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Flower Activity for Preschoolers with Free Printable!

Flower Activity for Preschoolers with Free Printable!

Flower Activity for Preschoolers with Free Printable!

flower activity spring blooming flower experiment fine motor skills

This flower activity is a fun way to learn about how flowers bloom while also strengthening fine motor skills while using a spray bottle! Get the free printable HERE!

A Twist on the Traditional Blooming Flower Activity!

The classic blooming flower experiment typically involves placing flowers in a dish of water, observing them slowly open over time. However, our new approach offers a unique twist where kids can strengthen even more skills!

First off, I like to set it up vertically, which helps to promote gross motor skills. Additionally, what sets this flower activity apart is the use of a spray water bottle, perfect for fine motor skill strengthening! As kids stand, their bodies will cross the midline as they spray the flowers from one side to the other, enhancing coordination and cognitive abilities.

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

Strengthening Fine Motor Skills with Spray Bottles in This Flower Activity!

Spray bottles aren’t just for watering real plants—they’re fantastic tools for refining fine motor skills in children. These skills involve coordinating small hand and finger muscles, crucial for tasks like writing and drawing. Here’s how spray bottles aid in this development:

1. Grip and Hand Strength: Squeezing the trigger of a spray bottle strengthens hand muscles and improves grip, essential for precise tasks.

2. Finger Coordination: Manipulating the trigger requires intricate finger movements, refining control and coordination.

3. Bilateral Coordination: Using a spray bottle encourages coordination between both hands, vital for activities like cutting and tying shoelaces.

4. Sensory Stimulation: The tactile feedback and sensory experience of spraying water engage multiple senses, fostering learning and motor development.

Incorporating spray bottles into activities, like our blooming paper flower activity, adds fun while honing essential motor skills in children.

Strengthening Fine Motor Skills with Spray Bottles in This Flower Activity!

Spray bottles aren’t just for watering real plants—they’re fantastic tools for refining fine motor skills in children. These skills involve coordinating small hand and finger muscles, crucial for tasks like writing and drawing. Here’s how spray bottles aid in this development:

1. Grip and Hand Strength: Squeezing the trigger of a spray bottle strengthens hand muscles and improves grip, essential for precise tasks.

2. Finger Coordination: Manipulating the trigger requires intricate finger movements, refining control and coordination.

3. Bilateral Coordination: Using a spray bottle encourages coordination between both hands, vital for activities like cutting and tying shoelaces.

4. Sensory Stimulation: The tactile feedback and sensory experience of spraying water engage multiple senses, fostering learning and motor development.

Incorporating spray bottles into activities, like our blooming paper flower activity, adds fun while honing essential motor skills in children.

blooming paper flower free printable

Download and Print the Blooming Paper Flower Activity

We’ve made it easy for you to get started with our blooming paper flower experiment by providing a free printable stem template. Simply click here to download it and keep on reading below for step-by-step directions on how to set up the experiment and watch the magic unfold as you spray water and see the flowers bloom!

Choosing the Right Spray Bottle

When selecting a spray bottle for this flower activity, it’s essential to choose one that is easy for little hands to use. Some spray bottles may be challenging for young children to operate, leading to frustration and difficulty in participating fully. To ensure a successful and enjoyable experience, opt for a spray bottle with a trigger that is easy to squeeze and requires minimal effort to release the water. Click here to see the spray bottle set my two year old is able to use confidently.

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

Download and print the template.

Step 2

Laminate the cover sheet for added durability.

Step 3

Cut out the flowers and fold the petals into the center of the flower.

 

Step 4

Attach the flowers to the stems using double sided tape. 

Step 5

Fill a spray bottle up with water and encourage children to spray water onto the paper flowers and observe as they slowly open and “bloom” before your eyes!

Step 1

Download and print the template.

Step 2

Laminate the cover sheet for added durability.

Step 3

Cut out the flowers and fold the petals into the center of the flower.

Step 4

Attach the flowers to the stems using double sided tape. 

Step 5

Fill a spray bottle up with water and encourage children to spray water onto the paper flowers and observe as they slowly open and “bloom” before your eyes!

 

What is the Classic Blooming Flowers Experiment?

If you enjoyed the blooming paper flower activity using the spray bottle method, consider exploring the traditional method as well. We have a different printable you can use for it – click HERE! Traditionally, paper flowers are placed in a dish of water, where they slowly open over time—a fun process to observe and learn from. This is a great option for children who may not be ready to use spray bottles yet and yet the activity still provides a hands-on experience for young learners to engage with the concept of blooming flowers. Whether you prefer the interactive spray bottle method or the traditional approach, there’s plenty of fun to be had with our blooming paper flower experiments!

The Science Behind The Blooming Flower Experiments!

The blooming paper flower experiment offers a fascinating glimpse into the science of osmosis and capillary action. 

blooming paper flowers experiment

As the paper flowers absorb water from the spray bottle, they undergo a process similar to that of real flowers drawing water through their stems. This absorption causes the paper fibers to swell and unfold, resulting in the mesmerizing blooming effect observed during the experiment. It’s a hands-on way for children to explore concepts of hydration and plant biology while having fun with art and creativity!

blooming paper flowers experiment

What is the Classic Blooming Flowers Experiment?

If you enjoyed the blooming paper flower activity using the spray bottle method, consider exploring the traditional method as well. We have a different printable you can use for it – click HERE! Traditionally, paper flowers are placed in a dish of water, where they slowly open over time—a fun process to observe and learn from. This is a great option for children who may not be ready to use spray bottles yet and yet the activity still provides a hands-on experience for young learners to engage with the concept of blooming flowers. Whether you prefer the interactive spray bottle method or the traditional approach, there’s plenty of fun to be had with our blooming paper flower experiments!

The Science Behind The Blooming Flower Experiments!

The blooming paper flower experiment offers a fascinating glimpse into the science of osmosis and capillary action. As the paper flowers absorb water from the spray bottle, they undergo a process similar to that of real flowers drawing water through their stems. This absorption causes the paper fibers to swell and unfold, resulting in the mesmerizing blooming effect observed during the experiment. It’s a hands-on way for children to explore concepts of hydration and plant biology while having fun with art and creativity!

More Ways to Explore Plants!

Below you’ll find some of our top picks for gardening toys for kids!

nature earth activity day month gift toy

Regrow Science Kit

nature earth activity day month gift toy

Window Growing Kit

nature earth activity day month gift toy

Gardening Set

nature earth activity day month gift toy

Paint and Plant Kit

What’s Next?

Earth Activities – How to Celebrate Earth Day and Earth Month

Earth Activities – How to Celebrate Earth Day and Earth Month

Earth Activities – How to Celebrate Earth Day and Earth Month

earth activities earth day earth month

Looking for Earth activities for Earth Day, Earth month, and beyond?! Keep reading to find over 20 ideas including free coloring pages and crafts to gardening and sensory play for eco-friendly fun!

Why Earth Day is Awesome: Let’s Celebrate Our Planet!

Kids celebrating Earth Day and Earth month is crucial because they are the future caretakers of our planet. By involving children in Earth Day activities, we instill in them a sense of responsibility and stewardship for the environment from a young age. Through hands-on experiences like all the ideas you’ll read about below, children develop a deep connection to nature and understand the importance of preserving it for generations to come. 

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Earth Activities

Click the links in the blue box to explore more details about each one of these ideas!

how to decorate eggs with rice and food coloring and create sensory play rice

Free Earth Day Coloring Pages!

Easter Bunny Coloring Craft - How to Make a Personalized Card

Paper Earth Collage

food scrap science experiment

Regrow Food Scraps!

earth-day-free-printable-for-kids-worksheet-sorting-trash

Free Printable: Sort the Trash

earth activity day month

Melting Ice Caps and Polar Bears. All you need is shaving cream, ice cubes, a little blue food coloring in the water, and polar bear figurines!

earth activity day month

Painting the Earth on Ice!

Just freeze water in a shallow dish and provide green and blue tempera paint. 

earth activity day month

Seedlings in Egg Shells

Save your egg shells, fill with soil and seeds. Place by a window and water regularly. In a week your egg carton will be full of seedlings!

earth activity day month

Garbage Slime Recipe

• Mix 1 cup clear glue and 1 cup water
• Add 1 tsp baking soda
• Add about 1 cup of fake mini food
• Mix in 2 tbsp contact solution and knead
earth activity day month

Colors of Leaves Experiment

earth activity day month

Clean Up the Earth and Sort the Trash

dot the animals printable activity learn counting 1 to 10

Dot the Animals Printable

ocean sensory bin for toddlers and preschool sensory play marine creatures sea animals

Ocean Life Sensory Play

Nature Themed Activities!

Explore a refreshing array of nature-themed activities perfect for embracing the Earth’s beauty and creativity, offering fun activity ideas beyond traditional Earth Day festivities.

blooming paper flowers experiment

Blooming Paper Flower Experiment with Printable Flowers!

counting-activity-for-kids-spring-themed-count-the-petals-on-a-flower

Count the Flower Petal Activity!

counting-activity-for-kids-spring-themed-count-the-petals-on-a-flower-printable

Printable Version of the Count the Flower Petal Activity!

butterfly wings printable spring craft

Butterfly Wing Craft Decorated with Nature!

This is a counting activity for toddlers using pipe cleaners and a magnetic wand to learn number symbols and practice counting

Count the Worm Sensory Activity

four seasons printable bundle

Printable Activities all about seasons!

nature-walk-scavenger-hunt-color-matching-art

Nature Walk Color Scavenger Hunt!

nature-walk-scavenger-hunt-color-matching-art

Rainbow Nature Craft

Earth Science Kits, Toys, and Puzzles!

Below you’ll find some of our top picks for Earth-related puzzles, toys, and games. If you want to see a full list of product and gift ideas for Earth month, check out this LINK!

nature earth activity day month gift toy

3D Puzzle Globe

nature earth activity day month gift toy

Orbit Building Set

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Earth Puzzle

nature earth activity day month gift toy

Trash Sorting Game

nature earth activity day month gift toy

Regrow Science Kit

nature earth activity day month gift toy

Window Growing Kit

nature earth activity day month gift toy

Gardening Set

nature earth activity day month gift toy

Paint and Plant Kit

5 Things to Talk to Your Kids About on Earth Day / Month!

Recycling: Teach children about the importance of recycling and how to properly sort recyclable materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum. Encourage them to create recycling bins at home and school to reduce waste and conserve resources.

Conservation: Educate children about the importance of conserving water, energy, and natural habitats. Discuss simple ways to conserve resources, such as turning off lights when leaving a room, taking shorter showers, and using reusable bags instead of plastic ones.

Gardening: Engage children in hands-on gardening activities to teach them about plant growth, soil health, and the benefits of growing their own food. Help them plant seeds, tend to garden beds, and observe the natural cycles of plants as they grow.

Nature exploration: Take children on outdoor excursions to explore local parks, nature reserves, or hiking trails. Encourage them to observe and appreciate the beauty of nature, identify different plant and animal species, and learn about the ecosystems that sustain life on Earth.

Environmental activism: Empower children to become environmental advocates by teaching them about pressing environmental issues and ways to take action. Discuss topics such as climate change, pollution, and wildlife conservation, and encourage children to participate in community clean-up events, tree planting initiatives, or letter-writing campaigns to elected officials.

 

5 Things to Talk to Your Kids About on Earth Day / Month!

Recycling: Teach children about the importance of recycling and how to properly sort recyclable materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum. Encourage them to create recycling bins at home and school to reduce waste and conserve resources.

Conservation: Educate children about the importance of conserving water, energy, and natural habitats. Discuss simple ways to conserve resources, such as turning off lights when leaving a room, taking shorter showers, and using reusable bags instead of plastic ones.

Gardening: Engage children in hands-on gardening activities to teach them about plant growth, soil health, and the benefits of growing their own food. Help them plant seeds, tend to garden beds, and observe the natural cycles of plants as they grow.

Nature exploration: Take children on outdoor excursions to explore local parks, nature reserves, or hiking trails. Encourage them to observe and appreciate the beauty of nature, identify different plant and animal species, and learn about the ecosystems that sustain life on Earth.

Environmental activism: Empower children to become environmental advocates by teaching them about pressing environmental issues and ways to take action. Discuss topics such as climate change, pollution, and wildlife conservation, and encourage children to participate in community clean-up events, tree planting initiatives, or letter-writing campaigns to elected officials.

What’s Next?

Easter Bunny Coloring Craft – How to Make a Personalized Card

Easter Bunny Coloring Craft – How to Make a Personalized Card

Easter Bunny Coloring Craft – How to Make a Personalized Card

Easter Bunny Coloring Craft - How to Make a Personalized Card

Discover how to create a personalized Easter bunny coloring craft with our step-by-step guide, perfect for making cards and table settings!

Create a Personalized Keepsake with this Easter Bunny Coloring Craft

Easter is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a fun and creative craft? Keep reading to explore this super fun printable coloring craft featuring an adorable Easter bunny. But what sets this craft apart is its interactive 3D design, allowing you to personalize it with your own face and use it as both a card and a table setting decoration. Get the printable HERE!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Skills: Arts and Crafts

Ages: 3+ 

Prep Time: 15 min

Watch How to Assemble This 3D Easter Bunny Coloring Craft!

Watch the video to see how to assemble this adorable Easter bunny coloring craft

This craft takes Easter coloring to a whole new level. When you add your own picture and color the bunny, it really makes this printable special!

But the real kicker? Those arms! They stretch forward, ready to hold a basket of eggs or a cute Easter egg. It’s such a fun detail that really brings the card to life. Kids will have a blast with it, and hey, adults might too!

I love how versatile this printable is! First and foremost, it’s perfect for a relaxing coloring session, allowing both children and adults to unleash their creativity and personalize their own Easter bunny masterpiece.

Once colored, the printable can serve as a standalone greeting card, ideal for sending heartfelt Easter wishes to friends and family. Pair it with an Easter gift to add an extra special touch, turning it into a charming card that doubles as a delightful keepsake. For those hosting an Easter gathering, consider using the bunny as a unique place holder for table settings, adding an adorable touch to your festive decor!

Watch How to Assemble This 3D Easter Bunny Coloring Craft!

Watch the video to see how to assemble this adorable Easter bunny coloring craft

This craft takes Easter coloring to a whole new level. When you add your own picture and color the bunny, it really makes this printable special!

But the real kicker? Those arms! They stretch forward, ready to hold a basket of eggs or a cute Easter egg. It’s such a fun detail that really brings the card to life. Kids will have a blast with it, and hey, adults might too!

I love how versatile this printable is! First and foremost, it’s perfect for a relaxing coloring session, allowing both children and adults to unleash their creativity and personalize their own Easter bunny masterpiece.

Once colored, the printable can serve as a standalone greeting card, ideal for sending heartfelt Easter wishes to friends and family. Pair it with an Easter gift to add an extra special touch, turning it into a charming card that doubles as a delightful keepsake. For those hosting an Easter gathering, consider using the bunny as a unique place holder for table settings, adding an adorable touch to your festive decor!

personalized 3D Easter Card

Tips for Creating This Easter Bunny Coloring Craft

Choose Quality Materials: Opt for sturdy cardstock paper when printing your Easter Bunny template. This ensures durability and stability for your 3D card once assembled.

Personalize Thoughtfully: When adding a photo to customize the bunny’s face, select one that fits well within the designated area and complements the overall aesthetic of your craft. 

Experiment with Decorations: Have fun embellishing your Easter Bunny with additional decorations such as glitter, stickers, or even small embellishments like ribbon or sequins. 

Get the Printable HERE!

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

Download the printable Easter bunny template and print it on sturdy cardstock for durability.

Step 2

Color your bunny!

Step 3

Cut out a photo of your face to fit within the designated area on the bunny’s head. 

Step 4

Carefully cut along the solid lines of the bunny and Easter egg images, including the arms that wrap around for a 3D effect. Take your time to ensure neat edges. 

Step 5

Fold along the line intended for folding to create the bunny’s body and arms. Use glue or tape to secure the hands, forming the 3D structure. Make sure the arms are positioned to hold either a basket of eggs or the single Easter egg.

Step 1

Download the printable Easter bunny template and print it on sturdy cardstock for durability.

Step 2

Color your bunny!

Step 3

Cut out a photo of your face to fit within the designated area on the bunny’s head. 

Step 4

Carefully cut along the solid lines of the bunny and Easter egg images, including the arms that wrap around for a 3D effect. Take your time to ensure neat edges. 

Step 5

Fold along the line intended for folding to create the bunny’s body and arms. Use glue or tape to secure the hands, forming the 3D structure. Make sure the arms are positioned to hold either a basket of eggs or the single Easter egg.

Easter Activity and Gift Guide!

And if you are looking for more ways to have fun this Easter season, check out our Easter Activity and Gift Guide—a jam-packed resource! Inside, you’ll find tons of activities to keep them entertained, like egg decorating, Easter egg hunts, bunny-themed crafts, and more DIY cards. Need ideas for Easter basket gifts? We’ve got you covered with suggestions. Plus, our guide doesn’t stop at Easter-specific activities. We’ve thrown in plenty of spring-inspired ideas too!

Check our our Easter Guide HERE!

easter activity ideas
easter activity ideas

Easter Activity and Gift Guide!

And if you are looking for more ways to have fun this Easter season, check out our Easter Activity and Gift Guide—a jam-packed resource! Inside, you’ll find tons of activities to keep them entertained, like egg decorating, Easter egg hunts, bunny-themed crafts, and more DIY cards. Need ideas for Easter basket gifts? We’ve got you covered with suggestions. Plus, our guide doesn’t stop at Easter-specific activities. We’ve thrown in plenty of spring-inspired ideas too!

Check our our Easter Guide HERE!

More Easter Themed Activities!

Explore some more of our favorite Easter themed activities and printables!

feed the bunny activity for toddlers fine motor skills

Feed the Bunny Activity!

easter egg activity eggmazing egg decorator mess free decorating

Hatch the Egg Printable!

This free printable is a fun, hands on way to do math problems! Use clothing pins as bunny ears to solve the equations whether addition, subtraction, multiplication or division!

Bunny Math – Learn Addition Printable!

easter and spring themed worksheets printables

20+ Easter Printable Activities!

What’s Next?

Easter Activity Ideas – So Many Eggciting Ways to Celebrate!

Easter Activity Ideas – So Many Eggciting Ways to Celebrate!

Easter Activity Ideas – So Many Eggciting Ways to Celebrate!

easter activity ideas

Springtime brings with it the joyous celebration of Easter, a perfect opportunity for children to engage in so many fun Easter activity ideas. From crafting DIY Easter cards to exploring play ideas, decorating eggs, and grabbing our free coloring pages, there’s something fun to do for the whole family! 

From Eggs to Bunnies, Easter Activity Ideas for All Ages!

From toddlers to teens, we believe that Easter festivities should be fun for all ages. I’ve carefully curated a diverse range of activities that cater to different developmental stages and interests. Whether you’re seeking simple crafts for the youngest members of your family or more intricate projects to engage older children, you’ll find something here to inspire creativity and fun for everyone!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Guide to Easter Activities: From Easter Hunts to Printable Coloring Sheets!

Click the links in the blue box to explore more details about each one of these ideas!

how to decorate eggs with rice and food coloring and create sensory play rice

Decorate Eggs with Rice and Food Coloring

Easter Bunny Coloring Craft - How to Make a Personalized Card

Easter Egg Popsicles!

easter activity idea bunny glove blowing experiment

Bunny Glove Activity

easter printable activity bundle

Printable Easter Bundle of Activities!

glow in the dark egg hunt mini glow sticks easter basket

Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt!

easter egg popsicle

Easter Egg Popsicles!

golden egg maker egg spinner easter

Golden Egg Maker!

emptying out an egg cascarones tip hack easter

Emptying Egg Hack!

feed the bunny activity for toddlers fine motor skills

Feed the Bunny Activity

feed the animals printable activity worksheet fine motor skills for toddlers and preschool

Printable Version: Feed the Bunny Activity

diy easter card handprint bunny keepsake paper

Handprint Bunny Card

easter egg activity eggmazing egg decorator mess free decorating

Spinning Egg Decorater

paper mache egg decorating

Paper Mache Egg Kit

This free printable is a fun, hands on way to do math problems! Use clothing pins as bunny ears to solve the equations whether addition, subtraction, multiplication or division!

Fun Printable for Learning Addition

travel activity sensory hair pull

Free Easter Coloring Pages

easter activity idea bunny glove blowing experiment

Bunny Science Experiment

make the carrot orange color mixing activity

Carrot Color Mix

easter bunny bags diy adorable treat bags

Easter Bunny Bags

egg slime sensory play taste safe slime

Taste Safe Egg Slime

hand eye coordination game for toddlers hatch the egg chick

Hatch the Egg Printable

Easter Basket Gift Ideas!

Below you’ll find some of our top picks for Easter gifts for kids. If you want to see even more gift suggestions, check out this LINK which has a comprehensive list with over 60 selections for all ages!

easter gift basket ideas for kids

LEGO Bunny!

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Gardening Kit

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Carrot Shaped Teether

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Egg Shaped Chalk

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Easter Puzzles

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Bunny Bubble Machines

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Interactive Bunny Stuffy

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Egg Sorting Toy

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Bunny Slippers

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Bunny Pop It Toy

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Easter Stuffy Set

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Bunny Jack-in-the-Box

Beyond Easter: Spring Themed Activities!

Explore a refreshing array of spring-themed activities perfect for embracing the season’s beauty and creativity, offering fun activity ideas beyond traditional Easter festivities.

blooming paper flowers experiment

Blooming Paper Flower Experiment with Printable Flowers!

counting-activity-for-kids-spring-themed-count-the-petals-on-a-flower

Count the Flower Petal Activity!

counting-activity-for-kids-spring-themed-count-the-petals-on-a-flower-printable

Printable Version of the Count the Flower Petal Activity!

butterfly wings printable spring craft

Butterfly Wing Craft Decorated with Nature!

This is a counting activity for toddlers using pipe cleaners and a magnetic wand to learn number symbols and practice counting

Count the Worm Sensory Activity

four seasons printable bundle

Printable Activities all about seasons!

nature-walk-scavenger-hunt-color-matching-art

Nature Walk Color Scavenger Hunt!

food scrap science experiment scallion celery romaine

Regrowing Food Scraps Science Project!

The Immense Benefits of Easter and Spring Themed Activities

I hope you enjoyed reading through all of these fun ideas! Beyond the mere enjoyment these activities bring, these experiences foster meaningful connections among family members, ignite imaginations, and encourage the development of essential skills like creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor abilities.

By immersing ourselves in these fun opportunities, we not only create cherished memories but also lay the foundation for lifelong learning and exploration.

So, as the flowers bloom and the days grow warmer, let’s continue to embrace the magic of hands-on play, crafting moments of joy and discovery that will flourish long after the Easter eggs have been found!

The Immense Benefits of Easter and Spring Themed Activities

I hope you enjoyed reading through all of these fun ideas! Beyond the mere enjoyment these activities bring, these experiences foster meaningful connections among family members, ignite imaginations, and encourage the development of essential skills like creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor abilities.

By immersing ourselves in these fun opportunities, we not only create cherished memories but also lay the foundation for lifelong learning and exploration.

So, as the flowers bloom and the days grow warmer, let’s continue to embrace the magic of hands-on play, crafting moments of joy and discovery that will flourish long after the Easter eggs have been found!

What’s Next?

How to Teach Shoelace Tying – Free Printable Activity Included!

How to Teach Shoelace Tying – Free Printable Activity Included!

How to Teach Shoelace Tying – Free Printable Activity Included!

how to teach shoelace tying to kids

This is all about how to teach shoelace tying to your kiddo! Our guide is here to equip you with effective methods, practical tips, and an engaging printable for helping your child master this essential practical life skill.

Is your child ready to start tying shoes? 

Typically, children begin showing interest and the necessary motor skills around the ages of 4 to 6 years old. However, with so many lace-less shoe options dominating the shoe market, even an older child might have not found the need to learn and, in effect, has not learned yet or even showed interest.

