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STEM Learning For Young Architects With Shape Mags
I’ve written previously about how much my kids – #thebigone especially – enjoy building. They love the challenge of creating a structure, whether using blocks or something less conventional. They were pretty psyched when Shape Mags got in touch about sending us some magnetic building pieces to check out. The package did not disappoint! My kiddos have been happily building ever since they arrived. Read on to see what we love about Shape Mags. You can also snag a free printable I created to maximize learning while playing with these cool blocks.
WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT SHAPE MAGS
The Size
Unlike many other building and architecture-type toys, I don’t have to worry about #thelittleone swallowing a tiny piece. Huge relief for mamas who’s kiddos have a big age difference. No more sending #thebigone upstairs to his room every time he wants to build something. Shape Mags are perfect for a huge age range… We took our set to my parents’ one evening, and I caught my dad building his own masterpiece while the kids were playing in a whole other room!
The Simplicity
There’s not a whole lot of ‘lining up’ that needs to be done to successfully start building with Shape Mags. Sure, some techniques and approaches will be more structurally sound than others. But discovering that is part of the learning process for young kids, as they become more familiar with the geometry of the pieces. I love that my two year old can successfully get some pieces together independently. It’s perfect for building his confidence, which will only lead to greater learning and bigger buildings in the future!
The Endless Possibilities
My kids are constantly discovering new ways to put their Shape Mags together. Watching #thebigone build with his grandfather was awesome. They challenged each other to add second stories to buildings, add awnings ‘in case of rain’, and there was even an excited ‘Hey, I wonder if I could make a geodesic dome with these?!’ [Clearly, that came from my father, not the seven year old!]
Shape Mags has so many other cool sets that open up the possibilities even further. We hope to add on to our collection with some of the cool domes, igloo pieces, and other accessories in the near future. I can’t wait to see what else my kiddos create when add to their stash!
The Learning Opportunities
My two year old is totally obsessed with shapes right now. In addition to simply building with the Shape Mags, he also loves sorting the pieces by shape. At this point, he’s not terribly successfully at distinguishing the different types of triangles from one another. Luckily, because these blocks are exposing him to concepts like right triangles early, I know he will master that knowledge when the time is right.
Colors are another favorite of #thelittleone right now. He loves to sort his Shape Mags into piles of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. I decided to create a simple, printable game that he and #thebigone could play together to reinforce color knowledge using the Shape Mags. Read on for the basic directions, and remember to stick around to the end of the post to grab your free printable as well.
LET’S PLAY (AND LEARN)!
Supplies:
- Printable die (keep scrolling!)
- I recommend printing on heavy cardstock, since it’s sturdier.
- Scissors
- Invisible tape or a glue stick
- Shape Mags
How To Play:
- Grab your die printable and cut it out using your scissors.
- Fold creases along all the corners and tabs of the die.
- Assemble the die into a cube shape. Use invisible tape or a glue stick to secure the die.
- Pull out your Shape Mags and get ready for fun!
- Each player rolls the die.
- The color it lands on indicates which color Shape Mag they should use next in their creation. This is a great opportunity for young kids to verbally identify a color, as well as seek out a match in the box.
- If the die lands on the rainbow side, the player can choose any color block.
- There’s no set loser or winner to this game. It’s open ended and laid back, making it great for young kids. Due to color limitations, some children will have to adapt their structures on the fly, so it’s a great opportunity for problem solving and stretching their thinking.
- For example, if they really need a square for their building, but roll blue, and no blue squares remain, it will be up to the young architect to rethink their plan.
Do Your Kids Enjoy Building? What Are Their Favorite Materials To Build With? Let Me Know In The Comments Below!
Connect with Shape Mags!
Web Site / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
> > > GRAB YOUR COLOR DIE PRINTABLE HERE! < < <
![Budding architects and young engineers can jump into hands-on STEM learning with Shape Mags. [ad] Check out these cool magnetic building blocks, and grab a free printable game to help review colors while you build! #STEM #ShapeMags #earlylearning #handsonlearning #learnthroughplay](http://www.homeboundbuthopeful.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/SHAPE-MAGS-2.png)
- Printable die (keep scrolling!)
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10+ Activity Ideas Inspired by Dr. Seuss’ Ten Apples Up On Top!
Earlier this month, I shared a fun idea for an apple picking story time, as well as printables to reinforce math skills using an apple picking theme. Later this week, I’ll be sharing a list of some of our other favorite apple themed books for fall. Today, I’m focusing on a perennial apple picking favorite, from one of the most well known children’s authors around. Read on for 10+ activity ideas to accompany Dr. Seuss’ classic Ten Apples Up On Top!
