Tag: Preschool

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Big Kid Big kid fun Craft Family Activities Gifts Holiday How To Infant/Toddler Learning Kindergarten Age Learning Life Parenting Toddler and Preschool Age Fun Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

8 Fun Monthly Subscription Boxes for Kids: Non-Toy Gifts for Kids

Instead of buying toys for special days, you can consider monthly subscription boxes for kids. These non-toy gifts for kids are fun and won’t clutter up your space as much as toys do.

Helping kids recognize and develop their skills at an early age can give them an advantage later in life. They are already scientists, explorers, cooks, bakers, artists, and many other things. The best thing you can do for your kids is to provide them with what they need to learn and grow in these areas.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

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Monthly Subscription Boxes For Kids

1. Green Kid Crafts

Green Kid Crafts is a nature-based STEAM subscription box for kids aged 2-10. The activities included in the box inspire creativity, discovery, and learning about the world. This monthly box can be the perfect arts and crafts gift for kids.

You can shop by theme on the Green Kid Crafts website, too. The themes include:

  • Arts and crafts kits and projects
  • Fun science experiments
  • Exciting animals and ecosystems
We Craft Box

2. We Craft Box

We Craft Box is geared toward kids between the ages of three and nine. If you have a younger child, they’ll need more help. As kids do the themed monthly project, they’re experiencing creativity and making memories.

All of the materials the child will need, except water and scissors, are included in the box. My favorite part is that each kit comes with enough material for two kids, so it’s perfect for sharing.

Each We Craft Box comes with a story about the project, which helps get your child inspired and feeling creative. It also includes photo instructions that are easy to follow.

We Craft Box, We Craft
subscription box for kids
craft box

3. Bookroo

Bookroo is a monthly subscription book box for kids ages 0-10. It is super simple to sign up, and you can count on awesome books being delivered for your kids. There are three different book clubs you can join including:

  • Board Books (ages 0-3)
  • Picture Books (ages 3-6)
  • Chapter Books (ages 7-10)

Since March is reading month, you could consider starting the subscription box as a way to make National Reading Awareness Month even more exciting.

Amazing books kids love!

4. Coding Subscription Box

This monthly subscription box is best for ages six through 12. The child will receive monthly coding projects, learning how to make video games, simulations, greeting cards, and so much more.

One of the best parts is that each box comes with a guide for grownups and unlimited email support. You won’t have to worry about getting stumped when there’s help and references readily available.

monthly subscription boxes for kids

5. Highlights Magazine Subscription Box

The Highlights subscription box is available for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and first graders. They offer a fun way to learn skills based on their age group and skill levels. Using this box for only 15 minutes a day can improve your child’s skills, and you can track the changes on included progress sheets.

6. History Subscription Boxes

Suitable for ages six through 11, this history box is perfect for kids who love history. Kids can learn about the world around them and other cultures with the included activities. Some of the skills it’ll help children improve are literacy, geography, STEAM, history, and vocabulary.

monthly subscription boxes for kids

7. Monthly Subscription Box for Tweens or Teens

Many of the subscription boxes target younger kids, but tweens and tweens can enjoy this Strong self(ie) monthly subscription box. The tween box is geared towards eight to 12-year-olds, while the teen box targets 13-17-year-olds.

Examples of Tween Boxes

monthly subscription boxes for kids
monthly subscription boxes for kids

Examples of Teen Boxes

monthly subscription boxes for kids
monthly subscription boxes for kids

8. Baketivity Monthly Subscription Box for Kids

The Baketivity subscription box involves a monthly recipe and includes pre-measured ingredients. Each recipe is easy to follow and has illustrations to help the child along.

One of my favorite parts of this subscription box is that the kids can watch and follow a chef creating the recipe. It also comes with a chef hat and apron so your child can embrace every aspect of being a baker.

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Monthly Subscription Boxes for Kids

Monthly subscription boxes for kids are the perfect solution to having too many toys. Birthdays and holidays don’t have to be all about toys, and these subscription boxes are the best gifts for kids.

What subscription boxes for kids do you love? Leave a comment and let me know!

If you want an adult subscription box, check out my post 10 Reasons to Try Bean Box Award-Winning Coffee.

