Make a slinky skeleton with the kids this Halloween season
Add a little spooky fun into the afternoon by making a simple (and not too scary) skeleton craft for kids. Keep it classic, or add color and sparkle for Día de los Muertos. Kids of all ages will enjoy creating this friendly bag o’ bones, especially because it adds fun Halloween decor to any home! For more inspiration, check out our favorite Halloween crafts, Halloween treats, and family costume ideas!
Supplies for Your Skeleton Craft
This craft activity is fun, and you probably have almost everything you need at home. Gather the following items: Cardstock quality paper, brass fasteners, pipe cleaners, hole punch, glitter glue, googly eyes, gemstones, markers, ink pens or just about anything else to get a skeleton ready for the holidays.
Skeleton Craft Printable
There are a lot of great (and free) downloadable skeleton templates floating around, so take the time to look for one the kids love. Our pick for an easy download is this happy little guy. His smile and big bones make for easy coloring and decorating; he most definitely won over the artist at our writer's home.
Lay Out the Bones to Decorate
After you've cut out the pieces, lay them out for easy decorating. This is also a great opportunity to squeeze in a little science lesson about bones and the body.
Ears and Eyes and Mouth and Nose
We decided to start with eyes so the skeleton could see "what was going on," but feel free to start decorating anywhere. At this point, kids can go wild with markers, jewels or whatever else they have on hand.
Glitter glue works great for kids who want to create a sugar skull for Día de los Muertos. Add black swirls and lots of color to make it pop.
Punching Time
After everything has dried, grab a hole punch; if there isn't one in the craft box a skewer works well, and make the holes at the designated points on the template.
Get It Together
Using the fasteners (also called brads), attach all the slinky pieces to one another. If the fasteners are too long, fold them up on the backside of the skeleton to conceal them.
Silly Dancing Bones
Finally, this slinky skeleton is ready for action. Create a wall hook with a fun colored pipe cleaner; attach it with glue or punch a hole at the top of the skull and loop through. This craft will be a perfect decoration to pull out year after year, and you can even have the kids create a new one each year!
Math can be fun, and these free printables prove it! We’ve rounded up math worksheets for kids, from kindergarten math worksheets and math worksheets for 1st grade to early elementary level math problems. Whether you’re homeschooling or just want some extra math practice for the kids, check out these free printables.
Work on telling time with this clock printable. You'll have to cut out the hands and attach them to the face for nonstop time-telling practice! Get your copy from 2ndGradeworksheets.net here.
Have your tiny mathematicians practice finding the place values of the underlined numbers in this printable from 2ndgradeworksheets.net. You can grab your copy of it here.
Your kindergartener will love matching the numbers to these fun pictures. And Math-Salamander.com has tons more to choose from. Find this printable here.
This intro to word problems from Dadsworksheets.com is perfect for elementary schoolers. Having a visual to help with addition helps kids find the solutions. Get your copy here.
Preschoolers will love the fact they can color and count these fun pictures. Math-Salamanders.com has a bunch of printables to choose from. Get this one here.
Little Dots makes it super easy for kids to break down different shapes, like with this circle practice sheet. Find other shapes on their site to round out the lesson.
Math-Salamanders.com helps the littlest students practice number sequences with these fun sheets. Count to five and download your copy of this sheet here.
You deserve to feel fab every day, but especially today. These Mother’s Day Outfit Ideas will make it happen.
Moms, let’s be real. You’re superheroes. You’re the ultimate multitaskers juggling work, family, and everything in between. But sometimes, even superheroes need a bit of help, especially when it comes to deciding what to wear on Mother’s Day. Maybe you’re used to a work uniform, the same 5 office outfits, or your trusty pair of black leggings. We completely relate. For some reason, on days when we’re the center of attention, finding something to wear that isn’t our usual go-to can feel tough. Mother’s Day is a day we’re supposed to feel our absolute best. And these Mother’s Day outfit ideas will help you feel like the rockstar you most definitely are.
Whether you’re planning a fancy brunch with the family or looking forward to a close dinner surrounded by your favorite people, we’ve got some stylish and comfortable outfit ideas to help you feel confident and fabulous. From shorts to jumpsuits, dresses to rompers, we’re confident there’s something for every mom in our list! We’ve made sure to think of everyone with these selects. No matter what your personal style is, there’s some serious Mother’s Day outfit ideas and inspiration coming your way! It’s the perfect time to put down your superhero cape and treat yourself.
Designed to go through through every stage of motherhood—pre bump through post bump—meet this adorable nursing-friendly midi shirtdress from Little Planet by Carter's. Made with textured cotton gauze and functional buttons top to bottom, this convertible piece can be worn as a dress or a beachy summer layer and includes a detachable belt for the perfect fit every time! It's also part of a set that you can match with your littles. Seaside Midi Shirt Dress ($78.95)—Buy Now!
