Have a Teddy Bear Picnic While Reading “Teddy Bear’s Picnic” 

Pull out a blanket or towel and have the kids gather some of their teddy bears and bring them to the picnic blanket. The little ones will love doing all the activities described below while reading, “Teddy Bear Picnic.” “Teddy Bear’s Picnic” is a delightful padded board book that brings the  beloved song to life […]

Yarn and Pom Pom Spaghetti and Meatballs Sensory Bin

Looking for a fun, mess-free way to spark the children’s imagination? Kids will love diving into this spaghetti and meatball sensory bin made with soft white yarn for pasta and squishy red pom poms as meatballs! It’s a playful twist on a classic comfort food that encourages creativity, fine motor skills, and hours of giggles. […]

Outdoor Nature Sorting

Summer learning has never been so fun! Read “Hello Hello: Opposites” by Brendan Wenzel with the children In your care then sort items you find in nature into opposites outside.  “Hello Hello: Opposites” by Brendan Wenzel is a vibrant and engaging picture book that explores the concept of opposites through a wide array of animals. […]

Sink or Float Game

Looking for a simple, engaging game that sparks curiosity and giggles? Try this Sink or Float Game. Why do kids love it? Because it’s science disguised as play. They get to gather random household items, make predictions (“Will this spoon sink?” “What about this crayon?”), and then test their hypotheses in water. It’s hands-on, a […]

Homemade Rock Candy

Rock candy is a fun and edible way for kids to learn about chemistry, specifically the process of crystallization where sugar molecules, when cooled, form a solid structure. The children will love watching the crystals form for 6 to 7 days making rock candy. The recipe from wearenotmartha.com is below.  Saturated Solution:When you dissolve a […]

“Owl Babies” by Martin Waddell and Owl Craft 

“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 […]

“The Little Lamb’s Easter Miracle” and Lamb Craft

To prepare for Easter, read “The Little Lamb’s Easter Miracle” by Kellie Hurley with the children in your care and make a doily lamb craft.  “The Little Lamb’s Easter Miracle” is a children’s picture book by Kellie Hurley, aimed at children aged 2 to 6. Through the perspective of a curious lamb, the story introduces […]

Easter Window Sun Catchers

This is an easy, fun, and colorful Easter project to make with children as young as toddlers. Using high quality self-adhesive laminating sheets is easier than using contact paper so I recommend purchasing some by tapping the link in the supplies list. I also like using pre-cut paper otissue squares but colored cellophane sheets look […]

“Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons” and Craft 

After reading, “Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons” by James Dean make a simple button craft with the toddlers and preschoolers in your care.  Pete the Cat puts on his favorite shirt, which has four colorful buttons. He loves the buttons so much that he sings a simple song about them: “My buttons, […]

“Spring is Here” by Heidi Pross Gray and Spring Blossom Crafts

It’s finally spring this week in my neck of the woods and the children I care for have enjoyed finding the new blossoms of yellow forsythia, pink cherry trees, and white apricot trees in the neighborhood.  After reading, “Spring is Here” by Heidi Pross Gray help the children in your care make their own spring […]