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Pick up these printable ice cream coloring pages to share a simple summer art activity with kids!

Ice Cream Colors! Ice Cream Coloring Pages

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Ice Cream Printable Pack
These ice cream preschool printables feature same and different practice, as well as size sorting and coloring pages!

Nothing says “summer is here” quite like an ice cream cone.

Personally, I can eat ice cream all year long, but it’s especially great during warm weather.

When my kids are laying around on a warm afternoon, I like to share simple activities to keep them engaged, instead of just sitting in front of a screen.

Which is why I’m sharing these free ice cream coloring pages today – in case any of you are dealing with the same summer break situation.

Fun Ice Cream Coloring Pages for Kids

Keep reading to get your set – free!

If your little one enjoys these ice cream themed printables, be sure to check out our fun print or digital ice cream preschool shape sorting activity too! 

Pick up these printable ice cream coloring pages to share a simple summer art activity with kids!

Ice Cream Colors! Printable Ice Cream Coloring Pages

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

Ice Cream Coloring Pages

This product includes eight different ice cream coloring sheets, including cones, popsicles, and push pops.

 

 

Ice Cream Coloring Pages for Kids

There’s no right or wrong way to color each picture, so you can just hand out crayons or colored pencils and let the kids go wild.

Printable Ice Cream Coloring Pages

Of course, it’s possible that you’ll end up with green ice cream, but hey. That’s art for you.

Printable Ice Cream Coloring Pages

Our youngest one wanted to use a ton of colors for her push pop. 

Ice Cream Coloring Pages

And, of course, she couldn’t pass up a chance to add a few “sprinkles” to her ice cream cone!

These coloring sheets would be a fantastic art activity to use with our ice cream unit. It’s got plenty of fun ice cream themed activities for early learners. 

Scroll down to get these ice cream coloring printables!

Check out some of these other fun early learning resources!

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!

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 class or at home!

 

Ice Cream Themed Coloring Pages for Kids

To get our free Ice Cream Colors! Coloring Pages, click the image or the link below to download them to your computer!

Ice Cream Coloring Pages

>>>>> Ice Cream Coloring Pages <<<<<

 

 

This list of 20 STEM activities for distance learning are fun and easy to help students practice STEM concepts at home!This list of 20 STEM activities for distance learning are fun and easy to help students practice STEM concepts at home!

20 Distance Learning STEM Activities for Kids

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Many parents and educators are practicing what’s called “distance learning” these days.

Rather than children going to a physical class and learning directly from their teachers, they might be learning concepts online and conducting science experiments while still at home.

If you’re a teacher or a parent struggling to work with STEM in early grades while learning from home, these distance learning STEM activities for kids can help!

Fun Distance Learning STEM Activities for Kids

These are simple, hands-on learning ideas that incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math, as well as Art – if you prefer to learn STEAM concepts.

Read on to see the full list below!

And, for more ways to learn STEM in early grades, take a look at our list of easy weather STEM activities for kids!

This list of 20 STEM activities for distance learning are fun and easy to help students practice STEM concepts at home!This list of 20 STEM activities for distance learning are fun and easy to help students practice STEM concepts at home!

How to Use STEM Activities With Kids

If you’re feeling intimidated by teaching STEM to early learners, don’t be!

You don’t have to include all five STEAM disciplines in each activity. As long as the lesson or learning activity includes two of these concepts, you’re good.

A simple way to think about STEM is “How can I bring this learning concept off the page to a real-world application?”

So, for example, if you’re learning about a math topic, how can you make it into a hands-on activity that students can work with kinesthetically?

The goal is to take learning from something students just memorize to a concept they truly understand from multiple viewpoints.

20 Fun Distance Learning STEM Activities for Kids

The list of 20 distance learning STEM activities for kids below can help you think of lots of other ways to make teaching STEM fun!

1. Lego Bar Graphing – Look! We’re Learning!

2. Lemon Volcano Science Experiment – STEAM Powered Family

3. Math Facts Building Cards – Left Brain Craft Brain

4. Build an Umbrella Challenge – Raising Lifelong Learners

5. Wire Wood Building Activity – Fantastic Fun and Learning

6. Glittery Germy Hands Experiment – The Soccer Mom Blog

7. Butterfly Chromatography Experiment – Buggy and Buddy

8. Science in Motion Apple Game – The Educators’ Spin On It

9. Respiratory System Investigation – Life Over Cs

10. Bacteria Science Experiments – Our Journey Westward

20 Fun Distance Learning STEM Activities

11. Astronomy Moon Journal – Buggy and Buddy

12. Build a Mini Greenhouse – Kids Activities Blog

13. STEM Skittles Activity – The Inspiration Edit

14. Hatching Dinosaur Eggs Activity – STEAM Powered Family

15. Grow a Rainbow Experiment – The Best Ideas for Kids

16. Building Block Challenge – Life Over Cs

17. Make a Paperclip Float Experiment – Raising Lifelong Learners

18. Light Up Rocket Bookmark – Left Brain Craft Brain

19. Sandbox Volcano Experiment – Little Bins for Little Hands

20. Apple Build and Count Activity – Fantastic Fun and Learning

Take a look at these other simple ways to teach STEM!

These fun weather STEM activities for kids are excellent for simple spring science experiments! Simple enough for home or the classroom!
Make learning math, science, and technology fun with this list of Lego STEAM activities for kids! These easy Lego STEM activities are great for building a love of learning!
These easy STEM activities for kids are great for building enthusiasm to learn science, technology, engineering, and math!

Keep the kids occupied and learning with these super fun activity books for kids! Perfect for quiet time at home!

20 Super Fun Activity Books for Kids

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When I was in second grade or so, I loved school so much I didn’t want the school year to end.

The assistant principal took me aside and gave me a stack of activity books to work on over the summer.

Best. Summer. Ever.

I liked playing outside and all, but I always loved spending time doing puzzles and brain teasers and mazes as a kid.

My kids love to play with workbooks too, so I thought I’d share this list of 20 super fun activity books for kids!

20 Super Fun Activity Books for Kids

There are several different kinds of activity books in this list, so there’s something for everyone.

Read on to see the full list! And, don’t miss our list of 20 fun indoor activities for kids to do as well!

Keep the kids occupied and learning with these super fun activity books for kids! Perfect for quiet time at home!

How to Use Activity Books for Kids at Home

In our home, we tend to use activity books for quiet play.

When we’re finished with our specific lessons for the day (usually around 11:30 a.m.), we have lunch and then set aside 45 minutes or so for quiet time.

Generally, the kids need a break from each other at this point. And I desperately need the house to be silent for a bit.

I let them choose an activity book from a stack and hand out the necessary supplies. And off they go!

Here’s what I usually have available for my kids: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

By the way, if you’re searching for an all-in-one set that has everything at once, this Crayola Inspiration Set looks perfect.

20 Super Fun Activity Books for Kids

Here’s our list of 20 super fun activity books for kids!

If you try any of these, I’d love to know which ones your kids liked the best!

1. Sticker by Number: Ocean Animals

2. Spiroglyphics: Animals

3. Ultimate Dot to Dot: Extreme Challenges

4. STEM Starters for Kids: Math Activity Book

5. Paint by Sticker: Masterpieces

6. Rainbowku: Fun and Colorful Sudoku for Kids

7. Highlights: Ultimate Puzzle Challenge

8. Super Colossal Book of Word Search: 365 Great Puzzles

9. Notebook Doodles Go Girl!: Coloring & Activity Book

10. My Secret Book of Scribblings and Sketches: Sketch Book for Kids

Super Fun Activity Books for Kids

11. Pixel Pictures: 104 Pictures to Color by Squares

12. The Everything Kids’: Math Puzzles Book

13. Sticker by Letter: Robots

14. Cute and Colorful Patterns: Coloring Book

15. Mindware: Multiplication Mosaics

16. Totally Awesome Mazes and Puzzles: Over 200 Brain-Bending Challenges

17. Highlights Hidden Pictures: Playtime Puzzles

18. Picture Puzzles: How Many Differences Can You Find?

19. Perfectly Logical! Challenging Fun Brain Teasers and Logic Puzzles for Kids

20. Color Counts: Animals

Still in need of fun ways to spend time with the kids? Stop by to see these ideas!