Playful checks and the option for mommy & me matching makes this dress an easy fave! It does also come in several fun prints if checks aren't your cup of tea! Life of the Party Dress ($65.00)—Buy Now!
We're serious when we say Quince is our go-to for designer-grade pieces at completely reasonable prices! Everything is so ultra-high quality that you'll be reaching for their pieces year after year, including this rich vermillion red smocked dress that looks adorable with sandals or heels! 100% Organic Cotton Smocked Midi Dress ($69.90)—Buy Now!
Johnny Was Wild Garden Shorts
Johnny Was
You'll look forward to wearing these every season, but take them on their maiden voyage this Mother's Day. Dress them up with wedges, add white sneakers, a solid blouse, or a tee. No matter how you wear them, you'll be just as obsessed as we are. Johnny Was Wild Garden Shorts ($150.00)—Buy Here!
A simple, chic pant from Little Planet by Carter's in textured cotton gauze with an elastic, smocked waist that can be worn above, below or mid-bump with pockets for pacifiers and more. Made to last before, during, and after baby! Nesting Lounge Pants ($64.95)—Buy Now!
A "tea dress" just sounds like Mother's Day perfection. Plus, Boden's Archive Sale makes this beauty a fraction of the original $180.00! Sale runs 4/11-4/13 Empire Midi Tea Dress ($53.99)—Buy Now!
Bethany Linen Shirt Dress
Crew Clothing
This cornflower blue is just everything good about spring! The v-neck and waist-defining belt make this a foolproof pick. *Please note that Crew Clothing does not ship to the U.S. at this time. Bethany Linen Shirt Dress (£89.00)—Buy Now!
Boho Wrap Dress
ZESICA/Amazon
Trust us: wrap dresses are universally flattering. And if you don't trust us (though we're pretty sure you do), over 26K Amazon reviews rave about this one! It's available in lots of colors and prints, too. Boho Wrap Dress ($37.99—$45.99)—Buy Now!
Off-the-Shoulder Jumpsuit
PRETTYGARDEN/Amazon
Easy, soft, comfortable, and available in a bunch of colors? Check, check, and check! You're going to want more than one of these, for sure! Off-the-Shoulder Jumpsuit ($35.99)—Buy Now!
Linen Tunic Dress
Crew Clothing
A tunic that doesn't look like, well, a sack. We'll just say it—tunics can be hit or miss, but this one checks all the boxes! It's linen, too, so it'll keep you cool. *Please note that Crew Clothing does not ship to the U.S. at this time. Linen Tunic Dress (£35.00)—Buy Now!
Nia Romper
Tiare Hawaii
Who doesn't love a good romper? This relaxed-fit romper is incredibly flattering and comfortable, so you'll look forward to wearing it every single time! Nia Romper ($98.00)—Buy Now!
Smocked One-Shoulder Dress
BTFBM/Amazon
It's entirely possible you've seen this dress on your socials, and it's not hard to see why! A definite brunch must-have, it also comes in different colors and prints! Smocked One-Shoulder Dress ($42.99)—Buy Now!
Balance Romper
Athleta
This adorable romper includes a drawstring waist so you can customize the fit. It's the perfect mom-on-the-go romper, too! It comes in 3 colors. Balance Romper ($79.00)—Buy Now!
Hill House Home Daphne Dress
Hill House Home
The iconic Nap Dress from Hill House Home will forever be a classic, thanks to the flattering silhouettes and timeless prints! They're truly heirloom quality and so unbelievably cute! Of course, we're crushing on this lilac pattern they launched this season, but there are so many to choose from ! (Tip: Size down in the Nap Dress! Take a look at their Size Guide for more.) Hill House Home Daphne Dress ($150.00)—Buy Now!
V-Neck Dress in Secondary Stripe
Terez
Made for a soft, drapey fit, this maxi has "spring" written all over it! The colors are inspired by the vibrant Amalfi Coast, so you'll shine even more than usual. V-Neck Dress in Secondary Stripe ($235.00)—Buy Now!
Blue Wide Leg Cropped Maternity & Nursing Jumpsuit
We know it feels like everything is cropped these days, but stick with us here. The wide leg pants are high-waisted and balance out the cropped top so you can show as much or as little as you'd like! Side Slit Pants Set ($32.99)—Buy Now!
Morning Glory Kimono
VICI
There's just something about a kimono that makes whatever we're wearing feel better. This one is such a beauty and can also be worn as a swimsuit coverup! Morning Glory Kimono ($44.00)—Buy Now!
