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Space Activities for Kids: Sensory, Art & Printables!

Space Activities for Kids: Sensory, Art & Printables!

July 31, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

There’s something fascinating, and equally mesmerizing, about outer space. Making it a really fun topic of discussion and questioning for kids of all ages. Here are some space activities to get you started talking and learning with your kids! Space Activities for Kids Engaging all the senses and providing experiential play

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschool Arts& Crafts, Preschoolers, science, Sensory, Toddlers Tagged With: galaxy, planets, space, space activities, STEM

Build a Flying Machine STEM Challenge for Kids

Build a Flying Machine STEM Challenge for Kids

December 20, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

We had the best time learning about the principles of flight and (attempting) to build a flying machine out of household items! After watching ‘Twas the Night Before Liftoff’, we learned about lift, weight, thrust, and drag and were determined to hold a little flying machine STEM challenge in our

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Elementary, Learn Through Play, science, Sponsored Work Tagged With: challenge, education, elementary, flying, Homeschool, science, STEM

Build a Nest STEM Challenge for Kids

Build a Nest STEM Challenge for Kids

October 31, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 6 Comments

This build a nest STEM challenge for kids gets kids thinking creatively and applying imagination to science! A nest making activity for any age! This STEM Challenge for kids is an extension activity to the book, Owl Babies. The illustrations in this book are beautiful. In reading the page that discussed

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, science, Spring Tagged With: birds, build a nest, hands-on, Homeschool, kids activity, outdoors, science, STEM

How to STEM at Home the Simple Way

How to STEM at Home the Simple Way

September 15, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

STEM (science, technology, engineering & math) is all the rage, and it’s no wonder. So many incredible skills can be learned by exploring these topics starting at a young age. And, it’s FUN! Check out how you can STEM at home by getting a box full of fun delivered right

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschool Science, Preschoolers, science, Sponsored Work, Toddler Science, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: Homeschool, kids, moms, preschool, science, STEM, subscription

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

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

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’m constantly on the lookout for activities to engage and entertain them while I manage household chores. While I appreciate and encourage their help with tasks like laundry, dishes, and cooking, there are times when I simply need to focus on

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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

At-Home Science Experiments to do Every Day

At-Home Science Experiments to do Every Day

September 1, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

It’s no secret we LOVE science experiments in our house and I try to do as much STEM education at home as possible. We typically do a lot of experimenting with household objects using bowls, spoons and old medicine droppers as our materials. Having ‘real’ science tools for creating at-home

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschool Science, Preschoolers, science, Sponsored Work, Toddler Science Tagged With: Family Fun, Games, Preschool Homeschool, STEM

Painting with Hexbugs: Combining STEM with Art

July 27, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Disclaimer: For this post, I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.  If a post is written based on compensation, it will include a disclaimer stating so as required by law.    

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschool Arts& Crafts, Preschool Science, Preschoolers, science, Sponsored Work, Toddler Arts & Crafts, Toddler Science, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: Arts and Crafts, STEM

Indoor Highways: Chalk and Construction Paper

July 23, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

This is a SUPER simple process with TONS of learning potential…and pretty mess free! WHAT YOU NEED: -construction paper -chalk -toy car -Legos, toy buildings, people, etc (optional) 1. We used 5×7 sized construction paper and drew both straight and curved roads on a number of pieces. Fun drawing practice.

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschool Arts& Crafts, Preschoolers, Toddler Arts & Crafts, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: Preschool Homeschool, STEM

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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