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Allergies Big Kid Classroom Health How To Parenting

How You Can Help Keep Your Child Safe At School

Primary school may be overwhelming for both pupils and their parents, and this is exacerbated even further during a pandemic. Parents are concerned about bullying, emergencies, and other frightening situations as their children navigate through school and important developmental years. Learn how to keep your child safe while at school in this post.

Keep Your Child Safe At School
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How to Keep Your Child Safe At School

1. Familiarize yourself with COVID-19 updates

We all have a lot of additional questions when it comes to the health and safety of our children this year.   Is there really anything done at the school to stop the spread of COVID-19? What happens if a student in my child’s class or at his or her school contracts the virus? What will the school do in the event that a teacher becomes unwell as a result of the virus? Is the school COVID safe in general?

Even as we all work together to negotiate these difficult decisions, you may take steps to equip yourself, prepare your children, and assist teachers in preparing classrooms. Remind your children of the importance of regular handwashing. They should wash up after using the toilet, before eating, after playing outside, and if they have sneezed or coughed.

2. Find out how schools deal with issues

It is critical to understand how a school handles emergency circumstances as well as the policies that students are required to adhere to. Every school year, take time to go over the school’s handbook with your child at the beginning of the year. Many questions are answered in this guide, which covers topics such as school uniform, visitors policy, disaster drills and routes, and the school’s position on bullying.

3. Talk to the teachers

Speaking with teachers and administrators on a frequent basis is the most effective approach to stay up to date on the school’s safety policy. Plus, it’s the best way to follow up on any safety issues that may arise. If your child is experiencing difficulties, these discussions may offer insight into the situation. In order to keep physical contact to a minimum during COVID-19, you can conduct them via Zoom, email, or phone.

If your child’s school does not offer parent-teacher conferences, ask for one with each teacher toward the middle of each term. Staying in contact will help your child succeed and stay safe at school.

4. Make sure your children’s records are up to date

When you first registered your child for school, you had to fill out a mountain of paperwork. However, it is easy to forget about updating their school files as the years go by. In the event that your child develops an allergy or if there is an emergency at the school, this can be a problem.

Additionally, if your personal or contact information changes, make sure that you notify the school as soon as possible. Review and update your child’s files at least once a year, or at the beginning of each term if possible. 

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Big Kid Learning Parenting Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

8 of the Best Back to School Finds for 2021-22 School Year

back to school, back to school finds

As crazy as it seems, back to school is upon us already. With four kids to school shop for this year, I’ve already been buying things and making plans. Amazon is one of my go-to’s for the best back to school finds. I can find deals that aren’t in stores, and they have a wide variety of products to choose from. Plus, I don’t have to leave the house which is super helpful.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

back to school, back to school finds

Best Back to School Finds

1. Crayola Washable Project Paint, 6 Count

We always need project paint, so I stocked up on these. I try to avoid rushing out the night before a project is due when I realize we are missing key components.

2. Academic Planner

Preteens and teenagers can get organized with a planner, helping them keep track of events and assignments. If they can get organized right from the start of the school year, they’ll have a greater chance of success.

3. Backpack

A backpack is a back-to-school essential, and Amazon has them with built-in USB chargers. What could be better for a middle schooler or high schooler? Plus, this backpack is designed to safely hold a laptop, allowing for easier back-and-forth between home and school.

4. Kindle Kid’s Edition

The kindle has a black and white glare-free screen, intended for reading and not playing games. The Kid’s Edition comes with one year of Amazon Kids+, allowing them to choose books from a wide variety of books. It even includes the complete Harry Potter series! Your child can bring their reading material with them anywhere, and the battery life can last for weeks.

We love this kindle because it allows us to save time on busy weeknights. The kids can get their reading time in while we drive to and from sports practices and other events.

5. Ear Buds

We always need earbuds at home, and they’re on all of the kids’ back to school lists from school, too. These ones work well for the price and you won’t feel bad replacing them (which will happen).

6. Pens and Pencils

Pens and pencils are a back to school must-have. Our middle schooler loves the G2 pens, and the elementary school is requesting Ticonderoga pencils for the littles.

