Homeschool Parent

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2xfU39aNVY&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 3–5Supplies:• Construction paper in various colors• Scissors• Marker• Tape• Playfoam Pod• Googly eyesProcedure:1. Cut two pink ears and 2 smaller yellow ears out of construction paper.2. Tape the smaller ears to the big ears.3. Add tape to the bottom of the ears, place them on the top of the  Playfoam pod, and press to secure in place.4. Add googly eyes.5. Using a smudge-proof marker, draw a nose, mouth and whiskers right onto the front of the plastic pod.6. Add a little note to the back and you’re done!Sahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line.

Save a few household items to create a set of adorable binoculars with your sweet kiddo! Use stickers, markers, sequins and beads to jazz them up to your liking!Supplies:

• 2 Empty TP Tubes
• String
• Paper
• Markers
• Stapler
• Tape or Glue Stick

Procedure:

1. Place the toilet paper tubes next to each other. Staple them together at the top and bottom.
2. Cut about 12-16” of string. Use a pen to poke a hole in one side of each toilet paper tube. Insert the string and tie a knot so it’s secure.
3. Wrap the piece of paper around your binoculars and mark where the ends of the paper meet. Also mark the bottom of the binoculars.
4. Cut the paper along the lines you marked.
5. Decorate the paper and make it unique! Add your own personal touches like your name, a cool pattern, or a fun picture.

April Fools’ Day is coming!  Some good laughter may help break up any tension at home these days. After all, who doesn’t love a good prank? Have some fun (and help your kids learn to laugh at themselves) with a few of our favorite, family-friendly pranks! We’ve got you covered from morning til’ night with these silly surprises sure to have your family rolling.

1. Solid Cereal – Pour your child’s cereal and milk the night before and place the bowl in the freezer. Serve it up in the AM and watch as your kiddo tries to chisel their way through breakfast!

2. Jello Juice – Swap a regular glass of juice with Jello of the same color (insert a straw when you put it in the fridge to set), like these from honeyandlime.com.[caption id="attachment_5461" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Photo credit: https://cdn.instructables.com/[/caption]

3. Potty Mouth – Unravel the roll. Don't worry, it won't be wasted!  Use a marker to write a funny joke or sweet note (or maybe just a reminder to wash their hands with soap for at least 20 seconds!).

4. Whoopee! – This timeless classic never gets old! Slip one under the pad of your child’s kitchen chair or stroller, like scarymommy.com.

5. Eyes on You – Dig into your craft supplies! Googly eyes are great for a giggle. Add them to all the foods in the fridge and carry it through to the contents of your kiddo’s lunch or dinner too!

6. Lunch Surprise – Speaking of lunch, won’t your little one be surprised to find that their water bottle is full of Sprite, their chip bag is full of a different kind of chips (slice the bottom of the bag and tape it back up), and gummy worms are stuck to their apple? Liven up a family room or backyard picnic with these perfectly tasty pranks on Blogspot.com!

7. Mail It In – If one of your kids usually gets the mail out of the box, surprise the socks off them by placing a furry friend or large plastic spider on the stack.

8. Devilish Desserts – Keep the pranks coming after dinner by offering a dessert that’s not what it seems! A plate of brown letter “E”s or “chocolate chip” cookies that are actually made of mashed potatoes and black beans, like these from our friends at Blogspot.com should do the trick (but you’d better back it up with a real dessert, ‘cause messing with a kids nom noms is serious stuff!):[caption id="attachment_5463" align="alignnone" width="638"] Photo credit: http://4jacqs.blogspot.com[/caption]

9. Short Sheet – A day of pranks wouldn’t be complete without short sheeting your kids’ beds. Start by tucking the top of the flat sheet in under the top of the mattress, then fold the bottom of the sheet halfway up the bed and tuck the sides in.

Find other fun April Fools’ Day pranks on our Pinterest page and remember, it’s only fun if they’re tears of laughter ????

