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 […]

“A Pet for Pete” by James Dean and Paper Plate Craft

Pete the Cat can’t wait to get a new pet! He gets a goldfish he names Goldie. Pete paints a cool painting of Goldie and now everyone wants a piece of it! But Pete doesn’t have enough time to make one for everyone. Will Pete find a way to have fun painting Goldie and have […]

Fun With Markers

Here’s a quick boredom buster to do with the children in your care. Make a multi marker drawing tool with a cardboard roll and markers that are the same size. You Will Need: Cardboard RollMarkersDuct Tape or Masking TapePaper What to Do: 1. Tape same sized markers to a cardboard roll making sure the tips […]

Changing Color Chameleon

Chameleons are amazing reptiles that possess a wide variety of interesting features including their ability to change color due to their emotions and as camouflage. Children will love making and playing with this simple craft to make their chameleons change color with paper plates. Be sure to read these children books about chameleons while making […]

Ojo de Dios Yarn Craft

Ojo de Dios (oh-ho-day-DEE-ohs) is one of my favorite crafts I learned at summer camp when I was a child. Now my 8-year-old Nanny Kid can’t stop making these beautiful crafts simply made with yarn and sticks. Ojo de Dios originally come from the Huichol people of Central Northwest Mexico, were created as protective and […]

Handheld Butterfly Sun Catchers

This recycled craft is a simple and clever way to teach children about primary and secondary colors while recycling empty paper tubes. I allowed the children to decorate the craft sticks and choose what colored wings they wanted on their butterflies. But I used a glue gun to make all the wings without the kids […]