7. Elmer’s All Purpose School Glue Sticks, 60 Count

This mega pack of Elmer’s glue sticks will last the entire school year. You will have plenty to send to school with your child and still keep enough at home. We use glue sticks all the time, so I love when I find a good deal.

8. Involve & Evolve Insulated Water Bottle With Three Lids

Keeping your child hydrated during the school day is easy when you know they have a water bottle. These ones are cute, and each water bottle comes with three lids. You can choose from a stainless steel cap, a push-pull sports cap, or a straw lid. It also comes with two straws.

Back to School Finds

Don’t wait until the last minute and then scramble to find everything at your local stores. Get started now with these back to school finds from Amazon. Have you started school shopping yet? Leave a comment and let me know!

I created a few back to school printables to help you get everything you need. There are different ones for each age range, so check out my post: 8 Ways to Get Ready For Back to School (Free Printables)

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Big Kid Classroom Infant/Toddler Learning Kindergarten Age Learning Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

5 Cool Devices and Tools Your Kids Need for Virtual Learning

tools your kids need for virtual learning

COVID-19 quarantines and lockdowns have caused many disruptions to children’s education. It’s (hopefully) not going to be a regular occurrence because scientists have already developed Covid-19 vaccines, but in the meantime, it’s crucial that parents offer some form of home-based learning for their kids. With that in mind, you may be wondering what the best ways to engage with your children are. One answer is through the use of technology, and there are many helpful devices and tools your kids need for virtual learning.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

tools your kids need for virtual learning
Pixabay

Devices and Tools Your Kids Need for Virtual Learning

1. Virtual Reality (VR) Headset

A cursory look on YouTube will reveal many VR-ready videos that allow viewers to enjoy an immersive viewing experience. The available video content ranges from rollercoaster rides and views of Earth from space to close-up videos in wildlife reserves.

VR headsets allow children to feel like they are at the heart of the action and enjoy a truly interactive and immersive experience. One fact about VR headsets is they are affordable. Inexpensive VR headsets start from $10 and can range up to around $500 for an Oculus headset.

2. Noise-Canceling Headphones

When your child has virtual school lessons via Zoom or Skype, they can learn and focus better in an environment free of distractions. Setting up your child’s computer in a quiet room is one way to do that. Sometimes, especially if you have a large family like we do, there are no quiet areas in a family home, though.

In these cases, it’s better to equip your child with noise-canceling headphones. They’re available to suit various needs, and it’s also possible to get headphones for autistic children who find it hard to concentrate when there are noisy distractions around them.

3. Tablet

It’s no secret that we all live in a digital age. Most people, even kids, have several electronic devices they use for communication and productivity. Tablets are essential for kids these days, and they’re easier for little ones to use than other computers. It’s smaller, cheaper, and more interactive to use than a laptop.

Your kids can use tablets as part of their virtual learning as you can download apps for productivity, video conferencing, and more with ease. Of course, you should moderate each child’s time on the tablet, so they cannot access online content unrelated to their learning.

Make sure your children are being safe online!! Check out my blog post, Keeping Kids Safe Online – 8 Simple Tips for tips and advice.

4. Touchscreen Pen

You will undoubtedly include creative learning as part of your child’s home learning curriculum. It’s for that reason touchscreen pens (also known as Stylus pens) make sense and are the perfect complementary accessories for their tablets.

With a touchscreen pen, each child can draw and color with ease on their tablet screen. Touchscreen pens help to foster your children’s creativity by letting them make artistic digital creations. Plus, if your child’s learning requires that they write words, sentences, or numbers, a touchscreen pen can help them do so neatly.

5. Activity Tracker

Finally, an activity tracker such as a smartwatch is ideal for kids who are taught physical education from home. Activity trackers are wearables that monitor a child’s physical exercise and give you and them an overview of their physical activity during a sports session.

Activity trackers are also useful for encouraging and motivating children during physical play as they can quickly check their progress. Plus, such progress can get reported via a linked fitness app on their tablet. It will help them get enough exercise and movement each day, and it can encourage them to set and meet goals.