Make the most of time at home with these easy boredom busters for kids! Great for school breaks, summer vacation, and more!
This printable Roll the Dice indoor exercise game is a fun and easy way to keep kids moving at home or during indoor recess!
This easy DIY kinetic sand is such a fun way to play indoors with little ones! Perfect for sensory input too!

This printable Roll the Dice indoor exercise game is a fun and easy way to keep kids moving at home or during indoor recess!

Printable Roll the Dice Indoor Exercise Game

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When the weather outside is bad, it can be hard to get kids up and moving indoors.

And, if you have high energy kids in your family or in your classroom, it can be a real struggle to help them manage their energy level within four walls.

I know. I have some high energy kids of my own.

A simple indoor exercise game, like this “Roll the Dice” game can help!

Fun Roll the Dice Indoor Exercise Game

This is such an easy way to help kids move around inside while still learning to follow directions.

Read on to get your copy of this exercise game for kids – free!

And, for more fun indoors, don’t miss our list of 20 easy boredom busters for kids!

This printable Roll the Dice indoor exercise game is a fun and easy way to keep kids moving at home or during indoor recess!

How to Print the Roll the Dice Indoor Exercise Game

To print this Roll the Dice indoor exercise game, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Roll the Dice Indoor Exercise Game for Kids

The game is simple: It includes six different exercises for kids to do based on which side of the die is rolled.

If you print the game for repeated use, you may want to laminate it for durability.

How to Use the Roll the Dice Indoor Exercise Game with Kids

This exercise game is versatile enough to be used at home or in the classroom.

Roll the Dice Indoor Exercise Game

You can use it for a simple brain break in between lessons or for inside recess.

Simply let the kids roll dice and see which exercise corresponds to the number rolled.

Printable Roll the Dice Indoor Exercise Game

You may want to set a timer also to make sure they don’t stretch or do sit ups for too long.

After one child is finished, then the next child can roll the die to see what exercise to complete.

Feel free to get involved in the exercise fun too!

Scroll down to get your printable Roll the Dice indoor exercise game – free!

Take a look at these other fun indoor activities for kids!

This easy DIY kinetic sand is such a fun way to play indoors with little ones! Perfect for sensory input too!
Pick up this free printable indoor scavenger hunt for a fun indoor play activity to share with the kids!
Try some of these simple 15 minute science experiments for a quick at-home science lesson with kids!

To get your copy of this Roll the Dice indoor exercise game, click the image or the link below to download it to your computer!

Roll the Dice Exercise Game for Kids

>>> Roll the Dice Indoor Exercise Game <<<

This easy DIY kinetic sand is such a fun way to play indoors with little ones! Perfect for sensory input too!

DIY Kinetic Sand Recipe for Kids

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Sensory play has always been a big hit in our family.

As soon as our kids were old enough to stand up, they loved playing with sand, mud, and playdough – like most other toddlers.

We’ve made edible playdough, moon sand, slime, and lots of other sensory materials at home.

And that’s why I wanted to share this DIY kinetic sand recipe too!

Easy DIY Kinetic Sand Recipe for Kids

If you have kids who love sensory play and building, this kinetic sand is perfect.

It’s soft enough to mold, but also firm enough to hold its shape. Great for little builders!

Get the full kinetic sand recipe instructions below.

And, for more fun with sensory input, check out our scented Apple Pie Playdough too!

This easy DIY kinetic sand is such a fun way to play indoors with little ones! Perfect for sensory input too!

DIY Kinetic Sand Recipe for Kids

To make this DIY kinetic sand recipe, you’ll need:

  • Sand
  • Baby oil
  • Cornstarch
How to Make DIY Kinetic Sand

This sensory recipe is so easy that the kids can help you make it.

Simple Kinetic Sand Recipe

Once you’ve measured out the right amount of each ingredient, just mix them all together.

DIY Kinetic Sand Recipe for Kids

It actually works best if you mix it with your hands.

So the kids can get some sensory play before they even start playing with the kinetic sand!

How to Make Kinetic Sand at Home

After you’re done mixing, toss a few sand molds and building toys into the sand.

The little ones can play as long as they like!

DIY Kinetic Sand Recipe to Make at Home

NOTE: This DIY kinetic sand is NOT edible. Please use caution with toddlers and very young children.

Scroll down to get the printable DIY kinetic sand recipe!

Check out other sensory play ideas!

Make up a batch of this apple pie playdough to have a fun fall sensory activity with your little ones! So fun for little hands!
Mix up some sensory fun with these edible playdough recipes for kids! These are so fun for little ones who love to play with dough!
This fun and easy snowman slime is so fun for sensory play during winter! Mix up a few jars and hand them out as gifts for little ones!
Easy DIY Kinetic Sand Recipe
Easy DIY Kinetic Sand Recipe
Print

DIY Kinetic Sand

This DIY kinetic sand is a simple sensory play idea for young ones!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2.5 cups sand
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup baby oil

Instructions

  1. Pour the sand into a mixing bowl or loaf pan.

  2. Add the cornstarch and mix well with your hands.

  3. Pour in the baby oil and mix well.

Recipe Notes

  • If the mixture is too dry, add a few drops more baby oil until you reach the right consistency.
  • If the kinetic sand doesn’t hold its shape, add a bit more cornstarch.
Make a batch of this simple DIY kinetic sand for a quick sensory play activity at home!
Pick up this free printable indoor scavenger hunt for a fun indoor play activity to share with the kids!

Scavenger Search! Indoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids

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Having fun indoors can be a bit of a challenge for a family.

After all, little ones have a TON of energy. And keeping them entertained within four walls can be difficult.

So indoor scavenger hunts have become extremely popular with families these days.

It’s like playing “Hide and Seek” without having to actually find a place to hide. Which can pose its own set of challenges if you live in a small space like we do.

This printable indoor scavenger hunt for kids can make inside play a piece of cake!

Fun Printable Indoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids

This would be a great activity to burn off energy and let the little ones play for a while any day.

Read on to get your copy – free!

And, if you want to take an indoor scavenger search to the next level, pick up our Family Night Scavenger Hunt Cards for a fun family game night activity!

Pick up this free printable indoor scavenger hunt for a fun indoor play activity to share with the kids!

Scavenger Search! Indoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids

To use this printable indoor scavenger hunt for kids, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printable Indoor Scavenger Hunt

This one-page scavenger hunt features twenty different items for kids to find and mark off.

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If you have more than one child, you can print the page twice.

Then split the kids up into teams and see which team can find all the items first.

Printable Indoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids

Or you could assign each child one column of items to find and see who gets them all the fastest.

Indoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids to Play

Want to reuse this for later? Laminate it and let the kids mark off each found item with dry erase markers!

Be sure to have a special treat ready for everyone once the scavenger hunt is over!

I suggest these simple Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies. Just don’t eat them all while the kids are hunting.

Scroll down to get your printable indoor scavenger hunt for kids!

Need more ways to play and learn inside?

Use this printable Space Color by Sight Word Activity to help early readers practice literacy skills and have an art activity too!
Try some of these simple 15 minute science experiments for a quick at-home science lesson with kids!
Make the most of time at home with these easy boredom busters for kids! Great for school breaks, summer vacation, and more!

To get your copy of our Scavenger Search! Indoor Play Activity, just click the image or the link below to download it to your computer!

Indoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids

>>> Indoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids <<<

This free indoor scavenger hunt for kids is a fun way to play inside with little ones!
Make the most of time at home with these easy boredom busters for kids! Great for school breaks, summer vacation, and more!

20 Fun and Easy Indoor Activities for Kids

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When you’re at home with the kids, it’s easy for a day to just “get away” from you.

Especially if your children are fans of screen time.

But when they’re on break from school or stuck inside because of bad weather, we don’t want them to run right for their devices.

So – here’s a list of 20 fun and easy indoor activities for kids to help you fill your days at home with quality time!

Easy Indoor Activities for Kids to Try

These are also great for class art projects, sensory play ideas, and games. They’d also make great activity choices for kids’ parties!

Read below to see the full list.

