“Grandma’s Purse” by Vanessa Brantley Newton and Quilted Purse Craft

This is an adorable project to do as a literary connection to the picture book “Grandma’s Purse” by Vanessa Brantley Newton. In the book, when Mimi’s Grandmother comes to visit she always brings warm hugs, sweet treats, and her purse. Mimi never knows what her Grandmother have in there — fancy jewelry, tokens from around […]

Great Peacock Children’s Books and Project

Peacocks are large, colorful birds known for their iridescent blue and green feathers and distinctive fan-shaped tail feathers, which they display during courtship rituals. Males are called peacocks, while females are actually called peahens. After reading the great children books we review below let the children make this 3D peacock made out of cardboard. You […]

“The Chinese New Year Dragon Nian” and Make a Fire Breathing Dragon

This is the year of the dragon for Chinese New Year, making it the perfect time to read “The Chinese New Year Dragon Nian” by Virginia Loh-Hagan and make a fire breathing dragon with the kids. “The Chinese New Year Dragon Nian” explains why people light firecrackers, wear red, and give food offerings to celebrate […]

“The Day it Rained Hearts” and Raining Hearts Craft

After reading “The Day it Rained Hearts” by Felicia Bond to children make a craft with raining hearts. In “The Day it Rained Hearts” by Felicia Bond it rains hearts, and the main character, Cornelia Augusta, catches them. Cornelia decided the hearts would be perfect to make Valentines for her friends. She began looking at […]

“Winter Trees” by Carole Gerber and Bubble Wrap Painting

Have the kids paint with bubble wrap to make a snow covered tree after reading “Winter Trees” by Carole Gerber. In “Winter Trees” a boy and his dog stroll through the winter forest discovering seven different types of trees. This book is a fun early introduction to tree identification and a great way to encourage […]

“Winter Dance” by Marion Dane Bauer and Coloring Page

“Winter Dance” by Marion Dane Bauer is a fun winter book about a fox trying to figure out what to do when winter comes. Snow is coming, and it’s time to get ready! The squirrel gathers nuts, the geese soar south, and the snowshoe hare puts on its new white coat. But what should the […]

Make a Sled after Reading “Snow Day!” By Lester L. Laminack

Going to the library with children weekly is fun. The parents you work for and the children you care for will love doing crafts projects that correspond to the children’s books you borrow from the library. After reading “Snow Day!” by Lester L. Laminack make a sled out of craft sticks with the kids. In […]

“Stumpkin” and Pumpkin Sun Catchers

One of my favorite children’s books is “Stumpkin” by Lucy Ruth Cummins. It’s the story of a pumpkin without a stem trying to be sold in a store in the city that feels left out. “Stumpkin” has a stump, not a stem. So, no one seems to want to buy a stemless jack-o-lantern for their […]

Autumn Leaf Crowns

During a babysitting job with boys and girls aged 4- to 8-years-old I brought autumn crafts to make with the bunch of little ones. They enjoyed making these easy autumn leaf crowns. I especially loved when the little boy was dancing and singing, “I am Autumn Man,” while wearing his leaf crown. Be sure to […]

3D Autumn Tree Pointillism

In “Meet Georges Seurat,” Seurat the artist describes his unique approach to art. He describes pointillism and how to use math, logic, and lots of dots to make beautiful paintings. I had the children I care for use the idea of pointillism to make autumn leaves for 3D cardboard trees. Also be sure to read […]