Last fall, I hosted a pretty massive busy bag exchange with 20 of my girlfriends. We did a toddler aged and preschool aged exchange (and most of us participated in both.) Those posts have a ton of ideas and remain our most popular posts on the blog. The busy bags were a hit with our ... Read more

20 great toddler busy bag ideas along with how to do your own Busy Bag Exchange - make 20 identical busy bags and then get 20 different ones back!

Who here has heard of The Busy Bag Exchange? Because seriously. Why didn’t you tell me about it?! I feel so left out and hurt right now!For those of you who feel left out like me- don’t worry. I’m going to fill you in. Ha, with my limited knowledge of what they are BECAUSE I’VE...

We continue with our Virtual Busy Bag Exchange Series! Here are a few more busy bag ideas for keeping ONE year olds entertained! Color Sorting Pictures and Toys by Life over C's How to make

Baby E and I went to a Busy Bag Exchange earlier this week. Most toddler moms are familiar with busy bags but if you don't know what they are they are self-contained entertainment that usually develop fine motor skills or teach colors, shapes or numbers. What we took: Colored Lacing Cards I chose to take

I'm sharing some experiences and ideas from the recent busy bag exchange I posted. You can read part 1 here and part 2 here. You can see the rest of the ideas I gathered for the swap on this google doc. Today I'm sharing the preschool aged busy bags from...

Who here has heard of The Busy Bag Exchange? Because seriously. Why didn’t you tell me about it?! I feel so left out and hurt right now!For those of you who feel left out like me- don’t worry. I’m going to fill you in. Ha, with my limited knowledge of what they are BECAUSE I’VE...

I’m sharing some experiences and ideas from the recent busy bag exchange I posted. You can read part 1 here and part 2 here. You can see the rest of the ideas I gathered for the swap on this google doc. Today I’m sharing the preschool aged busy bags from the exchange. 1. Numbers Flip ... Read more

Baby E and I went to a Busy Bag Exchange earlier this week. Most toddler moms are familiar with busy bags but if you don't know what they are they are self-contained entertainment that usually develop fine motor skills or teach colors, shapes or numbers. What we took: Colored Lacing Cards I chose to take

This week we've been participating in the Virtual Busy Bag Exchange. Big Cousin was at our house for a few days this week and as the all the kiddos would be partaking in quiet time, I created a few busy bags for her as well. Big Cousin is headed into second grade in the fall so her bags needed to work on different skill sets than the ones I usually create for Big Brother. I know she is enjoying to learn how to sew with her grandmother, so the first bag I created encouraged her to practice her sewing skills. Sewing also helps kids develop fine motor skills, and in her case, strengthen her fine motor muscles even more so as she already is an active writer and used to manipulating small objects. For the bag I cut two pieces of craft felt into 12 inch by 6 inch rectangles. I laid them together and used embroidery thread to sew the two pieces together down the centers. This created a soft, fabric "book." I used permanent marker to lightly draw straight lines on the first page. I threaded two needles with embroidery thread. I set up the needles for her as the thread was very thick for the head of the needle. I also included some beads (these are larger than seed beads so they can fit over the needle.) Big Cousin loved working in this bag, and asked for it several times during the week even when it was not quiet time. She added the beads to her lines on both sides of the page. Other days in the week she asked for more complicated lines to follow. My plan is that sometime over the summer we'll add her name to the cover and she can embroider her name on the cover of the book. She was so engaged with her sewing book and bag she didn't get as involved with the other bag, which had a math focus. Using some quick clip art, foam dice, and stickers I created a number bond activity. Number bonds explore the idea that numbers can be made in different ways. For example 5 can be made of 2 and 3 or 4 and 1. Knowing different ways to break up (decompose) or put together (compose) numbers can help kids in many areas of math. For this number bond activity kids can roll one foam dice and write the number into the large circle. Then, using stickers they can break the number into two parts and put that many stickers in each small circle. For example, if the number was 8 they might put 5 stickers in one circle and 3 stickers in another. On another page, they could also put 8 in the large circle but put 4 stickers in each small circle. (Or 6 and 2, 7 an 1, etc.) It was fun thinking of how to create busy bags that would seem meaningful an engaging to an older child. I'm looking forward to seeing some of the other ideas shared at Teach Me Mommy and Three Foot Cooks. I've enjoyed seeing all the great ideas that came out of this great exchange!