And for more ways to keep kids engaged and entertained, don’t miss our list of 50 cabin fever activity ideas!

Make the most of time at home with these easy boredom busters for kids! Great for school breaks, summer vacation, and more!

20 Fun and Easy Indoor Activities for Kids

If you try any of these yourself, I’d love to know which were your favorites!

1. These printable Farm Paper Bag Puppets are perfect for spring or fall!

2. Make this Beach Shoebox Diorama with an old shoebox in just a few minutes!

3. Share this easy DIY Flubber for some quick sensory fun!

4. Practice recognizing money values with this fun Dollars and Cents Game!

5. You don’t need cold weather to play in the snow with this easy Snowman Slime!

6. Pick up these printable Family Night Indoor Scavenger Hunt cards for an indoor family night game!

7. This low-prep Farm Five In A Row Game is a great way to extend a farm unit any time of year!

8. Running low on craft supplies? You only need the basics for this Paper Tube Butterfly Craft!

9. Practice recognizing colors with little learners with this Color Matching Birds Activity!

10. This Coffee Filter Crab Craft only takes a few minutes to make!

20 Easy Indoor Activities for Kids

11. Interested in learning sign language? These ASL Alphabet Matching Puzzles are a simple start!

12. Have a race to see who can complete this Finish the Emoji Drawing Activity first!

13. Work on times tables with this fun basketball-themed Shoot and Score Multiplication Game!

14. Make this Floating Spider Craft and let the kids practice flying them around the living room!

15. This printable Snowball Emoji Board Game is so fun for building emotional vocabulary!

16. Make your own DIY Moon Sand for moldable play!

17. Let kids make this Paper Bag Fox Craft and use it for storytelling!

18. This Edible Solar System Playdough is both fun to play with and safe to eat!

19. Blast off with this easy Paper Roll Rocket Craft!

20. This low-prep Mail Color Sorting Activity makes a wonderful busy bag go-to for little ones!

Want to see more fun ways to learn with kids? Try these ideas!

These Spanish color playdough mats are a wonderful hands on resource for early learners, Spanish language learners, and ESL students!
These fun weather STEM activities for kids are excellent for simple spring science experiments! Simple enough for home or the classroom!
This fun Spanish color word activity is perfect for helping kids learn how to read and write Spanish color vocabulary words!
If your kids are stuck at home, they will love this list of 20 easy boredom busters for kids! Great for school breaks, rainy days, and more!
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Make the most of family night with these fun indoor scavenger hunt cards! Hide them around the house and award a prize to the winner!

Printable Indoor Family Night Scavenger Hunt Cards

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Family night is a wonderful way to spend quality time with the kids, especially after everyone’s had a busy week.

If you’re not careful, though, family night can end up being a movie and a snack….every single time.

How can you keep family time fun, even when the kids are little? An indoor scavenger hunt!

Printable Rhyming Family Night Scavenger Hunt Cards

This is a perfect activity for burning off energy, particularly when the weather isn’t awesome.

And that’s why these printable indoor family night scavenger hunt cards are so great!

Family Night Printable Indoor Scavenger Hunt Cards

These scavenger hunt cards make it easy to organize an indoor hunt without too much work.

Plus, they feature adorable little rhymes that the kids can use to find each clue and eventually win the prize!

Read on to see how to get your set free! And for more ways to spend family night, don’t miss this roundup of fun family night ideas to try!

Make the most of family night with these fun indoor scavenger hunt cards! Hide them around the house and award a prize to the winner!

Printable Indoor Family Night Scavenger Hunt Cards

To use these family night scavenger hunt cards, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Family Night Scavenger Hunt

This set includes 16 cards in all.

Each card contains a short clue written in rhyme form, so they’ll be easy for the kids to remember as they search.

Family Night Scavenger Hunt Clue Cards

All you’ll need to do is to read each clue, tape or hide the next clue in location described, and let the kids have at it!

Printable Family Night Scavenger Hunt Cards

To start the game, just read off the very first card.

From there, the kids can find each clue that follows by reading the directions.

Of course, if your kids are very young, you might want to give them a hand.

Printable Indoor Family Night Scavenger Hunt Cards

If you feel the hunt is a little too long for your little ones, just shorten it by removing some of the cards in the middle and saving them for another day.

Printable Indoor Scavenger Hunt Cards for Family Night

Once they find the YAY! card, they’re done! Then they can get a fun prize. Goodie bag prizes are great for this, by the way.

How to Have an Indoor Family Scavenger Hunt

You’ve got the cards all printed, but how do you actually have the scavenger hunt with the kids?

Simple Family Night Indoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids

A good time to set it up is at night when the kids are asleep.

If they see you sticking these cards around, they’ll be tempted to get a head start before you’re ready.

Playing a Family Night Scavenger Hunt Game

Trust me. It’s exactly what my kids did.

You can use masking tape to stick the cards in the right place, if you like. Or you can simply lean them up against a wall or an object in the same area.

DIY Family Night Scavenger Hunt Game

If you want the kids to try this on their own, read each clue with them and then see what area of the house they try to search in.

Easy Family Night Indoor Scavenger Hunt Game

Be sure to keep it accessible for each child’s age.

If your children are small, you might want to avoid areas with sharp objects, like the silverware drawer.

How to Have A Family Night Scavenger Hunt

My kids are a bit older, so they’re fine to open the drawer on their own.

If they were younger, though, I think I would take out a wooden or plastic utensil and just place the card near that instead.

How you set this up is really up to you.

As long as you and your kids are able to play the game together and keep it fun and safe, it’s a win!

Scroll down to get your copy of our printable indoor family night scavenger hunt cards!

Don’t miss these other indoor play ideas for kids!

This easy DIY flubber recipe is one of our favorite sensory play activities!

Make this easy spring toilet roll butterfly craft with your kids! So fun and simple for little ones!

Learn about the fascinating world of sharks with this printable shark food chain game!

To get your copy of our printable indoor family night scavenger hunt cards, click the image or the link below to download them to your computer!

Indoor Family Night Scavenger Hunt Cards

>> Family Night Indoor Scavenger Hunt Cards <<

Have a memorable family night with these fun family night indoor scavenger hunt cards! A great way to spend time together as a family!

This easy scrapbook paper pumpkin craft is a perfect way to add fall decor to the home! Gather the ingredients for this easy fall craft and let the kids help make it!

Easy Scrapbook Paper Pumpkin Craft

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Have you ever gone on a craft supply shopping spree? And then realized that you have way too much of something?

I have.

When we first moved into our present house, I learned about a simple way to add color to your bedroom walls – scrapbook paper!

Naturally, I bought tons of it.

Which left me with packs and packs of scrapbook paper to do…something with.

Enter this easy scrapbook paper pumpkin craft!

DIY Scrapbook Paper Pumpkin Craft

If you’re looking for a simple way to add easy fall decor to your home or classroom, these scrapbook paper pumpkins are perfect! 

And they’re simple enough that kids can help you make them!

Easy Scrapbook Paper Pumpkin Craft for Kids

Get the full project instructions below!

And for more pumpkin-themed activities, take a look at our Pumpkin Size Sorting Game and our Pumpkin Pie Fraction Clip Cards!

This easy scrapbook paper pumpkin craft is a perfect way to add fall decor to the home! Gather the ingredients for this easy fall craft and let the kids help make it!

Easy Scrapbook Paper Pumpkin Craft

What I love about this simple paper pumpkin craft is that you probably already have everything you need to make it.

But if you’re not a craft supply hoarder (like…ahem…someone I know), here’s a list of what you’ll need to make a paper pumpkin craft.

Paper Pumpkin Craft Supplies

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

How to Make Paper Pumpkins

Using a ruler or yardstick and pen or pencil, measure and mark 1-inch increments across a piece of scrapbook paper, about two inches from the edge.

Making a Scrapbook Paper Pumpkin Craft

Repeat about 3/4 of the way above the first set of marks. Connect the lines and cut.

If you have a paper cutter, you can use this instead.

Fall Playdough Mats

Making a Paper Pumpkin Craft

Approximately 1/4” from the end of the strip, punch a hole in each end of the strip. 

