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: […]

“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 […]

Could Dough

I love making different types of homemade play dough with the kids. Could dough is a great boredom buster anytime of the year. But, I pulled out the Christmas, Hanukkah, and snowman cookie cutters for the kids to play with this batch of dough to prepare for the winter holidays. I used baby lotion and […]

“Elmer the Elephant” by David McKee and Craft

Children love the Elmer the patchwork elephant book series by David McKee. I love the Mini Mad Things blog. After reading “Elmer’s Colors,” “Elmer and Butterfly,” “Elmer and the Rainbow,” and “Elmer’s Special Day,” by David McKee I let the child in my care use paint and pastels to decorate a cardboard Elmer. It might […]

Lacing Paper Plate Spider Web

This is a super easy Halloween project that isn’t scary for little kids. Be sure to read children’s books about spiders such as “Anansi the Spider,” “The Very Busy Spider,” “I’m Trying to Love Spiders,” “Mrs. Spider’s Beautiful Web,” and “The Magic School Bus Spins a Web” to correspond with this project. Click here 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 […]

Cardboard Box Harp

Banjos, guitars, violins, cellos and harps are just a few of the types of Chordophones that all make sound by vibrating strings. Resonators can be made with tin cans, wooden boxes, and cardboard boxes. This is how to make a lap harp out of a cardboard box and rubber bands with children. You can purchase […]

“A Pet for Pete” by James Dean and Paper Plate Craft

Pete the Cat can’t wait to get a new pet! He gets a goldfish he names Goldie. Pete paints a cool painting of Goldie and now everyone wants a piece of it! But Pete doesn’t have enough time to make one for everyone. Will Pete find a way to have fun painting Goldie and have […]

Fun With Markers

Here’s a quick boredom buster to do with the children in your care. Make a multi marker drawing tool with a cardboard roll and markers that are the same size. 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: […]