Tag: preschool


Feb
2015

Four Easy Ways to Entertain Kids with a Cardboard Box

categories: kids, play

Four Easy Ways to Entertain Kids with a Cardboard BoxIt is a parenting truth almost universally acknowledged that kids prefer empty boxes to almost any toy. All those expensive and beautifully designed toys we so lovingly picked out for our children have all been tossed to the wayside in favor of a giant empty box that once held our new toilet. We are revamping our bathroom, and after installing the toilet Christmas came all over again for my kids. They have been playing with the large empty box for DAYS. This is nothing out of the ordinary at our house. Any time a package arrives, the Bear asks if he can have the box. Use their interest to your advantage and try these four easy ways to entertain kids with a cardboard box.

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Jan
2015

Quick & Easy Indoor Play Ideas: Make a Simple Rice Sensory Bin

categories: kids, play, preschool

Make a Simple Rice Sensory Bin

DIY sensory bins can be a really fun (and cheap) way to keep kids entertained while giving them sensory stimulation and practicing important skills. Your sensory bin doesn’t have to be fancy, and the one I’ll show you today can be made with things you probably have in your kitchen in under 5 minutes. This simple rice sensory bin is so fun and my kids are obsessed with it. Read on to find out how to set up your own and also find other great quick and easy indoor play ideas from my friends in the Kid Blogger Network.

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Jan
2015

Preschool Fun: Painting and Lacing Hearts

categories: preschool, valentine's day

Preschool Valentine's Day Fun Painting and Lacing HeartsToday I’m sharing a fun activity that pairs art, creative play, and fine motor skill practice for your preschooler. We painted cardstock hearts and then practiced lacing with yarn. The kids had a blast and were so proud of their finished hearts. Be sure to check out all the other Creative Valentine’s Day Activities for Kids from my friends in the Kid Blogger Network at the bottom of this post.

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Jan
2015

Read & Play: Read “The Biggest Valentine Ever” and Create a Giant Valentine

categories: kids, preschool, valentine's day

Read and Play Read The Biggest Valentine Ever and Create a Giant Valentine

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we read “The Biggest Valentine Ever” this week and worked together to create a giant Valentine, just like in the book. The idea behind our Read and Play series is to take a fun book for kids and encourage further learning through play. Check out our past Read & Play ideas here and find great Valentine’s Day Read & Play activities from other Kid Blogger Network bloggers here. Read on to find out how we used the ideas from the book for a fun and easy art activity with my toddler and preschooler.

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Jan
2015

Make a Heart Garland with your Child to Practice Patterns & Stringing

categories: crafts, kids, preschool, valentine's day

Make a Heart Garland with your Child to Practice Patterns and Stringing for home preschoolWe’re practicing patterns right now in our home preschool, so I thought it would be fun to bring that practice in to practical use making a Valentine’s Day heart garland with the Bear. I found these felt hearts a few years ago on sale at Target, but your could easily make your own or grab felt hearts off Amazon and punch holes in them. We used red baker’s twine to string our garland, and the Bear also got great fine motor skill practice stringing and arranging his hearts.

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Jan
2015

Active Indoor Play: Mini Trampoline and Jumping Activities

categories: kids, play

Active Indoor Play Mini Trampoline and Jumping Activities

Stuck inside with kids who desperately need to burn off energy? Yep, me too. We saw the long, cold winter ahead and bought our kids a mini trampoline for Christmas. It was the Bear’s big present and it has been a LIFESAVER. We were at my parents’ house for the holidays with 5 kids 5 and under, and we got our money’s worth that first week. The trampoline is super fun and helps the kids to be active indoors. The only issue we’ve run in to is that sometimes just plain jumping gets a little old. I’ve compiled a great list of fun activities to do on a mini trampoline (or on the ground if you don’t have one). Our mini trampoline has a support bar, which I’ve found is really helpful for kids under 5. If you want one for your kids, find great deals on mini trampolines here.

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Jan
2015

Preschool Resources about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and Civil Rights

categories: holiday, kids, preschool

Preschool Resources about Dr. Martin Luther King and Civil RightsHow do you talk to preschool kids about the Civil Rights movement and the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr? Subjects like civil rights can be hard to cover with small children because you want to maintain their innocence and not talk about things that are too hard for them to understand, but still answer their questions and speak truth. It is important for kids to hear about standing up for what is right and American heroes like Dr. King. I’ve compiled a great list of preschool resources about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, and civil rights to help you.

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Jan
2015

Taste Safe Snow Dough for Toddler and Preschool Sensory Play

categories: kids, play, toddlers

Taste Safe Snow Dough for Toddlers and Preschool

Living in Texas we don’t often get to play in the snow. The Bear knows what it is, but we haven’t had any yet this year. We decided to take matters in to our own hands and make sparkly snow dough to play with inside (and make our own tiny snowman). Because the Pearl Girl is still at the stage where she puts EVERYTHING in to her mouth (as you can see above), I knew I had to make taste safe snow dough. Read on to find out how to make your own, plus find fabulous snow dough ideas from the other 12 Months of Sensory Dough bloggers. Find more of our indoor play ideas here and preschool posts here. For more snowy fun check out my Indoor Snowman Building Ideas here.

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