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Indoor Camping Activities for Kids: Science, Sensory and Art

Indoor Camping Activities for Kids: Science, Sensory and Art

June 18, 2018 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

These indoor camping activities for kids are excellent for pretend play or for prepping kids for outdoor camping through play.  We have so much fun setting up indoor camping activities and using the theme for pretend play, crafting and games. Here is a list of some of our favorite activities that

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Edible Sensory Play, Learn Through Play, Preschool Arts& Crafts, Preschool Science, Preschoolers, science, Sensory, Toddler Arts & Crafts, Toddlers Tagged With: art, camping, Letter C, Preschool Homeschool, pretend play, science, Sensory

Simple Moana Slime for Ocean Sensory Play

Simple Moana Slime for Ocean Sensory Play

June 29, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

This Moana slime has the perfect texture for sensory play and is made with contact solution as a borax alternative. Add some Moana toys and shells and play! The slime craze is real. My 4 year old is obsessed with Moana-anything right now, so naturally when she saw the glitter

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Sensory Tagged With: disney, kids activities, moana, moana ocean slime, ocean play, pretend play, sensory play

20 Moana Toys Kids Will Love

20 Moana Toys Kids Will Love

June 26, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

20 Moana toys that kids love, perfect for promoting pretend play and learning for kids who love Moana. Dolls, dress-ups and even Moana toys for toddlers.   I have a little Moana lover in my house! We just had a Moana birthday party and have received a plethora of Moana

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Filed Under: Gift Guides, Learn Through Play Tagged With: gift guide, moana toys, pretend play

Erupting Kids Car Wash: Simple Science and Play

Erupting Kids Car Wash: Simple Science and Play

June 20, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

When I think back to childhood, many of my fondest memories are outside building, creating and messing with simple science. My go-to boredom buster was to make a volcano out of mud, add baking soda and vinegar to the top and watch the eruption. It never got old. This reaction combined

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschool Science, Preschoolers, science, Toddler Science, Toddlers Tagged With: car wash, preschoolers, pretend play, simple science, toddlers

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

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

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

Why Is Play In Childhood SO Important? An Interview with The Genius of Play

Why Is Play In Childhood SO Important? An Interview with The Genius of Play

March 8, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

Play in childhood really is SO important in childhood. An IBM survey says CEOs value employees with creativity, which is fostered via childhood play. Additionally, researchers say free play can significantly improve kids’ problem-solving skills and is one of the best ways to stimulate children’s brain development, while make-believe play

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Dramatic Play, Learning Toys, play, pretend play, toddlers, Toys

Simple Ways to Nourish Your Child’s Imagination

Simple Ways to Nourish Your Child’s Imagination

January 15, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 6 Comments

Imagination and creativity are integral components of play in children. As we get older, we tend to focus less on imagination and more on reality. That is, until you have children of your own. They plant you right in the middle of a tea party with stuffed animals, take you

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Filed Under: Edible Sensory Play, Preschool Science, Recipes, Sensory, Sponsored Work Tagged With: breakfast, healthy, imagination, minerals, moms, nesquik, preschoolers, pretend play, toddlers, vitamins

Design & Drill Review: STEM Education Through Play

September 9, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

As a stay at home mom of three little ones, I am ALWAYS searching for something to occupy my kids and keep them entertained for periods of time. Don’t get me wrong, I encourage (and like) them to help me around the house doing laundry, dishes, cooking, etc…but occasionally, I

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Sponsored Work, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: Bloggers, fine motor, math, Mommy Blogger, patterns, Preschool Homeschool, pretend play, STEM, tools, Toys

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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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