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Easy Paper Elephant Craft for Kids

July 6, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Of the attractions in our city, our favorite is the zoo. Hands down.

Whenever we go, I usually head for the African Savannah exhibit so I can get a look at the elephants.

The last time we went, we actually got to see an elephant jogging directly towards us. I caught it on camera.

It was awesome.

For kids who love elephants, making this fun and easy paper elephant craft is a cute way to spend some crafting time!

Simple Paper Elephant Craft to Make with Kids

This is a really simple art project that only requires a couple of basic supplies, so it’s great for a quick art lesson.

Read on to get the full project instructions.

And, be sure to try our 3D Paper Dolphin Craft too!

Try this simple paper elephant craft for a fun kids crafting activity!

Easy Paper Elephant Craft for Kids

To make this easy paper elephant craft, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Printer paper
Child-safe scissors
Construction paper
Colored pencils
Glue stick
A copy of our free printable elephant craft template (link located farther down)

Supplies to Make an Elephant Craft for Kids

How to Make an Easy Paper Elephant Craft

To get started, print the template and use a pencil to trace the outline of each shape onto construction paper.

Use white for the eyes and hooves. Use gray for the head, body, legs, and trunk.

Light pink works well for the ears and a bright pink is good for the elephant’s cheeks.

Start by gluing the hooves onto the bottom of the legs.

Then attach two of the legs to the bottom of the body.

Give your elephant four legs by attaching the remaining two legs slightly to the left and behind of the front legs.

Use the glue stick to attach the trunk to the bottom of the head and the light pink ears on the left and right side.

Glue the eyes in the center of the elephant’s face. Then place the two “cheeks” on either side of the trunk.

Use a glue stick to attach the head to the body.

And you’re done!

Your elephant is all set to explore the jungle!

Simple Paper Elephant Craft for Kids to Make

Scroll down to get the printable template for this Paper Elephant Craft!

Try some of these other fun craft ideas for kids!

Make this easy sea animal suncatcher craft for a simple summer art project this year!

Make this fun and easy 3D paper dolphin craft for a fun art project to share with kids! Great for a summer art activity!

Share an easy summer craft with the kids and make this easy paper ladybug craft! So fun for little hands!

To get the printable Elephant Paper Craft template, click the image or the link below to download it to your computer!

>>> Elephant Paper Craft Template <<<

Easy Sea Animal Suncatcher Craft for Kids

July 2, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Have you ever been to the beach and picked up a sand dollar?

I remember finding one in the sand when I was about eleven. I brought it home with the intention of turning it into something, but never did.

Since then, I’ve found out that picking up sand dollars is not really the best thing to do. It’s best for them and the environment to leave them put.

But if you still want to have a memento of a beach trip or just a cool way to memorialize ocean life, this sea animal suncatcher craft is a cute project for kids!

Fun Sea Animal Suncatcher Craft for Kids

This is a really fun summer art project for little ones.

It’s also great for teaching color families, sea life, number recognition, and fine motor skills – all at once!

Keep reading to get the full project instructions – and the free craft template. And, for more fun with ocean animals, take a look at our easy Coffee Filter Crab Craft!

Easy Sea Animal Suncatcher Craft for Kids

To make this sea animal suncatcher craft, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Printer Paper
Child-safe scissors
Glue stick
Colored pencils or crayons
A copy of our free Sea Animal Suncatcher Template (located further down the page)

Start by printing out the blank color code page, the color key, and the animal templates you plan to use.

Use the color key to see how to fill in your suncatcher coded template.

All of the colors are on the bright side of the spectrum, but you can really use any five colors you choose.

A completed color coded page is also included, if you want to double check how the finished page should look.

Now, let the kids use child-safe scissors to cut out the animal template.

Glue the animal silhouette to the center of the finished color coded page.

Lovely Sea Animal Suncatcher Craft for Kids

All that’s left to do now is hang it in a window!

