Flashcards aren’t just for big kids learning their addition and multiplication tables. Strong number sense starts with having a firm grasp of counting and number recognition. These easy DIY flashcards take less than ten minutes to make and can have your toddler tightening up their counting skills in no time flat.
Erin Feher
What you will need:
–2 sheets of paper
–Scissors
–Either a stamp or 55 small identical stickers
–Colored pencils or crayons
Erin Feher
What to Do:
Cut the paper into 10 identical cards, about the size of playing cards.
Use the stamp or the stickers to create number patterns, from 1-10 on each of the cards. For the patterns, either follow the image above or mimic those found on playing cards.
On the back of each card write the number, large and clear enough for your child to recognize it instantly.
Erin Feher
Simply have your toddler count the dots or shapes on on side of the card. Flip over to the card to see if they counted correctly.
After a while of practicing, your child should begin to memorize the patterns, beginning with the simple 1, 2 and 3 cards. Eventually, this can become a learning game of speed.
ABC should be as easy as 123, but convincing a toddler to sit in one spot long enough to sing the entire Alphabet song is harder than…well honestly, we can’t think of anything more challenging! So we did our homework and found 10 awesome games even the busiest tot will enjoy. From feeding a hungry shark to fishing for letters, flip through the slideshow to discover your new favorite way to introduce the letters from A to Z.
We are chomping at the bit to try out this feed-the-shark alphabet game. Kristen of Toddler Approved got it right, the littles will love “feeding time,” so grab cardboard, card stock, tape and scissors to create your very own Great White.
Any toddler who loves all things vroom will enjoy this ABC game—we love the Fantastic Fun and Learning sets the stage for pretend play, too. Make a bus route around the room for the parents (i.e., kiddos) and passengers (i.e., bottle caps marked with letters). Let your tots claim their own "kid," and let the letter drop-off/pick-up ABC play begin.
Make those pesky ABCs stick in the mind of your toddler. Painters tape is the key (a few eager learners wouldn't hurt, either!) Take turns sticking letters and even making words. Head over to Growing Book by Book for the tutorial.
With just a few pieces of cardboard, duct tape (it does everything!) and those handy-dandy plastic letters, create an easy ABC Bean Bag Toss n’ Match challenge. Set your letter signs as far as you think your toddler can toss and let them throw away. Get the tutorial over at Meri Cherry.
Growing Book by Book blogger Jodie sets up a perfect ABC game for busy toddlers. Using magnetic letters as your materials, sing the classic ABC song, let your kiddo snag a letter and run. Call for the letter using easy words and see your kiddo make a return trip.
Glow-in-the-dark anything is awesome, so we are loving this creative matching game for toddlers from Where Imagination Grows. With just index cards, round stickers (the Dollar Tree is a go-to for these) and a black light, you can up the ante for budding letter learners.
Using plastic cups, markers, marbles or another small object, set up the toddler version of the classic game “find the bean.” Head over to Playdough to Plato to get more cool tips and find out why blog owner Malia suggests only using five letters at a time.
Make a game of memory even sweeter with Hershey Kisses and multi-colored circle stickers. First, find the matching letters, and then get a treat—a win-win! Find out how it’s done over at I Can Teach My Child.
Easy to make and easy to play, Fishing for Letters is a favorite game for everyone. Allison of No Time for Flashcards lays out a simple (but brilliant) idea for picking out the “catch” of the day. Little ones may not even realize they are learning while playing with this idea. Grab card stock, make a fish template with markers, get cozy on the couch and get to cutting.
Use a felt board for your child to arrange their letters. It's a no-mess way for them to touch the letters as they place them on the felt board. (Making your felt board is an awesome DIY project; you'll get to decide the size and color!) As they learn, they can use the board to spell out different words. Check out the details from Mama.Papa.Bubba.
Are you searching for a fun-filled Valentine’s Day party game for a play date or school party? Look no further. From heart shapes and loving words to colors and following cute clues, we’ve found easy and fun holiday-themed scavenger hunt ideas perfect for your kiddo and her friends. Read on to see them all!
You may have over-bought those cartoon character-covered Valentine's Day cards. But come on, who knew the seemingly slim box had 102 teeny tiny fold and tear cards? Put the extras to use and set up a card-centered scavenger hunt. Write clues on the back of each card, creating a series of hints to follow. This holiday activity idea is easy to adapt, letting you play this game with just your child or split a larger group of kids into teams. If you go the multi-player route, create separate sets of cards for each team to find.
