Tree Rings and Dendrochronology: Science Project for Kids

This easy science project shows kids how dendrochronology & tree rings give us a look into the past!

We like to do a lot of tree activities for a few reasons -- trees are easy to find ;), the activiites you can do are super easy & inexpensive and trees can teach us so much about science topics, the environment and even history.

Today's project is going to allow your child to be a nature detective -- and all you need is an old stump for this one!

Dr. Seuss Activities: Wacky Wednesday Ideas, Zoo Game & Idioms

Enjoy these Dr. Seuss activities that include Wacky Wednesday ideas, a Create Your Own Zoo Game and learning about idioms.

Earlier this month, we shared some fun facts and resources about Dr. Seuss . 

Being such a fan of Seuss books, I had a difficult time choosing only one for this post.  In fact, on our library visit this week, I found a newly published story that I never read as a child which was a treat!

So explore some fun ways to turn these awesome Dr. Seuss books into hands-on activities.  Plus, you'll find 165 more activities that pair with Dr. Seuss books!

10 Math Books & Tools: Learning Measurement

Explore measurement with these fun math books & tools for kids!

One of the most popular book requests I receive comes in the form of "Do you know of any good books that can help my child enjoy math?"

This request is not at all foreign to me as I've shared before that my child-who-can't-read-books-fast-enough is also the same kid that does not gravitate toward math.

However, put a math concept in the pages of a great book and presto!

So let's just say that my newest 'talent' is finding wonderfully engaging books that also highlight math concepts :)

And the second trick I've learned when it comes to math -- "It's all about the gear!" 

Kids LOVE using math tools and are more likely to ask questions and want to explore various concepts if they can do something other than just pencil & paper math.

Today's book list will focus specifically on stories & fun math manipulatives (tools) that explore different types of measurement plus some great hands-on activities and challenges your kids can try too!

15 Outdoor Activities: Backyard Birds for Kids

Explore backyard birds with these activities & crafts that can be done year round!

We have always loved outdoor activities as a family and wintertime is no exception.

Birds enjoyable for the whole family and unlike so many other animals, they can easily be found thoughout the world -- whether you live in a city, out in the country or in the suburbs.

Valentine's Day Activities {free printable!}

Enjoy these no-candy, free printable Valentine's Day activities that your kids will LOVE!

So here's my thing with Valentine's Day (well, actually two things)...

First, the store-bought, pre-packaged card sets that have 24 valentines to a box -- It. Drives. Me. Nuts!

Why?

Well, my kids haven't had 24 kids in their class EVER.  So every year, I'm stuck buying two boxes in order to accomodate the 26 or so friends in the class.

And second, I'm not a fan of yet another candy holiday -- I mean, I just got my family back on the eating-healthier bus after Christmas (and believe me, it's not always easy to get them back on track if you know what I mean ;)

So today, I'm going to solve BOTH of these problems with this FREE printable Valentine Volcano activity & card set!

Winter Craft & Science: Nature Art with Ice

Enjoy this easy Winter craft that combines science, nature & art -- perfect for kids of all ages!

I'll be the first to admit that once Winter sets in, looking for ways to incorpation nature into our day becomes more of a challenge. 

There's always that excitement for the first snow fall when we can head out and explore for animal tracks or make a snowman but everything is so bare and mostly colorless at this time of the year.

That is, unless you take nature into your own hands, add in a little science and create a colorful craft for your window (which is exactly what we did when the temperature dipped last week)!

15 Play & Learning Ideas: Science Exploration Activities

Inspire your kids to explore science with these play & learning ideas and activities!

If you've ever watch children play, you can see how much fun they have pretending. 

Sometimes they are building social skills or practicing their communication and launguage skills. And other times, they are exploring new areas of the world such as science.

Quite a few pretend play activities also lead to science exploration and discovery.  You'll notice kids asking questions such as "why?" and "how?" as they engage in various activities. 

Many times, children don't realize that they are learning about chemistry and physics while they have fun.  And play like this will continue to enhance a child's curiosity as they explore new things.

