It is Autumn! The very best season of the year. Time to do some fun autumn activities with the kids! Collect some leaves, crunch a few apples and make art in the process. The best part? All of these fall activity ideas are super-easy (this is me we are talking about!) so you don't have...
9 Creative (and Easy) Autumn Activities for Kids
Super Simple Map Activities for Kids
In the age of GPS, reading maps may seem like a lost art, but all the kids I know have at one time or another developed an interest in maps. Exploring maps, even casually, helps kids develop an understanding of their place in the world, as well as strengthen spatial reasoning skills. And learning about...
Kids Books for Geography & Cultural Studies
This book list is a mix of fiction, nonfiction and fact-filled books, picture books and even a wordless book that will nurture your child's interest in geography. cultural studies and social studies! Sure, your kid could spin a globe or stare at a map on the wall in an effort to memorize country names and...
Spy Activities for Kids
Does you child love to pretend to be a secret agent, spy or detective? Perhaps you are planning a playdate and want some spy party games? These spy activities for kids are just the ticket! Best of all, spy activities promote pretend play and are great for encouraging screen-free play time. Learn how to write...
12 Books for Kids Who Love Hamilton
Do you have young Hamilton fans in your home? Whether they were lucky enough to see a live version of the groundbreaking musical, or streamed it from the comfort of their home, this book list for kids who love Hamilton is sure to peak their interest. But aside from Hamilton groupies, these books are excellent...
Five Fun Visual Perception Games for Kids
When asked about the advantages of playing board games with kids you might think of the usual reasons. They teach strategy and sportsmanship, and they are opportunities for family bonding. But games can have other distinct advantages. Specifically, the right game can strengthen visual perception skills and improve visual discrimination. Occupational therapists have long recognized...
Children's Books about Words to Build a Love of Language
The children's picture books on this list foster a love of language, celebrate nonsense, employ challenging vocabulary, employ rhyming and foreign languages vocabulary. They will inspire children to play with words to tell their own stories. As a bonus, books about words and wordplay don't just show kids all the amazing ways language can be...
Shisima: 3-in-a-Row Game from Kenya
What kid hasn't played a million rounds of tic-tac-toe? Well, put down your pencils because we have an old but new-to-you replacement for that classic game. Shisima is a traditional abstract strategy, three-in-a-row game from Kenya that you play with movable tokens instead of pencil and paper. You may have enjoyed other 3-in-a-row games we've...
Classic Children's Audiobooks You Won't Want to Miss
Are you are looking for some great classic children's audiobooks? Audiobooks are an excellent way to get kids to "read" the classics. (And by the way listening to audiobooks isn't cheating.) As with our list of the best audiobooks for family road trips, the titles on this list are excellent for the whole family! By...
Addition and Subtraction Dice Game to Practice Math Facts
We all know games are a great way to get in some great math practice with kids. Dice games, in particular, are the perfect tool to keep in your arsenal of materials for quick math learning games. This addition and subtraction dice game is great for kids ages 5 and up who are learning early...
Game of the Month: Tsuro
In case you hadn't noticed, our family loves to play a variety of games. Sometimes we need something simple and elegant, other times we need something a bit more complex. Both categories of games keep us on our toes and I'm delighted to report that today we are recommending one of each type of game!...
Four Scoop Ice Cream Cone Coloring Page
July 19th is the very best holiday. Can you guess why? It's International Ice Cream Day, silly! Not that you (or I) need an excuse to eat ice cream all day, but any legitimate excuse is always welcome. International Ice Cream Day is also an excuse to print out this adorable and exclusive ice cream...
Children's Books that Teach Meaningful Values
How do you teach children values and help them build character without sounding like a lecturer? Character traits like respect, kindness, honesty and gratitude? One tool you have at your disposal is a wealth of wonderful children's books. The perfect picture book prompts children to consider situations in which their actions help them develop strong...