Give the kids something the chance to search and collect with this scavenger hunt Valentine's Day game. Start with a list of loving, lovely or loved objects. Take the complexity up a notch and use clues instead of words. Give each child (or team of children) their list to decode. The kiddos/teams also need bags to collect their bounty. As they find each clue item, the kids can bag it up and move on to the next. The first child or team to collect all their listed items wins! And what do they win? Well, that's up to you.
So your tot can't read the clues you want to write on heart-shaped cards for a Valentine's Day scavenger hunt. That's okay. Swap out the words for directional arrows. Create a series of cut-out heart shapes and place them around the house or in your yard. Each heart will have a treat and an arrow. Your child must follow the arrows to get to the finish line. How will they know when they've won? Mark the end of the hunt with a special set-up, including anything from heart confetti and cute candies to chocolate, balloons and streamers.
Sweet Treat Search
Erica Loop
Your Valentine's Day baking project is yet to get underway. Don't stress—get the kids to help. Instead of a boring baking session, take cooking up a notch and turn it into a scavenger hunt game. Create a series of clues that lead the kiddos around the house, finding all the ingredients necessary. The last clue ends in the kitchen, where the kids will help you bake a holiday cake, cupcake or another sweet treat.
Heart Hunt
Erica Loop
Is your child beginning to learn about shapes? Share this geometry experience, play up the holiday theme and keep your curious tot busy with a heart hunt. Cut out as many cardboard or construction paper hearts as you can. Get creative, scratch that—inspire your kiddo to get creative, and finger paint the hearts first. Hide the hearts (after the paint dries) and help your child scavenge the house looking for them.
What does your child love? This Valentine's Day scavenger hunt idea lets them focus on what they love. Create clues, either written or verbal, that lead them to places, spaces and items around the house that they love. Include lovies, toys or anything else that your child adores. Expand the search into your neighborhood and stage an all-out community love hunt. Look for favorite buildings and areas, such as the library, your child's school or the playground.
If your child isn't into searching for things they love, consider switching things up and making their Valentine's Day scavenger hunt about people they love. Craft your clues, writing a few words or sentences that describe the person on the front of a notecard. Glue a pic of the person to the back. Your child has to hunt the house for the clue. Don't worry if your kiddo's favorite people aren't around. Instead of flying grandma in or asking your FIL to come over, play a picture-matching hunt game. Post photos of friends and family around the house, and then ask your child to match their clue to the pics.
Hearty Hues
Erica Loop
Now that your tot is connecting color words with the actual colors, you're doing everything you can to help build a hue-heavy vocabulary. Even though the traditional Valentine's Day colors are red and pink, there's no rule saying you have to stick with those hues. Draw and cut out purple, blue, orange, yellow, brown, pink and red hearts. Give your kiddo color cards to match to the hearts as they hunt inside or outside (weather permitting).
This scavenger hunt for kids is all about math. Well, maybe not all about math—it's got a Valentine's Day theme too, of course. Instead of using written clues to hunt, Hands On As We Grow has a countdown. This is a great game for pre-readers!
This is a two-in-one scavenger hunt! Cut out one big heart or several small ones, then cut it into puzzle pieces of whatever shape you'd like. Have your kid scavenge for the puzzle pieces so they can build the heart puzzle back together at the end.
In honor of the big day, children’s hospitals all over the country are holding Valentine Drives where anyone can send a free digital valentine to a patient. Each hospital has its own designs––many of which are designed by patients––and are such an easy way to brighten up a patient’s day!
St. Jude’s Research Hospital
You can do a quick Google search for local hospitals in your area, or you can reference any of these hospitals listed below that are already participating with their own Valentine Drive.
Sending a valentine is easy: you need to use your desktop computer, phone or tablet to access the hospital’s page. Then just fill out the e-card with your info and a sweet message before pressing send. Some hospitals even have pre-written messages if you’re at a loss for words to make the process even more simple.
Social distancing is good for our health, but not getting as many hugs is hard on everyone! Whether your loved ones live across the country or across the street, this easy card will brighten someone’s day. Read on for the simple tutorial.
What you’ll need:
White card stock paper
Construction paper, various colors
Printer to print picture*
Glue or tape
Markers
Scissors
*Don’t have a printer — or want a more traditional hug card? Check out this adorable and simple “Hug In An Envelope” project from MummyDeals.com.
Step 1: Trace those hugging arms
Have your kids put both hands (and as much of the arms as can fit) onto a piece of colored construction paper. Trace, then cut out along the lines.
Tip: Want to make a few cards at once? Just stack a few sheets together and cut them all simultaneously.
Step 2: Strike a pose… then cut it out
Get those adorable huggers against a wall and tell them to "Say cheese!" with great, big, outstretched arms. Then, print out your photo and cut out your little person's picture.