If you choose a smartwatch as your child’s activity tracker, there are additional benefits, too. Many times, you can set up the watch to receive calls from recognized numbers (such as yours or a grandparent’s). Plus, you can track your child’s location in case you accidentally get separated from them.

Devices and Tools Your Kids Need for Virtual Learning

There are many devices and tools your kids need for virtual learning. You might already use some of these devices, and you can simply add the other tools to help your child out. This is an incredibly uncertain time and it is essential that we don’t let our children’s education suffer.

What devices and tools do you use for your kid’s virtual learning? Tell me in the comments and let me know if you recommend them!

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Craft crafts Family Activities Free Activities Holiday How To Parenting Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

How to Make an Easy Last-Minute Valentine’s Card Box

How to Make an Easy Last-Minute Valentine's Card Box

I’m that mom who sees the note about the class Valentine’s party and only reads halfway through. I get the date and the number of Valentine’s cards we need, and that’s about it. Well, this time, my quick-scan method failed me because I didn’t realize we needed a Valentine’s card box!

As we were getting all of the Valentine’s Day stuff packed up for the next day, I re-read the note to make sure we weren’t forgetting anything. I’m sure you can see where I’m going with this. My preschooler needed a Valentine’s card box for school. Oops.

No worries, though. He had a cute Valentine’s card box for his class party that we made without running out to the store. Plus, it was super easy to make.

Valentine's Card Box

How to Make a Valentines Card Box

Step 1: Find a box that is big enough to hold Valentine’s Day treats and cards.

You can use literally any box you have. We used a pop-tart box. There are only 10 kids in his class so his didn’t need to be very big.

Step 2: Paint the box or cover it with paper.

It took a couple of coats of paint to hide the pop-tart logo. I let it dry in between each coat but it didn’t take long.

For some reason, the sides of the box were giving us the most trouble (or maybe I was just over it). So, we cut cute craft paper and placed it on each end. We didn’t do anything with the bottom of the box.

  • Valentine's Card Box for kids
  • Valentine's Day Card Box

Step 3: Add stickers and other embellishments.

We had some Valentine’s stickers so my little guy put stickers all over the box. You could also cut hearts out of different colored paper and glue those to the box.

We cut his name out of cute paper and glued that on, too. Use whatever you have and be creative. Other ideas include letting your child paint designs on the box or adding glitter.

Step 4: Cut a hole in the top.

Make sure the hole is big enough to fit treats through and not just cards.

Valentine's Card Box

While this Valentine’s card box was nowhere near perfect, my little guy loved it. Sometimes it is all about taking the time to help them create something rather than worrying about a perfect result. Sure, I could have run out to Target and hoped they had some left, but this ended up being so much more fun and I didn’t have to change out of my sweatpants.

How to Make an Easy Last-Minute Valentine's Card Box, Valentine's Card Box

Please tell me I’m not the only mom who does everything last minute?! And if you are a parent who plans ahead and already has their child’s Valentine’s card box ready, I’d love to see it!

*Does anyone in your child’s class have food allergies? If so, read this article: Keep Valentine’s Day Sweet and Safe for Those With Food Allergy.*

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Infant/Toddler Learning Learning Parenting Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

Child Developmental Milestones Every Parent Should Know

Child Developmental Milestones Every Parent Should Know
Child Developmental Milestones Every Parent Should Know
Pexels – CC0 License

Raising a child is complicated business. It’s not just a practical matter of changing diapers, feeding them, and making sure they go to school. It’s also about checking that they reach certain milestones at specific times in their lives. 

For instance, children should be making attempts to communicate by age one, and they should be able to understand that other people have feelings by age two. 

Unfortunately, most parents don’t know specifically when these skills kick in. And it can mean that a few kids miss them without their caregivers noticing. 

In this post, we take a look at some critical child developmental milestones that every parent needs to know as their child grows up. 

Here’s the rundown: 

Child Development At Two Months

At two months, your child should be able to make cooing sounds and be able to smile. They should also be able to calm themselves briefly and start looking at the parent. 

Children at this age have something called directionality. It means that they can turn their heads to face their caregivers and react to noises. 

Parents need to ensure that they react to loud stimuli in the environment. If they don’t, it could indicate a blocked ear canal – something that can affect their ability to develop language later on. 

