Toddler: 1-3 years

We have been on a quest for indoor entertainment this winter, and this (mostly) Indoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids definitely provided it! Last week in my Architecture and Engineering for Kids series, the girls Made Monuments with Mega Bloks, learning about the majesty of famous and historic architecture.  This week, by…

Nothing makes the one you love feel more special than a unique, customized gift. MY M&M’S let’s you do just that!  This Valentine’s Day, I am creating a special gift for my husband from our own little M&Ms, featuring MY M&M’S with silhouettes of the kids and framed portraits to…

Preschoolers are natural scientists.  Their insatiable curiosity and inquisitiveness set the perfect stage for basic science experiments.  This week, Big M (age 4) and I are exploring science experiments with candy, featuring SweetTart hearts and custom My M&Ms for Valentine’s Day, but you can use any candy you have on hand.…

The toughest part of any preschool party is planning the entertainment!  If you are in charge of your preschooler’s parties this year, I’ve got you covered… with these Top 10 Valentine’s Day Party Games.  And don’t miss the over 200 Valentine’s Day ideas to go with them at the end…

Are you excited?!? Today marks the first activity post in our Architecture and Engineering for Preschool series!  To kick things off, I turned our neglected Mega Bloks into famous monuments even my toddler and preschooler can build. Making Monuments During my Art History for Preschool series last year, some of…

Does the next Frank Lloyd Wright live under your roof? Last week, I launched my latest series: Architecture and Engineering for Preschool.  Over the coming weeks, my girls (ages 4 and 2) will explore a great list of books and activities, featuring the toys and supplies below.  If you have…

After all the fun we had in 2015 with our Art History for Preschool series, I decided to explore some of the other STEAM categories.  Introducing our newest series – Architecture and Engineering for Kids: STEM for Preschool.  To kick things off, today I am sharing a great list of…

Here on the Playground Parkbench, I share everything I would talk about with my fellow parents sitting on the parkbench as our kids play on the playground.  That mostly fits into the broad categories of Parenting and Kids Activities. As my kids have gotten older, where we talk may vary – the…

Even if your toddler can’t stay up to ring in the New Year with you, they can still help you decorate. This is a super simple, sparkly and festive New Year’s Craft for Toddlers.  The end result is so fun though, you might want to make it for grown-up party…

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HolidayMoments #CollectiveBias There is no holiday tradition more observed across my extended family than holiday baking!  What I seemed to block from memory is the massive clean-up that follows.  But don’t let the stress…

Have you been following our Nutcracker holiday mini-series? This marks the final post in our Plan the Perfect Nutcracker Party series with activities, decor, and favor ideas, paired with festive food contributions from Eats Amazing.  Today’s Jingle Bell Ribbon Sticks will have your tiny dancer party-goers dancing along like Sugar Plum…

I come from a long, line of bakers.  My great grandmother invented the gum paste flower technique now used to adorn wedding cakes with candy clay flowers around the country.  And Christmas is prime baking season.  My personal favorite family recipe is for Gingerbread Cookies! And since after baking cookies for over…

What Nutcracker party is complete without tutus and dancing?!? Motivate your tiny dancer party-goers to dance with these festive DIY Party Favors… today, we are sharing the how-to for snowflake wands to go with the Waltz of the Snowflake. Wednesday I’ll be back with the how-to for the jingle bell…

Our Nutcracker party planning continues… and no party is complete without themed decor.  This week we created a simple burlap holiday banner featuring Nutcracker silhouettes for less than $10, with great Pottery Barn-esque effect! DIY Nutcracker Silhouette Holiday Banner For Day 3 of our Nutcracker series, I created this simple holiday…

This project took some bravery on my part.  You may have noticed most of our activity posts feature Big M, with Lil’ M along for the ride.  Big M (age 4) is my rule stickler, takes direction well, and since birth, has possessed an incredible attention span.  Lil’ M (age…

The Nutcracker is more than just ballerinas and tutus!  The battle scene features the Nutcracker and his army of toy soldiers versus the Rat King and his minions.  Today, I’ve recreated this battle with a fun Nutcracker game on a cinnamon stick tic tac toe board! The Nutcracker Series Welcome…

People thought I was crazy when I took Big M, then age 3, to see The Nutcracker last holiday season.  She was captivated from the opening curtain to the final curtsies.  She still watches it almost daily, narrates the scenes, requests to listen to the soundtrack in the car, and re-enacts…

Over the past few Fridays, I have been sharing ways to save money this season, while the rest of the world breaks the bank!  Today’s Financially Savvy holiday savings tip? Bake It, Don’t Buy It.  For many people on your holiday list, baked goods make an excellent Christmas gift.  And…

Andy Warhol was a leading figure in the Pop Art movement.  His artistic exploration of pop culture produced mixed media series featuring icons of the day, from Marilyn Monroe to Campbell’s Soup cans.  For our latest project in the Art History for Preschool series, the girls (ages 4 and 2) were easily…