Making a Colorful Paper Pumpkin Craft

Repeat until all strips have holes in both ends.

How to Make a Scrapbook Paper Pumpkin

Place the cut pieces of paper in the order of pattern/color you want. Line up the holes and place a brass paper fastener in one end.

Place a brass paper fastener in the other end. Fan out the pieces to fashion it after a pumpkin.

Easy Paper Pumpkin Craft

Print out the template and cut out the leaves. Trace the leaf outlines onto a piece of scrapbook paper and cut them out.

Fall Paper Pumpkins Craft for Kids

Tape or glue the paper leaves to the top of the pumpkin. Add ribbons, buttons or any other decorations you’d like.

Paper Pumpkin Craft for Kids

Ta-da! We’re all done!

Simple Scrapbook Paper Pumpkin Craft

Make your scrapbook paper pumpkins in several colors and place them everywhere: on the mantle, on a coffee table, or even hang them over a window!

In a classroom, you might want to tape a few around the whiteboard or on the corner of your desk.

Let the kids make one and place them on their desks too!

Scrapbook Paper Pumpkin Craft for Kids

Don’t miss these other fall themed crafts!

These easy and fun paper bag woodland animal crafts kids can make! Choose from a paper bag fox craft, paper bag bear craft, and a paper bag deer craft!

Make this easy fall leaf garland craft with little ones this autumn! A perfect fall art activity for kids!

Share these fall nature crafts with your children to make some unforgettable memories this autumn!

See more ways to make the most of autumn on my Fall Activities for Kids Pinterest board!

Make this simple scrapbook paper pumpkin craft to add easy fall decor to your home or classroom! This fall paper craft is so simple kids can help make it!

Make up a batch of this scented pumpkin pie playdough to have some fall sensory fun with the kids! You only need a few household ingredients!

Easy Scented Pumpkin Pie Playdough Recipe for Kids

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Confession time: I didn’t really eat pumpkin pie as a child. 

I’m from the Deep South and, down here, we tend to eat more sweet potato pie than pumpkin. At least in my family. (I honestly don’t have enough space here to write about the wonders of sweet potato pie.)

After I became an adult, though, a good friend of mine made a pumpkin pie and I finally had a taste. 

It was delicious. 

So since we enjoyed making apple pie playdough earlier this fall, I thought this easy scented pumpkin pie playdough recipe would be a nice addition to our fall sensory activities!

Fun Scented Pumpkin Pie Playdough Recipe for Kids

This playdough feels and smells incredible, so it’s a simple way to give the kids some sensory play while adding a nice fall scent to your home or classroom.

If you’re studying pumpkins or harvest this year, this scented playdough is a wonderful play activity for your unit!

Easy Pumpkin Pie Playdough Recipe for Kids

Get the full instructions and the printable recipe below!

And for more ways to have fun with playdough, stop by to read our roundup of edible playdough recipes you can make at home!

Make up a batch of this scented pumpkin pie playdough to have some fall sensory fun with the kids! You only need a few household ingredients!

How to Make Easy Pumpkin Pie Playdough

To make this easy pumpkin pie playdough recipe, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see my Disclosure Policy.)

Easy Pumpkin Pie Playdough Recipe

What I love about this playdough recipe is that it’s a reliable go-to activity. Once you make it, you’ll have a quick sensory activity you can whip up for the kids in just a few minutes.

Fall Playdough Mats

Making Pumpkin Pie Scented Playdough

Start by pouring warm water into a pot.

Then add a few drops of orange food coloring, coconut oil, and pumpkin essence.

Simple Pumpkin Pie Playdough Recipe

In a separate bowl, mix together flour, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cream of tartar.

How to Make Pumpkin Pie Playdough

Gradually add the flour mixture to the pot and stir well.

How to Make a Pumpkin Pie Playdough Recipe

Heat the mixture on low and stir continuously, until the mixture starts to firm up.

When it pulls away from the sides of the pot, you’re done.

Fall Scented Pumpkin Pie Playdough Recipe for Kids

Knead the dough back and forth between your hands until it forms a smooth ball. (Little hands are great at doing this step!)

How to Make Pumpkin Pie Scented Playdough

If you want to make the “piecrust”, whip up a batch of cinnamon playdough to use as the base.

Scented Pumpkin Pie Playdough Recipe for Kids

It’s play time!

Give the kids a few playdough tools to flatten, cut, and shape their dough into a pie. 

They’ll play with this for hours and get some sensory practice too!

DIY Scented Pumpkin Pie Playdough Recipe for Kids

Scroll down to get your printable Pumpkin Pie Playdough Recipe!

Take a look at these other fun fall play ideas!

Make counting practice fun with this five in a row printable farm game! Great for early math centers!

These easy and fun paper bag woodland animal crafts kids can make! Choose from a paper bag fox craft, paper bag bear craft, and a paper bag deer craft!

Make up a batch of this apple pie playdough to have a fun fall sensory activity with your little ones! So fun for little hands!

And follow my Fall Activities for Kids board on Pinterest for more ways to have fun during autumn!

DIY Pumpkin Pie Playdough Recipe

Printable DIY Pumpkin Pie Playdough Recipe

Read the full pumpkin pie playdough recipe right here! You can also print it to use offline.

DIY Pumpkin Pie Playdough Recipe
Print

Pumpkin Pie Playdough Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 3/4 cup salt
  • 4 tsp cream of tartar
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • food coloring
  • 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 tsp pumpkin essence

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cream of tartar.

  2. Mix the warm water, coconut oil, pumpkin essence, and a few drops of orange food coloring in a pot.

  3. Gradually add the flour mixture to the pot, stirring well.

  4. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring continuously until it firms and pulls away from the sides of the pot.

  5. Remove the dough from the heat and let cool until safe to touch.

  6. Knead the dough until it forms a smooth ball. Store in an airtight container.

Make up this scented pumpkin pie playdough recipe for some fall sensory fun with the kids! Only takes a few ingredients!

Use simple supplies to make this easy fall color matching activity for preschoolers! Perfect for fall preschool lessons!

Easy Fall Preschool Color Matching Activity

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Fall is one of the best times of year to explore with preschoolers. The weather is cooler, the animals are moving around and storing up food for winter, and the colors are gorgeous.

If you live in a part of the world where you see fall foliage, autumn is a wonderful time to talk about colors with little ones. 

But, even if you don’t, you can use this simple fall preschool color matching activity to reinforce that concept with early learners!

Easy Preschool Fall Color Matching Activity for Kids

This is such a simple and fun hands-on activity for toddlers and preschoolers. And it only takes a few minutes to set it up.

Get the full instructions below! And be sure to check out our Apple Pie Playdough for more fall preschool sensory fun!

Use simple supplies to make this easy fall color matching activity for preschoolers! Perfect for fall preschool lessons!

Easy Fall Preschool Color Matching Activity

To make this fall preschool coloring matching activity, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Easy Fall Leaf Color Matching Activity

To get started, simply use the scissors to cut the paint sample strips apart. You’ll want to have one color on each strip.

If your preschoolers are working on scissor skills, hand them a pair of child-safe scissors and let them help with this part.

Simple Fall Leaf Color Matching Activity for Kids

Be sure to use fall-themed colors, so you’re looking for deep reds, muted greens, and bright yellows.

Easy Fall Color Matching Activity for Preschoolers

Pour out several fall leaf foam stickers onto the table. I love the glittery foam stickers, but you could also use felt or paper stickers if you prefer.

Since the glitter sticks up a bit, working with them makes a nice sensory activity for little hands.

Easy Fall Color Matching Activity

Let the kids try to match up the color stickers with the colored paint strips. 

You can work with one color family at a time, especially when you’re first beginning to talk about colors, or you can combine them all and see how quickly the kids can match up the leaves and paint strips.

This would also make a great on-the-go busy bag for active toddlers and preschoolers!

Fall Playdough Mats

Books about Fall Leaf Colors for Kids

If you’d like to tie this activity into a lesson about why leaves change color during the fall, these books about fall leaf colors would be wonderful for read-aloud time!

Did you like this fall preschool color matching activity? Take a look at these other early learning ideas for kids!

Make it easy to spot autumn sights around you with this fun and easy fall memory game for kids!