TEN APPLES UP ON TOP! BOOK:
There’s something incredibly timeless about many books written by Dr. Seuss. Ten Apples Up On Top! is one example. Written by Dr. Seuss under the name Theo LeSieg and illustrated by Roy McKie, it has certainly withstood the test of time since it’s initial publication in 1961. The narrative is a simple, silly counting rhyme that follows several animals as they stack apples on their heads. It’s a perfect fall read for young children, as it touches on the apple theme so popular in autumn, while tackling a key concept- counting to ten.
We pulled out our apple erasers to use as manipulatives as we read through the book. Younger children can simply work on one-to-one correspondence by adding an apple to a pile each time an animal counts higher. Older children will love the challenge of actually stacking the tiny apples as they count- and trust me, it’s very challenging! Keep reading to see what other extension activities some clever mamas have been using as they read Ten Apples Up On Top! with their little ones…
> > > GRAB YOUR COPY OF THE BOOK HERE! < < <
TEN APPLES UP ON TOP! IDEAS:
All photos below are property of the linked blogs noted. They have been shared with permission.
From School Time Snippets:
Kristina of School Time Snippets shared SIX great ideas for extending toddler learning after reading Ten Apples Up On Top! I love the pom-pom sort idea the most, as #thelittleone is pom-pom obsessed! Be sure to click over and see the plans she’s shared.
From What Can We Do With Paper And Glue:
Ellen who writes What Can We Do With Paper And Glue is sharing the cutest building block activity. It’s so simple to turn your blocks into apples and allow your child to work on stacking skills!
From Totschooling:
Totschooling has created such cute printables to accompany Ten Apples Up On Top! They’re perfect for pairing with do-a-dots (or even with your child’s fingerprints!) to work on counting skills.
From Little Bins For Little Hands:
One of my favorite STEM-focused blogs, Little Bins For Little Hands shares SIX fun ideas to use Ten Apples Up On Top! to bring out the inner scientist and mathematician in your kids. Click over to see fun ideas like apple fractions, apple investigations, and sensory exploration.
From Living Montessori Now:
Deb, who writes Living Montessori Now has created an inviting apple themed sensory bin for little ones! She has even included a printable to easily create your own apple cubes, so be sure to go check it out.
From Buggy And Buddy:
Chelsey at Buggy and Buddy shows how to create this custom felt board set. Your child can really see themselves in the story using this idea, making it great for engaged learning! Chelsey also came up with this fun idea using play dough as another way to really help your kids see themselves within the story while they count!
From The Educators Spin On It:
Kim from The Educators Spin On It has come with a fun, hands on way to work on math inspired by Ten Apples Up On Top! See how simple it is to create the perfect magnetic manipulatives for this game.
Does Your Family Have a Favorite Dr. Seuss Book? Tell Me Which One You Love In The Comments Below!
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It’s Harvest Time with Tractor Mac!
We’ve had some intermittent cooler days in upstate New York lately, which leads me to one conclusion… Fall is approaching fast! My in-laws are trying to iron out details for a family apple picking excursion which has me pulling all our apple books out for the season. I came across this adorable series recently at the grocery store. I couldn’t help picking up the cute harvest theme book from the Tractor Mac series, knowing that #thelittleone is all about cars, trucks, and diggers right now.
Tractor Mac Harvest Time is written and illustrated by Billy Steers. The particular edition I picked up includes two sheets of themed stickers inside the covers as well, making it an extra fun choice for young readers. The insides of the front and back covers also had diagrams of tractors, which really engages budding tinkerers and engineers. My boys love naming the parts of things, especially big machines like tractors!
Steers has filled the book with bright, watercolor-y illustrations. The vibrant, autumnal shades throughout are perfect for any fall story time. The story itself is a silly one, about a red tractor named Mac who just isn’t the right size to go out apple picking in the orchard. His big frame accidentally knocks the trees and apples rain down on poor Mac. Kids will love the expressive faces Steers is able to portray on Mac. His wide headlight eyes clearly depict his shock as fruit falls, and the faces carry on through out the tale.
After reading about Tractor Mac’s harvest, I was inspired to create a craft project for my boys to get them in the apple picking spirit.
Materials:
- Tractor Mac inspired free printable. [See below]
- Crayons, colored pencils, or markers.
- Craft paints in apple shades- we used red, green, and yellow. (Acrylic or tempera work well).
- Optional: pencil with a new eraser.
- Flat, clean pencil erasers make perfect stamps for small apples in this project, but there’s no reason you can’t use a fingertip or q-tip instead.
- Not interested in clean up? Just stick with coloring and draw the apples onto Tractor Mac instead!
