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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

Ways to Announce the Birth of a Child

Ways to Announce the Birth of a Child

July 8, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

When it comes to the birth of a child, there isn’t a whole lot that trumps that, especially if it’s the first baby. After nine (it’s really 10) months of miserably carrying a child, all you want to do when it’s born is scream from the rooftops announcing the birth

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Filed Under: Parenting, Sponsored Work, Uncategorized

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

Erupting Water Slide! Backyard, Summer STEM

Erupting Water Slide! Backyard, Summer STEM

July 1, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 2 Comments

Baking soda + vinegar. A favorite in my house and a favorite of mine from childhood. The smell of vinegar still brings me back to elementary science fairs and building volcanoes out of mud in my backyard. The reaction between the two ingredients just never gets old. It’s the ultimate

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: backyard, kids activities, outdoor fun, science, STEM, water play

One-Ingredient Sensory Sand!

One-Ingredient Sensory Sand!

June 27, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 4 Comments

It’s no secret I love sensory play. If you are new to this blog, welcome, I’m Katie, and I’m obsessed with hands-on, dirty, sensory play. Given the fact that babies love to put everything in their mouths, I’m always looking for ways to make our sensory play edible. Additionally, we are were a

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Filed Under: Babies, Edible Sensory Play, Learn Through Play, Sensory, Uncategorized Tagged With: babies, busy mom, kids, preschool, sensory play, stay at home mom, toddlers

The Basics of Baby Safe Play: Babies Can Play Too!

The Basics of Baby Safe Play: Babies Can Play Too!

June 6, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

One of the comments I get the most when talking about sensory play, arts & crafts and science for kids, is “but my baby still puts everything in his/her mouth“. As our babies get older, but aren’t quite ‘big’ kids yet, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep them occupied, finding activities

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Filed Under: Babies, Learn Through Play, Sensory, Toddler Arts & Crafts, Uncategorized Tagged With: activities, babies, baby-safe, edible, Homemade, kids, play dough, Sensory, toddler

5 Olympic Track & Field STEM Activities 

5 Olympic Track & Field STEM Activities 

May 20, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 3 Comments

5 Olympics activities for kids that are easy to do at home. Kids will connect and learn with these STEM activities while learning about the Olympics! For the parents who want to put a wager on the Olympics, they can instantly do so on platforms like bro138.   Track and

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschool Science, Preschoolers, science, Uncategorized Tagged With: elementary, field, kids, olympics, preschool, sports, STEM, summer, track

10 Father’s Day Gifts That Are Absolutely Tool-rific!

10 Father’s Day Gifts That Are Absolutely Tool-rific!

May 20, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Do you have a tool lover in the house? My kids LOVE using Daddy’s tools and building with him, it’s kind of their thing, so Father’s Day always seems like the perfect occasion to make a tool related gift just for dad. It’s often hard to shop for dads, especially

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Holidays, Uncategorized Tagged With: dads, diy, fathers day, gifts, Homemade, kid made, moms, tools

60+ Awesome Activities for 1 Year Olds! {Tested and Loved}

60+ Awesome Activities for 1 Year Olds! {Tested and Loved}

May 11, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 7 Comments

Looking for activities for 1 year olds? You can find TONS of activities for toddlers and preschoolers to do from fun sensory play to fantastic busy bags. The only problem is that a lot of this awesomeness is not geared for one year olds.   Toddlers and ‘1 year olds’

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Babies, Edible Sensory Play, Learn Through Play, Mess-Free Sensory Play, Sensory, Toddler Arts & Crafts, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: 1 year old, activities for 1 Year Olds, Arts and Crafts, fine motor, gross motor, Homeschool, kids, kids activities, moms, parenting, sensory play, toddlers

5 Things You Understand When You Become a Mom

5 Things You Understand When You Become a Mom

May 3, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 4 Comments

When you become a mom. Childhood memories are often filled with moments spent with our loved ones. As a child of a stay at home mom, many of mine are of my mom. I remember often wondering why she did some of the things she did, though never doubting that

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Filed Under: #TakeTime Linkup, Parenting, Uncategorized

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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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