Ruffle Halter Dress
BTFBM/Amazon
Those shoulders aren't gonna show themselves off, and the extra ruffle details make this halter dress a fab Mother's Day outfit choice! Ruffle Halter Dress ($31.44)—Buy Now!
May is warm, so we always appreciate pieces that don't cling to us. And with this neutral dress, you have the option to add some colorful jewelry to spice things up! Striped Tiered Dress ($35.00)—Buy Now!
Gingham Button Down Top
Francesca's
Pair this on-trend top with white or red jeans and boom, you're set! Gingham is having a seriously big moment right now, but classic prints never really go out of style. Gingham Button Down Top ($28.00)—Buy Now!
Plaid Smocked Dress
Tea Collection
Nothing says "Mother's Day" quite like family matching, right? Tea Collection nailed the fun prints, as always, with this collection! Plaid Smocked Dress ($139.00)—Buy Now!
We're really excited that flowy bottoms are trending this season, especially since they're a closet staple for the warm months! Comfy shorts and an adorable vintage-inspired top is the ideal look for patio lunches, but we'll be wearing it though the summer. Paperbag Shorts ($58.00)—Buy Now!Retro Striped Top ($75.00)—Buy Now!
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
Spring break marks the beginning of swimming season! And there are few things kids look forward to more than getting wet. Whether it’s a wading pool, backyard sprinklers, pool, lake, or beach, the second the snow melts and the sun stays up a little longer, they start itching for water time. We can’t say we blame them, either. Swimming is good for them, usually inexpensive to totally free, and a blast for all ages. Of course, kids being kids, last year’s bathing suit is either too worn out to wear again this year, or they’ve just flat grown out of them. That means you’re probably on the hunt for kids bathing suits. Good. We’ve got them here.
Baby’s first bathing suit, rash guards, fashion-forward, sporty, UPF-protection-ready. Whatever your kids need, we’re pretty confident we’ve covered every base. And, as we mentioned, kiddos can be tough on swimsuits, so you may want to grab more than one of them. All you’ll need to make spring and summer memories is a beach bag, SPF 30+, a couple of towels, and this post! And don’t leave yourself out, mom! We have the suits for you, too. Don’t hold back from jumping in with your little ones and splashing around this season! These kids bathing suits will have the whole family float-ready.
Never deal with dirty swim trunks stopping a swim! Alternate these trunks and don't worry about scrambling to wash another pair before a trip to the beach.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
From bunny hats to tulip forks, these Easter paper crafts are perfect for springing into your Easter celebration
Your completely creative kid is ready for a paper craft, and you can practically smell the spring in the air. Yup, it’s time to get artsy with Easter paper crafts for kids! We found some of the best, so between bouncing bunnies and fun flowers, there’s definitely an easy art activity here for everyone.
Surprise family, friends, and neighbors with these adorable DIY easter cards with pop-out breaks. An easy-to-make easter paper craft that announces spring is on its way. Simple enough for all ages! Check out The Mad House for the full tutorial.
How about these adorable bunny party hats? Perfect for lightening up Easter lunch, buy some pastel cardstock and head over to the House that Lars Built to get started.
Who says your crafty kid needs a brush to paint? This paper art activity celebrates spring with a paint print and a fringe of green, green, green grass. Learn how to make these oh-so-cute tulips with Growing Up Gabel’s easy tutorial.
Paper crafts don’t always happen on a flat 8x10 piece of cardstock. Nope. Sometimes they’re round, and still other times, they pop off the page. These paper plate bunnies from The Best Ideas for Kids are easy Easter crafts that your littles can transform into stick puppets (add a craft stick to the back). Decorate for the holiday with the bunnies, or use them for hours of pretend play.
Ah, the art of origami. Don’t worry about this Easter craft being too tricky for your young child. With the printable template from Easy Peasy and Fun, your child will fold a sweet spring bunny like a champ. Or at least like a little artist.
Peek-a-boo. Um, wait. Make that peck-a-boo. That’s what the cute chick in this paper card-making activity says. Your crafting kid can give this card to grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, big sis, little bro, or anyone else to whom they want to send a holiday greeting. Get the how-to from Teach Me Mommy.
Make sweet sheep with paint, paper, and a few of your child’s favorite art materials. This spring-time Easter craft is perfect for preschoolers. And as a bonus, it’s easy to adapt to your toddler or grade school kiddo. Get the details on how to get artsy with DIY stamping from Buggy and Buddy.
Doilies don’t just belong under your grandmother’s tea set. Your kid can transform the lux paper lace into a completely cute Easter chick with this creative craft. Check out Crafts on Sea’s tutorial for the full how-to.
