This Halloween craft has been a favorite of mine for years. Inspired by a project from Sarah Jane Studios, this spooky little house features opening and closing doors and shutters that are just begging to be peeked behind. This year, we added a creative twist by printing Halloween characters clip art for the children to […]
I found these super quick and easy Halloween masks on the itsalwaysautumn website. Use card stock paper and either staple elastic to the masks for the kids to wear them or paste them to jumbo crafts sticks for the children to hold the masks up to their faces. You Will Need: Card Stock Paper Printer […]
One of my favorite children’s books is “Stumpkin” by Lucy Ruth Cummins. It’s the story of a pumpkin without a stem trying to be sold in a store in the city that feels left out. “Stumpkin” has a stump, not a stem. So, no one seems to want to buy a stemless jack-o-lantern for their […]
During a babysitting job with boys and girls aged 4- to 8-years-old I brought autumn crafts to make with the bunch of little ones. They enjoyed making these easy autumn leaf crowns. I especially loved when the little boy was dancing and singing, “I am Autumn Man,” while wearing his leaf crown. Be sure to […]
In “Meet Georges Seurat,” Seurat the artist describes his unique approach to art. He describes pointillism and how to use math, logic, and lots of dots to make beautiful paintings. I had the children I care for use the idea of pointillism to make autumn leaves for 3D cardboard trees. Also be sure to read […]
The kids I care for and I love the colors of Autumn leaves. So they really enjoyed making Autumn leaf (and an acorn) sun catchers this week. I have found that using high quality self-adhesive laminating sheets is easier than using regular clear contact paper and that using precut squares of tissue paper is much […]
There are two ways to color dry pasta with holes that can be threaded to make jewelry. Either color dry pasta using food coloring and a little water in a ziploc bag or paint the pasta with acrylic paint and allow the pasta beads to dry. Let the children help with any step coloring the […]
Science Fun Kids love science experiments and they love bouncy balls. I found this super easy science experiment that makes bouncy balls on the36thaveune.com web site. I recommend using disposable cups and plastic utensils to throw out after you are done making the balls. You Will Need: 1/2 Cup Warm Water 1 Tb Borax 1 […]
I always try to bring new projects to do with kids when babysitting or working as a nanny. Knowing everyone loves rainbows, I made two different rainbow lacing cards for differently skilled, (one younger and one older), children. I also include children’s books with the projects I do with children to encourage their love of […]
Using a self-adhesive laminating sheet and cardboard I made this color matching game for my Nanny Kid to take on a nature hike. I had her walk around her yard and neighborhood to see if she could find petals of similar colors on the matching board. You Will Need: Cardboard Scissor and Xacto Knife Self-Adhesive […]