Children should also be able to hold their heads up from about the age of two months – although you’ll still need to support them. And you may notice that they start acting “bored” or “fussy” – a good sign, despite the hassle. 

Child Development At 1 Year

The first year of development is a whirlwind for children. At this point, they can respond to simple spoken sounds and use head gestures like shaking their head and waving bye-bye to other people. They’re often able to say things like “mama” and “dada” at this stage while also making exclamations, like “uh-oh.” 

Cognitive development really starts to take off at this stage as well. For instance, children at one year of age can put things in containers and let go of objects in their hands without outside help. You may also notice that they start copying your gestures. 

Child Developmental Milestones At 2 Years

Child Developmental Milestones Every Parent Should Know
Pexels – CC0 License

Once children get to around two years of age, they’re really beginning to get the hang of speech. Often, they are able to complete sentences of nursery rhymes with only a small amount of prompting. They’re also able to construct sentences with a subject, object, and verb. Sometimes children need speech therapy at this stage to correct any problems and set them up for the future.

At two years, you should also notice your child starts to be able to do other things too. For instance, they may be able to point to things in a book or repeat things they overhear in conversations between parents. They can also build towers of more than four blocks and play simple make-believe games. 

Child Development At 3 Years Old

At three years old, children should be able to carry on conversations, forming two or three consecutive sentences. It won’t be like having a full-blown conversation with an adult. But once they’re relaxed, they should be able to communicate their basic ideas and talk to strangers. 

You may also notice that their ability to solve puzzles also improves. They should be able to fit jigsaws together and use their hands to turn the pages of books one page at a time. 

Child Developmental Milestones At Four Years Of Age

Children should be able to use scissors at four years of age – something that requires a great deal of manual dexterity. They should also be able to remember parts of stories and how the concepts of “same” and “different” differ from one another. 

You may also notice changes in their physical development. For instance, children at the age of four should be able to stand on one foot and hop. They should also be able to pour their own drinks and catch bounced balls. 

On the social and emotional front, they should now be able to play the roles of mom and dad themselves in games of make-believe and cooperate with other children. Sometimes they can’t tell what’s real and what’s not still, but they should slowly gain this capacity. 

  • Child Developmental Milestones Every Parent Should Know
  • Child Developmental Milestones Every Parent Should Know

Keeping tabs on your child’s development is essential. You need to be able to ensure that they develop in the proper manner. Catching problems early can help you ensure healthy development in the future.

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Infant/Toddler Learning Kindergarten Age Learning Parenting Toddler and Preschool Age Fun Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

How Do Musical Instruments Relate To School Performance?

musical instruments, toy instruments, kids, music and learning
musical instruments, toy instruments, kids, music and learning

By introducing children to the world of music using toy musical instruments, you are opening the door to endless possibilities. You are giving them a great basis for the future and an excellent chance to excel in various areas. This is because the process of learning to play music enhances many other areas of their development.

As stated, learning to play a musical instrument can create various knock-on effects. This means it offers benefits to many individuals, and the best time to start is at a young age. You can find lesson plans (check out https://studentreasures.com/teachers-lounge/lesson-plans/kindergarten/) that you can use at home to blend music and education effectively. For example, use one of the brainstorming sessions as part of your music lesson. 

musical instruments, toy instruments, kids, music and learning

But, why musical instruments?

Improves Math Skills

Learning to play music is very similar to mathematics. The rhythm of the music is based on time being divided into various fractions. Many researchers have found that those children who play toy musical instruments are better at solving mathematical problems. So, it is not surprising that children who have been introduced to music are better at mathematics. This can help them in accounting and business-related areas, as well.

Develops Memorization Skills and Promotes Concentration

Moreover, learning to play different tunes requires memorization skills. A child will enhance their ability to memorize things easily and this will prove especially beneficial during tests and exams.

A child will be able to intake information just as easily as they can memorize a melody. Learning different tunes also requires concentration, so the child will also develop a deeper level of concentration.

Improves Self-Esteem

Another beneficial factor is that toy musical instruments can increase a child’s self-belief, confidence, and self-esteem. These elements are essential for children, especially in this day and age.