Make up a batch of this apple pie playdough to have a fun fall sensory activity with your little ones! So fun for little hands!

These printable apple counting puzzles are perfect for early math lessons! Use them at fall math centers or for an interactive apple lesson for little ones!

And follow my Fall Activities for Kids for even more autumn learning inspiration!

This easy fall color matching activity is a perfect way to talk about fall colors with kids! Use it as a fall busy bag or at centers!

Practice drawing with the kids with this fun and simple Emoji drawing activity! This is a perfect way to share a summer art project with the kids!

Finish the Emoji Drawing Activity for Kids

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Does anyone have kids who love to draw? My kids love to sketch and color and draw anything they can.

Unfortunately, my artistic skills are somewhat…lacking.

I didn’t draw much as a kid and, now that I’m an adult, I have what I call “artistic cowardice”. You know, that feeling when you think your drawing will be awful so you never have the courage to try? That.

What I’ve discovered, though, is that lots of kids also feel that way. And that’s sad. If you don’t think you can draw when you’re young, it might not get any better later in life.

And I wanted to encourage my kids to keep making art of their own, so I thought I’d dip my toes into drawing too with this fun Emoji Drawing Activity!

Fun Finish the Emoji Drawing Activity for Kids

Since these are faces that are already half designed, all kids have to do is finish the other half. It’s easy enough for an art coward like me to do!

Read on to see how to grab your copy free! And, for more fun with Emoji faces, try our simple Coffee Filter Emoji Crafts too!

Practice drawing with the kids with this fun and simple Emoji drawing activity! This is a perfect way to share a summer art project with the kids!Finish the Emoji Drawing Activity for Kids

To use this finish the Emoji drawing activity, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printable Emoji Drawing Activity for Kids

There are 12 different faces in this printable Emoji drawing activity, including the laughing Emoji, the smiling Emoji, the scared Emoji, the crying Emoji, and, everyone’s favorite, the heart eyes Emoji.

Printable Finish the Emoji Drawing Activity

All we did was print out each page and then use colored pencils to complete the other half of each face.

Fun Emoji Drawing Activity for Kids

Since the goal here is to complete the missing half exactly as the completed half, this is also an excellent way to learn about symmetry with kids!

Scroll down to get your copy of this Finish the Emoji Drawing Activity free!

Check out these other fun activities for kids while you’re here!

Kids will love making these easy coffee filter emoji crafts!

Pick up this printable ice cream reading log for kids to keep little ones reading this summer! This printable reading kits with printable bookplates, a printable summer reading log, and printable coloring bookmarks!

Make this easy paper roll rocket craft with the kids this summer! So fun for a long summer afternoon of crafting!

And see more ways to spend time with the kids on my Indoor Play Pinterest board!

This fun Finish the Emoji Drawing Activity is a neat way to practice drawing skills with kids! Plus, it is a fun way to spend time making art over summer break!

To get your copy of this Finish the Emoji Drawing Activity, click the image or the link below to score it from my Teachers Pay Teachers Store for free!

Finish the Emoji Drawing Activity for Kids

>>> Finish the Emoji Drawing Activity <<<

Bust boredom and get some sensory play with this list of 50 awesome slime recipes for kids to make!

50 Awesome Slime Recipes for Kids

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Do your kids like to play with slime? Mine do. We’ve been making slime and DIY playdough with our kids for years and there are a ton of slime recipes for kids available online these days.

A lot of them, though, are the same basic recipe with just a few changes. So I thought it would be cool to gather up 50 unique and totally awesome slime ideas that kids can make and play with!

50 Unique and Awesome Slime Recipes for Kids

If your little ones have already started shouting “I’m bored!”, this list will definitely come in handy. Many of the DIY slime recipes below feature themes, so they’d be a perfect addition to a learning unit for early grades!

Read on to see all the fun slime ideas listed below. And for more fun, check out our colorful moon sand that’s great for outdoor play!

Bust boredom and get some sensory play with this list of 50 awesome slime recipes for kids to make!

50 Awesome Slime Recipes for Kids

1. Flubber Slime – Look! We’re Learning!

2. Liquid Starch Slime – Little Bins for Little Hands

3. Neon Slime – The Crafting Chicks

4. Bath Soap Slime – Beauty Crafter

5. Root Beer Float Slime – Homeschool Hideout

6. Rainbow Slime – Sugar Spice and Glitter

7. Superhero Glitter Slime – Natural Beach Living

8. Starbucks Frappucino Slime – Midget Momma

9. Ocean Slime – Schooling a Monkey

10. Magnetic Slime – Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

11. Super Stretchy Edible Slime – Lemon Lime Adventures

12. Princess Slime – The Best Ideas for Kids

13. Jungle Slime – Buggy and Buddy

14. Geology Gemstone Slime – Steam Powered Family

15. Peeps Slime – Schooling a Monkey

16. Silver and Gold Slime – Fun-A-Day

17. Fizzy Scented Slime – Look! We’re Learning!

18. Lemon Scented Slime – Little Bins for Little Hands

19. Edible Pudding Slime – The Soccer Mom Blog

20. Sour Patch Kids Slime – Teach Beside Me

21. Fluffy Oobleck Slime – Fantastic Fun and Learning

22. Slushie Slime – Mess for Less

23. Model Magic Slime – Buggy and Buddy

24. Floam Slime – Childhood 101

25. Glittery Unicorn Slime – Happy Hooligans

See even more fun slime recipes for kids on the next page!

Get ready for Shark Week with these fun and easy shark crafts for kids!

20 Easy and Fun Shark Crafts for Kids

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Kids are just totally fascinated with sharks. (I can’t lie. Many of us adults are too.)

They’re incredible sea creatures and they’re near the top of the food chain, so they’re basically the bosses of the ocean. Unless an orca whale comes along, that is.

Every year, Shark Week is a big event for lots of kids and that’s why I wanted to share some fun and easy shark crafts for kids that will be a great way to spend the week learning about all things shark!

20 Fun Shark Crafts for Kids to Make

Take a look at the 20 different shark activities for kids listed below to find some science fun to share this summer!

And for more about sharks, don’t miss our cool shark food chain file folder game for kids to play!

Get ready for Shark Week with these fun and easy shark crafts for kids!

20 Easy and Fun Shark Crafts for Kids

1. This Juice Box Shark Craft from Natural Beach Living is perfect for a shark-themed afternoon.

2. Here is a fun Shark Sensory Bottle from Sarah Halstead.

3. Have some Shark Science Fun with this buoyancy activity from Little Bins for Little Hands.

4. These fun DIY Shark Cups from Mom Endeavors are perfect for an afternoon snack attack.

5. Here is a really cool DIY Shark Slime from A Night Owl Blog.

6. This Toilet Paper Shark Craft from Glue Sticks & Gum Drops is a quick and easy idea.

7. Your kids will love playing with these DIY Felt Shark Finger Puppets from Repeat Crafter Me.

8. These Shark Fin Bookmarks from Simplistically Living are perfect for Summer reading!

9. This Shark Fin Soap is a fun kid-friendly DIY from Totally The Bomb.

10. Your shark tooth lovers will love this Paper Plate Shark Jaw Craft from Dollar Store Crafts.

11. This Pool Noodle Shark Craft from JDaniel4’s Mom will look awesome floating in your pool!

12. These DIY Shark Suckers from Natural Beach Living will make a fun addition to your sharky fun.

13. Get learning with this S is for Shark Craft from Artsy Craftsy Mom.

14. Next, whip up these fun Shark Masks from B-Inspired Mama.

15. Here’s an inexpensive Newspaper Shark Craft from I Heart Crafty Things.

16. You’ll have lots of fun with this Paper Plate Shark Puppet Craft from Kids Craft Room.

17. This Shark Cootie Catcher Craft from Easy Peasy and Fun comes with a free template to make your own origami!

18. These DIY Shark Mittens from A Night Owl Blog are so cute & creative.

19. Make a cool DIY LEGO Shark with the instructions from Frugal Fun 4 Boys!

20. Finally, your little ones will enjoy making and eating this Shark Sushi from Momma Lew.

Check out these other fun learning activities for summer!