You can make a cardboard frame for the outside edges, if you like. Or just add masking tape to the back to place it in a sunny spot!

Scroll down to get your Sea Animal Suncatcher Craft Template!

Love this project? Try some other summer-themed crafts!

This simple coffee filter jellyfish craft is a perfect easy summer craft for kids! Make a few with your little ones this summer!

These simple summer crafts for kids are such a great way to spend time together!

To get your copy of the template for this Sea Animal Suncatcher, click the image or the link below to download it directly to your computer!

Easy Sea Animal Suncatcher Craft for Kids

>>> Sea Animal Suncatcher Template <<<

Big City Lights! Printable Number Playdough Mats

June 29, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Growing up in the country, I always wanted to visit a big city. I’d seen them on TV and movies, but I’d never actually been to one.

Until my first trip to New York City.

We visited there as a family when I was six years old and it was everything I’d been hoping to see – and more.

Riding through the city at night made me feel like I was moving through a giant carnival. All of the buildings were lit up and it seemed like the greatest place on Earth.

Of course, in the daylight the city looked much different.

But the memory of those bright lights stayed with me. And that’s where I got the idea for these Big City Lights! Printable Number Playdough Mats.

These are perfect for adding to an early education unit about the big city!

Plus, they make wonderful fine motor strengtheners for little ones who are working on number recognition.

Keep reading to see how to get your copy.

And, for more early number recognition practice, stop by to see our English and Spanish Cupcake Number Word Matching Activity!

Use these city themed number playdough mats to practice forming numbers from zero through nine!

Big City Lights! Printable Number Playdough Mats

To use these printable number playdough mats, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printable City Themed NumberPlaydough Mats

This product includes ten printable number mats.

Each mat features one numeral (from 0 through 9) over a background of the big city at dusk.

These are perfect for math centers or morning tubs.

Just print them, laminate them, and let students use playdough or dry eraser markers to trace each number.

These are also wonderful for homeschoolers and afterschoolers!

Be sure to laminate the mats so you can reuse them as needed.

Scroll down to get your copy of these number playdough mats!

Don’t miss these other number learning ideas for early grades!

Use these printable shark counting to ten puzzles to help early learners practice counting with numerals, objects, and number words!

These popsicle themed addition to make 12 puzzles are a fun way to practice addition facts at math centers! Perfect for early elementary math practice!

Pick up the digital and print versions of these ladybug number word puzzles to help early learners practice number recognition at math centers or at home!

To get your copy of Big City Lights! Number Playdough Mats, click the image or the link below to visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

>>> City Printable Number Playdough Mats <<<

Best Friends! Printable Friendship Cards for Kids

June 25, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

If your kids miss hanging out with their friends, they’re not alone.

Mine have been miserable most of the summer, because they’ve been stuck in the house.

We try to schedule video chats and phone calls, but it’s just not the same.

Would you like to help your kids or your students send a special something to their friends? These printable friendship notes are a nice way to help them keep in touch!

These sweet friendship notecards are so cute for little ones to color and send to their friends. They can send them in the mail or drop them in a front door – just to let a friend know they’re still special.

Keep reading to get your set – free! Plus, pick up our free Ice Cream Summer Reading Kit to keep students reading over the break!

These printable friendship notes are a sweet way for kids to let their friends know they care!

Best Friends! Printable Friendship Notes for Kids

To use these printable friendship notes for kids, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Cardstock
Colored pencils (optional)

This set includes two versions of friendship cards: one set features cats and another features dogs.

The directions are simple: Kids can cut out each shape and color them in.

There’s also space for them to add their own message, as well as a version without a title for them to create their own.

Finally, they’re both available as line art versions for kids to color in as they choose.

After they’re done adding their own touches, kids can simply put their friendship cards in an envelope and start sending them out.

They’re sure to make someone’s day!

Scroll down to get your copy of these printable Best Friends cards!

Take a look at some of these other fun kids’ printables!

