Acorn Faces

Children enjoy collecting acorns in the backyard or while on autumn hikes. Each year I have the children decorate the acorns they collect to make little faces. Be sure to read children’s books about acorns including, “Because of an Acorn,” “The Acorn Thief,” “The Oak Inside the Acorn,” and “Acorn.” You Will Need: Acorns Acrylic […]

“Stumpkin” and Pumpkin Sun Catchers

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 […]

Rainbow Lacing Cards

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 […]

Jellyfish Craft and “Bloom” by Julia Seal

“Bloom” by Julia Seal of a beautiful book that has a great message for children about climate change and pollution. The illustrations in “Bloom” are so stunning they inspire little ones to make their own craft jellyfish. Before reading this book I didn’t know that a group of jellyfish is called a bloom and that […]

“Barbie” by Cindy Eagan

I’m going to see the new movie “Barbie” tonight with family and friends so I bought this book for my friend who invited me to see the film. “Barbie” by Cindy Eagan is a beautifully illustrated picture book about Barbie — the most famous doll in the world — and her visionary creator, Ruth Handler. […]

8 Great Children’s Books About Flowers

As I prepare to do activities with flowers with my Nanny Kids this summer I found these great children’s books about flowers to read with them. Children and their parents always appreciate when nannies incorporate books into daily activities because it helps encourage a love of reading in children. You can purchase these books by […]

Clothespin Dragonflies

Here’s a cute project I found on the First Pallette web site. I always include children’s books that correspond with the projects we do. I read “Are You a Dragonfly?” by Judy Allen and “Fast Facts About Dragonflies” by Garstecki-Derkovitz while doing this project. My 7-year-old Nanny Kid clipped her pretty dragonflies on her bedroom […]

“Don’t Forget Our Troops” by Jill Biden

“Don’t Forget Our Troops” by Jill Biden beautiful book for children who’s loved one is serving in the military and a perfect read for any child during Memorial Day weekend. When a family member is serving in the military, it can be really difficult for children to understand and cope with the loss of a […]

Hot Glue Tin Foil Painting

For a Memorial Day craft project I had a 5-year-old paint an abstract American flag on tin foil. I used hot glue to make a box and lines on the tin foil for the child to paint inside the lines. Be sure to read children’s books about Memorial Day while doing this project. We recommend, […]

“My Friend Earth” by Patricia MacLachlan

“My Friend Earth” by Patricia MacLachlan is a beautiful picture book and a perfect book to read to children toddler to preschool and grade school for Earth Day. I love that “My Friend Earth” is an interactive format with kid-friendly art that engages young readers as they explore the book. “My Friend Earth” shows children […]