Homeschool Curriculum Archives - Look! We're Learning!

Rescue the Shark Printable Battleship Game

July 9, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Long, hot summer afternoons are made for playing inside.

Well, that and ice cream cones.

As much as I love letting my kids play outdoors in the summer, we live in the Deep South. Which means that once it gets to around 1:00, the temperature is close to 100.

So it’s time to head indoors.

Which is where this Rescue the Shark printable battleship game comes in handy!

This is a fun and simple indoor game that you can let the kids play together. It only requires a couple of supplies and it’s sure to keep them entertained for a while.

So you can enjoy a glass of lemonade (or an ice cream cone) in relative peace.

Read on to see how to play this game and how to score your copy – free!

And, don’t miss our printable Shark Food Chain File Folder Game too!

Use this printable rescue the shark game to help kids have fun play time indoors!

Printable Rescue the Shark Battleship Game

To play this printable Rescue the Shark Battleship Game, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Rescue the Ocean Animals Printable Game for Kids

If you’ve ever played the classic board game Battleship, this is basically the same idea.

Each player starts by folding their game board in half.

The top half should show “My Animals” and the bottom half should show “Their Animals”.

Then each player chooses spots on the “My Animals” section to draw their sharks.

The goal is to “rescue” the other person’s sharks by calling out the correct coordinates in which the other player has drawn them.

The first player to rescue all of their opponent’s sharks wins!

Scroll down to get your copy of this printable Rescue the Shark Battleship Game!

Try some of these other printable game ideas for kids!

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

This English and Spanish hygiene bingo game is a fun way to help early learners build hygiene skills!

To get your copy of this Rescue the Shark Printable Battleship Game, click the image or the link below to download it directly to your computer!

> Rescue the Shark Printable Battleship Game <

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!

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!

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!

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!

To get your set of these ice cream themed comparing worksheets, click the image or the link below to visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

Ice Cream Themed Same and Different Worksheets

>>> Compare Cones! Ice Cream Worksheets <<<

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!

These printable counting puzzles are a fun and simple way to help early learners practice counting objects, recognizing numerals, and reading number words!

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!

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.)

Printer (with ink)
Printer paper or cardstock
Scissors
Laminator (optional)

Printable Shark Counting Puzzles for Kids

This product includes two different sets of counting puzzles. Each puzzle consists of two pieces.

One set of puzzles shows the numeral on the left side and the corresponding number of shark fins on the right.

The second set of shows the number word on the left and the corresponding shark-themed numeral on the right side.

All you have to do is cut the puzzles apart and then let students practice matching them up!

Try introducing the first set on one day and the second during a separate lesson.

Once the students are familiar with each counting concept, combine them for a little challenge!

Scroll down to get your copy of these printable counting to ten puzzles!

Take a look at these other activities for early math learners!

Pick up this bee themed counting one more and one less math center to help early learners practice counting on during spring!

To get your copy of these Shark Spotting! puzzles, click the image or the link below to get them from my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

>>> Printable Shark Counting Puzzles <<<

Summer Color by Shape Activity for Kids

June 9, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

I used to spend hours working on color by number pictures when I was young.

I even remember a watercolor paint by number book that I ruined by using too much water on one of the pages.

So I know that kids love coloring coded pictures. And that’s why I thought it would be fun to share this summer-themed color by shape activity for early learners!

This is a perfect summer art activity for little ones who are just learning their basic 2D shapes!

Read on to see how to get your copy.

And, for more fun with coloring, don’t miss our Space Color by Sight Word Activity!

Use this Summer Color by Shape activity to help early learners practice recognizing shapes with a fun art twist!

Summer Fun Color by Shape Activity for Kids

To use this printable summer color by shape activity, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Summer Color by Shape Art Activity for Kids

This product includes four different summer-themed color by shape pictures.

Each picture uses a different set of shapes and a different color scheme. So kids won’t be able to guess what each image is in advance.

If you need a visual guide, especially for younger learners, this product also includes a full answer key with all four pictures colored in and completed.