Look for signs of readiness, such as the ability to follow simple instructions, manipulate small objects with their hands, and show an interest in learning new skills. Additionally, observe if they can tie simple knots with other materials like ribbons or strings. Once you notice these signs, it’s a good indication that your child may be ready to start learning how to tie their shoes. Remember, every child develops at their own pace, so be patient and supportive as they embark on this new skill.

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

Free Printable Resource for Learning How to Tie Shoes!

Here are the step-by-step instructions for using your printable resource to help kids practice tying shoes:

(1) Download and print the “How to Tie Shoes” printable;

(2) Carefully cut out the shoe images along the outer edges.

(3) Take a hole punch and punch holes in each of the lace holes indicated on the paper shoe cutouts.

(4) Take a pair of old shoelaces and thread them through the lace holes in the paper shoe cutouts. Pro Tip: if your kiddo is having trouble handling the laces, try swapping in different colored pipe cleaners to use instead. The metal of the pipe cleaner keeps the shape of the loops well for early learners!

(5) Securely tape each paper shoe to a sturdy board, such as a piece of cardboard or a foam board. 

Now, your kiddo is ready to practice tying shoes! They can use the paper shoe cutouts with laces to practice the steps of tying shoelaces independently.  

Free Printable Resource for Learning How to Tie Shoes!

Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to set up this printable resource to help kids practice tying shoes:

(1) Download and print the “How to Tie Shoes” printable;

(2) Carefully cut out the shoe images along the outer edges.

(3) Take a hole punch and punch holes in each of the lace holes indicated on the paper shoe cutouts.

(4) Take a pair of old shoelaces and thread them through the lace holes in the paper shoe cutouts. Pro Tip: if your kiddo is having trouble handling the laces, try swapping in different colored pipe cleaners to use instead. The metal of the pipe cleaner keeps the shape of the loops well for early learners!

(5) Securely tape each paper shoe to a sturdy board, such as a piece of cardboard or a foam board. 

Now, your kiddo is ready to practice tying shoes! They can use the paper shoe cutouts with laces to practice the steps of tying shoelaces independently.  

how to tie shoes

How to Teach Shoelace Tying

Sit facing your child with the printable shoes or a real shoe in hand and show them the following steps slowly and clearly, emphasizing each movement:

  1. Cross the laces.
  2. The back lace goes around the front lace and then pull them tight.
  3. Form two loops with each lace. You can also refer to the loops as bunny ears. Make sure to grab low, close to the knot to make the loops. Also make sure there is some tie left below the loops.
  4. Cross one loop over the other. Pinch the cross with one hand to keep it steady.
  5. Use the other hand to take one loop and pull it under the other loop.
  6. Pull both loops to tighten the knot.

Encourage your child to mimic each step as you guide them through the process. Positive reinforcement and repetition is key to mastery. If your kiddo is struggling with holding the laces and/or getting the laces mixed together, try the pipe cleaner hack I mentioned in the previous section!

What is an Alternative Method to Tying Shoes?

Above I described the double loop aka Bunny Ear method which includes teaching kids to make two bunny ears with the laces and tie them together. However, you can alternatively show them the one loop or bowknot method:

Make a loop with one end of the shoelace, wrap the other end around the loop, and pull a loop through the “hole” in the middle.

The Importance of Learning How to Tie Shoes

Learning how to tie shoes is a crucial skill for children that goes beyond mere practicality. It fosters independence and self-reliance, empowering children to take charge of their own daily tasks.

Tying shoes also promotes fine motor skills development, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. Moreover, mastering this skill builds confidence and a sense of accomplishment in children as they conquer a task that once seemed challenging.

Additionally, knowing how to tie shoes properly ensures comfort and safety by preventing tripping hazards and keeping shoes securely fastened during active play and daily activities. 

how to teach shoelace tying to kids

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

how to teach shoelace tying to kids

The Importance of Learning How to Tie Shoes

Learning how to tie shoes is a crucial skill for children that goes beyond mere practicality. It fosters independence and self-reliance, empowering children to take charge of their own daily tasks.

Tying shoes also promotes fine motor skills development, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. Moreover, mastering this skill builds confidence and a sense of accomplishment in children as they conquer a task that once seemed challenging.

Additionally, knowing how to tie shoes properly ensures comfort and safety by preventing tripping hazards and keeping shoes securely fastened during active play and daily activities. 

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Top Picks for Strengthening Practical Life Skills

Here are some great gifts for continuing to strengthen practical life skills!

fabric busy book fine motor skills practical life skills

Fabric Busy Book

This high quality fabric busy book is jam packed with practical life and fine motor skill activities! From dressing, to tying, buckling, and beyond!

wooden sensory bin tools that are great for fine motor skills through play

Sensory Bowls and Tools

Scooping, pouring, and transferring are all important practice life skills! This set of wooden bowls, scoops, and a tong are great for sensory play!

practical life skill construction toy screw driver board

Screw Driver Board

This car shaped screw driver board is a fun way for kids to learn how to screw and thread real life objects while using real life tools!

practical life skills busy board book fine motor skills

Activity Board

This alligator shaped busy board will help young kids learn even more practical life skills. It is lightweight and folds into a book for easy carrying on the go!

What’s Next?

Play Dough Storage – How to Keep Perfect Portions in Ice Trays

Play Dough Storage – How to Keep Perfect Portions in Ice Trays

Play Dough Storage – How to Keep Perfect Portions in Ice Trays

play dough storage hack ice cube tray with cover

Say goodbye to the frustration of mixed-up play dough batches and hello to extended playtime fun with our innovative Play Dough Storage Hack! Are you tired of your kids blending all the colors into one big mess, leaving you with a mound of unusable dough? Fear not! In this post, we unveil a brilliant solution for preserving the integrity of your play dough by storing it in stackable ice cube trays with lids

Play Dough Storage with Stackable Ice Cube Trays

While making a batch of ice one day, it suddenly occurred to me that this container would be the perfect way to store play dough – either homemade or store bought! These trays truly provide a comprehensive solution for maximizing play dough longevity and convenience, including the perfect 1-ounce portions, effortless push-out with silicone bottoms, and freshness preservation with lids, while their stackable design saves space and facilitates organization. 

Benefits of Storing Play Dough in This Ice Cube Tray!

The advantages of using this ice cube tray for play dough storage are numerous and game-changing. Firstly, these trays allow you to portion out your play dough into convenient 1-ounce servings, a significant reduction from the typical 4-ounce containers. This not only ensures that your child has just the right amount of play dough for their creations but also minimizes the risk of mixing up entire batches.

Additionally, the silicone bottoms of these trays make it incredibly easy to push out the play dough once it’s been stored, ensuring effortless cleanup and a hassle-free playtime experience.

Moreover, the inclusion of a lid with these trays keeps the play dough fresh and pliable for longer periods, preventing it from drying out or becoming unusable.

Lastly, the stackable design of the trays saves valuable storage space, allowing you to neatly organize and store multiple colors or batches without cluttering your play area. With these benefits combined, ice cube trays prove to be the ultimate solution for maximizing the longevity and enjoyment of your play dough. 

Benefits of Storing Play Dough in This Ice Cube Tray!

The advantages of using this ice cube tray for play dough storage are numerous and game-changing. Firstly, these trays allow you to portion out your play dough into convenient 1-ounce servings, a significant reduction from the typical 4-ounce containers. This not only ensures that your child has just the right amount of play dough for their creations but also minimizes the risk of mixing up entire batches.

Additionally, the silicone bottoms of these trays make it incredibly easy to push out the play dough once it’s been stored, ensuring effortless cleanup and a hassle-free playtime experience.

Moreover, the inclusion of a lid with these trays keeps the play dough fresh and pliable for longer periods, preventing it from drying out or becoming unusable.

Lastly, the stackable design of the trays saves valuable storage space, allowing you to neatly organize and store multiple colors or batches without cluttering your play area. With these benefits combined, ice cube trays prove to be the ultimate solution for maximizing the longevity and enjoyment of your play dough. 

play dough storage hack ice cube tray with cover

Where Can I Get This Ice Cube Tray?

To see the exact ice cube tray that we use – click HERE. It comes in a pack of 4 with lids that make each tray stackable. Each portion is only 1 ounce, which is the perfect amount to play with!

If you are making homemade play dough, keep in mind that the salt in the dough may crystalize at the top. You can prevent this by covering the play dough even further with plastic wrap. However, it is not necessary. Even if the play dough crystalizes slightly, just knead the play dough for a few minutes and the salt will be mixed back in no time!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

How to Make Homemade Play Dough

Our play dough recipe is super easy to do and results in the silkiest, smoothiest play dough!

Find the full step by step instructions HERE.

While you can do this storage hack with store bought play dough as well, if you’ve never made homemade play dough before you will be shocked at how easy it is to do!

Opting to make homemade play dough brings with it a multitude of benefits. Firstly, homemade play dough is cost-effective, utilizing simple kitchen ingredients like flour, salt, water, and food coloring, saving you money in the long run compared to store-bought alternatives. Additionally, homemade play dough offers customization options, allowing you to tailor the texture, color, and scent according to your child’s preferences or any specific sensory needs. 

making play dough in every color
making play dough in every color

How to Make Homemade Play Dough

Our play dough recipe is super easy to do and results in the silkiest, smoothiest play dough!

Find the full step by step instructions HERE.

While you can do this storage hack with store bought play dough as well, if you’ve never made homemade play dough before you will be shocked at how easy it is to do!

Opting to make homemade play dough brings with it a multitude of benefits. Firstly, homemade play dough is cost-effective, utilizing simple kitchen ingredients like flour, salt, water, and food coloring, saving you money in the long run compared to store-bought alternatives. Additionally, homemade play dough offers customization options, allowing you to tailor the texture, color, and scent according to your child’s preferences or any specific sensory needs. 

The Benefits of Playing with Play Dough

Engaging in play with play dough offers numerous developmental benefits for kids.

Firstly, it stimulates sensory exploration, allowing children to experience different textures, colors, and shapes, which in turn enhances their cognitive development and fine motor skills.

Moreover, playing with dough encourages creativity and imagination, as children can mold, sculpt, and manipulate the dough to create a wide variety of objects, fostering their artistic expression and problem-solving abilities.

Additionally, dough play provides a calming and therapeutic outlet for children, helping them to relax, unwind, and manage stress or anxiety. 

play dough storage hack ice cube tray with cover
play dough storage hack ice cube tray with cover

The Benefits of Playing with Play Dough

Engaging in play with play dough offers numerous developmental benefits for kids.

Firstly, it stimulates sensory exploration, allowing children to experience different textures, colors, and shapes, which in turn enhances their cognitive development and fine motor skills.

Moreover, playing with dough encourages creativity and imagination, as children can mold, sculpt, and manipulate the dough to create a wide variety of objects, fostering their artistic expression and problem-solving abilities.

Additionally, dough play provides a calming and therapeutic outlet for children, helping them to relax, unwind, and manage stress or anxiety. 

More Ways to Play with Play Dough

Explore these fun printables and techniques for playing with play dough!

Learn the alphabet while playing with play dough with this fun set of printable play dough mats! Each page is all about building a letter out of play dough with an opportunity to practice phonics!

Printable Play Dough Mats to Learn Letters

Play Dough Mats: Numbers

Printable Play Dough Mats to Learn Numbers

Play Dough Mats: Shapes

Printable Play Dough Mats to Learn Shapes

making play dough into rainbow swirls

How to Make Rainbow Swirl Play Dough!

What’s Next?

Easter Bunny Bags – How to Make Adorable DIY Gift Bags

Easter Bunny Bags – How to Make Adorable DIY Gift Bags

Easter Bunny Bags – How to Make Adorable DIY Gift Bags

easter bunny bags diy adorable treat bags

Making your own Easter Bunny Bags is not just easy to do, but the results are so adorable! It’s such a fun craft project for kids or an adult who wants to make something special for their family! Keep reading for the simple step-by-step instructions, handy tips, and even more Easter-themed activities to make this holiday extra special.

Adding a Personal Touch to Easter Bunny Bags

There is something so special about giving a gift that’s been crafted with love and care, especially during the Easter season! These adorable DIY Easter bunny bags not only hold sweet treats or small gifts but also carry the warmth of your personal touch.

Whether you’re surprising a friend, family member, or little one, these handmade creations add an extra layer of joy and thoughtfulness to your Easter celebrations.

 

Skills: Arts and Crafts

Ages: 3+

Prep Time: 15 min

Watch the Video To See How to Make Easter Bunny Bags!

Excited to dive into this adorable Easter DIY project? You’re in for a treat! Watch this video to see how crafting these charming Easter bunny bags is not only fun but also surprisingly easy.

Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or new to DIY, this project is perfect for all skill levels. With just a few simple materials and straightforward steps, you’ll have your own bunny bags ready in no time.

So, let’s channel that excitement, gather our supplies, and get ready to create something truly special for the holiday season!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Watch the Video To See How to Make Easter Bunny Bags!

Excited to dive into this adorable Easter DIY project? You’re in for a treat! Watch this video to see how crafting these charming Easter bunny bags is not only fun but also surprisingly easy.

Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or new to DIY, this project is perfect for all skill levels. With just a few simple materials and straightforward steps, you’ll have your own bunny bags ready in no time.

So, let’s channel that excitement, gather our supplies, and get ready to create something truly special for the holiday season!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

 

easter bunny bags diy adorable treat bags

Tips for Creating These Easter Bunny Bags

Cutting the Ear Shape: When cutting out the ears, take your time to ensure clean and precise edges. You can trace one ear first and then use that as a guide for all the remaining ears to draw and cut.

Use a Strong Glue or Tape: Use a strong adhesive to firmly attach the paper ears, googly eyes and button nose to the paper bag. This will help prevent them from coming loose and ensure durability.

Experiment with Colors and Patterns: Don’t be afraid to get creative with your materials! Mix and match different colors of paper, felt, or even patterned paper to customize your bunny bags and make each one unique. 

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

On white paper, cut out two large bunny ear shapes. On either pink paper or pink felt, cut out two smaller bunny ear shapes to make the inner ear.

Step 2

Glue the inner ear on top of the outer white paper ear and then glue each of the ears to the paper bag by applying glue to the bottom edge of each bunny ear and then positioning them onto the top edge of the paper bag.

Step 3

Glue two googly eyes, a button for a nose, and draw whiskers and a mouth with a black marker.

Step 4

Once the glue has dried, fill with treats or a small gift!

Step 1

On white paper, cut out two large bunny ear shapes. On either pink paper or pink felt, cut out two smaller bunny ear shapes to make the inner ear.

Step 2

Glue the inner ear on top of the outer white paper ear and then glue each of the ears to the paper bag by applying glue to the bottom edge of each bunny ear and then positioning them onto the top edge of the paper bag.

Step 3

Glue two googly eyes, a button for a nose, and draw whiskers and a mouth with a black marker.

Step 4

Once the glue has dried, fill with treats or a small gift!

The Benefits of Creating Easter Bunny Bags

Besides the obvious joy of giving a personalized gift to a friend or loved one, crafting these Easter bunny bags has a ton of other benefits!

Engaging in creative projects like this stimulates imagination and allows for self-expression. Furthermore, the precise cutting and careful assembly required enhance fine motor skills, making it a great activity for children and adults alike. As you create each bunny bag with love and attention to detail, you’re not only fostering creativity but also spreading happiness with every gift you give!

easter bunny bags diy adorable treat bags
easter bunny bags diy adorable treat bags

The Benefits of Creating Easter Bunny Bags

Besides the obvious joy of giving a personalized gift to a friend or loved one, crafting these Easter bunny bags has a ton of other benefits!

Engaging in creative projects like this stimulates imagination and allows for self-expression. Furthermore, the precise cutting and careful assembly required enhance fine motor skills, making it a great activity for children and adults alike. As you create each bunny bag with love and attention to detail, you’re not only fostering creativity but also spreading happiness with every gift you give!

More Easter Themed Activities!

Explore some more of our favorite Easter themed activities and printables!

feed the bunny activity for toddlers fine motor skills

Feed the Bunny Activity!

hand eye coordination game for toddlers hatch the egg chick

Hatch the Egg Printable!

This free printable is a fun, hands on way to do math problems! Use clothing pins as bunny ears to solve the equations whether addition, subtraction, multiplication or division!

Bunny Math – Learn Addition Printable!

easter and spring themed worksheets printables

20+ Easter Printable Activities!

What’s Next?

Eggmazing Decorator – Everything You Need to Know!

Eggmazing Decorator – Everything You Need to Know!

Eggmazing Egg Decorator – Everything You Need to Know!

easter egg activity eggmazing egg decorator mess free decorating

Are you looking for a super fun way to decorate your Easter Eggs? This Egg Decorator makes everyone an artist! All you need is a few simple supplies and a nifty gadget called the Eggmazing Egg Decorator to get started. Go ahead and get a couple of extra dozen eggs at the store – trust me.

A Mess Free Way to Decorate Eggs with the Eggmazing Egg Decorator

This simple spin art-like activity is so excellent and easy to use. Not only were we able to create some really amazing-looking eggs in just a few short seconds of time, but the ink also dried instantly and made them totally mess-free—no more massive clean-up needed for this simple Easter egg decorating idea.

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

 

Skills: Arts and Crafts

Ages: 2+

Prep Time: 10 min

Watch the Video To See The Eggmazing Egg Decorator in Action

Here’s how you can learn quickly how to decorate eggs. In this video, you’ll see how fast and easy it is to create a beautiful egg that is stunning and looks like a professional artist created it. This is such a great way to build confidence in your child’s creativity.

The significant part about this simple egg decorating activity is that it can be used for Easter egg decorations, OR it can also just be a creative way to learn new art and concepts as well. The kids are sure to be mesmerized by the egg spinning quickly and the markers making the designs just as fast. The Eggmazing Egg Decorator really makes it so easy!

Make sure that you give the kids a tutorial on how to do these Easter egg designs so that they’re ready to jump in and have some fun. I have a feeling that they’ll get the hang of it right away and be asking for another turn. As I mentioned above, go ahead and get some extra eggs at the store, as these egg decorating ideas are addictive!

 

Watch the Video To See The Eggmazing Egg Decorator in Action

Here’s how you can learn quickly how to decorate eggs. In this video, you’ll see how fast and easy it is to create a beautiful egg that is stunning and looks like a professional artist created it. This is such a great way to build confidence in your child’s creativity.

The significant part about this simple egg decorating activity is that it can be used for Easter egg decorations, OR it can also just be a creative way to learn new art and concepts as well. The kids are sure to be mesmerized by the egg spinning quickly and the markers making the designs just as fast. The Eggmazing Egg Decorator really makes it so easy!

Make sure that you give the kids a tutorial on how to do these Easter egg designs so that they’re ready to jump in and have some fun. I have a feeling that they’ll get the hang of it right away and be asking for another turn. As I mentioned above, go ahead and get some extra eggs at the store, as these egg decorating ideas are addictive!

 

easter egg activity eggmazing egg decorator mess free decorating

Tips for Using the Eggmazing Egg Decorator

The Eggmazing Egg Decorator is super easy to use! All you have to do is add a fully cooled hard-boiled egg into the holder, push the on button, and then use the non-toxic colorful pens to decorate! Here are a few other tips:

Choice of Egg. If using a real egg, it’s best to boil them beforehand giving them plenty of time to cool. Any color egg will work, but white is always best for a truly blank canvas. We had brown eggs so that’s what we used and you can see in the photos that the colors still came out super vibrant. You can also use wooden eggs!

Choice of Markers. Can you use any markers with this toy? I wouldn’t recommend it. I would use the colorful pens that come with this toy as they were designed specifically for it. They also dry extremely fast, and that means that the artwork isn’t going to smear or spread at all, which is excellent.

Extra Benefits of Crafting with the Eggmazing Egg Decorator

I love this Eggmazing Egg Decorator kit because it teaches kids the importance of following directions and also how to hold their hand steady to create a stunning work of art. Even kids who struggle with their fine motor skills and holding a pen will be excited to use these markers to decorate the eggs! 

The kit also allows them to be creative and make their own unique designs on the eggs as well. This means that they’ll build confidence in their artistic abilities!

easter egg activity eggmazing egg decorator mess free decorating
easter egg activity eggmazing egg decorator mess free decorating

Extra Benefits of Crafting with the Eggmazing Egg Decorator

I love this Eggmazing Egg Decorator kit because it teaches kids the importance of following directions and also how to hold their hand steady to create a stunning work of art. Even kids who struggle with their fine motor skills and holding a pen will be excited to use these markers to decorate the eggs! 

The kit also allows them to be creative and make their own unique designs on the eggs as well. This means that they’ll build confidence in their artistic abilities!

More Easter Themed Activities!

Once your finished decorating eggs with your Eggmazing Egg Decorator, explore some more of these fun Easter themed activities!

feed the bunny activity for toddlers fine motor skills

Feed the Bunny Activity!

hand eye coordination game for toddlers hatch the egg chick

Hatch the Egg Printable!

This free printable is a fun, hands on way to do math problems! Use clothing pins as bunny ears to solve the equations whether addition, subtraction, multiplication or division!

Bunny Math – Learn Addition Printable!

easter and spring themed worksheets printables

20+ Easter Printable Activities!

What’s Next?

12 Genius Cutting Activities Kids will Love to Do

12 Genius Cutting Activities Kids will Love to Do

12 Genius Cutting Activities Kids will Love to Do

scissor skill activity for preschoolers cutting patterns vertical set up

Developing fine motor skills and mastering the art of cutting are vital milestones for children’s overall development. In this article, we’ll explore 12 genius cutting activities, including some with printable resources, designed to enhance scissor skills while fostering creativity and imagination.

The Benefits of Cutting Activities 

These activities are not only super fun for kids but also play a crucial role in enhancing strengthening fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and dexterity. Strengthening these skills at a young age sets a solid foundation for future academic success and promotes independence in various daily tasks!

All toys and activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Explore 12 Cutting Activities for Kids!

 This list of cutting activities involve hands-on scissoring tasks, creative crafting, and imaginative play with printable resources, all aimed at enhancing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and creativity in kids.

cutting activity printable

Cut the Pattern Printable!

Make cutting practice for preschoolers fun with this activity! Kids will cut away the top layer of paper to reveal a picture underneath! Check out the printable version!

DIY Reveal the Rainbow Activity!

cutting practice rainbow reveal lady bug reveal

Printable version of Reveal the Rainbow and Other Scenes!

pet salon cutting skills for kids strengthen hand muscles

Create a DIY Pet Salon with Yarn Fur

scissor skills activity spoon salon

DIY Spoon People Haircuts!

best learning toys for building words

Printable Version of Haircut Activity!

Cut the pasta snacktivity for kids using rainbow colored pasta

Snacktivity: Cut the Spaghetti!

leprechaun activity cutting scissor skills printable

Printable Cut the Leprechaun’s Beard!

scissor cutting skill activity sports theme

Printable Sports Themed Cutting

simple subtraction free printable activity for kids

Cut Hair While Learning How to Subtract!

scissor cutting skill activity using cars and roads

Cutting with Cars Printable!

best learning toys for following directions

Free the Cars Activity!

How to Make Cutting Practice Fun!

You may have known that the 12 activities that I’ve just shared are all hands on, playful ways that integrate cutting skills.

Handing kids a pair of scissors and a piece of paper may not always be met with much enthusiasm, especially for kids who struggle with fine motor skills. That’s why I love to make the activities more interactive and goal-oriented.

If you are short on time, downloading one of our printables is a great option. You could even hand your kiddo a pair of scissors and ask them to trim the grass outside!

learning through play quote
scissor skill activity for preschoolers cutting patterns vertical set up

How to Make Cutting Practice Fun!

You may have known that the 12 activities that I’ve just shared are all hands on, playful ways that integrate cutting skills.

Handing kids a pair of scissors and a piece of paper may not always be met with much enthusiasm, especially for kids who struggle with fine motor skills. That’s why I love to make the activities more interactive and goal-oriented.

If you are short on time, downloading one of our printables is a great option. You could even hand your kiddo a pair of scissors and ask them to trim the grass outside!

What’s Next?