Apple Picking Craft with Tractor Mac
- Print your free printable tractor coloring sheet. [See below]
- Add color to your page.
- Dip eraser, q-tip, or fingertip into paints and add ‘apples’ all over Tractor Mac and the apple tree.
- Allow to dry completely.
This project is the perfect accompaniment to such a cute fall harvest book. Tractor Mac’s silly mishaps trying to pick apples has us in the mood to head out to the orchards soon ourselves!
A Little Fine Motor Fun
We also used the apple erasers from our apple picking math activity with this picture book. My youngest enjoyed placing the red and green apple manipulatives on the corresponding apples in each illustration. He especially loved placing them all over Mac as he tried to maneuver through the orchard!
Have you Ever Gone Apple Picking? Is It A Fall Tradition For Your Family?
> > > TRACTOR MAC INSPIRED PRINTABLE COLORING PAGE < < <
GRAB SOME TRACTOR MAC FOR YOUR HOME STORY TIMES!
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What You Should Know About Boy Moms- Stang & Co. Feature
I’ve said before that one of the best parts of blogging has been ‘meeting’ some seriously incredible mamas! Over the several weeks, I’m super excited to be featuring some guest posts with these creative ladies! Each one has unique perspectives, talents, and thoughts to share with the world. Check back each Wednesday to see who I’ve teamed up next… This week, I’m excited to be featuring Mackensey, the mama behind Stang & Co. She’s written a great post that is so close to my heart- “What I Wish Everyone Knew About Being A Boy Mom”. I’ll admit to being one of those mamas that always thought I wanted a little girl, although it was mainly for the shopping. (I was a girls’ wear designer, how could I NOT want to dress one of my own?!) Connecting with other boy moms has been fun, so read on to see what Mackensey has to say about the upside of all boys…
WHAT I WISH EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT BEING A BOY MOM
Five years ago, if someone would have told me I would be living in a house with all boys, I would have told them ‘I hope not!’ It is not that I never wanted a son. But, for the sake of being honest, I knew (or was naïve enough to think I knew) that I would be able to live without a son. A daughter, on the other hand, that is something I couldn’t fathom living without. Who would be my lifelong best friend? Who would go with me on shopping trips while my husband went off to do boy things. That relationship I had with my mother was something that I knew I needed for myself.
Due to these feelings, I also constantly joked that I would end up being the one person in our families that ended up birthing all of the boys. And guess what, that is exactly what happened. I am rocking the boy mom status, and there is a very good chance that these two boys are the only children we will have. And the thing that I want everyone to know, is that I could not be luckier or more humbled than I am to have been blessed with sons.
I am as guilty as everyone else when it comes to the preconceived notions about boys and girls. Before having kids of my own, I also felt a bit of, dare I say, sympathy for people when they found out they would be having a boy. I mean, they just aren’t as precious to dress up, and they couldn’t possibly be as sweet and adorable as a little girl. And then I myself became a mom of not one, but two little boys. Suddenly I was on the receiving end of those comments and sad looks that I had in the past given to others. I felt so ashamed that I ever could have looked at a mother of boys and felt as if she were someone to be pitied, that she was missing out on something. That I felt sorry for her. I could not have been more wrong. I am constantly told I need to have another baby, because I would be such a good girl mom. I am told that I really need to experience one of each. But do you know what this all implies, regardless of the intention behind those words? That my boys aren’t enough, when in fact, they are everything and more.
What I wish others (and myself) knew about being a mom of all boys is that you will never be short on love. I’m the number one girl to not only my husband, but to two precious little boys who adore me. I get to see them be rough and tough, covered in mud and sweat, but then soak in their sweetness as I snuggle my youngest and watch him drift off to sleep, or when I lay in bed with my toddler and listen to him talk and giggle, amazed at the new things he is constantly learning. I get to experience so many new things that, as a self proclaimed girly-girl, I grew up avoiding. I’m a better person because of the job I have been given in raising these boys. I burst with excitement when I see a tractor or a train, because I know I will point it out to my babies and they will be over the moon. We sing silly songs and have dance parties. We do all of the things I dreamed of doing with daughters, yet it is just as sweet with my boys. In fact, I think it is special on such a deep level because, as their mama, I see such a gentle and precious side of them that is not so obvious in boys, that even when they are grown, I have a feeling will still be there.
