Tag: Toddler

Categories
Gifts Parenting Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

Naturally Kids Backpack Review: Why It’s the Perfect Daily Choice for Toddlers

As a parent, we’re always carrying things for our kids. From sippy cups or snacks to toys and random treasures, we get stuck carrying it all. This Naturally Kids backpack can help alleviate the issue, allowing your kids to carry their own things to and from the car.

It seems like everytime we leave our house, the kids start grabbing things to take with us. I either end up carrying it all back in the house later, or it gets left in the car. When the kids have their own bag for daily use, you won’t have to do it anymore.

The Naturally Kids backpack is high-quality, useful, and worth the value. It comes with a dinosaur that your child can carry in the straps on the front of the backpack, making it even more exciting. Naturally Kids also offers other stuffed animal options and colors, allowing you to get the perfect one for your child.

If all of those perks aren’t enough, there are plenty of other reasons to get your child a Naturally Kids Backpack.

Disclosures: I was provided with a Naturally Kids Backpack for the purpose of completing a fair and honest review. Additionally, this post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.

Naturally Kids Backpack
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Why the Naturally Kids Backpack is the Perfect Option

1. It Has Adjustable Straps

Kid aren’t all the same size, so the adjustable straps allow you to make it the perfect size for your kiddo. Plus, you can loosen the straps as your child grows, ensuring long-term use.

Naturally Kids Backpack

2. The Size is Perfect

While your little one has lots of treasures to take with them, you don’t want them to pack up the house each time you leave home. This backpack is the perfect size for a few of their favorite items, preventing them from overpacking. Let your child know that they can take anything that can fit inside of the bag. They can fit a toy, a snack, and a sippy cup. Since they can’t overload it, you won’t get stuck carrying it because it won’t get too heavy.

3. It Has Internal Pockets For Small Treasures

This backpack has two internal pockets. One of the pockets has a zipper and the other has a velcro flap. These pockets were a nice surprise and give the kid a place to put smaller things they don’t want to lose.

4. The Material is Soft and High-Quality

I always worry about things with zippers because they can tear so easily. However, this backpack is made of high-quality material so I don’t have to worry about it. The material is also soft for the little ones to enjoy.

5. Naturally Kids Backpack Has Something For Everyone

While the backpack we received is pink with a dinosaur, there are plenty of other options. You can choose between unicorns, dogs, and other stuffed animals. Plus, Naturally Kids offers plenty of color options so you can get your child the perfect gift.

Naturally Kids Backpack

Why the Naturally Kids Backpack is the Perfect Option For Kids

There are so many backpacks for toddlers on the market, but the Naturally Kids backpack is amazing compared to the others. The quality is great, and it comes with a bonus stuffed animal that can be carried in the straps on front. Plus, it prevents your child from overfilling a bag and then making you carry it because it’s too heavy.

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How To Parenting

Guest Post: 4 Amazing Factors To Consider Before Buying Toddler Clothes

toddler clothes Australia, toddler clothes online, Buying Toddler Clothes, Toddler Clothes

*4 Amazing Factors To Consider Before Buying Toddler Clothes is a guest post written by Kiara Waylen at Aussie’s Innovative Business Ideas*

Shopping for your kids must be a fun activity and the most exciting one for the new parents. The cute little shirts, frocks, and shoes look so attractive that you feel like picking every single one of them from the store. As your baby is the most precious gift, make sure that the clothes you buy are comfortable for the little one. The kids should be safe in toddler clothes, and you must be the responsible one for selecting the clothes. 

There are so many brands and options available in the market that it will be an overwhelming task to choose any one outfit. You can follow the following advice that may help in choosing the right clothes for the kid. Whether you have a baby boy or a baby girl, the care should be equal for the babies who cannot express the irritation even if the clothes are uncomfortable. 

toddler clothes Australia, toddler clothes online, Buying Toddler Clothes, Toddler Clothes

Pick the Right Fabric

When the chubby cheeks and dimpled chin baby joins the family, you cannot wait to deck him or her up in the colourful, stylish, trendy, and bright dresses. However, toddler clothes may cause skin irritation and allergies, and the baby may have rashes all over the body. It indicates that the material is not suitable for the toddler. 

When you buy clothes, remember that the child has overly sensitive skin. It is better to pick only the cotton materials for the dresses. You can also go for the equally good alternatives like the soy-based fabrics which have a gentle feel and smoothness. Organic cotton is undoubtedly the best option, although rayon from bamboo can work. But every child is unique, and you need to check whether any fabric is causing allergies to your baby’s skin. 