Step 3: Glue picture onto the card
Fold a piece of card stock paper in half to make an instant-card. Then, glue your child's picture onto the inside so that your kiddo's outstretched arms fit onto the page (if one or both arms goes over the edge of the paper a little, it's OK to cut off the overhang — you'll be glueing paper arms on top in the next step anyway).
Note: You could end the project here and you’ve got a pretty awesome card to personalize and send to the grandparents. But if you want something that gets you one step closer to a real, live hug, move onto the next step…
Step 4: Give your card some arms
Glue your child's traced arms onto the inside of your card so that they cover the arms on your child’s picture. Then, wherever the arms reach the paper's edge, fold inward so that they stay inside when the card is closed.
Step 5: Get ready for some serious “Awwwwws.”
Have your young scribes decorate the front of the card and write a fitting note to go with their hug. Then, find an oversized envelope that will hold your custom-made greeting and send it to anyone who needs an instant pick-me-up.
Playing board games is just as popular as ever, whether it’s during an after-school play date or for your Friday family game night. Add something new to the mix by picking your favorite from our carefully curated list of the best new board and card games to be released in 2021. From Monopoly getting an ‘80s makeover to an indoor scavenger hunt game that even one kiddo can play, keep reading to see them all.
What Next?
This new cooperative game means you all win or lose together. The object? To reach the end of your adventure AND keep your Tower of Peril in tact. With 60 challenge and options to even play single player, this fun game is great for any family game night and players looking for a challenge.
Big Mario fan in the house? They'll love this new take on Labyrinth! Super clear instructions make this moving maze game fun as you interact with your fave characters like Donkey Kong, Princess Peach, Luigi, Toad, Yoshi, Bowser and more.
Go head to head with Spin Master's ultimate family night game: Beat the Parents! In this kids vs. parents game, set a bet on who what the losers have to do if they won't win, then battle it out with unique trivia cards that will keep everyone on their toes.
Now's your chance to play Quidditch and finally catch the Golden Snitch! Perfect for the Potterhead in your life, this fast-paced strategy game has no turns, is bound to get messy but is big on magical fun.
In honor of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary comes a fun new game featuring Mickey and his crew. In a fast-paced dice game, players roll and toss food to the other players’ trays. Be the first one to empty your tray to win!
Another classic family game got an ‘80s makeover! Instead of properties, you’ll explore Care-a-Lot, buy Care Bears and Care Bear Cousins, and pick up Sharing and Caring cards to help you win the game or set you back on your mission to spread care across the board.
It’s like Connect Four with an edge—literally. Drop your tokens into the different sides of the tower, using the corners to trick other players. The first one to create a line of four wins!
This cooperative game for toddlers is really like three games in one! Kids will practice their fine motor skills, and improve both their number and memory skills as they build higher and higher and help Rhino Hero Junior make it to the top.
This classic family board game has a new theme, Super Mario Brothers! Find your way to all your character cards while trying to block your opponent's path. If you do it first, you win the game.
With 50 game cards that feature scavenger hunt prompts, this game from Skillmatics can be played by one kiddo or more! It’s perfect for cold days, it’s awesome for even a few rounds and it’s a good way for kids to boost their observation skills.
This double-sided game is perfect for cat lovers! Adorable illustrations abound in this game that helps you plan a fun weekend. Pick which side of the board you want to play on (Pusheen’s house or the park), collect friends and items, then take snapshots of your weekend fun. When you get 10 stars, you win! It's the purrfect family fun night game.
This easy-to-transport game is great for quick two-player fun. The box doubles as the game board, where a cat (who is also a taco) is on the line in a match of strategy and instinct. Everyone is in for some fun when playing with the silly illustrated palindrome cards and tiles!
It's a game of hide-and-seek in Kumandra for Tuk Tuk, Sisu, Boun, Tong, Little Noi and Ongi. Simple instructions and a colorful game board make this adventure of collecting game cards fun for young kiddos, but still entertaining for adults, too.
Great for families with older kids, A Little Wordy is a fun unscrambling game. The goal? To guess your opponent's secret word through a series of hints and questions. Enjoy beautifully illustrated cards, and expand your vocab at the same time!
This introductory to Ascension game play is perfect for older kids looking for a two-play sesh. Designed as a deck-building game, spend Runes to snag more powerful cards for their deck. Players will add to the deck by purchasing from a central deck, where strategy and complex tactics are key!
Get ready to check off one item on your holiday to-do list! Our helpful elves scrolled through all of the awesome holiday card designs at Minted, Artifact Uprising and Shutterfly and picked out 15 of their favorites to help you pare down your selections. They found photo Christmas cards, Hanukkah cards, holiday birth announcements and a bunch of cards for those of you ready to celebrate the end of 2021 with a Happy New Year card instead. Snap your family photo and get these ordered!