Many individuals fail to excel in life because they fear that they could fail and do not believe in themselves. When children learn to play a musical instrument, they realize what they are capable of achieving. They also experience the intense happiness they feel when they achieve it. This will encourage them to take the same attitude towards different areas in their life. 

Improves Creativity and Musical Ability

Of course, learning to play a musical instrument will directly improve their creativity skills and their musical ability. They will develop their own musical tastes and may even take a particular liking to the subject.

You may find you have the next Mozart or Chopin on your hands and your child may excel in the area of music. If you had never introduced them to toy musical instruments, then this may have never been the case. 

Why wouldn’t you want to give your child an extra outlet and an extra avenue for future success?

Whether they take to the world of music or not you will definitely see benefits in other aspects of their life. Overall the advantages are there for all to see. Musical instruments provide endless amounts of fun to people of all ages and the benefits are too good to ignore.

musical instruments, toy instruments, kids, music and learning
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Gifts Holiday Kindergarten Age Learning Parenting Toys and Games

12 of The Best Board Games for Kids: Meaningful Gift Ideas

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I don’t know about you, but I start my Christmas shopping in August. With five kids, it’s essential to begin early and to make sure all my gift plans are in place. My kids love games, so I have been researching the best games for kids.

While I know some of the games they would enjoy, there are so many games out there that I have never heard of. I like to buy games for kids that help develop their skills, and all of the games in this post are ones that do just that.

This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.

Best Games for Kids

1. Race to the Treasure

I love this game because instead of playing against one another, the kids work together to beat an ogre to a treasure. While playing Race to the Treasure, kids will learn strategy, math concepts, making decisions as a team, and cooperation.

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2. 5 Second Rule Jr.

This is a family-friendly version of the 5 Second Rule adult game. When playing 5 Second Rule Jr., kids will read a card and give an answer within 5 seconds. Since it involves quick thinking, funny answers are bound to happen.

With good laughs and light-hearted fun, this game is perfect for family bonding time. If the child can’t quite read yet, playing on teams is fun, too.

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3. Pie Face Showdown

Pie Face is such a fun game, even if it is a little messy. The original game involved players passing the whipped cream covered hand around the table and turning the crank, hoping to not get hit in the face with whipped cream.

Pie Face Showdown is an upgraded version of the original. This one requires two players to both have their faces in front of a whipped cream covered hand. The players have to push their buttons faster to make the whipped cream hit their opponent.

4. Guess Who?

Guess Who is a classic, and it’s one of my favorites. Each player has a card with a person on it, and their opponent has to figure out which character the other one has. The first to figure out their opponent’s character wins the game.

The way you eliminate characters is by asking descriptive questions. These questions can be “Is your person wearing a hat?”, “Does your person have a mustache?”, or anything else that can help eliminate characters and lead you to your opponent’s character.

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5. Buggaloop

This game features a Hexbug that crawls underneath the “backyard” (the game board). It can climb vertically, horizontally, turn corners, and go through loops and tubes. You have to try and get your game piece all the way across the board before the Hexbug appears and takes you out.

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6. Uno

This simple classic card game is perfect for kids because it teaches so many things at once. Color and number matching, taking turns, and paying attention are all skills they can develop while playing.

I play this game often with my 3 and 4-year-old, as well. The only change I make is that we can see each other’s cards so that I can help as needed.

gift ideas for a 6 year old boy, 6 year old boy gift guide, gifts for a 6 year old , card games for kids, Uno

7. Rush Hour Jr.

To play this game, kids will shift vehicles out of the way to clear a path to the exit. There are 40 levels, allowing for endless fun and brain stimulation. Rush Hour Jr. can help improve logical and spatial reasoning, planning skills, and problem-solving.

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8. Operation

Another classic, the game of Operation has stood the test of time. Kids love this game, no matter which era they were born in.

It helps develop fine motor skills as kids use tweezers to remove ailments from the patient’s body. If the child misses and hits the side of the opening, the game buzzes, and the patient’s nose lights up. The player who can remove the most ailments wins.

