Fall Storytime & Craft: “You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie”

Some of the best nanny activities begin with a favorite story! “You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie” by Nicola Edwards is a sweet, autumn-themed board book filled with adorable illustrations and loving sentiments perfect for sharing with the youngest children in your care. It celebrates the loving bond between a caregiver and a little one through […]

“There Was an Old Lady that Swallowed Some Leaves” and Fun Craft

Turn storytime into a hands-on fall activity! “There Was an Old Lady that Swallowed Some Leaves” by Lucille Colandro is a breezy, whimsical rhyme book paired with vivid illustrations making it a chaotic tribute to autumn and an absolute page-turner for children. It is an excellent book for preschool through early elementary kids to practice […]

“The Crayons Trick or Treat” by Drew Daywalt and Making Costumes for the Crayons

Last week the kids and I made costumes for the Sheepy in “Creepy Sheepy” and this week we did the same with the crayon protagonists in “The Crayons Trick or Treat” by Drew Daywalt. After reading “The Crayons Trick or Treat” with the children in your care, set up a coloring and drawing station where […]

“Creepy Sheepy” by Lucy Ruth Cummins & Make a Costume for Your Own Sheepy

Nothing tested a nanny’s patience quite like the annual Halloween costume crisis — until “Creepy Sheepy” came along. In Lucy Ruth Cummins’s hilarious “Creepy Sheepy,” the wooly protagonist is determined not to follow the herd. While every other sheep in the pasture decides to dress up as a classic, generic ghost, Sheepy wants a look […]

Autumn Leaf Placemat Low-Mess Craft

The rule of autumn nannyhood is if you go for a walk, you will bring back half the forest. This week, I upgraded the kids from ‘leaf collectors’ to ‘interior designers.’ Check out this super simple, autumn leaf placemat craft that preserves their favorite outdoor finds and protects the kitchen table from the inevitable pumpkin […]

Alphabet Scavenger Hunt and Matching Letters

Turn learning the alphabet into an adventure! In this simple scavenger hunt, children search for letters hidden around the house, backyard, or neighborhood. Or, play a game of matching letters where they find objects that start with the letter you give them. It keeps the kiddos moving while practicing letter recognition. It’s an easy, screen-free […]

Pressed Flower Jar Lanterns

Turn empty glass bottles or jars into beautiful little lanterns! This simple craft is a fun way for kids to use pressed and dried flowers while creating a pretty decoration for their room or play space. Battery-operated tea lights make these lanterns a fun and kid-friendly alternative to candles. The children in my care and […]

Real Flower Brushes

Skip traditional paint brushes and head outside! Real flowers make wonderful, natural stamps and paint brushes to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind artwork that kids will love. Choose sturdy flowers with strong stems, such as daisies. Try different flowers, colors, and amounts of paint to see how each one creates a unique design.  Don’t forget to read […]

Painted Flowers with Cardboard Roll Stamps

The children in my care adore flowers so I have been making flower themed activities and lesson plans all summer. See how I had them paint flowers with stamps made from cardboard rolls. It’s messy! Use craft mats and have paper towels close by! See other activities I have done with the children including: pressed […]

Pressed Dried Flower Sun Catchers

There’s something magical about turning nature into art! Making butterfly and circle sun catchers with pressed dried flowers is a beautiful way for nannies to encourage creativity, fine motor skills, and an appreciation for nature with kids. They are keepsakes they’ll be proud to display long after the craft is finished. Be sure to read […]