pasta into colorful bracelets and necklaces. This simple craft packs in plenty of learning too! Whether they’re painting with brushes or shaking pasta and paint in a Ziploc bag, children can explore colors, practice fine-motor skills, and create patterns as they string their pasta into one-of-a-kind necklaces. It’s creativity they can […]
Salt Dough Nature Print Pendants
Bring a little bit of nature indoors with these simple salt dough keepsakes! Kids will love pressing real flowers and leaves into the dough to create beautiful textured prints. Once the pieces have dried, they can paint their one-of-a-kind creations, turning everyday treasures from a nature walk into colorful works of art they’ll be proud […]
Interactive Balloon Sidewalk Chalk Photos
Sidewalk chalk is the ultimate boredom buster. This week, the children and I used sidewalk chalk to make some fun interactive photos with the kids positioning themselves in the photos. I recommend using a bowl of water to wet the chalk to make it easier to draw darker, more vibrant lines. I also use a […]
Cupcake Liner Firework Craft for 4th of July
These cupcake liner fireworks are a simple, kid-friendly craft that lets little hands create their own colorful fireworks display. With a few patriotic cupcake liners, scissors, glue, and black paper, kids can make a festive decoration perfect for celebrating Independence Day. Check out how to make other firework crafts on my blog with paint and […]
3 Handprint Father’s Day Cards
Help the little ones in your care create a special keepsake this Father’s Day with adorable handprint cards made just for Dad! Here are three creative, step-by-step ideas you can easily make with the children with craft items they likely already have in their home. 1. “Little Monster” Handprint Card This fun card plays on […]