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9. Ravensburger Labyrinth

I am so excited to get this game for my son for Christmas. The game changes each time you play it because the tiles move. This ensure that the child won’t get bored with it, since it’s pretty much a different game each time.

They will move their piece around the board, working their way to a treasure. On each turn, the child will also have the chance to change the path of the maze. It’s the perfect game to teach strategy.

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10. No Stress Chess

This game offers a chance to teach kids how to play chess with little frustration on their part. It comes with a deck of cards that teach the rules of the game and strategies that should be used.

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11. Skillmatics Educational Game: Brain Games

This is a game that is fun for the whole family, as the age range is from 6-99 years. It teaches thinking and reasoning, plus logic and problem-solving skills. As the game is played, the boards can be wiped off and done again.

gift ideas for a 6 year old boy, 6 year old boy gift guide, gifts for a 6 year old , brain games for kids

12. SpringFlower Sight Word Game

My son isn’t a huge fan of working on his sight words the traditional way. I’m always looking for new activities to help him learn them. When I found this game, I was so excited. I only wish I had come across it sooner!

The kids will use the fly swatters to smack the appropriate sight word when it is called out. It’ll help them recognize the word more quickly, and it’ll be fun, helping to commit it to memory.

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Final Thoughts on 12 of The Best Games for Kids

With as much as my kids love games, I always want to choose the ones that they will love. The best games for kids are the ones that offer a learning opportunity or help develop skills.

What are some of the games your kids love? Do you have any games for kids that you want to buy as a Christmas gift this year? Leave me a comment and let me know! I’d love to hear about it.

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Posts Related to the Best Games for Kids

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Craft crafts Infant/Toddler Learning Toddler and Preschool Age Fun Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

Tear Art – Little Red Riding Hood

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This tear art based on the book Little Red Riding Hood was so much fun for my daughter! It was easy, allowed her to be creative, and can be done over and over again with different books. Before I get into the details of that craft, let’s catch up!

I hope you are all having an amazing summer! I know things are a little different this year since lots of things are closed/canceled. Plus, the things that aren’t canceled or closed likely have new rules and guidelines to follow.

It definitely takes some getting used to, but we’re still enjoying all of our favorite activities! We’ve spent a lot of time at the Lake (Lake Michigan is our favorite), and spent time exploring places we’ve never been before.

The kids have loved it and they haven’t even complained about missing out on things we would normally do.

It’s been rainy here lately, though, so we have been stuck inside a little more than we’d like. That’s been fine, though, because it gives us plenty of time for reading stories and making crafts.

Little Red Riding Hood Tear Craft

My daughter is obsessed with wolf stories, which has been a theme for her for more than a year now. Lately, we’ve been reading Little Red Riding Hood over and over again.

So, when she wanted to read it for the fourth time in a row the other day, I came up with a better idea. We decided to make a craft based on the book! I love to do that anyway, so this was a perfect time.

My little lady is currently grounded from scissors (a few too many mishaps with her hair, her Barbie’s hair, and now her toy horse’s hair… along with clothes and anything else she found). I wanted to stick to my guns on this one, so we settle for tear art.

Tear crafts are awesome anyway because they help with fine motor skills and using pinching skills. This one was even more fun because we had to copy the book while tearing our paper.

Plus, when you do a craft based on a book, it will help the child remember the book better. That means, if there are any lessons involved in the book, the child will remember those better, too.

Materials:

Directions:

  • Read the book
  • Choose a part your child wants to re-create
  • Gather the necessary colors of construction paper
  • Begin tearing out the shapes
  • Glue them to the paper
  • Use crayons, a pen, or a marker to add final details if necessary
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Use Tear Art to Occupy Kids While You Work From Home

So, I’ll be completely honest here. One of the reasons I’m trying to get my kids to enjoy tear art based on books is because I often work from home. As many of you are probably realizing, working from home when you have kids is incredibly difficult.

I did this craft with my daughter, but I’m hoping that it’ll help her stay occupied on her own when I’m working. Since the materials are basic, you’ll be able to feel comfortable that your child won’t hurt themselves without your guidance.

They can choose any book they want, even ones they haven’t read before. This opens the door to so many ideas and possibilities. You’ll be able to suggest tear art next time your kids are bugging you while you are busy with work.