Printable Summer Color by Shape Activity

Little ones can color shapes they recognize on their own according to the code. Or they can look at the completed pages and work using them as a guide.

These are a wonderful way to get a little geometry practice while having a little summer fun too!

Scroll down to get your copy of this Summer Color by Shape Activity!

Think your students will like this coloring activity? Take a look at some of these other summer learning activities for kids!

To get your copy of this Summer Fun! Color by Shape Art Activity, click the image or the link below to get it from our store!

>>> Summer Color by Shape Art Activity <<<

40 Simple Summer Crafts for Kids

June 8, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

One of the things I love best about summer is that it’s such a relaxed time.

While we still continue schooling, we do so without making lesson plans or trying to meet objectives.

Unfortunately, that also leaves a lot of free time for the kids.

And it only takes a couple of days into June before they’re shouting “Mom, I’m bored!”

That makes summer a great time of year to do some crafting. And these simple summer crafts for kids are perfect!

Each of these crafts requires six or fewer supplies, so they’re awesome for quick art activities, afternoon family fun, or easy projects for the…ahem….not so crafty among us. (Myself included.)

Take a look to find some easy summer crafts you’ll love to share with the kids!

And, for more summer fun, don’t miss our list of 50 summer books to share during read-aloud time!

40 Simple Summer Crafts for Kids:

1. Toilet Roll Butterfly Craft – Look! We’re Learning!

2. Seaside Shell Windchime – Red Ted Art

3. Easy Pebble Art – Blue Bear Wood

4. Pool Noodle Shark – J Daniel 4’s Mom

5. DIY Bubble Snake Blower – Messy Little Monster

6. Paper Roll Flowers – The Best Ideas for Kids

7. Glowing Campfire Craft – Buggy and Buddy

8. Painted Seashell Craft – Moms and Crafters

9. Coffee Filter Crab Craft – Look! We’re Learning!

10. Tin Can Lanterns – Rainy Day Mum

11. Threaded Watermelon Craft – Homebound But Hopeful

12. Flower Petal Suncatcher – Messy Little Monster

13. Salt Dough Shell Pendants – Red Ted Art

14. Starfish and Sand Paper Plate Craft – J Daniel 4’s Mom

15. Egg Carton Bee – Buggy and Buddy

16. Decorated Sunglasses – Moms and Crafters

17. Coffee Filter Jellyfish Craft – Look! We’re Learning!

18. Grass Seed Art – Blue Bear Wood

19. DIY Friendship Bracelets – Red Ted Art

20. Painted Watermelon Craft – Homeschool Preschool

See more simple summer crafts for kids on page 2!

Pages: 1 2

Ice Cream Colors! Ice Cream Coloring Pages

June 4, 2020 by Selena Robinson 2 Comments

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.

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!

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.)

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

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.

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

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

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!

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 <<<<<

Printable LEGO STEM Challenge Building Cards

June 1, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Anyone else have kids who get a new toy and then are bored with it ten minutes later?

I think this is pretty common, but I didn’t expect it to happen when we got our kids a set of LEGO blocks.

I imagined my children making endless creations and showing them off to all of their friends. Also, I was kind of hoping at least one of them would take to engineering.

What actually happened was that we bought the blocks and they just sat in the closet for months on end.

Turns out my kids needed a little inspiration jump start.

So I’m glad to share these printable LEGO STEM Challenge Building Cards with all of you – in case yours need a little boost too.

There are enough LEGO building ideas here for four weeks of open-ended STEM play!

Which can be a real lifesaver on long afternoons, believe me.

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

Ready for more fun with LEGO blocks? Take a look at our list of 20 LEGO STEAM Activities for kids to try!

These printable LEGO STEM Building Challenge Cards are a fun way to get kids into STEM building over the summer!

Printable LEGO STEM Challenge Building Cards

To use these printable LEGO STEM Challenge Cards, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

This printable LEGO building challenge features 28 different LEGO build ideas for kids.