I have the honor and privilege of shaping my boys into men. Men that will treat others with kindness and respect, that will hopefully be amazing husbands and fathers themselves. The love I feel when looking at them is something that cannot be explained or comprehended.Do not pity us boy moms. I would never close the door on a daughter. But what having boys has taught me is that each and every child is their own person, and at the end of the day, a person is a person. They have their own little soul, their own thoughts and feelings, and my heart beats for each of my boys every single day. Looking back, I was so uncertain of how I could ever live without a daughter, and yet I never considered that I couldn’t live without the exact children that I have. Having boys is the greatest blessing I have received that I never knew I needed. Moms of boys have a hidden understanding with one another, because we know that while people think we may be missing out on something, we know that that belief could not be anymore untrue. Being a parent is an honor and a gift, and some of us just so happen to end up with boys. Those messy little boys who tear apart my living room and track mud through the carpet? Yeah, I think I’ll keep them.
Do you have all boys, all girls, or a mixture of both? What makes it just right for your family?
CONNECT WITH MACKENSEY
If you loved Mackensey’s take on life as a boy mom as much as I did, I know you’ll want to connect with her online!
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My School Year’s Resolution To Hydrate And Glow
Happy School Year!
A friend recently told me that September feels like the New Year’s of the fall. I could really relate to that idea… I can’t be the only one who pins lunchbox ideas and ‘first day of school’ signs, promising myself that THIS will be the year I finally get it together for my family. In the spirit of the coming school year’s fresh start, today I’m sharing my own ‘school year resolution’- my goal is to help my skin hydrate and glow!
I Resolve To Hydrate and glow
I’ve posted a few times recently (especially on Instagram) about how hard it has been for me to take care of myself since having kids. I am incredibly hopeful that with some increased time to myself each week, I can finally really start to tackle this goal. One of the things I have always been incredibly self conscious about is my skin, so I’ve been working on finding the products that will really work for me.
Luckily, I’ve been able to find skin care products that are successful for me at Wal-Mart! I’m in there fairly regularly, picking up craft supplies or groceries, so stoppping by skin care aisle for what I need while I’m there is perfect. Plus, the prices there can’t be beat- and every busy mama LOVES an easy way to save a little bit! Check out exactly what I’ll be using to be sure I get (and STAY!) glowing over this coming school year!
Noxzema Classic Clean Original Deep Cleansing Cream
This cleanser is SO nostalgic for me, since I’ve been using it off and on since I was a teenager. (I even remember my mom using it when I was a kid!) Noxzema Classic Clean is my favorite cleanser to use during the warm summer months, since the eucalyptus oil gives it such a cooling feeling. We don’t have central air in our home, so on particularly hot, humid nights, it’s perfect for washing off the sweaty grime of a summer day before bed.
Pond’s Dry Skin Cream
When the weather starts to cool down outside and our heat is going full force inside, my very sensitive skin really needs extra help to stay glowy. Pond’s Dry Skin Cream is the perfect choice because it’s rich and moisturizing without being too heavy or greasy. The cream is hypoallergenic, and won’t clog your pores, so I can moisturize as much as I need to without worrying about breakouts.
Simple Cleansing Wipes
Big shocker here- a mom that LOVES wipes?! These particular wipes are often for removing makeup on the (rare) occasions that I put some on. They even take off waterproof mascara, which we all know can be a tough task! I love throwing a pack of these wipes in my diaper bag or purse, especially in warmer weather. Playing outside with my kids inevitably ends with my face sweaty or dirty, and being able to grab one of these Simple Cleansing Wipes for a quick on-the-go clean up is perfect for a busy mom!
St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub
This is another product that I’ve been buying for years, ever since I saw my mom using it while I was young! It’s an incredible scrub, free of parabens, sulfates, and oil, so I don’t have to worry a lot about what I’m putting on my face. The exfoliant pieces are totally natural as well, which is a nice feature. I use this several times a week all year round, whenever I notice my skin looking a bit dull. The St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub really does help to remove all those dead skin cells that can start to clog up your pores and hide your glow!
What sort of School Year’s Resolutions are you setting For Yourself This Year?
>>> Be sure to check out these great products, so you can #hydrateAndGlow all year round! <<<
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Heading Back To School With My Superkids!
I’m totally one of those mamas who always has the BEST intentions to get her act together. Every year, there are two times when you’re likely to find me frantically pinning ideas to organize my household, help my kids, and make our lives run more smoothly. The most obvious time is late December, as the promise of a new year approaches. The second time, which I think is much more mama-specific, falls in mid-late August. As back to school season looms, I start resolving to meal plan more, pack healthier lunches, and most importantly?! Help my kids AND husband become more self reliant.
The promise of a fresh school year as well as the return to a more regimented schedule is the perfect atmosphere for fostering change. That said, have you guys seen Pinterest lately?! Holy how-to overload! I was so excited to have the chance to check out this brand new book from Dayna Abraham of Lemon Lime Adventures. When my husband saw me reading it, I seriously described The Superkids Activity Guide To Conquering Every Day as ‘the best ideas you might find on Pinterest, but in a book.’ Read on to see how we’re implementing some of the amazing ideas in OUR back to school preparations this year, and find out where you can grab a copy for yourself!