These fun dinosaur word matching puzzles are so fun for early literacy practice!

Use these printable solar system coloring pages for a fun astronomy activity for early learners!

To get your copy of these printable friendship cards, click the image or the link below to download them to your computer!

>>> Printable Best Friends Notecards <<<

50 Fun Summer Books for Kids to Read

June 23, 2020 by Selena Robinson 2 Comments

Summer reading is a great way to avoid the summer “slide” with your kids.

And there’s no better way to get them into a book than to choose one that’s summer-themed!

Today I’m featuring 50 summer books for kids that feature familiar characters, funny storylines, and gorgeous illustrations.

After all, when a story is engaging, kids are more likely to feel interested in what happens.

Plus, they’re more likely to reread them on their own – which is one of the best ways to build a love of reading.

These children’s books about summer make wonderful choices for an upcoming family road trip, book club, or summer reading program.

Read on to see the full list.

And, don’t miss our printable Summer Reading Challenge Bookmarks too!

50 Summer Books for Kids

This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.

1. To the Beach!

2. Pool

3. Summer Days and Nights

4. Should I Share My Ice Cream?

5. The Night Before Summer Vacation

6. Nate the Great and the Boring Beach Bag

7. Puppy Pool Party! An Underwater Dogs Adventure

8. Summer

9. Curious George and the Ice Cream Surprise

10. Penguin on Vacation

11. Bats at the Beach

12. The Whale in My Swimming Pool

13. I See Summer

14. Ice Cream: The Full Scoop

15. Peppa Pig and the Great Vacation

16. Beach House

17. McElligot’s Pool

18. Let It Shine

19. The Scoop on Ice Cream

20. The Night Before Summer Vacation

21. Daisy Dawson at the Beach

22. Down by the Cool of the Pool

23. Summer is Here

24. Ice Cream Soup

25. Arthur’s Family Vacation: An Arthur Adventure

26. Beach Bungle (Olive & Jay Book 1)

27. The Mystery of the Purple Pool (The Boxcar Children Mysteries #38)

28. A Fabumouse Vacation for Geronimo (Geronimo Stilton)

29. Mouse’s First Summer

30. Froggy Goes to Hawaii

31. Daniel’s Day at the Beach (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood)

32. Pool Party Puzzler (Nancy Drew Clue Book)

33. How to (Almost) Ruin Your Summer

34. Ice Cream Summer

35. Pictures from Our Vacation

36. Corduroy Goes to the Beach

37. Leo Can Swim

38. One Crazy Summer

39. Summer Wonders

40. Last Day Blues (Mrs. Hartwell’s Classroom Adventures)

41. Dancing Dinos at the Beach

42. First Time at the Pool

43. Summer Treasure (Robin Hill School)

44. Wemberly’s Ice Cream Star

45. How I Spent My Summer Vacation

46. Biscuit’s First Beach Day

47. Martha Speaks: Pool Party

48. The Night Before Summer Camp

49. Mama, Is It Summer Yet?

50. The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Vacation

Get ready for more summer fun with these other learning ideas!

These printable summer reading challenge bookmarks are a fun way to keep kids reading during summer!

Dino Match! Dinosaur Word Matching Puzzles

June 22, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Did everyone go through a crazy for dinosaurs phase or was it just me?

From age 8 until about age 11, I was insane about them. I had a model T-Rex figurine that had a mouth you could actually move.

I mean, how much better can it get than that?

My kids love dinosaurs too, so I thought dinosaurs would make a fun theme for an early literacy activity – these dinosaur word matching puzzles!

These are a fun way to practice reading dinosaur-themed vocabulary words for early learners.

Plus, they’re excellent for stepping up to reading two and three syllable words.

Keep reading to see how to get your set – free!

Want more interactive literacy practice? Take a look at our digital Ice Cream Vowel Sounds Sorting Activity!

