“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 […]

Pot of Gold Slime for Saint Patrick’s Day

Homemade slime is a fun project that gives kids hours of fun. Clear glue gives this slime a really pretty translucent color that goes great with the green and gold colors for Saint Patrick’s Day.  You Will Need: 1 5oz Bottle of Clear Glue 1/2 Cup Water (separated into 1/4 cup for each batch) 1/2 Cup […]

“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 […]

“Duck and Goose” by Tad Hills and Sensory Bin

Parents love when nannies incorporate activities that correspond with their children’s favorite books. “Duck and Goose” by Tad Hills is a great board book series to share with toddlers. I made a sensory bin for the toddler in my care to play with while reading her favorite books “Duck and Goose” to her.  In this first […]

Heart-Shaped Watercolor Resist Paintings

This is a fun drawing and painting project to do with kids for Valentine’s Day. I found the concept at thecrafttrain.com. The children will find it magical watching their crayon designs become more vivid and change as they paint over them with liquid water color paints. You Will Need: Free Heart Template Water Color PaperWhite and […]

Pom-Pom Valentine’s Card Box

An older girl in my care is so excited for Valentine’s Day! To help her build anticipation for the holiday I helped her make a Valentine’s card box to hold all the Valentine’s cards she gets from school, friends, and family.  I got the idea from designedimprovised.com. Children will need assistance with cutting out the […]

“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 […]