St. Patrick’s Day Printable Worksheets That Kids Love

St. Patrick’s Day Printable Worksheets That Kids Love

St. Patrick’s Day Printable Worksheets That Kids Will Love!

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this printable activity booklet. It includes 20 activities for practicing early childhood education skills, including this silly “trim the beard” cutting practice page!

St. Patrick’s Day Printable for Growing Minds! 

There are so many concepts this St. Patrick’s Day printable booklet features. Not only does it include this adorable scissor skills activity, but you will find alphabet recognition, number recognition, comparisons, tracing, writing, coloring, counting, color recognition, shapes, patterning, and so much more!

 All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

Trim the Leprechaun’s Beard!

This is one of the my kid’s favorite activities in this St. Patrick’s Day printable booklet! I made a short video to show you have I set it up with a craft stick! The craft stick is a perfect handle to aid in the cutting practice. Plus, once the bread is trimmed, it becomes a playful puppet!

Read on below to get the printable activity booklet!

Trim the Leprechaun’s Beard!

This is one of the my kid’s favorite activities in this St. Patrick’s Day printable booklet! I made a short video to show you have I set it up with a craft stick! The craft stick is a perfect handle to aid in the cutting practice. Plus, once the bread is trimmed, it becomes a playful puppet!

Read on below to get the printable activity booklet!

Super Festive St. Patrick’s Day Printable Booklet

I love that this St. Patrick’s Day printable booklet is loaded with hands on playful opportunities to learn. Every holiday we aim to have activities to keep your little ones happy and busy!

If your kids love cutting practice, you have to try our Spoon Salon activity! If your little one is still learning how to hold the scissors in the right way, try our Cutting with Cars activity which encourages thumbs up!

For more printable activities, visit our Printable Shop. It is filled with easy to set-up activities that help strengthen early childhood education skills!

St. Patrick’s Day Printable Worksheets

Here are just a few early childhood education skills your little one will be exposed to after playing with this St. Patrick’s Day printable!

The Alphabet: From letter recognition, to writing, and phonics. This printable booklet includes the many different ways young kids are learning the alphabet in the early years!

Numbers: From number recognition, counting, and writing numbers there are pages for each!

Early Math: In addition to introductory concepts of numbers listed above, you will also find opportunities for addition, patterning, and measurement!

Coloring: This printable includes many fun ways to explore colors including color mixing, making your own wear-able top hat, and a dot-the-rainbow page!

We hope you enjoy this resource for learning, playing, and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day!

St. Patrick’s Day Printable Worksheets

Here are just a few early childhood education skills your little one will be exposed to after playing with this St. Patrick’s Day printable!

The Alphabet: From letter recognition, to writing, and phonics. This printable booklet includes the many different ways young kids are learning the alphabet in the early years!

Numbers: From number recognition, counting, and writing numbers there are pages for each!

Early Math: In addition to introductory concepts of numbers listed above, you will also find opportunities for addition, patterning, and measurement!

Coloring: This printable includes many fun ways to explore colors including color mixing, making your own wear-able top hat, and a dot-the-rainbow page!

We hope you enjoy this resource for learning, playing, and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day!

St. Patrick’s Day Gifts

Here are my top picks for the St. Patrick’s Day gifts you can buy!

Personalized Pajamas

These adorable personalized pajamas will make the perfect gift for any one in your family on St. Patrick’s Day!

Digital Download St. Patrick’s Day Style Artwork

A beautiful green rainbow to decorate for St. Patrick’s Day! 

St. Patrick’s Day Treat Box

This yummy box is filled with delicious St. Patrick’s Day themed treats including fun cake pops!

St. Patrick’s Day Outfit

This adorable green and gold onesie with tutu is such a cute outfit to wear on St. Patrick’s Day!

What’s Next?

DIY Charm Bracelet with Free Printable and Hot Glue Hack

DIY Charm Bracelet with Free Printable and Hot Glue Hack

DIY Charm Bracelet with Free Printable and Hot Glue Hack

diy charm bracelet using printable and hot glue gem pendants

Get ready to dive into the fun world of DIY charm bracelets. We’re about to show you a cool trick involving free printables, hot glue, and a whole lot of creativity. Keep reading to discover just how easy it is to craft these super cute charms with just paper and hot glue!

Budget Friendly: DIY Charm Bracelet Fun

Crafting these DIY charm bracelets is not only fun and stylish but also budget-friendly, requiring just a few simple materials easily found at home or at an affordable price. Plus, as long as you are using a low heat glue gun, it’s also a great craft activity for kids, offering them the opportunity to express their creativity without the need for expensive gems or diamonds, as they can personalize their bracelets by making their very own charms out of hot glue!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

 

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

Tips for Making this DIY Charm Bracelet

Medium to Heavy Weight Paper:  Using thicker paper will make the hot glue charms more sturdy and durable.

Free Printable Shapes: Use our free printable to make an adorable DIY Heart-Charm Bracelet! The printable is a great guide for making your shapes and provide different color and shape backgrounds!

Use a Low Heat Glue Gun: Crafting with a hot glue gun can be a fun and rewarding experience for children, but it’s crucial to prioritize safety at all times. Always ensure that a responsible adult is present to supervise children while specifically using a low heat glue gun. Teach children how to hold and operate the hot glue gun safely and remind them to allow the hot glue to cool and harden before touching or handling their finished projects.

Transparent Hot Glue Sticks: For crystal-clear pendants and gems, opt for transparent hot glue sticks formulated specifically for crafting to achieve the best results.  

Tips for Making this DIY Charm Bracelet

Medium to Heavy Weight Paper:  Using thicker paper will make the hot glue charms more sturdy and durable.

Free Printable Shapes: Use our free printable to make an adorable DIY Heart-Charm Bracelet! The printable is a great guide for making your shapes and provide different color and shape backgrounds!

Use a Low Heat Glue Gun: Crafting with a hot glue gun can be a fun and rewarding experience for children, but it’s crucial to prioritize safety at all times. Always ensure that a responsible adult is present to supervise children while specifically using a low heat glue gun. Teach children how to hold and operate the hot glue gun safely and remind them to allow the hot glue to cool and harden before touching or handling their finished projects.

Transparent Hot Glue Sticks: For crystal-clear pendants and gems, opt for transparent hot glue sticks formulated specifically for crafting to achieve the best results.  

Use Our Free Printable to Easily Craft Your DIY Charm Bracelet

To access the free printable featuring heart shapes of varying sizes and colors, simply download it here and print it out at home. Using these images not only adds color and design to your charms but also serves as a convenient guide during the crafting process. By applying hot glue directly onto the printed hearts, you’ll find it easier to create precise and uniform shapes, ensuring that your charms turn out beautifully every time. With this handy tool at your disposal, crafting your own unique charm bracelet becomes a breeze.

This is a free printable! If you haven’t explored our printables yet, I highly recommend you give a few free ones a try and if you like them, join our membership because there is so much more to explore and you get the added perk of instant downloads!

 

hot glue pendant printable make your own jewlery with hot glue
Materials
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1

Select your favorite pendant design and print the template provided.

Step 2

Secure the jump ring in place using a low heat glue gun.

Step 3

Cover the entire shape with hot glue to transform it into a solid crystal pendant.

Step 4

Once dry, cut out the shapes.

Step 5

Connect jump ring to your jewelry/gift of choice, like a necklace, bracelet, earring, keychain, or even simply a pipe cleaner!

Step 1

Select your favorite pendant design and print the template provided.

Step 2

Secure the jump ring in place using a low heat glue gun.

Step 3

Cover the entire shape with hot glue to transform it into a solid crystal pendant.

Step 4

Once dry, cut out the shapes.

Step 5

Connect jump ring to your jewelry/gift of choice, like a necklace, bracelet, earring, keychain, or even simply a pipe cleaner!

Encouraging Creativity with Budget-Friendly Charm Crafting

Creating DIY charm bracelets is an excellent way to foster creativity in children while also being mindful of budget constraints. This activity demonstrates that charms don’t need to be expensive to be meaningful.

By using affordable materials like hot glue your kiddo can create their very own trinkets allowing them to unleash their imagination to design unique charms that reflect their personality or create heartfelt gifts for loved ones. Encouraging them to explore their creativity in this way not only instills a sense of pride in their handmade creations but also teaches valuable skills in resourcefulness and innovation. 

diy charm bracelet using printable and hot glue gem pendants
diy charm bracelet using printable and hot glue gem pendants

Encouraging Creativity with Budget-Friendly Charm Crafting

Creating DIY charm bracelets is an excellent way to foster creativity in children while also being mindful of budget constraints. This activity demonstrates that charms don’t need to be expensive to be meaningful.

By using affordable materials like hot glue your kiddo can create their very own trinkets allowing them to unleash their imagination to design unique charms that reflect their personality or create heartfelt gifts for loved ones. Encouraging them to explore their creativity in this way not only instills a sense of pride in their handmade creations but also teaches valuable skills in resourcefulness and innovation. 

Other DIY Valentine’s Day Activities

Looking for more Valentine’s Day fun? Check out these printable resources that go beyond making this handprint keepsake!

Personalized Valentine's Day Card - Printable

DIY Valentine’s Day Card

These DIY Valentine’s Day cards are too cute! Customize the card-giving experience by using a photo of your kiddo handing a rose, lollipop or other prize as if it’s coming out of the card itself!

Valentine’s Hot Glue Craft - Printable

Valentine’s Craft

Ignite your child’s artistic spirit with our exclusive Valentine’s Hot Glue Craft – Printable. Simply print the provided illustrations and embark on a crafting adventure. To ensure safety, adult supervision is recommended when using hot glue.

Valentines Play Dough Mats

Valentine’s Play Dough Mats

Introduce a touch of magic to your Valentine’s Day festivities with our delightful Valentine’s Day PlayDough Mats. This printable product is specially crafted to ignite creativity in young hearts, providing an enchanting addition to your celebration.

valentine's day printable activities

15+ Valentine’s Day Activities

Elevate the spirit of Valentine’s Day for your little ones with our printable set of over 15 Valentine’s Day themed activities! Tailored to foster early childhood education skills, these delightful worksheets are designed to be both enjoyable and educational.

What’s Next?

Valentine’s Alphabet and Number Activity with Printable

Valentine’s Alphabet and Number Activity with Printable

Valentine’s Alphabet and Number Activity with Printable

valentines day alphabet and number activity printable feed the heart

This “Feed the Heart” Valentine’s alphabet and number activity is a fun and interactive way to play and learn. Keep reading to see the step by step instructions on how you can do it too!

A Heartfelt Way to Recognize Letters and Numbers on Valentine’s Day! 

This educational activity is one of our favorites during the Valentine’s season. The “Feed the Heart” alphabet and number activity provides a fantastic opportunity for children to explore the world of letter and number recognition in a fun and engaging manner.

In this Valentine’s alphabet and number activity, you can choose between strips of written letters or number symbols, and then kids can physically interact with matching manipulative symbols to “feed the heart.” This hands-on approach creates a multisensory experience, reinforcing their understanding through touch and visual engagement.

In this post, we will delve into the details of this educational resource, highlighting its benefits, what you need to do, and how it effectively fosters not only alphabet recognition but also fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities in young learners.

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

Watch How to Make This Valentine’s Alphabet and Number Activity!

Creating this DIY Valentine’s alphabet and number activity is easy to do, especially if you use our printable images

Start by preparing the necessary materials, ensuring you have our printed activity sheet, a suitable box, glue, scissors, and a craft knife. Engage your child in the creative process as they cut out the heart illustration, alphabet and number strips, and pictures of objects from the printable, fostering a hands-on approach to learning. 

Incorporating interactive activities not only makes the alphabet and number learning experience fun but also enhances fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities. By infusing creativity into the learning process, you’ll not only be fostering a love for letters but also nurturing valuable skills that extend beyond the realm of academics.

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Watch How to Make This Valentine’s Alphabet and Number Activity!

Creating this DIY Valentine’s alphabet and number activity is easy to do, especially if you use our printable images

Start by preparing the necessary materials, ensuring you have our printed activity sheet, a suitable box, glue, scissors, and a craft knife. You can make it yourself or engage your child in the creative process as they cut out the heart illustration, alphabet and number strips, and pictures of objects from the printable, fostering a hands-on approach to learning. 

Incorporating interactive activities not only makes the alphabet-learning experience fun but also enhances fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities. By infusing creativity into the learning process, you’ll not only be fostering a love for letters but also nurturing valuable skills that extend beyond the realm of academics.

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Tips for Creating This Valentine’s Alphabet and Number Activity!

Download Our Printable. You can draw your own heart and create your own letter or number strips, or you can make things easier and download our printable images!

Cut Extra White Strips: Since we will be threading the strips through the box don’t forget to tape plain white strips of paper at the front and end of your alphabet and number strips so that they will properly thread through.

Tape it Up! If you have some strong double-sided tape, you can tape the box to the wall and make this a vertical activity – one that you kiddo does while standing and moving about which is great for concentration and gross motor skills!

For more arts and crafts projects, be sure to visit our comprehensive list!

Valentine’s Day Card with Secret Message - Printable
Materials
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1

Print out our downloadable “Feed the Heart” images or create them yourself! 

Step 2

Cut out the heart shape and the alphabet and number strips, be sure to add extra white paper strips on each side of the letters and numbers strips to ensure the paper will thread fully through the box.

Step 3

Glue the heart shape to a box and use a craft knife to cut along the dotted line around the heart’s mouth to make a hole all the way through the cardboard. Make sure there is a hole in the back of the box to retrieve the manipulative symbols.

 

Step 4

Cut two vertical lined slits under the heart with 1.5 inch of space between the slits. Also cut a hole on each side of the box.

Step 5

Thread the alphabet or number strips through the slits and run the ends of the strips through the holes on each side of the box. Once this is done, you or your child should be able to pull the strip to reveal one letter or number at a time that is visible underneath the heart shape. 

Step 6

Provide alphabet and number manipulative symbols for your kiddo to match to the letter or number visible and feed it to the heart. Pull the strip to view the next letter or number and repeat the process. 

Step 1

Print out our downloadable “Feed the Heart” images or create them yourself! 

Step 2

Cut out the heart shape and the alphabet and number strips, be sure to add extra white paper strips on each side of the letters and numbers strips to ensure the paper will thread fully through the box.

Step 3

Glue the heart shape to a box and use a craft knife to cut along the dotted line around the heart’s mouth to make a hole all the way through the cardboard. Make sure there is a hole in the back of the box to retrieve the manipulative symbols.

Step 4

Cut two vertical lined slits under the heart with 1.5 inch of space between the slits. Also cut a hole on each side of the box.

Step 5

Thread the alphabet or number strips through the slits and run the ends of the strips through the holes on each side of the box. Once this is done, you or your child should be able to pull the strip to reveal one letter or number at a time that is visible underneath the heart shape. 

Step 6

Provide alphabet and number manipulative symbols for your kiddo to match to the letter or number visible and feed it to the heart. Pull the strip to view the next letter or number and repeat the process. 

How Interactive Activities Make Alphabet and Number Learning Easier

Interactive activities like this Valentine’s alphabet and number activity play a pivotal role in enhancing the learning experience for children by providing a dynamic and engaging approach. 

Here are several ways in which interactive activities contribute to improved alphabet learning:

Active Engagement and Participation: Interactive activities encourage active engagement, where children are directly involved in the learning process.

Memory Retention through Experience: The physical act of selecting letters, matching them, and feeding the heart creates lasting impressions in their memory.

Fine Motor Skill Development: Many interactive alphabet activities, including cutting and pasting components like in the “Feed the Heart” activity, contribute to the development of fine motor skills.

Visual and Auditory Stimulation: The combination of engaging visuals and auditory stimuli, such as verbalizing letter names during the activity, reinforces the learning experience. 

    valentines day alphabet and number activity printable feed the heart

    Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Many interactive alphabet activities involve problem-solving components, such as matching letters with corresponding objects or images.

    Positive Attitude Toward Learning: When children associate the alphabet with fun and interactive experiences, they are more likely to approach learning with enthusiasm. This positive mindset lays the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.

    valentines day alphabet and number activity printable feed the heart

    How Interactive Activities Make Alphabet and Number Learning Easier

    Interactive activities like this Valentine’s alphabet and number activity play a pivotal role in enhancing the learning experience for children by providing a dynamic and engaging approach. 

    Here are several ways in which interactive activities contribute to improved alphabet learning:

    Active Engagement and Participation: Interactive activities encourage active engagement, where children are directly involved in the learning process.

    Memory Retention through Experience: The physical act of selecting letters, matching them, and feeding the heart creates lasting impressions in their memory.

    Fine Motor Skill Development: Many interactive alphabet activities, including cutting and pasting components like in the “Feed the Heart” activity, contribute to the development of fine motor skills.

    Visual and Auditory Stimulation: The combination of engaging visuals and auditory stimuli, such as verbalizing letter names during the activity, reinforces the learning experience. 

    Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Many interactive alphabet activities involve problem-solving components, such as matching letters with corresponding objects or images.

    Positive Attitude Toward Learning: When children associate the alphabet with fun and interactive experiences, they are more likely to approach learning with enthusiasm. This positive mindset lays the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.

      Other DIY Valentine’s Day Activities

      Looking for more Valentine’s Day fun? Check out these printable resources that go beyond doing this Valentine’s alphabet and number activity.

      hot glue pendant printable make your own jewlery with hot glue

      Hot Glue Pendants

      Craft beautiful customized crystal pendants effortlessly to embellish your bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. Designed for individuals aged 6 and above, utilizing a low-heat glue gun ensures safety. An elegant and considerate gift suggestion!

      Valentine’s Hot Glue Craft - Printable

      Valentine’s Craft

      Ignite your child’s artistic spirit with our exclusive Valentine’s Hot Glue Craft – Printable. Simply print the provided illustrations and embark on a crafting adventure. To ensure safety, adult supervision is recommended when using hot glue.

      Valentines Play Dough Mats

      Valentine’s Play Dough Mats

      Introduce a touch of magic to your Valentine’s Day festivities with our delightful Valentine’s Day PlayDough Mats. This printable product is specially crafted to ignite creativity in young hearts, providing an enchanting addition to your celebration.

      valentine's day printable activities

      15+ Valentine’s Day Activities

      Elevate the spirit of Valentine’s Day for your little ones with our printable set of over 15 Valentine’s Day themed activities! Tailored to foster early childhood education skills, these delightful worksheets are designed to be both enjoyable and educational.

      What’s Next?

      DIY Valentine’s Day Card – So Simple and Fun!

      DIY Valentine’s Day Card – So Simple and Fun!

      DIY Valentine’s Day Card – So Simple and Fun!

      DIY Valentine's Day Card candy free 3D Personalized

      Searching for a simple (and fun) DIY Valentine’s Day card for your child to bring to school? Look no further! This personalized card is easy to make and your child will love gifting one to each of their classmates.

      The Cutest DIY Valentine’s Day Cards for Kids

      Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a personalized touch for your child’s classmates? This card is designed to make it seem like your child is literally giving the recipient a gift straight out of the card! This year, we’re going to do a DIY Valentine’s Day Card that has a candy-free artificial rose gift (though, if your school allows candy, feel free to swap it for a lollipop if you prefer)!

      This creative craft adds a personal touch to Valentine’s Day cards for classmates. It’s an easy and enjoyable project that not only brings joy to your child but also spreads love and smiles in the classroom. 

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      Tips for Making the Perfect DIY Valentine’s Day Card

      Tip 1: Capture the Moment

      Take a picture of your child while instructing them to hold a closed fist towards the camera, simulating the act of holding a flower. Try to choose a background that’s not too busy, and leave ample space around your child for adding text.

      Tips 2: Print Your Photo

      Stores like CVS can usually print photos in just a couple of hours. Check to see if they have any promo codes running (as they often do!) so you can get the prints for cheap! You can also use a printer at home if you have one!

      Tip 3: Adding Text

      You can choose to add text before you print your photo or after you print your photo. We created “Happy Valentine’s Day” stickers as well as a signature sticker you can download for free and add to your printed cards if you like! Or if you are tech savvy, you can add your preferred graphics in photo-editing apps before printing. Or even more simple, you can just write your note directly on the printed card!

       

      Tips for Making the Perfect DIY Valentine’s Day Card

      Tip 1: Capture the Moment

      Take a picture of your child while instructing them to hold a closed fist towards the camera, simulating the act of holding a flower, lollipop, or other prize on a stick!

      Tips 2: Print Your Photo

      Stores like CVS can usually print photos in just a couple of hours. Check to see if they have any promo codes running (as they often do!) so you can get the prints for cheap! You can also use a printer at home if you have one!

      Tip 3: Adding Text

      You can choose to add text before or after you print your photo. We created “Happy Valentine’s Day” stickers as well as a signature sticker you can download for free and add to your printed cards if you like! Or if you are tech savvy, you can add your preferred graphics in photo-editing apps before printing. Or even more simple, you can just write your note directly on the printed card in pen!

      Tip 4: Prize on a Stick!

      When choosing the prize for your Valentine’s Card, make sure it is one that is on a thin stick – both artificial flowers and lollipops work perfectly. We got our artificial flowers from Dollar Tree.

      Free Printable Stickers for Your DIY Valentine’s Day Card

      As mentioned above, you can decorate your card lots of different ways, but if you want to use the graphics we created, you can! Click here to downloadable and print the labels we used for free!

      You can add them to your photo digitally, or you can print them out on sticker paper and stick them to your photos. 

      For another Valentine’s Day card idea, check out our Secret Message Valentine’s Day Card Templates!

      All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

      Personalized Valentine's Day Card - Printable

      Materials

      • Craft Knife
      • Stick-Based Prizes (like an artificial rose or lollipop)

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      Instruct your child to hold a closed fist towards the camera, simulating holding a flower. Use a camera, focusing on your child’s face, and choose a background that’s not too busy.

      Step 2

      Decide whether you want to add text to your photo before or after printing. You can always add our free printable graphics to the card as stickers if you like!

      Step 3

      Print the photos at home or upload the finalized image to your preferred printing service. Choose 4×6 prints and double-check cropping placements.

       

      Step 4

      With printed photos in hand, use a sharp craft knife to cut two small slots – one at the top and one at the bottom of the closed fist. Choose sturdy cardstock or photo paper for printing to ensure durability.

      Step 5

      Insert your prize (artificial flower stems, lollipops, or other stick-based gift) through the slots, creating the illusion of your child holding the present.

      Your candy-free DIY Flower Valentine’s Day Photo Cards are now ready to be shared with classmates!

      Step 1

      Instruct your child to hold a closed fist towards the camera, simulating holding a flower. Use a camera, focusing on your child’s face, and choose a background that’s not too busy.

      Step 2

      Decide whether you want to add text to your photo before or after printing. You can always add our free printable graphics to the card as stickers if you like!

      Step 3

      Print the photos at home or upload the finalized image to your preferred printing service. Choose 4×6 prints and double-check cropping placements.

      Step 4

      With printed photos in hand, use a sharp craft knife to cut two small slots – one at the top and one at the bottom of the closed fist. Choose sturdy cardstock or photo paper for printing to ensure durability.

      Step 5

      Insert your prize (artificial flower stems, lollipops, or other stick-based gift) through the slots, creating the illusion of your child holding the present.

      Your candy-free DIY Flower Valentine’s Day Photo Cards are now ready to be shared with classmates!

      Benefits of DIY Valentine’s Day Cards for Kids

      Creating DIY Valentine’s Day cards can be a wonderful and enriching experience for kids, offering a range of benefits beyond simply exchanging store-bought cards.

      Personalizing homemade cards encourages creativity and self-expression, allowing children to personalize their messages and designs, fostering a sense of individuality.

      Creating DIY cards instills a sense of thoughtfulness and effort, teaching children the value of putting time and care into expressing affection for others, so I highly recommend you involve the kiddos in every step of the process in creating these cards!

      Ultimately, DIY Valentine’s Day cards provide a unique and meaningful way for children to celebrate friendship and express their emotions while fostering creativity and interpersonal connections. 