Each idea features a specific component, but also leaves much to each child’s imagination.

Printable Lego STEM Challenge Building Cards

Several of the LEGO build ideas also include other concepts, such as science, math, and engineering.

So these are awesome for a quick STEM activity with students of just about any age!

LEGO STEM Challenge Building Cards for Kids

Do you have specific LEGO ideas you’d like your kids to try? Do they have specific challenge ideas of their own?

This set also includes six blank LEGO challenge cards, so you can let the kids challenge one another (or you) to make a creation as well.

If you’d like, you can laminate the blank cards and then let the kids write challenges with dry erase markers. That way, you can wipe them clean and let them come up with more ideas later!

Scroll down to get your set of these printable LEGO Building Challenge Cards!

Looking for more fun ways to learn with STEM? Try these activities!

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!

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!

To get your copy of these printable STEM LEGO Challenge Cards, click the image or the link below to download them directly to your computer – free!

LEGO STEM Printable Building Challenge Cards for Kids

>>> LEGO STEM Challenge Building Cards <<<

25 Super Easy Preschool Crafts You Can Make in 10 Minutes

May 28, 2020 by Selena Robinson 3 Comments

I love to make crafts with my kids, especially when they’re very young.

What I don’t like is having to buy a whole lot of supplies (and expensive ones, at that!) for a project that I’ll only do once.

So, when I make a craft with my preschooler, I always prefer to do one that I can get done in 10 minutes or less.

After all, Pre-K kids have pretty short attention spans.

If you’re looking for some simple crafting fun for young kids, try this list of super easy preschool crafts you can make in just 10 minutes!

This list is full of easy PreK crafts for each season.

Some work well for spring, others for summer or fall, some are perfect for winter – and some are great any time of the year!

Read on the see the full list. And for more simple preschool ideas, check out my list of 10 preschool learning activities you can do in 10 minutes!

25 Super Easy Preschool Crafts

1. Toilet Roll Butterfly Craft – Look! We’re Learning!

2. Torn Paper Fall Tree Craft – Hands On As We Grow

3. Easy Snowflake Craft – Mama Smiles

4. No-Sew Sock Snowman Craft – Easy Peasy and Fun

5. Easy Wax Boats – Housing a Forest

6. Train Tape Resist Craft – Look! We’re Learning!

7. Easy Craft Stick Snakes – Crafty Morning

8. Coffee Filter Apple Craft – Look! We’re Learning!

9. Easy Shapes Salt Truck Craft – Sugar Aunts

10. Pringles Can Binoculars – Happy Hooligans

11. Farm Paper Bag Puppets – Look! We’re Learning!

12. Easy Paper Plate Watermelon Craft – ABC Creative Learning

13. Simple Fork Print Sunflower Craft – Crafty Morning

14. Simple Farm Craft with Stickers – I Heart Crafty Things

15. Coffee Filter Sun Craft – Look! We’re Learning!

16. Shape School Bus Craft – Look! We’re Learning!

17. Simple Cardboard Tube Construction Set – Inner Child Fun

18. Simple Craft Stick Photo Frame – Living Montessori Now

19. Woven Craft Stick Butterflies – The Craft Train

20. Sea Shell Salt Dough Craft – Teach Mama

21. Farm Shoebox Diorama – Look! We’re Learning!

22. Simple Airplane Craft – Learning 4 Kids

23. Paper Plate Cars – Glued to My Crafts

24. Clothespin Snowman Craft – Easy Peasy and Fun

25. Easy Shape Car Craft – Look! We’re Learning!

Did you like this post? Try these other early learning ideas!

This post is part of the Crafts for Kids Unit Study roundup! Stop by to read other great kids’ crafts posts from my fellow educators!

