Free printable Spiderwick Chronicles lesson plans: Fantasy books coloring pages | Examiner.com

March is National Reading Month, time to focus on the best in children's literature. Today's featured genre is woodland folklore fantasy books. Does your spine tingle at the mention of sprites, pixies, brownies, ogres, hobgoblins, faeries and gryphons? Then "The Spiderwick Chronicles" is just the book series/movie for you! The first book Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide just celebrated its 10th birthday. Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi wrote and illustrated the The Spiderwick Chronicles. There are five more Spiderwick Chronicles stories: The Seeing Stone, Lucinda's Secret, The Ironwood Tree and The Wrath of Mulgarath. Spiderwick is Lord of the Rings for elementary school. There are three more books from Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles called The Nixie's Song, A Giant Problem and The Wyrm King.  Free printable Spiderwick Chronicles lesson plans: Fantasy books coloring pages

Homemade gifts and crafts using recycled valentines, wrapping paper

Did your little Miss take her neatly-labeled valentines to school and arrive home with reciprocal Valentine cards from friends? So now, what to do with these prized missives? Clean freaks will toss when she isn't looking. Sentimental (ahem, packrat) parents will urge saving. Artsy (messy) moms won't know what happens to valentines because they will filter into general room litter. None of these is very satisfying considering cost, work and love put into valentines. Here are five cheap, homemade crafts using recycled and repurposed children's valentines. Perfect to use as gift crafts for Easter, Teacher Appreciation Month, Mother's Day, Father's Day or Grandparent birthday gift.   Mothers Day gifts, homemade crafts using recycled valentines

Arts and crafts party for kids: Recycled crafts, DIY children's craft projects

Kids love playing in snow. But below-zero winter wind chills force parents to keep kids in the house. Schools cancel recess if it's too cold. Excess time spent cooped up, makes for restless, irritable children. Looking for cheap, indoor activities for bored, winterbound kids? How about an arts and crafts party for kids? Here are cheap recycled crafts and children's craft projects to occupy sick, snowbound or bored kids.   Arts and crafts party for kids: Recycled crafts, DIY children's craft projects

Free printable holiday color-your-own greeting cards coloring pages

Parents, you know how it's hard to keep kids occupied productively. And you know how bored kids get into mischief. Work-at-home and stay-at-home parents have it doubly tough. Then add to that a holiday, and you have antsy children, underfoot, making preparations even harder. Well, don't despair. Here are boredom busters for kids--free printable color-your-own greeting cards. Put busy-body kids to work making cards to send and share. Use these holiday coloring pages to engage kids in holiday preparations, making decorations. These links have greeting cards to print and color, for all holidays.  Free printable holiday color-your-own greeting cards coloring pages

Free printable Catholic crafts, Bible bingo, Christian games, religious puzzles | Examiner.com

The Catholic liturgical year heads into Lent on Feb. 10, 2016. In this most solemn and meaningful season, Catholic school teachers, religious education instructors, homeschool parents will enjoy these free printable Catholic crafts, Christian games, religious puzzles and activities. Use these for lesson plans, party games, holy day activities and family fun.  Free printable Catholic crafts, Bible bingo, Christian games, religious puzzles | Examiner.com

Free printable Chinese New Year of the Monkey activities, Spring Festival crafts

February 8 celebrates Chinese New Year of the Monkey 2016. Each year in the 12-year Chinese zodiac, a different spirit animal is honored as are people born under that animal sign (in 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956 and on back through the multiples of 12). Greet each other on February 8 with the traditional Chinese New Year blessing "Gung Hay Fat Choy!" Chinese New Year is part of the Spring Festival and ends with the Lantern Festival. Looking for free printable Chinese New Year of the Monkey activities? Here are CNY crafts, coloring pages, greeting cards, Spring Festival lesson plans, Lantern Festival crafts and more. Print Chinese zodiac crafts, animal crafts, party decorations, CNY games and puzzles and lots more.   Free printable Chinese New Year of the Monkey activities, Spring Festival crafts

Christmas presents: Inexpensive, personalized holiday gift baskets under $15

Holiday gift baskets make idea Christmas presents for everyone on your holiday shopping list. Gift baskets can be personalized and made inexpensively. Giving gift baskets cuts costs but also subtracts from your workload. Here's how: list every person who will get gift baskets and decide upon a theme for each, based upon favorite hobbies or interests. Streamline personalized Christmas gift baskets by including like items in each recipient's gift basket. Here are six items to include in everyone's gift basket, with variations personalized for each.  Christmas presents: Inexpensive, personalized holiday gift baskets under $15