We're back today with our sponsor Ella's Kitchen giving you the low down on how to set up a food exploration station for your baby. The idea is a simple one - let baby learn about and build an interest in food through all of his or her senses, including touch! By encouraging your baby to explore new foods tactilely, you're helping to foster their interest in food in general and to grow adventurous and healthy eaters. That's a goal both Ella's Kitchen and MPMK can get behind - for even … [Read more...]
Learning to Explore Food Through Play: Fruit-Filled Jigglers
Today we're once again exploring ideas for building good eaters through food play with our sponsor Ella’s Kitchen, producer of some of my kids' favorite fruit and veggies squeezers (yes, big kids love them too) and big time believers in the importance of raising healthy and adventurous eaters. (Be sure to also check out our previous adventures with pancake decorating and rainbow, scented glitter slime.) I just love how these colorful fruit-filled jigglers will entice all of baby's senses … [Read more...]
Edible Homemade Peanut Butter Play Dough
Since our post on homemade play dough made of Jell-O remains one of our most popular posts of all time, I thought you guys might enjoy another food-based play dough recipe. Once again, this is a recipe that results in a silky soft and incredible sweet smelling dough. I'm over at eHow's craft channel with a completely edible peanut butter play dough recipe that your littles are sure to love. Go check it out and make yourself a batch this weekend. P.S. Want some more sensory play ideas? … [Read more...]
How to Create an Upcycled Inventor’s Box for Hours of Open-Ended Play
Have you ever noticed that no matter how many toys your kids have, they are always drawn to things like cardboard boxes and paper towel rolls? It seems that a simple box will usually entertain them longer and promote more creativity than the fanciest of store bought toys. Rather than fight this phenomenon, just embrace it and marvel and what natural upcyclers your kids are. Furthermore, encourage even more of this open-ended creative play by … [Read more...]
Sensory Play Must-Try: Rainbow Scented Glitter Slime
Here's something fun. Continuing with our focus on tangible ways to eat better, parent better, organize better and just generally live better this year, we're partnering with Ella's Kitchen over the next two months to bring you a collection of our favorite sensory play ideas for babies and young kids. We've covered our fair share of sensory play ideas here on MPMK, but I'm not sure I've ever really gone into why we love these activities so much. For an excellent primer on the benefits of … [Read more...]
Balloon Powered Races, Two Ways
Happy Friday friends! I'm not gonna lie, I'm not anticipating a restful weekend. I'm totally swamped trying to put a bow on my new eBook, Hands On Holidays, and getting it into all of your waiting hands. (Don't forget to sign up for our email list to be the first to know when it comes out and take advantage of a 20% off discount.) While I furiously work away on that this weekend, how about you have a little carefree fun with the kids and I'll live through you. Check out this post I did over on … [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...]
STEM Activity: Gum Drop Engineering
A few months ago I was asked to come up with a series of educational at-home activities to do with the kids as part of a collaboration between eHow (who I regularly contribute for) and Target. All together, I wrote 8 posts - many of which centered on developing STEM skills. This gum drop engineering project was one of my very favorites (second only to the inventor's box I shared with you guys last month). Our whole family had a great time building and creating for almost an entire afternoon … [Read more...]
Make It: St. Patrick’s Day Rainbow Treasure Box
Surprise! You're getting a twofer today. Since our Midweek Musing is a little light (What can I say? I just wasn't in the mood to go heavy), I wanted to also stop in and quickly share this fun St. Paddy's Day activity I put together for eHow. Sensory boxes are nothing new around here, and the rainbow variety has long been a classic. But what makes this version special is what can be found at the bottom of the rainbow - shamrocks and leprechaun gold, of course. Pop over here for all the … [Read more...]