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 […]
Gratitude Journal
Start the new year off right by having the children in your care decorate their own Gratitude Journals. The goal is to have the kids keep them on their night stand to start or end each day writing down the things they are grateful for every day in the new year. Don’t forget to make […]
Happy New Year Shaking Noise Makers
If you are working with kids on New Year’s Eve or just getting them excited for a New Year’s Eve party, help them make noise makers to ring in the new year. They can shake their homemade noise makers at midnight! You Will Need: Empty Pringles CansHot Glue Glue and Glue Sticks Construction PaperStickers, Markers, Ribbons, and Pom […]
Easy Homemade Dreidel
Children of any faith love playing the traditional game played during Hanukkah called dreidel. You don’t have to buy a dreidel to play the game. See how I made these simple dreidels with cardboard and pencils that my Nanny Family already had in their home. Be sure to read these children’s books about dreidels before […]
Cardboard Embroidered Ornaments
I love saving money by doing projects with the kids with items found in their recycling bin. This week I traced some stars and circles onto recycled cardboard and allowed the children to use embroidery thread, ribbon, and yarn to decorate the cardboard shapes. Click here to see other cardboard ornaments to make with children. […]
3D Cardboard Menorahs
My Nanny Kids are getting excited to celebrate Hanukkah. I cut out menorah shapes from cardboard from the recycling bin. Then I cut out a little base to slide onto the menorahs so they will stand up. I allowed the children to decorate their menorahs with Sharpie Paint Pens, (which are the best product to […]
3D Paper Snowflake Decorations and Ornaments
Although a child in my care made this snowflake and used it as an ornament to hang on a Christmas tree, any child of any faith can just make a 3D paper snowflake to use as a winter decoration. You Will Need: Paper of Choice (Butcher paper is a great choice) Snowflake Templates ScissorsGlue Gun or […]
Paper Woven Placemats

Thanksgiving Project Thanksgiving is celebrated tomorrow in the United States. Families celebrate the holiday around a hearty meal. Therefore, weaving placemats to serve the holiday dinner on makes a perfect Thanksgiving craft. You Will Need: Construction Paper (we chose brown, orange, and yellow) Ruler Marker Safety Scissor Tape or Paste Clear Contact Paper or Self-Adhesive […]
Thankful Wreath
Each year I have my Nanny Kids make a Thankful Wreath to show what they are grateful for as Thanksgiving approaches. Teaching children to be thankful, generous, and kind is a lifelong process, and one that involves many friends and family to help develop. Hang the wreath to proudly display what the child is grateful […]