Size Factor

Children at the beginning stage grow so fast that they outgrow the clothes within a couple of months sometimes. But that does not imply you will buy a bigger size so that the child can continue wearing it for a few months. Babies feel uncomfortable if you make them wear big clothes that hang loose on their body. But you can purchase one size bigger, as it is not an exaggeration when people say that children grow faster than the weeds. These babies will fit in the one size bigger toddler clothes sooner than you expected. But also remember to check the fitting as kids are uncomfortable in too tight clothes. Moderately loose clothes are helpful in providing the breathing space to the body. 

toddler clothes Australia, toddler clothes online, Buying Toddler Clothes, Toddler Clothes

Functionality

Your baby will not walk the ramp that you will search for stylish clothes only. The toddler clothes should have the functionality necessary for the age group.

  • The onesies are ideal when your baby cannot move much and only loves to move the legs. It is also easy to change diapers. 
  • Kimono bodysuits are ideal for toddlers who stay comfortable in this style.
  • Front open shirts or frocks that you can easily put on or take off without irritating the baby.

Cost Factor

Buying expensive toddler clothes does not indicate that you are buying the best stuff for the kid. Also, do not opt for the ones that are low in cost with poor quality. You should not compromise with the quality for saving money and buy the top quality for the baby. If you like the quality, then only check out the price. The clothes should pamper the skin just the way you take care of your baby. 

toddler clothes Australia, toddler clothes online, Buying Toddler Clothes, Toddler Clothes

Conclusion

Finally, make sure you keep the above factors in mind while choosing the toddler’s clothing, also ask the toddler about their choice.

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Big kid fun Family Activities How To Infant/Toddler Learning Learning Parenting Toddler and Preschool Age Fun Toddler and Preschool Age Learning Toys Toys and Games

What Are Some Of The Ways You Can Encourage Imaginative Play?

imaginative play

Encouraging your child to use their imagination is very important. After all, this is an essential step in their learning process as it helps them develop skills and learn. The best way to get your child’s imagination working is through imaginative play. After all, if something seems fun, then your child will instantly be more responsive and involved.

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Luckily, there are quite a few imagination-based toys available in stores and on the internet. Even better, many toys for imaginative play are popular with young children. You’ll be able to find the perfect one for your kiddo that they will love.

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

Click these links for a few ideas for pretend play that your kids will love:

There are also online play options and virtual school assemblies. This means that you are not faced with a shortage of options to choose from.

This blog post aims to give you a helping hand with this by simply providing you with some tips and suggestions regarding the promotion of imaginative play.

Figure Out What Type of Imaginative Play Your Child Likes

The key is to try out a few different things to discover what type of imaginative play your child likes. Stick with things that let them use their mind to unlock the door of their imagination.

There are lots of great toys available that are based around role-playing. One of the most popular options to go for is a kid’s kitchen. This gives your child their very own area of space where they can pretend to cook and create different meals.

This helps them because they will be able to become more familiar with different kitchen activities. Plus, they can use their imagination to create different scenarios.

Buy a Dollhouse

Another good option is to buy a dollhouse. These are great because they promote creativity as well as imagination. Your child will be able to decorate the rooms in the house and think of different scenarios between the dolls. Plus, this helps the child learn about family dynamics, the roles of different individuals, and the makings of a household.

Encourage Imaginative Dress-Up

There are lots of different dress-up costumes available from toy stores, and it is another good option to go for. After all, what better way to let your imagination run wild and get into true character than dressing up as something? The choices for dress-up are never-ending, and it is a good idea to let your little one pick which outfit they likes best.

Consider Other Play Home Items

If you are looking for something which is smaller or more affordable than a play kitchen, then there are lots of scaled-down sets. These sets encourage kids to learn different life skills. You can get cake baking sets, laundry sets, coffee making sets, and much, much more.

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As you can see, there are several different ways in which you can get your child’s imagination working. Hopefully, the tips to promote imaginative play given in this article will have provided you with some ideas and inspiration. What are some ways your kids enjoy imaginative play? Leave a comment and let me know!

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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
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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
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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
Categories
Big Kid Family Activities Free Activities How To Kindergarten Age Life Parenting Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

15 Fun and Easy Ways to Keep Kids Busy at Home

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When you’re stuck at home with your kids, you might all go a little stir crazy. You can avoid it and have some fun by learning how to keep kids busy at home.

