Make stamps perfect for little hands.  • potatoes (smaller white potatoes work best) • knife (adults only!) • tempera paint • paper plates • construction paper (different colors) • aluminum foil (optional) Prepare for this activity by cutting potatoes to a size small enough for your child to grasp. Next, cut away the outside of the potato so that […]
 • family photos • postcards, tickets, and greeting cards • 8″ x 10″ piece of cardboard • picture frame for an 8″ x 10″ photo, with mat • crayons • fabric, paper scraps, or other decorative items • child safety scissors • glue Read a book about families, such as The Family Book, by Todd Parr. Talk about your own family. How […]
Make your baby his very own book.  • cardboard • pictures from catalogs or magazines • glue • markers • clear contact paper  Cut a long strip of cardboard — approximately 24–30 inches long by 8 inches high. Fold the cardboard back and forth like an accordion (or a paper fan). Glue pictures cut from catalogs or magazines onto […]
Try a different kind of finger painting.  • shaving cream • newspaper • powdered tempera paint or watercolor (optional) • washable surface such as plastic table or high chair tray Seat your child at a table (or in her high chair) and spread newspaper on the floor — this is messy! You might want to have your child […]
 A new way to teach “hot” and “cold.”  • several smooth stones • old crayons • ice cubes • newspaper • box Take your child outside and find a few rocks. Point out their various shapes and sizes. Help your child select 7 or 8 smooth rocks about the size of your fist and bring them into the […]
Do you always have to use a brush to make great paintings? • construction paper • tempera paints • clean plastic-foam vegetable or fruit trays • child’s paintbrush • assorted items: pine needles, feathers, twists of paper towels, yarn, plastic flowers, pipe cleaners, and so on Have your child put on a smock. Cover the table with newspaper. Pour some […]
 Take a big bite of math, science, language arts, and more on your next trip to the grocery store.  Add it up. Take a look at your shopping list. As you place items in your cart, ask your child to add up the prices to see how much of the list you can […]
Creating these unique hats will give children a “head start†in building creative-thinking and fine-motor skills! Materials: for base of hats: Large plastic containers (yogurt or margarine), Styrofoam plates or bowls, shoeboxes child safety scissors and sharp “adult” scissor white drawing paper markers, tempera paint, brushes collage materials such as yarn, pom-poms, wire, feathers, construction […]
