Are you shopping for a teenager for Christmas this year? Groan. I know the feeling. Most teenagers are difficult to shop for. I mean, how are you supposed to know what they want when most times THEY don't even know? Unless they have some specific interests, choosing gifts are sometimes a shot in the dark. But... it really is possible to find gifts they will love. Here are some really great options that most older kiddos - and even some adults - will enjoy: [We may get commission for purchases made through links below.]
School's out! So what can you do with your child during the Thanksgiving break? We're so glad you asked! In addition to baking zucchini bread, watching TV, reading, and playing around the house, your child is sure to enjoy a lapbook activity about Thanksgiving!
Lapbooking is a cute, creative, hands-on way for your child to learn about a specific topic in a fun way. The best thing about lapbooking is that it's so simple! You'll use a file folder or a school folder and some tape and/or glue. From there you'll find a lapbook that's suitable for your child (there are hundreds available online - some are free, some require a small cost), print the interactive templates, and help your child assemble the lapbook. Lapbooking involves cutting, folding, coloring, gluing, and other fine motor activities that are great for your child' development!
Have you read The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin? We suggest getting your hands on a copy of this memorable, delightful book that we recommend for ages 4 to 10 years old. Not only is it a precious, well-told story, but the book is a wonderful lesson in gardening, patience, and culture appreciation. While it's not a Thanksgiving book per se, it's one of our favorite books for reading during harvest time, and we've personally read it to our own kiddos over and over and over again!
There’s nothing quite like a pop-up book. Their intricate designs have come a long way since the days of my childhood, and even those were fascinating enough. If you haven’t added pop-up books to your home library, I highly recommend investing in one or two, and eventually having a whole collection, regardless of your child’s age. As a grown-up, I enjoy our special books as much as my kids do, if not more. The adventures spring to life before our very eyes, and each page is a pleasant, beautiful surprise. When we’re not currently reading them, we keep our pop-up books stored away in their plastic sleeves to preserve them for many years to come.
To babies, everyday is an adventure as they begin to explore the world around them. Your baby is counting on you! Every waking moment is an opportunity to teach him something new - a movement, a sound, a song. Our Editors have made it easy for you with these theme-based lesson plans designed especially for infants. Each fun learning theme is for babies up to 2 years old, and each "lesson" is designed to be used for a week. Enjoy!
Your toddler has quickly begun to connect with the world around him. Each day is an adventure - an opportunity for learning new animal sounds, fun songs, age-appropriate concepts, and more! We make your job easy with these free theme-based lesson plans designed especially for toddlers up to age 4. Each "lesson" was created to be used for a week. Be sure to print out the seasonal/holiday-themed lesson plans when the time of year dictates. Enjoy!
Use old flannel shirts or denim jeans to make your own bean bags. Cut the fabric into squares, sew up three sides, and add beans or rice before sewing up the final side. These make for a fun game of catch or bean bag toss, and are an interesting sensory tool.
A large cardboard box is an imagination booster! Draw or cut-out windows and a door to make a house. Cover the bottom with a blanket, tie a jump rope to one end, and you’ve got the perfect “car” to pull your tot through the house or the lawn. Or simply set the unaltered box in the middle of the floor and see how creative your child can get.
