I love incorporating objects from nature whenever I can, so our Flower Week would not be complete without getting outside and interacting with real flowers! The kids had so much fun exploring the backyard and looking for flowers. I was impressed by their observation skills as they found flowers in places that I didn't even notice. Most of the flowers they found were weeds but to the eye of a child they are just as beautiful as any other flower.…
We’ve been spending a lot of time in the garden lately and I noticed Teddy showing a lot of interest in bugs (especially worms). Scottie on the other hand had a massive meltdown when a worm touched her foot. Since play is a safe place to experience things in a fun, less stress way I thought a little bit of bug-themed “exposure therapy” might be just what she needs while expanding on Teddy’s current interests and giving them both some…
It's been a minute since I posted a new themed tinker tray. As part of Flower Week for U Ready Kids Camp, my free at home summer camp I thought we needed a fun, colorful flower tinker tray! Tinker trays are so versatile and can be used over and over again in different ways. These flower tinker trays can be used on their own or with kinetic sand, play dough, contact paper, mirrors and sensory bins. They can also be…
My kids love to play pretend so we always have a dramatic play center available in our play area with different themes. We hacked our IKEA duktig toy kitchen to turn it into a little shop and it is perfect for an ice cream shop, lemonade stand, pizza shop, farmer's market, bodega, coffee shop and my personal favorite flower shop! You can find our tutorial here: IKEA kitchen hack If you don't have a toy kitchen, a little table or…
Create your own puzzles using play dough and small toys and objects from around the house. Easy set-up, easy clean-up and helps kids practice fine motor skills, shape recognition and critical thinking. Just roll out your favorite play dough and stamp different shaped objects into the dough and set them aside. (You can even have an older child do the set-up for a younger sibling). To make it easier put the objects on the tray and to make…