Dino Match! Dinosaur Word Matching Puzzles

To use these dinosaur word matching puzzles, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

This literacy resource includes 12 word and picture puzzles for students to solve.

Printable Dinosaur Word Matching Puzzles for Kids

Each two-piece puzzle features a dino-themed vocabulary word with a corresponding picture.

Simply cut them apart and let students start matching them up!

If you’re working with very early readers, you might want to start with one-syllable short word puzzles – such as “egg”, “nest”, and “sun”.

As students become more fluent readers, add in some of the larger words for a challenge.

If you use these at literacy centers, laminating them is a good way to make sure they hold up to repeated use by little hands.

These would also make a wonderful addition to a dinosaur unit!

Assign them to students to use at home or work with at science centers or in morning tubs!

Scroll down to get your Dinosaur Word Puzzles!

Try some of these other early literacy activities!

Use this printable Space Color by Sight Word Activity to help early readers practice literacy skills and have an art activity too!

This hands on short vowel sounds activity is so fun for building early phonics skills! Add it to your literacy centers for engaging phonics practice!

This digital and print ice cream vowel sounds sorting activity is a wonderful lesson for early readers! Use it online or as a hands-on activity at centers!

To get your set of these free Dino Match! Word Matching Puzzles, click the image or the link below to download them directly to your computer!

>>> Printable Dinosaur Word Puzzles <<<

Pineapple Multiplication by Four Roll and Cover Game

June 18, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Summer is here and the living is easy.

Multiplication facts, though, are still giving my youngest a hard time.

She’s working on memorizing her times tables so she can sail into third grade math this fall with no trouble.

To make it a little more fun, I thought we’d try this printable pineapple multiplication by four game!

Fun Pineapple Multiplication by Four Game

This is a simple and cute way to help kids work on multiplication fluency!

Keep reading to see how to get yours – free! And, for more ways to have fun with math, take a look at our list of outdoor math games to play!

Pineapple Multiplication by Four Game

To use this printable multiplication roll and cover game, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

This product includes two versions of the multiplication roll and cover game:

One for use with a six-sided die
And one for use with a ten-sided die

The rules are simple.

Students roll a die and then find the corresponding multiple of four on the game board.

Multiplication by Four Roll and Cover Game

Then they just cover that number with a math counter and keep going!

You can also use buttons, counting bears, pom-poms, or coins in place of counters.

Students can play the game alone or with a partner. If they’re playing alone, challenge them to see how quickly they can roll and cover all the multiples.

If they’re playing with a partner, the first one to cover the last multiple wins!

Pineapple Multiplication by 4 Roll and Cover Game

A line art version of both game boards is also included.

Personally, I love to add a pop of color by printing them on AstroBright paper – as above. It definitely makes the activity a bit more cheerful.

Scroll down to get your Pineapple Multiplication by Four Game!

Check out these other fun math learning ideas!

These printable money games for kids are perfect for quick math lessons! Let students play them for a hands-on money activity!

To get your copy of this Pineapple Multiplication by Four Roll and Cover Game, click the image or the link below to download it to your computer!

>>> Pineapple Multiplication by Four Game <<<

Compare Cones! Ice Cream Same and Different Worksheets

June 16, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Is there a more fun early childhood education theme than ice cream?

I don’t think so.

When you’re trying to get early learners into the rhythm of a new school year in late summer, a fun ice cream-themed learning activity can help a ton.

So if you’re working on recognizing objects, these ice cream same and different worksheets are a simple resource for preschoolers and kindergartners!

Fun Ice Cream Same and Different Worksheets

These are easy to use for individuals or small groups. And you can work on each concept separately!

Read on to get your set of these early education worksheets. And, don’t miss our Ice Cream Vowel Sound Sorting Activity too!

This ice cream themed same and different activity is a fun way to practice visual discrimination with little ones!