Some of these ideas will require assistance and/or participation from you (or another adult or older sibling). Of course, I know you will need ideas for how to keep kids busy so you can get stuff done, too, so there is plenty of activities for that on the list, too.

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How to Keep Your Kids Busy at Home

1. Help them or encourage them to set up an obstacle course.

The older your kids are, the more likely they will be to do this independently. Be prepared to have to attempt the obstacle course in the end, however.

For younger kids, you may have to assist them in the setting up process, and then teach them how to get through the obstacle course. You may be able to back off eventually and let them make their way through the course on their own.

2. Do a craft.

This doesn’t have to be hard! One of my favorites this week was using old magazines to make collages. All of my kids loved this craft, even the teenager.

Simply supply each kid with a magazine or two, a glue stick, and scissors. Then let them have fun and create whatever they want. Likewise, other engaging activities for kids include face painting. Interestingly, you can buy face paint for kids from online stores; these colors are safe for children to use. It pushes the kids to explore their creativity and try out new crafts. 

There are so many other crafts, however, so be creative and do whatever you think your kids will like. You’ll also have to decide how hands-on you want to be during the craft, too, before deciding on one.

3. Set up a sensory bin.

I love sensory bins!! You don’t have to have a sensory table to enjoy sensory play. All you need is a container such as a medium-sized tote or a large bowl. Then, fill it with whatever you think your kids will enjoy for a while.

Sometimes I just go with soap and water in the sensory bin, or I will dye rice. Other times I get fancier and do a shark-themed sensory bin. Oh, another favorite was our frog sensory bin! There are so many options.

4. Make something out of paper mache: How to keep kids busy

A few years ago, our son had to do a project where he created a 3-D animal. He chose to make a paper mache diamond-back rattlesnake. This project ended up being one of the best he’s ever done, and it gave us all a new-found love of paper mache.

These types of projects are so much easier than they sound and actually require only a few ingredients. Kids can make whatever they want, or you can challenge them to make something specific.

Click here for an easy paper mache recipe.

5. Have a push-up competition: How to keep kids busy

I’m excited for this one! My kids love to compete with one another, and I think even our 12 and 15-year-old will have fun with it. Actually, it may keep my husband busy for a while, too. If you have a gym or workout space, you could even make a day of it. Or if not, creating a purpose built space to entertain your kids could be great.

With a great contractor and basement waterproofing company, it will take no time at all and give you the exact space you need to have more fun as a family. Either way, spending time having a mini olympics or sports day can be fun for the whole family. Make sure someone is counting out loud, too!

6. Have them work on puzzles.

While I’m working from home, puzzles are one of my go-to options when the kids want to be right next to me. I get out a few wooden puzzles for them to choose from

One of the choices is always an alphabet puzzle and as they put it together I’ll call out a random letter that they have to find next. It’s helping with letter recognition along with keeping them busy. I’ve also been having my littles practice their name with the letters.

7. Let them play with and write on sticky notes.

So at first, I was completely against this idea. I didn’t want my sticky notes wasted. htat quickly changed when I realized that my kids left me alone for a bit when I let them use the sticky notes. A small price to pay.

My son has been having me write math problems out on sticky notes for him and then he solves them. My daughter has been practicing writing her name on them. Other times they make random pictures and stick them in random places, but that’s okay, too.

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8. Write a letter on a piece of paper and have your child write it in different colors.

My kids love this one because I pull out my “special” markers for it. Really, these markers are just the ones I hide from the kids so they don’t get lost or dried out.

Sometimes I even let them use glitter pens or a mixture of many different writing instruments.

9. Challenge them to build a Lego or block tower.

Tell them to make it bigger or wider than they ever have before, and to keep it a surprise until they are 100% finished. This should buy you a little time to get things done with kids in the house.

After that is done, you can always challenge them to make different things out of Legos. Be creative and come up with fun ideas that they’ll be excited about.

*Check out my Pinterest board called “Legos” for ideas!”

10. Set up an art center.

Before you get busy doing your own thing for the day, set up a small art center for your kiddos. This could include blank paper, markers or crayons, glue, some colored paper, or any little add-ons you can find to put in the bin.

If you want a themed art center, just go with whatever holiday or season is coming up and offer colors pertaining to that. You can use whatever you have around your house, or you can head to a dollar tree to grab a couple of seasonal items that they can use for artwork.

