Science
Static Electricity Balloon Science Experiment
For this fun and easy static electricity balloon science experiment you just need a blown up balloon and a head full of hair! Rub the balloon all over your child’s head. This builds up static electricity. Talk about how it feels, and show them how the balloon can make their hair stand on end. Use […]
Pressing Leaves for Fall Projects
Next time you’re on a walk, look for pretty colorful autumn leaves for this project. Once the leaves are pressed, you can glue them on paper for art projects or use them to decorate your house for fall. For pressing leaves you will want leaves that are colorful but not dried, as dry leaves will […]
What Makes a Great Kids App?
Seemingly, everything has gone digital along with our kids’ games. It seems as though that, as well as Nursery songs on Youtube, are the most popular forms of entertainment for small children. While TV still dominates screen time, we’ve seen a tremendous rise in online and app-based games. On average, over one quarter of three […]
Color Matching and Paintbrush Craft
Practice color recognition with these fun ‘paintbrushes’. You’ll need paper, scissors, Popsicle sticks, glue, and crayons. Cut the paper into approximately 3×4 rectangles. On each piece of paper, write a color name in the correct color. Have your child add ‘paint’ to each brush by coloring one end. Glue each brush to a Popsicle stick […]
Play Binoculars from Cardboard Tubes
Birdwatching is a great winter activity for your preschoolers. With these “binoculars” they will feel like a pro! Obviously, proper birdwatchers will be equipped with professional equipment for their hobby, but we weren’t going to buy a quality spotting scope for the money reasons, as well as the fact that our preschooler is so young, […]
Measurements Lesson and Play (with free printable!)
After reading some particularly encouraging testimonials and blogs, we’re trying to work a LOT more water drinking into our daily routine. Staying well hydrated is good for both your mind and body! In figuring out the optimum amount to drink I ran into a lot of logistic problems. Should I count ounces all day? Cups? […]
Pantone Leaf Necklace
I seriously might have a problem, I think I’m addicted to paint samples. In any case, we did this fun project immortalizing the colors of Fall, and turned it into a beautiful fun necklace. Check it out! We started on a crisp morning with a walk around our neighborhood, collecting some “samples”. It was fun […]
Glittery Spider Web Craft
Whether you’re looking for a fun fall activity or something to accompany a spider study, these spider webs will be just the thing. You will need liquid glue, wax paper, and glitter. Trace the shape of your spider web on the wax paper. Make sure your lines are thick and solid; some of the ones […]
DIY Play Telephone (that works!)
Make your own it-really-works diy play telephone with styrofoam cups and string! Here’s how. In the bottom of each cup, poke a small hole (a very sharp pencil works well; this is a good part for an adult to do). Thread one end of a 2-3 foot length of string through the hole in each […]
Stand-up Paper Giraffe Project with Printable
Here’s a project to do before or after your next zoo trip. You’ll need: paper, scissors, a hole punch, pipe cleaners, and this printable. You can print the giraffe-printable on colored paper or print it out and use it to trace onto construction paper. If tracing, fold the paper in half widthwise first and make sure […]
Color Blending With Play Dough
Show your preschooler how primary colors are blended to make secondary colors in this fun and simple color blending activity. You will need play dough in three different colors – red (or pink), blue, and yellow. You can buy dough or make your own. We made this easy soft dough recipe and divided it into […]
Easy Soft Play Dough Recipe
This super-easy play dough is not only is it easy to make (only two or three ingredients and you probably already have them!), it’s a snap to clean up and makes for a great sensory experience. You need some hair conditioner (whatever you have should work), cornstarch, and, if you want, food colors. I started […]
Creepy Crawly Pipe Cleaner Creatures
Using this method, you can make any number of crawling creatures from your pile of pipecleaners. Besides pipecleaners, you may want to use some googly eyes and glue. To make legs, antennae, and heads for your creatures, bend pipecleaners into zig-zag shapes and twist as shown. You can make 3, 4, or 5-legged sections […]
Backyard Fun: Digging for Worms and Bugs
It’s always fun to dig in the dirt when it’s not work. Kids love getting dirty and finding little critters to put in their buckets. If you’re closing up your garden for the season make sure to let your kids dig around a bit for this great sensory activity! It’s a brilliant way to get […]