      DIY Valentine's Day Card candy free 3D Personalized
      make your own valentine's card with a secret message with free printable

      Benefits of DIY Valentine’s Day Cards for Kids

      Creating DIY Valentine’s Day cards can be a wonderful and enriching experience for kids, offering a range of benefits beyond simply exchanging store-bought cards.

      Personalizing homemade cards encourages creativity and self-expression, allowing children to personalize their messages and designs, fostering a sense of individuality.

      Creating DIY cards instills a sense of thoughtfulness and effort, teaching children the value of putting time and care into expressing affection for others, so I highly recommend you involve the kiddos in every step of the process in creating these cards!

      Ultimately, DIY Valentine’s Day cards provide a unique and meaningful way for children to celebrate friendship and express their emotions while fostering creativity and interpersonal connections. 

      Other DIY Valentine’s Day Activities

      Looking for more Valentine’s Day fun? Check out these printable resources.

      hot glue pendant printable make your own jewlery with hot glue

      Hot Glue Pendants

      Craft beautiful customized crystal pendants effortlessly to embellish your bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. Designed for individuals aged 6 and above, utilizing a low-heat glue gun ensures safety. An elegant and considerate gift suggestion!

      Valentine’s Hot Glue Craft - Printable

      Valentine’s Craft

      Ignite your child’s artistic spirit with our exclusive Valentine’s Hot Glue Craft – Printable. Simply print the provided illustrations and embark on a crafting adventure. To ensure safety, adult supervision is recommended when using hot glue.

      Valentines Play Dough Mats

      Valentine’s Play Dough Mats

      Introduce a touch of magic to your Valentine’s Day festivities with our delightful Valentine’s Day PlayDough Mats. This printable product is specially crafted to ignite creativity in young hearts, providing an enchanting addition to your celebration.

      valentine's day printable activities

      15+ Valentine’s Day Activities

      Elevate the spirit of Valentine’s Day for your little ones with our printable set of over 15 Valentine’s Day themed activities! Tailored to foster early childhood education skills, these delightful worksheets are designed to be both enjoyable and educational.

      What’s Next?

      Make Your Own Valentine’s Day Card with a Secret Love Message

      Make Your Own Valentine’s Day Card with a Secret Love Message

      Make Your Own Valentine’s Day Card with a Secret Love Message

      make your own valentine's card with a secret message with free printable

      How cool is it to create and exchange Valentine’s Day cards with these secret message?! Keep reading to get all the details on how to easily make this too along with the FREE printable, which includes 5 card designs.

      Secret Message Valentines Day Cards

      Discover a magical touch to Valentine’s Day cards with this exciting secret message technique! This fun and easy activity is perfect for kids who want to create their own personalized cards for friends. Using a white crayon on our FREE printable, children can craft hidden messages that add an element of surprise. When the recipient brushes watercolors over the message, the secret words magically appear, creating a memorable Valentine’s Day experience. It’s a playful way for kids to express their creativity and share the joy of giving with their friends in class.

      All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      Make Your Secret Message Valentine’s Day Cards

      Watch this video to see how easy it is to make your own Valentine’s Day card with a secret message! See how we use a white crayon to write hidden messages on our FREE printables.

      We then add a paint circle and a paintbrush for the recipient to reveal the message. It’s a cool and simple process, and watching the message suddenly appear adds a fun and exciting element.

      These secret message printables offer a memorable and interactive way to celebrate friends and loved ones, making Valentine’s Day truly special for both the sender and the recipient.

      Make Your Secret Message Valentine’s Day Cards

      Watch this video to see how easy it is to make your own Valentine’s Day card with a secret message! See how we use a white crayon to write hidden messages on our FREE printables.

      We then add a paint circle and a paintbrush for the recipient to reveal the message. It’s a cool and simple process, and watching the message suddenly appear adds a fun and exciting element.

      These secret message printables offer a memorable and interactive way to celebrate friends and loved ones, making Valentine’s Day truly special for both the sender and the recipient.

       

      Tips for Making Your Own Secret Message Valentine’s Day Cards

      Watercolor Paper. You’ll need some thick paper to create this art project! If you use regular paper, the water from the watercolors will make your card too soggy!

      Use Our Printable Designs – It’s FREE! Start by selecting your preferred card design from the available options. The variety allows you to personalize the experience for your loved ones

      Apply Pressure with the White Crayon: Use a white crayon to write a secret message on the card. Make sure you apply plenty of pressure to be sure the crayon will resist the watercolors.

      Use Watercolor Circles:  These watercolor circles are a fantastic budget-friendly addition to this card-making process, providing an affordable yet effective way for recipients to unveil the hidden messages with the joy of watercolors.

      For more arts and crafts projects, be sure to visit our comprehensive list

      Valentine’s Day Card with Secret Message - Printable

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      Choose a card design from the free printable and print it out on watercolor paper.

      Step 2

      Use scissors to cut out the card design(s).

       

      Step 3

      Write a secret message using a white crayon. The white crayon ensures that the message remains hidden until revealed.

      Step 4

      Include a paintbrush and a watercolor circle in the designated area on the card. This adds an interactive and artistic element to the gift.

      Step 1

      Choose a card design from the free printable and print it out on watercolor paper.

      Step 2

      Use scissors to cut out the card design(s).

      Step 3

      Write a secret message using a white crayon. The white crayon ensures that the message remains hidden until revealed.

      Step 4

      Include a paintbrush and a watercolor circle in the designated area on the card. This adds an interactive and artistic element to the gift.

      Why We Love Making (& Giving) Valentine’s Day Cards

      Valentine’s Day is not just a celebration for adults; it holds immense importance for children as well. One cherished tradition that adds joy to this special day is the exchange of Valentine’s Day cards among kids. These cards play such a great role in shaping young minds and fostering essential values. 

      • Expressing emotions: Choosing and giving cards to friends and classmates becomes a tangible expression of affection.
      • Promoting creativity: This creative process enhances their artistic skills and allows them to take pride in their unique creations.
      • Building relationships: Children learn about the importance of relationships and the joy of giving. It’s a subtle lesson in empathy and caring for others.
      • Spreading love and compassion: They teach kids the significance of reaching out to others, making someone’s day brighter, and creating a positive impact through simple acts of kindness.
      make your own valentine's card with a secret message with free printable

        The tradition of Valentine’s Day cards for kids goes beyond the surface-level exchange; it becomes a meaningful experience that contributes to their emotional development and understanding of human connections.

        make your own valentine's card with a secret message with free printable

        Why We Love Making (& Giving) Valentine’s Day Cards

        Valentine’s Day is not just a celebration for adults; it holds immense importance for children as well. One cherished tradition that adds joy to this special day is the exchange of Valentine’s Day cards among kids. These cards play such a great role in shaping young minds and fostering essential values. 

        • Expressing emotions: Choosing and giving cards to friends and classmates becomes a tangible expression of affection.
        • Promoting creativity: This creative process enhances their artistic skills and allows them to take pride in their unique creations.
        • Building relationships: Children learn about the importance of relationships and the joy of giving. It’s a subtle lesson in empathy and caring for others.
        • Spreading love and compassion: They teach kids the significance of reaching out to others, making someone’s day brighter, and creating a positive impact through simple acts of kindness.

        The tradition of Valentine’s Day cards for kids goes beyond the surface-level exchange; it becomes a meaningful experience that contributes to their emotional development and understanding of human connections.

        Other DIY Valentine’s Day Activities

        Looking for more Valentine’s Day fun? Check out these printable resources.

        hot glue pendant printable make your own jewlery with hot glue

        Hot Glue Pendants

        Craft beautiful customized crystal pendants effortlessly to embellish your bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. Designed for individuals aged 6 and above, utilizing a low-heat glue gun ensures safety. An elegant and considerate gift suggestion!

        Valentine’s Hot Glue Craft - Printable

        Valentine’s Craft

        Ignite your child’s artistic spirit with our exclusive Valentine’s Hot Glue Craft – Printable. Simply print the provided illustrations and embark on a crafting adventure. To ensure safety, adult supervision is recommended when using hot glue.

        Valentines Play Dough Mats

        Valentine’s Play Dough Mats

        Introduce a touch of magic to your Valentine’s Day festivities with our delightful Valentine’s Day PlayDough Mats. This printable product is specially crafted to ignite creativity in young hearts, providing an enchanting addition to your celebration.

        valentine's day printable activities

        15+ Valentine’s Day Activities

        Elevate the spirit of Valentine’s Day for your little ones with our printable set of over 15 Valentine’s Day themed activities! Tailored to foster early childhood education skills, these delightful worksheets are designed to be both enjoyable and educational.

        What’s Next?

        Scented Play Dough – How to Make Rose Swirls

        Scented Play Dough – How to Make Rose Swirls

        Scented Play Dough – How to Make Rose Swirls 

        scented play dough rose valentine's day kid activity school gift

        This rose scented play dough recipe smells divine! It is a fun activity to do around Valentine’s Day. Keep on reading to find out how we make it!

        Give A Scented Play Dough Gift!  

        After you make this scented play dough, you may want to give it to all your friends (like we did!). Put the play dough into a small jar and pair it with a heart-shaped cookie cutter and rolling pin and you’ve got the most adorable Valentine’s gift for kids!

        This play dough recipe is sensory-packed! Not only is including a scent amazing, but the swirls are so easy to make and fun to look at. Once kids begin to play with the dough, it also becomes a lesson on color mixing – what color does white and red make when combined?!

        All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

        Skills:
        Ages: 
        Prep Time:

        How to Make Swirl Rose Scented Play Dough!

        Watch the video to see how easy it is to make this play dough recipe! You’ll see that my son (age 3 years old at the time) enjoyed doing most of the steps on his own!

        Grown ups, of course, will need to mix in the boiling water. And, depending on a child’s age, it may be preferred for a grown up to create the layers and cut the dough into swirly sections!

        How to Make Swirl Rose Scented Play Dough!

        Watch the video to see how easy it is to make this play dough recipe! You’ll see that my son (age 3 years old at the time) enjoyed doing most of the steps on his own!

        Grown ups, of course, will need to mix in the boiling water. And, depending on a child’s age, it may be preferred for a grown up to create the layers and cut the dough into swirly sections!

        Easy to Make Play Dough – Tips and Tricks!

        Mix while hot, but use caution! 

        I wear gloves and mix the *very hot* play dough by hand to make sure that the dough is kneaded thoroughly, which spreads the heat, dissolving the granules to make a smooth texture. Don’t have your kiddos do this part!

        Why is my batch too sticky?

        Too much water was added! If too sticky add a little more flour.

        Why is my batch too dry?

        Not enough water was added! If too dry add a little more water.

        Do I need to add oil?

        The coconut oil gives the dough a super silky texture. You could also use glycerine. Alternatively, other vegetable oil will work too, but I’ve found that coconut oil makes it super silky!

        What is cream of tartar, and do I need it?

        The cream of tartar is a preservative and it makes the play dough have a longer shelf life. You can omit it, but the dough will not last as long!

        scented play dough rose valentine's day kid activity school gift

        How can I store and how long does it last?

        Play dough can last up to 6 months if stored in a sealed container. We like using 4oz jars as pictured below. But with all things that kid’s touch, there is risk of germs entering once touched, so always be sure to look for mold – seen as black dots. If black dots form, it’s time to throw out!

        Materials

        Step-by-Step Instructions 

        Step 1

        Mix together the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a bowl.

        Step 2

        Add the rose extract and coconut oil.

        Step 3

        Add food coloring into the 3/4 cup of water.

        Step 4

        Boil the water. (In my microwave, it takes about 2 minutes to reach best temperature.)

        Step 5

        Mix the water into the flour mixture, transferring to a flat surface to knead until smooth and not sticky. Don’t miss my note above about wearing gloves to protect your hands from the heat!

         

        Step 6

        Repeat above recipe except skip the food coloring to make plain white play dough.

        Step 7

        Roll out 2 layers of white and 2 layers of red.

        Step 8

        Stack the layers on top of each other in red, white, red, white order.

        Step 9

        Use the rolling pin to flatten all the layers together a little more.

        Step 10

        From bottom to top, roll the play dough into a roll to desired thickness.

        Step 11

        Cut into individual portions and enjoy!

        Step 1

        Mix together the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a bowl.

        Step 2

        Add the rose extract and coconut oil.

        Step 3

        Add food coloring into the 3/4 cup of water.

        Step 4

        Boil the water. (In my microwave, it takes about 2 minutes to reach best temperature.)

        Step 5

        Mix the water into the flour mixture, transferring to a flat surface to knead until smooth and not sticky. Don’t miss my note above about wearing gloves to protect your hands from the heat!

        Step 6

        Repeat above recipe except skip the food coloring to make plain white play dough.

        Step 7

        Roll out 2 layers of white and 2 layers of red.

        Step 8

        Stack the layers on top of each other in red, white, red, white order.

        Step 9

        Use the rolling pin to flatten all the layers together a little more.

        Step 10

        From bottom to top, roll the play dough into a roll to desired thickness.

        Step 11

        Cut into individual portions and enjoy!

        The Importance of Playing with Play Dough

        Playing with play dough in general is such a sensory rich experience. The tactile experience provides wonderful hand strengthening opportunities. Rolling, squeezing, twisting, pulling, and more — all of these actions are great for fine motor skills.

        When you add a scent into play dough, it takes the sensory experience to the next level. This recipe had rose extract, but you could incorporate lots of different types of scents. Lavender, for example, would be a great way option for a calming, soothing recipe!

        For more sensory play activities visit our comprehensive list!

        scented play dough rose valentine's day kid activity school gift
        scented play dough rose valentine's day kid activity school gift

        The Importance of Playing with Play Dough

        Playing with play dough in general is such a sensory rich experience. The tactile experience provides wonderful hand strengthening opportunities. Rolling, squeezing, twisting, pulling, and more — all of these actions are great for fine motor skills.

        When you add a scent into play dough, it takes the sensory experience to the next level. This recipe had rose extract, but you could incorporate lots of different types of scents. Lavender, for example, would be a great way option for a calming, soothing recipe!

        For more sensory play activities visit our comprehensive list!

         

        More Sensory Bases to Explore

        Here are my top picks for sensory bases you can buy!

        sensory sand play for kids

        Sensory Sand

        Sensory sand is moldable! This bulk pack comes with enough to fill an entire bin for lasting fun! Bonus points for including a storage bin!

        mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

        Modelling Dough

        This modelling dough compound NEVER dries out! It is a fun texture – it is stretchy like play dough, moldable like kinetic sand, and odorless.

        play dough wild dough sensory

        Premium Play Dough

        This play dough is the cream of the crop! It is ridiculously silky and smooth, lasts for 6 months, and is scented!

        slime kit sensory play for kids

        The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

        This kit includes 8 fascinating varieties of slime and putty, including premade putty, magnetic slime, glow in the dark putty, and so much more.

        What’s Next?

        Best Learning Toys for Kids

        Best Learning Toys for Kids

        Best Learning Toys for Kids

        best learning toys for kids compilation list

        There’s something truly special about giving a gift that is not only fun for kids, but also fuels them educationally. Whether it’s for your child or a birthday celebration, find the best learning toys here!

        Why Choose Educational Gifts for Children?

        From interactive STEM kits to colorful puzzles, educational toys aren’t just playthings; they’re gateways to a world of discovery. Whether it’s fostering creativity, honing problem-solving skills, or simply making education a blast, these best learning toys are the perfect companions on our parenting adventure. 

        With these gifts, you can create a space where playtime isn’t just fun but also an opportunity for our kids to grow, explore, and learn in the most delightful ways. 

        All toys and activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

        Shop the Best Learning Toys for Kids!

        Find educational gifts that spark curiosity and learning in kids. Here are 16 of some of our favorite learning toys for kids. If you want even more ideas, check out this comprehensive list of +60 toys perfect for playful learning!

        best learning toys for writing

        Best Toy for Learning and Writing Letters

        science kit for kids educational toy

        Best Science Experiment Kit

        best learning toys for colors and shapes

        Great Toy for Matching Shapes and Colors

        best learning toys for counting cookie monster

        Fun Toy for Learning Numbers 1-10

        best learning toys for the human body

        Best Toy for Learning the Human Body

        best learning toys for building words

        Great Resource for Beginning Reading

        best learning toys for fine motor skills

        Great Toy for Fine Motor Skills

        best learning toys interactive book quiet time book

        Best Quiet Time Interactive Book

        best learning toys for letter sounds

        Great Puzzle for Learning Letter Sounds

        best learning toys for the alphabet

        Best Toy for Matching Letter Cases

        best learning toys for money education

        Board Game for Learning Money

        best learning toys for following directions

        Fun Toy for Learning Patterns and Directions

        The Importance of Playful Learning!

        Educational toys play a pivotal role in fostering comprehensive child development across various domains. And the above mentioned best learning toys for kids is a great place to start looking for gifts, but I also want to mention how these purposeful playthings contribute to cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth in several ways.

        Cognitive Development: Educational toys stimulate mental processes, enhancing problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity. Puzzles, building blocks, and interactive games, for example, engage children in tasks that promote cognitive development.

        Motor Skills Enhancement: Toys designed for learning often involve hands-on activities, refining both fine and gross motor skills. From manipulating small objects in intricate tasks to engaging in physical activities that enhance coordination, educational toys provide a platform for skill development.

        Social Interaction: Many educational toys are designed for collaborative play, encouraging social interaction and communication. Board games, group activities, and cooperative play contribute to the development of social skills, teamwork, and understanding others. 

        learning through play quote

        Emotional Intelligence: Toys that involve role-playing, storytelling, and emotional expression contribute to the development of emotional intelligence. Children learn to identify and manage their emotions while understanding others’ feelings, fostering empathy and social awareness.

        Language Skills: Educational toys often incorporate language development elements. From interactive books to language-based games, these toys support the acquisition of vocabulary, language comprehension, and communication skills.

        Educational toys create an enriching environment where learning is seamlessly woven into the fabric of play, promoting holistic child development.

         

         

        learning through play quote

        The Importance of Playful Learning!

        Educational toys play a pivotal role in fostering comprehensive child development across various domains. And the above mentioned best learning toys for kids is a great place to start looking for gifts, but I also want to mention how these purposeful playthings contribute to cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth in several ways.

        Cognitive Development: Educational toys stimulate mental processes, enhancing problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity. Puzzles, building blocks, and interactive games, for example, engage children in tasks that promote cognitive development.

        Motor Skills Enhancement: Toys designed for learning often involve hands-on activities, refining both fine and gross motor skills. From manipulating small objects in intricate tasks to engaging in physical activities that enhance coordination, educational toys provide a platform for skill development.

        Social Interaction: Many educational toys are designed for collaborative play, encouraging social interaction and communication. Board games, group activities, and cooperative play contribute to the development of social skills, teamwork, and understanding others. 

        Emotional Intelligence: Toys that involve role-playing, storytelling, and emotional expression contribute to the development of emotional intelligence. Children learn to identify and manage their emotions while understanding others’ feelings, fostering empathy and social awareness.

        Language Skills: Educational toys often incorporate language development elements. From interactive books to language-based games, these toys support the acquisition of vocabulary, language comprehension, and communication skills.

        Educational toys create an enriching environment where learning is seamlessly woven into the fabric of play, promoting holistic child development.

         

         

        What’s Next?

        DIY Holiday Handmade Wreath

        DIY Holiday Handmade Wreath

        DIY Holiday Handmade Wreath

        DIY handmade holiday wreath 7 days of play

        Whether you’re looking to DIY the perfect gift for the grandparents this holiday season or simply looking for a little extra decor to showcase around the house, this wreath is a fun activity for your kiddos to try.  

        Why We Love This Activity 

        Embrace the holiday spirit with our DIY Handmade Holiday Wreath activity, a heartwarming experience that seamlessly blends creativity and family bonding.

        This activity not only taps into the artistic side of your child but also promotes essential developmental skills. From mastering the art of color mixing as they create the perfect shade of green to refining fine motor skills through cutting and gluing, each step of the process contributes to their growth in a fun and engaging way.

        Not only will your child learn to express themselves artistically, but they will also have a meaningful opportunity for family connection during the busy festive season.

        All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

        Skills:
        Ages: 
        Prep Time:

        Craft Holiday Magic With This DIY Handmade Wreath

        Engage in festive creativity with this DIY Handmade Holiday Wreath activity, perfect for crafting memorable moments with your child. The result is a charming and personalized holiday wreath that captures the spirit of the season.

        This engaging activity not only offers an opportunity for creative expression but also promotes fine motor skills through painting and cutting. Additionally, the project introduces color mixing concepts as children blend blue and yellow to create green.

        Since this activity allows your little ones to paint with their hands, it’s perfect for kids of all ages — babies and toddlers included! We prefer to have a few damp paper towels nearby to wipe down dirty hands once we’re done.

        The tactile experience of gluing pom poms and buttons enhances sensory development, and the final product serves as a festive decoration, making it a wonderful holiday keepsake. This DIY Handmade Holiday Wreath combines artistic expression with skill development, ensuring a joyful and educational crafting experience for both children and their families.

        Craft Holiday Magic With This DIY Handmade Wreath

        Engage in festive creativity with this DIY Handmade Holiday Wreath activity, perfect for crafting memorable moments with your child. The result is a charming and personalized holiday wreath that captures the spirit of the season.

        This engaging activity not only offers an opportunity for creative expression but also promotes fine motor skills through painting and cutting. Additionally, the project introduces color mixing concepts as children blend blue and yellow to create green.

        Since this activity allows your little ones to paint with their hands, it’s perfect for kids of all ages — babies and toddlers included! We prefer to have a few damp paper towels nearby to wipe down dirty hands once we’re done.

        The tactile experience of gluing pom poms and buttons enhances sensory development, and the final product serves as a festive decoration, making it a wonderful holiday keepsake. This DIY Handmade Holiday Wreath combines artistic expression with skill development, ensuring a joyful and educational crafting experience for both children and their families.

        Materials

         Step 1

        Begin by outlining the silhouette of a wreath on the white stock paper.

        Step 2

        Pour a little yellow paint on one hand and blue paint on the other hand and instruct your child to mix their hands together to create green paint. This can also be done on a palette or container if the child prefers.

        Step 3

        Have your child press their hands onto the wreath silhouette, creating handprint leaves for the wreath.

        Step 4

        Allow the paint to dry completely.

        Step 5

        Once the paint is dry, carefully cut out the wreath silhouette.

        Step 6

        Use glue to attach red pom poms and red buttons onto the wreath to add festive decorations.

        Step 7

        Take the red ribbon and tie it into a bow. Glue the bow onto the bottom of the wreath, creating a charming finishing touch.

        Step 8

        Allow the glue to dry thoroughly.

        Step 9

        Your handmade holiday wreath is now ready to be displayed and admired! Voila!

        Step 1

        Begin by outlining the silhouette of a wreath on the white stock paper.

        Step 2

        Pour a little yellow paint on one hand and blue paint on the other hand and instruct your child to mix their hands together to create green paint. This can also be done on a palette or container if the child prefers.

        Step 3

        Have your child press their hands onto the wreath silhouette, creating handprint leaves for the wreath.

        Step 4

        Allow the paint to dry completely.

        Step 5

        Once the paint is dry, carefully cut out the wreath silhouette.

        Step 6

        Use glue to attach red pom poms and red buttons onto the wreath to add festive decorations.

        Step 7

        Take the red ribbon and tie it into a bow. Glue the bow onto the bottom of the wreath, creating a charming finishing touch.

        Step 8

        Allow the glue to dry thoroughly.

        Step 9

        Your handmade holiday wreath is now ready to be displayed and admired! Voila!

         

        Color Mixing Improves Cognitive Development & Creativity

        As children observe, predict, and compare colors during the process, color mixing fosters cognitive skills. This hands-on activity stimulates scientific thinking and promotes a deeper understanding of color theory.

        It also allows children to explore their creativity. As they experiment with different shades to get the perfect color of green for their wreath, they develop a sense of accomplishment and artistic expression. This creative engagement encourages their imaginative capabilities

        DIY handmade holiday wreath 7 days of play
        DIY handmade holiday wreath 7 days of play

        Color Mixing Improves Cognitive Development & Creativity

        As children observe, predict, and compare colors during the process, color mixing fosters cognitive skills. This hands-on activity stimulates scientific thinking and promotes a deeper understanding of color theory.