Your child can explore and experiment with color, texture, and negative space in this Easter art activity. They can practice scissor skills or keep the fine motor fun going by tearing the tissue. Add glue to a card stock paper cut-out, and you have the recipe for a really cool rainbow rabbit. Get the details on how to make the tissue paper bunny from Mini Monets and Mommies.
Sponge painting might not sound like a paper craft, but… well, it’s not. But this Easter art activity from Buggy and Buddy is actually all about the paper. Learn how to craft a construction paper basket and then have your kiddo continue with the crafting and fill it with ‘eggs’.
Making paper Easter eggs isn’t just artsy, it’s also educational. At least, this activity from Kiddy Charts is. Not only can your kids decorate pretend eggs, but they can use their cute creations as part of a memory-building game!
As if a bunny hat isn’t enough awesomeness for one artsy kid, your little one can also craft a crown that looks like a spring rainbow. Forget about the traditional Easter bonnet. This paper egg carton craft from Having Fun at Home is a creative way to dress up for the holiday.
Easter is a time for bunnies, chicks, chocolate, and spring! Celebrate the season with this flower power tissue paper art activity from Mini Monets and Mommies.
These Easter paper craft eggs are a great way to use up some old tissue paper that doesn't need to go to waste. Find the how-to at Fireflies and Mudpies.
Wondering how to get your toddler talking? Theses games and strategies will move them beyond babbling in no time
Your child may not have any words yet, but they find ways to get their point across. While furious sobbing or tossing a bowl of applesauce may not be your preferred form of communication, trust me, these are good signs! When your child cries, gestures, or uses a facial expression, they’re expressing something: hunger, discomfort, frustration. They’re using nonverbal language, and that’s a stepping stone to speech.
Even before saying their first word, children make connections between their actions and getting their needs met. When your child cries and points to a toy, then you hand it to them, they’re figuring out these relationships so they can more easily communicate their needs later.
So never fear—at some point, your child will be able to express their wants more clearly than with screeching or tears. And as their caregiver, there’s a lot you can do to help that process along. Nurturing your child’s language development is time well spent. Not only does it help your child communicate, but it also supports literacy and comprehension, ultimately improving their academic success along with their emotional development.
Now for the best news: To help your toddler develop their language skills, the name of the game is play. Here are six fun and interactive playtime ideas to try at home. None of these is hard to build into your routine—and chances are, you’re doing some of them already.
1. Turn your home into a zoo—a noisy one.
Who doesn’t love animal sounds? They’re a perfect way to help your kiddo become more verbal. That’s because imitating sounds is a stepping stone to imitating words, and most kids get a kick out of meowing and mooing. To practice, gather up any toy animals you have. Or you can cut out pictures of animals from magazines or find some online to print out. Take turns showing these toys or pictures to your child and either making the sounds yourself or having your child mimic them.
If you’re feeling really creative, act out the animals as well. You can turn your hands into claws and “meow” like a cat or get on all fours and say “baaah” like a sheep. Encourage your child to copy you! One reason imitation is so important is that it teaches your baby the back-and-forth of communication, which is a foundation for early conversational skills.
2. Sing lots of songs (actual musical talent not required).
“Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” “Itsy, Bitsy Spider,” and “The Wheels on the Bus” are classics for a reason. Children love singing simple songs and nursery rhymes. Not only do they provide some great bonding time, but songs can also build vocabulary and help children learn and recognize the natural rhythm of speech.
There are lots of opportunities throughout the day to liven things up with music: Think car rides, chore time, bathtime, or waiting in line. And nursery rhymes that include hand gestures are another great way to teach your child imitation.
3. Get theatrical with a puppet show.
Inject some drama into your day with good old-fashioned puppets. Whether you’re using socks, brown lunch bags, or stuffed animals, it’s a great way to strike up a mock conversation between two lovable characters. Make sure your puppet asks your child’s puppet all sorts of questions (using silly and imaginative voices, of course).
4. Play a game of telephone.
And we don’t mean scrolling social media. For this, you can use a toy telephone, create one out of LEGOs or cardboard, or even use an old cellphone if you have one. Pretend that the phone is ringing and have your child “answer.” Whether they’re babbling into the receiver or using simple words like “hi” and “bye,” this activity helps set the stage for early conversation skills.
5. Make time for storytime.
You’ve probably heard it before, but it’s hard to overstate the importance of reading, even with babies and toddlers. Children start building the foundation for reading and writing in infancy. So when you establish a reading routine, you’re creating a good habit that will last a lifetime. Make storytime fun by choosing books that stimulate the imagination.
