Salt-Dough Nature Pendants

The boys and I needed a handcraft to make for the Wild + Free handicraft fair and this was the perfect little project. While I plan on teaching my boys practical handcrafts - like sewing and woodworking - this time I needed something simple enough that my three year old could participate in. Salt-dough is…

favorite picture books for kindergarten

Our Favorite Picture Books for Kindergartners

We are big into books over here. Like really, really into books. Picture books hold a special place in my heart because they spark a love for reading at literally any age. Both of my boys will look at picture books and listen to me read them for hours. โ€œOne more thing is of vital…

Introducing Young Children to Classic Literature — Feast on What is Good

One thing we are real big on in our home is literature. I'm ashamed to say I wasn't really into the classics as a child - I loved reading, but I read mostly twaddle. You know, horse books and the like. ๐Ÿ™‚ It wasn't until my college years did I start getting into the classics.…

How to Set Up an Art Center for Kids – and Inspire Creativity in Your Home

Do your kids love to create? My boys will literally craft and create things all day long if given the opportunity. I've been reading Julie Bogart's new book, Brave Learner, and it's inspired me to up my game in my own home when it comes to carving out spaces for my kids to express their…

DIY Flower Sun Catcher Craft for Kids

A few weeks back, the kids and I made some simple sun catchers with the wildflowers (and weeds) we collected on some nature walks. Of course, my pockets are ALWAYS loaded with all kinds of treasures from our walks - rocks, leaves, flowers, etc. This was a fun way to turn their nature treasures into…

My Preschooler’s Favorite Picture Books for Preschoolers

It's no secret that we are a book-loving family. My big boy was reading short chapter books by the time he was four, and both boys will sit for hours and let me read to them. Because of them and their love for reading, I've become a huge fan of children's literature. For posterity's sake,…

spring equinox seasons

What Makes the Seasons? {Spring Equinox Science Experiment}

Have your kids ever asked you what makes the seasons? The days are finally getting longer around here and the snow is almost gone, which is making us all slightly giddy. After a long, cold winter, the spring sunshine feels GOOD. A few weeks ago, I prepared a little lesson to teach my boys about the spring…

nesting bird spring study

Spring Nesting Bird Study and Egg Craft

This week we studied all things birds with our nature study curriculum, Exploring Nature with Children. We are crazy about birds over at our house, so I thought I'd share our activities and resources here. Bird Study Activities Nest Building and Egg Painting This spring craft is a bit messy but worth it! The boys…

spring craft for kids daffodil

Easy, Budget-Friendly Spring Flower Craft

Looking for a simple and fun spring craft for kids? This one only takes a few minutes

Spring Pond + Frog Life Cycle Study

Last week we learned about the spring pond with our Exploring Nature with Children curriculum. The boys learned about the ecosystem of the pond and the lifecycle of a frog through play-based learning, lots of good books and outdoor exploration. Here's what we did: Spring Pond Loose Parts Play For this activity, I set out…