And don't think pretend play is JUST for preschool kids -- children ages 2 - 12 LOVE to engage in various play activities like these!

Free Days at National Parks in 2017

Woohoo!  The U.S. National Park Service has announced their FREE entrance days for all National Parks in 2017!

One of the big family travel trends for this coming year is nature-focused vacations -- unplug, recharge and enjoy being together.  We are HUGE fans of the National Park system and try to visit at least one park or historic site every year (most years, we hit 2 or 3 of them).

They are amazing places, perfect for weekend outings or family vacations and a great way for families unplug get re-connected with nature.

12 Days of Christmas Activities {with printables!}

I know, December can just get SO crazy so fast and before you know it, the month will be gone. 

But if you're like me, enjoying those special moments and activities with family is what MAKES the season so special. 

Especially those small holiday moments the kids love so much!

So if all you want for Christmas is some time to relax with your family – we've got just what you need this year.  And the best part -- you can do the activities before or AFTER Christmas! 

No trying to squeeze in MORE stuff before the holiday if life is already too busy -- because spending time with your kids should be enjoyable and not stressful, right?!

Thanksgiving Photo Scavenger Hunt {w/free printable game!}

Print this free Thanksgiving Photo Scavenger Hunt game and get the whole family involved in showing why they are thankful this year!

Thankfulness is a hard concept for kids to grasp -- even older kids!

We all have so much in our life that we tend to take for granted -- health, a warm house, a hug from our kids -- so I wanted something that we could do this Thanksgiving that highlights why we should be grateful. 

I was thinking a new game would be fun for all ages -- we love to have printable Thanksgiving games around the table or those fun minute-to-win-it games at Christmas.

And I knew it needed to involve photos because when you think about it, every time you snap a picture, you're actually capturing a memory of something you appreciate, something you are thankful for in your life.

Tree Activities for Kids: Animal Habitats, Tree Types & Nature Facts

I know that Fall inspires some popular tree activities for kids -- creating leaf rubbings, watching the leaves change color and heading out on a leaf hunt.

But if we look a little deeper, we'll also find that trees play a crucial role to many of our neighborhood animal friends.  So today, let's head outside and be nature detectives as we look at the lives of trees!

Halloween Mystery Touch & Feel Game

Kids (and adults!) will love this fun Halloween game -- create your own DIY touch & feel mystery box or bags!

I wanted to create something easy but fun for the holiday with a little spooky but not to scary.  Mystery touch & feel boxes or bags are just the ticket!

I promise they are not so creepy (even though you could easily make it spookier if you'd like) -- it's always the anticipation that gets kids as they slooowwwly put their hand in the bag wondering what it will feel like.

This is so simple to do and such a fun activity for parties, trick or treaters or even as a Hallowen science experiment. 

And I bet you have what you need right in your house (just add the free printable tags we have for you below ;)

20+ Fall & Halloween Games for Kids

Seasonal games are a big hit in our house! 

Playing charades, BINGO, outdoor challenges or heading out on a scavenger hunt is always a lot of fun -- but ramp it up a notch this year with these Fall & Halloween themed games.

10 New Kids' Books about Fall

Enjoy these new kids' books about Fall & Autumn!

I love creating book lists and I think that some of my favorite are our Kids Books about the Fall & Autumn season!

There's just something about the gorgeous colors, seasonal changes and cozy text that make me want to cuddle up and keep reading (usually with a cup of tea for me a cocoa for the kids :)

Today's book list covers some of the newest reads you'll find out this season for your kids!  Fall colors, animal friends and inspiration for outdoor adventures await in the pages of a book ...

30+ Hands-on STEM Activities for Creative Kids

More than 30+ Science, Engineering, Math and Art Activities for creative kids!

I'm very excited about today's post! 

But I always get excited when we're sharing awesome ideas that will help parents & educators infuse some fun and easy STEM into their child's life :)

Our newest collaborative book, Up! is now available - yeah!

It's a wonderful resource for parents & teachers with more than 30+ multisensory activities for children aged 4 to 10 that inspire them to explore all things Up!