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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

DIY Calm Down Squish Ball and The Superkids Activity Guide

DIY Calm Down Squish Ball and The Superkids Activity Guide

September 4, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Helping kids calm down can be incredibly challenging. If you are raising a spirited, intense, or sensory-seeking child, this can be even harder. This calm down squish ball has been awesome for us! From using a calm-down corner to practicing calming techniques, there are resources that can be of great help.

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Filed Under: Mess-Free Sensory Play, Sensory, Sponsored Work, Uncategorized Tagged With: calm down corner, calm down squish ball, diy, sensory seeker, sensory tool, stress ball

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

Homemade Mother’s Day Gift: DIY Lantern with Printable

Homemade Mother’s Day Gift: DIY Lantern with Printable

May 9, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

I know I personally love receiving a homemade Mother’s Day gift from my kids. I especially love when they create something that looks homemade, and that I can display and use all year long! This DIY lantern is perfect for this! Because there is paper inside the lantern, I recommend using a

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts Tagged With: diy, gift, Homemade, kids craft, lantern, mother's day

Kid-Made Ornaments with Pipe Cleaners and Cookie Cutters

Kid-Made Ornaments with Pipe Cleaners and Cookie Cutters

December 5, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

One of my favorite traditions, and my kids’ new favorites, is making ornaments for the Christmas tree. There are so many totally adorable ones out there, we tend to go more the route of kid-made and simple that we can keep and look back on for years to come. These

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Christmas, Holidays, Preschool Arts& Crafts, Toddler Arts & Crafts, Uncategorized Tagged With: christmas decor, diy, Holidays, Homemade, kid made, ornaments

DIY Christmas Sensory Sticks for Kids

DIY Christmas Sensory Sticks for Kids

November 23, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

These Christmas sensory sticks allow for exploration through the senses of smell, touch, hearing and sight, and, they are incredibly simple to put together!    Engaging all the senses is a really fantastic way to promote learning through play. Hands-on play and the ability to really explore materials creates lasting

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Christmas, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: bells, christmas, craft sticks, diy, homemade toy, sensory play

Spend, Save, Give Jars: Teach Kids How to Manage (and give) Money

Spend, Save, Give Jars: Teach Kids How to Manage (and give) Money

November 6, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

Teaching kids how to be responsible with money is a task in and of itself, helping them understand how to manage it and even allocate some to give to others, can be difficult. We made these fun recycled spend, save, and give jars to help us (as a family and

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Parenting Tagged With: charitable, diy, giving, Homemade, kids crafts, money, recycled

DIY No-Sew Elsa Cape for Pretend Play

DIY No-Sew Elsa Cape for Pretend Play

September 15, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Kids love to dress-up and engage in pretend play. This type of play is integral to development and is a great way for kids to practice imaginative and creative play. My daughter has recently asked for an Elsa cape for a “show” that she has been meticulously planning for a

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: cape, costume, diy, dress up, elsa, frozen, Halloween, kids, no sew, play, pretend play

Spin Art Wall Art for Kids

Spin Art Wall Art for Kids

July 25, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

My kids LOVE to make spin art. The process is super fun, they are making amazing art, and it can keep them occupied for quite some time. However, when they are finished, I am left with gobs…and gobs…of beautiful little squares that are just way too gorgeous to toss. We’ve

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschool, Preschool Arts& Crafts, Preschoolers, Toddler Arts & Crafts, Uncategorized Tagged With: artwork, diy, fun, Homemade, Homeschool, kids, kids art, moms, preschool

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

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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

  • Summer Olympics Bingo Game Printable
  • Constellations for Kids: Constellation Coloring Pages, Flashcards and Science Experiment Printable
  • St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt Printable
  • St. Patrick’s Day Printable Favor Toppers
  • Drawing Garden Game to Print for Kids: Roll and Draw!
  • Printable Valentine’s Day Lunchbox Jokes

What’s New:

  • Summer Olympics Bingo Game Printable
  • Constellations for Kids: Constellation Coloring Pages, Flashcards and Science Experiment Printable
  • St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt Printable
  • St. Patrick’s Day Printable Favor Toppers
  • Drawing Garden Game to Print for Kids: Roll and Draw!
  • Printable Valentine’s Day Lunchbox Jokes
  • Valentine’s Day Color by Number Printables
  • Pin the Carrot on the Snowman Printable Game
  • Printable Christmas Puzzles for Toddlers
  • Christmas Tic Tac Toe Printable Game
  • Christmas Charades Printable Game
  • Printable Coffee Gift Card Holder for Christmas
  • The Gift of Christmas Printable Board Game
  • Christmas Countdown Printable
  • Santa Says Printable Christmas Game
  • Christmas Tree I Spy Printable for Kids
  • Thanksgiving Picture Charades Printable Game for Young Kids
  • Christmas Countdown Dollar Store Craft
  • Roll a Gingerbread Man Christmas Board Game
  • Winter Color by Number Printables

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