Daisy Flower Chain Instructions
Have you ever wanted to teach your kids how to make daisy chains? Here are simple instructions. You will need: flowers. Small flowers that grow in the grass are perfect for daisy chains; dandelions work great too! Make sure you leave a few inches of stem when you pick the flowers, as you will need […]
Homemade Time-Out Glitter Bottle Timer
Make these sparkly glitter bottles with your preschooler. They are fun to play with but have also been serving another use: Time-Out Timers! Have your child shake the bottle when upset, and then watch it settle to calm down. When everyone is settled down, normal life can resume. All you need: empty water bottles, glitter, […]
Basic Shape Pictures
Learn about shapes, colors, and the basics of drawing while making fun pictures with paper cutouts and glue! All drawing starts with basic shapes, and you can introduce your child to this concept while reinforcing the names of shapes and colors and practicing gluing. You will need several sheets of construction paper, scissors, and glue. […]
Flying Butterfly Craft: Straw and Construction Paper Butterfly
Make this impressive butterfly with craft supplies you already have lying around. You will need: construction paper (2 colors for each butterfly), scissors, a cup and a pencil (for tracing circles), pipe cleaner, straws, and brads. 1. Trace the butterfly wings on one sheet of construction paper using the cup as shown. 2. Stack the […]
DIY Clay Food for Play
We made this play pizza and cookies with our easy diy modeling clay. This is a fun way to teach children about shapes and give them another tool for their imaginative play. Help your child form the clay into shapes. You’ll need a big triangle for the pizza slice and smaller circles for the cookies. […]
Recycled Foam Helicopter Craft
If your preschooler is obsessed with all things flying, then you will love this easy helicopter craft. You will need: a foam egg carton, a foam craft sheet, scissors, and split pin For each helicopter, you will need to cut out one egg carton section (do this ahead of time, as it’s definitely an adult […]
Color Circle Suncatchers
These impressive suncatchers are easy to make – all you need is paper, a black marker, a cup, and some crayons. Note: For a suncatcher that lets more light through, use waxed or tracing paper. To make the design on your suncatcher, trace around a cup with a black marker. For more varied shapes, you […]
Simple Science Experiment: Making an Eruption
To make this simple eruption all you need is 2 small containers, baking soda, and vinegar. We did the experiment outside so we didn’t have to worry about the mess. If you’re doing this inside, do it over the bathtub or container. To conduct the experiment, start with one container with a bit of baking […]
Bottled Spring: Fine Motor Nature Walk
Put spring in a bottle! This is a fun nature walk sensory project. All you need are a few kids who like exploring, some empty water bottles (clear), and colored tape. Give each child a bottle. Talk about spring and how wonderful it is to see everything growing and blooming. Then go out to the […]
Origami for Kids: Jumping Paper Frogs
Today we made jumping paper frogs. These are a very simple origami project that kids love, because they really jump! All you need is some paper and crayons or markers. I used small strips of paper, about 3×6 inches, but 3×5 index cards would work well also. Start by having the children color the paper […]
Simple Nature Scavenger Hunt Printable
It’s spring, and chances are it’s beautiful outside! I’ve spent the last couple of days researching Tree Care in Amador, San Joaquin, Tuolumne Counties as it has definitely been too long since we gave our backyard some love! My two toddlers adore spending time outside together, so I’m always looking for new outdoor activities to […]
Foam Dough = Shaving Cream + Corn Starch
My preschooler loves playing with play dough, but what do you do when you run out? I’ve tried making my own, but it never turns out as smooth as the store-bought dough. I don’t love the price tag either. So, as usual, I browse the internet for ideas. When I first saw this dough online, […]
Grow Onions in 10 Days: Great Growing Project for Young Kids
Grow your own green onions at home in 10 days! This is a great growing project for young children because they grow so fast the kids can see their plants grow day after day. What you need: – bunch of green onions – jar or cup – water What you do: 1. Cut the top […]
Easy Peasy Preschool Color Experiment
Sometimes the best way for a preschooler to learn something is to do a hand-on experiment. This is the exact approach I took after deciding to try introducing secondary colors to my 3-year-old daughter. Sure, she knows her colors, she still was not quite making to connection as to how certain colors mixed together to make […]