Learn about the fascinating world of sharks with this printable shark food chain game!

The Best Beach Books for Kids

Pick up these printable sea monster notebooking pages to learn more about incredible creatures of the deep!

See more fun summer educational ideas on my Summer Activities for Kids Pinterest board!

Share some outdoor crafting fun with this list of 21 easy nature crafts for kids to make!

21 Easy Nature Crafts for Kids

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With the weather warming up, it’s the perfect time of year to head outside with the kids!

Now that we’re sharing more simple crafts with our little ones, we’ve found that natural materials make the perfect art medium.

There are so many ways to use nature to create art.

After all, nature is already a kind of art in itself.

If you’d like to try some natural arts and crafts with your kids over the summer, take a look at these 21 nature crafts for kids!

21 Easy Nature Crafts for Kids

There are so many cute ideas here for taking flowers, pinecones, rocks, and more and repurposing them for adorable craft projects and games.

These are perfect for lazy summer afternoons or early fall evening play!

Thinking of getting outside for a hike? Try these tips for exploring a nature trail with kids!

Share some outdoor crafting fun with this list of 21 easy nature crafts for kids to make!

21 Easy Nature Crafts for Kids

1. Leaf Painting – Look! We’re Learning!

2. How to Make a DIY Pool Noodle Hobby Horse – Molly Moo Crafts

3. Ladybugs Vs. Tadpoles Outdoor Tic Tac Toe Game – Atta Girl Says

4. Painted Rock Art – Typically Simple

5. Rock Garden Caterpillar – Nellie Bellie

6. Nature Craft: Making a Journey Stick – Growing Family

7. Outdoor Spray Painting – The Country Chic Cottage

8. Birdseed Ornaments – One Little Project At A Time

9. Kids Craft: Ice Chalk – We Know Stuff

10. Bug Village – Crafts by Amanda

11. Nature Paintbrushes – Messy Little Monster

12. Nature Craft: Making Leaf Prints – Growing Family

13. Pet Rock Necklace – Crafts by Amanda

14. DIY Bird Feeder Craft – Mommy’s Bundle

15. Happy Camper Garden Planter – ABCs and Garden Peas

16. Toddler Outdoor Canvas Painting Project – Arts and Crackers

17. Butterfly Handprint Garden Pot – Happily Ever Mom

18. Easy Paper May Basket – ABCs and Garden Peas

19. Soda Bottle Fairy Garden House – My Pinterventures

20. Pinecone Owls – Crafts by Amanda

21. Flower Suncatcher – Messy Little Monster

21 Easy Nature Crafts for Kids to Make

Want to try more nature crafts and activities? Don’t miss these posts!

These printable leaf identification flashcards are a fun way to get kids interested in nature!

Make this easy and lovely fall snow globe craft to celebrate autumn with the kids!

These free flower identification cards are great for little budding gardeners or for an outdoor nature walk!

Share these summer outdoor play ideas with the kids while the weather is warm!

60 Awesome Fun in the Sun Ideas for Kids

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Head outside with the kids with this list of awesome fun in the sun ideas for summer!

Summer. It’s the most wonderful time of the year for playing outside.

We live in the South and it. gets. hot. But that’s never stopped our kids from wanting to be outside playing every game imaginable.

After a while, though, the same old games just don’t do it for them anymore. And that’s why I wanted to find some awesome fun in the sun ideas for outdoor play in summer.

Summer Outdoor Play Ideas for Kids and Parents

Below, you’ll find 60, count’em, SIXTY different summer outdoor play ideas for kids. And they are awesome! They can make their own bubble wands, create slime that fizzes, build mud kitchens, and much more!

If you try one of these, come back and tell me how the kids liked it! And if you need more ways to make summer fun, check out our list of 40 simple summer crafts kids can make!

Share these summer outdoor play ideas with the kids while the weather is warm!

60 Awesome Outdoor Play Ideas for Summer

1. DIY Fizzy Slime – Look! We’re Learning!

2. How to Make a Kite – Red Ted Art

3. Driveway Shape Maze – Creative Family Fun

4. Backyard Olympics – Kid World Citizen

5. DIY Rockets for Kids – Frogmom

6. Wet Chalk Color Mixing – School Time Snippets

7. Catapult Splat Painting – There’s Just One Mommy

8. Squirt Gun Painting – Fireflies and Mudpies

9. DIY Mud Kitchen – Megan Zeni

10. Sidewalk Paint Rockets – Gluesticks

11. Recycled Chalk Paint – Rhythms of Play

12. Splash the Alphabet – Days with Grey

13. Ocean Sensory Bin – Frogs and Fairies

14. DIY Obstacle Course for Kids – Buggy and Buddy

15. Outdoor Rainbow Weaving – Where Imagination Grows

16. Summer Paint Sensory Play – Mama Smiles

17. How to Make DIY Bubble Wands and Homemade Bubbles – Natural Beach Living

18. Rainbow Windsock Craft – Kids Craft Room

19. Pool Noodle Boat Racing Game – See Vanessa Craft

20. Bouncy Ball Process Art Painting – School Time Snippets

See more fun in the sun ideas on page 2!

Keep learning all summer with this list of 40 at home summer learning activities for kids!

40 Fun At Home Learning Activities for Summer

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These 40 learning activities for summer are a great way to keep the learning going all during summer break!
Try some of these learning activities for summer to keep kids learning all year long!

I just love summer. In my opinion, it’s the time of year that basically makes life worth living.

The sun is out, you can walk around in flip-flops all day, no one cares if you eat ice cream for breakfast…it’s a good season.

The kids and I tend to take a more relaxed approach to learning over the summer, but I still like to keep them learning as much as possible.

So we found a bunch of at home learning activities for summer that are super fun and great for helping them explore science, math, STEM, literacy, and more!

40 Summer Learning Activities You Can Do at Home

There are 40 different summer learning ideas below, so you can try as many as you like during summer break.

If you decide to do some of these, be sure to come back and tell us how you liked them!

Want to spend summer boosting your children’s literacy skills? Take a look at this list of 50 summer books you can share with them!

Keep learning all summer with this list of 40 at home summer learning activities for kids!

40 At-Home Learning Activities for Summer

What I love about summer break is that you can keep learning with kids, but on your own terms.

No getting up to start school at a set time. No required amount of subjects or hours to cover.

Just time for fun learning with little ones.

40 Fun Summer Learning Activities for Kids

And these at home summer learning activities feature plenty of hands-on, low prep, and interactive ideas to keep preschoolers and elementary kids happy.

Take a look at the list below to get inspired for summer break at home!

40 Fun At Home Learning Activities for Summer

Use this list of 40 fun at home summer learning activities to keep your elementary kids excited to learn!

1

Pineapple Multiplication by Four Roll and Cover Game

This fun multiplication game is excellent for early elementary students! All you need is dice, a printer, and math counters!

2

Playground Science for Kids: Exploring Ramps and Friction on a Slide

Photo Credit: buggyandbuddy.com

Head to the playground to try this simple idea. See how simple machines affect friction with early learners!

3

Exploring Solar Heat – STEM Education

Photo Credit: www.steampoweredfamily.com

Go outside and use solar energy for this one. Show kids how the sun produces heat energy!

4

Human Sundial Shadow Science Experiments

Photo Credit: rhythmsofplay.com

Let kids act as their own scientific instruments! Use this activity to help them tell time with their own shadows.

5

Rescue the Shark Printable Battleship Game

Practice graphing and strategy with a fun summertime game. Plus, this makes a fun indoor activity for hot days!

6

Watermelon Seed Matching Game

Photo Credit: themamaworkshop.com

This is such a cute activity for early learners. And you can even bring it with you and use it as a busy bag!

7

Tide Pool Science Experiment for Kids

Photo Credit: buggyandbuddy.com

Show the kids how tide pools are formed with this simple experiment! And you only need a few supplies to do it.

8

Easy Ice Pop Math Patterns Activity for Kids

This ice pop themed activity is a fun math lesson for kids. Use it to help early learners practice building math patterns!

9

Heating Up Summer Creativity by Constructing a Solar Oven

Photo Credit: mosswoodconnections.com

Show kids how to harness the power of the sun to make an oven. It really works too!

