This week's theme for the Discover & Explore linky is Flowers!

 

I love to mix in nature items when we create art projects.  There's something about the contrasting textures that I think look so cool when the picture is complete.  And when flowers are included in the project, there is also some wonderful sensory and science learning that happens too!

 

I'm a toss-the-kids-out-the-door kind of parent.  Children (along with teens and adults for that matter) just don't get enough time outside these days. I can remember enjoying some wonderfully long days climbing trees, skating, creating, digging & exploring.

But I grew up with siblings and neighbors that were all close in age.  My daughter doesn't have the luxury of playmates knocking at her door. 

So lately I've been looking for ways to entice her to spend more time outside.  Since she really enjoys crafts and also likes to be surprised, we decided to create an Outdoor Activity Jar.

Welcome to our first post in the Poppins Book Club! 

This online book club is for kids from preschool to highschool - kids who love to do more than just read a book!

Each month, a new theme will be introduced and we encourage you to choose your own book (or two) to read.  Parents and teachers will find lots of fun activities each month based on the theme - this month's theme is Knights, Princesses & Castles.  If you're a blogger, connect your books to an activity or craft and share it during our link-up each month.

 

If there's one thing we have a lot of in our house, it's the kids' artwork.  They are always making such cool projects at school and I never want to just throw it away.  So, I have quite a bit around the house.

 

 

We are HUGE fans of Melissa & Doug toys in our house. 

My daughter asks for them by name -- she doesn't ask for a set of pretend food, it's "the Melissa & Doug Cupcake Decorating Set" that's requested. 

 

 

 

Can you believe it's less than a week until Halloween!?!

We are hunting down some costume accessories, prepping the porch for trick-or-treaters and trying to decide which fun event we'll attend this weekend.

 

Our theme for this week is Owls! 

Owls are amazing creatures and kids will enjoy learning about these beautiful birds.  There are many different kinds of owls -- snowy owl, burrowing, owl, great horned owl -- it's interesting to learn about what they have in common and how they differ.

 

 

The first day of Autumn is Saturday, Sept. 22nd!  How will you celebrate?  Maybe an outdoor hike, or some leaf-peeping?  There might be a fall festival in your area that would be great fun too! 

 

Connect with us on Facebook for more fun ideas!!

 

My kids just LOVE countdown calendars!  "How many more days until..." -- it's always so much easier to wait if you have something fun to do :-)  

So, a few years ago, we created a countdown calendar for Halloween.

 

My daughter was so excited when we got our first 'little green box' in the mail!  I told her that we were going to do some science today (which she loves) but when she saw that our day would also include painting, crafts and time outside, I ranked as "the best Mom in the World" :-)

Not familiar with Kiwi Crate?  Let me show you a little about what we found in our crate.

I'm very excited to be one of the hosts for the Weekly Kid's Co-op this week!  Amazing bloggers from around the world link up their kids activity and project posts so they are all in one convenient place for you to find - yea!  We've got posts for kids from infants through tween ages -- there are crafts, recipes, book recommendations, activity lists and cool ideas for you to browse, pin and do at home with your kids.

 

The Easter Bunny has visited our house for more than 14 years, each time hiding a bunch of (plastic) eggs.  I hate throwing things out -- so with more than 100 of these crazy things in the house, I really needed to find some good ways to put them to use. 

Here are some fun & practical ways to reuse plastic eggs.

Kids love BIG! Kids love art! Give them a chance to do both together and you’ll be their Hero!

Instead of drawing on paper, or painting on an easel, think outside of the box for other ways to allow your kids to express their creativity.