Indoor and outdoor activities to keep kids of all ages occupied and learning new skills. We love sensory play, active play, and anything DIY. These are kid and parent tested and approved ideas in our family.
Looking for an easy science experiment that uses things you probably already have in your kitchen? This dancing corn experiment is a simple way for kids to see a chemical reaction in action—and it’s honestly pretty fun to watch! I may or may not be just as mesmerized as my kids when the kernels start…
What if you could make an apple pie… without using a single apple? It sounds a little impossible, which is exactly what makes this such a fun food science experiment to try with kids! This No Apple Apple Pie (also sometimes called mock apple pie) uses crackers in place of apples. With a little sugar,…
There’s something about a craft for kids that involves a hammer that immediately makes it about 10 times more exciting. These hammered flower and leaf prints – sometimes called flower pounding and similar to the ancient Japanese art technique hapa zome – use real flowers and leaves to create colorful prints directly on fabric. Instead…
If you’ve already made a batch (or ten… oops) of pressed flowers and are wondering what to actually do with all those pretty little blooms, these pressed flower bookmarks are one of the easiest and cutest projects to start with. They’re simple, inexpensive, and genuinely pretty when they’re finished. All you really need are your…
Looking for a simple science activity that doubles as an art project? Fizzing chalk paint is one of our favorite easy STEAM activities because kids get to paint, experiment, and watch their artwork bubble and fizz before their eyes. It also used the same kitchen ingredients that are in many of the other projects my…
We are in our flower picking era in my house. And I love it. There’s nothing I love more than my boys running up to me with a wildflower they found just for me, or being able to go on a nature walk and have them actually interest in the types and colors of flowers…
Mud Kitchens are definitely having a moment right now. And while they didn’t have a formal title, the same general idea is something I remember strongly from my outdoor play time growing up. A little dirt, a splash of water, a handful of flowers or grass clippings, and a make shift table and suddenly you…
In our family, we’re always on the lookout for simple, affordable sensory bin fillers. One, because I love making them, and two, because this is, hands down, the activity that will keep my kids occupied and sensory regulated for the longest amount of time. And I love a good hot coffee drinking moment. It seems…
Looking for a hands-on activity that feels like magic but is actually science? These color changing noodles are the perfect mix of fun, learning, and a little bit of wow-factor. They make food science super cool for kids, which is really my main goal in life. Using simple kitchen ingredients, you can create noodles that…
If you’re looking for a simple, budget friendly sensory bin filler (which I always am), colored oats are one of the easiest bases you can make at home. They’re soft, lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to scoop, pour, and explore. Best of all, you only need three ingredients and about five minutes of prep time. My…