As you read, make sure to point to and label the pictures. If the page shows, say, a firetruck, you can engage your toddler by asking, “What sound does a firetruck make?” This will improve your child’s comprehension and expand their vocabulary.
Choose a few everyday items that your child is familiar with—a toy, a banana, a cup, a spoon—and place them on the table. Next, say to your child, “I spy something that starts with ‘bbbbb.’” Really exaggerate your sounds and give your child enough time to find the correct item—in this case, a banana.
Provide encouragement and a little assistance if needed, and if your child gets it right, pour on the praise! This game expands your child’s vocabulary and helps them make associations between sounds, words, and objects.
What if your child’s language doesn’t seem to develop at the rate you expect? Consider speaking with a speech-language pathologist. These communication experts can work with you and your child to evaluate, diagnose, and treat a potential language disorder or other communication challenge.
The earlier these issues are recognized and treated, the more progress your child will make. Make sure, too, that your speech therapist gives you additional language-building exercises to use at home with your child. When it comes down to it, you are your child’s best communication model.
Leanne Sherred, CCC-SLP, President and Co-Founder of Expressable, is acutely aware that communication is fundamentally human and vital to how we connect with others and express our feelings. Leanne champions parent-focused intervention and has developed a unique clinical model that is core to Expressable's product offering and value proposition.
When the rain, rain won’t go away, pull out these things to do on a rainy day
Rainy days are great for splashing in puddles, but eventually you’ll have to come back inside. If you find yourself looking at several hours to fill inside with a toddler, don’t panic. Simply pull out our go-to list of rainy day activities that are always a hit with kids. The best part is that these ideas don’t require a lot of planning and make use of things you probably already have around the house. From building indoor forts to outdoor learning experiences your kids can enjoy (even in the rain), here are 29 things to do on a rainy day with kids.
Rainy Day Activities for Kids & Toddlers
1. Go Swimming: For most parents, the goal is to stay dry on rainy days. Why not do the opposite and go swimming in the bathtub? Throw a swimsuit on your toddler, promise that no one’s hair will be washed, and allow some splashing in the tub.
2. Air Balloon: Keep a few balloons around for a rainy day. When your toddler starts climbing the walls, help them get their energy out by blowing one up and working with them to keep the balloon in the air for as long as possible (also known as “Keepy Uppy” on Bluey). If you want to plan ahead, make things easy on yourself and try a Zuru Bunch O Balloons that are self-sealing and come with a small air pump.
iStock
3. Build a Fort: Rain or shine toddlers love forts! Grab a blanket or take the cushions off the couch and build a fort. Crawl inside to read a book or have a secret snack. A Big Blanket that is really big at 10′ by 10′ makes epic forts in seconds but any blanket or sheet can work!
4. Reuse the Recycling: Dig into the recycling bin and pull out anything usable to create a cardboard box and bubble-wrap masterpiece.
5. Handy Handprints: Those toddler hands and feet get so big so quickly! Use your rainy day at home to make some hand-and-foot prints. As a bonus, you can save these to give to grandparents the next time they visit. To add more interest, turn the handprints into dinos, birds, or trees.
6. Make Tracks: Grab a little flour or rice from the pantry and let your toddler drive their Hot Wheels through the “snow” to create some tracks.
7. Shaving Cream Shenanigans: For an inexpensive activity that will keep your little one busy for a long time, break out the shaving cream. Paint with shaving cream on a cookie sheet or on the shower wall. If you are feeling brave, add a few drops of food coloring.
8. Colander Capers: Work on fine motor skills while passing the time on a rainy day. Grab your colander and whatever you have on hand that fits through the holes. Toddlers love watching spaghetti fall through. Pipe cleaners are great for weaving in and out if your toddler is up for a challenge.
9. Lovely Lava: Homemade volcanos never cease to amaze kids. Grab a cup and throw in some baking soda, squirt in a little dish soap, add in some vinegar, and watch the magic unfold! If you have some food coloring on hand, add some red dye to make your volcano even more realistic. Cover your table with newspaper or put your volcano on a baking sheet for easy clean-up.
10. Pots and Pans: This one isn’t for the faint of heart, but banging on pots and pans always brings toddlers a special kind of joy. Grab some wooden spoons and start a marching band around the living room
11. Launch a Raspberry Attack: Surprise your child by sitting quietly then launching into back-to-back raspberries on their cheeks, feet, and belly. Lots of laughter will ensue!
12. Have a Dance Party: Grab some hairbrushes and queue up the tunes while you and your sidekick sing and dance your hearts out. This is a good one to try just before nap time to tire your little one out.
