Fall For Our Leaf Crafts

Leaf Turkey

Now that fall is officially started, it's time explore some leaf projects! Entertain the kids with some leaf inspired crafts and encourage them to help clean up all those fallen leaves too - a nice way to accomplish alot with just a little!

Autumn Tree
Use your imagination and a sponge to create a pretty fall tree on paper to decorate a classroom, teaching studio or bedroom...and enjoy those fall colors!

Coffee Filter Leaves
Get crazy and creative with your coffee filters and make some leaves to hang up, decorate with or pass around for a little fall fun. Don't forget the java!

Fall Handprint Wreath
Preserve those precious little hand-prints and create a pretty fall wreath to display on your front door, in a class or in your home, using paint, paper, scissors and glue!

Leaf People
Create a family of leaf people with your little kids or classroom - name them, tell stories about them and send them on adventures, with simple supplies: leaves, paper,crayons and markers.

Leaf Rubbings
With white paper and crayons you can inspire your class or homeschoolers to create an artistic view of fall and autumn, and end up with some very pretty art work to show off!


Visit The Idea Box for crafts, snacks, games and activities for autumn! 

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Applicious Ideas For Fall

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Fall is the perfect time to express your love for apples, orchards and all things under the harvest moon! I've collected and shared a few craft and snack ideas to get you and your kids well on your way to enjoying and celebrating the autumn season!


Apple Bag
This project may be used as a lesson tool, classroom decor or Autumn take home craft. It's simple and you may already have the supplies on hand.

Apple Hod Pad
This craft is very unique and fun. However, the instructions call for hot glue (which works best) but could be hard for younger kids to work with.

Apple Face
A fun and easy craft project to make with preschoolers, this craft also doubles as a nice bulletin board decor for fall in the classroom or homeschool room.

Apple Painting
One of my favorites, this art process is a little different. Use an apple, cut in half, as your paint "stamp" and dip it in paint to create interesting shapes on paper or burlap.

Apple Cobbler
This apple snack is very simple and yummy. I think it's the perfect autumn snack, especially on chilly fall evenings.


Visit The Idea Box for crafts, snacks, games and activities for fall! 

Connect with us on where I share more ideas and inspiration!
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A Little Gratitude!

Teachers are some of the coolest people around, with the hardest jobs I can think of. Often the job comes with long hours, out of pocket expenses and very little gratitude. Show your appreciation by treating your favorite teachers to a little extra fun! Here are a few of my favorite ideas to get you started!

Candy/Treat Jar
Save a medium sized jar to fill with treats or candy and deliver it to your teacher with a little note of gratitude or praise!

Teacher Gift
Conduct an impromptu interview with your child about his/her teacher and see what comes up! Add the comments to a colored picture, frame it and give to the teacher!

Apple For Teacher
It doesn't get much easier than choosing a delicious red apple to present to the teacher! Easy and frugal, a shiny healthy treat is always welcome!

Teacher Tote Bag
Make a personalized, hand-decorated tote for your teacher. Let your kids go to work adding handprints, designs or other embellishments to really take this tote to the next level!

Colorful Sun Catchers
The sun catcher craft involves shaving crayons and cheese graters - definitely a hands on experience, but probably best for elementary age kids to create.


Visit The Idea Box for crafts, games and ideas to help you honor a special teacher! Connect with us on Facebook where I share more ideas from other crafty bloggers and sites or follow us on Pinterest and create your own pinboard full of kids crafts!

Back to School...

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos

Ready for school to start? Whether you are sending them off on the bus or herding home-schoolers, you'll enjoy trying some of these fun back-to-school snacks, crafts and activities!

Backwards Dinner
The first day back to school is always a doozie! It signals the official end of Summer and is usually a tiring day as kids adjust. Celebrate with a backwards dinner to lighten the evening!

Back To School Contract
Do your kiddos need a little motivation to keep them positive and focused through out the school year? How about writing up a back to school contract to keep everyone inspired?

Bus Cookies
Talk about a fun after school snack and super simple to put together! Your kids will love eating up these little peanut butter buses and you get to enjoy bragging rights!