A good friend of mine recently hosted an activity bag exchange for young children and toddlers. Each Mum involved made 13 copies of an activity of their choice. We all got together for a chat and t…

This week we've been participating in the Virtual Busy Bag Exchange . Big Cousin was at our house for a few days this week and as the all th...

I’m sharing some experiences and ideas from the recent busy bag exchange I posted. You can read part 1 here and part 2 here. You can see the rest of the ideas I gathered for the swap on this google doc. Today I’m sharing the preschool aged busy bags from the exchange. 1. Numbers Flip ... Read more

Last fall, I hosted a pretty massive busy bag exchange with 20 of my girlfriends. We did a toddler aged and preschool aged exchange (and most of us participated in both.) Those posts have a ton of ideas and remain our most popular posts on the blog. The busy bags were a hit with our ... Read more

Not too many are aware though that even kids in their preschool age can already begin their practice of yoga. This would ultimately raise concern among parents who fear that their child's body is not yet fully developed to expose it to such rigorous exercises.

Who here has heard of The Busy Bag Exchange? Because seriously. Why didn’t you tell me about it?! I feel so left out and hurt right now!For those of you who feel left out like me- don’t worry. I’m going to fill you in. Ha, with my limited knowledge of what they are BECAUSE I’VE...

Last fall, I hosted a pretty massive busy bag exchange with 20 of my girlfriends. We did a toddler aged and preschool aged exchange (and most of us participated in both.) Those posts have a ton of ideas and remain our most popular posts on the blog. The busy bags were a hit with our ... Read more

I’m sharing some experiences and ideas from the recent busy bag exchange I posted. You can read part 1 here and part 2 here. You can see the rest of the ideas I gathered for the swap on this google doc. Today I’m sharing the preschool aged busy bags from the exchange. 1. Numbers Flip ... Read more

We continue with our Virtual Busy Bag Exchange Series! Here are busy bag ideas for keeping FIVE to SIX year olds entertained! Smores Busy Bag by Life Over C's Pizza Building Busy Bag by Kelly's

Who here has heard of The Busy Bag Exchange? Because seriously. Why didn’t you tell me about it?! I feel so left out and hurt right now!For those of you who feel left out like me- don’t worry. I’m going to fill you in. Ha, with my limited knowledge of what they are BECAUSE I’VE...

I’m sharing some experiences and ideas from the recent busy bag exchange I posted. You can read part 1 here and part 2 here. You can see the rest of the ideas I gathered for the swap on this google doc. Today I’m sharing the preschool aged busy bags from the exchange. 1. Numbers Flip ... Read more

I’m sharing some experiences and ideas from the recent busy bag exchange I posted. You can read part 1 here and part 2 here. You can see the rest of the ideas I gathered for the swap on this google doc. Today I’m sharing the preschool aged busy bags from the exchange. 1. Numbers Flip ... Read more

Last fall, I hosted a pretty massive busy bag exchange with 20 of my girlfriends. We did a toddler aged and preschool aged exchange (and most of us participated in both.) Those posts have a ton of ideas and remain our most popular posts on the blog. The busy bags were a hit with our ... Read more

Yesterday I had the privilege of hosting a literacy bag exchange. WHAT???? Earlier this spring I held a toddler busy bag exchange for my 2 y...

I recently did a busy bag exchange with a group of girls in my neighborhood. It was such a hit that we did it twice! Our exchange was toddler themed, but they will work for

**UPDATE: Check out Toddler “Busy Bag” Swap, Take Two! for 20 more new activities! This post could also be properly entitled: My Winter Survival Kit! This past week, I hosted a Toddler …

Baby E and I went to a Busy Bag Exchange earlier this week. Most toddler moms are familiar with busy bags but if you don't know what they are they are self-contained entertainment that usually develop fine motor skills or teach colors, shapes or numbers. What we took: Colored Lacing Cards I chose to take

Remember the awesome busy bag exchange from this spring? The same group of ladies (plus lots of friends and family) gathered this wee...