11. Find a free electronic resource for your kids to use.

Right now, many companies are offering free online resources for kids. This is to ensure every child has the chance to learn something new. A few good ones are Scholastic and ABC Mouse.

My 12-year-old has been loving the Scholastic lessons because they are about things that are interesting to him, and my 3-year-old has been really enjoying ABC Mouse. I think finding the right online source for your child based on their interests and their age group is important, but there are resources for all kids right now.

12. Blow up balloons: How to keep kids busy

No, I’m not kidding. This keeps ALL of my kids busy for a while. There are so many different things they can do with balloons. From playing indoor volleyball or balloon soccer to simply throwing the balloons at each other, they have fun for such a long time when I randomly blow up balloons.

13. Have a board game day.

Pull out yours and your child’s favorite board games and spend a few hours (or the entire day) playing games together. This is great bonding time, and your kid will love the time you spent with them. If you can’t play for such a long time, play a game or two and then suggest that they play with their siblings.

Since I have big kids and little kids, this gets a bit trickier, but it’s still possible. The other night we played Monopoly Voice Banking, which is our 12 year old’s favorite game. The littles wanted to play, too, of course, and instead of sending them away we formed “teams”.

Each little (there’s 3 of them) chose one big person’s team to be on. The little was responsible for rolling the dice and moving the piece (with help when needed), and the big person was responsible for the rest of the turn. We had very little argument or whining during the game and everyone had a good time!

14. Remember, it’s National Reading Awareness Month.

There are TONS of ideas out there to celebrate reading month. This could be as easy as pulling out your child’s school calendar and copying what your child would have been doing at school that day to celebrate. Otherwise, you can check out my blog post about Fun Ways to Celebrate National Reading Month.

15. Play hide and seek

We’ve already played in the house, in the backyard, and in the front yard since our social distancing began. The kids love this game and its one that can be played with parents or with siblings. Even better, it’s actually fun for everyone.

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Recap: How to Keep Kids Busy

There are many ideas for keeping your kids busy, but it’s sometimes hard to think of them when you need them most. This post can help.

What do you do to keep your kids busy? Leave a comment and let me know!

Categories
Free Activities Holiday Printables Toddler and Preschool Age Fun Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

Valentine’s Day Matching Game – Free Printable

Valentine's Day, Valentines Day, Sight Word Practice, Matching Game, Free Printable

So this Valentine’s Day Matching Game idea first came to me when my son and I were working on his sight words. I remember playing sight words games with our now 12-year-old back when he was in Kindergarten, and the games just seemed to help him get it.

Somehow, it hadn’t crossed my mind to play games to learn sight words with my current kindergartner until now. The best part of this matching game printable that I created, however, is that I can use it for more than just a sight words matching game.

I plan to use it for matching uppercase and lowercase letters, matching numbers, and a few other learning games. The multiple game options also mean it will work for different age groups, depending on which game you decide to play with it.

Valentine's Day, Valentines Day, Sight Word Practice, Matching Game, Free Printable

Free Printable – Valentine’s Day Sight Word Practice Matching Game

Valentine's Day, Valentines Day, Sight Word Practice, Matching Game, Free Printable

Free Printable – Valentine’s Day Matching Game

Valentine's Day, Valentines Day, Sight Word Practice, Matching Game, Free Printable

How I Used Them

So I printed two copies for each kid. On one copy, I wrote the sight words, numbers, or letters (depending on which kid’s I was doing). The second copy was used for cutting.

Before I had the kids cut out the hearts on the second copy, I wrote the matches. Once they cut the hearts out, they were already ready to match them up.

You don’t have to do the second copy this way, however. Instead, you could cut hearts onto pink or red construction paper and then write the matching word, letter, or number onto the heart. I just wanted the kids to cut their own hearts, to be honest. Lazy mom moment.

Valentine's Day, Valentines Day, Sight Word Practice, Matching Game, Free Printable

Another Way to Play – Learn Sight Words Using Technology

I taught my son how to type his sight words into dictionary.com and listen to the word. If you don’t know how to do this, it’s simple! Type the word into the search box and then when the definition comes up, click on the megaphone icon and it’ll say the word out loud.

This allows your child to play the game on their own and still hear the words spoken aloud. It helps with letter recognition, spelling, and reading.

