Making Fall Memories

As a single mom I’m always trying to find fun things to do with my daughter on a very limited budget. Fall is the perfect time to get outside. Nature walks are fun and educational. Let your little ones collect leaves and pine cones and other things they find. When you get home you can research the leaves on the internet and find out what kind of leaves they are and find some fun facts about that type of tree. Once you are finished learning all you can about your find let the kids make a collage with the treasures … Continue reading

Fall Crafts For Kids

Once the days start getting shorter and there is a chill in the air the kids will be spending more time inside. It only takes a day or two for them to get bored of their toys and TV and start saying they are bored. It’s time to find some ways to entertain them. As a single mother I’m always looking for inexpensive things to do with Hailey, things that will keep her busy and allow us to spend time together doing something besides watch television. Fall really does lend itself to all sorts of inexpensive craft ideas. Just grab … Continue reading

Spider Crafts for Preschoolers

Tis the season for spooky spider crafts! Halloween is a great time to talk about spiders and other “scary” animals with your preschooler. Make a spider sandwich. Take two oval-shaped cookies and sandwich icing and thin licorice strings in the center. Four licorice strings on each side and you get bonus points for being anatomically accurate, since spiders have eight legs. Gummies are good for eyes. Or if you’re looking for a healthier alternative, use a cookie cutter to make circular sandwiches with flat fillings like cream cheese. Place the sandwich in the middle of the plate and make lines … Continue reading

Corn Crafts with Preschoolers

Fall – the season of corn, pumpkins, and leaves. It’s also a season resplendent with orange, red, yellow, and black crafts – handprint turkeys, anyone? One of my very favorite parts of early fall is the corn. I love eating it, I love the look of the yellow kernels, and I love corn silk, especially after it’s been dried. What kinds of crafts can you do with corn? Decorative corn is great for crafting, both for centerpieces and for play. With the husks and the silk of everyday eating corn, you can also make some fantastic creations. Here are some … Continue reading

Fall Leaf Crafts with Preschoolers

What can you do with a leaf? A lot, actually! Here, the leaves are changing colors and they are just beginning to fall to the ground. Now is the time to make leaf crafts with your preschooler or to press the colorful leaves to save them for crafts later in the fall. The first step to making a leaf part is perhaps the most fun – the collecting! Go on a leaf hunt around your neighborhood. Look for maple, oak, and magnolia trees in particular. In our area, these ones have the most diverse and brilliant colors – reds, oranges, … Continue reading

Leaf Crafts for Toddlers

It’s just about fall! The older kids are heading back to school. If you are looking for crafty activities to do with your baby or toddler, here are a few fun ideas. If you have preschoolers too, be sure to check out these fun end of summer and beginning of fall ideas as well! With babies and toddlers, doing art is about getting messy, exploring new textures, and working on fine and large motor skills. Oh yeah, it’s also about having fun! Where I live, the leaves are just beginning to change colors. Go out on a leaf hunt with … Continue reading

Fun Fall Crafts for Preschoolers: Homemade Trees

On a scale from one to ten this craft is a solid three in terms of difficulty. Meaning if you have a preschooler like I do, he or she will have very little difficulty making these homemade trees. If you have a crafty toddler he or she might need a bit more help from you, and if you have a school-age child she could probably complete this project on her own. Regardless of your child’s age this project yields a wonderfully festive piece of seasonal art that is sure to be warmly embraced by a grandparent. CONSTRUCTION PAPER LEAVES In … Continue reading

Irish Eyes Are Smilin’

Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day, a time to celebrate all things Irish. However, you don’t have to dine on Corned Beef and Cabbage, don green or pick a four-leaf clover to get into the spirit of the holiday. Simply, share the following riddles with your children or friends to spread the fun this St. Paddy’s Day: Q: Why did the man cross the road? A: Because there was a leprechaun on the other side with a pot of gold. Q: Why do people wear shamrocks on St. Patrick’s Day? A: Regular rocks are too heavy. Q: Why can’t you borrow … Continue reading

Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Art Projects

Help your kids get in on the holiday preparation by allowing them to make these Thanksgiving decorations. Not only will these art projects keep your kids busy while you complete the Turkey Day meal, but also these crafts will yield amazing decorations that can be used to brighten up your holiday table. CORN PLACEMATS Materials: Ears of corn Knife Plastic corncob holders Paper plates Fabric paints Cloth placemats Directions: Break each ear of corn into 3-inch pieces (adults can use knife if necessary), then attach corncob holders firmly to the ends of each piece. Roll the corn pieces in a … Continue reading

Homemade Thanksgiving Decorations Courtesy of Mother Nature

Don’t break the bank buying a slew of Thanksgiving decorations this year. Rather, take a walk around your yard or stroll through a local park. That’s where you’ll be able to pick up materials needed to make your own festive holiday decor… for free. Take a look: NATURE-MADE THANKSGIVNG WREATH Let your creativity flow when making this wreath. You are only limited by the amount and variety of natural materials that you’re able to gather. In addition to being an extremely affordable craft, this natural wreath is also a breeze to make. If you organize your materials ahead of time … Continue reading