I am SO excited to introduce to you the Virtual Busy Bag Exchange Series! Basically, a busy bag is an activity in a bag of sorts, that is portable and mostly mess free, (and that

If you’ve been following this blog for a little while now, you might remember the Toddler Busy Bag Swap that I hosted at my house last fall. A few weeks after I hosted my swap, my friend, Emily, h…

I recently did a busy bag exchange with a group of girls in my neighborhood. It was such a hit that we did it twice! Our exchange was toddler themed, but they will work for

I’m sharing some experiences and ideas from the recent busy bag exchange I posted. You can read part 1 here and part 2 here. You can see the rest of the ideas I gathered for the swap on this google doc. Today I’m sharing the preschool aged busy bags from the exchange. 1. Numbers Flip ... Read more

I'm obsessed with busy bags. TONS of ideas for busy bags with some free printables to go along with them! Also some ideas for hosting a busy bags swap party

I recently did a busy bag exchange with a group of girls in my neighborhood. It was such a hit that we did it twice! Our exchange was toddler themed, but they will work for

I’m sharing some experiences and ideas from the recent busy bag exchange I posted. Read part 1 and part 3. Today I’m sharing the 19 activities that were part of our toddler exchange. I’m also sharing what my 18 month old daughter, Adelaide, thinks of the activities we’ve tried as well. 1. Rainbow Rice ... Read more

Yesterday I had the privilege of hosting a literacy bag exchange. WHAT???? Earlier this spring I held a toddler busy bag exchange for my 2 y...

Recently, I have been thinking about all the wonderful ideas that other moms and educators share via blogs, yahoogroups, personal chats, activity exchanges, etc. And, although the number of ideas I want to try out always seems to far exceed the amount of time (focus and discipline) I have to prepare each idea for presentation to my children, I am always grateful to hear about others tried-and-true activities. They give me lots to look forward to. And speaking of looking forward to things, today I am particularly grateful for activities shared with a wonderful mom named Kim that I met through a yahoogroup. As I posted about yesterday, we did an activity bag exchange last summer. And, this weekend, she and I are sending out Round II! What a blessing the Internet can be when it introduces one to resourceful folks to share, not only ideas with, but practical kids’ activities, too! Love that! Just what did Kim share with us last time? A bevy of activities that focused on classic pre-k skills and just plain inventive fun: Paper Clip Counting activity (A great Montessori-inspired one!) a Button Jar Lacing Cards Circus Reading -- a fabric book with finger puppet characters a Buckle Book -- a homemade buckle and fasteners book Color Carton Fun -- a color pom pom sorting egg box a Matching Game – paint chip matching cards (A great Montessori-inspired one!) a Morning Routine activity -- a morning/meal routine card set with real life manipulatives Alphabet Fun – placemat, foam letters and erasable marker Fun with Numbers – placemat, foam shapes and numbers and an erasable marker Golf Tee Hammering -- a foam block and golf tee hammering activity (A great Montessori-inspired one!) Treasure Hunt -- a rice-filled treasure chest coin search game Luke and Nina truly enjoyed this these activity bags, and I was especially grateful to have them on hand for days at home that I was too busy or distracted to come up with something myself, as well as for long road trips and a visit to Nana and Papa’s. Without a doubt, exchanging activity bags has proved both entertaining and educational for us --as well as time-saving for Mom I’d love to hear about to hear favorite Activity Bag ideas, successful exchanges (activity bags, crafts, cookies, whatever...) I find them so inspiring! Please share in a comment, with a link if you’ve got one, below. Also, to read about other things that folks are thankful for this week, please enjoy Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers! Thanks! P.S. If you want to see what we included in our half of the last exchange with Kim, look at yesterday’s post. As the week continues, I will try to post about another Activity Bag exchange we did and, by next week, I will share what I mail to Kim this weekend.

Make a textured photo book for baby to explore with their senses and to look at familiar faces when you are on the go!