10

How to Make Ice Cream in a Bag with Recording Sheet

Photo Credit: buggyandbuddy.com

We all scream for ice cream! Teach kids how to make ice cream in a bag and record their scientific findings.

11

Cosmic Colors! Solar System Coloring Pages

Teach the names of the planets in the solar system. And give kids a fun art activity too!

12

STEM Sunscreen Experiment – Spray vs. Lotion

Photo Credit: jdaniel4smom.com

Which lasts longer - spray sunscreen or sunscreen lotion? Find out in this summer science experiment!

13

Ice Cream Sounds! Short and Long Vowel Sound Sorting Activity

Have kids who are working on short and long vowel sounds? Let them use the digital or print version of this activity to practice sorting them!

14

Sink or Float Experiment: Physics for Kids

Photo Credit: www.kcedventures.com

Summer time equals time for water play. This fun water science experiment is perfect for little scientists!

15

Easy Sun Prints STEM Activity

Photo Credit: creativefamilyfun.net

Did you know you can use the sun to make color prints? Show kids how to use household objects and solar energy to make art!

16

Shadow Sidewalk Chalk Art

Photo Credit: rhythmsofplay.com

Add a fun art twist to measuring shadows! This is a simple STEM activity that's perfect for long summer days.

17

Simple Science Experiments: Simple Light Refraction Experiment

Did you know you can actually watch light bend? This simple light refraction experiment is so fun for kids to try!

18

Parts of a Dandelion Nature Exploration

Photo Credit: creativefamilyfun.net

Dandelions are all over the place during summer. Examine them with this nature exploration activity.

19

Travel Tales! Vacation Creative Writing Activity for Kids

Heading on a summer vacation? Let kids practice writing about where they went with this simple printable.

20

DIY Butterfly Number Stones

Photo Credit: www.craftsonsea.co.uk

These lovely butterfly number stones include math and art in one. And kids can do the painting themselves!

21

Bottle Rockets

Photo Credit: www.steampoweredfamily.com

Try an exciting science activity this summer with these bottle rockets. Perfect for outdoor play!

22

Amazing Coloring Flower Science Experiment

Photo Credit: www.kindergartenworksheetsandgames.com

See how plants receive nutrients with this simple experiment. And make some cool colored flowers at the same time!

23

All About the Solar System Printable Unit

Ready to explore space? This printable elementary science unit is a great introduction to the members of our solar system!

24

FREE Paint Gun Parts of Speech Game

Photo Credit: www.123homeschool4me.com

Get the kids outside for some messy play with this ELA activity. They won't even notice they're learning!

25

Build Vocabulary with a Summer Word Jar (Plus Tips and Ideas)

Photo Credit: www.whatdowedoallday.com

Encourage kids to keep reading and learning new words this summer with this idea! And it's so easy to set up!

26

Ocean Science for Kids - Easy Ocean Life Experiment Kids Love

Photo Credit: www.naturalbeachliving.com

Explore the zones of the ocean, even if you're landlocked, with this activity. Kids will love looking at it day to day.

27

Roll and Add Seashell Counting Math Game – Free Printable

Photo Credit: www.theartkitblog.com

Add a beachy theme to counting practice with this game. Such a great idea for preschoolers!

28

Ice Cream Printable Summer Reading Log

Keep kids reading over the summer with this printable kit! It comes with a reading log, coloring bookmarks, and more.

29

Make a Balloon Powered Sponge Boat

Photo Credit: www.thecrafttrain.com

This is a fantastic (and easy) STEM activity for summer. Kids can design and build a boat that actually travels!

30

How to Make a Solar Still

Photo Credit: theresjustonemommy.com

Did you know you can make drinking water from the sun's energy? See how in this cool science experiment.

31

Math in Nature Scavenger Hunt for Kids

Photo Credit: www.adventure-in-a-box.com

This printable scavenger hunt is excellent for outdoor exploring. Let kids look for math shapes in nature and record what they find.

32

Animal Houses: Engineering Game for Kids

Photo Credit: www.adventure-in-a-box.com

These printable cards challenge kids to build animal houses of their own. Use household supplies or materials they find outside.

33

DIY Geometry Dice - A Fun Math Practice Tool for Kids!

Play this indoor math game to review angles and lines with elementary kids. Only needs a couple of household items!

34

Color Changing Slime Recipe That’s Sun Activated (Summer Science)!

Photo Credit: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

Have you been making slime with kids? Be sure to try this recipe for solar power-activated color changing slime!

35

Word Building Activity Travel Kit

Photo Credit: iheartcraftythings.com

Put this simple word building kit together for early literacy practice. Great for rides in the car!

36

Water Balloon Letter Smash: Summer Literacy Activity

Photo Credit: www.schooltimesnippets.com

Make learning the alphabet into a summer play activity with this idea. Plus, you could tweak it to use with numbers, shapes, and more!

37

Printable Summer Reading Challenge Bookmarks for Kids

Pick up this printable bookmarks for summer reading with the kids. It's a simple way to help them try new kinds of books too!

38

Sharks! - A Shark Food Chain Game

Get to know how sharks eat and grow with this file folder game. Perfect for shark fans!

39

Printable Beach Unit Study: All About Beaches

Live far from a beach? You can still learn about them with this printable unit for early elementary kids!

40

Printable LEGO STEM Challenge Building Cards

Use these LEGO STEM challenge cards for simple STEM fun. Let kids choose a card or two and see what they can make!

Pineapple Printable Multiplication Game

One of my favorite at home learning activities is a simple no-prep printable game.

And this printable pineapple multiplication by four game is as no-prep as it gets!

Pineapple Multiplication by 4 Game

Just print it out, add a six or ten-sided die, and use counters or buttons to get kids playing.

Best of all – it’s free!

To get your copy of this printable pineapple multiplication by four game, click the image or the link below to have it sent directly to your inbox!

You’ll also get our weekly newsletter this Sunday night!

Click here to get your free printable!

>>> Pineapple Multiplication by Four Game <<<

Did you love these learning activities for summer? Don’t miss these other fun summer projects!

Use this printable Deep Blue Sea ocean activity pack to keep early elementary students practicing ELA concepts at home or over break!
Make this easy sea animal suncatcher craft for a simple summer art project this year!
These simple summer crafts for kids are such a great way to spend time together!

This fun summer bucket list for kids is full of hands-on activities your children will love!

25 Summer Bucket List Activities for Kids

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Keep the little ones entertained this summer with this simple summer bucket list for kids! Plenty of hands-on activities to try during summer break!

Can you believe summer is almost here? Before you know it, your kids will be out of school and looking for ways to pass their summer days.

We don’t usually take an actual “summer break” in our homeschool, but we do slow down drastically during the summer months. We’re still working on some of our concepts, but we try to include plenty of hands-on fun and unstructured play. Which is why I wanted to come up with a summer bucket list for kids that would be perfect for those lazy summer afternoons.

Fun Summer Bucket List for Kids

To make sure your kids (and mine) never get bored, try some of these summer bucket list activities! From crafts to outdoor play, activities, and even indoor activities, there are 25 different crafts and projects to make below.

Looking to add more reading to your child’s summer? Don’t miss our list of 50 summer books for kids to read!

This fun summer bucket list for kids is full of hands-on activities your children will love!

25 Summer Bucket List Activities for Kids

1. Make Solar System Edible Playdough

2. Make a Cupcake Liner Crab Craft

3. Make DIY Sidewalk Foam Paint

4. Build a Mini Mason Jar Aquariums

5. Make A Sand Handprint Keepsake

6. Go On a Color Scavenger Hunt

7. Make Ice Cream in a Bag

8. Craft Bubble Snakes

9. Put Together a Squirt Gun Race Obstacle Course

10. Try Outdoor Cardboard Painting

11. Mix Up Fluffy Slime

12. Try Frozen Dinosaur Eggs Sensory Play

13. Make A Cupcake Liner Octopus Ocean Craft

14. Craft Suncatcher Mosaics

15. Paint With Ice

16. Play Car Wash

17. Make a Pop Bottle Firefly

18. Make Edible Candy Slime

19. Try a Rainbow Walking Water Science Experiment

20. Make Pineapple Thumbprint Art

21. Craft A Round Suncatcher

22. Make DIY Flubber

23. Dye Seashells

24. Create a Suncatcher Jellyfish

25. Build A Stick Raft

Simple Summer Bucket List for Kids

Want to add even more to your summer bucket list for kids? Take a look at these other fun activities for summer break!

