What are some of your favorite toddler activities at home?
Make a town on your floor. Use painter's tape to create city streets, make buildings out of LEGOs to place around the different blocks, and drive hot wheels around the town.
Make an epic pillow fort with couch cushions, sheets, and chip clips to hold things in place!
Fine Motor Activities for Kids
Doll houses are great for both boys and girls. It teaches them to be gentle as they try to set things up and play without knocking things over.
Pick up things with kitchen tongs. Our kids have so much fun using tongs to pick up socks on the floor, toys, or anything else that needs tidying up!
Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids (That Work for Us)
Picking weeds outside, watering flowers/plants/herbs and raking leaves is a chore that my kids find fun. (Added bonus if you buy their own gloves/watering can).
Setting the table and pouring drinks while mom or dad make dinner for the family is a great way for kids to help out at mealtime. This is one of my middle schooler's chores, but it works for younger kids too.
Fun Facts For Kids That Will Blow Their Minds
The Chinese soft-shelled turtle pees from its mouth.
The Queen has two birthdays.
What are some good ideas for first day of school traditions?
First day of school photos on our front steps, and couple more in front of the school too.
My husband and I will usually take the day off work (when we can) so we can be there for drop off and pick up on the first day, which makes it feel extra special for all of us.
What are your favorite inspirational quotes for kids?
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. ~Maya Angelou
You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. ~Wayne Gretzky
What are some fun animal facts?
Frogs eat their skin after they shed it.
The horned lizard can shoot blood out of its eyes to defend itself! Check out this crazy video from Nat Geo Wild, https://youtu.be/xodVcgJ8bc0?si=xm1f_9ElTs3DRzFP
What helps the school year go more smoothly?
The kids are responsible for getting their backpacks ready before going to bed, and making sure they have all their homework, books, permission slips, etc in there, and that it is zipped up and ready to just grab and go in the morning. We sometimes need to remind them to do this, but as it becomes part of the nighttime routine it gets easier and easier!
My boys pick out their clothes the night before, and always check what the weather will be like to plan for it, as well as if they have gym or not. It makes getting dressed in the morning much easier!