13. Box Building: Chances are you have a cardboard box sitting around somewhere. Whether it’s a shoebox, an Amazon box, or a refrigerator box, it can be turned into something fabulous. Cut out a couple of flaps and make it into an instant garage for your toddler’s car collection. Or, glue some cut-out triangles on top and make an instant castle.
14. Resist Drawing: Creating a resist drawing is simple but will take some elbow grease. Take any piece of paper and help your toddler cover it with scribbles using every color in the crayon box except black. Then, take the black crayon and completely cover your colorful scribbles. Finally, supervise your child while they use something like a paper clip or sharpened pencil to go over the piece of paper. Only the black crayon on top will disappear revealing the color underneath.
15. Give Their Babies a Bath: It’s possible that your toddler’s dolls and action figures have never had a bath. Fill a large Tupperware container or the sink with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Then, help your toddler bathe their dolls or action figures. This may keep your tot busy for a surprisingly long amount of time and their toys will sparkle at the end!
iStock
16. Have a Picnic: Rainy days aren’t the obvious time to have a picnic but your children will be delighted to spread out a blanket on the living room floor for a picnic lunch.
17. Reading Marathon: Does your kiddo always ask for one more book? A rainy day trapped inside is the perfect time to say yes to all the books. Grab all of your favorite books and hunker down on the sofa for as long as it takes to get through them all.
18. Hide and Seek: Hide and Seek is a toddler classic. When it’s their turn to hide, add to the fun by making a big deal of not being able to find them. Make sure your hider is within earshot and say things like “Oh no! Grandma is going to be so sad she will never see Jane again!” or “I’m going to have to call Daddy to tell him I lost Sam so he can come home and help me look.” Chances are your toddler will start laughing so hard you will then be able to “find” them.
19. Time to Do the Laundry: Grab the laundry basket and put your toddler inside covered with clothes. Grab a big handful of clothes along with your toddler and pretend to walk to the washing machine to do the laundry. Never put your toddler in the washing machine but you can get close before you realize your mistake in almost washing your toddler with a bunch of dirty socks.
20. Toddler-on-the-Go: Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean your toddler has any less energy than on a sunny day. Ask them to run down the hallway and back while you time them. Then, challenge them to go faster. This is a good activity to try just before naptime to ensure you get a nice, long rainy day break.
21. Crayon sorting: Challenge your little buddy to a color sorting race by taking each color crayon and putting them in a corresponding cup. This is a great opportunity to teach colors and matching while getting your crayon collection organized.
22. Freeze Dance: A spontaneous dance party can be even sillier if you stop the music and make the kids freeze. For even more silliness suggest that your toddler try to stand on one leg or freeze mid-hop.
23. Scavenger Hunt: Hide one of your toddler’s stuffed animals and go on a search throughout the house together. Give clues along the way. Make it a bear hunt or a quest to find a tiger that went missing from the zoo to add a little more interest.
24. Shadow Tracing: Set up a figure like a dinosaur on a white piece of paper and ask your kids to trace its shadow. If there is any sunlight this can easily be done by setting up near a window. If it’s a very gray and dreary rainy day you can create a shadow by placing a flashlight just behind the toy.
25. Stupendous Socks: A pair of balled-up socks can be used for a surprising number of toddler-friendly games. They are safe to use to play catch in the house. Or, use them to play basketball with a plastic cup or laundry basket hoop. Another fun way to use balled-up socks is to roll them down a hallway and try to knock down superheroes or other small toys. If you find that one pair of socks isn’t working, add another pair or two to the ball.
26. How High Can You Go?: Grab all of your blocks, Magna-Tiles, and anything else that can be stacked up. Start building a tower. Then grab a chair for your tot to stand on and keep going. Build as tall a tower as you can, trying to make it all the way up to the ceiling.
27. Write a Book: Ask your toddler to tell you a story. Write no more than one or two sentences on each page then ask your storyteller to illustrate their work. Once you are done, staple the pages together and give the book a place of pride on your bookshelf.
28. Take a Walk Down Memory Lane: Toddlers usually think they are the center of the universe (and they are probably right)! A rainy day is a perfect time to go through baby pictures and the baby book and tell all the stories about when they were born, relive their first steps, and answer any questions about their first two (or three) years. Once that is over show them other family albums, like a wedding album or family reunions from before they were born, and ask them to try to spot important people like Grandma and their cousins.
29. Create a New World: Whether your child is into dinosaurs, princesses, or superheroes, their imaginary world could probably use an upgrade. Grab some construction paper and crayons and draw a prehistoric scene, a castle, or superhero HQ. Tape it to the wall and you have an instant new storyline ready for your toddler to explore. If you have an empty box lying around go a step farther and make a diorama.
