Leaf Fun

It might be too late, but here is an idea to get your kids to clean up those leaves.

Rake a fun path for them to play in!

Super Fun!

Sensory : Seeing with our Ears

Have you ever taken your kids on a blindfolded walk?

You should try it!

The sights, sounds, and smells, are such an experience for those little minds.

I took my kids to the local nature reserve.

The rule was one blindfolded person, and one guide.

The 3 year old didn't like this. But, she is 3 and 3 year olds don't like anything.

The other kids loved it!

We stopped, listened and observed.

It was cold, but so peaceful and quiet.

When we got home, we took notes of our observations and drew pictures of what we 

heard but couldn't see.

I love being outside, even if it is fall/winter.

There are less people out, and the kids have more room to enjoy.

You should try it!

Date Night : Picnic Dinner at the Lake

My kids always get jealous when we have our date nights. 

They love their sitter, but love to go out too!

Each kid in our house gets one night a month with Daddy to go somewhere special.

The next month it is a night with Mommy.

We do silly things like go out for an ice cream cone, or ride bikes, or play a game.

This was one of our family resolutions to strengthen our relationships with each other.

So far it has been EXCELLENT!

Tonight's Family Fun Activity was a Family Date!

We packed sandwiches and went to the lake.

It was so nice to be "unplugged."

We enjoyed listening to the sounds of the outdoors.

 Then my husband took the kids to the other side of the lake to teach them how to skip rocks.

Quiet, Fun, Peaceful.

Just what the family needed.

Dramatic Play: Costumes Box

Every year, on September 30th I pull out the Halloween decorations (because my hubs won't let me do it earlier) and I pull out the old costumes and let the kids play with them for the whole month.

They are in great condition and a great change from the normal princess and police dress ups my kids play with all year.  This is also the time I go through the regular day dress ups and repair and wash them.

We went in the back yard and let the kids enjoy the first day of their Halloween Costume Box.

This also gave me just enough time to put everything out while they were busy "playing."

Even my 9 month old had some fun!

Happy Fall everyone!

Apple Puzzles

Print one of these out...HERE

Then color it.

Then cut it out.

I cut out the big shape and then they followed the lines.

Then, mix it up and put it together.

Perfect little activity to work on scissor skills. And it fits with the theme, SCORE!

Apple Treats

We made a fun back to school snack...

Here is what you need:
6 cups of Rice Krispies
4 TBSP Butter
1 pkg Mini Marshmallows
1 3oz package of RED jello...we did Cherry
Tootsie Rolls
Tablespoon of Frosting
Key Lime Pie Gum

Melt the butter, marshmallows in a pan once its smooth add the jello.
Mix in the rice krispies and then stir.
Let sit for 3 minutes.
Grease the kids hands with cooking spray.
Form into balls
Let sit for 3 minutes, then add the tootsie rolls.

Have the kids use scissors to cut the leaves out of gum and then stick on with frosting.

I made 20, and there was plenty left in the pot so I made mini balls for snacks - like for the park etc...

These were tart and so good. The mini balls were perfect for a quick bite of sweetness. :)

Thanks to GourmetMom on the Go for the idea!

Leaf Art

Easy and Fun Leaf Activity for Toddlers.

Go outside and collect some leaves.

Here in Colorado it has been beautiful and Sunny (11-9-10)

 Once you have collected the leaves, but them in a ziploc bag.

 Smash them and while the kids get their aggression out draw a leaf on each paper.

 The leaves I chose were ones similar to the ones that they had collected.

 Then trace the leaf with glue.

 Take the leaf bits and put them on the glue.

Ta-Da! Something different than your average collection of leaves. :)

Fall Manipulatives

Learning Resources had these Fall Pattern and Sequencing Cards

So I bought them for $5 at the school's book fair.

It comes with 18 counters and 14 sequencing cards. They are double sided and get harder each card.

 It is neat too because it has other activities you can do and fun facts about owls, bats and squirrels.

This is just a fun activity you can do with your kids that is neat and clean and fits in a gallon size bag! Haha

HERE is their website.  I am not endorsing them or anything but it is another cool place to find educational toys.  Like I said earlier I found this game at the elementary's book fair.

Toddler Thanksgiving and Fall Idea

With LEFT OVER CANDY!!!!

For family night in our house we are taking each night until Thanksgiving to talk about something we are grateful for.  The problem with having a 4, 3 and almost 2 year old and my having a slight pregnancy brain is coming up with 25 things to be thankful for. So I made a list and then cut them out and wrapped each category around left over Halloween candy.

If you would like the list, please email me at valeriewitte@yahoo.com

Then you put them in the jar.

Then after dinner, the kids get to pick a candy.

and then on the leaf write what they are grateful for...

Then tape it to the tree I made out of paper bags.

Since my almost 3 year old can't exactly "write" she drew a picture.

Then taped it to the window.

Once all 25 are filled out its going to look great! :)

Witches Brooms

I know you were totally waiting for another awesome Toddler Halloween Snack idea right?

Here is one more to finish our week.

You need 1 string cheese cut into 3 parts, licorice strings, and 3 pretzel sticks.

 Start by peeling up the cheese half way.

 Once my kids saw how to do it, they jumped right in!

 It should look like this...

 Then you stick the pretzel down the other end...

Then add the licorice.

Then enjoy!

If you like these snack ideas or want to see more...please leave a comment and I will make sure to add them into my weeks! :)