Coloring is at the very top of my super-simple, go-to activities for keeping the kids happy and occupied. It's a total classic, of course, and encourages all kinds of open-ended creativity. So when my friends Holly and Rachel of Kids Activity Blog sent me their new book, I knew it was going to be well used in our house as soon as I saw this project. This is such a simple way to extend a basic coloring session. Can you guess what we're using to make our crayon creations pop? … [Read more...]
10 Best Ways To Organize Art Supplies
I recently mentioned my newly rekindled desire to set up a tinkering/creation station in our new house for the kids. So - of course - I had to put our resident professional organizer on the job to make sure I had all the resources I needed to get it done right. Here's Annie with her ideas on how to create a beautifully functional and organized art space for your kiddos. P.S. Creating a space like this is also IDEAL for using with our free summer B.O.R.E.D. printable. School's out for … [Read more...]
Build a “Play Dough Tool Kit”
Top Image Credit (cropped, text and other photos added below): © Nicola | 04.09.11 | CC by 2.0 My son LOVES play dough. I mean, really. It's almost an obsession. And you know what? I don't blame him. I remember loving play dough as a kid, myself. There's just something magical about it. It's a blank slate of 3D creativity. Besides, I can't think of a better obsession for a pre-schooler. We all know that children (and adults, for that matter) learn best when their senses are engaged. Think … [Read more...]
Chalkboard Flower Pots for Mom, Teacher, or Your Own Windowsill
It's Teacher Appreciation week next week - do you have something special picked out for the educators in your kids' lives? If not we've totally got you covered with an easy DIY you can use to appreciate a teacher, for Mother's Day, or even as a hostess thank-you gift. Here's Janssen with the full details... One of the things that makes me happiest in the spring is live plants. They look so vibrant and remind me that winter really is winding down. Whether you're looking for a simple Mother's … [Read more...]
Ultimate Play Dough Play Resources – All in One Spot
Image Credit (cropped & text added): © Chris Parfitt | 05.11.08 | CC by 2.0 You know we can't get enough of play dough play around here. Today Amanda of Not Just Cute is back with everything we need to maximize the kids' interest in play dough play as well as ideas on how to maximize the learning benefits of this fabulous art material. Read on for the ultimate round-up of play dough recipes and activities! Play dough is a staple of childhood. Like story time and hide and seek, it's an … [Read more...]
How to Set Up an Invitation to Create for Your Child
Need some great kid art and creativity ideas? Look no further. I'm super excited to introduce you guys to Rachelle today. Her blog, TinkerLab, is an AMAZING resource for growing creative, innovative, critical thinking kids. What I love most about Rachelle is that despite her impressively intimidating credentials (has a Masters in Arts Education from Harvard, oversaw school programs at the San Jose Museum of Art, lectures on Visual Thinking Strategies at Stanford University, and worked on … [Read more...]
Paper Bag Luminaries for Halloween
I love the look of luminaries, but they don't just have to be for Christmas. With some inexpensive paper lunch sacks and some craft paint, you can make some easy Halloween versions that will look great welcoming trick-or-treaters up to your front door. Using LED tea lights means you don't have the fire risk and you still get that flickering look that's festive and a little bit spooky. Supplies needed: Brown paper lunch bags Paper Cardboard … [Read more...]
Back-to-School DIY: Washi Tape Book Covers
For many of us, the first day of school was this week. How did you fare? Today I'm excited to share a seriously cool (if somewhat time consuming) book cover project I have up at eHow's Mom Channel. Believe it or not, anyone can achieve this look with one simple tip. Check it out here. Also this week, I've been over at Sulia chatting about, what else, more back-to-school: Best back-to-school tradition ever! Back-to-school DIY: tassels Back to School Resolution: I Won’t Overschedule … [Read more...]
Playtime Tool Box: Silly Straws
Happy Friday guys! This week I've got a quick and easy playtime activity over on eHow's Mom Channel that I'm super excited about. It's one of those genius activities that's inexpensive, requires no set-up, and will engage the kids for tons of time. Plus, this one's a two-fer, so once the littles tire of the first idea, you can just move onto the next. Check out all the details on bendy straw fun here. Also this week, I've been chatting all about back-to-school over on Sulia. Here are a … [Read more...]