Compare Cones! Ice Cream Same and Different Worksheets

To use these printable ice cream same and different worksheets, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Printer Paper
Pencils
Laminator (optional)
Dry erase markers or dry erase crayons (optional)

Same and Different Worksheets for Early Learners

This product includes:

Two find the same ice cream cones worksheets
Two find the different ice cream cone worksheets
A full answer key
And a set of instructions!

Printable Same and Different Worksheets for Early Learners

If your students are ready, you can introduce finding the same object and finding the different object in the same lesson.

But if you need to work on one at a time, show students how to examine each ice cream cone to find the similarities.

Then, introduce finding the different object in a separate lesson.

Reuse these at early centers by laminating the pages and letting students complete them with dry erase markers.

Don’t forget to use the answer key!

Scroll down to get these Ice Cream Same and Different Worksheets!

Try some of these other fun ice cream learning activities!

These 20 fun books about ice cream for kids are so fun for summer reading!

Pick up the print or digital version of this ice cream shape sorting activity for students to use in or at home!

Ice Cream Themed Same and Different Worksheets

To get your set of these ice cream themed comparing worksheets, visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store or check them out below!

Cosmic Colors! Solar System Coloring Pages

June 15, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

When I was about ten, I was obsessed with space.

We’d travel down to Florida to see our family and every time we passed the exit for Cape Canaveral, I’d beg for a trip to Space Camp.

Never happened.

I did get this ink pen that had a floating astronaut in it, though.

One day I’m going to get my trip to Kennedy Space Center, but until then, I still love learning about space and solar system with students.

And these printable solar system coloring pages are a simple way to make learning about space fun!

Keep reading to see how to get your set.

And, for more ways to learn about space, take a look at our All About the Solar System science unit!

Cosmic Colors! Solar System Coloring Pages

To use these printable solar system coloring pages, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Solar System Tracing and Coloring Pages for Kids

This product includes ten coloring pages:

One for each member of our solar system
One for the sun
And another for the moon

Printable Solar System Coloring and Tracing Pages

Each page shows the name of each celestial body and features a picture to color.

At the bottom, there is also a tracing strip so that early learners can practice writing each name.

Printable Solar System Coloring Pages for Kids

These are a fun way to add a little art into the science of learning about space!

You can print them on Astrobright paper and laminate them for use at science centers.

Or print them in a smaller size, laminate them, and place them on a ring for a simple memorization activity.

Scroll down to get your Solar System Coloring Pages!

Try some of these other outer space activities for kids!

Ready to teach the kids about space? This printable solar system science unit study is perfect for exploring the members of our solar system!

Share a trip into space with the kids when you read these amazing books about the solar system together! These would make perfect read alouds for a solar system unit!

To get your copy of these Cosmic Colors! Coloring Pages, click the image or the link below to visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

Solar System Coloring and Tracing Pages for Kids

>>> Cosmic Colors! Coloring Pages <<<

Printable Shark Counting to Ten Puzzles for Kids

June 11, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Does anyone else have a child who is absolutely fascinated by sharks?

Our oldest son is obsessed with them.

We’ve seen so many documentaries about sharks, read so many books about sharks, and bought so many shark “tooth” necklaces for him over the years that I’ve lost count.

He wants us to let him watch Jaws, but that’s not happening any time soon.

While I don’t share the level of enthusiasm for sharks that he has, I do think they’re absolutely incredible. And lots of kids love them.

Which is why I wanted to share these printable counting to ten puzzles that have a fun shark theme!

Fun Shark Counting to Ten Puzzles for Early Learners

These printable counting puzzles are a fun and simple way to help early learners practice counting objects, recognizing numerals, and writing numerals from zero to ten!

Read on to get your copy of these math counting puzzles.

And, for more fun with counting, try our printable Popsicle Addition to 12 Puzzles too!

These shark themed counting to ten puzzles are wonderful for use at early math centers!

Shark Spotting! Printable Shark Counting to Ten Puzzles

To use these printable shark counting puzzles, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)