Don’t leave them to do it on their own every time, though. Kids still learn best through personal connection.

Valentine's Day, Valentines Day, Sight Word Practice, Matching Game, Free Printable

Final Thoughts on Valentine’s Day Matching Game

This game was so much fun and my kids learned so much while playing it! Would you use the sight word version of this Valentine’s Day matching game or would you use it for something different like learning letters or numbers? Tell me about it in the comments!

Categories
Big Kid Craft crafts Free Activities Holiday Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

Valentine’s Crafts Based on the Book Hedgehugs

heart craft, Valentine's day, Valentines Day, Valentine's Day craft, handprint craft, hedgehugs book, hedgehog craft

When my son brought the book ‘Hedgehugs’ home from school last year, I was so excited. I’d never heard of it before and it quickly became a favorite. While deciding on some Valentine’s Crafts, this book immediately came to mind.

It’s a cute story about a couple of hedgehogs that want to hug but can’t find a comfortable way to do so. By the end of the story, the hedgehogs find a way to hug by wiggling into the end of a torn sock. The sock covers their sharp parts so that they can share their love.

With National Hugging Day on the 21st and Valentine’s Day less than a month away, I figured it was the perfect time to have some fun with this one. If you want to buy this book for your home library, you can get it on Amazon by clicking HERE or by clicking on the photo below.

heart craft, Valentine's day, Valentines Day, Valentine's crafts, handprint craft, hedgehugs book, hedgehog craft, hugging craft

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

heart craft, Valentine's day, Valentines Day, Valentine's crafts, handprint craft, hedgehugs book, hedgehog craft, hugging craft

Valentine’s Crafts 1 – Paper Hug

This craft is SO easy and we had everything on hand to make it ahead of time. Even more exciting, our teenager participated in this one!

heart craft, Valentine's day, Valentines Day, Valentine's Day craft, handprint craft, hedgehugs book, hedgehog craft
heart craft, Valentine's day, Valentines Day, Valentine's Day craft, handprint craft

Materials

Directions

  1. Cut a large heart onto pink paper.
  2. Using any of the three colors of paper, cut a long, skinny piece and fold it up like an accordion.
  3. Put white paint on one of the child’s hands and have them make a handprint on red paper.
  4. Do the same with the other hand so that you have 2 handprints for each child.
  5. Have the child cut around their handprint and glue one handprint to each arm.
  6. Glue the other end of the arm to the large heart.
  7. Using markers, draw a face on the heart.

Valentine’s Crafts 2 – Hedgehog Hugging a Heart Craft

Materials

Directions

  1. Draw or print a large oval onto white paper and have your kids paint it brown.
  2. Draw or print a medium-sized oval, a medium sized heart, two small ovals for feet, and two long, skinny ovals for arms. At the end of each long, skinny oval, make it flat instead of rounded. (I know, this isn’t an oval anymore).
  3. Mix brown and white paint to make a light brown or tan color. Then, paint the rest of the shapes with this color.
  4. Then, cut out a couple of hearts onto pink or red paper.
  5. Once all of that is done, assemble the hedgehog by beginning with the large brown oval. Using glue, add the medium-sized tan oval next, more toward the bottom of the large oval leaving about half an inch of space at the bottom.
  6. Then add the tan heart so that the top half of the heart is on the brown oval and the bottom half is on the tan oval.
  7. Next up are the feet, which should be put on the very bottom.
  8. Finally, add one of the red or pink hearts right into the center of the tan oval and put the arms so that the flat side of the arms are on the edge of the oval and the rounded parts are overlapping the red or pink heart.
  9. Add a second red or pink heart overtop of the first one and add the googly eyes to the tan heart.
  10. For the final steps, add a pom-pom to the point of the tan heart to make a nose and add claws to the feet using a black marker.

That’s it!! You’re done and you’ve created a cute hedgehog hugging a heart.

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Final Thoughts on Valentines Craft Based on the Book Hedgehugs

Valentine’s Day is such a fun holiday to celebrate with your kids. It’s a good time to teach kids fun ways to celebrate rather than spending money to celebrate.

Which craft are you going to do with your kids? Let me know in the comments!

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While you’re at it, parents, go ahead and treat yourself this Valentine’s Day with some pampering and self care.