[caption id="attachment_5396" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo Credit: 100daysofrealfood.com[/caption]

Snacks, Games, Crafts, and Books to Help Little Kids Learn to Love Reading

Today, millions of school kids will spend the day paying tribute to some of America’s most beloved authors. Yup, it’s Read Across America Day! Celebrated every year on Dr. Seuss’s birthday, it’s a great day to get your kids excited about reading. To help you and your little ones get in on the fun, we’ve pulled together some sneaky, snacky, Seussy ideas for whiling Read Across America day – or any day – away, like:

Start the Day with Dr. Seuss…

Start the day with a reading of Green Eggs & Ham, accompanied by, you guessed it, a breakfast of green eggs and ham. Two or three drops of BLUE (not green) food coloring will turn typical scrambled eggs green, and your kids might prefer diced ham over sliced, but you know best. If you prefer to keep it natural, eggs and kale make a surprisingly yummy scramble (pictured).If there’s just no way your kids are eating green eggs, a striped stack of red and regular pancakes or alternating banana and strawberry slices on a skewer will also set the mood.Sneak some fine motor work into your Seussical day by crafting your very own striped hat! With 4 easy supplies you can follow these instructions for the perfect Cat in the Hat paper plate hat by anightowlblog.com.Once your hats are complete, pop them on your heads and find your copies of One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish and Which Pet Should I Get. Give them a read, then take a walk through your local pet store, fish shop, or aquarium and be on the lookout for any crazy, Seuss-ish creatures. Stop when you hit the fish and see if you can spot one, then two, then one that’s red, and one that’s blue.For other fun, Dr. Seuss-inspired craft ideas, visit artsycraftsymom.com for a roundup of her favorite DIY projects, like Pom Pom Truffula Trees, Tweetle Beetle Bottles, Thing One and Thing Two bookmarks, and more!Then Squirrel the Afternoon Away!Pack a picnic and head to the park (or set up an indoor picnic if it’s too cold where you live!) because it’s time for some sneaky, snacky, squirrel fun! A few strategic slices and you can create your own squirrel sandwiches, like this one from the mamas at Puppylovepreschool.blogspot.com.Once you’ve squirreled away your lunch, head off for a walk around the park to see who can spot the most squirrels. When you’re ready to relax, it’s back to your blanket for a round of The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel®! Game to see who can collect one of each colored nut first, followed by a reading of The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Board Book!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3Io65ZH9e0Keep the fun rolling at home with a super cute Dixie Cup squirrel craft! Follow the instructions outlined on The Pinterested Parent to turn a mini cup, construction paper, paint, and googly eyes into an adorable, DIY cutie.Bringing books to life through games, crafts, and snacks keeps the stories top of mind – and keeps your little ones coming back for more. A little research and you’ll find all kinds of things to do with your kiddo’s favorite read!????

February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the myriad achievements and accomplishments of African Americans throughout American history. It is also a time to reflect on the sacrifices made in the name of many of the civil rights that all Americans enjoy today. In honor of Black History Month, we’re sharing some of our favorite ways to celebrate, like:

Reading!

Young children today can only imagine the fear that courageous first grader Ruby Bridges felt as she became the first African American student to walk, escorted by four federal marshals, through the doors of Louisiana’s all-white William Frantz Elementary School. Robert Coles’ The Story of Ruby Bridges brings the day – one where parents shouted at Ruby and refused to let their children attend class with her – to life. The future-entrepreneurs in your family might also enjoy reading about Madam C.J. Walker, the first self-made female millionaire in the U.S. Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope tells the motivational story of our 44^th President. Craving more? Our friends at FamilyEducation.com have created a list of the Top 15 Books for Black History Month.[caption id="attachment_5322" align="alignnone" width="1706"] The Story of Ruby Bridges[/caption]

Visiting!

A visit to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. features interactive exhibits designed to help visitors explore and revel in African American culture. Cincinatti’s National Underground Railroad Freedom Center brings the freedom fighters of the Underground Railroad, like Harriet Tubman, to life. The Beale Street Historic District in Memphis celebrates the daring musicians of the early jazz, blues, and R&B scene. And the sports nuts in your house won’t want to miss the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. Looking for a historic spot closer you? Check out USA Today’s list of 50 places to visit during Black History Month.[caption id="attachment_5323" align="alignnone" width="2320"] The Negro Baseball League Museum Logo[/caption]

Listening!

From music and poetry to politics and religion, African Americans have moved the world with their voices. Gather your family and listen to the uplifting words of Maya Angelou’s And Still I Rise, read by the poet herself. Groove to the sounds of Miles Davis, the most influential trumpeter of all time. Allow yourself to be carried away by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech. And get inspired by 40 Thought-Provoking Quotes by Famous African Americans, including the words of Malcom X, James Baldwin, Muhammad Ali, and others, as compiled by TheAfroPolitanMom.com.[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1615"] Miles Davis, American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Photo credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images[/caption]

Learning!