Sugar and spice and everything nice! Kick off this milestone event with baby shower invitations for a girl or boy that are just as sweet as the joyous news. From delicate watercolors to woodland animals, we rounded up the sweetest baby shower invitations for an event that will leave everyone saying awwww!
These winsome baby shower cards are buzzing with honeycombs and bumble bee illustrations, ready to celebrate the mommy-to-bee. Simply edit the downloadable template and print these sweet baby shower invitations at home.
Available online: $15.99 for an editable template from Etsy shop Mad & Jules Paperie.
If the baby shower is a sip & see, there is no sweeter way to announce the party than with a beautiful image of the new baby bundle. This virtual invitation from Paperless Post can be customized in blue or pink.
Available online: From $0.50/person for a virtual invitation from paperlesspost.com.
Go golden with a baby shower that pays tribute to one of the sweetest book collections for littles: the Golden books. This digital download package includes everything you could need for well-themed baby shower. Editable templates include baby shower invitations, baby shower favor cards, baby shower water bottle labels, a baby shower welcome sign and more.
Available online: $9.99 for an editable template from Etsy shop Swirly World Design.
This printed card from Minted artist Lori Wemple features pastel woodland animals in a floral ring around the announcement. The mix of soft purples, pinks and blues is the perfect motif for the mom-to-be that doesn't yet know if she's having a girl or boy. This invitation set can be customized to be monochromatic so you can let your guests know ahead of time if you're celebrating a baby boy or a baby girl.
Available online: From $0.88/postcard and $1.25/card from minted.com
Pretty in Pink
Evite
Go paperless with an elegant invitation from Evite. This girly baby shower invitation is a premium offering; you can customize the color of the envelope, stamp and liner.
Available online: $14.99 for a premium virtual invite from evite.com.
Give a nod to one of the most beloved literary characters with this baby shower editable template featuring the adorable Winnie the Pooh. Easily customize the cards without using any special software or programs.
Available online: $12.50 for an editable template by Etsy shop Best Celebrations.
Elephants are an enduring symbol of happiness and longevity, which make them a great motif for a baby shower! This delicate watercolor shows a baby elephant being led by its mother.
One of the sweetest surprises has to be the news that mom-to-be isn't having one baby, she's having two! Celebrate her baby twins with a printed invitation that really sparkles with glitter foil paper.
Available online: From $1.75/printed invitation from minted.com.
Hear ye, hear ye! Mom-to-be has the most enchanted news in all the land. Celebrate the upcoming arrival of her new princess with these virtual baby shower invitations from Greenvelope. This winsome design features an ornate illustration of a castle, complete with a scroll border.
Available online: Send up to 10 cards free from greenvelope.com.
Second-time (or third, fourth...you get the idea) moms deserve to be celebrated, too. This printed invitation set from Shutterfly is adorned with cute pastel umbrellas. Choose a pearl shimmer cardstock and you can make this sprinkle sparkle.
Summer is nearly in the books, and if you’re looking for a festive LEGO-filled way to count down the holiday season, then you’re going to want to get your hands on all the new 2021 LEGO advent calendars!.
After a bit of a wait, the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar is done orbiting the galaxy and is here. Great for kids six and older, the Mandalorian-inspired set it comes with 335 pieces that include seven minifigs and mini builds!
Included minifigures are The Mandalorian and the Child, a Scout Trooper, Stormtrooper, Tusken Raider, IG-11 and IT-O Interrogator Droid. Little builders can also construct The Razor Crest, TIE Fighter, Tusken ballista snow launcher, training targets and the Child’s hoverpram.
The 2021 LEGO Harry Potter Advent Calendar is designed for kids seven and up, has 274 pieces and features 24 little gifts for your brick builders including six minifigures and buildable models like a Hogwarts letters arriving through the fireplace.
photo: LEGO
The minifigures include Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Dudley Dursley and Griphook. Mini builders will also get two wizard card tiles to add to their collection.
You can order both calendars starting Sept. 1 from LEGO.com for $39.99 each.
Target Deal Days are almost here! In addition to an extra day of sale extravaganza, the bullseye retailer is getting shoppers excited with an extra special deal that starts TODAY.
From Wed. Jun. 16 through Sat. Jun. 19 you can save 5% off Target digital gift cards! The offer is valid for a one-time only purchase, up to $500.
To access the deal, head to Target.com and save the offer to your account. You can use the code to get multiple gift cards, but just make sure they are all in one transaction!
Choose from delivery via email, text or mail and remember that the deal is only good on Target gift cards. Dining, entertainment and credit card based gift cards are not included. Shop on!
