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Archives for August 2017

Bug I-Spy Busy Bag

Bug I-Spy Busy Bag

August 29, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

This i-spy busy bag is great for young learners as well as ‘big kids’. Also, because it’s contained in a small bag, it’s the perfect busy bag for on the go. We use busy bags for quiet time at home, long car/airplane rides, and waiting rooms. They are life savers. Plus,

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Filed Under: Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Spring, Toddlers Tagged With: bugs, busy bag, fine motor, i spy

Word Family Games Busy Bag for Big Kids

Word Family Games Busy Bag for Big Kids

August 28, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

This ice cream craft creates word family games, perfect for big kids to practice word building and reading. Make it a busy bag for big kids on the go by laminating pieces and using a pencil pouch! *This post contains affiliate links. Make Your Ice Cream Word Family Games Craft

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts

Apple Science Experiments and Sensory Play

Apple Science Experiments and Sensory Play

August 23, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Apple science experiments are so fun for kids. Using apples for science experiments is perfect for the Fall. Kitchen science and apple sensory play too! Apple science experiments are so fun for kids. Hands-on, experiential learning like this really helps kids remember and process information. The Fall is such a

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Filed Under: Fall, Preschool Science, science, Toddler Science Tagged With: fall

Letter T Craft for Kids: T is for Tutu (plus ballerina books for kids!)

Letter T Craft for Kids: T is for Tutu (plus ballerina books for kids!)

August 21, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Learning letters and letter sounds can be difficult for some kids, especially if they process information better through hands on activities. Making a letter craft gives kids the opportunity to cut, color, pinch, use fine motor skills (and more) while learning about letters. Such a fun way to learn! This alphabet letter

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschool Arts& Crafts, Preschoolers, Uncategorized

Best Tips for Hiking with Kids + Printable Nature Scavenger Hunt

Best Tips for Hiking with Kids + Printable Nature Scavenger Hunt

August 15, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

As a mom on-the-go with my kids, I have a few tricks up my sleeve to keep my kids happy while out and about. One of our favorite ways to connect as a family, and with nature (which we know is SO important for kids), is to go on a

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Filed Under: Learn Through Play, Outdoors, Sponsored Work Tagged With: clif kids, zbar

15 Fall Leaf Crafts for Kids

15 Fall Leaf Crafts for Kids

August 14, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Fall leaves are the perfect tools for making fall leaf crafts with your kids. They’re abundant, and part of the fun is just collecting them! With so many different colors and sizes out there, the crafting possibilities are just endless! For those of you who don’t want to bring the outdoors

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Filed Under: Fall Tagged With: fall

10+ Art Activities for 1 Year Olds

10+ Art Activities for 1 Year Olds

August 9, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone 2 Comments

These art activities for 1 year olds are safe for toddlers, and encourage them to engage with materials around them to practice so many wonderful skills.   Engaging in art activities for 1 year olds is great for a number of reasons. It is an easy way to introduce colors, shapes,

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Babies, Learn Through Play, Toddlers

STEM Challenge: Can You Build a Boat for Moana?

STEM Challenge: Can You Build a Boat for Moana?

August 7, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

We love doing STEM challenges in our house. From building bird nests to designing flying machines, this process encourages kids to explore, experiment, invent and imagine. I enjoy watching my kids go through the process of trying, improving, and trying again. In this STEM challenge, we build boats for Moana,

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Filed Under: Uncategorized

Fine Motor Bug Activity for Preschoolers

Fine Motor Bug Activity for Preschoolers

August 7, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

This bug activity for preschoolers encourages attention to detail and fine motor skills, as kids hunt for bugs hidden in moss. The addition of tools such as tweezers and magnifying glasses makes this experience really fun for toddlers, preschoolers, and beyond! *This post contains affiliate links. Set Up Your Bug

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Filed Under: Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Sensory, Spring, Toddlers Tagged With: bug unit, bugs, fine motor, insects, preschool

7 DIY Moana Necklaces Kids Will Love to Make

7 DIY Moana Necklaces Kids Will Love to Make

August 2, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

Moana is such a hit in our house right now. From DIY Moana necklaces, to Moana slime and Moana birthdays, we are in the middle of a craze. Our simple Moana necklace craft is perfect for younger children to make mostly independently, and is great as a DIY dress-up accessory.

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Preschool Arts& Crafts Tagged With: diy, kids crafts, moana, moana necklaces

Welcome to Views From a Step Stool!

Welcome to Views From a Step Stool!

I am a mom to three little ones and love to create and explore every day with them! We have open minds and messy hands, come join in our adventures!

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What’s New

  • 12 Snowman Crafts for Kids
  • 10 Elf on the Shelf Printables to Download
  • 12 Elf on the Shelf Ideas
  • Candy Corn Sensory Bin
  • Emotions Sensory Bag
  • 10 Thanksgiving Handprint Crafts

What’s New:

  • 12 Snowman Crafts for Kids
  • 10 Elf on the Shelf Printables to Download
  • 12 Elf on the Shelf Ideas
  • Candy Corn Sensory Bin
  • Emotions Sensory Bag
  • 10 Thanksgiving Handprint Crafts
  • Build a Jack-o-Lantern Sensory Craft
  • Breakfast Smoothies for Kids with BlendJet Portable Blender
  • 12 Outdoor Painting Ideas for Kids
  • Educational Sensory Bin Ideas
  • 12 Animal Sensory Bin Ideas for Kids
  • 10 Insect Themed Sensory Bins
  • 12 Bee Crafts for Kids
  • 15 Easter Chick Crafts for Kids
  • 15+ Earth Day Crafts for Kids
  • St. Patrick’s Day Emotion Cut and Paste Printable Activity
  • Valentine’s Day Charades Words
  • Printable Color by Number Valentine’s Day Cards for Kids
  • Valentine’s Day Kindness Countdown Calendar: Free Printable
  • Valentine’s Day Pixel Art Color by Number: Free Printables

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