Circle Seats
In many classes, circle time is a big part of the teaching and fun. But what if you can't stick anything permanent to the floor for circle time? No problem! We have an idea!

Autumn Bookmark
Create a pretty fall themed bookmark with your kids to use with study time or homework, or share some with your class.

Back To School Magnet
Want to share a special gift with teacher? Or maybe you need some new magnets for the fridge or classroom - use our tutorial to create simple or elaborate magnets for back to school!


Visit The Idea Box for crafts, games and snacks to help you have some back-to-school fun! Connect with us on Facebook where I share more ideas from other crafty bloggers and sites or follow us on Pinterest and create your own pinboard full of kids crafts!

Celebrate Summer!

Paper Dot Rainbows

Summer means play dates, camping trips, swimming pool visits and kids saying "I'm bored. What can I do?" At least that's how it goes at our house. It seems like no matter how many adventures I plan someone still gets bored. 

I have the habit of making chore lists for when someone says they are bored. But you could also try some of our free crafts, activities and snack recipes too...if you are feeling super nice.


Paper Bag Picnic
This easy craft is fun to create and fun to play with. Use it as a rainy-day boredom buster or take it outside into the sunshine for some make-believe fun!

Colorful Butterflies
This artsy activity is a crowd-pleaser! Marbles, paint, a shoebox and you are set to jazz up your butterflies in a most colorful and unique way.  No paint brushes required!

Bears on the Beach
Summer time is all about snacks. Get creative with teddy grahams, frosting and a few gummy worms and watch the smiles spread as your kiddos create a surf's-up-sort-of snack!

Bugs!
This simple craft uses materials you have on hand including an egg carton, paint, pipe cleaners and glue. (If you don't have pipe cleaners on hand and you have kids under 5 in the house - go get some. You'll thank me later.)

Ants on a Log
Make celery more appealing as a healthy snack choice by adding cream cheese or peanut butter and raisins to create adorable little ants on a log. (Make up a fun little story to go along with it too!)

Visit The Idea Box for crafts, games and snacks to create for summer fun! Connect with us on Facebook where I share more ideas from other crafty bloggers and sites or follow us on Pinterest and create your own pinboard full of kids crafts!

Summer Fun On A Budget

Summer is in full swing! We have some low cost ideas to help you keep little brains and fingers busy! 

A Slice of Watermelon

This watermelon craft is fun to do with preschoolers and they look super cute displayed on a bulletin board or on widows for summer!

Backyard Bubbles
This is a fun bubble experience for toddlers and preschoolers who have yet to master blowing bubbles! And it has a mess rating of zero, if they keep it outside!

Bark Giraffe
Do you have an animal lover at your house? Try the giraffe craft and let their artistic talent shine! It's also a great way to explore trees outdoors. (You'll need bark for this!) 

5 Cup Fruit Salad
Fruit cocktail, pineapple, marshmallows and yogurt...Sounds tasty if you ask me! And most little kids like these ingredients too. Mix them together and serve up as a sweet summer snack!

Bee Hive!
A fun cereal craft incorporating lots of fine motor skills, your preschoolers will have a blast drawing, cutting and gluing. You will enjoy keeping them occupied for a little while too! And they are super cute to hang up when finished.

Visit The Idea Box for more crafts, games and snacks for summer! Connect with us on Facebook where I share more ideas from other crafty bloggers and sites or follow us on Pinterest and create your own pinboard full of kids crafts!

Patriotic Snacks And Crafty Fun!

We've got some last-minute patriotic projects and yummy snacks you can create with your kids to really get your 4th of July fun going! 

From pretty wreaths and safe sparklers to a fruity parfait to beat the summer heat, I know you'll enjoy trying some of our fun snack recipes and crafts to add a little American pride to your holiday!

Or switch up the colors to reflect other nations' flags to celebrate your heritage and ethnic diversity. 

Red, White & Blue Wreath

Patriotic Parfait

Handprint Flag

Sweet Stars

Safe Sparklers

Visit The Idea Box for more crafts, games and snacks for the 4th of July! Connect with us on Facebook where I share more ideas from other crafty bloggers and sites or follow us on Pinterest and create your own pinboard full of kids crafts!