“The Paper Dolls” by Julia Donaldson and DIY Paper Dolls

Making projects with children that correspond with the books you read with them helps encourage the love of reading. For a fun indoor activity for kids that the whole family can enjoy, download this printable paper doll template, illustrated by Rebecca Cobb and based on Julia Donaldson’s “The Paper Dolls,” and also let the kids […]

Fun Paper Flashlight Craft

I’ve been seeing a paper flashlight craft all over social media. I decided try to make the craft for a toddler and preschooler I care for with a winter snow scene. When a child moves the paper flashlight in the plastic bag they will illuminate the images making it easier to see. You Will Need: […]

Tie Dye Coffee Filter Valentine’s

This tie dye coffee filter Valentine’s project is easy and inexpensive. Children love to watch the colors move and change as they spray the coffee filters with water. I may make a small profit when visitors purchase items using the affiliate links within this blog post and on my storefront. You Will Need: Coffee FiltersWashable […]

Valentine’s Heart Sun Catchers

Making sun catchers has become my favorite project to do with kids of any age. This is an easy project that children can keep to decorate their bedrooms or playrooms for years. Just because the child I care for chose to use one color per heart, allow the children in your care to use any […]

“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 […]

New Year’s Eve Hats

I found templates for New Year’s Eve Hats at The Printablesfairy.com web site. It’s best to use heavyweight paper to print the template on. Let the kids decorate the hats any way they want. We curled ribbons to add to the top of the hats. I may make a small profit when visitors purchase items […]

Handmade Christmas Tree Cards

Children love making holiday cards and their friends and family love receiving the personalized cards as well. A 7-year-old girl and I simply cut triangles from white paper to make a tree shape on holiday colored card stock paper for her Christmas cards. I may make a small profit when visitors purchase items using the […]

Turkey Brown Paper Bag Puppet

Thanksgiving Craft If there is one thing kids love, it’s turning everyday items into something creative to play with. Nothing beats transforming a plain brown paper bag into a gobbling Thanksgiving turkey. I found this super easy Thanksgiving puppet project to do with the kids on hugsarefun blog. You can cut out the shapes to […]

Turtle Weaving Craft

The 8-year-old I care for enjoyed making Ojo de Dios (oh-ho-day-DEE-ohs) yarn crafts this summer. So I glued three crafts sticks together instead of two and the girl figured out how to make turtles all by herself without instructions by me. You can purchase the supplies needed for this project by clicking the links below […]

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 […]