Who knew a few paper plates and cardboard rolls could unlock hours of giggles and genius? Building a marble run with everyday items isn’t just a rainy-day lifesaver and summer STEAM activity — it’s a hands-on adventure in creativity, problem-solving, and good old-fashioned fun. I found this marble run idea from the frugalfun4boys web site. […]
My Nanny Kids are addicted to making these simple, colorful sun catchers for every season and holiday. For spring, I printed out buttery templates (listed at bottom of page) and read children’s books about butterflies with the children in my care, (books listed below). Using self-adhesive laminating sheets is even easier than using contact paper […]
Here’s a science project to do with the kids from the steamsational web site. The vinegar eats through the calcium shell, but cannot dissolve the egg’s membrane, which is how the eggs retain their rubbery appearance after the experiment is complete. The egg membrane is semi-permeable, which simply means that the liquid vinegar will pass […]
“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 […]
It is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States. One of the most famous speeches of all time was the “I have a dream” speech written and spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1963. First read, “I Have a Dream” by Kadir Nelson to the children in your care. Then have […]
This is a super easy dinosaur craft to make with girls and boys with a paper plate and toilet paper roll. Be sure to read “How to Catch a Dinosaur,” “Danny and the Dinosaur,” “How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight,” and “Dinosaur” while making this simple craft. You can purchase the children books and supplies needed […]
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 […]
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 […]
Chameleons are amazing reptiles that possess a wide variety of interesting features including their ability to change color due to their emotions and as camouflage. Children will love making and playing with this simple craft to make their chameleons change color with paper plates. Be sure to read these children books about chameleons while making […]
I found a great blog Mini Mad Things with this template to make a rainbow bird. I used cardboard from my Nanny Family’s recycling bin to make this bird. I painted the cardboard with acrylic paint for the young child before before she decorated her bird. Older children can paint and decorate their cardboard bird […]
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