Fun Paper Flashlight Craft

I’ve been seeing a paper flashlight craft all over social media. I decided try to make the craft for a toddler and preschooler I care for with a winter snow scene. When a child moves the paper flashlight in the plastic bag they will illuminate the images making it easier to see. You Will Need: […]

Homemade Holiday Lacing Cards

Here is a fun and easy boredom buster to keep the kids busy this holiday season. I used cardboard to make these lacing cards but you can use heavyweight craft paper or foam sheets you can get at the craft store too. Try using all different sized holiday-shaped lacing cards for the little ones to […]

Paper Plate Dinosaur Craft

This is a super easy dinosaur craft to make with girls and boys with a paper plate and toilet paper roll. Be sure to read “How to Catch a Dinosaur,” “Danny and the Dinosaur,” “How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight,” and “Dinosaur” while making this simple craft. You can purchase the children books and supplies needed […]

“Elmer the Elephant” by David McKee and Craft

Children love the Elmer the patchwork elephant book series by David McKee. I love the Mini Mad Things blog. After reading “Elmer’s Colors,” “Elmer and Butterfly,” “Elmer and the Rainbow,” and “Elmer’s Special Day,” by David McKee I let the child in my care use paint and pastels to decorate a cardboard Elmer. It might […]

Watercolor Spider Webs

One child I care for has a phobia of spiders so badly that the child has nightmares about arthropods. Children’s books always help kiddos when they have issues or are anxious. I bought “Mrs. Spider’s Beautiful Web” by Beverly Randell and “Spiders” by Gail Gibbons to help the child learn about how amazing spiders can […]

Lacing Paper Plate Spider Web

This is a super easy Halloween project that isn’t scary for little kids. Be sure to read children’s books about spiders such as “Anansi the Spider,” “The Very Busy Spider,” “I’m Trying to Love Spiders,” “Mrs. Spider’s Beautiful Web,” and “The Magic School Bus Spins a Web” to correspond with this project. Click here to […]

“A Fish Out of Water” and Craft

In “A Fish Out of Water” by Helen Palmer a young boy hilariously learns the consequences of not following instructions when he feeds too much to his goldfish. Overfeeding the goldfish causes it to grow as big as a whale. With delightfully retro illustrations by P.D. Eastman this book shows that getting a pet is […]

Making a Patriotic Friendship Bracelet

An 8-year-old in my care is making red, white, and blue friendship bracelets for all of her friends for Labor Day. Rainbow Loom and the Mega Rainbow Loom kits allows kids to make all kinds of friendship bracelet creations. The Original rubber band set from Rainbow Loom is the perfect craft to keep kids busy […]

Recycled Box Car for Dolls

When the weather is bad outside let the kids be creative. On a rainy day this week I grabbed a cardboard box out of the recycling bin for the child in my care to decorate. I helped her make a car for her dolls — allowing her to decorate the car all by herself. You […]

Cardboard Box Harp

Banjos, guitars, violins, cellos and harps are just a few of the types of Chordophones that all make sound by vibrating strings. Resonators can be made with tin cans, wooden boxes, and cardboard boxes. This is how to make a lap harp out of a cardboard box and rubber bands with children. You can purchase […]