Seth Rogen says he doesn’t want kids because parenting “does not sound fun,” and honestly? Power to him
If there’s one thing that’s certain in this world, it’s that being a parent isn’t for everyone. And while raising kids is the best thing in the world for some, there’s simply no denying that it’s also really damn hard, and if someone doesn’t feel cut out for it, they have every right not to. Enter Seth Rogen.
The Knocked Up and Neighbors star recently opened up to Howard Stern (who is a dad of three) about why he and his wife, Lauren Miller, are saying no to parenthood. And honestly, even to parents who love the job, their reasoning should make perfect sense.
After Stern noted that to be a parent, “You can’t be narcissistic, you have to give yourself over to parenting, and they’ve gotta become the priority,” Rogen answered, “Yeah, like, I don’t want that. That does not sound fun to me. And why? There’s enough kids out there.”
He added, “I wouldn’t be able to do all this work that I like. People are always like — it’s something I think I was uncomfortable answering this before — but they were like, ‘How do you do so much?’ The answer is I don’t have kids. … I have nothing else to do.”
Rogen said he and Miller are very much on the same page in this regard, adding that she “wants kids even less than I do.”
“I could probably be talked into it,” he said. “She’s like ‘no.’”
But it sounds like Rogen and Miller love their life without kids.
“I don’t know anyone who gets as much happiness out of their kids as we get out of our non-kids,” he said. “Like, we’re f**king psyched all the time! We’re laying in bed on Saturday mornings smoking weed, like watching movies naked. If we had kids, we could not be f**king doing this.”
That part may be less true. There are many parents who get the utmost joy out of helping their kids grow and learn, and power to them, too! The point here is that parenting is a huge undertaking, and requires so much dedication, sacrifice, and love. If you aren’t really sure it’s what you want, then you should be free not to do it! And that’s the part Rogen and Miller have right.
If you’re looking for a snowflake science experiment, you’ve come to the right place
Whether your sidekick playfully carves out angels in the snow or sits at the window longing for some of that white stuff to actually fall, she’s all about the frosty flakes. And while play is her main motivation, she’s got serious questions about this wonderful winter phenomenon. Like, how do snowflakes form and what do they really look like up close? Dig deep with a flurry of experimental activities we’ve outlined below to find answers to all her snowflake science questions.
Piece It Together
Allison Sutcliffe
We hate to break it to you, but those adorably sweet snowflake cutouts your kid has been bringing home from school this winter don’t pass scientific muster. Because even though folding paper to make four or eight-sided flakes are super easy, Mother Nature’s snowflakes showcase six-sided symmetry exclusively.
Before diving into your own masterpiece, introduce your scientifically-inclined sidekick to the principle that helps explain why six is the magic number for snowflakes: When the water/oxygen molecules bond during freezing they make hexagons. Recreate this microscopic lattice phenomenon on a larger scale using mini marshmallows and toothpicks with your kids (Click on the link above to find a handy-dandy diagram from Ohio State University!).
Cut It Out
Allison Sutcliffe
Now that your kiddo’s got the six-sided thing down, it’s time to make some of your own scientifically accurate snowflakes from paper. We’ve found an easy way for the tot lot to get the signature six-sided look they’re going for (hint: it’s all about the fold). Simply follow this illustrated tutorial to make paper snowflakes that are true to life. And if you’re looking to bypass the mess, the Make-A-Flake digital option is definitely the way to go. Your tech-savvy tot can cut and save all her frosty creations and save trees too!
Observation is the next step when it comes to snowflake science. If you don't have fresh snow on the ground, you’ve got to get creative and make your own: Leave your freezer door open for a couple of minutes and then close it for 20. When you open it again, your inquisitive cutie should find frosty snowflakes lining the interior.
Now that you’ve got snow to work with, it’s time to get an up-close look at some of Mother Nature’s most delicately beautiful creations. To do this, you’ll need a magnifying glass and a dark piece of paper or, if you’re outside, you can also capture snowflakes on clothing like your gloves or jacket sleeve. Gather a few fresh flakes and use the magnifying glass to examine them in detail (If you’re working with freezer snowflakes, melting is an issue, so leave those tiny miracles in the freezer while you magnify.).
Reassure your little scientists that it’s true, no two are alike, and let them know that just one can be made up of over 200 tiny ice crystals! While you’re looking, have your mini-me count up the sides and use this chart to match what you’ve got in hand with standard ice crystals.
You’ve figured out a snowflake’s molecular structure, cut out creative and accurate examples of your own, and examined the real deal through a handheld magnifying glass. Now it’s time to take it one step further. Go behind the scene with rad videos that explain a ton of science behind snowflakes, like their formation and life cycle.