WHAT WE’RE DOING
1. What’s in your backpack? shrinky dink® zipper charms
Not gonna lie guys, I’m making 2 sets of these. One will be for #thebigone’s backpack, so that he can work on being more responsible. A major goal for him this year is to be more accountable for his own belongings, and packing his own backpack each night. The zipper charms are going to take so much guesswork out of the process for him.
That second set I mentioned? Yup, that set is going to be attached to #thelittleone’s daycare backpack. While it’s going to be a great way to introduce my toddler to the idea of preparing his own bag, I’m realllly attaching it so that my husband doesn’t forget something important in the daycare bag! (Sorry honey!) I used the templates provided in The Superkids Activity Guide To Conquering Every Day to create the charms, and made a few small tweaks to better suit my boys’ needs.
2. Magnetic Morning Routines
This is definitely a project I’m tackling for #thelittleone! He starts daycare part-time this week. After 2 solid years home with me full-time, it’s definitely going to be an adjustment to get him up and moving in the morning. (Confession: he’s definitely been to big brother’s bus stop in his jammies many times!) Hopefully having a clear visual of what needs to be done and the order it should be done in will help establish a bit of early independence.
3. Weekday Rock Star Wardrobe Organizer
The best part about having a two year old right now? He still lets me dress him however I want! #thebigone, on the other hand, has not informed me that second grade is the year that he needs to look ‘cool’ and will therefore be choosing his own outfits each day. [Sidebar, I was a children’s fashion designer! How on earth am I choosing clothes that aren’t cool?!] I’m making these upcycled wardrobe organizers to help keep my boys’ well dressed all year long. My hope is that once a week, #thebigone and I can fill his together, so that he makes most of the choices but I still have a little bit of veto power if needed. I’ll fill #thelittleone’s once a week as well, to help encourage him to dress himself more indpendently. (And I’ll also confess, to make sure his outfits match, because that is NOT my husband’s strong point!)
4. Dynamite Dinner Table Conversation Jar
Along with that whole ‘mom doesn’t choose cool clothes thing’, we’ve also reached the point where getting #thebigone to tell us anything substantial about his day is like pulling teeth! We’ll sit down together as a family to put together this conversation prompt jar. That way we’ll have a great variety of questions to ask each other at dinner, and my oldest will hopefully also feel a bit of ownership over the activity.
5. Mega Mealtime Decision Boards
#thebigone almost never buys school lunch, because he claims he doesn’t want to make us spend money on a meal that isn’t healthy. (Trust me, my kid loves the unhealthy stuff as much as most children do, so I’m not really sure where this argument came from). Because I’m terrible at waking up in the mornings, #thehubs generally has the pleasure of packing lunch for #thebigone. My kiddo is surprisingly picky, and his tastes seem to change with no notice. Last week he loved grapes, and this week they’ll go entirely uneaten. Pouches of applesauce used to be delicious, now he refuses them. I’m so excited to hang this tool on the fridge, and empower him to help plan lunches he will love. I also intend to refer to it with him when I’m writing our weekly grocery list, so my kiddo can give some input into what he would prefer to eat from each category that week before we do the shopping.
WHAT MAKES THIS BOOK SO SPECIAL?
Sure, Pinterest is free, so you can always look for ideas like this there. But truly, this book is well worth the purchase. Dayna has written The Superkids Activity Guide To Conquering Every Day for kids as well as the parents who will benefit. Each activity addresses the child, so it’s perfect for helping a student take control of their own learning and responsibilities. The positive message she uses to empower all children is incredible. The typical ‘kid negatives’- stubborn, impatient, messy, etc, are all re-framed in positive terms. While you’re using the activities in the book to help your child gain more control in life, you’re also able to help empower them to see their own strengths and further develop them. It’s truly an amazing way to look at raising your child, and I encourage every parent to find ways to do it, whether through the purchase of this book or not.
>>> LOOKING FOR EVEN MORE IDEAS ABOUT HELPING YOUR KIDS EMPOWER THEMSELVES?
LEMON LIME ADVENTURES HAS GREAT RESOURCES AVAILABLE! <<<> Looking For Some Great Back To School Books To Further Empower & Prepare Your kiddos? Here’s Some Ideas! <
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5 Must-Haves for Great Outdoor Play Days
Thank you CLIF Kid for sponsoring this post. Be sure to check out the new CLIF Kid Zbar Filled and encourage your kids to get outside and play!
