Hands-On, Open-Ended Creative Kids' Art Activities

Kids need art like plants need sun. In fact, art imitates childhood, when it grows organically and isn't manufactured. I had a sad childhood experience with formula art. A teacher publicly criticized my piece for not fitting the mold.
Admittedly, I didn't follow directions. She specifically said start drawing in the middle of the page. And I drew a boat along the bottom. I completely forgot, being caught up in the joy of creating. And it killed my confidence. Here's how not to let that happen with kids. Art Imitates Childhood: Hands-On, Creative Kids' Art Activities

Cheap, Recycled Gift Craft for Kids--Decoupage Vases

I empathize with moms of little ones--too cold to play outside for long. How about a cheap, chilly day craft for housebound kids? Most everything you need comes from your recycle bin. It's an easy retro crafting technique called decoupage or Mod Page.  Cheap, Recycled Gift Craft for Children

Preschool Animal Alphabet Snacks From A-Z Homemade, Healthy

Teachers, want to make ABCs fun? Here are healthy animal alphabet-themed snacks from A-Z. Use Alpha-Bits cereal, letter pretzels, cookies for letter shape. Make character sandwiches using any spread and leave open face. Use pretzels or matchstick carrots for whiskers. For eyes, use Cheerios, spray cheese, raisins, olives, banana or kiwi slices. Make ears, nose and mouth from apple bits, pimentos, pepper pieces, triangle chips or crackers. Use pretzel sticks for legs. For cookie creations, use candy or fruit to make faces.  Preschool Animal Alphabet Themed Snacks From A-Z

Free Printable Educational Crafts

Summer is an excellent time to explore the wonderful world of free printable craft projects. Cut and paste activities are perfect for day care, kids at home, road trips, rainy day fun and summer craft camps. During the summer, teachers and homeschoolers have an opportunity to make educational games and activities for their classrooms. Free printable activities are the perfect resource for educational games.  Free Printable Educational Cut and Paste Projects and Activities

Free Printable Science Activities, Recipes from PBS ZOOM

ZOOM is a television show from PBS with a long and celebrated tradition in excellence in children's programming. The first ZOOM episodes were shot 1972 and ran until 1978. PBS brought ZOOM back for another six years in starting in 1999. Public Television and the Children's Television Workshop were truly pioneers in creating healthy, safe television shows. PBS and CTW have long been advocates for children. Children featured on the show ZOOM were introduced only by first name and last initial, making ZOOM into a show for kids like you and me.

The purpose of ZOOM as with all of PBS children's programming was to make learning fun. ZOOM featured lots of safe, kid friendly hands on science projects using common household objects.   Free Printable Science Activities and Recipes from PBS ZOOM

Kitchen Science Recipes for Kids

Fun Kitchen Science Recipes: Super Putty Polymer recipe and guide to making a putty like Silly Putty. Safe, inexpensive, fun and easy to make and clean up. View more »