DIY Activities

Instead of just saying to my little ones, “let’s go outside,” I try to look for new, fun, and relatively specific ideas on what to actually do when we get outside. In this case, we decided we’d try to construct each of the 26 letters of the alphabet with things we found outdoors: sticks, grass, flowers, tiny stones, acorns, etc. 

Like many children, my daughter is terrified of bees. She's ready to sit indoors all summer long I think. They say to face your fears, but it’s ok to be scared. We push for hands-on exploration with our children, but it’s ok not to want to touch a bug. But there are things parents can do to try to help a child become less afraid of bugs.

Mother's Day is just around the corner. If you haven't figured out something sweet and special for mom yet, not to worry. Here are a few last-minute craft ideas for the kiddos that are guaranteed to make mom smile on her special day. 

As the weather changes, I find myself trying to get the kids outside, especially in a year where a lot of school happened on screens. One activity that’s become a favorite in our family are child-led hikes: a hike where child the leadership role. It makes the hike more fun for the kids and take the stress off of the parents to plan activities or routes on the hike. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

Many kids’ art projects give me a touch of anxiety when I think about the potential mess and forthcoming cleanup, but you can relax with this watercolor mosaic project. Watercolor paints are easy to use and completely washable. This project is fun for any age, and frankly, it’s hard to mess up.

Blocks are a staple in every childhood. Every early childhood classroom typically has an area fully devoted to building, construction, and blocks. But what if your child just isn’t that into building with blocks? Building toys of any kind can easily meet so many developmental needs of young children, you just have to think of other ways to utilize these versatile toys in everyday play.

Winters are long. How can we possibly keep toddlers engaged while still stuck inside? And how can we do this without prepping activities while they sleep, making a mess of the house, and relying on the screen all day?

You’ve taken the plunge and made your own playdough, now what? There are endless ways to get creative with playdough, but sometimes a parent could use a little inspiration. Here’s a few ideas to get you started.

When hanging out at home with our children, we often feel the need to fill this time with engaging activities, and this can be overwhelming. But there really are ways to keep children learning and engaged during a day at home.