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Views From a Step Stool

Open Minds & Messy Hands

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10 Elf on the Shelf Printables to Download

10 Elf on the Shelf Printables to Download

November 14, 2024 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Here are 10 elf on the shelf printables to use this holiday season. From playing cards, letters, mini activity sheets, and more! The Elf on the Shelf is a fun holiday tradition that has gone far beyond having one of Santa’s little helpers pop up in various spots around the

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Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays Tagged With: christmas, elf on the shelf, printables

12 Elf on the Shelf Ideas

12 Elf on the Shelf Ideas

October 25, 2024 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Here are 12 fun elf on the shelf ideas to add to your list. From a kissing booth, a minecraft elf and more, there is an idea for everyone. Children love having an elf on the shelf in their home. It can make for a really fun countdown to Christmas

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Filed Under: Christmas Tagged With: christmas, elf on the shelf

DIY Advent Calendar with Free Printable Acts of Kindness

DIY Advent Calendar with Free Printable Acts of Kindness

December 1, 2019 By Katie Chiavarone 5 Comments

Check out how to turn muffin tins into a DIY Advent Calendar! Grab the free printable Acts of Kindness calendar to do with the family for the month of December. Now that my kids are a little older, I have been trying to talk about how we can help others and

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Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays, Uncategorized Tagged With: acts of kindness, advent, advent calendar, calendar, chocolate, christmas, kindness, legos

Best Christmas Carols for Kids to Learn

Best Christmas Carols for Kids to Learn

November 25, 2019 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

These 8 Christmas carols for kids include religious carols, Santa carols, and festive songs that kids will love to learn and sing with the family. Although there are still some small communities that allow for families to go door to door caroling, the majority of people have never actually had

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Filed Under: Christmas, Parenting Tagged With: christmas, christmas carols, kids activities

Cinnamon Stick and Fabric DIY Christmas Ornament

Cinnamon Stick and Fabric DIY Christmas Ornament

November 13, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Making a DIY Christmas ornament is such a fun way to celebrate the holidays with kids, and they love to contribute to the decor on the tree. Bonus, these smell really good!  Cinnamon sticks equal the holidays for me, as the smell always brings back images of our wood stove

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Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays Tagged With: christmas, diy, ornament

10 Christmas Sensory Bottles and Bags for Babies

10 Christmas Sensory Bottles and Bags for Babies

November 8, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Sensory play is my favorite way to engage kids in learning. By engaging all of the senses, we process and remember information better. There are many Christmas sensory play ideas for kids, but often sensory play can be messy or contain small parts not suitable for babies and toddlers.  But,

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: christmas, sensory activities for 1 year olds, sensory play

Decorate a Christmas Tree Sensory Bag for Babies

Decorate a Christmas Tree Sensory Bag for Babies

October 30, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Engaging the senses is one of the best ways for kids to learn. Holidays are a time of family fun, and crafting, playing and creating are all awesome ways to learn about and celebrate the holidays. But, it can be difficult to find sensory activities for babies and toddlers, as

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Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays, Mess-Free Sensory Play, Sensory Tagged With: activities for babies, christmas, christmas tree, sensory bag, toddlers

Christmas Tradition: Spot the Decorations Game with Free Printable!

Christmas Tradition: Spot the Decorations Game with Free Printable!

December 12, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

My favorite family Christmas tradition as a child was going on a drive to look at Christmas lights. We would pile into the car, put on the Christmas tunes and go for a nice drive. My siblings and I always liked to point out the most decorated houses and spot

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Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays Tagged With: activities, christmas, fine motor, Games, Holidays, Homeschool, kids activities, preschool

3 Gift Guides for Every Kid on Your List

3 Gift Guides for Every Kid on Your List

November 30, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone

I write often about the power of play on my site. It is how kids learn best, by engaging their senses and exploring open-ended, creative and dramatic play. There are many ways in which kids can play without toys, however, we all know how much kids love to play with toys,

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Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Parenting, Preschoolers Tagged With: christmas, gifts, Holidays, kids, moms, play, Toys

Gift Wrapping Pretend Play and Fine Motor Practice with Recyclables

Gift Wrapping Pretend Play and Fine Motor Practice with Recyclables

November 26, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Gift wrapping pretend play is such a fun activity to do with kids around the holidays, and perfect for building fine motor skills. Cutting, measuring, taping and decorating all incorporate math, art, and motor practice through PLAY. We have been collecting recyclables such as cardboard boxes, toilet paper rolls and milk

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Filed Under: Christmas, Elementary, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: christmas, gift wrap, invitation to create, preschool, pretend play, toddlers

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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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