Cute Chic

Try this cute chic for some spring time art.  Just cut out an oval (have the kids draw one and then cut it out, if they are capable) and cut it in 2 pieces using a zig zag pattern.  Cut out a chic shaped head from yellow paper.  Then put a hinge on the side and have the kids decorate as they like.

Bubble wrap bee hives

Try this to make bee hives: paint bubble wrap with yellow paint.  Draw a picture of a hive on white paper and push the bubble wrap onto the hive to paint it.  Next, put an index finger into black paint and push it onto the yellow hive to make bees.  So easy and cute and great for finger isolation (index finger only in black paint) and sensory. For an added challenge, once the hive is dry, have the child cut it out.

Home Made Fine Motor Activity

Here's an easy fine motor activity you can make at home.  All you need is a clear, plastic jar and cotton balls.  Have the kids use tongs to pick up the cotton balls and put them into the container.  To increase the difficulty of the task, leave the lid on and have them put the balls through the pour hole.  Once the jar is filled, they have made a cute snowman.

Puffy paint painting

Here's a way to make finger painting different- add some bath foam or even shaving cream.  The paint feels thicker and smoother and seems "puffy".  Try a divided tray to hold different color paints. Remember- don't be afraid to let the kids get messy!

Corn painting

Need something to do with your leftover corn decorations now that the holiday is over?  Have the kids paint with it.  Just paint the cob and roll it across a piece of paper.  Kids can get creative and use many colors.  Don't worry about getting messy- just have fun.

Car roll painting

Here's a fun idea that kids will love- especially boys!  Use cars to roll a picture.  Simply roll the tires through paint and let the kids roll them on paper.  Use different cars and different color paints to make really cool designs.

New ways to use shapes from a shape sorter

Try pairing them with the same colored paints for printing...

Or try using them as stencils to trace around. Sort them by color, then by shape, see if your child can work out the differences in attribute. What other ways can you come up with?

Make Apple sauce

Make your own applesauce.  Have your kids peel the apples first then grate the apples to make applesauce.  Kids love to help, and it is a great upper extremity coordination activity.  Helping make food is a great task for children of all ages. Little children can help stir and pour.  Older children should read the recipes and attempt to follow it.  Kids love to eat what they make, so it is a great way to help picky children expand their food repertoire.

Looking for something to do with all that bubble wrap?  Paint with it.   Simply apply paint to the bubble wrap and push a piece of paper on top of it, pushing down all over the paper to get the paint on it.  You can use one color, or many different colors to make a picture.  Give it a try!

Rainbow fish art

Here's an easy but super cute and fun one... Color a fish with water based markers, then use a squirt bottle to wet it (that's the fun part), then glue a piece of tin foil on it for a shiny scale!

Summer home work

School is either out, or soon to be out, for kids.  Summer is a fun, relaxing time, meant to recharge everyone's batteries after the long, difficult school year.  It is important for kids, and adults, to take this time to have fun in the sun and socialize with friends and family.  Go to the pool or park; go on vacation to your favorite destination and just RELAX!  Have a great summer, everyone!
That said, we want to remind everyone that, although summer is supposed to be fun and relaxing, kids can loose almost 1/3 of their knowledge over summer break if not properly stimulated.  Older kids need to read every day.  Go to the library and let the kids pick out the books they want to read.  It does not matter if the book is a step below their reading level, as long as they enjoy it and read it.  Children who can not yet read may enjoy going to the library for story time (most offer these). Parents should read to younger children every day.  Preschoolers should be encouraged to practice their coloring and tracing, as well as cutting skills.  Don't be afraid to give a preschooler children's scissors to cut with (under direct supervision, of course).  Like I tell the parents of my preschool clients- I am not aware of any preschooler cutting off a finger with a pair of children's scissors.  Have the preschooler color with chalk on the driveway.  Allow him/her to help when you make dinner.  Older children can do the measuring when making dinner, or, if old enough, maybe they will make the family dinner (with supervision).  And, don't forget the math skills over the summer.

So, while summer is supposed to be a time of fun and relaxation, it is also important to spend a little time each day practicing what they learned this past year, so don't start next school year already behind.
Enjoy your summer!

Patterns and textured games for feet!

Try using things around the house to make patterns, like colored cups, nuts and bolts, fruit loop cereal, or small toys! Scour the clearance section of craft stores for things like these textured foam pieces. We used magnet strips to turn it into a matching sensory game for the young students' feet on the side of a filing cabinet!