Turn any sunny window into a Halloween masterpiece! Kids can create colorful pumpkin, ghost, bat, and candy corn sun catchers simply using tissue paper and self-adhesive laminating sheets. It’s an easy, mess-friendly craft that lets little artists of any age play with color while adding a festive glow to the Halloween decor. You Will Need: […]
Painted No-Mess Jack O’ Lanterns
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy Halloween decorating without digging cold, slimy pumpkin guts out from under your fingernails, welcome to the no-carve zone! Trade sharp knives and gooey seeds for paintbrushes and markers and let the kids unleash total creative freedom while you skip the post-craft cleanup headache. You Will Need: Medium […]
Autumn Scent Matching Game
As the air crispens and the leaves begin to turn, fall brings a whole new world of rich, cozy fragrances to explore. Put familiar autumn scents in jars and see if kids can identify the scents and match them to the cards I have created for this game. You Will Need: Small containers: Use opaque […]
Alphabet Scavenger Hunt and Matching Letters
Turn learning the alphabet into an adventure! In this simple scavenger hunt, children search for letters hidden around the house, backyard, or neighborhood. Or, play a game of matching letters where they find objects that start with the letter you give them. It keeps the kiddos moving while practicing letter recognition. It’s an easy, screen-free […]
Pressed Flower Clay Decorations and Coasters
Looking for a wonderful nature craft for kids this summer? These DIY Dried Pressed Flower Ornaments, Magnets, and Coasters are made with air-dry clay are a fun, hands-on activity that encourages creativity, strengthens fine motor skills, and helps children explore the beauty of nature. Whether you’re a nanny, parent, teacher, or au pair, this simple […]
Paper Plate Butterflies
Kids love butterflies. This easy, hands-on activity encourages imagination, strengthens fine motor skills, and gives children a colorful creation they’re proud to display. Be sure to read children’s books about butterflies while making this project: “A Butterfly is Patient” by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long; “The Butterfly Alphabet Book” by Jerry Pallotta, Brian Cassie, and […]
Building a Rainbow Garden and “Planting a Rainbow” by Lois Ehlert
After reading “Planting a Rainbow” by Lois Ehlert, bring the rainbow to life using colored craft sticks and matching paper flowers. Invite children to sort their flowers by color, then attach each one to the coordinating stick. It’s a hands-on way to reinforce color recognition and fine motor skills. The best part? No green thumb […]
Thumbprint Heart Salt Dough Necklaces for Valentine’s Day
Thumbprint Heart Salt Dough Necklaces are the perfect Valentine’s Day craft. Kids love mixing the ingredients, rolling the dough, cutting out the shapes with cookie cutters, using their fingers to make hearts, painting their pendants, and creating a heartfelt gift that their friends and family can wear all in one sweet activity. Check out how […]
New Year, Helping Hands!
New Year’s Resolution’s Wreath A New Year’s Resolution Wreath is a fun, hands-on way for nannies to help children set simple, positive goals for the new year ahead. By tracing little hands on bright paper and turning them into promises like “clean up,” “share,” “be nice,” or “say please,” kids feel proud of the habits […]
Autumn Indian Corn Craft
Little hands love making this colorful Indian corn craft made from chenille stems and pony beads found at One Little Project. It’s the perfect mix of creativity and fine motor skill fun. It is part art project, part sensory play, and all-around adorable. Read the children’s books listed below about corn as the kids get […]