Let's make some bookmarks! This versatile project can be tied in with science lessons (solar system, the universe, weather), used as safe intro to watercolor (it's abstract so it's hard for kids to "mess up") or to accompany a book about space. Supplies: Cardstock or watercolor paper Watercolor paint Brushes Cup of water Painters tape … Continue reading Galaxy Bookmarks
We are obsessed with dinosaurs in this house. My kids read books about them, set up pretend worlds, dunk them in the tub, bury them in sand, step on them and silently curse the day they bought them - oh wait that’s just me. For this simple activity, we froze those pesky plastic dinosaurs in … Continue reading Frozen Dinosaur Adventure
Sometimes my kids watch these simple, repetitive shows on TV where cars go down a ramp into a pool of paint and emerge a different color. The other day my son asked if he could roll his vehicles through paint and while I was thinking of a child friendly way to say “hell no”, I … Continue reading Salt Dough
Using cars to practice counting and simple addition.
I've been grappling with what I can do personally in response to the overwhelming racism and bigotry that has always been here, but is now being filmed in real time, discussed on timelines and Tik Tok's and heatedly debated at dinner tables. I say this, clearly, as someone who has not had to deal with … Continue reading Ten Diverse Toddler Books You Need
My son is very active. And that’s putting it mildly. This constant movement carries over into how he learns. If I ask him to go find me something that starts with a “B” sound, he will trot off excitedly. But if I ask him to point to a picture on a paper of something with … Continue reading Matching Letter Sounds
I am in the midst of the Sisyphean task of moving across the country with two kids under two and my in-laws. My partner works 14 hour days, so when I'm not worrying about packing, I'm debating whether it's too early for wine or too late for more coffee. I'm a teacher- I like routine, … Continue reading 5 Tips For Moving With Kids Without Losing Your Mind
Printmaking with 4th graders involved endless steps and massive clean up - but it was so worth it! Using styrofoam, students print a cityscape on a painted piece of paper. Beware - they were quick to point out that it's not a TRUE reflection. I didn't have a good comeback for that one so I … Continue reading Cityscape Prints
One of my favorite books for introducing about color is Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh. Now, there's an abundance of resources online for using this book but the best one I've found is by Cassie Stephens. She has a awesome, simple tutorial for drawing mice that you can find here. And because it's a … Continue reading Mouse Paint
Paint Think Play 