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Views From a Step Stool

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Costume Ideas for Siblings and Families

Costume Ideas for Siblings and Families

September 2, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Is there really anything cuter than little brothers and sisters dressed up for Halloween with some sort of theme? Here are some super adorable costume ideas for siblings and families…because why should just kids have all the fun? *This post contains affiliate links. For items purchased through these link, this

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: costume, dress up, Family, Halloween, moms, pretend play, siblings

Counting Money Busy Bag for Big Kids

Counting Money Busy Bag for Big Kids

August 17, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 5 Comments

Counting money is an activity that kids can easily take an interest in, and is something that we want to encourage. Doing this in a visual, hands-on way is best for learning. However, we don’t always want to give our kids access to tons of real money to practice this. Here is

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers Tagged With: Busy Bags, fun stuff, Homeschool, kindergarten, learning, moms, preschool

34 Fine Motor Activities to Improve Pincer Grasp

34 Fine Motor Activities to Improve Pincer Grasp

August 11, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 3 Comments

Did you know that you can improve pincer grasp without a pencil? It’s true. There are plenty of fine motor activities that build the muscles in small fingers to help with future handwriting skills. Here are quite a few awesome ones to give little fingers a workout! Fine Motor Activities for

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Learn Through Play, Preschool, Sensory, Uncategorized Tagged With: fine motor, fun, Homeschool, kids activities, moms, play, preschool, toddler

Pocket Fidgets for Kids Who Can’t Sit Still

Pocket Fidgets for Kids Who Can’t Sit Still

August 8, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

If you are a parent of a child who can’t sit still, one of your biggest concerns is most likely how they will fare in school. How will they sit for hours at a time without getting in trouble? Better yet, how will they do this and still be able

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Filed Under: Gentle Parenting, Parenting, Preschool, Sensory, Uncategorized Tagged With: ADHD, fidget, fun, kids, moms, play, school, spirited

The Ultimate Back-to-School Shopping ‘Must-Haves’

The Ultimate Back-to-School Shopping ‘Must-Haves’

July 30, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Did summer fly by where you are? Have you started back to school shopping yet? With a rising Kindergartener, we are in full back to school mode. We made our sensory bin, are acting out school scenes during our play, and of course…..are shopping. I mean I’m using this as

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Filed Under: Sponsored Work, Uncategorized Tagged With: fun, kids, moms, online, school, shop, shopping

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

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

May #TakeTime Link Up: All About Mom

May #TakeTime Link Up: All About Mom

May 3, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Welcome to the #TAKETIME Link Up! We are so happy you joined us! Meet your hosts! This Month’s #TAKETIME Link Up Theme: All About Mom Featured Posts from April’s #TAKETIME Link Up: Spring is in the Air Garden of Love and Flowers by Mosswood Connections Meet Mr. and Mrs. Hairy by

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Filed Under: #TakeTime Linkup, Uncategorized Tagged With: blog, blog hop, Bloggers, link up, moms, mother's day

5 Tips for Flying with Kids

5 Tips for Flying with Kids

April 29, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Tips for Flying with Kids Let’s face it…flying with children can be daunting at worst, and exhausting at best. It requires much preparation and attention, but can provide you with many opportunities for lasting memories and fun! A little bit of organization and confidence can make the whole process a

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Filed Under: Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: airplanes, anxiety, Busy Bags, family travel, flying, kids, moms, travel

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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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