Elementary-school aged kids can test their knowledge of Black History with this wordsearch from ThePotters.com or this crossword puzzle from Scholastic.com. Work  the puzzles together and be sure to explain any words or concepts that are new.[caption id="attachment_5326" align="alignnone" width="407"] Photo credit: scholastic.com[/caption]There are so many ways to honor Black History Month with your family, including these ideas from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Now let’s celebrate!

If you’ve got a little one in school, you’ve likely heard the terms STEM and STEAM enough to wonder what they mean. Simply put, STEM is an academic focus on science, technology, engineering, and math. STEAM adds the all-important artistic aspect – hence, the “A”. For the last 20 years or so, the U.S. has committed to incorporating STEM learning into our kids’ school curriculum, and for good reason![caption id="attachment_5304" align="alignnone" width="724"] Photo credit: https://www.theedadvocate.org/[/caption]According to the experts at The Edvocate, STEM learning fosters ingenuity and creativity, builds resilience, encourages experimentation and teamwork, promotes knowledge application and the use of technology, teaches problem solving, and encourages kids to adapt what they’ve learned to fit specific problems. All good, right? Even better – it’s never too early to incorporate STEM learning into your at-home play time! Below are some of our favorite, super fun, STEM activities from around the web:

Science

Make your own bubbles! If you’ve got dish soap, corn syrup, and a straw, you’re ready to mix up your own batch of homemade bubbles. Visit our friends at homesciencetools.com for instructions and a simple scientific explanation.Soak up an oil spill! Bring the bummer of pollution home with this DIY oil spill clean up project from LittleBinsForLittleHands (don’t miss their FREE ocean-themed STEM activity cards!). Fill a pan with water, add some oil, then brainstorm ways to get it out. Try a spoon, paper towels, cotton balls, and finally, Dawn dish soap to demonstrate how difficult it is to recapture spilled oil in the ocean.[caption id="attachment_5308" align="alignnone" width="608"] Photo credit: https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com[/caption]Get outside and explore! There’s no better teacher than mother nature, so get up and head outdoors! Observe the natural flora and fauna in your area, talk about the seasons, compare and contrast different plants, seeds, twigs, and rocks. Make exploring even more fun with kid-friendly scientific tools like microscopes, telescopes, adventure pens, and binoculars from GeoSafari®![caption id="attachment_5309" align="alignnone" width="530"] GeoSafari® Jr. Kidnoculars®[/caption]

Technology

Speak in code! From verbally programming your walk through the house to talking through tasks, step-by-step, there are lots of low-tech ways to introduce coding to your kids. Visit our blog on coding for some fun and easy at-home ideas!Get cute! 100% screen free and super cute, Coding Critters allow kids to code adorable animal friends following the directions in their new pet’s storybook adventures. Kids simply press buttons on the Critters’ backs to move them left, right, forward, or back, navigating the obstacles in the included pet playsets and introducing this key STEM concept.[caption id="attachment_5310" align="alignnone" width="688"] Photo Credit: learningresources.com[/caption]Draw it out! Kids who love art will go coding crazy for ARTIE 3000™ The Coding Robot! This self-contained unit teaches kids to write computer code line by line and then draws whatever they’ve coded! From shapes and letters to mandalas and custom designs, kids use an easy computer interface (no WIFI required!) with step-by-step instructions to tell ARTIE which way to turn, how many steps to take, and when to lift his pen or put it down. Then they simply click “run” to see their ARTIE execute their coded script on paper.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FyS_4ZTyK4&t=24s

Engineering

Ramp it up! Simple machines are the perfect way to slip some engineering into your child’s day and it doesn’t get much simpler than a ramp! Use a cut up the box from your last Amazon delivery, use a cereal box, or a wooden building plank, grab a small ball or toy car, and experiment with different constructions and angles. Find some fun ideas at BuggyandBuddy.com.[caption id="attachment_5311" align="alignnone" width="703"] Photo Credit: https://buggyandbuddy.com[/caption]Build, build, build! Wooden blocks, building bricks, and Lincoln Logs are the perfect first engineering experiences. Stack them as high as they’ll go, construct bridges, or – trickier – tunnels. As they play, kids will gain a sense of spatial reasoning, learn about structural integrity (crash!), explore the principles of design, and so much more.[caption id="attachment_5312" align="alignnone" width="909"] Photo Credit: manzanitakids[/caption]Make a marshmallow man! Encourage your kids to create all kinds of structures using marshmallows and toothpicks. Try making a cube, a curved dome, a two-sided ladder, or, some of these other ideas from our friends at BrainBrigade.org.

