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 […]

Jellyfish Craft and “Bloom” by Julia Seal

“Bloom” by Julia Seal of a beautiful book that has a great message for children about climate change and pollution. The illustrations in “Bloom” are so stunning they inspire little ones to make their own craft jellyfish. Before reading this book I didn’t know that a group of jellyfish is called a bloom and that […]

Window Butterfly Sun Catchers

My Nanny Kids are addicted to making these simple, colorful sun catchers for every season and holiday. For spring, I printed out buttery templates (listed at bottom of page) and read children’s books about butterflies with the children in my care, (books listed below). Using self-adhesive laminating sheets is even easier than using contact paper […]

“The Snowy Day” and Stick Puppets

“The Snowy Day” by Ezra Keats is a classic must-read winter children’s book about a boy named Peter who explores playing in the snow. After reading “The Snowy Day” with the children in your care, have them make a snowy scene for their own Peter puppets. In “The Snowy Day” Peter wakes up to the […]

Lunar New Year Crafts, Recipe, and Book

Sunday January 2023 is the start of the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Rabbit. Here are some fun and simple projects to do with the children in your care for Lunar New Year. Paper Lanterns: The Lantern Festival is held on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year holiday. It marks […]

MLK “I Have a Dream” Craft

One of the most famous speeches of all time was the “I have a dream” speech written and spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1963. First read, “I Have a Dream” by Kadir Nelson to the children in your care. Then have them make this thoughtful project to correspond with the book and […]

“How to Build a Snowman” and Craft

After reading “How to Build a Snowman” to the children in your care, allow toddlers and preschoolers to paint and paste together this snowman craft. “How to Build a Snowman” is an innovative and interactive touch-and-feel winter fun book for babies and toddlers by Little Scholastic. A very first winter book with different textures 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 […]

“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 […]