        It also allows children to explore their creativity. As they experiment with different shades to get the perfect color of green for their wreath, they develop a sense of accomplishment and artistic expression. This creative engagement encourages their imaginative capabilities

        Get More Christmas Activities 

        Entertain your kids with these printable holiday-themed games and crafts!

        count and build the snowman

        Count & Build

        Embark on a winter learning journey with ‘Count and Build the Snowman – Printable,’ tailor-made for kids. This captivating activity seamlessly blends fun and education, motivating children to enhance their number recognition and counting skills in an enjoyable manner.

        7 days of play christmas activities

        15+ Holiday Activities

        Filled with more than 15 engaging learning activities, this pamphlet aims to foster crucial early childhood skills such as recognizing the alphabet, identifying colors, mastering scissor skills, delving into early math concepts, honing writing abilities, and much more!

        Christmas Counting – Printable for Kids

        Ornament Counting

        This printable activity offers an opportunity to embrace the Christmas spirit whil enhancing fine motor skills and number recognition. This activity further promotes crucial cognitive skills development such as refining motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

        Cotton Ball Holiday Crafts – Printable

        Cotton Ball Craft

        Not only will your child have a great time, but this activity also encourages vital cognitive skills development. From improving motor skills and hand-eye coordination to nurturing shape recognition and spatial awareness, this craft provides a variety of educational benefits.

        What’s Next?

        Try These Easy Thanksgiving Activities for Kids

        Try These Easy Thanksgiving Activities for Kids

        Try These Easy Thanksgiving Activities for Kids

        7 days of play thanksgiving activities

        Thanksgiving time is here! Whether you’re looking for some fun pre-festivities activities or need something to keep the kids busy on the. big day, these are fun and easy options. Keep reading for step by step instructions, and tips for making these activities a success!  

        Why We Love These Activities 

        Not only are these Thanksgiving crafts a great way to burn some creative energy, but they can also serve as fun holiday decor. Whether you’re looking for a fun pre-festivities activity for your child or you’re entertaining a group of little ones on the big day, these games and crafts will do the trick. Take your activities up a notch to include some educational entertainment. These holiday crafts and games work on fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, color recognition, and alphabet skills, while also teaching your kids about the history of Thanksgiving.

        Looking for a fun way to get your kids into the Thanksgiving spirit? We’ve got you covered with these holiday printables.

        All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

        Skills:
        Ages: 
        Prep Time:

        See How Easy These Thanksgiving Crafts Are

        Crafting our favorite blow-up turkey allows children to become the architects of their Thanksgiving adventure. This hands-on activity encourages them to participate in the holiday and fosters a sense of ownership that boosts their self-confidence.

        Your children will be so proud to see their pumpkin flower centerpieces on top of the Thanksgiving table this year. This activity taps into their natural inclination to investigate and create, turning the learning process into a fun exploration.

        Our fun cardboard turkey with feathers lets kids transform the abstract notion of a Thanksgiving turkey into a concrete experience, making the learning process exciting and memorable. As children manipulate materials and bring their turkey creations to life, they not only nurture important motor skills but also create a cute craft that can be displayed on Thanksgiving day.

        See How Easy These Thanksgiving Crafts Are

        Crafting our favorite blow-up turkey allows children to become the architects of their Thanksgiving adventure. This hands-on activity encourages them to participate in the holiday and fosters a sense of ownership that boosts their self-confidence. 

        Your children will be so proud to see their pumpkin flower centerpieces on top of the Thanksgiving table this year. This activity taps into their natural inclination to investigate and create, turning the learning process into a fun exploration. 

        Our fun cardboard turkey with feathers lets kids transform the abstract notion of a Thanksgiving turkey into a concrete experience, making the learning process exciting and memorable. As children manipulate materials and bring their turkey creations to life, they not only nurture important motor skills but also create a cute craft that can be displayed on Thanksgiving day.

        Your Thanksgiving Printables Are Here!

        We’ve created several Thanksgiving printables so you can easily have activities on hand for your kids this holiday. These printable Thanksgiving crafts and games all start with our printable coloring pages! Some of our downloads are free, while others are listed at a low cost and offer hours of entertainment for your kids. Our Thanksgiving-themed booklet includes 16 unique activities that promote playful learning that will keep your kids busy and engaged for hours.

        Each of our printables are designed using crisp, high-resolution images to ensure your coloring experience will be top-notch. Get ready to create holiday masterpieces your kids will love!

        7 days of play thanksgiving activities

        Get 16 Thanksgiving-themed Activities With Our Booklet

        Celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving with our specially curated booklet, featuring an array of 16 engaging activities designed for playful learning. This thematic compilation encompasses a diverse range of educational elements, fostering development in areas such as scissor skills, alphabet mastery, numerical understanding, fine motor coordination, tracing proficiency, coloring creativity, phonics exploration, matching challenges, and beyond. Each activity is thoughtfully crafted to provide a delightful and educational experience, making this booklet a perfect resource for young learners during the Thanksgiving season.

        7 days of play thanksgiving activities
        halloween worksheets printable early childhood education skills

        Get 16 Thanksgiving-themed Activities With Our Booklet

        Celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving with our specially curated booklet, featuring an array of 16 engaging activities designed for playful learning. This thematic compilation encompasses a diverse range of educational elements, fostering development in areas such as scissor skills, alphabet mastery, numerical understanding, fine motor coordination, tracing proficiency, coloring creativity, phonics exploration, matching challenges, and beyond. Each activity is thoughtfully crafted to provide a delightful and educational experience, making this booklet a perfect resource for young learners during the Thanksgiving season.

        Download All of Our Thanksgiving Printables

        Your kids will be entertained for hours with these fun games and crafts! Check out our high-resolution printables.

        arts and crafts kit marbling

        Blow Up the Turkey

        Turn a simple glove into a Thanksgiving turkey with this free printable. Your kids will love this interactive activity that’s super easy to create! 

        7 days of play thanksgiving printables

        15+ Holiday Activities

        Keep your kids entertained with playful learning this Thanksgiving. These holiday activities include scissor skills, coloring, tracing, and fine motor skills.  

        7 days of play thanksgiving printables

        Pin the Peg on the Turkey

        Pin the Peg on the Turkey is a fun and festive game that will keep your kids entertained while working on hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

        7 days of play thanksgiving printables

        Pilgrim Salon

        Teach your kids about the history of Thanksgiving while unleashing their creative side. This activity will work on fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. 

        What’s Next?

        Counting to 5 – Hands-On Number Recognition Activity

        Counting to 5 – Hands-On Number Recognition Activity

        Counting to 5: Hands-On Number Recognition Activity

        Unlock the fun of Counting to 5 with our engaging number recognition activity! Explore numbers 1 through 5 as little ones match hairbands to each finger of a playful cardboard hand, making learning a hands-on adventure.

        Get ready to dive into the world of numbers with this counting to 5 activity, a practical approach to early math education. Keep on reading for step by step instructions on how you can make this too, plus in depth information about teaching kids one to one correspondence!

        Where to Start: Counting to 5

        Toddlers and young children often begin their numerical journey by focusing on the numbers 1 through 5. These foundational digits serve as the building blocks of early math education, providing a solid starting point for understanding numerical concepts. By mastering numbers 1 to 5, children not only gain the ability to count everyday objects but also develop the essential skill of number recognition. This early exposure to numbers sets the stage for more complex mathematical concepts down the road, making it a critical milestone in a child’s cognitive development. Our counting to 5 activity offers a hands-on and engaging way to help children embrace and enjoy this important early learning phase. 

        Skills: 

        Ages: 

        Prep Time: 

        Watch This Activity in Action!

        In this counting to 5 activity, children actively participate in the learning process. Armed with a cardboard hand featuring numbered fingers from 1 to 5, they eagerly take on the challenge of matching the right number of hairbands to each finger.

        This hands-on experience not only enhances their understanding of numbers but also nurtures their fine motor skills. As they carefully stretch and place each hairband onto the cardboard fingers, children refine their dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

        This multi-sensory engagement promotes cognitive development alongside physical skills, ensuring that learning is a well-rounded and enjoyable experience. It’s a playful way for young learners to simultaneously build their numeracy foundation and fine-tune their motor abilities.

        All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

         

        Watch This Activity in Action!

        In this counting to 5 activity, children actively participate in the learning process. Armed with a cardboard hand featuring numbered fingers from 1 to 5, they eagerly take on the challenge of matching the right number of hairbands to each finger.

        This hands-on experience not only enhances their understanding of numbers but also nurtures their fine motor skills. As they carefully stretch and place each hairband onto the cardboard fingers, children refine their dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

        This multi-sensory engagement promotes cognitive development alongside physical skills, ensuring that learning is a well-rounded and enjoyable experience. It’s a playful way for young learners to simultaneously build their numeracy foundation and fine-tune their motor abilities.

        All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

        Unlock the fun of Counting to 5 with our engaging number recognition activity! Explore numbers 1 through 5 as little ones match hairbands to each finger of a playful cardboard hand, making learning a hands-on adventure.

        How to Set Up This Counting Activity for Preschoolers

        While creating this activity may take a little prep work, the end result is a versatile and enduring toy that can become a valuable learning resource in your playroom for a long time to come. The investment of time spent in its creation yields a rewarding educational tool that can be used repeatedly to reinforce number recognition and counting skills.

        This homemade learning aid offers a fun and interactive way to engage young minds, making the process of learning numbers an enjoyable and memorable experience. So, while you may dedicate some time initially to assemble this activity, its enduring appeal and educational benefits make it a valuable addition to your child’s playroom, providing countless opportunities for skill-building and exploration. Step by step directions below!

         

        Materials

        Step-by-Step Instructions 

        Step 1

        Trace your hand on a piece of cardboard with a marker.

        Step 2

        Cut out the hand and write numbers 1-5 where the nails are. You can add construction paper for the nails if you’d like!

        Step 3

        Glue a paper tube onto another piece of cardboard.

        Step 4

        Make two small slits in the paper tube so that the hand can fit inside it vertically without falling.

        Step 5

        To play the game, match the correct number of hair bands to the correct number symbol.

        Step 1

        Trace your hand on a piece of cardboard with a marker.

        Step 2

        Cut out the hand and write numbers 1-5 where the nails are. You can add construction paper for the nails if you’d like!

        Step 3

        Glue a paper tube onto another piece of cardboard.

        Step 4

        Make two small slits in the paper tube so that the hand can fit inside it vertically without falling.

        Step 5

        To play the game, match the correct number of hair bands to the correct number symbol.

        What is One to One Correspondence and How Can We Teach it to Kids?

        One-to-one correspondence is a fundamental concept in early math education, and it serves as a crucial building block for understanding numbers and quantities. Essentially, it means matching each object in a set to a single number word, ensuring that there’s a correspondence or one-to-one relationship between the objects and the numbers being counted. For young children, this concept is often introduced when they’re learning to count. When counting a group of objects, each object should be paired with a number word in a consistent and orderly manner. For example, when counting a row of five blocks, children should point to and say ‘one’ for the first block, ‘two’ for the second, and so on until they reach ‘five.’ This process not only helps children develop an understanding of numbers but also reinforces their ability to count accurately and establish a strong foundation for mathematical comprehension.

        Best practices for teaching one-to-one correspondence to young children involve hands-on and interactive activities that make learning enjoyable and memorable. Incorporating tangible objects, such as counting beads, blocks, or in the case of our cardboard hand activity, hairbands, can be incredibly effective. 

        Unlock the fun of Counting to 5 with our engaging number recognition activity! Explore numbers 1 through 5 as little ones match hairbands to each finger of a playful cardboard hand, making learning a hands-on adventure.

        Encourage children to touch and manipulate the objects as they count, reinforcing the connection between the physical world and numerical representation. Additionally, provide ample opportunities for practice, allowing children to count a variety of objects in different contexts. Gradually increase the complexity of the counting tasks as their skills develop, ensuring a gradual progression in their understanding. Finally, be patient and supportive, offering positive reinforcement and praise as children master this essential math skill, fostering their confidence and enthusiasm for further numerical exploration.

         

        Unlock the fun of Counting to 5 with our engaging number recognition activity! Explore numbers 1 through 5 as little ones match hairbands to each finger of a playful cardboard hand, making learning a hands-on adventure.

        What is One to One Correspondence and How Can We Teach it to Kids?

        One-to-one correspondence is a fundamental concept in early math education, and it serves as a crucial building block for understanding numbers and quantities. Essentially, it means matching each object in a set to a single number word, ensuring that there’s a correspondence or one-to-one relationship between the objects and the numbers being counted. For young children, this concept is often introduced when they’re learning to count. When counting a group of objects, each object should be paired with a number word in a consistent and orderly manner. For example, when counting a row of five blocks, children should point to and say ‘one’ for the first block, ‘two’ for the second, and so on until they reach ‘five.’ This process not only helps children develop an understanding of numbers but also reinforces their ability to count accurately and establish a strong foundation for mathematical comprehension.

        Best practices for teaching one-to-one correspondence to young children involve hands-on and interactive activities that make learning enjoyable and memorable. Incorporating tangible objects, such as counting beads, blocks, or in the case of our cardboard hand activity, hairbands, can be incredibly effective. Encourage children to touch and manipulate the objects as they count, reinforcing the connection between the physical world and numerical representation. Additionally, provide ample opportunities for practice, allowing children to count a variety of objects in different contexts. Gradually increase the complexity of the counting tasks as their skills develop, ensuring a gradual progression in their understanding. Finally, be patient and supportive, offering positive reinforcement and praise as children master this essential math skill, fostering their confidence and enthusiasm for further numerical exploration.

        More Ways to Play with Early Math!

        Here are more fun ways to learn numbers and counting that also make great gifts!

        counting numbers gift

        Wooden Number Puzzle 

        If you want something really simple, this is perfect! It’s a puzzle made of wooden numbers.

        counting numbers gift

        Pom Pom Counting Cupcakes 

        This activity uses soft pom poms and wooden cupcakes for early counting. It strengthens fine motor skills too.

        pre k math learning addition game wooden

        Wooden Math Board

        This handcrafted learning resource is great for learning counting and addition and subtraction of numbers up to 20.

        early math learning for kids wooden blocks

        Wooden Number Blocks

        These wooden blocks resemble numbers and grow with your child’s advancing math skills. It also includes a math guide and activity cards.

        What’s Next?

        Color Matching Activities for Preschoolers

        Color Matching Activities for Preschoolers

        Color Matching Activities for Preschoolers

        Creative Color Matching Activities for Preschoolers with Pom Poms

        Color learning is vital for toddlers and preschoolers, as it forms the basis for language development, cognitive skills, and creative exploration. Here are some super fun and hands on color matching activities that use pom poms and household materials like bottle caps and paper tubes!

        Water Bottle Cap Paint Palette Match-Up

        This activity is a delightful way to introduce preschoolers to the world of colors and matching through hands-on engagement. By arranging water bottle caps in the form of a paint palette, children not only practice recognizing and matching colors but also improve their fine motor skills as they pick and place pom poms using the tong.

        This creative exercise sparks their imagination and encourages artistic exploration. Beyond the colorful fun, it fosters cognitive development, enhancing their ability to identify and differentiate between various colors. Plus, it’s a versatile activity that can be easily adapted to suit different color levels, making it both enjoyable and educationally valuable for young learners.

        Skills: 

        Ages: 

        Prep Time: 

        Watch to See How to Play These Color Matching Activities

        These hands-on exercises are designed to ignite a child’s curiosity and help them master the art of color recognition. Through fun and imaginative interactions with everyday items like water bottle caps, cardboard boxes, and pom poms, children refine their fine motor skills, foster cognitive development, and enhance their understanding of colors in an engaging and educational way.

        All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

        Watch to See How to Play These Color Matching Activities

        These hands-on exercises are designed to ignite a child’s curiosity and help them master the art of color recognition.

        Through fun and imaginative interactions with everyday items like water bottle caps, cardboard boxes, and pom poms, children refine their fine motor skills, foster cognitive development, and enhance their understanding of colors in an engaging and educational way.

        Watch this video to see these 4 different activities in action!

        Pro Tip: If you are doing an activity with leftover bottle caps, you can use dot stickers or spray paint to make the caps in an array of colors!

        All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

        color matching activity with paper tubes and pom poms great for fine motor skills

        Encourage Fine Motor Skill Strengthening while Learning Colors

        Let your preschoolers embark on a colorful journey with this super engaging activity. In this creative exercise, little ones use tongs to carefully pick up pom poms, practicing their fine motor skills while having a blast.

        The colorful toilet paper rolls offer an exciting visual cue, encouraging children to match the pom poms with the corresponding colors. This hands-on experience not only strengthens their dexterity but also enhances their color recognition abilities. Want the step-by-step instructions on how to make this? Check it out here! 

        It’s a fun and practical way for kids to explore the world of colors while developing essential motor skills, making it an educational adventure that both parents and children will enjoy.

        Creative Color Matching Activities for Preschoolers with Pom Poms

        Color Matching Activity: Bottle Cap Balloons!

        This activity is similar to the paint palette bottle cap activity. Bottle caps are such a great tool to use for color matching activities!

        This creative activity transforms color matching into an exciting adventure. Preschoolers use their keen observation skills to match pom poms with the hues of the ‘balloons,’ enhancing their color recognition abilities.

        As they place the pom poms onto the ‘balloons,’ their fine motor skills are also given a delightful workout. This activity encourages not only cognitive development but also sparks the imagination, turning the learning process into a fun journey for kids!

        Creative Color Matching Activities for Preschoolers with Pom Poms

        Color Matching Activity: Bottle Cap Balloons!

        This activity is similar to the paint palette bottle cap activity. Bottle caps are such a great tool to use for color matching activities!

        This creative activity transforms color matching into an exciting adventure. Preschoolers use their keen observation skills to match pom poms with the hues of the ‘balloons,’ enhancing their color recognition abilities.

        As they place the pom poms onto the ‘balloons,’ their fine motor skills are also given a delightful workout. This activity encourages not only cognitive development but also sparks the imagination, turning the learning process into a fun journey for kids!

        Printable Resources for Learning Colors!

        Exploring the captivating world of color with your little ones doesn’t have to stop here. For a treasure trove of additional color learning activities, hop over to the printable section of our website. There, you’ll discover a wealth of resources designed to enhance your child’s understanding of colors, from free printables to our exclusive membership that grants unlimited access to an array of educational materials. With these resources at your fingertips, you can continue the colorful learning journey, all from the comfort of your home.

        discover the colors worksheet printable color matching
        discover the colors worksheet printable color matching

        Printable Resources for Learning Colors!

        Exploring the captivating world of color with your little ones doesn’t have to stop here. For a treasure trove of additional color learning activities, hop over to the printable section of our website. There, you’ll discover a wealth of resources designed to enhance your child’s understanding of colors, from free printables to our exclusive membership that grants unlimited access to an array of educational materials. With these resources at your fingertips, you can continue the colorful learning journey, all from the comfort of your home.

        More Ways to Explore Colors

        Here are more color and rainbow activities that make great gifts!

        wooden rainbow color sorting toy

        Color Sorting Rainbow

        Transfer pom poms or balls to color sort this rainbow! If you use tongs it is great for fine motor skills too! (Caution: small parts!)

        rainbow wooden stacking toy for color recognition

        Wooden Rainbow Stacker

        This wooden rainbow stacker is  not only great for color sorting, it is also a fantastic open-ended play toy!

        color sorting magnetic game color recognition

        Color Sorting Maze

        This wooden board has a magnetic wand and beads that can be sorted based on color! Great for fine motor skills too!

        Color sorting game color recognition

        Color Sort the Objects

        This game is a great way to learn color recognition while strengthening language development.

        What’s Next?

        Counting Activity for Preschoolers: Fun Magnetic Worm Game

        Counting Activity for Preschoolers: Fun Magnetic Worm Game

        Counting Activity for Preschoolers: Fun Magnetic Worm Game

        This is a counting activity for toddlers using pipe cleaners and a magnetic wand to learn number symbols and practice counting

        This is such a fun way counting activity for toddlers because it has so many exciting elements to it! Using soil in the tub is not only a fun conversation starter, but a great way to integrate sensory play with number learning!

        Using the magnetic tool also made this activity extra exciting. The metal inside the pipe cleaners attracted to the magnet and literally pulled them right off the dirt! This made the kids giggle and laugh and want to do even more.

        Hands on Number Learning for Toddlers

        Hands-on play is a cornerstone of effective early childhood education, and the magnetic worm fishing activity exemplifies this perfectly.

        Through the tactile experience of using a magnetic wand to catch pipe cleaner worms, preschoolers are not just learning numbers, but also actively engaging their senses and developing fine motor skills. This type of kinesthetic learning creates a stronger connection between the child and the concept being taught. As they place the worms beside numeric symbols, they’re not just memorizing abstract figures, but associating a tangible object with the concept of quantity.

        All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

         

        Skills: 

        Ages: 

        Prep Time: 

        Watch This Activity in Action!

        Watch This Activity in Action!

        Hands-on play brings an inherent sense of curiosity and exploration, turning the learning process into a joyful adventure. It taps into a child’s natural inclination to investigate, manipulate, and create, fostering a deeper understanding of the world around them.

        In the context of the magnetic worm fishing activity, the children become the protagonists of their learning journey, encouraging them to be active participants rather than passive recipients of information. This approach nurtures a sense of ownership and boosts their self-confidence, making them more eager to explore other educational activities.

        In essence, hands-on play brings the curriculum to life, transforming abstract concepts into concrete experiences. The magnetic worm fishing activity is a shining example of how something as simple as catching worms with magnets can spark a love for learning, nurture crucial skills, and create lasting memories of fun and discovery.

        Watch This Activity in Action!

        Hands-on play brings an inherent sense of curiosity and exploration, turning the learning process into a joyful adventure. It taps into a child’s natural inclination to investigate, manipulate, and create, fostering a deeper understanding of the world around them.

        In the context of the magnetic worm fishing activity, the children become the protagonists of their learning journey, encouraging them to be active participants rather than passive recipients of information. This approach nurtures a sense of ownership and boosts their self-confidence, making them more eager to explore other educational activities.

        In essence, hands-on play brings the curriculum to life, transforming abstract concepts into concrete experiences. The magnetic worm fishing activity is a shining example of how something as simple as catching worms with magnets can spark a love for learning, nurture crucial skills, and create lasting memories of fun and discovery.

        This is a counting activity for toddlers using pipe cleaners and a magnetic wand to learn number symbols and practice counting

        How to Set Up This Counting Activity for Preschoolers

        You’ll need just a handful of supplies that are easy to gather. First and foremost, you’ll require a collection of pipe cleaner worms in vibrant colors – these are the stars of the show! Next, you’ll need a magnetic wand or a simple DIY magnet-on-a-string setup to make the fishing experience come alive.

        We used our sensory table, using a bucket filled up with soil on one side. If you don’t have a sensory table, no problem! You can use a dish or a tray.

        To create a visual connection between the worms and numbers, prepare numeric symbols or cards featuring numbers 1 through 5, and beyond for those learning more advanced numbers!

         

        Materials

        Step-by-Step Instructions 

        Step 1

        Fill a tub or tray up with soil.

        Step 2

        Cut pipe cleaners in the shape of worms, adding eyes if you want!

        Step 3

        Put the felt pipe cleaners on top of the dirt or underneath a thin layer of the dirt.

        Step 4

        On the other side of the table, provide numerical symbol references for matching. You can use flash cards or write them by hand!

        Step 5

        To play the game, use the magnetic wand and have the kids pull out the worms and put them on the correct number or count them out loud. 

        Step 1

        Fill a tub or tray up with soil.

        Step 2

        Cut pipe cleaners in the shape of worms, adding eyes if you want!

        Step 3

        Put the felt pipe cleaners on top of the dirt or underneath a thin layer of the dirt.

