Pinecone Bird Feeder and Winter Bird Books

Not all birds fly south for the winter. Read children’s books about winter birds listed below with the little ones in your care. Then, they will love making this simple bird feeder from a pine cone they find on a nature hike for the birds that have stayed in the neighborhood for the winter.  You […]

“The Cookie Jar” by J. W. Mettle and Making Cookies

If you’ve ever turned your back for three seconds and returned to find suspicious chocolate-smeared on the face and hands of a child in your care, “The Cookie Jar” will feel less like a children’s book and more like a documentary. J. W. Mettle’s “The Cookie Jar” tackles one of early childhood’s greatest moral dilemmas: […]

“The Tree That’s Meant to Be” and Pine Cone Christmas Tree Craft 

In “The Tree That’s Meant to Be” by Yuval Zommer, a small, crooked fir tree is left all alone after the others near it in the forest are chosen by families as Christmas to bring home.  But when the forest animals gather around the lonely little tree to cheer it up and celebrate the season, […]

Autumn Indian Corn Craft

Little hands love making this colorful Indian corn craft made from chenille stems and pony beads found at One Little Project. It’s the perfect mix of creativity and fine motor skill fun. It is part art project, part sensory play, and all-around adorable. Read the children’s books listed below about corn as the kids get […]

Make Bread with Children While Reading, “Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story” by Pat Zietlow Miller

To help prepare for Thanksgiving read, “Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story” by Pat Zietlow Miller and then extend the story’s themes of teamwork and gratitude through a fun, sensory activity of baking bread that encourages cooperation, fine motor skills, and patience with the children in your care. “Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving […]

Leaf Rubbings Wreath

As the crisp autumn leaves begin to fall, it’s the perfect time to turn nature’s beauty into a fun, creative activity with the little ones. A leaf rubbing wreath not only sparks imagination but also provides a great opportunity to teach kids about colors, textures, and the changing seasons — all while making a keepsake […]

Reflecting Rainbows

Everyone loves rainbows. This is a quick and easy science project to have children make rainbows by a sunny window or outside on a sunny day. By tilting and rotating the mirror the kiddos can catch the sunlight, which will be refracted through the water to create a little rainbow.  You Will Need: Small MirrorGlass […]

Kids Love Playing Feelings Charades

Inspired by “Emotional Intelligence Program for Children,” written by Kinderwise emotional intelligence curriculum, play a fun game of Feelings Charades.  The kiddos get to act out emotions while the others guess. Not only does it help build the children’s emotional vocabulary, but it also encouraged empathy, observation skills, and lots of laughs.  Playing Feelings Charades […]

Have a Teddy Bear Picnic While Reading “Teddy Bear’s Picnic” 

Pull out a blanket or towel and have the kids gather some of their teddy bears and bring them to the picnic blanket. The little ones will love doing all the activities described below while reading, “Teddy Bear Picnic.” “Teddy Bear’s Picnic” is a delightful padded board book that brings the  beloved song to life […]

Yarn and Pom Pom Spaghetti and Meatballs Sensory Bin

Looking for a fun, mess-free way to spark the children’s imagination? Kids will love diving into this spaghetti and meatball sensory bin made with soft white yarn for pasta and squishy red pom poms as meatballs! It’s a playful twist on a classic comfort food that encourages creativity, fine motor skills, and hours of giggles. […]