Fall may be coming, but we’re still over here soaking up the last weeks of summer sun! The cooler months in the area where we live can be rather harsh. As a result, we like to spend as much time as possible playing outside while we still can. It’s not uncommon for us to pack a bag and head out to the playground or park for quite a while. To keep things as easy and safe as possible during our play-days, I have some essentials I like to bring along each time. Read on to see my family’s 5 must-haves for great outdoor pay!
Need more info on my disclosures? That page is right here!
1. PACK IT UP
We love to pack a small but sturdy backpack with all our must-haves for the boys before we head out to play. Small bags make sure that we don’t pack TOO much- chronic over-packer, right here! By choosing a smaller bag, I also can encourage one of the boys to carry it themselves, which helps teach a bit of self-sufficiency… Always a good thing in my book!
2. HYDRATE
Even as the weather turns cooler, we are always careful to pack a bottle of water for each of the boys during outdoor play. Playing hard and long can cause sweating, regardless of fall or summer weather, so it’s important to have water available for kids. My husband and I remind them frequently to take water breaks, so having bottles on hand makes it easier for us to stay outside and keep playtime going.
3. REFUEL
Moms of young kids, especially moms of boys, will totally understand that packing snacks is probably the MOST important thing I put into our backpack before heading out for some serious playtime! My boys are always hungry, and that hunger just intensifies when they’ve been running, climbing, and jumping hard.
Trying to find nutritious snacks that are easy to grab and that my picky kids will love has proven to be a challenge for us. Things in the snack department were a bit hit and miss for a while, until we discovered the CLIF Kid Organic ZBars filled with nut butters. They’re made with wholesome ingredients (non-GMO, no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial flavors, and organic ingredients) which means I don’t worry about giving them to my boys. And luckily, they taste great, with fun flavors like apple with almond butter, double peanut butter, and chocolate with peanut butter. (Big surprise, chocolate filled with peanut butter is the current favorite with my kiddos! Can you see their messy faces in our playtime photos?!)
Some days we’ll throw a pouch of applesauce or a baggie of trail mix in the backpack as well, but without fail- my kiddos will ALWAYS choose the CLIF Kid Organic ZBars when they’re available. The bars are the perfect choice to a quick snack to refuel during a day of fun outside playtime! A quick bar-break and my kiddos will quickly return to their play time with messy faces and TONS of energy!
4. STAY SHADY
Year round, but especially in the summer, we’re very proactive about protecting our boys from the sun during outside play time. I’m always careful to add sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen to the backpack before we head out. I also make sure to apply sunscreen at home shortly before we get going, so that it has a little time to kick in before we play in the sunshine. In cooler weather, a light jacket or hoodie adds a layer of sun protection as well as warmth, so it’s a great option to throw in the pack as well.
5. BUG OFF
There’s nothing I hate more than itchy bug bites, so you’ll always find some sort of bug repellant in our play bag as well. Because we live in upstate NY where ticks are fairly prevalent, we’ve also taken to keeping a small make-shift ‘tick kit’ in the pack. We have a small lint roller to roll the boys clothes down after hikes and play time and tweezers to remove any ticks we find. We have some index cards, markers, and transparent tape to record when and where we found each tick. Whenever I think about it, I also throw some taller socks in the pack, to keep ticks off of naked ankles during hikes!
Need Some Snack Time Inspiration For Your Play? CLIF Kid has you covered!
Click below to learn more about everythind they offer:What Are Your Family’s Must Haves For A Great Day Filled With Outdoor Play?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
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40+ Back To School Books for All Ages (Plus Free Printables!)
The new school year is just around the corner where we live. #thebigone is heading off to second grade in a few weeks, and #thelittleone will start attending preschool a few days a week as well. As always, we’re turning to books while we start to prepare our boys for this newest transition. I’ve pulled together over 40 of our favorite titles for all ages, so you’re sure to find the perfect books for your families here as well! To build on the stories I’ve suggested, you’ll also find some great reading extension activities sprinkled throughout. Be sure to check them out as you enjoy your last few days of summer!
