Make Collages with “Perfect Square” by Michael Hall

Perfect Square is a square book about a square that undergoes many changes of shape and of color. The square starts out as a red, four cornered shape. However, in the pages it is cut into tiny pieces, ripped into strips, and painted a variety of colors. With each new challenge from the unseen force, […]

Playing Dress Up with “Collage Workshop for Kids” by Shannon Merenstein

Collage Workshop for Kids: Rip, snip, cut, and create with inspiration from The Eric Carle Museum by Shannon Merenstein is an excellent resource for caregivers and is a pleasure to share with children from toddlers to primary school-age children. Artist Shannon Merenstein wrote the book with the art educators from the Eric Carle Museum. Eric […]

“Fiona Flamingo” by Rachael Urrutia Chu and Craft

My favorite activity to do with children is help them make a craft or do a fun activity that corresponds to their favorite children’s books. My Nanny Kid loves “Fiona Flamingo” by Rachael Urrutia Chu and enjoyed made her own Fiona with paper plates and colorful tissue paper. There is also a “Fiona Flamingo Coloring […]

“Playing with Lanterns” and Make Paper Lanterns for Chinese New Year

The Lantern Festival is held on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year holiday. It marks the last day of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. My six-year-old nanny kid and I made several simple and colorful paper lanterns to adorn her room in preparation for Chinese New Year. In snowy northern China, children celebrate […]

Sewing Paper Plate Snowflakes

My 8-year-old Nanny Kid constantly asks me to find her lacing projects to do. I found this lacing snowflake activity on the iheartcraftythings web site for beginner sewers. I love how creative Caroline from the web site was by finding this design on a paper plate at Target and thought to make into a sewing […]

Window Crayons and Markers

Using Window Crayons and Window Glass Markers are an easy boredom buster for children. My Nanny Kids drew snowflakes on a mudroom window with Window Crayons . Feel free to try Window Crayons, and Window Markers, since they are all washable. You can purchase any of the products by clicking the links above or by […]

Beaded Snowflake Craft

I had leftover white beads from Christmas crafts to make this easy snowflake craft. But you can let the children use blue, silver, and clear beads to make their own patterns to make this snowflake. It’s great activity to encourage fine motor skills, counting, and pattens. Don’t forget to check out how to make snowflakes […]

Snowflake Sun Catcher

I googled “Outline Snowflake Pattern” and printed a snowflake template to make beautiful snowflake sun catchers. The children I care for love hanging these sun catchers in the windows of their playroom and bedrooms. Don’t forget to check out how to make snowflakes using cotton swabs, or coffee filters, or paper and paint with water […]

Paper Plate Angels

Angels are a beloved symbol of Christmas that kids love. This is a super easy and fun Christmas angel project I found on the craftyjournal web site. My crafty Nanny Kid shrieked with joy at the beauty of her angels that she made out of paper plates. You can purchase the supplies for this project […]

Salt Dough Ornaments

Making salt dough ornaments is an easy holiday craft with impressive results. They look like cookies that are good enough to eat, but they are Christmas decorations and gifts. All you need is all-purpose flour, salt, water, and some decorations. Just mix, cut, bake, and decorate! You Will Need: 4 cups all-purpose flour1 cup table […]