How to Create a Kids Crafting Kit {Free Printable Shopping List} from Crafty Mama in ME

9 Great Craft Book for Kids from Faith and Good Works

Unicorn Crafts for Kids from Schooling a Monkey

Most Popular Kids Crafts of the Year from The Moments at Home

Letter F Craft: Flamingo Fun! from Mrs. Karle’s Sight and Sound Reading

20 Fun Lighthouse Books for Kids

May 26, 2020 by Selena Robinson 4 Comments

I grew up in Southern Georgia near Savannah, so I’ve been to Tybee Island many times in my life.

The Tybee Island Lighthouse always made me wonder about what it’s like to keep a lighthouse.

As a child, I thought it would be boring and lonely. Now that I’m older, I think I’d love the peace and quiet.

Having kids will do that to you.

But lighthouses are still fascinating structures for children to explore and these lighthouse books for kids are a great way to introduce them to young ones!

These children’s lighthouse books feature non-fiction selections, as well as learning activities and mystery stories that kids will love!

Read below to see the full list. And, for more fun beach reading picks, take a look at our list of beach books for kids too!

These books about lighthouses for kids make wonderful read alouds over the summer. Share some with young readers this year!

20 Fun Books about Lighthouses for Kids

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

1. The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge

2. The Lighthouse Family: The Storm

3. The Lighthouse Cat

4. North American Lighthouses Coloring Book

5. The Boxcar Children: The Lighthouse Mystery

6. The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch

7. Lighthouse Seeds

8. Lighthouses for Kids: History, Science, and Lore with 21 Activities

9. Safely to Shore: The Story of America’s Lighthouse

10. Abbie Against the Storm: The True Story of a Young Heroine and a Lighthouse

11. Lighthouse Dog to the Rescue

12. The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter

13. One Lighthouse, One Moon

14. Birdie’s Lighthouse

15. The Lighthouse of Souls

16. Hello Lighthouse

17. Lighthouses of North America

18. The Lost Lighthouse

19. One Lighthouse, One Moon

20. The Lighthouse

Get more ideas to explore beaches with your kids below!

$Learn about the science of beaches plus get fun math, language, and geography practice in this printable beach unit study!$

Get more ideas for learning about lighthouses from these educators!

Visiting the Point Arena Lighthouse with Children from Crafty Mama in ME

Lighthouse Printable Number Sequencing Puzzle for Preschool from Schooling a Monkey

Cupcake Liner Lighthouse Craft from Play Dough & Popsicles

Marblehead Lighthouse Marblehead, OH from Something 2 Offer

Lighthouse Word Search from Tales of Education at Home

20 Kid-Friendly Lighthouse Hikes around the World from FrogMom

Printable Summer Reading Challenge Bookmarks for Kids

May 25, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Summer is a wonderful time to read as many books as you can stand.

I know. It’s how I spent pretty much every summer growing up.

We’ve always encouraged our kids to read as much as possible, but they tend to read by themselves in their own rooms.

So – to help them stretch out and read with each other and to try new works, we’re using these printable summer reading challenge bookmarks this year!

These are simple (and fun!) ways to motivate kids to read new books with new people this summer.

And you can get a set free!

Read on to get your copy. And, for more fun with summer reading, check out our Sweet Reads! Ice Cream Literacy Kit!

Printable Summer Reading Challenge Bookmarks

To use this printable summer reading challenge, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printable Summer Reading Challenge Bookmark for Kids

The printable includes one sheet with five identical bookmarks.

We have four children, so I wanted them each to have their own. Plus an extra one for me to join along.

Printable Summer Reading Challenge Bookmarks for Kids

These are really simple to use.

Just print the sheet (as many copies as you need). Then use a paper cutter to divide them into individual bookmarks.

If you like, you might want to laminate the sheet before handing the bookmarks out. They’ll hold up better that way.

Printable Summer Reading Challenge for Kids

As you can see, each bookmark lists 14 different ways to read this summer.

There are new places to read, new types of books to try, and new people to read books to.

Hold your own summer reading program by setting a date for kids to check off all of the items on their bookmarks.

Be sure to hand out a prize or have a simple party to celebrate!

Scroll down to get your free Printable Summer Reading Challenge Bookmarks!