Categories
Craft crafts Free Activities Holiday Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

4 Simple Fall Handprint Crafts For Kids

**I originally wrote this Fall Handprint Crafts post for my old blog, which I do not post to anymore. I decided to move it over here when I realized it was still being shared.**

Years ago, I worked as an infant/toddler teacher. I taught one-year-old toddlers, which was so much fun. Between my classroom of Wonderful One’s and my own babies at home, I did lots of simple crafts that could be used as keepsakes for years to come.

Handprint crafts are always my favorite because, let’s face it, what parent doesn’t want to see their tiny toddler’s handprint when that tiny toddler grows to become a not-so-tiny child, teen, adult, etc.? I know that my little’s won’t be little for long, and I want every memory possible of how little they once were.

Without further ado, here are a few of my favorite simple handprint crafts for fall.

Simple Fall Handprint Crafts

1. Frankenstein handprint craft

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For this cute little Frankenstein, you’ll just paint 4 of the child’s fingers black (do not pain the thumb), and the rest of the hand (not the thumb) green. Then, place their hands flat on the paper. Once the paint is dry, use a sharpie or other black marker to draw the face and the lines.

2. Handprint pumpkin with fingerprint stem

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For this fall handprint craft, you will paint your little one’s hand orange and place it flat on a white piece of paper. Then, paint their pointer finger green and place that flat on the same sheet of white paper. While you wait for the paint to dry, cut an orange pumpkin shape and a green stem shape out of construction paper.

Once the paint is dry, you’ll cut around the handprint and around the fingerprint. Have your little one help you glue the handprint to the pumpkin shape and the fingerprint stem to the green paper, and then glue the stem to the pumpkin.

3. Handprint leaves

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I love, love, love this one!! You’ll paint the child’s hand 3 separate times, once for a yellow handprint, one for red, and once for orange. You’ll put all 3 handprints on the same page, wait for them to dry, and then draw “stems” through the handprint leaves.

Check out my post about this craft here —-> Fall Crafts for Kids – Handprint Leaves – Mom Wife Wine

4. Handprint spider

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This one was so much fun and the kids really loved it. You’ll paint your child’s hand black (excluding the thumb) and put it flat on the paper but sideways. Then, you’ll do the same with the other hand, overlapping the palms of the hand. Once the paint is dry, add a white smile and googly eyes. You can even add a spider web to the craft, too.

Side Notes on Fall HandPrint Crafts

*If you don’t know what kind of paint to use, here is the link to what I use!

*Always remember to write the child’s name and the date somewhere on the craft (this could be on the back).

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

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Final Thoughts on Simple Fall Handprint Crafts

You could really turn any Halloween or fall-themed idea into a fall handprint craft of some kind. You just have to be creative and use your imagination (or Pinterest, of course).

What do you think? Which ones are your favorite? Leave a comment and let me know!

Do you love fall as much as I do?

Check out my free fall bucket list printable!

Categories
Adulting Big Kid Family Activities Holiday Printables Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

National Give Something Away Day: Two Free Printables – Updated

national give something away day

Updated 9/20/2019 to add my Christmas gift to you – a free Christmas list printable!

As I was preparing for the upcoming holiday season, I decided I wanted to give my readers an early Christmas gift. I hope you and your children enjoy it!

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Christmas, Christmas 2019, Christmas list, free printable, printable Christmas list, Holidays

Happy National Give Something Away Day!! Today I encourage you to find things in your home that you could do without and give them to someone who could use them. My kids and I will all be giving a few things away, but I also want to give something to all of my readers!

National Give Something Away Day

Have You Thought About Starting a Blog?

If you have ever thought about starting a blog but life got in the way, there is no better time than right now!! It’s not as hard as you think, and you can do things at your own pace. Trust me, I have 5 kids, work a job outside of my home, and I still find time to run this blog.

It’s so possible to have an awesome blog even with a busy life, and it’s FUN. When I have time to myself to relax, I choose to work on my blog. You won’t regret taking the plunge!

If you want to know how to start a blog in 3 easy steps, check out my blog post that tells you how to do it!

Free Blog Checklist Printable

If you already have a blog or you decide to start one today, this blog checklist printable will be perfect for you! Now, this is the checklist I follow on a daily basis, meaning after work and spending time with my family. When I have some free time, I will likely spend way more time on each category.

daily-blog-checklist-3Download

Final Thoughts On National Give Something Away Day

Now, after you start your blog, download the printable, and get started on setting everything up, find something in your home to give to someone else. The things that get little to no use in your own home may make a huge difference in someone else’s life.