Your kids don’t have to only create the characters in the book, either. They can re-create the scenery or any other aspect of the book. I think rainbows and other nature-related themes would be so much fun to re-create!

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Final Thoughts on Tear Art – Little Red Riding Hood

This is a craft that kids of all ages can do. They get to use their creativity to create what they are seeing in the book.

It doesn’t matter how close your child (or yourself) gets to an exact re-creation. Just going through this process will help them remember the book and the lessons it has taught.

It’ll also keep your kids busy for a while, and they can do this craft without scissors.

What book would you want to recreate with your child? Tell me about it in the comments!

Check out this similar craft:

Big Bad Wolf Paper Plate Craft

Categories
Big Kid Big kid fun Family Activities Free Activities How To Outside Fun Sensory Play Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

Can You Grow a Pine Tree From a Pine Cone? A Lesson In Sustainability For Kids

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I saw this picture being shared on Facebook and Pinterest where a pinecone was planted into soil. The photo showed that the pine cone was about half-buried in soil, with the top half sticking out. There were sprouts coming from the top of the pinecone, indicating that it’s possible to grow a pine tree from a pine cone.

This left me wondering… is it possible? Can you really grow a pine tree from a pine cone?

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The Research About Growing a Pine Tree From a Pine Cone

I tried to find information about this, and couldn’t find a conclusive answer. Just when I thought I had, someone else had a different point to make.

I couldn’t find any accounts of someone successfully going a pine tree from a pine cone. Plus, many people did explain that it is pretty much impossible.

Some people thought it would work, though, and I just have to test the image that was floating around.

With that being said, I found literally no confirmed answer. I couldn’t even find a source for the image that was floating around social media. **Updated to add that the social media image can be found here**

The Information We Did Find

Before we tried this for ourselves, I assigned our teenager the task of learning a couple of things about pine trees. She had to share the information with the younger siblings before we went around the yard hunting for pine cones.

One of the things she shared was that there are male and female pine cones. Am I the only adult who didn’t know this?!

With that fun fact, we took all of the pine cones we collected and played a game. We made teams and worked together to sort the pine cones into two pines; male and female. We also learned that the female pine cones are the ones that carry the seeds.

Finally, we learned that trees produce oxygen and that oxygen is what we breathe.

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Growing Pine Trees From Pine Cones

So, since I couldn’t find the actual answer online, we decided to figure it out for ourselves.

Materials

  • Empty 2-liter soda bottle
  • X-acto knife (or you can use a pocket knife)
  • Soil
  • Pinecone

This is the exact knife I used. I use it for pretty much everything, to be honest. LOL.

Yes, that’s an affiliate link, which means I’ll make a small commission at no additional cost to you. I truly do use this x-acto knife and stand behind it, however.

Instructions

1. Cut the soda bottle so that you only have the bottom portion left. Say, 1/4 of the bottle.

2. Add soil to the soda bottle bottom.

3. Create a hole in the soil that is big enough to fit 1/2 of the pinecone.

4. Fill dirt back in around the pinecone. Only the top half should be showing.

5. Water everyday and monitor the progress.

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Did it work?!

Ok, so since we know that this method for growing a tree isn’t for sure going to work, just bear with me. I’ll update on the progress (if there is any) right away.

In the meantime, however, do this project with us!! Help your kids plant their pinecone so you can see for yourself if it is possible to grow a pine tree from a pine cone.

We’re all looking for ways to teach kids from home, so why not mix in a fun science lesson?

What do you think will happen? Is it possible to grow a pine tree from a pine cone?

I had the kids all draw pictures of what they think will happen. Nevaeh was the only one who thought we would have to remove the seeds from the pinecone to grow a tree. The others thought the tree would grow from the pinecone.

Lets be honest, I think Nevaeh is right. Tell me what you think.

Will a tree begin to grow out of the planted pinecone? Tell me the reason behind your answer! I can’t wait to see what everyone thinks!

Need another project idea?

Check out this paper mache diamondback rattlesnake! Using paper mache is so easy, and the post has a recipe to make it with ingredients you already have on hand!

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