Fantastic Travel Games for Kids
Since we play so many games in our family, you might imagine we have some favorite travel games. Since I can't pick just one favorite, you are getting six recommendations for the best and funnest travel games for kids. (Lucky you.) As you know, I make it a point not to use electronic screens to...
Books for Kids Who Like Pippi Longstocking
Do your kids like Pippi Longstocking? You've come to the right place. Sure, you could read more books by Swedish author, Astrid Lindgren, (and you should!) but why not also pick up one of the books on this list? The stories included here feature quirky girl and boy characters on marvelous adventures. Sometimes they get...
Children's Picture Books to Teach Anti-Bias and Inclusion
Children's books are a wonderful way to start conversations about important topics. The picture books on this list teach inclusion, anti-racism and promote an anti-bias attitude. They help teach children the value of embracing and respecting differences among people as well as show them there is great joy in living in a diverse community. Kids...
Books on the History of the Fight for LGBTQ Rights - for Kids
Did you know the first Pride parade took place 50 years ago in June, 1970? These picture books about the history of the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights will inform your kids about the important figures and events in the movement for LGBTQIA+ equal rights, as well as teach empathy, kindness and the value of including...
Game of the Month: Impact: Battle of Elements!
Here's what you want: a game that takes zero time to learn, is quick to play, but engaging enough that playing it over and over at the request of your child does not send your brain into a boredom spiral. Am I right? That's why today I'm sharing with you my son's new favorite game....
Eat Your Vegetables Day Coloring Page
Eat Your Vegetables Day is June 17 and we are here for it! I mean what better way to encourage eating vegetables that to print out a coloring page and turn boring black and white veggies colorful with a scribble of crayon? Think it will work to get your kids to eat a rainbow of...
Middle Grade Books that Address Racial Injustice
We MUST talk about race with our children. No child is too young. It is only way we can raise kids who fight against racial injustice. One way to do that is ensure they read books that address racial injustice. This list of middle grade books about how racial injustice touches the lives of old...
Game of the Month: Mystic Market
Mystic Market is a unique family game with some of the most fun props ever and we are addicted! This problem-solving game with a touch of magic invites players to imagine themselves in a market world bustling with the trade of wondrous elements where players must be clever enough to outwit shifting fortunes. Intrigued? Note:...
Summer Literacy Ideas for Kids: More than Just Books!
Summer reading lists and summer book clubs abound! In fact we have a summer reading list for every age! But did you know you can enhance your child's literacy skills by more than just checking books off a list? Enhance summer learning by mixing things up and engage in these five super-duper fun summer literacy...
Heartwarming Books to Read Aloud as a Family
Family read aloud time is the best time in the world. When you find just the right heartwarming children's book to share with everyone, you want to jump for joy because family time is that much better. Always on the hunt for the next great read aloud, I recently asked parents what their current read...
Trominoes: Mathematical Puzzles for Kids
What is a fun, quick math game for kids that they can squeeze into any free moment? Trominoes! Trominoes is an easy pen and paper game that exercises visual perception and spatial reasoning skills, and teaches kids how to think ahead and strategize. Trominoes may remind you of tetris, and indeed, the concept is similar....
Awesome Superhero Picture Books for Kids
Kids love to be the hero of their own story and these wonderful superhero picture books are just the thing to charge up their imaginations. These books will inspire kids to don a cape and mask and set off on an adventure where they conquer dastardly villains and save the world! Superhero Books for Kids...
Kaooa: Traditional Abstract Strategy Hunt Game from India
Kaooa, otherwise known as "Vulture and Crows" is a traditional game from India. Like Len Choa ("Tiger and Leopards") and Fox and Geese, it is a hunt game. Hunt games often pit one player with one token against a second player who has multiple tokens. As you can tell, the tokens usually are named after...
Fun Ways to Learn Geography (Kids Activities)
A thorough knowledge of geography is essential for children to understand their place in the world. It also helps children learn how climate, history, political and cultural systems operate and interact. But simply memorizing place names is not very exciting and kids need fun ways to learn geography with games, map activities, cultural experiences and...
