Creative Play
- Spring & Summer Nature Lessons for Kids: Checking Out All the Creepy Crawlies!
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There are nature lessons for kids that are taught in the classroom…and then there are nature lessons for kids that are taught exactly where they should be: in the beautiful outdoors. Let’s talk a little more about the latter, shall …
- O ‘Family’ Tree, O ‘Family’ Tree, How Lovely are Your Branches
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Now that you have your beautiful ornaments, you need somewhere to hang them. Here are a few suggestions:
- Storytelling Props
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On one of my recent holiday shopping sprees, I noticed a great child’s toy. It was simple in nature. In fact, it was something you and I could create on our own — a tiny pouch filled with 10 to 15 tiny trinkets. The instructions were for the child to select five trinkets out of the pouch and create a story around these items. So, if you have created an “I SPY” holiday wreath, either as a game or for your holiday card this year, consider having your children use the items from the wreath to create their own year-in-review story.
- Sibling “Iron Chef” Showdown
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In thinking of male chef role models, the television show “Iron Chef” gave me a fun idea for my boys to emulate. What we got out of the sibling “Iron Chef” challenge was a surprisingly tasty afterschool snack and a very fun activity! Here’s how our showdown played out.
- A Gem of an Idea! Playing Creatively with Toys
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When our puppy developed a sweet tooth for plastic and destroyed several of the play foods that came with my kids’ Step2 play kitchen, my kids were disappointed. How were they going to play in their kitchen without any food
- How to Make a “Unique” Store-Bought Halloween Costume
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Here are some simple ideas to make your child’s Halloween store-bought costume “pop.”
- Explaining Halloween to Kids (or How to De-spook the Spookiest Holiday of the Year!)
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“Mommy, why is everyone dressed up so funny?” “Daddy, what does ‘trick or treat’ mean?” “Grandma, why are people giving away free candy?” “Grandpa, how come those pumpkins have such funny faces?” Halloween-related questions like these — and more, to …
- Give “Peas” a Chance
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Where do you come from? Not the whole biology lesson, your ancestors! Your child’s lineage most likely extends beyond the oceans. October 24th is United Nations Day. Starting with your heritage and then picking other countries, let’s create a week-long …
- United Nations Day
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Hope, love, friendship, sharing, understanding, tolerance, equality, peace, caring. United Nations Day is October 24th, so why not center your child’s creative play on this idea? Perhaps your children are too young to understand the diversity among the nations. That’s …
- Fall & Winter Nature Lessons for Kids (or Snooping Around the Woods on a Chilly Day!)
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There are nature lessons for kids that are taught in the classroom…and then there are nature lessons for kids that are taught exactly where they should be: in the beautiful outdoors. Even though we are now quickly getting into the …