Take a look at these other fun literacy activities!

Help early writers practice naming colors and writing complete sentences with this donut colors sentence writing activity! Perfect for literacy centers!

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!

To get your copy of these printable summer reading bookmarks for kids, click the image or the link below to download them to your computer!

Printable Summer Reading Challenge BookmarkPrintable Summer Reading Challenge Bookmark

>>> Printable Summer Reading Bookmarks <<<

20 Distance Learning STEM Activities for Kids

May 21, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

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!

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 easy STEM activities for kids are great for building enthusiasm to learn science, technology, engineering, and math!

Deep Blue Sea! Printable Ocean ELA Activities for Kids

May 19, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

The town I grew up in was about half an hour inland from the coast. So the ocean has always had a special place in my heart.

As a kid, I was always excited to go to the beach and play on the sand, wade in the waves, and just generally be happy.

I didn’t know it at the time, but the most fascinating part of the coast is the part I never saw – the animals that live below its surface.

As summer approaches, the ocean is a common learning theme for early elementary students. This Deep Blue Sea! ocean ELA activities set is a fun way to keeps kids engaged over break!

This set of printable activities helps kids practice basic ELA concepts while learning more about the marine animals that call the ocean home.

Read on to see how to get your copy. And, for more fun with ELA activities, don’t miss our Delicious Donuts! ELA Activity Set too!

Use this printable Deep Blue Sea ocean activity pack to keep early elementary students practicing ELA concepts at home or over break!

Deep Blue Sea! Printable Ocean ELA Activities for Kids

To use this set of printable ocean ELA activities, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printable Ocean Themed Activity Set for Early Elementary

This set of ocean-themed activities includes:

Two ocean animal word unscramble worksheets
One coded beach jokes worksheet
One ocean-themed make-a-word activity
One design a marine animal creative writing activity
And one ocean-themed adjectives prompt

Early Elementary Ocean Themed ELA Activity Set

Early elementary students will love completing these activities without worrying about getting the answers “right”.

It’s simply a fun way to stay in practice while using adjectives, word building skills, and creative writing.

Early Elementary Deep Blue Sea Ocean ELA Activity Pack

All of the printable activities are line art only, so you can print them on regular paper and let students color in the pages if you like.

Or you can print them on blue and green AstroBright paper for a nautical vibe!

Scroll down to get your copy of these printable ocean ELA activities!

Take a look at these other fun ways to teach ELA skills!

Have a sweet ELA lesson with this delicious donuts ELA activity set! Several ELA activities with a fun donut theme!

This printable apple tree life cycle is perfect for fall science and ELA practice! Add it to writing centers or science centers!

Help students write about places they have visited or want to visit with this simple vacation creative writing activity!

To get your copy of this Deep Blue Sea! Ocean ELA Activities Set, click the image or the link below to visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

Fun Ocean Themed Activity Set for Early Elementary Students

>>> Deep Blue Sea! Ocean ELA Activities Set <<<

Ice Cream Sounds! Short and Long Vowel Sound Sorting Activity

May 18, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Is there anyone alive who doesn’t scream for ice cream?

I’m sure there must be, but I have yet to meet a person who doesn’t.

My kids (like most kids) are fanatics for ice cream. One loves chocolate, one loves strawberry, one loves cake batter, and one loves cookies & cream (like yours truly).

With warmer weather on the way, I thought ice cream would be a fun theme for an early phonics resource: this short and long vowel sound sorting activity!

Fun Ice Cream Vowel Sound Sorting Activity

This is such a fun way to help students practice recognizing short and long vowel sounds as they learn to read.

And it’s available as a printable activity for literacy centers and a digital resource, so you can use in small groups or for distance learning!

Keep reading to find out how to get your copy. For more early phonics practice, don’t miss our printable Rhyming Word Puzzles too!

Ice Cream Sounds! Digital & Print Vowel Sound Sorting Activity

To use the printable version of this vowel sound sorting activity, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)