Halloween used to be one of the biggest holidays when it came to classroom parties at my daughter’s school (they still do a lot in the lower grades, and the young ones go trick or treating in the upper school … Read More ...
Book Review: The Not-So-Wicked Witch
Witches tend to have a bad reputation in literature, especially children’s stories. From the Wicked Witch to Roald Dahl’s The Witches, they’re always scheming and trying to cause havoc, steal children (and sometimes even eat them) and other terrible … Read More ...
Fall-Themed Literacy Activities
I had some fall literacy activities in my leaf reading and writing activities post, but I wanted to include a few more with a more general fall theme if you’re into that. See also my roundup of printable fall books … Read More ...
Playdough Learning Activities
Playdough is a classic kid’s toy, and it is so great for learning and developing motor skills. It gives you another way to introduce material, from forming letters and numbers to learning colors and just making fun pieces of art. … Read More ...
Book Review: Spooky Stories Aloud
When my daughter was younger it seems like spooky stories were an all-year thing, with “The Ghost and Jenny Jemima” a regular feature. Whether you’re looking for a readaloud for the classroom or home, Spooky Poems Aloud is a fun … Read More ...
Make a Lego Sundial
Kids are usually impressed by the idea that we can tell time using the sun, and making a sundial is a great summer activity that doesn’t have to involve being outside for too long (though it helps if you can … Read More ...
Who Did It Printables
Deductive reasoning is a super important skill of logic for kids to learn, but it’s not that easy to practice. It involves drawing logical conclusions based on the evidence or general ideas. One great way to practice with kids is … Read More ...
Review: Where Kids Go to School Around the World
As we gear up for another school year to start, your kids might be interested in how other kids learn. Whether you have a child who is getting ready to go to school for the first time, you’re adding back … Read More ...
How to Organize an Art Cart for Kids
As my daughter has grown, our extra room over the garage has gone from a playroom to an art/hangout room and has had to be revamped several times as we clear out old supplies, toys and books that we aren’t … Read More ...
All About Me Printable Ideas for Older Kids
The beginning of school is a great time for ice breakers and learning about the other kids in class, but doing the same old activities can get pretty boring as you get older. Here are some ideas for older elementary … Read More ...
Play Idea: Kinetic Sand and Legos
When my daughter was younger, one of her favorite sensory things to play with was kinetic sand. This is a special kind of sand that has a soft and squishy texture, and it’s moldable and holds its shape until … Read More ...
Book Review: Wonderful Me
Before talking about anatomy and the changes kids go through in puberty, it’s great to have a base of information on what self-care looks like and what it means to be healthy. Wonderful Me: A First Guide to Taking Care … Read More ...
Butterfly Learning Activities and Crafts
Butterflies are starting to show up where I live, and my daughter and I are excited to volunteer this summer at the butterfly house at our local botanical garden. She already knows a lot about butterflies, but for the rest … Read More ...
Fun End of the School Year Activities for the Classroom
I’ve written a lot over the years about different ways to mark the end of the school year, from printable award ribbons to making books, writing memories on stars, counting down to the end of the year, and … Read More ...
Strawberry Activities for Kids
Strawberry season has already come and gone where I live, but I still think of strawberries as being a transition between spring and summer. They’re fun to talk about and explore any time of year, but if strawberries are in … Read More ...