        Step 4

        On the other side of the table, provide numerical symbol references for matching. You can use flash cards or write them by hand!

        Step 5

        To play the game, use the magnetic wand and have the kids pull out the worms and put them on the correct number or count them out loud. 

        Benefits of This Counting Activity for Preschoolers.

        Beyond its fun and interactive nature, the magnetic worm fishing number game offers a wealth of educational benefits for young minds. As children use the magnetic wand to catch and count worms, they’re developing essential math skills such as one-to-one correspondence, numeral recognition, and simple addition.

        This hands-on approach fosters a deeper understanding of numerical concepts by bridging the gap between abstract numbers and concrete objects. Moreover, the activity promotes cognitive development by encouraging problem-solving as kids decide how many worms to catch for each number. 

        This is a counting activity for toddlers using pipe cleaners and a magnetic wand to learn number symbols and practice counting

        Overall, this game nurtures not only mathematical proficiency but also critical thinking, fine motor skills, and cooperative learning in an enjoyable package.

         

        This is a counting activity for toddlers using pipe cleaners and a magnetic wand to learn number symbols and practice counting

        Benefits of This Counting Activity for Preschoolers.

        Beyond its fun and interactive nature, the magnetic worm fishing number game offers a wealth of educational benefits for young minds. As children use the magnetic wand to catch and count worms, they’re developing essential math skills such as one-to-one correspondence, numeral recognition, and simple addition.

        This hands-on approach fosters a deeper understanding of numerical concepts by bridging the gap between abstract numbers and concrete objects. Moreover, the activity promotes cognitive development by encouraging problem-solving as kids decide how many worms to catch for each number.

        Overall, this game nurtures not only mathematical proficiency but also critical thinking, fine motor skills, and cooperative learning in an enjoyable package.

         

        More Ways to Play with Early Math!

        Here are more fun ways to learn numbers and counting that also make great gifts!

        counting numbers gift

        Wooden Number Puzzle 

        If you want something really simple, this is perfect! It’s a puzzle made of wooden numbers.

        counting numbers gift

        Pom Pom Counting Cupcakes 

        This activity uses soft pom poms and wooden cupcakes for early counting. It strengthens fine motor skills too.

        pre k math learning addition game wooden

        Wooden Math Board

        This handcrafted learning resource is great for learning counting and addition and subtraction of numbers up to 20.

        early math learning for kids wooden blocks

        Wooden Number Blocks

        These wooden blocks resemble numbers and grow with your child’s advancing math skills. It also includes a math guide and activity cards.

        What’s Next?

        Cutting Practice for Preschoolers with Printable Version

        Cutting Practice for Preschoolers with Printable Version

        Cutting Practice for Preschoolers with Printable

        Make cutting practice for preschoolers fun with this activity! Kids will cut away the top layer of paper to reveal a picture underneath! Check out the printable version!

        Make cutting practice for preschoolers fun with this activity! Kids will cut away the top layer of paper to reveal a picture underneath! 

        Multi-Step Cutting Practice for Preschoolers

        What I love about this activity is that it is multiple activities all in one to keep kids busy and engaged longer!

        The kids can start off by drawing and creating a rainbow. Once drawn, they can then help cut out strips of rain and clouds to cover up the rainbow. And finally, they can cut away the rain to reveal their rainbow! If you have multiple kids, or a classroom, it would be fun to switch papers to have the sibling or classmate do the big reveal!

        All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

        Skills:
        Ages: 
        Prep Time:

        How to Create This Activity  

        There are two ways you can do this cutting practice for preschoolers! You can do the multi-step handmade approach described above, or you can grab our printable below.

        Both ways are lots of fun and great for strengthening fine motor skills!

        Keep on reading to get the printable which includes 3 different scenes to discover! 

        How to Create This Activity  

        There are two ways you can do this cutting practice for preschoolers! You can do the multi-step handmade approach described above, or you can grab our  printable below.

        Both ways are lots of fun and great for strengthening fine motor skills!

        Keep on reading to get the printable which includes 3 different scenes to discover! 

        Make cutting practice for preschoolers fun with this activity! Kids will cut away the top layer of paper to reveal a picture underneath!

        Get the Printable Version for This Cutting Practice for Preschoolers

        We wanted to make things extra easy for you with a printable version of this activity! Just print, cut along the dotted lines, and tape for a super quick activity to set up for your preschoolers!

        In addition to the rainbow discovery, the printable set includes 2 other scenes to have kids uncover – dolphins hiding behind seagrass and ladybugs hiding behind grass!

        For more printable resources to help with scissor skills, be sure to check out our Cut the Patterns and Scissor Skills Haircuts worksheets!

        And to see all our printable resources including lots of freebies, visit our Printable Shop

        Materials
        Step-by-Step Instructions 
        Step 1

        Have your little one draw a rainbow on a piece of paper, or draw one for them, or grab our printable! 

        Step 2

        Cut clouds and strips for the “rain” on blue paper, leaving a 1/4 inch border to keep all the strands together.

        Step 3

        Glue the rain just above the rainbow. And then glue the clouds above the rain.

        Step 4

        Hand your kiddo child-safe scissors and challenge them to cut the rain away to find the surprise underneath!

        Step 1

        Have your little one draw a rainbow on a piece of paper, or draw one for them, or grab our printable

        Step 2

        Cut clouds and strips for the “rain” on blue paper, leaving a 1/4 inch border to keep all the strands together.

        Step 3

        Glue the rain just above the rainbow. And then glue the clouds above the rain.

        Step 4

        Hand your kiddo child-safe scissors and challenge them to cut the rain away to find the surprise underneath!

        The Importance of Cutting Practice for Preschoolers

        As a child strengthens their scissor skills, they are simultaneously strengthening their fine motor skills. These are the small muscles in the hands and fingers that will help kids accomplish many life skills including writing, buttoning, zipping, and so much more.

        Read more about what fine motor skills are and why the are important!

        Make cutting practice for preschoolers fun with this activity! Kids will cut away the top layer of paper to reveal a picture underneath!
        Make cutting practice for preschoolers fun with this activity! Kids will cut away the top layer of paper to reveal a picture underneath!

        The Importance of Cutting Practice for Preschoolers

        As a child strengthens their scissor skills, they are simultaneously strengthening their fine motor skills. These are the small muscles in the hands and fingers that will help kids accomplish many life skills including writing, buttoning, zipping, and so much more.

        Read more about what fine motor skills are and why the are important!

        Store-Bought Scissor Skills Activities

        Here are my top picks for scissor skill products you can buy!

        Scissor Skills Workbook

        This set includes 3 workbooks all about scissor skills. Each book includes a pair of scissors!

        Apple Picking Game

        This unique game includes magnetic apples that can be picked from the tree using a scooper scissor!

        Travel-Size Cutting Book

        This small book is packed with scissor skills activities for children as young as 2 years old!

        Decorative Scissors

        This fun set of scissors comes with 6 designs of patterns for decorating paper crafts!

        What’s Next?

        Rainbow Pasta Recipe – A Vibrant Way to Eat

        Rainbow Pasta Recipe – A Vibrant Way to Eat

        Rainbow Pasta Recipe – A Vibrant Way to Eat!

        rainbow pasta recipe

        This rainbow pasta recipe is so fun to do with kids! It takes making homemade pasta to the next level with all the vibrant colors! Keep on reading to find out how we make it!

        A Rainbow Pasta Recipe to Wow the Kids!

        We loved taking homemade pasta to the next level with this rainbow pasta recipe! I love to get the kid’s in the kitchen, and they love to be there. So when your kiddo asks to try and make rainbow pasta, my first reaction is, let’s do this! 

        I’m not going to beat around the bush with this —  making rainbow pasta, especially when you have all the colors on one strand, is a long process. I repeat, it is SO much easier to cook a box of dry pasta and add food coloring.

        That being said, there is so much to enjoy and learn from the process — the sensory experience of mixing the flour and egg,  the fine motor of threading the pasta through the maker, the gross motor of cranking the pasta through it,  patterning the colors in rainbow order, and of course, the enjoying of food you have labored over with love.  

        Skills:
        Ages: 
        Prep Time:

        Watch This Rainbow Pasta Recipe in Action!

        In this video you’ll see the colorful explosion that took over our kitchen!

        We enjoy using an old school homemade pastamaking machine – one that requires you to flatten and cut pasta through a hand crank.

        It’s a truly beautiful process with a delicious plate of pasta to enjoy at the end!

        All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

        Watch This Rainbow Pasta Recipe in Action!

        In this video you’ll see the colorful explosion that took over our kitchen!

        We enjoy using an old school homemade pastamaking machine – one that requires you to flatten and cut pasta through a hand crank.

        It’s a truly beautiful process with a delicious plate of pasta to enjoy at the end!

        All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

        Tips for Cooking with Kids

        Dealing with the Mess. Cooking with kids can get messy, but overtime, with practice it will get better and better. Making a mess is an essential step for kids to ultimately learn how to NOT make mess!

        Kitchen Stool. While not necessary, a kitchen stool is a great way to get kids at the right safe level for helping in the kitchen!

        Homemade Pasta Without the Color. If making homemade pasta colorful is too many steps, don’t be discouraged. Start out by just making plain pasta with the homemade pasta-making machine before jumping into the extra step of adding color!

        Coloring. If you do decide to make the pasta colorful, try and find a plant-based food coloring to keep things natural!

        rainbow pasta recipe

        Materials

        • 1 Cups Flour
        • 2 Eggs

        Step-by-Step Instructions 

        Step 1

        For each color, 2 cups of flour to a bowl. Make a hole or well in the center of the flour, crack the eggs into it, and add a squirt of food coloring. Use a fork to slowly stir the egg and flour mixture together.

        Step 2

        Knead the dough, first in the bowl, then transfer to a floured surface and continue kneading. Add more flour until elastic and not sticky. Split into 4 pieces and continue to knead.

        Step 3

        Roll out the dough, we use a hand crank machine and roll as thin as the second to last setting (the thinnest setting often results in pasta that gets stuck together during the cooking process).

        Step 4

        Cut the pasta using the pasta attachment or a knife if you prefer a handcut width!

        Step 5

        Boil water and cook the pasta for no more than a few minutes. Add salt and sauce to taste. Enjoy!

        Note: To make the pasta so that each strand has the entire spectrum of colors on it, you’ll have to do the extra labor intensive step of laying each thin colorful piece on top of a large flat plain piece of pasta. Use your fingers to dampen the flat piece as you add the colors so that they adhere. Then, run the entire piece through the machine 2 times before cutting the pasta.

        Step 1

        For each color, 2 cups of flour to a bowl. Make a hole or well in the center of the flour, crack the eggs into it, and add a squirt of food coloring. Use a fork to slowly stir the egg and flour mixture together.

        Step 2

        Knead the dough, first in the bowl, then transfer to a floured surface and continue kneading. Add more flour until elastic and not sticky. Split into 4 pieces and continue to knead.

        Step 3

        Roll out the dough, we use a hand crank machine and roll as thin as the second to last setting (the thinnest setting often results in pasta that gets stuck together during the cooking process).

        Step 4

        Cut the pasta using the pasta attachment or a knife if you prefer a handcut width!

        Step 5

        Boil water and cook the pasta for no more than a few minutes. Add salt and sauce to taste. Enjoy!

        Note: To make the pasta so that each strand has the entire spectrum of colors on it, you’ll have to do the extra labor intensive step of laying each thin colorful piece on top of a large flat plain piece of pasta. Use your fingers to dampen the flat piece as you add the colors so that they adhere. Then, run the entire piece through the machine 2 times before cutting the pasta.

        The Importance of Teaching Your Children to Cook 

        Cooking skills are a great way to teach life skills with educational value. Not only does cooking show them that they can make great food at home, but it helps them learn math skills and planning skills, too. 

        When you teach your child to cook, work on learning measurements and the importance of following recipe directions as well. These are life skills that they can use long after they leave the house.

        If your kiddo loves making pasta dough, they’ll love making play dough too – check out our easy no-cook recipe!

        rainbow pasta recipe
        rainbow pasta recipe

        The Importance of Teaching Your Children to Cook 

        Cooking skills are a great way to teach life skills with educational value. Not only does cooking show them that they can make great food at home, but it helps them learn math skills and planning skills, too. 

        When you teach your child to cook, work on learning measurements and the importance of following recipe directions as well. These are life skills that they can use long after they leave the house.

        If your kiddo loves making pasta dough, they’ll love making play dough too – check out our easy no-cook recipe!

        Sensory Bases to Explore

        Homemade pasta dough is definitely rich in providing a sensory experience. Here are some non-food related sensory bases you can explore as well!

        sensory sand play for kids

        Sensory Sand

        Sensory sand is moldable! This bulk pack comes with enough to fill an entire bin for lasting fun! Bonus points for including a storage bin!

        mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

        Modelling Dough

        This modelling dough compound NEVER dries out! It is a fun texture – it is stretchy like play dough, moldable like kinetic sand, and odorless.

        play dough wild dough sensory

        Premium Play Dough

        This play dough is the cream of the crop! It is ridiculously silky and smooth, lasts for 6 months, and is scented!

        slime kit sensory play for kids

        The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

        This kit includes 8 fascinating varieties of slime and putty, including premade putty, magnetic slime, glow in the dark putty, and so much more.

        What’s Next?

        Life Skill Activity for Toddlers – DIY Zipper Board

        Life Skill Activity for Toddlers – DIY Zipper Board

        Life Skill Activity for Toddlers – DIY Zipper Board

        girl playing with diy zipper board

        This DIY zipper board is an easy-to-make life skill activity for toddlers. It’s such a fun way for kids to learn how to zip up and down! Keep on reading to find the simple instructions on how to make one yourself!

        A Life Skill Activity for Learning How to Zip and Unzip

        Life skills are exactly what they sound like – skills that we will use throughout the course of our life! There are a lot of life skills that kids can start practicing at an early age – zipping, buttoning, cutting, washing, brushing – to name a few!

        And this zipper board has the zipping and unzipping category covered! 

        Learning practical life skills like this at an early age not only allow kids to be independent, but can also provide grown ups relief by allowing their kids the opportunity to learn to dress themselves!

        Skills:
        Ages: 
        Prep Time:

        Watch this Life Skill Activity in Action!

        There are loads of sensory boards and books you can buy (and I have some really good recommendations for them below!). But there are also easy life skill activities like this that we can make ourselves!

        In this video, you’ll see how much fun my 1 year old and 3 year old had practicing the skill of zipping this colorful board over and over again! It is one of those DIY items that made it’s rotation in our play room just as much as a store bought toy!

        Watch this Life Skill Activity in Action!

        There are loads of sensory boards and books you can buy (and I have some really good recommendations for them below!). But there are also easy life skill activities like this that we can make ourselves!

        In this video, you’ll see how much fun my 1 year old and 3 year old had practicing the skill of zipping this colorful board over and over again! It is one of those DIY items that made it’s rotation in our play room just as much as a store bought toy!

        girl playing with diy zipper board

        Tips for Creating This DIY Zipper Board

        Colorful Set of Zippers. It is not necessary at all to have all of these colors, however it is a great opportunity to talk about colors during the activity to build on language development and vocabulary!

        Glue. When gluing down the zippers make sure you keep the glue as far away as possible to the zipper itself. If it gets inside the zipper, it will be really tricky to zip it up and down without it getting stuck in the dried glue!

        Cardboard. This is definitely a fun activity to save cardboard for! Cardboard is such a great DIY resource for kids activities since it is durable and basically free (if you get as many packages as we do!).

        All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

         

        Materials

          Step-by-Step Instructions 

          Step 1

          Get a piece of cardboard that is square in size and large enough to hold multiple zippers. 

          Step 2

          Apply hot glue to the material on the side of the zippers making sure to leave plenty of space from the zippers themselves. 

          Step 3

          Let the glue dry completely, and that’s it! 

          Step 1

          Get a piece of cardboard that is square in size and large enough to hold multiple zippers. 

          Step 2

          Apply hot glue to the material on the side of the zippers making sure to leave plenty of space from the zippers themselves. 

          Step 3

          Let the glue dry completely, and that’s it! 

          More Ways to Strengthen Fine Motor Skills

          The greatest benefit of creating this zipper board is strengthening the muscles and coordination in the hands in fingers to move the zipper up and down. In other words, strengthening fine motor skills!

          When your kiddo is ready, cutting activities are another great way to practice this skill! This free printable haircutting activity is so much fun and will allow your kiddos to strengthen their fine motor skills while also learning the practical life skill of cutting!

          For more fine motor skills activities, visit our comprehensive list!

          scissor skill printable fun haircut worksheet for preschoolers and toddlers learning how to cut and strengthen fine motor skills
          scissor skill printable fun haircut worksheet for preschoolers and toddlers learning how to cut and strengthen fine motor skills

          More Ways to Strengthen Fine Motor Skills

          The greatest benefit of creating this zipper board is strengthening the muscles and coordination in the hands in fingers to move the zipper up and down. In other words, strengthening fine motor skills!

          When your kiddo is ready, cutting activities are another great way to practice this skill! This free printable haircutting activity is so much fun and will allow your kiddos to strengthen their fine motor skills while also learning the practical life skill of cutting!

          For more fine motor skills activities, visit our comprehensive list!

          Top Picks for Strengthening Practical Life Skills

          Here are some great gifts for continuing to strengthen practical life skills!

          fabric busy book fine motor skills practical life skills

          Fabric Busy Book

          This high quality fabric busy book is jam packed with practical life and fine motor skill activities! From dressing, to tying, buckling, and beyond!

          wooden sensory bin tools that are great for fine motor skills through play

          Sensory Bowls and Tools

          Scooping, pouring, and transferring are all important practice life skills! This set of wooden bowls, scoops, and a tong are great for sensory play!

          practical life skill construction toy screw driver board

          Screw Driver Board

          This car shaped screw driver board is a fun way for kids to learn how to screw and thread real life objects while using real life tools!

          practical life skills busy board book fine motor skills

          Activity Board

          This alligator shaped busy board will help young kids learn even more practical life skills. It is lightweight and folds into a book for easy carrying on the go!

          What’s Next?

          DIY Toddler Activity – Make a Caterpillar Puzzle with Pouch Tops

          DIY Toddler Activity – Make a Caterpillar Puzzle with Pouch Tops

          DIY Toddler Activity – Make a Caterpillar Puzzle with Pouch Tops

          DIY Toddler Activity - Make Your Own Caterpillar Puzzle for Color Learning

          Your early learner is going to love this DIY toddler activity. Making your own caterpillar puzzle, is a fun way to use some of those plastic lids from food containers and put them to good use at home! Great for fine motor skills and color learning!

          A Budget-Friendly DIY Toddler Activity

          Since I’m a big believer in reusing things around the home, it just makes sense that using these colored lids is perfect! I hate throwing things out that have another use left in them, and this is what this puzzle proves. 

          It’s a great way to test kids interest too! If you find your kiddo absolutely loves this DIY toddler activity, then it’s a good reason to invest in buying a store-bought puzzle that is more durable and long-lasting! If you find they lose interest quickly, then save the money and bring out your DIY version from time to time instead!

          All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

          Skills:
          Ages: 
          Prep Time:

          Watch This DIY Toddler Activity in Action!

          In this video, you’ll see my daughter (less than 2 years old at the time), enjoying this DIY puzzle. She is at a stage when she is still learning her colors. When kids don’t match the color correctly, that’s ok! This is the perfect opportunity to use our words and guide.

          While kids learn colors with this puzzle, they are also majorly working on their fine motor skills and hand eye coordination by placing the caps into the receiver and twisting it open and close!

           

          Watch This DIY Toddler Activity in Action!

          In this video, you’ll see my daughter (less than 2 years old at the time), enjoying this DIY puzzle. She is at a stage when she is still learning her colors. When kids don’t match the color correctly, that’s ok! This is the perfect opportunity to use our words and guide.

          While kids learn colors with this puzzle, they are also majorly working on their fine motor skills and hand eye coordination by placing the caps into the receiver and twisting it open and close!

           

          dot the rainbow color matching activity with dot markers

          More Ways to Learn Colors!

          Grab this free printable Dot-the-Rainbow activity for another fun way to play and learn with colors! You can use dot stickers, dot markers, or simply color in the circles!

          We have even more free printable activities that are all about learning colors while being hands on. For example, our Rainbow Color Matching Game utilizes cotton swabs, our Discover the Color activity uses cotton rounds and watercolors, and our Color Mixing bundle is filled with ways to learn color mixing that extends beyond the page!

          For even more printable activities that cover lots of early childhood education skills, check them all out in our Printables section!

           

          Materials

          • Cardboard Box
          • Pouch tops with the twisty bottoms
          • Tape

          Step-by-Step Instructions 

          Step 1

          Reuse a small cardboard box and on one end, cut six holes.

          Step 2

          Place the screw-end of a pouch top into the holes, taping them down inside the box for added security.

           

          Step 3

          To make the caterpillar come to life, add a googly eye and pipe cleaner antenna to the first cap. As well as legs to the body!

          Step 1

          Reuse a small cardboard box and on one end, cut six holes.

          Step 2

          Place the screw-end of a pouch top into the holes, taping them down inside the box for added security.

          Step 3

          To make the caterpillar come to life, add a googly eye and pipe cleaner antenna to the first cap. As well as legs to the body!

          The Benefits of This DIY Toddler Activity

          One of the biggest benefits of this DIY toddler activity is that it will help kids learn and match colors. Grown ups can talk about the colors, giving their names, and having the child repeat them as a way to strengthen language development and build vocabulary.

          Plus, this activity also gives kids ample opportunity to work on their hand-eye coordination and their fine motor skills. Placing those pouch tops into the twisty-bottom receiver is tricky and requires a ton of concentration for young kids!

          DIY Toddler Activity - Make Your Own Caterpillar Puzzle for Color Learning
          DIY Toddler Activity - Make Your Own Caterpillar Puzzle for Color Learning

          The Benefits of This DIY Toddler Activity

          One of the biggest benefits of this DIY toddler activity is that it will help kids learn and match colors. Grown ups can talk about the colors, giving their names, and having the child repeat them as a way to strengthen language development and build vocabulary.

          Plus, this activity also gives kids ample opportunity to work on their hand-eye coordination and their fine motor skills. Placing those pouch tops into the twisty-bottom receiver is tricky and requires a ton of concentration for young kids!

          More Ways to Match Colors

          Here are my top picks for toys you can buy that strengthen color recognition skills!

          color recognition sorting rainbowa

          Color Sorting Rainbow

          Transfer pom poms or balls to color sort this rainbow! If you use tongs it is great for fine motor skills too! (Caution: small parts!)

          rainbow wooden stacking toy for color recognition

          Wooden Rainbow Stacker

          This wooden rainbow stacker is  not only great for color sorting, it is also a fantastic open-ended play toy!

          color sorting magnetic game color recognition

          Color Sorting Maze

          This wooden board has a magnetic wand and beads that can be sorted based on color! Great for fine motor skills too!

          Color sorting game color recognition

          Color Sort the Objects

          This game is a great way to learn color recognition while strengthening language development.

          What’s Next?

          Simple Subtraction Worksheets for Kids!

          Simple Subtraction Worksheets for Kids!

          Simple Subtraction Worksheets for Kids!

          simple subtraction free printable activity for kids

          Kids can learn simple subtraction with these worksheets. They are silly, fun, and a hands-on way to learn this important math skill!

          A Hands On Way to Learn Simple Subtraction!

          There is something about cutting hair that keep kiddos engaged! Not only is it fun to give the worksheet people a hair cut, but it is such a visual way to understand subtraction!

          If your kiddo is also learning simple addition, be sure to check out our “Add the Hair” activity – it’s another hands on way to learn a math skill, but this time using loose parts for giving the people hair and adding it up!

          All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

           

          Skills: Early Math

          Ages: 2 Years +

          Prep Time: 20 Minutes

          How to Set Up This Fun Simple Subtraction Activity

          Utilizing this printable makes setting up this activity so easy!

          All you need to do is print it and provide scissors for your kiddo to use to cut away the “hair.”

