Kids love collecting shells at the beach. There’s something magical about turning a handful of seashells into a little keepsake masterpiece. For children, making shell mosaics on air-dry clay isn’t just an art project, each shell is a tiny treasure, and pressing it into soft clay feels like discovering buried gold. I found this great shell […]
Sink or Float Game
July 16, 2025 Leave a Comment
Looking for a simple, engaging game that sparks curiosity and giggles? Try this Sink or Float Game. Why do kids love it? Because it’s science disguised as play. They get to gather random household items, make predictions (“Will this spoon sink?” “What about this crayon?”), and then test their hypotheses in water. It’s hands-on, a […]
Squirt Gun Super Soaker Painting
July 9, 2025 Leave a Comment
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, […]
Hopscotch With a Twist
June 25, 2025 Leave a Comment
You can get the kiddos active by drawing a typical foursquare court, an obstacle course, or hop scotch with sidewalk chalk. But we love this idea from JrImagination. Instead of playing a normal hopscotch game, add different activities to boxes. Use sidewalk chalk on your Nanny Family’s driveway or sidewalk to draw boxes similar to […]
Rainbow Slime
June 18, 2025 Leave a Comment
Kids love rainbows and slime. So I combined the love of both and the children in my care and I made 4 colors of slime. To make rainbows you will need to make 6 colors of slime from the recipe I found at thebestideasforkids.com. See how to make slime with laundry detergent by tapping here, […]
Decorating Golf Balls for Father’s Day
June 11, 2025 Leave a Comment
If you have a Dad Boss that loves golf as much as mine does he’ll appreciate a gift he can actually use. Even if he doesn’t play often, the golf balls can be kept as keepsakes or desk decorations. Whether they’re toddlers scribbling with markers or older kids making detailed designs, years later, those little doodles […]
“Our Dad (Grandpa) is Out of This World” Chalk Portrait
June 4, 2025 Leave a Comment
Making a sidewalk chalk portrait with the kids for Father’s Day is a fun, interactive, meaningful, and low-cost way for you to help the children in your care celebrate the occasion. I recommend using a bowl of water to wet the chalk to make it easier to draw more vibrant letters, lines, and shapes. I […]
Butterflies Made of Cardboard Rolls
May 28, 2025 Leave a Comment
Children are dazzled with butterflies and their vibrant beauty. After reading children’s books about butterflies, (see below), I used cardboard rolls, punched out cardstock paper, and craft supplies to make butterflies with the children in my care. Also check out how to make origami butterflies, handheld butterfly sun catchers, butterflies out of coffee filters, cardboard […]
Patriotic Star Sun Catcher
May 21, 2025 Leave a Comment
The little ones on your care will love making and displaying these patriotic sun catchers for Memorial Day and summer holidays. Be sure to share children’s books about the holiday with the little ones too: “Memorial Day” by Emma Carlson Berne, “Why do We Celebrate Memorial Day” by Kirsten Lake, and “A Day for Rememberin’” […]
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