Kids love collecting shells at the beach. There’s something magical about turning a handful of seashells into a little keepsake masterpiece. For children, making shell mosaics on air-dry clay isn’t just an art project, each shell is a tiny treasure, and pressing it into soft clay feels like discovering buried gold. I found this great shell […]
Squirt Gun Super Soaker Painting
July 9, 2025 Leave a Comment
As a professional snack distributor, argument negotiator, and CEO of Mess Containment (aka, nanny), I’ve seen my fair share of creative chaos. But nothing — nothing — prepared me for Squirt Gun Super Soaker Painting! From the brilliant brain of Louise McMullen in “Fun Painting Projects for Kids,” this fun activity is part Jackson Pollock […]
Patriotic Sensory Tray
July 2, 2025 Leave a Comment
Children love sensory trays because they provide a fun and engaging way to explore different textures and sights through hands-on play, stimulating multiple senses at once. I loved creating this 4th of July sensory tray theme for a toddler in my care. Although I could have easily purchased red, white, and blue colored sensory rice, […]
Rainbow Slime
June 18, 2025 Leave a Comment
Kids love rainbows and slime. So I combined the love of both and the children in my care and I made 4 colors of slime. To make rainbows you will need to make 6 colors of slime from the recipe I found at thebestideasforkids.com. See how to make slime with laundry detergent by tapping here, […]
Decorating Golf Balls for Father’s Day
June 11, 2025 Leave a Comment
If you have a Dad Boss that loves golf as much as mine does he’ll appreciate a gift he can actually use. Even if he doesn’t play often, the golf balls can be kept as keepsakes or desk decorations. Whether they’re toddlers scribbling with markers or older kids making detailed designs, years later, those little doodles […]
Butterflies Made of Cardboard Rolls
May 28, 2025 Leave a Comment
Children are dazzled with butterflies and their vibrant beauty. After reading children’s books about butterflies, (see below), I used cardboard rolls, punched out cardstock paper, and craft supplies to make butterflies with the children in my care. Also check out how to make origami butterflies, handheld butterfly sun catchers, butterflies out of coffee filters, cardboard […]
Patriotic Star Sun Catcher
May 21, 2025 Leave a Comment
The little ones on your care will love making and displaying these patriotic sun catchers for Memorial Day and summer holidays. Be sure to share children’s books about the holiday with the little ones too: “Memorial Day” by Emma Carlson Berne, “Why do We Celebrate Memorial Day” by Kirsten Lake, and “A Day for Rememberin’” […]
Homemade Sensory Spaghetti Sorting
May 14, 2025 Leave a Comment
Use a little oil to help food coloring stick to pasta and make the it ideal slippery sensory spaghetti for toddlers and preschoolers. Use your imagination to include toys for sorting colors for preschoolers. You Will Need: Sensory Tray or Sectioned Tray Primary Colored Plastic CupsPasta Pot Spaghetti, Oil, SaltFood Coloring ColanderFine Motor Toys Gallon Ziploc Bags What […]
“Scribble Stones Art Guide” and Painting Stones
April 30, 2025 Leave a Comment
“Scribble Stones Art Guide” by Diane Alber is a fun 75-page craft book that gives step-by-step illustrated directions for decorating Scribble Stones. The guide is intended to teach fun techniques and tips to help spark creativity in children. The “Scribble Stones Art Guide” includes beginner to more advanced techniques to decorate stones. It teaches how […]
“Owl Babies” by Martin Waddell and Owl Craft
April 23, 2025 Leave a Comment
“Owl Babies” by Martin Waddell is a reassuring and stunningly illustrated book that tackles the subject of separation anxiety that all children experience. For example, parents will go to work while their nanny cares for them. When three baby owls awake one night to find their mother is gone, they can’t help but wonder where […]
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