YA Adaptations of Jane Austen Novels
It goes without saying that no modern retelling of a Jane Austen can ever live up to the original works of genius. Nevertheless, YA adaptations of Austen's novels can still be quite enjoyable to read. This books on this list of YA light-romance novels vary somewhat in their literary quality, but I included any book...
Making and Keeping a Hobby Book
What topic captivates your child? Dinosaurs? LEGO? Trucks? What activity do they love to do? Baking? Chess? Pottery? Most kids have at least one interest that truly captivates them. No doubt you have started a sentence with "My kid is so obsessed with [fill in the blank]!" It is absolutely delightful to watch your children...
Read Aloud Chapter Books for 4 and 5 (and 6) Year Olds
It goes without saying that you should continue to read picture books to your preschoolers and kindergarteners, but if your children are ready, adding in just the right chapter book can add a new dimension to your read aloud time. The qualities of the best chapter books to read aloud to 4-6 year olds are...
Moon Spinner: Brain Game of the Month
Remember spending hours in the 1980s trying to solve that Rubik's cube you got for Christmas? Well, let me introduce you to the brain teaser puzzle for your kids' generation. Moon Spinner! Moon Spinner from ThinkFun is an ingenious puzzle that consists of rotating circles. The mission, should your kids choose to accept it, is...
Pajama Day Coloring Page
Have you been staying at home a lot? Perhaps hanging out in pajamas for a greater part of the day than normally? Well, National Pajama Day is April 16th and we are here for you with a pajama coloring page created by children's book author and illustrator, Melanie Hope Greenberg! The Pajama Day coloring scene...
Children's Books about Communities Coming Together
Foster your child's faith in humanity by reading them picture books about communities coming together in times of crisis, as well as in times of normalcy. These children's books about the power of community, being helpful and looking out for one's fellow humans and creatures are a great resource to teach your children about the...
How to Play Queah: An Abstract Strategy Game from Liberia
Queah is a traditional board game played by the Queah people in Liberia. It is a capture-type abstract strategy game that has some similarities with checkers or draughts. It is a great boredom buster for kids and families no matter where in the world you live. We love playing these traditional games, like Kaooa from...
Children's Books about Resilience
You've heard the expression, "children are resilient," and while that may be true, their resilience depends on the loving support of those around them who can help them learn to navigate tough times. These children's books about resilience are good tools to help you teach your kids the skills they need to draw upon their...
Middle Grade Biographies and Memoirs in Verse
One of the most readable genres for middle school students is the verse novel. Short poems and lots of white space on the page appeal to reluctant readers, while layers of meaning in the poetic form encourages deep reflection. Middle grade biographies and memoirs in verse serve up an additional benefit–they give insight into the...
Pourquoi Tales: Stories that Teach How It Came to Be
I never thought much about pourquoi tales until I started reading them to my sons and was struck with how interested the kids were in the stories compared to the average picture book story. There is clearly a reason these stories are so timeless. This list of pourquoi tales for kids are some of our...
Stuck in Traffic: 20 Toy Car Play Ideas
Quick! Take a look around the room. What do you see all over the floor? I bet there is a good chance you responded, "toy cars, buses and trucks!" Kids adore toy vehicles. Zooming, beeping, racing, crashing, parking. You name it. Over the years my boys found creative ways to play with their little vehicles...
Exclusive, Printable Bookmarks to Color
Stop dog-earing your book pages or tearing off a bit of scrap paper to mark your reading spot! Instead, take a relaxing break during a stressful afternoon or a rainy day and color in one these exclusive, free, printable bookmark coloring pages. While it will be tempting to color the bookmarks and keep them for...
If You Like Mulan, Read These Books!
If your children like the Disney movie, Mulan, look no further than these children's books featuring girl warriors, girls in disguise and epic adventures. These books like Mulan will entertain your young readers with epic stories of heroism! The original "Ballad of Mulan," an ancient Chinese legend tells the story of Hua Mulan, a girl...