          This activity doesn’t just help in learning a math skill, but it also strengthens fine motor skills! Using scissors and cutting is one of the best ways to strengthen muscles in the hands and fingers!

          How to Set Up This Fun Simple Subtraction Activity

          Utilizing this printable makes setting up this activity so easy!

          All you need to do is print it and provide scissors for your kiddo to use to cut away the “hair.”

          This activity doesn’t just help in learning a math skill, but it also strengthens fine motor skills! Using scissors and cutting is one of the best ways to strengthen muscles in the hands and fingers!

           

          simple subtraction free printable activity for kids

          Get the Printable Here!

          I wanted to make things extra easy for busy grown ups by providing this printable activity!

          First, get some scissor skills practice by cutting along the lines to create strands of hair. Then, follow the equation by subtracting the number of hairs while physically cutting them away! Kids can count the remaining hairs to solve the problem and then write the answer in the space provided.

          And if you like this, don’t miss some of our other printables that focus on early math skills like our Number Parking Lot printable and Count the Pizza Topping printable

          For more printable activities, visit our Printable Shop. It is filled with easy to set-up activities that help strengthen early childhood education skills!

          The Educational Benefits of This Simple Subtraction Activity 

          Subtraction is all about figuring out what amount is left after taking a number away from another.

          Just like addition, subtraction is part of our everyday life! Just think of all of the daily experiences that require us to use this skill – telling time, cooking, and money to name a few!

          Learning subtraction at an early age will benefit children as they progress on their math journey as it is so fundamental to basic mathematics. 

          simple subtraction free printable activity for kids
          simple subtraction free printable activity for kids

          The Educational Benefits of This Simple Subtraction Activity 

          Subtraction is all about figuring out what amount is left after taking a number away from another.

          Just like addition, subtraction is part of our everyday life! Just think of all of the daily experiences that require us to use this skill – telling time, cooking, and money to name a few!

          Learning subtraction at an early age will benefit children as they progress on their math journey as it is so fundamental to basic mathematics. 

          More Ways to Learn Simple Subtraction

          Here are my top picks for early math games that have a focus on simple subtraction!

          simple subtraction addition game

          Addition and Subtraction Board Game

          This Swamp game encourages kids to do basic math drills through fun game play!

          simple subtraction addition game

          Addition and Subtraction Puzzles

          This includes 20 self-checking, 5-piece puzzles designed to help children develop automaticity!

          simple subtraction addition game

          Subtraction Flash Cards

          This set includes 169 hole-punched math game flash cards so you can easily organize cards using the metal rings!

          simple subtraction addition game

          Motor Math Activity!

          This set includes a transportation theme activity that will help learn counting, patterning, addition and subtraction!

          What’s Next?

          Color Matching Activity – Make Your Own Sorting Game

          Color Matching Activity – Make Your Own Sorting Game

          Color Matching Activity – Make Your Own Sorting Game

          color matching activity with paper tubes and pom poms great for fine motor skills

          Make your own color matching activity out of paper tubes and pom poms. This is a fun way to play with color recognition and fine motor skills! Keep on reading to find out how easy this activity is to make!

          Where Color Matching Activity and Fine Motor Skills Collide!

          This easy-to-make color matching activity is also a great way to strengthen fine motor skills. The kids will be able to use tongs and place the correct colored pom poms into the same colored tube all on their own! This is great for both finger muscles and hand-eye coordination!

          All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

           

          Skills:
          Ages: 
          Prep Time:

          Watch This Color Matching Activity in Action! 

          In this video, you’ll see how both preschoolers and toddlers can enjoy this activity! While many preschool aged kids can easily match colors, this game takes it to the next level by using tongs. This may be tricky for some kids to use, but the more they practice, the more their hand-eye coordination and finger muscles will strengthen. Toddlers who are not quite ready to use tongs yet, can use their hands to transfer the pom poms into the paper tube.

           

          Watch This Color Matching Activity in Action! 

          In this video, you’ll see how both preschoolers and toddlers can enjoy this activity! While many preschool aged kids can easily match colors, this game takes it to the next level by using tongs. This may be tricky for some kids to use, but the more they practice, the more their hand-eye coordination and finger muscles will strengthen. Toddlers who are not quite ready to use tongs yet, can use their hands to transfer the pom poms into the paper tube.

           

          color matching activity with paper tubes and pom poms great for fine motor skills

          Tips for Making This Color Matching Activity

          Colors. Make paper tubes colorful by using acrylic paint, or an even faster process for grown ups to do is use spray paint!

          Cardboard. Cardboard makes the best puzzle boards! It is thick and durable. But the best part? It’s a free resource if you have constant at-home deliveries like us! 

          Tongs. For the added fine motor strengthening component of this activity, get some tongs that are kid-friendly! We bought a set that are for serving hors d’oeuvre – they are small and easier for kids to use.

          For more color matching activities, be sure to visit our comprehensive list of ideas

           

           

          Materials

          • Cardboard
          • Paper Tubes
          • Paint

          Step-by-Step Instructions 

          Step 1

          Cut toilet paper tubes in half (or leave them whole for double the filling!). Paint tubes — acrylic paint, tempera paint sticks, spray paint, whatever you have on hand!

          Step 2

          Glue painted tubes down to a piece of cardboard. I used hot glue since it dries super fast. For the older kids, grab a tong and set aside pom poms, or bottle caps, or erasers, anything smallish that will fit inside. And watch those fine motor skills at work!

          Step 1

          Cut toilet paper tubes in half (or leave them whole for double the filling!). Paint tubes — acrylic paint, tempera paint sticks, spray paint, whatever you have on hand!

          Step 2

          Glue painted tubes down to a piece of cardboard. I used hot glue since it dries super fast. For the older kids, grab a tong and set aside pom poms, or bottle caps, or erasers, anything smallish that will fit inside. And watch those fine motor skills at work!

          Get a Free Printable and Other Fun Ways to Explore Colors!

          This printable worksheet is such a fun way to learn and match colors! Be sure to read all about this hands-on, sensory-packed way of learning colors!

          To dive even deeper into learning colors, you have to download our All About Colors printable bundle. We shine a light on every color of the rainbow and beyond! Each color gets a dedicated page where kiddos can dive deep into learning all the vibrant details.

          These pages are hands on and fun, integrating paint, scissor skills, and games too! If your kiddo loves colors, don’t miss our full printable bundle all about colors!

          discover the colors worksheet printable color matching

          We also have the following free worksheets: Dot the Rainbow, Rainbow Color Match using Cotton Swabs, and our bundle that is all about Color Mixing!

          discover the colors worksheet printable color matching

          Get a Free Printable and Other Fun Ways to Explore Colors!

          This printable worksheet is such a fun way to learn and match colors! Be sure to read all about this hands-on, sensory-packed way of learning colors!

          To dive even deeper into learning colors, you have to download our All About Colors printable bundle. We shine a light on every color of the rainbow and beyond! Each color gets a dedicated page where kiddos can dive deep into learning all the vibrant details. These pages are hands on and fun, integrating paint, scissor skills, and games too! If your kiddo loves colors, don’t miss our full printable bundle all about colors!

          We also have the following free worksheets: Dot the Rainbow, Rainbow Color Match using Cotton Swabs, and our bundle that is all about Color Mixing!

           

          More Ways to Explore Colors

          Here are more color and rainbow activities that make great gifts!

          wooden rainbow color sorting toy

          Color Sorting Rainbow

          Transfer pom poms or balls to color sort this rainbow! If you use tongs it is great for fine motor skills too! (Caution: small parts!)

          rainbow wooden stacking toy for color recognition

          Wooden Rainbow Stacker

          This wooden rainbow stacker is  not only great for color sorting, it is also a fantastic open-ended play toy!

          color sorting magnetic game color recognition

          Color Sorting Maze

          This wooden board has a magnetic wand and beads that can be sorted based on color! Great for fine motor skills too!

          Color sorting game color recognition

          Color Sort the Objects

          This game is a great way to learn color recognition while strengthening language development.

          What’s Next?

          Aladdin Party Idea – How to Make a Themed Play Dough Kit

          Aladdin Party Idea – How to Make a Themed Play Dough Kit

          Aladdin Party Idea – How to Make a Themed Play Dough Kit

          aladdin party idea play dough kit sensory play

          This Aladdin party idea will be a hit with the kids! It is such a fun activity to play with and also makes a great homemade gift! Keep on reading to find out how to make your own play dough and where to find all the items to include in the kit!

          Unique Activity Makes a Great Aladdin Party Idea

          Does your little one love all things Aladdin? Whether you are looking for Aladdin party ideas or gift ideas, this kit is an awesome thing to include!

          One of my go-to activities for kids at parties is to have a play dough station with several colors of play dough and loose parts to spark their imaginations. It is so much fun to create a kit based on a party theme and this one, with the colorful gems and gold nuggets, did not disappoint!

          This activity must be supervised. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

          Skills:
          Ages: 
          Prep Time:

          How To Make Play Dough

          In this video you’ll see our favorite play dough recipe! It comes out so silky and smooth. You can use food coloring to make any color you’d like as well.

          We use this play dough recipe in all of our play dough kits. It can last for several months, up to 6 months if stored properly!

          For all the details on how you can make play dough, I’ve explained the step by step instructions and other tips for making the perfect batch.

          How To Make Play Dough

          In this video you’ll see our favorite play dough recipe! It comes out so silky and smooth. You can use food coloring to make any color you’d like as well.

          We use this play dough recipe in all of our play dough kits. It can last for several months, up to 6 months if stored properly!

          For all the details on how you can make play dough, I’ve explained the step by step instructions and other tips for making the perfect batch.

          aladdin party idea play dough kit sensory play

          How to Assemble This Aladdin Party Idea

          There is always a benefit to making play dough kits! We have made lots of different themes including ocean, cupcake, Frozen, and insect, to name a few! Here is my handy list of items to think about including when assembling kits of any theme. Plus, keep reading for the specific items I included in this kit!

           

          Materials

          Step-by-Step Instructions 

          Step 1

          Start by making the homemade play dough. Don’t forget the coloring to make the play dough fun and different colors. 

          Step 2

          Let the cooked play dough cool down, and then the play dough will be ready to add to the kit. 

          Step 3

          Load the container up with all the decorative pieces, and it’s ready to go! 

           

          Step 1

          Start by making the homemade play dough. Don’t forget the coloring to make the play dough fun and different colors. 

          Step 2

          Let the cooked play dough cool down, and then the play dough will be ready to add to the kit. 

          Step 3

          Load the container up with all the decorative pieces, and it’s ready to go! 

          Benefits of Creating a Play Dough Kit

          Playing with play dough in general, is such a fantastic way to strengthen fine motor skills and provide a rich sensory experience.

          I love that these play dough kits are a great way to keep everything neat in one simple storage case. This teaches the kids the importance of picking up after themselves, too, and keeps it all compiled in one easy and accessible location. 

          The kits allow the kids to stay focused, be creative, and use their imaginations all at once. As a mom who is always busy, this is such a great bonus to have these kits on hand! When the kids need activity, they have their kits to turn to!

          aladdin party idea play dough kit sensory play

          For more fun sensory play activities, check out our comprehensive list!

          aladdin party idea play dough kit sensory play

          Benefits of Creating a Play Dough Kit

          Playing with play dough in general, is such a fantastic way to strengthen fine motor skills and provide a rich sensory experience.

          I love that these play dough kits are a great way to keep everything neat in one simple storage case. This teaches the kids the importance of picking up after themselves, too, and keeps it all compiled in one easy and accessible location. 

          The kits allow the kids to stay focused, be creative, and use their imaginations all at once. As a mom who is always busy, this is such a great bonus to have these kits on hand! When the kids need activity, they have their kits to turn to!

          For more fun sensory play activities, check out our comprehensive list!

          More Sensory Bases to Explore

          Here are my top picks for different types of sensory bases.

          sensory sand play for kids

          Sensory Sand

          Sensory sand is moldable! This bulk pack comes with enough to fill an entire bin for lasting fun! Bonus points for including a storage bin!

          mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

          Modelling Dough

          This modelling dough compound NEVER dries out! It is a fun texture – it is stretchy like play dough, moldable like kinetic sand, and odorless.

          play dough wild dough sensory

          Premium Play Dough

          This play dough is the cream of the crop! It is ridiculously silky and smooth, lasts for 6 months, and is scented!

          slime kit sensory play for kids

          The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

          This kit includes 8 fascinating varieties of slime and putty, including premade putty, magnetic slime, glow in the dark putty, and so much more.

          What’s Next?

          Peppa Pig Activity – Make This Adorable Play Dough Kit

          Peppa Pig Activity – Make This Adorable Play Dough Kit

          Peppa Pig Activity – Make This Adorable Play Dough Kit

          peppa pig activity for kids play dough kit sensory

          Looking for a Peppa Pig activity? This DIY play dough kit is adorable, so easy to make, and can be played with time and time again! 

          The kids had a blast with the theme, and I could tell that their imagination was already working in overdrive from the moment that we started. When it comes to sensory fun and learning, you can’t go wrong with play dough kits.

          Endless Hours of Imagination with Play Dough Kits

          This Peppa Pig Activity, and play dough kits in general are one of those creations that are a win-win for everyone. Not only do they help to contain the mess, but they also keep everything together in one easy space so that the kids can open the lid and start to play. 

          This activity must be supervised. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

          Skills:
          Ages: 
          Prep Time:

          How To Make a Homemade Play Dough 

          Once you get started in making this simple kit, you’re going to love the process. It’s fun and easy to do, and all you need are a few easy supplies to get started. 

          Keep in mind that these are not only handy to have in the house for play time for the kids, but they’re great to gift to others, too. These make perfect birthday gifts or even fun take-home gifts for kids that maybe attended a birthday party at your house.

          How To Make a Homemade Play Dough 

          Once you get started in making this simple kit, you’re going to love the process. It’s fun and easy to do, and all you need are a few easy supplies to get started. 

          Keep in mind that these are not only handy to have in the house for play time for the kids, but they’re great to gift to others, too. These make perfect birthday gifts or even fun take-home gifts for kids that maybe attended a birthday party at your house.

          peppa pig activity for kids play dough kit sensory

          How to Assemble This Peppa Pig Activity Kit 

          In addition to this Peppa Pig activity, we have made so many other play dough kits – from ocean, to cupcake, to Frozen, and insect themed to name a few. 

          I know that it’s important to keep the supplies on hand to make the kits, and I try to do that always! The following are what I think is important to have on hand to create play dough kits for the kids.

          Materials

          Step-by-Step Instructions 

          Step 1

          Create the homemade play dough and have the kids help decide the colors that they want to make it. We chose green for grass, brown for muddy puddles, and pink for the pig’s colored skin.

          Step 2

          Once the play dough has been made, make sure to let it cool down all the way and then store it in the container. 

          Step 3

          Put the rest of the play dough kit items inside, and you’re good to go! 

           

          Step 1

          Create the homemade play dough and have the kids help decide the colors that they want to make it. We chose green for grass, brown for muddy puddles, and pink for the pig’s colored skin.

          Step 2

          Once the play dough has been made, make sure to let it cool down all the way and then store it in the container. 

          Step 3

          Put the rest of the play dough kit items inside, and you’re good to go! 

          Beyond Just a Peppa Pig Activity

          Playing with play dough is so much more than just having playtime at home. The kids will use their hand muscles and dexterity to stretch and mold the play dough to create fun and new things.

          This is great for sensory play and development and a simple way to have them think outside the box for creativity as well. Encourage independent playtime with play dough, too, as a fun way to work on that skill as well!

          For more fun sensory play activities, check out our comprehensive list!

          peppa pig activity for kids play dough kit sensory
          peppa pig activity for kids play dough kit sensory

          Beyond Just a Peppa Pig Activity

          Playing with play dough is so much more than just having playtime at home. The kids will use their hand muscles and dexterity to stretch and mold the play dough to create fun and new things.

          This is great for sensory play and development and a simple way to have them think outside the box for creativity as well. Encourage independent playtime with play dough, too, as a fun way to work on that skill as well!

          For more fun sensory play activities, check out our comprehensive list!

          More Sensory Bases to Explore

          If your kiddo loved this Peppa Pig activity, here are my top picks for different types of sensory bases.

          sensory sand play for kids

          Sensory Sand

          Sensory sand is moldable! This bulk pack comes with enough to fill an entire bin for lasting fun! Bonus points for including a storage bin!

          mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

          Modelling Dough

          This modelling dough compound NEVER dries out! It is a fun texture – it is stretchy like play dough, moldable like kinetic sand, and odorless.

          play dough wild dough sensory

          Premium Play Dough

          This play dough is the cream of the crop! It is ridiculously silky and smooth, lasts for 6 months, and is scented!

          slime kit sensory play for kids

          The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

          This kit includes 8 fascinating varieties of slime and putty, including premade putty, magnetic slime, glow in the dark putty, and so much more.

          What’s Next?

          Toddler Fun – Cut Paper Tubes to Strengthen Hand Eye Coordination

          Toddler Fun – Cut Paper Tubes to Strengthen Hand Eye Coordination

          Toddler Fun – Cut Paper Tubes to Strengthen Hand Eye Coordination

          toddler fun activity paper tube recycled hand eye coordination stacker

          This stacking game made out of recycled paper tubes is toddler fun at its best! Super easy to set up and great for hand-eye coordination! 

          Lots of Toddler Fun with This Paper Tube Stacker

          Are you ready to see how simple it is to make toddler fun learning activities at home? The best part is that you don’t need a ton of supplies to make this happen. In fact, the next time that you use up all your paper towels, you’re just about ready to use them as a stacking activity. 

          You can easily spend money on a stacker toy at the store but why would you when you can make one cheaply at home? It’s also a fun way to have older kids be involved in the creation process, too! They’ll be so proud that they helped make this!

          This activity must be supervised. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

          Skills:
          Ages: 
          Prep Time:

          Toddler Fun in Action!

          Watch this video to see how much fun my toddler is having with this DIY stacking toy made out of paper tubes!

          She is having such a good time stacking, and it is wonderful to see her working on her fine motor skills and hand eye coordination!

          This is such a simple way to have fun, use what you’ve got in terms of materials, and strengthen some skills in the process!

          Toddler Fun in Action!

          Watch this video to see how much fun my toddler is having with this DIY stacking toy made out of paper tubes!

          She is having such a good time stacking, and it is wonderful to see her working on her fine motor skills and hand eye coordination!

          This is such a simple way to have fun, use what you’ve got in terms of materials, and strengthen some skills in the process!

          toddler fun activity paper tube recycled hand eye coordination stacker

          Tips for This Toddler Fun DIY Stacking Toy

          Save all your paper tubes! These cardboard tubes are sturdy and such a great, free craft and play resource! So next time you finish a roll of paper towels, set it aside!

          Cut it up! Big kids can work on their scissor skills by cutting up the pieces of cardboard. We made them about 2 inches wide, but you can mix it up based on your preference!

          Make them colorful! A quick and fast way for adults to make paper towel tubes colorful is with spray paint. However, you can get the kids involved instead with non toxic paints and paint sticks!

          Grab your paper towel holder! Borrowing a paper towel holder for this activity is best. However, if you don’t have one you could always glue a stick to a square of cardboard!

           

          Materials

          Step-by-Step Instructions 

          Step 1

          Cut up recycled paper towel tubes.

          Step 2

          Make the pieces colorful by using paint, paint sticks, or spray paint.

          Step 3

          Use a paper towel holder or stand and task your kiddo with stacking the cut up paper roll pieces. Older kids can practice patterning as well.

          Step 1

          Cut up recycled paper towel tubes.

          Step 2

          Make the pieces colorful by using paint, paint sticks, or spray paint.

          Step 3

          Use a paper towel holder or stand and task your kiddo with stacking the cut up paper roll pieces. Older kids can practice patterning as well.

          Toddler Fun For Learning

          Not only is stacking fun but it’s also great hand-eye coordination for the kids. They’ll love being able to create a fun pattern out of the colors and stack them any way that they want. 

          This activity is also great for teaching patterns as well. Challenge them to stack reds and yellows and then count home many of each color there are. This works well for color identification and counting skills, too. 

          The last major benefit of this stacking activity is that it focuses on fine motor skills. Each time that they pick up a ring and stack it on the tube, they’re working their hand and finger muscles which is great for dexterity.

          printable fine motor skills activity

          For more ways to strengthen fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, try this fun and free printable using dull toothpicks!

          printable fine motor skills activity

          Toddler Fun For Learning

          Not only is stacking fun but it’s also great hand-eye coordination for the kids. They’ll love being able to create a fun pattern out of the colors and stack them any way that they want. 

          This activity is also great for teaching patterns as well. Challenge them to stack reds and yellows and then count home many of each color there are. This works well for color identification and counting skills, too. 

          The last major benefit of this stacking activity is that it focuses on fine motor skills. Each time that they pick up a ring and stack it on the tube, they’re working their hand and finger muscles which is great for dexterity.

          For more ways to strengthen fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, try this fun and free printable using dull toothpicks!

          More Fine Motor Activities to Explore

          Here are my top picks for toys that will help your kiddo strengthen their fine motor skills!

          fine motor skills buckles and strings toy

          Buckle and Threading Pillow

          This colorful pillow is fantastic for fine motor skills with 12 buckles to explore as well as a threading exercise!

          fine motor skills pike the hedge hog toy

          Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog 

          These chunky spikes are easy for little hands to grasp while strengthening muscles as they fit into the back of the hedgehog!

          fine motor skills threading toy with beads

          Big Lacing Beads 

          Threading large wooden beads are great for strengthening fine motor skills! This set includes 30 beads and 2 colorful laces!

          fine motor skills tissue box baby toy

          Pull and Play Tissue Box

          This fun toy is a play tissue box that comes with 12 reusable scarves to encourage grasping and fine motor skills!

          What’s Next?

          Christmas Cutting Activity – Printable Trim Santa’s Beard

          Christmas Cutting Activity – Printable Trim Santa’s Beard

          Christmas Cutting Activity – Printable Trim Santa’s Beard

          christmas cutting activity trim santa's beard scissor skills free printable worksheet

          This Christmas Cutting activity is such a fun way to strengthen scissor skills! Keep on reading to get the printable worksheet to trim Santa’s beard!  

          Scissor Skills with a Holiday Twist!

          One of the best ways for kids to strengthen fine motor skills is through cutting activities! It takes time to build up the muscles in the hands and fingers, but activities like this make it fun!

          This Christmas cutting activity is a super fun way to practice these skills during the holiday time! Kids will enjoy giving Santa’s beard a cut and a trim.

          We made things extra easy for grown ups with a printable worksheet. There are 4 different Santa’s each with different patterns on his beard to explore with varying levels of difficulty!

           

          Skills:
          Ages: 
          Prep Time:

          This Christmas Cutting Activity in Action!

          This activity can be set up in no time! Since it is a printable, all you have to do is grab the printable from the link below, print it, and then either cut out the Santas yourself, or have your kiddos do it themselves!

          Then, kids can have fun using scissors along the patterns to cut Santa’s beard and give it a trim if they would like too!

          All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

          This Christmas Cutting Activity in Action!

          This activity can be set up in no time! Since it is a printable, all you have to do is grab the printable from the link below, print it, and then either cut out the Santas yourself, or have your kiddos do it themselves!

          Then, kids can have fun using scissors along the patterns to cut Santa’s beard and give it a trim if they would like too!

          All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

          scissor skills cut santa's beard printable activity worksheet holiday

          Get the Printable Christmas Cutting Activity Here!

          We understand that grown ups are busy which is why we often make printable activities! For this Christmas, cutting activity, we’ve got you covered with this printable!

          We have lots of Holiday themed printables available. Be sure to check out our Christmas Bundle, Hanukkah Bundle, and Kwanzaa Bundle too! Each of these are filled with activities that will be sure to keep your kiddos busy before and during the holiday break!

          And for even more printable activities, visit our Printable Shop. It is filled with easy to set-up activities that help strengthen early childhood education skills!

          The Importance of Scissor Skills

          Cutting with scissors is one of those practical life skills that will be useful for the rest of your kiddo’s life!

