scratch off ticket valentines: candy-free and totally fun
Every year the kids and I have a really fun time searching for cool Valentines to make for their class party Valentine exchange.
We don't go …
cool & creative
fun dip valentines
Judge me if you will, but I have finally given in to the pressure of Owen and Cora.
I've held up for quite a while, though, and for that I'm …
st. patrick’s day BRAIN TEASER scavenger hunt
Even though our lives have changed quite a bit since I started this blog seven years ago, one thing has remained the same: we love to rock it out …
STEM Lab: free, hands-on STEM activities for kids & teens
As a teacher and parent, I am always, always on the hunt for free, hands-on STEM activities for kids and teens.
It's always been my goal to raise …
quick and easy flower wish boxes
It's amazing how easily you can create sweet and easy gifts sometimes when you have a bit of inspiration.
Sometimes it's a walk in the craft …
how to make poetry ROCK for kids (start now — it’s national poetry month!)
Did you know that April is National Poetry Month?
It is.
What does that even mean?
It means that this month is all about celebrating …
secret message valentines: homemade, candy-free, totally cool
Longtime fans of the ole homemade Valentine, I've had to get a little more clever and crafty as the kids get older.
But I still want them writing, …
our favorite thanksgiving printables for BIG kids!
This week is the big week for us--lots of travel, lots of family, lots of friends, and lots of food!
Officially, the fun winter holiday season is …
halloween giving: how to BOO! your friends (on a budget)
I've said it before--spooky Halloween is not my thing.
So this weekend, when our family was officially BOO'ed for the first time, a whole new …
join the #readchallenge and celebrate reading all month long
March is the time to really celebrate reading, my friends!
Especially this year, now that I'm back in the classroom, I have been eating, sleeping, …
top secret ‘happy day’ notes for the whole ‘hood
Originally published September 1, 2010, but republished today because, well, friends, everyone could use a lift.
Last week, we ran into a …
halloween mad lib: spooky fill-in story for halloween fun
I am always on the hunt for super fun Halloween activities for my kids.
From the time they were teeny, we played Hats, Cats, and Pumpkin Grid Games, …
swim ribbon garland: what to do with summer swim ribbons
Originally published in August of 2014 but republished because we're making these same swim ribbon garlands today!
Our swim and dive season has been …
Highlights Every Day app: THE must-have app for every 5-9 year old
Friends, it's no secret that I have long been a fan of the great folks at Highlights for Children and the wonderful work they do.
But now? They've …
teacher appreciation–finger print note cardsdd
Originally posted on May 6, 2010, this post has been getting so much traction on Pinterest lately, I thought it was …
hear poems read by poets: 4 free, fab resources
I've been chatting up poetry all month long, since April is National Poetry Month.
I've hit you with a few ways to make poetry rock for your …
what is musical.ly and should I let my kid have an account?
You guys.
My kids have become obsessed -- O.B.S.E.S.S.E.D -- with musical.ly.
And up until recently, only Maddy had an account.
Owen and …
minute to win it class party: organized, planned, and super-fun
A Minute to Win It class party?
You bet.
We have been all about Minute to Win it this year after we rocked out a Minute to Win It Family Game Night …
minute to win it games for kids and family
We're always looking for cool activities to do with our children and our friends, and we've seriously found our fave.
Minute To Win It Games are a …
how to set up iphone for family sharing so that the whole family stays cyber safe
It's hard to decide whether or not to give your child a mobile device.
It's hard to decide when your child may be ready to have his or her own …