Showing posts with label preschool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label preschool. Show all posts

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Easy Origami Yoda Tutorial

So... I folded this origami pikachu with my son.  And after folding it together, it suddenly dawned on me.  If I just tweaked the ears to my original directions, I could make a Yoda instead.  (What?  Love it when those "aha!" moments hit.)  If  you're a Star Wars lover (or raising some little Star Wars lovers), definitely check today's post out.  Tada!  I'm sharing my easy instructions for folding an origami Yoda!

How to Fold Origami Yoda (The Super Easy Way)

Instruction showing how to fold a super easy origami Yoda Tutorial- Great kids craft for all ages

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you so much for the grocery money!  For my full disclosure policy, please click here.

Easy Origami Pikachu Tutorial

We've gotten hooked onto Pokemon Go.  I kept holding off on the app, but once my husband showed my son.... he fell in love with the little critters, especially Pikachu.  Pikachu was always my favorite too, so it was neat to share that with him.  We recently made this super easy origami pikachu together.  (Oh yes! Another paper folding craft!)  It was such a fun kids craft that I'm sharing the step-by-step folding directions over here!  

How to Fold an Origami Pikachu

How to fold an Origami Pikachu- Easy Step-by-step directions for all Pokemon lovers
This post contains affiliate links. Thank you so much for the grocery money!  For my full disclosure policy, please click here.


(And yes.  These instructions are so easy that even an almost 5 year old can make it!)

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Dip Dye Kids Art Project

If you're looking for the easiest, funnest, cheapest, and most colorful kids summer art project... you're at the right place.  We've been dying up a storm over here and turning plain old paper towels into lovely dip dye art!

How to Make Dip Dye Art With Kids


Dip Dye Art with Kids- A great alternative to tie dying this summer!

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Sparkly Sand Castle Art

Hello everyone!   How has your summer been so far?  Visited the beach yet?  Well... today's craft is a beach-inspired one. Today we're sharing a fun sand castle summer craft.  All you need is some sand and some glue and tada!  You've got an easy breezy summer art project perfect for kids for all ages!

Let's Make Some Sparkly Sand Art


sparkly sand castle art - great kids art project
This post contains affiliate links.  Thanks for the grocery money!  For my full disclosure policy, click here.

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Build Your Own Unique Wooden Car

Ever since my eldest son was young, he LOVED cars.  Is your child that way too?  Then you'll understand why we've done a ton of car crafts over here on the blog.  And boy are you in for a treat with today'd post.  Tada!  My husband and son designed and built their very own wooden car... for free!

  Let's Build A Wooden Car!

Raid your tool chest and leftover bits to build your own wooden race car- great STEM activity for kids
This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for the grocery money!  For my full disclosure policy, click here.

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Family Watercolor Hand print Art

I'm always a bit nervous about transitions in life.  And having a new baby has certainly been a humongous transition for our whole family.  Diapers, giggles, crying, baby snuggles... we're still trying to find our new groove as a family of four.  So I came up with this hand print art project to do with my eldest son.  Despite all the crazy chaos that this stage of life brings, I still wanted to celebrate our family.

Family Watercolor Hand Print Art  


Kids Abstract Hand Print Watercolor Art Project that celebrates family
This post contains affiliate links.  That means that I make a teeny bit of money from every purchase you make, at no additional cost to you.  Thank you for the grocery money!  For my full dislcousre policy, click here.


Thursday, June 23, 2016

Tape Resist Dinosaur Bone Art (And our favorite 10+ Dinosaur Books!)

I love it when an art and science combine to create a beautiful and easy kids STEM project. When I was growing up science, math, and art were always treated as fairly different topics.  And I get why they taught us that way... it's easier and we get to dig down deep into each one.  But I wish that my kid self also experienced how all three things topics were linked.  Don't artist use math and science when making art?  Isn't there beauty in math and science? Certainly!  And so my inner nerd and artist gets very excited when my son and I do a project that touches on what seem to be different areas.

Ok... but I digress.  Recently my son and I visited our local natural history museum's dinosaur exhibit and marveled at the size and design of t-rex bones.  (Gosh.  Those are some ferocious creatures!  So glad they don't live today.  Eeek.)  So, inspired by that visit and this awesome human skeleton tape resist painting idea, we made our own very beautiful and scientific tape resist dinosaur bone skeleton paintings! 

