If you're like me, you want your kids to become responsible, capable and thoughtful grown ups. But it can be hard to know what life skills children are ready to tackle along the way. This free life skills checklist shares age-appropriate chores and responsibilities...
February’s Playful Learning Checklist
Love is in the air which means it's time to share our February Playful Learning Checklist! If you're a parent, the lists are an easy way to incorporate learning into your child's day. If you're a teacher, the freebies are an awesome take home for students' families....
24 Soothing Calm Down Jars
Calm down jars offer a quick way to refocus kids and help them manage difficult emotions. It's hard to keep feeling angry or upset when there is such a mesmerizing bottle in your hands! These jars include more than just glitter, and offer nearly endless ways to play....
Paper Cutting Station
Teaching kids to cut with scissors is an important life skill and helps build fine motor strength and hand-eye coordination they'll need for writing alphabet letters and words later. Paper cutting stations are here to help! Handing over a pair of blades to young kids...
25 Fun Quiet Time Activities
When my oldest son gave up naps almost a year and a half ago, I scrambled to set up some quiet time activities that would keep him entertained for half an hour so that I could have a much needed break in the middle of the day. Fast forward to today, and we have a...
Brag Tags
Activity for ages 3 to 7. If you need an easy way to reward good behavior, brag tags are a MUST! Just print them on colored paper to make them pop, cut apart the pieces, and you're ready to start handing them out to deserving students. Positive praise is the best way...
Astrobrights Brag Tags
Printables for ages 4 to 8. Maybe it's the kindergarten teacher in me, but positive reinforcement is my jam. I love seeing kids' faces light up when they get compliments! Brag tags are a simple tool for recognizing superstar student behavior, motivating...
Classroom Job Application
Activity for ages 5 to 7. Back to school is all about procedures, procedures, and more procedures! As teachers, we know that establishing a smooth running classroom takes time and effort but leads to a MUCH more successful school year. Classroom jobs are one of my...
Me on the Map Craft
Activity for ages 5 to 8. Let's face it! Understanding how kids' street, town, state, continent and planet fit together is downright confusing. But, thankfully, this simple me on the map craftivity is coming to the rescue! It's a helpful visual kids can use again...
Morning Greetings That Rock!
Whether you're new to morning greetings and need a few ideas to get started or you're a morning greeting veteran looking for ways to mix things up, these six favorites are for you! The playful ideas are perfect for preschool, kindergarten and first grade. Enjoy! Then...
Editable Pretend Play Sets
Activities for ages 3 to 6. Pretend play is great for practicing cooperation, communication, planning, imagining... even reading, writing and math! These 9 pretend play sets are must-haves for a dramatic play center or community unit. Use...
How To Teach Kids Perseverance
I often see anxiety skyrocket in my students and kids within the first few minutes of struggling. Whether it’s a new concept, or homework, or friendship trouble, or tying shoes, or a new sport, I’ve come to a conclusion: kids need more practice with perseverance. They...
Teaching Kids How to Handle BIG Emotions
We teach our kids ways to learn academically and tips to stay healthy. I am often reminded at home and in my classroom that children need strategies, tools, and practice to build skills to manage, cope, and thrive within their emotions too. Raising children with a...
Teach Kids to Tie Shoes
Activity for ages 3 to 6. Want to teach kids how to tie shoes? This quick and easy trick will have them lacing up in a flash. I promise - with just five minutes, you can teach your kids how to tie shoes too. When my oldest was ready to turn in his Velcro and...
25 Awesome Name Games
Activity for ages 3 to 5. These 25 awesome name games are sure to keep kids entertained for days. They'll love crystallizing, tracing and painting the most important word they'll ever learn. And for more fun, be sure to grab our wildly popular Editable Name...
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Memory Game
Activity for ages 3 to 6. Playing the classic game of Memory is a simple way to build kids' concentration, attention, sportsmanship and {you guessed it!} memory. Just like our sight word game, this free Very Hungry Caterpillar Memory Game is an awesome follow up to...
Boys’ Bathroom Signs: Be a Bathroom Superhero
For ages 3 to 8. Teaching boys how to keep the bathroom clean is... well... tough. After scrubbing down the bathroom for the third time in a week, I decided to give my boys {ages 5 and 3} a big challenge: follow five simple steps to become bathroom superheroes. I...
4 Fun Tricks for Learning Phone Numbers
For ages 4 and up. My family and I love taking summer trips to popular spots but with crowds comes increased potential for getting lost. These four tricks for learning phone numbers are a fun way to make sure kids are ready just in case they need it. Phone Number...
Where’s LEGO Man?
Activity for ages 3 to 5. This LEGO game is a simple way to help kids learn important direction words including {in front, on top, behind, left and right}. This easy prep, fun-to-play partner LEGO game uses one of kids' favorite toys to...
15 Pretend Play Activities
Pretend play is a great way for kids to practice making friends, working together and communicating. These fun pretend play ideas are great for girls and boys alike. They're the perfect complement to our print and play Pretend Play Pack! First on the list are our free...