Back To School Books
First Grade, Here I Come! by Nancy Carlson
School Day! by Jesus Cervantes, illustrated by Joe Cepeda
I am TOO absolutely small for school by Lauren Child
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Desk! by Lucille Colandro, illustrated by Jared Lee
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Books! by Lucille Colandro, illustrated by Jared Lee
Kindergarten Rocks! by Katie Davis
Pete The Cat Too Cool For School by Kimberly and James Dean
>>> Grab A Pete The Cat Alphabet Sequence Puzzle from Totschooling! <<<
Pirates Go To School by Corinne Demas, illustrated by John Manders
Brand-new Pencils, Brand-new Books by Diane deGroat
Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
Dinosaur Starts School by Pamela Duncan Edwards, illustrated by Deborah Allwright
Grover Goes To School by Dan Elliott, illustrated by Normad Chartier
Chu’s First Day of School by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Adam Rex
Planet Kindergarten by Sue Ganz-Schmitt, illustrated by Shane Prigmore
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Owen by Kevin Henkes
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
It’s Back to School We Go! by Ellen Jackson, illustrated Jan Davey Ellis
First Grade, Here I Come! by Tony Johnston, illustrated by David Walker
Preschool Time by Mij Kelly and Mary McQuillan
Preschool Day Hooray! by Linda Leopold Strauss, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata
Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean
>>> Grab Your Own School Shoes Printable HERE! <<<
Dancing Dinos Go to School by Sally Lucas, illustrated by Margeaux Lucas
I Spy School Days by Jean Marzollo, photos by Walter Wick
Ready for Kindergarten, Stinky Face? by Lisa McCourt, illustrated by Cyd Moore
Countdown To Kindergarten by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Harry Bliss
Ready, Set, School! by Jacquelyn Mitchard, illustrated by Paul Ratz de Tagyos
Amelia Bedelia’s First Day of School by Herman Parish, illustrated by Lynne Avril
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Park, illustrated by Denise Brunkus>>>School Time Snippets has A Great Bus-Themed Activity HERE!<<<
>>>More School Bus Fun with Growing Book By Book Is HERE!<<<
Junie B., First Grader (at last!) by Barbara Park, illustrated by Denise Brunkus
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, illustrated by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak
>>> Create Your Own Parent-Child Kissing Hand Craft! <<<
Kindergarten Diary by Antoinette Portis
Nobody’s Mother is in Second Grade by Robin Pulver, illustrated by G. Brian Karas
Curious George Goes To School edited by Margret Rey & Alan J. Shalleck
Kindergarten ABC by Jacqueline Rogers
Tiptoe Into Kindergarten by Jacqueline Rogers
Who Will Go To Kindergarten Today? by Karl Ruhmann, illustrated by Miriam Monnier
Emily’s First Day of School by Sarah, Duchess of York, illustrated by Ian Cunliffe
Kindergarten Kids by Ellen B. Senisi
David Goes to School. by David Shannon
Second Grade, Here I Come! by D.J. Steinberg, illustrated by Laura Wood
>>> I shared the perfect math activity for kids heading into second grade over at Playdough to Plato. <<<
First Day at Day Care by Ellen Weiss, illustrated by Nate Evans
Tom Goes to Kindergarten by Margaret Wild & David Legge
The Night Before Preschool by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Amy Wummer
The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Julie Durrell
The Night Before First Grade by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Deborah Zemke
Elmo Goes to School!
What are Your Family’s Favorite Back-To-School books?
>>> Still Need mORE Back to School Book Ideas?!
Babies To Bookworms Has You Covered! <<<
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Fall Apple Picking Math with Free Printables
So I have something a little embarassing to admit… I didn’t go apple picking for the first time until I was in my 30’s! (Yes, seriously!) I live in upstate NY where we have lots of orchards and cider mills, but I’d never had the chance until I got married. My in-laws get together for apple picking each fall, and it’s a fun family tradition we look forward to. My boys love the excitement of finding the perfect apples and climbing on shoulders or ladders to reach them. Of course, their favorite part is sampling the sweet fruit straight off the tree.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting some fun book & activity ideas for apple picking story times. Today, I’m sharing a quick, simple activity for apple addition. It’s a great themed activity to make learning in the fall season a little more fun. And be sure to scroll all the way down for a link up to a TON of other great autumn themed learning and craft ideas!
Apple Picking Addition
I’ll be entirely honest- this activity was created as a way to use the adorable apple erasers I found in the One Spot at Target last month and had to have. You don’t have to have these erasers, but cute manipulatives always make math a little more fun at our house.
You Will Need:
- Apple picking addition printable. (See below).
- I recommend printing on card stock since it’s a bit sturdier.
- Red apple picking die printable. (See below).
- I recommend printing on card stock since it’s a bit sturdier.
- Green apple picking die printable. (See below).
- Scissors.
- Glue stick or transparent tape.
- Dry erase markers.
- Dry erase eraser/rag/tissue.
- Optional- apple manipulatives.
- The erasers I grabbed from Target work great, but pom poms, pony beads, or flat back marbles would also be good if you’re hoping to incorportate manipulatives.
- Optional- dry erase sheet sleeve.