Tape Resist Dinosaur Bone Paintings 


tape resist dinosaur bone paintings for preschool STEM and ART project
This post contains affiliate links.  This means that I make a tiny bit of money whenever you purchase something through the links at no additional cost to you.  Thank you so much for the extra grocery money!  For my full disclosure policy, click here.


Tuesday, June 7, 2016

100 Color Challenge

Ever wonder just how big 100 really is?  Lately my son and I have been talking about numbers.  While small numbers are easy to imagine... large numbers always seem quite vague.  100?  1,000?  1,000,000?  10,000,000?  We just don't have much experience dealing with numbers larger than 20 in the real world.  So I came up with this really easy combination math activity and art activity.  We challenged ourselves to make 100 colors together!

100 Color Challenge!


100 Color Challenge- See what 100 looks like with this great math and art activity for preschoolers and kindergarters!
This post contains affiliate links.  This means I make a teeny tiny bit of money from any purchases made through the Amazon links below.   Thank you for your support! For my full disclosure, click here.


Tuesday, May 31, 2016

30+ Awesomely Unique and Fun Paper Plate Crafts for Kids!

It's no secret that I LOVE paper plate crafts!   Wanna make my heart sing?  Hand me a bunch of blank paper plates.  Seriously.  No joke. (Ok- Crafter confessional here- I've even snuck interesting paper plates out of parties before to craft with... shhhh... )

If you follow me on Instagram you'll see that I'm this week's #kidscrafts101 judge! Yup!  Every week there's a fun challenge to craft with a different material.  This week's theme is... drum roll please... paper plates! I know all of you and your kids have such creative ideas, so I'd love to see your ideas on IG!  (Just use the #kidscrafts101 so I can see your great ideas!)

And in honor of this week's theme, I thought I'd also share my absolute favorite paper plate crafts!

30+ Super Fun and Unique Paper Plate Crafts for Kids!


30+ Super Fun and Unique Paper plate Crafts for Kids
This post contains affiliate links.  This means I make a teeny tiny bit of money from any purchases made through the Amazon links below.   Thank you for your support! For my full disclosure, click here.


Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Weaving Cute Baby Turtles Using God's Eye Weaving Pattern

Looking for some fun and unique summer crafts to do with the kiddos?   Me too! School is almost over and I've got summer crafts on my mind!  Today I'm sharing this fun twist on a God's Eye weaving craft.  (Remember collecting sticks and making those in summer camp?)  But, instead of making the traditional 2 stick version, we recently made a fun 3 stick version.... that also happens to look like a tiny baby turtle!

(Aww, aren't they cute?  My preschooler was in looove with these.)

Weaving Cute Baby Turtles Using God's Eye Weaving Pattern



How to make popsicle turtles using three sticks and God's Eye Weaving Pattern

This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for your support!  For my full disclosure policy, click here.

Friday, May 20, 2016

Let's design a zoo! (And our 15+ favorite zoo books!)

Are you looking for an easy, open-ended prompt to encourage children's play and creativity?  How about a building challenge?  We've designed and built playdough and rock houses , cardboard bridgesboats from recycled materials, and super hero hideouts.  Today, we're designing and building a zoo!

Designing a Zoo with Kids!


Designing a zoo with kids- Great STEAM project for kids of all ages, plus our 15+ favorite zoo books


This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for your support!  For my full disclosure policy, click here.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Button Collages

Ever get in a funk with your art ideas?  Lack of sleep, a teething baby, and a sporadically sore back have made it such an effort to pull out the art and craft supplies. So instead of more structured art projects, we've been going the more open-ended  process art activity route.  (Basically I just throw a couple of art supplies on the table and then see what we end up with.)  Recently I pulled out a bunch of old thrifted buttons and gave the challenge to "create art with buttons."  Here's what we came up with!

Invitation to Create with Buttons

Invitation to create with buttons- make button art collages with the kids

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support! For my full disclosure policy, click here.


