“I Got the Christmas Spirit” by Connie Schofield-Morrison and Frank Morrison

I am always in awe of Frank Morrison’s illustrations. They are so celebratory and sweet, and this story brings to life the real spirit of giving we should all have during the holiday season. In I Got the Christmas Spirit the wife-and-husband writer-illustrator team produces a Christmas journey in which a young girl and her […]

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 […]

“Shante Keys and the New Years Peas” by Gail Piernas-Davenport

Shante Keys and the New Year’s Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport is a story of diversity and traditions that children will really enjoy. Shanté Keys loves New Year’s Day! But while Grandma fixed chitlins, baked ham, greens, and cornbread, she forgot the black-eyed peas! Black-eyed beans represent good luck. Shante doesn’t want bad luck without them! […]

Struffoli Honey Balls

Struffoli is a holiday favorite in Italy. I found this struffoli recipe on the nonnabox.com web site. I wanted to try to make a holiday recipe using the amazing local honey from Javelin Bee Products for the children I care for to enjoy on New Year’s Eve. The web site explains that the authentic struffoli […]

Happy New Year Hats

As New Year’s Eve approaches making these party hats with children is a lot of fun. I let the children I care for decorate six different hat designs. Click the links below to print the different paper hat templates. Click here to see the template for Party Hat #1. Click here for Party Hat #2. […]

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 […]

Handmade Button Christmas Cards

Children love making and giving holiday cards. Their friends and family love receiving the handmade tokens of love as well. I helped a seven-year-old I care for make Christmas cards using buttons this year. We made Christmas tree shapes but you can make snowmen, candy canes, or any holiday shape the child wants to create. […]

Poppyseed Roll

Cooking for Families My Nanny Kids’ Grandmother comes from Poland and makes this tender, soft, sweet yeast bread swirled with a creamy homemade poppy seed filling. It’s a wonderful and impressive treat for the holidays. Your Nanny Family or personal family will love this. You Will Need: ½ pound poppy seeds ¾ cup white sugar […]

Holiday Cardboard Picture Frames

Creative Wednesdays I typically buy a wooden frame for the children to decorate and put a photo in for a winter holiday gift for their parents. But this year I wanted to try to make the frames myself by recycling cardboard boxes from deliveries. If you care for older siblings this is a great project […]