These fun moon sand recipe ideas are so easy to make and share for some quick sensory play!

This easy DIY flubber recipe is one of our favorite sensory play activities!

This super easy coffee filter butterfly craft is an adorable project for little ones!

Plus, follow our Summer Activities for Kids board on Pinterest for more fun ways to learn during the warmer months!

This fun solar system-themed edible playdough is a perfect sensory activity for summer!

DIY Solar System Edible Playdough

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Have you ever tried making your own playdough? We’ve done it several times and it’s always a big hit with our kids.

But, if you really want to take it to the next level, edible playdough is where it’s at. Remember always thinking that playdough looked good and then being disappointed when you tried to taste it (whenever your mom wasn’t looking, that is)? Edible playdough actually does taste amazing.

Fun and Easy Solar System Edible Playdough Recipe

So for a fun astronomy sensory play activity, I thought my kids would love some DIY Solar System Edible Playdough! This is so simple and fun to make! And it’s a sweet treat for the kids to enjoy too. (Just don’t let them eat too much or they’ll be bouncing off the ceiling.) Read on to get the recipe for yourself!

Want more fun sensory play? Don’t miss our simple DIY flubber kids can make!

This fun solar system-themed edible playdough is a perfect sensory activity for summer!

Solar System Edible Playdough

Basically, you’re going to make colored sugar frosting. Which is why the kids shouldn’t eat too much, you know?

Solar System Edible Playdough Ingredients

You can use any color of frosting you like, but the Funfetti brand has some awesome brightly colored versions that will give you a lovely color for each planet.

To make Earth and moon playdough, we went with blue frosting (for Earth) and yellow frosting (for the moon).

Solar System Edible Play Dough

Mix the two together to get the right consistency. You want it squishy, but still kind of firm.

DIY Edible Solar System Playdough

Turn your mixture onto a wooden surface.

Finished Earth Edible Playdough

Let the kids mix it up with their little fingers!

Finished Moon Edible Playdough

This is great gross motor skill practice, by the way.

Solar System Edible Playdough Recipe

All you need now are two empty jars with lids (baby food jars are perfect), colored ribbon, and some cute solar system stickers!

Making Solar System Edible Playdough

Fill each jar with one color of the playdough.

Easy Solar System Edible Playdough for Kids

And add the lids!

These particular stickers came from a brick-and-mortar store, but if you want to get something solar system-themed online, try these solar system planet stickers. I actually think those are even better, because you can choose from specific planets with the planet names.

And with the different frosting colors, you could make a batch for every planet in the solar system!

DIY Solar System Edible Playdough Recipe

These would make awesome party favors, but your kids will also love making up their own solar system edible playdough to play with (and taste!).

Click over to page 2 for the full recipe!

These fun moon sand recipe ideas are so easy to make and share for some quick sensory play!

10 Moon Sand Recipe Ideas + Ways to Play!

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Let the kids have some simple sensory fun with these cool moon sand recipe ideas!

Have you ever tried moon sand with your little ones? My four love playing with it! It’s soft, squishy, and moldable, which makes it a wonderful sensory play activity for kids. But once you’ve made one moon sand recipe, you’ve made them all, right?

Nope!

There are plenty of awesome moon sand recipe ideas that you can make at home! Take a look at these fun ways to make moon sand and be sure to check out the different ways to play with your moon sand too!

For more sensory fun, don’t miss this super easy DIY flubber!

These fun moon sand recipe ideas are so easy to make and share for some quick sensory play!

10 Moon Sand Recipe Ideas to Make at Home

These moon sand recipes are really easy to make. Most of them only require a couple of common ingredients!

1. DIY Colored Moon Sand – Look! We’re Learning!

2. Moldable Moon Sand – Laughing Kids Learn

3. Taste Safe Moon Sand – Parenting Chaos

4. 2 Ingredient Moon Sand – Happy Hooligans

5. Glitter Moon Sand – The Imagination Tree

6. Snow Themed Moon Sand – Powerful Mothering

7. Chocolate Moon Sand – Parenting Chaos

8. DIY Play Beach Sand – Look! We’re Learning!

9. Fizzy Moon Sand – Powerful Mothering

10. Pumpkin-Scented Moon Sand – Parenting Chaos

Check out 10 ways to play with moon sand – up next!

Moon Sand Recipe Ideas and Ways to Play

10 Ways to Play with Moon Sand:

Once you’ve chosen one of the moon sand recipe ideas above, try one of these super cool ways to play with it!

1. Moon Sand Construction Bin Play – Happiness is Homemade

2. Moon Sand Absorption Experiment – Lemon Lime Adventures

3. Moon Sand Space Sensory Play – Little Bins for Little Hands

4. Moon Sand Syllable Smash Game – Still Playing School

5. Moon Excavation Sensory Bin – Parenting Chaos

6. Moon Sand Castle Play – Delightful Learning

7. Dinosaur Moon Sand Sensory Bin – Little Bins for Little Hands

8. Moon Sand Desert Small World – Crayon Box Chronicles

9. Moon Sand Space Writing Tray – Gift of Curiosity

10. Moon Sand Beach Small World – Fun-A-Day

Need more simple play ideas to share with your kids? Check out these fun activities!

Make this easy spring toilet roll butterfly craft with your kids! So fun and simple for little ones!

These 20 simple rainy day activities for kids are perfect for indoor fun!

These colorful rainbow activities for kids are perfect for learning about spring weather!

See more ways to play inside on my Indoor Play Pinterest board!

These 20 simple rainy day activities for kids are perfect for indoor fun!

20 Simple Rainy Day Activities for Kids

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There’s nothing our kids love more than being able to run around and play outside. My kids just love spending the afternoon out in the yard, exploring nature, playing basketball, or even drawing on the sidewalk. However, there’s always one thing that can ruin a day of outdoor play, and that’s rain. It never fails that with the first raindrop we start hearing the complaints of “I’m bored.”

But, there are plenty of fun and entertaining ways to spend a day indoors for kids, and you can even do these activities with them! Here are 20 fun rainy day activities to do with your kids that are both simple and educational!

Need even more ways to have fun indoors? Check out this list of 50 ways to beat cabin fever with your kids!

These 20 simple rainy day activities for kids are perfect for indoor fun!

20 Simple Rainy Day Activities for Kids

1. Raincloud Adding to Make Ten Activity – Look! We’re Learning!

2. Make a Ball Maze – Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls

3. Draw with Your Feet – Art Bar

4. LEGO Sensory Soup – And Next Comes L

5. Coin Sorting Activity – Rhythms of Play

6. Paper Plate Targets – All for the Boys

7. Escape the Volcano Shape Game – Toddler Approved

8. Indoor Scavenger Hunt – The Mother Chic

9. DIY Angry Birds Game – Make Great

10. Indoor Classic Golf – For Your Family

20 Rainy Day Activities for Kids

11. Coffee Filter Flower Craft – Look! We’re Learning!

12. Make an Activity Cube – My Mini Adventurer

13. Indoor Hopscotch – Happy Hooligans

14. Sticky Spider Web Game – Hands On as We Grow

15. Puzzle Hunt – No Time for Flashcards

16. Make a Rain Cloud In a Jar – Homeschool Preschool

17. Write Bio Poetry – Proud to be Primary

18. Rainwater Harvesting Experiment – Teach Beside Me

19. Rainbow Rainy Day Art Project – Rhythms of Play

20. Taste-Safe Window Gel Clings – Science Kiddo

Make a rainy day into a fun learning event with these simple rainy day activities for kids!

Share these other fun learning activities with your little ones!

These colorful rainbow activities for kids are perfect for learning about spring weather!

Keep the kids happy this winter with these 50 fun cabin fever activities!

Get ready to welcome warmer weather with these fun spring crafts for kids to make!

Get more fun indoor activity ideas on my Indoor Play Pinterest board!

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