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Views From a Step Stool

Open Minds & Messy Hands

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Why You Should Plant a Garden with Your Kids

Why You Should Plant a Garden with Your Kids

May 11, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

6 Reasons Gardening with Your Kids is Important Gardening with your kids is more than just a fun way to spend time outdoors—it’s a rich, educational experience that offers a host benefits for children of all ages. First and foremost, gardening helps foster a love for nature and an understanding

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Filed Under: Learn Through Play, Outdoors, Summer, Uncategorized Tagged With: garden

20+ Ways to Garden with Kids

20+ Ways to Garden with Kids

April 25, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Involving your children in gardening is a wonderful way to teach them about the earth and the importance of eating fresh, local food. Additionally, it is such a wonderful hands-on STEM learning activity! There is SO much science fun to be had in the garden. Here are some really awesome

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Outdoors, Preschoolers, Spring, Summer Tagged With: garden

Lawn Games for the Family: Backyard, Summer Fun!

Lawn Games for the Family: Backyard, Summer Fun!

April 6, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone 27 Comments

*This is a sponsored post written on behalf of We Seed America and Mom It Forward. All opinions expressed are my own. See more about the policies and disclosure for this blog here. There are SO many benefits to getting outside every day for kids and adults alike. Not only

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Filed Under: Outdoors, Spring, Summer, Uncategorized

Homemade Finger Paint Recipe: Gentle on the Skin

Homemade Finger Paint Recipe: Gentle on the Skin

July 21, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Have you seen the new Ghostbusters movie yet? My oldest son loves the old movies and anything Ghostbuster related. So, we decided to finger paint some ghosts! This homemade finger paint was the perfect recipe for some fun, outdoor summer sensory play and art. And, easy to make and gentle

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Babies, Elementary, Learn Through Play, Outdoors, Preschool Arts& Crafts, Preschoolers, Recipes, Sensory, Summer, Toddler Arts & Crafts, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: art, diy, gentle, Homemade, kids, paint, play, preschoolers, Sensory, toddler

10 Fun Ways to Celebrate (Outside) with Dad on Father’s Day

10 Fun Ways to Celebrate (Outside) with Dad on Father’s Day

July 5, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

It’s the month of dads! There are so many ways you can get outside as a family to celebrate. From homemade gifts, to tools, ties and socks, there are plenty of things to give dad. Here are some ways you can celebrate and spend time with him, making memories that last a lifetime, all while

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Filed Under: Outdoors, Parenting, Spring, Summer, Uncategorized Tagged With: dads, fathers day, gifts, outside, parenting, play, travel

Backyard Ideas for Kids: 5 Spaces to Create

Backyard Ideas for Kids: 5 Spaces to Create

May 1, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

These backyard ideas for kids will give you 5 spaces to create in your own backyard to help kids get outside and play unplugged. Can’t kids just go outside and play? Short answer, YES. Play is ultimately about creativity and really engaging the mind through imagination and exploration. That said,

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Filed Under: Learn Through Play, Outdoors, Sponsored Work, Summer, Uncategorized

Summer Camp at Home: Themed Crafts, Science, Snacks, Sensory and more!

Summer Camp at Home: Themed Crafts, Science, Snacks, Sensory and more!

April 26, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

It’s almost summer! Let’s be honest…are you wondering how you are going to keep your kids busy, off of electronics, and learning throughout the entire summer! It’s a bit daunting I agree…so let’s do it together! Check out this 6 week summer camp at home that you can easily accomplish with your own

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Outdoors, Preschoolers, Summer, Toddlers Tagged With: activities, Arts and Crafts, elementary, preschool, science, Sensory, summer camp at home

Zing Zeon Firetek Bow Review: Indoor and Outdoor Fun (and learning!)

Zing Zeon Firetek Bow Review: Indoor and Outdoor Fun (and learning!)

August 4, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

    The Firetek Zeon Bow by Zing is such a fun toy for kids! We were given the opportunity to review the product after meeting them at Sweet Suite this year. First off, we are huge fans of pretty much anything that lights up and ‘glows’. Watching these shoot across

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Outdoors, Preschoolers, Sponsored Work, Spring, Summer, Uncategorized Tagged With: Blogging, Family Fun, Games, Giveaway. Bloggers, Preschool Homeschool

Sight Word Splat! with the Unicorn Popper

July 29, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

        All kids are fascinated with shooting some kind of projectile into the air…am I wrong? I happen to be one of the parents who is constantly fighting (and losing) the ‘no toy guns’ battle. We have a few basic rules, like no shooting at people, but

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Outdoors, Preschoolers, Sponsored Work, Summer, Uncategorized Tagged With: Preschool Homeschool

Peppa Pig Birthday Party for Kids

Peppa Pig Birthday Party for Kids

June 26, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

 A Peppa Pig Birthday Party Are your kids Peppa obsessed like mine are? I admit…I kind of am too. At first I didn’t understand the appeal of the popular Nick Jr. show…until I really watched it…I mean seriously it’s pretty funny. And I also find it kind of endearing when

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Filed Under: Edible Sensory Play, Outdoors, Recipes, Sensory, Spring, Summer Tagged With: birthday party, kids activities, kids party, party, peppa pig, sensory play

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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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