Science Friday’s Snowflake Safari follows Kenneth Libbrecht—CalTech’s resident snowflake expert—a scientist who’s spent a lot of time looking into these chilly chips, as he examines snowflake basics. Be sure to augment your own magnifying experience by flipping through some of Libbrecht’s spectacular snowflake slides online. They’re a great way to demonstrate many of the concepts you and your kiddo have already explored.
Finish up your viewing session with the National Science Foundation’s video about photographing snowflakes. It starts with the man who pioneered the field, Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, and ends with the discoveries made by the Present Weather Imager, a high-tech camera that captures snowflakes in action. Lights, camera, learn!
Make Your Own
Allison Sutcliffe
Wrap up what you’ve learned about snowflake science by making a crystal snowflake of your own. Use pipe cleaners to create a six-sided snowflake that gets suspended in a Borax solution overnight. What’s created is a larger-than-life snowflake that’s just as sparkly as the ones that fall from the sky.
Wait until you see the McDonald’s french fry toddler Halloween costume!
There’s no doubt your little pumpkin will look adorable in any costume, but if you’re eager to flex your creative spirit this Halloween and pull out all the stops for that must-have photo op, you’ve come to the right place. From stunning and elaborate to creative and hilarious, we’ve narrowed our top picks for the cutest and most clever toddler Halloween costumes. We can almost hear the “oohhs” and “awwws” now!
If you’re looking for a unique, show-stopping costume, this butterfly flutters to the top of the pack. To make this exact costume you’ll need Martha Stewart paints, stencils, and plenty of cardboard. Head over to Tell Love and Party for all the details.
The beauty of this toddler Halloween costume is that you can order it! Now, will they keep the wig on long enough to hit the trick-or-treat circuit? That’s another question all together.
This circus animal cookie costume hits all the right notes. It’s colorful, cozy, and completely original. Visit A Joyful Riot for all the details on how to re-create this sprinkled-covered costume. Although this tutorial was technically designed for a baby, you can easily adapt it for a toddler or big kid. Just buy bigger clothes and be prepared to cut out a few more circles—it’s that easy!
Halloween costume inspo is bubbling over on Lauren Mancke’s Insta feed. The talented designer highlights a costume (or three) a day throughout October. Mom to twin girls and a son Fox, she motivates everyone to scratch that creative itch and go big this season! She also offers tons of great ideas on family costumes, like this deep sea Odessey your whole crew will love.
It may not feel like it, but the amount of time you’ll get to dress your kids up for Halloween is finite. So why not go all out while you can? This Peacock costume is stunning and will make for the most beautiful photos. Use this image as inspiration or follow this step-by-step tutorial to create a similar look.
Save those amazon boxes! This DIY costume uses the most versatile material around—cardboard. Find all the details on A Joyful Riot, including a template that will get you on your way to replicating this amazing Carousel horse for your sweet trick-or-treater.
Sure you can find an astronaut costume online, but if you want to shoot for the stars you can create your own. Check out Bravery Magazine for all the details on how to make this out-of-this-world costume.
Ahoy, me hearties! Why not turn your biggest treasure into a pirate’s booty this Halloween? Use this costume by Wild Ink Press as inspiration to turn that cardboard box into a golden treasure chest. Even better, you can play along by dressing up as a pirate yourself. Family costume, complete!
Awesome Octopus
Sewing skills are required for this adorable octopus costume, which comes complete with soft, squishy tentacles for your little one to play with. If you’ve got the skills and some time, the final result is so worth it. Check out the project at Mermagblog.
Halloween only comes around once a year! So if you don’t mind going through lots of green spray paint, this costume will turn heads and make your little soldier the talk of the town. Check out the full tutorial here.
Incorporating a wagon into your toddler’s costume is brilliant for so many reasons. So, when we saw this rainbow weather costume from Studio DIY, we instantly fell in love. Use the wagon as a base, toss your little cloud in, and you’re guaranteed a night of trick-or-treating that doesn’t need to end early! There are tons of options for turning it into a family weather costume, like the sun and rain you see here or even a snowflake or lightning bolt for siblings.
Whooo is the cutest child around? Yours, of course. This DIY costume takes a little time and patience, but it’s worth it to see your baby owl looking cute—and feeling comfortable—in the final result. For step-by-step instructions, go to The Love Notes Blog.
A birthday cake for Halloween! Yes, please. This sweeter-than-sugar costume is just what you need to flex your creative spirit and give your little one a costume they’ll never forget. A Subtle Revelry shares all the details on how to make this dreamy fit.
This teeny, tiny toadstool makes an excellent sidekick for a mini Mario Bros or a fairy princess. Wispy House has all the info on how to make this magic mushroom.