Math

Count it out! Even little ones can get in on the STEM fun and learning – with counting! Count Cheerios, crackers, steps to the car, anything and everything you can count, count!Match it up! Correlating a digital number with an actual amount is a key early math skill. One simple activity from BusyToddler.com has kids matching numerals 1-9 on sticky notes to sets of the same number of dots on a white board.[caption id="attachment_5315" align="alignnone" width="632"] Photo credit: https://busytoddler.com[/caption]Make an abacus! Well, sort of. Start with a bowl of multi-colored beads. Help your child find one bead of one color, two beads of another color, etc. Then assist your kiddo in sliding the beads onto a pipe cleaner, bending the ends so the beads don’t slide off. Then practice counting the number of beads on each pipe cleaner. This two-in-one activity from TheImagnationTree.com is also a great way to build fine motor skills ????.Click to learn more about the importance of STEM and for even more at-home ideas for incorporating STEM learning in your everyday play!

Sensory Play Ideas for You and the Kiddos to Explore

If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of that intense baby stare, or grab, or taste test, you’ve witnessed sensory exploration first-hand (someone give us a towel!). While it may seem strange to explore a textured block with your tongue, little ones use the senses they have control of at any given age in order to explore the world around them.  And it’s SO good for them!Looking, touching, feeling, hearing, and yes, even tasting, helps kids build a framework in which to understand the people, places, and things in their lives. Sensory exploration also helps build your child’s brain, develops critical motor skills, supports language development, introduces cause and effect, and practices problem solving. All good, right?Although sensory exploration comes naturally to kids, parents can encourage this natural curiosity and exploration. And it’s easy! Below are some of our favorite sensory activities for each age group:Infants:

• Bubbles! Gently blow non-toxic bubbles around your baby. Let them watch the bubbles as they float down and feel the silky softness as they land on their skin.[caption id="attachment_5275" align="aligncenter" width="470"] Photo credit: Playgroupwa.com.au[/caption]

• Paper! Show your baby a sheet of colorful paper, then loudly scrunch it into a ball. Let your little one hold and squeeze the ball, exploring the creases and ridges.

• Words, words, words! Talk to your child as much as possible. Explain what you’re doing when you’re together. Use lots of different sounds, words, voices, and volumes.[caption id="attachment_5276" align="alignnone" width="503"] Photo credit: thestir.cafemom.com[/caption]

Toddlers:

• Paint! Finger painting does double sensory duty, allowing toddlers to explore colors, color blending, and the slippery smooth texture of paint on their fingers.[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="866"] Photo credit: https://nourishingourchildren.org[/caption]

• Oobleck! A solid and a liquid, is science magic and perfect for sensory play. And it’s easy to make! Follow these simple instructions (and add a little food coloring or scent for a bit of extra fun!).[caption id="attachment_5279" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Photo credit: https://www.education.com[/caption]

• Sensory bins! Fill a large container with rice, beans, or Playfoam Pluffle™, add spoons, scoops, and small toys, and let your little one dig in. Click for some fun sensory bin ideas.[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1039"] Photo Credit: @my_three_little_strawberries[/caption]

Preschoolers:

• Playfoam®! Squish, squash, shape, and smash – non-toxic Playfoam comes in all kinds of colors kids can squeeze and sculpt into all kinds of shapes. Best of all, it’s non-toxic, never dries out, and doesn’t stick to carpet or clothing (so it won’t stain or make a mess)![caption id="attachment_5281" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo credit: @carlson.toys[/caption]

• Music! Simple instruments like shakers, harmonicas, tambourines, and recorders are great for sensory play. Hand them over and watch as your kiddo explores their look, feel, and sound.

• Nature! A walk in nature gives your little one endless opportunities to see, smell, and feel all kinds of things, from grass and leaves to pine cones and feathers.[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1180"] Photo Credit: http://www.parentmap.com[/caption]

With a little effort, you can add a sensory twist to most activities. For more fun ideas for infants, visit our friends at Red Tricycle. Busy Toddler’s got tons of ideas for your big kids and these creative activities from Little Bins for Little Hands will keep your preschooler engaged for hours.