- I picked ours up at a local craft store. We’ve also used plastic picture frames, sheet protectors, or zip-top plastic bags in a pinch.
How To Play:
- Assemble the die:
- Cut out each die from the printed sheet.
- Fold along each edge prior to assembling.
- Use glue or tape to adhere the tabs to the inside of the die.
- Slide the printed addition sheet into the vinyl sleeve.
- Roll each die and note how many of each color apple should be ‘picked.’
- If you’re using manipulatives, ‘pick’ the appropriate number of each color.
- Simply write the numbers on the sleeve with the dry erase marker if you’re not using manipulatives.
- Solve the equation.
- Add up your green and red apples, and write the answer after the equal sign.
- When you know you’re correct, erase your work and roll again.
Does your family go apple picking? Do you have any other fun fall traditions? Let me know in the comments below!
>>> APPLE PICKING EQUATION SHEET <<<
>>> RED APPLE DIE PRINTABLE <<<
>>> GREEN APPLE DIE PRINTABLE <<<
DON’T FORGET THE ROUND UP!
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:
Scarecrow Craft // I Heart Crafty Things
Fall Initial Sound Match-Up Free Printable // A Dab of Glue Will Do
Fall Sight Word Dash // Playdough to Plato
Fall Letter Tracing Printables // The Letters of Literacy
Apple Word Building // Recipe for Teaching
Scarecrow Busy Box // Teach Me Mommy
Fall Tree Number Sense Activity // Mom Inspired Life
Pumpkin CVC Game // Pages of Grace
Fall Apple Picking Math with Free Printables // Homebound but Hopeful
Fall Nature Scavenger Hunt // Science Kiddo
24 Free Fall Puzzles // Liz’s Early Learning Spot
Fall Subitizing Math Center // The Kindergarten Connection
Rhyming Acorns Fall Literacy Activity // Mrs. Jones’ Creation Station
Fall Number Activities (0 to 10) // Fairy Poppins
Free Fall Printables // Stay at Home Educator
Fall Parts of Speech Sort // Sara J Creations
Fall Leaves Number Match // Schooling a Monkey
(Not Shown) Preschool Scarecrow Counting Activity // M is for Monster - Apple picking addition printable. (See below).
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Aloha Botts & Tots Pineapple Of My Eye Shower [Feature]
![Aloha Botts & Tots Pineapple Of My Eye Shower [Feature]](https://www.homeboundbuthopeful.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_3890f-960x439.jpg)
I’ve said before that one of the best parts of blogging has been ‘meeting’ some seriously incredible mamas! Over the several weeks, I’m super excited to be featuring some guest posts with these creative ladies! Each one has unique perspectives, talents, and thoughts to share with the world. Check back each Wednesday to see who I’ve teamed up with that week…
This week I am thrilled to be featuring Mal, of Aloha Botts & Tots, and her absolutely gorgeous baby shower! The ‘pineapple of our eye‘ theme is so clever (everyone knows I love a good play on words) and screams summer. She has every detailed covered- be sure to check out the incredible themed goodies to munch! I’ll share a few excerpts below – along with some stunning photos – but be sure to click over to see the full post. (Trust me, you don’t want to miss these details!)
Pineapple Of Our Eye Baby Shower
Now I’m not sure if it is just because we are in Hawaii, or if this is a trend all over, but pineapples are huge right now. And I for one, LOVE it and could seriously put them on everything! So, thats what I did!
We were blessed to have our wonderful family friends offer their absolutely gorgeous home and pool up for the party. This made decorating a piece of cake because their home is so beautiful and tropical to begin with, we really only needed to accent it.
First we used some fun floats for the pool.
Then we spray painted some pineapples gold with pink and green glittery tops. It was a super easy way to add something special to the pineapples and took my friend Cass and I about an hour and a half to paint 12 of them one afternoon. (We did this the weekend before the party and fit all of the pineapples into our extra fridge to keep them from spoiling. We also only needed one can each of gold, green, and fuchsia spray paint.)
And lastly, since I love to make desserts so much, I decided to make our dessert bar myself.
Menu:
- Hand Painted Chocolate Pineapple Cake
- Red Velvet Cupcakes with Hand Painted Pineapple Fondant Coins
- Pineapple Cake Pops
- Chocolate Dipped Rice Crispy Treats
- Pineapple Shaped Sugar Cookies
- Pineapple Shaped Chocolate Dipped Oreos
Gotta See More?
You can check out Mal’s full post including all the details for this fun party RIGHT HERE. Be sure to connect with Mal on her blog or social media accounts so you don’t miss any other great posts from her!
Connect with Mal:
Aloha Botts and Tots / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest
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