Unicorn Books and Unicorn Craft

I love finding activities to do with kids that correspond to their favorite books. I also enjoy using recyclables to make crafts with kids. The Mini Mad Things Instagram page sells inexpensive templates to trace onto cardboard to make crafts. I recommend using pastels and paint sticks for these cardboard projects. I used the unicorn […]

Earth Day Window Sun Catchers

Making sun catchers is an easy project to do with kids of any age. The 18-month-old toddler, 4-year-old, and 7-year-old I babysit for all love making sun catchers for every holiday and season. I find using self-adhesive laminating sheets easier than using contact paper. I recommend purchasing some self-adhesive laminating sheets by tapping the links […]

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 […]

Easter Crowns

After 30 years of working as a nanny and family assistant I thought I had done every Easter project possible with children. But I found these beautiful and easy-to-make Easter Crowns on the Sassy Mamma web site to do with my Nanny Kids this spring. You can print the crowns for free on the Sassy […]

3-D Bunnies

I love the Mini Mad Things web site. For a very low cost you can purchase the templates for bunnies to print out and trace onto cardboard from the recycling bin. After cutting them out I let the kids use paint, markers, pastels, crayons, or colored pencils to decorate the bunnies and use the bunnies […]

Science Fun: Rubber Eggs

Here’s a science project to do with the kids from the steamsational web site. The vinegar eats through the calcium shell, but cannot dissolve the egg’s membrane, which is how the eggs retain their rubbery appearance after the experiment is complete. The egg membrane is semi-permeable, which simply means that the liquid vinegar will pass […]

Shamrock Puzzle

Kids love Saint Patrick’s Day, puzzles, and learning to count. Combine the love of the holiday and learning with this super easy project. Check out our other Saint Patrick’s Day projects by clicking the links for how to make a leprechaun trap; how to play Follow the Leprechaun Footsteps; shamrock lacing; leprechaun puppets; how to […]

Colorful Pop-Up Shamrock

Since leprechauns protect the gold that is found at the end of the rainbow I thought to help my Nanny Kids make Saint Patrick’s Day cards inspired with some rainbow colors. I printed out a 3-leaf clover to trace onto colorful paper to make this pop-up shamrock card. You Will Need: 1 Piece Card Stock […]

“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: […]