          It also happens to be a wonderful tool for strengthening fine motor skills! Opening and closing a scissor will increase the muscle strengthen in kid’s hands and fingers.

          This printable has a number of different patterns with varying degrees of difficulty. Each are great for supporting hand-eye coordination.

          Overtime, as kid’s hands get stronger, their movements and accuracy will be more precise.

          christmas cutting activity trim santa's beard scissor skills free printable worksheet
          christmas cutting activity trim santa's beard scissor skills free printable worksheet

          The Importance of Scissor Skills

          Cutting with scissors is one of those practical life skills that will be useful for the rest of your kiddo’s life!

          It also happens to be a wonderful tool for strengthening fine motor skills! Opening and closing a scissor will increase the muscle strengthen in kid’s hands and fingers.

          This printable has a number of different patterns with varying degrees of difficulty. Each are great for supporting hand-eye coordination.

          Overtime, as kid’s hands get stronger, their movements and accuracy will be more precise.

          Store-Bought Scissor Skills Activities

          Here are my top picks for scissor skill products you can buy!

          Scissor Skills Workbook

          This set includes 3 workbooks all about scissor skills. Each book includes a pair of scissors!

          Apple Picking Game

          This unique game includes magnetic apples that can be picked from the tree using a scooper scissor!

          Travel-Size Cutting Book

          This small book is packed with scissor skills activities for children as young as 2 years old!

          Decorative Scissors

          This fun set of scissors comes with 6 designs of patterns for decorating paper crafts!

          What’s Next?

          Christmas Sensory Activity – How to Make Candy Cane Oobleck

          Christmas Sensory Activity – How to Make Candy Cane Oobleck

          Christmas Sensory Activity – How to Make Candy Cane Oobleck

          christmas sensory activity candy can oobleck

          Candy Cane Oobleck is such a fun Christmas sensory activity. Plus, add tongs to pick out candy canes to strengthen hand muscles! Keep on reading to find out how to make it yourself in minutes!

          Sensory Play During Holiday Time!

          Oobleck is fun to play with anytime of year, but there is something extra special when you add some holiday twists! 

          By making the oobleck look like candy cane colors, adding a peppermint scent, and small candy canes to be plucked out, this combination is sensory packed and great for fine motor skills too!

          For more info about oobleck, check out this article where we share everything you need to know about it!

          All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

          Skills:
          Ages: 
          Prep Time:

          Watch How to Make and Play With This Christmas Sensory Activity

          It is super simple to make oobleck! At the very least, you just need corn starch and water. Mixing it together and then placing it in a tray will take all of a few minutes to do!

          In the video, you’ll see how my kiddos loved exploring the texture, picking out the little candy canes, and then mixing up the white and red colors to make pink!

          Watch How to Make and Play With This Christmas Sensory Activity

          It is super simple to make oobleck! At the very least, you just need corn starch and water. Mixing it together and then placing it in a tray will take all of a few minutes to do!

          In the video, you’ll see how my kiddos loved exploring the texture, picking out the little candy canes, and then mixing up the white and red colors to make pink!

          christmas sensory activity candy can oobleck

          Tips to Make the Most of This Christmas Sensory Activity

          A Bowl of Water. Have one nearby! Even kids who love to get messy will want to wash their hands off from time to time and this will really extend the play longer!

          Tongs. Add some tongs to the set up to strengthen fine motor skills! Make sure you have a thin layer of oobleck, so that the candy canes don’t fully sink inside it! The texture of the oobleck when resting is hard, so this is a great challenge for kids to remove them using tongs or tweezers!

          Add a scent! Peppermint makes the most sense for this set up! It really adds so much more to the sensory experience.

          Dilute Before Disposing. When playtime is over, you can either dump the oobleck mixture straight into a trash can, or you can dilute it fully first with water and then flush it down the drain or throw it in the garden!

          Materials

          Step-by-Step Instructions

          Step 1

          White Oobleck: Combine 2 cups cornstarch with 1 cup water and a 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint flavoring.

          Step 2

          Red Oobleck: Same as the white oobleck, just add a nice squeeze of red food coloring. 

          Step 3

          Add a little bit of each color to a bin, alternating colors. Oobleck spreads quickly, so keep that in mind.

          Optional: drop mini candy canes on top for an added fine motor challenge.

          Step 1

          White Oobleck: Combine 2 cups cornstarch with 1 cup water and a 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint flavoring.

          Step 2

          Red Oobleck: Same as the white oobleck, just add a nice squeeze of red food coloring. 

          Step 3

          Add a little bit of each color to a bin, alternating colors. Oobleck spreads quickly, so keep that in mind.

          Optional: drop mini candy canes on top for an added fine motor challenge.

          More Holiday Themed Activities!  

          This Christmas Activity booklet includes 18 playful learning activities to promote early childhood skills including, alphabet recognition, color recognition, scissor skills, early math, writing, and so much more!

          It is a fun bundle to have during the holiday break to keep the kiddos busy, learning, and having fun!

          For more printable resources be sure to check out our full collection of worksheets

          fall sensory bin taste safe toddler baby foam
          fall sensory bin taste safe toddler baby foam

          More Holiday Themed Activities!  

          This Christmas Activity booklet includes 18 playful learning activities to promote early childhood skills including, alphabet recognition, color recognition, scissor skills, early math, writing, and so much more!

          It is a fun bundle to have during the holiday break to keep the kiddos busy, learning, and having fun!

          For more printable resources be sure to check out our full collection of worksheets

          More Sensory Bins to Explore 

          Here are my top picks for sensory bins, toys, and books you can buy.

          sensory bin build you own bin michaels

          Build Your Own Sensory Bin Bundle

          This fun bundle allows you to choose between different compounds, figurines and other accessories.

          sensory bin marine creatures

          Pre-Made Sensory Bins

          Whether you want to explore the ocean, dinosaurs, ice cream shop and more. These pre-made kits make set up easy!

          sensory play monster truck bin

          Monster Truck Arena

          This sensory-play item is perfect for the monster truck fan! It comes with 2 pounds of monster dirt and a monster truck!

          fabric busy book

          Sensory-Based Book

          Sensory play doesn’t have to be messy! This fabric book is full of hands-on sensory-based activities!

          What’s Next?

          Counting Numbers 1 to 10, Awesome Dot the Animal

          Counting Numbers 1 to 10, Awesome Dot the Animal

          Counting Numbers 1 to 10 – Awesome Dot the Animal Printable

          dot the animals printable activity learn counting 1 to 10

          This printable is all about giving animals their dots back! It’s a great way to reinforce recognizing numbers, learn counting numbers 1 to 10, and strengthening fine motor skills! 

          Counting Numbers 1 to 10 and Fine Motor Skills Collide with This Dot Marker Activity!

          This activity is such a fun way to engage with numbers while strengthening fine motor skills. 

          Dot Markers are such a great arts and crafts tool because they are perfect for little hands that are just learning how to hold a writing instrument. Plus, they are tapping into their hand-eye coordination while they match up the marker with the dot outline!

          All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

           

          Skills:
          Ages: 
          Prep Time:

          Watch How to Set Up This Activity for Counting Numbers 1 to 10

          In this video, you’ll see how I used our printable on a vertical surface! This allowed my daughter to stay engaged and on her feet exercising more motor skills beyond just fine motor! 

          She enjoyed selecting which color dot marker she would use and then happily gave the animals their dots back!

          Watch How to Set Up This Activity for Counting Numbers 1 to 10  

          In this video, you’ll see how I used our printable on a vertical surface! This allowed my daughter to stay engaged and on her feet exercising more motor skills beyond just fine motor! 

          She enjoyed selecting which color dot marker she would use and then happily gave the animals their dots back!

          dot the animals printable activity learn counting 1 to 10

          Our Dot-the-Animal Printable Activity!

          Save time from drawing your own animals and grab our printable rainbow activity. You can use dot markers, dot stickers, paint and cotton balls, or simply color in the dots with crayon! There are lots of ways you can play and learn with this worksheet.

          Our pizza counting topping activity is a great compliment to this activity and it also comes with a printable to make set-up even easier for grown ups!

          We have lots of other fun hands on activities for learning early math concepts. Be sure to check out our comprehensive list

          And when your kiddo is ready to dive into addition, be sure to check out our add the hair activity!

           

          Materials

          Step-by-Step Instructions 

          Step 1

          Grab and print our printable.

          Step 2

          To create a vertical set up, like us, cut out the animals.

          Step 3

          Glue the animal cut outs to a piece of cardboard.

          Step 4

          Write the numbers beside each image.

          Step 5

          Tape the piece of cardboard to the wall.

          Step 6

          Provide dot markers for your kiddo to give the animals their dots back!

          Step 1

          Grab and print our printable.

          Step 2

          To create a vertical set up, like us, cut out the animals.

          Step 3

          Glue the animal cut outs to a piece of cardboard.

          Step 4

          Write the numbers beside each image.

          Step 5

          Tape the piece of cardboard to the wall.

          Step 6

          Provide dot markers for your kiddo to give the animals their dots back!

          Why Playing With Dot Markers is Great

          I think this dot-the-animal activity really stands out because it’s the perfect combination of fine motor skills and early math fun. The kids will use their finger and hand muscles to hold the dot markers and then use their hand-eye coordination to align it correctly on the cardboard.

          Creating this activity on a vertical surface also helps little one strengthen gross motor skills, increases shoulder strength, and simply allows young kids to be more engaged while on their feet! 

          dot the animals printable activity learn counting 1 to 10
          dot the animals printable activity learn counting 1 to 10

          Why Playing With Dot Markers is Great

          I think this dot-the-animal activity really stands out because it’s the perfect combination of fine motor skills and early math fun. The kids will use their finger and hand muscles to hold the dot markers and then use their hand-eye coordination to put align it correctly on the cardboard.

          Creating this activity on a vertical surface also helps little one strengthen gross motor skills, increases shoulder strength, and simply allows young kids to be more engaged while on their feet! 

          More Ways to Play with Early Math!

          Here are more fun ways to learn numbers and counting that also make great gifts!

          counting numbers gift

          Wooden Number Puzzle 

          If you want something really simple, this is perfect! It’s a puzzle made of wooden numbers.

          counting numbers gift

          Pom Pom Counting Cupcakes 

          This activity uses soft pom poms and wooden cupcakes for early counting. It strengthens fine motor skills too.

          pre k math learning addition game wooden

          Wooden Math Board

          This handcrafted learning resource is great for learning counting and addition and subtraction of numbers up to 20.

          early math learning for kids wooden blocks

          Wooden Number Blocks

          These wooden blocks resemble numbers and grow with your child’s advancing math skills. It also includes a math guide and activity cards.

          What’s Next?

          Fun for Toddlers – Color Sort Game with Big Buttons

          Fun for Toddlers – Color Sort Game with Big Buttons

          Fun for Toddlers – Color Sort Game with Big Buttons

          fun-for-toddlers-activity-diy-button-color-sorting-fine-motors

          This easy-to-set-up button color sorting activity is fun for toddlers! A great way to learn colors while strengthening fine motor skills and hand eye coordination! 

          Fun for Toddlers in Everyday Objects!

          I’m always amazed at how fun and easy activities can be using recycled materials or everyday items. You don’t need a ton of fancy supplies or ideas to make learning fun for toddlers! 

          It’s also a great way to show kids that they don’t need expensive toys to play with, either. When you can recycle supplies that you can spruce up, it teaches them that it’s completely possible to use your imagination to transform a random object!

          This activity must be supervised. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

          Skills:
          Ages: 
          Prep Time:

          Watch This Button Color Sorting Activity in Action!

          Even the littlest can enjoy this activity so long as you have big buttons! (Little buttons are a choking hazard and should be avoided with kids under 3 years old!).

          In this video, you’ll see my daughter at 18 months. She doesn’t always color sort correctly, but it’s a great opportunity for grown ups to use language and vocabulary to support that learning. Also see how much she loves shaking the containers like a maraca!

          Watch This Button Color Sorting Activity in Action!

          Even the littlest can enjoy this activity so long as you have big buttons! (Little buttons are a choking hazard and should be avoided with kids under 3 years old!).

          In this video, you’ll see my daughter at 18 months. She doesn’t always color sort correctly, but it’s a great opportunity for grown ups to use language and vocabulary to support that learning. Also see how much she loves shaking the containers like a maraca!

          fun-for-toddlers-activity-diy-button-color-sorting-fine-motors

          Tips for Creating This Fun For Toddlers, Button Sorting Activity

          Biggest tip is to start saving your containers! I saved any size, any height, as long as they had a lid that I could cut a slot on top! It was really as simple as that. At that point, you have options. I like to spray paint the entire container since it is such a quick process to cover the entire surface, but you can also just paint the lid with non toxic paint, or use a colorful tape around a section of the container for an even quicker set up! 

          Also make sure to get the right size buttons based on your kiddo’s age. As mentioned above, small buttons are choking hazards. For kids 3 and under, large buttons are the way to go. Plus, you’ll want to get a set that includes each color as it will be fun for toddlers to match as many as they can!

           

          Materials

          Step-by-Step Instructions 

          Step 1

          Use a sharp knife to cut a slot on the top of each container.

          Step 2

          Use paint or tape to color each container.

          Step 3

          Provide big, colorful buttons to sort and color match. This activity is so fun for toddlers!

          Step 1

          Use a sharp knife to cut a slot on the top of each container.

          Step 2

          Use paint or tape to color each container.

          Step 3

          Provide big, colorful buttons to sort and color match! This activity is so fun for toddlers!

          More Fun for Toddlers!

          There are so many fun and easy ways for toddlers to learn colors! It can be as simple as going on a walk and talk about the colors of the cars you pass!

          Color recognition activities are so fun for toddlers that we have done many – be sure to check out our comprehensive list!

          One of our favorites includes a free printable that’s a hands on way to color match using cotton rounds and colored water. 

          For more printable activities, check out our full collection!

          discover the colors worksheet printable color matching
          discover the colors worksheet printable color matching

          More Fun for Toddlers!

          There are so many fun and easy ways for toddlers to learn colors! It can be as simple as going on a walk and talk about the colors of the cars you pass!

          Color recognition activities are so fun for toddlers that we have done many – be sure to check out our comprehensive list!

          One of our favorites includes a free printable that’s a hands on way to color match using cotton rounds and colored water. 

          For more printable activities, check out our full collection!

          Color Recognition Toys!

          Here are my top picks for color recognition toys and gifts that are fun for toddlers!

          color recognition sorting rainbow fine motor skills

          Color Sorting Rainbow

          Transfer pom poms or balls to color sort this rainbow! If you use tongs it is great for fine motor skills too! (Caution: small parts!)

          rainbow wooden stacking toy for color recognition

          Wooden Rainbow Stacker

          This wooden rainbow stacker is  not only great for color sorting, it is also a fantastic open-ended play toy!

          color sorting magnetic game color recognition

          Color Sorting Maze

          This wooden board has a magnetic wand and beads that can be sorted based on color! Great for fine motor skills too!

          Color sorting game color recognition

          Color Sort the Objects

          This game is a great way to learn color recognition while strengthening language development.

          What’s Next?

          Play Dough Gift – Easily Assemble a Fun Princess Kit

          Play Dough Gift – Easily Assemble a Fun Princess Kit

          Play Dough Gift – Easily Assemble a Fun Princess Kit

          play dough gift princess kit

          Kids can enjoy not one, but so many princesses in this fun kit! These boxes are easy to assemble and make such great play dough gifts! Keep on reading to find out about not only what materials we used in this kit, but also how to use these kits as gifts and beyond! 

          A Play Dough Gift and More

          Play dough kits can be simple, fast, and easy to make. Not only do they make the coolest play dough gifts, but they are great for little ones to learn independent play,  creativity, and strengthen fine motor skills.

          I love that these kits literally have everything that they need in them so that kids can take over and dive into their imaginations princess-style! Kits give them a great way to express their creative freedom and create something truly on their own.

          This activity must be supervised. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

          Skills:
          Ages: 
          Prep Time:

          How to Make Play Dough for Your Gift!

          If you’ve never made play dough before, you may think it is going to be a lot of work! But, nope! Our simple recipe is super easy to make. There is no cooking involved, just using a microwave!

          Making play dough together with kids is such a fun way to include them in the process. They can learn so much by just measuring and counting ingredients. Plus, if you’re like us, you’ll want to make it in every color!

          How to Make Play Dough for Your Gift!

          If you’ve never made play dough before, you may think it is going to be a lot of work! But, nope! Our simple recipe is super easy to make. There is no cooking involved, just using a microwave!

          Making play dough together with kids is such a fun way to include them in the process. They can learn so much by just measuring and counting ingredients. Plus, if you’re like us, you’ll want to make it in every color!

          play dough gift princess kit

          Building the Perfect Play Dough Gift Kit

          We make a ton of play dough gift kits. It’s my go-to for birthday presents for kids aged 2-5 years old! We have made kits for dozens of themes, but whichever you choose (ocean, cupcake, Frozen, insect, you name it!) below are the basics for the general types of items I look for to fill up a box:

           

          Materials

          Step-by-Step Instructions 

          Step 1

          Start by making homemade play dough. You can add glitter to it or use food coloring to make different colors based on your theme. In this princess play dough gift, I included 3 colors, purple, pink, and yellow, but feel free to switch this up however you prefer!

          Step 2

          Once the play dough has cooled down, add it to the storage containers.

          Step 3

          Use the above as a guide for deciding what loose parts, figurines, and other items you want to include.

          Step 4

          Close it up and cover in gift wrap if giving as a present!

          Step 1

          Start by making homemade play dough. You can add glitter to it or used food coloring to make different colors based on your theme. In this princess play dough gift, I included 3 colors, purple, pink, and yellow, but feel free to switch this up however you prefer!

          Step 2

          Once the play dough is cooled down, add it to the storage containers.

          Step 3

          Use the above as a guide for deciding what loose parts, figurines, and other items you want to include.

          Step 4

          Close it up and cover in gift wrap if giving as a present!

          The Importance of Playing with This Play Dough Gift

          Playing with play dough is one of those activities that can occupy your child for hours. When they want to play using their hands and minds, have them create with play dough! 

          They’ll be able to pull, stretch, and mold and love having their kit to use. Plus, it’s so much fun to give them as gifts! Whether you make it as a gift, or for use at home or school, kids will love being able to have this kit to open and play with at any point in time. 

          Having all of it stored neatly in a case means that you and the kids can have less mess and clean-up time and more time playing! This is a great way to motivate them to take care of their own personal kits.

          play dough gift princess kit

          For more fun sensory play activities, check out our comprehensive list!

          play dough gift princess kit

          The Importance of Playing with This Play Dough Gift

          Playing with play dough is one of those activities that can occupy your child for hours. When they want to play using their hands and minds, have them create with play dough! 

          They’ll be able to pull, stretch, and mold and love having their kit to use. Plus, it’s so much fun to give them as gifts! Whether you make it as a gift, or for use at home or school, kids will love being able to have this kit to open and play with at any point in time. 

          Having all of it stored neatly in a case means that you and the kids can have less mess and clean-up time and more time playing! This is a great way to motivate them to take care of their own personal kits.

          For more fun sensory play activities, check out our comprehensive list!

          More Sensory Bases to Explore

          Here are my top picks for different types of sensory bases.

          sensory sand play for kids

          Sensory Sand

          Sensory sand is moldable! This bulk pack comes with enough to fill an entire bin for lasting fun! Bonus points for including a storage bin!

          mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

          Modelling Dough

          This modelling dough compound NEVER dries out! It is a fun texture – it is stretchy like play dough, moldable like kinetic sand, and odorless.

          play dough wild dough sensory

          Premium Play Dough

          This play dough is the cream of the crop! It is ridiculously silky and smooth, lasts for 6 months, and is scented!

          slime kit sensory play for kids

          The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

          This kit includes 8 fascinating varieties of slime and putty, including premade putty, magnetic slime, glow in the dark putty, and so much more.

          What’s Next?

          Beads Activity – Fun with Play Dough and Spaghetti

          Beads Activity – Fun with Play Dough and Spaghetti

          Beads Activity – Fun with Play Dough and Spaghetti

          bead activity fine motor skills with spaghetti and play dough toddlers and preschool

          The kids are going to love this beads activity! Thread the beads onto spaghetti stuck inside play dough to help strengthen fine motor skills and hand eye coordination!

          Beyond Just a Beads Activity! 

          Strengthening fine motor skills and hand eye coordination is critical for toddlers and preschoolers. These are skills we aren’t born with, but are so important for completing daily tasks like writing, buttoning, zipping, unlocking, twisting things open, and tying shoes to name a few!

          The good news is there are lots of fun and simple-to-set-up ways to help kiddos strengthen these skills and threading the small holes of beads onto spaghetti strands does just that! 

          Skills:
          Ages: 
          Prep Time:

          How to Create This 
          Spaghetti and Beads Activity

          You’ll need just minutes to set up this fun sensory activity for the kids. It’s an easy way to let them be strategic with their hands while also working their minds, too!

          If you need a homemade play dough recipe, check out ours! It results in the most silky and smooth texture that can last up to months! 

          How to Create This 
          Spaghetti and Beads Activity

          You’ll need just minutes to set up this fun sensory activity for the kids. It’s an easy way to let them be strategic with their hands while also working their minds, too!

          If you need a homemade play dough recipe, check out ours! It results in the most silky and smooth texture that can last up to months!

          bead activity fine motor skills with spaghetti and play dough toddlers and preschool

          Tips for Setting Up This Beads Activity

          Save some spaghetti strands! They are strong enough, yet small enough in diameter to fit beads! Pasta makes such a great craft and sensory supply in general. Dye them to make them colorful and use them in arts and crafts projects

          Use Age Appropriate Beads. If you are doing this activity with toddlers under the age of 3 or that still put small items in their mouths, be sure to use beads that are large enough to not be choking hazards. Alternatively, you could use cereal like Cherrios which are taste safe!

          Make Your Own Play Dough! It may seem difficult, but making your own play dough is actually so easy to do! So if you are out of the store-bought stuff, definitely try whipping up a batch of your own one of these days! 

          Materials

          Step-by-Step Instructions 

          Step 1

          Put play dough in a bowl.

          Step 2

          Add in the noodles!

           

          Step 3

          Provide beads for threading.

          Step 1

          Put play dough in a bowl.

          Step 2

          Add in the noodles!

          Step 3

          Provide beads for threading.

          More Ways to Strengthen Fine Motor Skills!

          We have lots of printables that are specifically designed to help kiddos strengthen fine motor skills and hand eye coordination, like this Feed the Animals activity! Kiddos can choose between feeding a bunny, cat, and dog and will be able to see the food travel from the mouth to the belly!

          Be sure to visit our full collection of printables as well as our comprehensive list of fine motor activities for kids!

          feed the animals printable activity worksheet fine motor skills for toddlers and preschool
          feed the animals printable activity worksheet fine motor skills for toddlers and preschool

          More Ways to Strengthen Fine Motor Skills!

          We have lots of printables that are specifically designed to help kiddos strengthen fine motor skills and hand eye coordination, like this Feed the Animals activity! Kiddos can choose between feeding a bunny, cat, and dog and will be able to see the food travel from the mouth to the belly!

          Be sure to visit our full collection of printables as well as our comprehensive list of fine motor activities for kids!

           

          Gifts to Strengthen Fine Motor Skills 

          Just like this beads activity, here are my top picks for toys and games to strengthen fine motor skills and hand eye coordination!

          basketball hoop for hand-eye coordination game

          Basketball Hoop

          This indoor and outdoor basketball hoop adjusts to six heights from 2.5 to 4 feet. Great for motor skills!

          wooden shape threading for hand-eye coordination game

          Wooden Threading

          These chunky wooden shapes are great for little hands to thread. It includes 8 different shaped beads and a stylus with a thread.

          peg toy for hand-eye coordination game

          Pounding Toy

          This classic pounding toy includes a wooden mallet. Great for strengthening fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

          practical life skills busy board book fine motor skills

          Activity Board

          This fabric activity board has a ton of great opportunities for strengthening fine motor skills. Plus, it folds into an easy to carry book!

          What’s Next?

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