Thursday, May 12, 2016

Cardboard and Safety Pin Charm Necklace

Sometimes the best crafts are the easiest ones.  Today I wanted to share this really easy cardboard and safety pin necklace.  My younger son is currently teething, so I just needed something quick and fun for my eldest and I to make together.  This colorful and easy jewelry craft fit the bill!

Cardboard and Safety Pin Necklaces   

Super cute and fun kids craft- cardboard and safety pin charm necklace
This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for your support! For my full disclosure policy, click here.


Friday, May 6, 2016

"Family" Pop Art Coloring Page

Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday!  Kiddos can spend some quality time coloring and practicing their letters with mom with this free printable coloring sheet!

"Family" Pop Art Coloring Page  

Free Family word Pop Art Coloring Pages- print and color with the kiddos!
This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for your support.  For my full disclosure policy, click here.

Monday, May 2, 2016

Artsy Paper Bag Stars!

I've seen versions of these paper bag stars all over the internet for awhile now.   And last weekend, we finally got a chance to make our very own version.  Half art project, half craft, these artsy paper bag stars are such a unique way to showcase children's art and decorate your home!

Artsy Paper Bag Stars      


artsy paper bag stars - a great way to showcase children's artwork!

This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for your support! For my full disclosure policy, click here

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

MAGIC Color Transfer Art!

Did you ever play with carbon paper as a kid?  (Hmm... have I just seriously dated myself here?)  I LOVED that stuff.  You stuck it behind a sheet of blank paper, went to town doodling, lifted up your carbon paper and then ooh la la!  Instant copy.  So, so cool.  Today I'm sharing an easy and fun art activity that hearkens back to good old carbon paper.  We're making ourselves some colorful, color transfer art!  (It's like making your very own rainbow carbon transfer paper!)

Magic Color Transfer Art!

Magic Color Transfer- Easy and fun art activity for kids!
This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for your support!  For my full disclosure policy, click here.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Super Easy Train Cupcakes!

Are you a whiz in the kitchen?  A baking maven?  A fondant savant?  If so... this post ain't for you.  This post is for people like me.  People who would rather just buy baked goods then slave away in front of a hot oven.  I stink at baking. But today I'm sharing this super easy food-themed post because I made these super super cute train-themed cupcakes for a friend's party.  (And you'll never guess how I decorated them!)

Easiest Ever Train Cupcakes!

Super Easy Train Cupcakes- Decorated with fruit roll ups!
This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for your support!  For my full disclosure policy, click here.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Artsy Origami Butterfly Stick Toys

These artsy origami butterfly stick toys are such a fun spring craft to make with the kiddos.  You get to paint and decorate... and then you get to fold... and then you get to play!

Artsy Origami Butterfly Stick Toys

Origami Butterfly Stick Toys- Decorate, fold, and play!
This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you so much for your support!  For my full disclosure policy, click here.


Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Hand Print Franz Marc Expressionist Art with Kids

Hi friends!  Today's art activity is a super easy one that involves looking at colors, emotions, animals, and making hand prints.  It's such a great activity to do with kids of all ages!  Today we're inspired by German Expressionist Franz Marc's Blue Horse Paintings.

Hand Print Expressionist Art with Kids!


easy art activity for kids of all ages- expressionist hand print art - franz marc blue horse
This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for your support! For my full disclosure policy, click here.

Friday, April 15, 2016

Playful and Easy Mathematics with Building Toys (And our favorite math books!)

Wanna know a secret?  In college I majored in Engineering and minored in math.  Eek.  Surprised?  Well...it's true!   I'm a bit rusty now... but I will always have a soft spot for mathematics. There was something about solving a difficult problem that was so thrilling and satisfying.

Now that my son is older, my husband (who is also a math lover) and I have been trying to help him to love math too.  With a new baby at home, I just haven't had time lately to plan math crafts and activities.  (Mucho props to all you homeschooling mamas out there... don't know how you do it!)   But, I've been giving myself a bit of slack and telling myself that it's ok.  We've still been learning math together... just in a more open-ended and playful way.  


Playful Math Learning with Kids

Playful and Easy Mathematics with Building Toys- Math fun for kids!

This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for your support!  For my full disclosure, click here.