I recently did a busy bag exchange with a group of girls in my neighborhood. It was such a hit that we did it twice! Our exchange was toddler themed, but they will work for

I’m sharing some experiences and ideas from the recent busy bag exchange I posted. Read part 1 and part 3. Today I’m sharing the 19 activities that were part of our toddler exchange. I’m also sharing what my 18 month old daughter, Adelaide, thinks of the activities we’ve tried as well. 1. Rainbow Rice ... Read more

I’m sharing some experiences and ideas from the recent busy bag exchange I posted. Read part 1 and part 3. Today I’m sharing the 19 activities that were part of our toddler exchange. I’m also sharing what my 18 month old daughter, Adelaide, thinks of the activities we’ve tried as well. 1. Rainbow Rice ... Read more

I'm sharing some experiences and ideas from the recent busy bag exchange I posted. You can read part 1 here and part 2 here. You can see the rest of the ideas I gathered for the swap on this google doc. Today I'm sharing the preschool aged busy bags from...

Remember the awesome busy bag exchange from this spring? The same group of ladies (plus lots of friends and family) gathered this wee...

I'm sharing some experiences and ideas from the recent busy bag exchange I posted. Read part 1 and part 3. Today I'm sharing the 19 activities that were part of our toddler exchange. You can see the rest of the ideas I gathered for the swap on this google doc....

If you’re like me, then you’re probably finding it hard to get back in the swing of things as the year begins. The weather is beautiful here and it’s challenging to apply myself to anything industrious. No matter what time of the year, or season it is where you are, quotes are always a good […]

Get kids interested in easy STEM preschool activity! This frozen toy ice challenge lets kids put their problem solving skills to the test.

Yesterday I had the privilege of hosting a literacy bag exchange. WHAT???? Earlier this spring I held a toddler busy bag exchange for my 2 year old with neighborhood moms and I was blown away with the new activities my little guy got! Then I took my new bag of treasures to school and showed my amazing team. ****Then the literacy bag idea was in full planning mode. WH0: k and 1st grade teachers in our county HOW: We have 6 members on our team but only 4 were returning so the four of us invited 3 people each. Then to get some people that we did not know before the exchange, each of our invited guest was able to invite 1 person as their guest!!! We had the potential of having 24 people participate in the exchange. We had 18 people confirm and committ to making 18 games to share with the group!!!!! I am going to share some the 'are you kidding me?' creative activities that we got at the exchange! I am always impressed with the creative genes that are in teachers and the desire to make learning fun! My game was simple--- or should have been! I bought the cutest alphabet clip art on Etsy and made beginning sound clip match up! To jazz up my game I bought wood clothes pins and dyed them 'sunshine orange'. (messy and I have to say my color choice did not look too different from wood grain in the end) Then I added one letter on each clothes pin! You can grab this printable on my new TPT store for FREE.....Here;) Here is a QUICK over view of a few of the games I got yesterday!!!!!! This is sight word pancake flip!!! I love that she included the spatula too! :) I am a blog stalker and a I am always on the hunt for a new game....BUT I have never seen this one...IF you have please tell me! This is from a new and super creative teacher. You play by driving the skateboard over the words as you read them!!! HOW fun? I know my little ones will love this!?!?! This is an old but a goody!! :) You can sort your letters multiple ways! My sweet little ones love to do this at the beginning of the year. Power Towers are ALLLLLLLL over the web and Pinterest! My friend made this work sheet that goes with 4, 3, 2 and 1 letter words. Then she wrote the letters on the bottom of the cups! I loooove the super cute pink container....(run to the Dollar Tree NOW) Everyone loves Roll and Record games. AND I love things that are color coordinated. (This maybe why Lakeshore is not a place I can visit too often) I love how she matched the BRIGHT colored paper to the cube with sight words! This was a SOUND sort...I like how she put the blends into the same spoon. I feel like I may need to invest some more money into spoons. The game possibilities are endless!!! This game was made by a K teacher at my school and she shares my obsession with vinyl. SHE is super creative and really particular about her activities....(SHE SOUNDS LIKE THE PERFECT TEAMMATE....HUH) I love her amazing sort games. She made several of them ending, middle sounds, vowels and she shared this one yesterday. I love the way the vinyl looks on the tray AND I love how she put a red trim on the sort cards! Mystery words.... I know it will be LOOVED by my sweet little ones. First you take a piece of card stock and write the word with liquid glue. Once it is dry you seal it in the envelope. Then the students use their Mysterious Sight Words book to rub over top the envelope and see what the word is!!!! This is way easier to prepare than painting over white crayons because it reusable! I don't know about you BUT I am impressed! There were some amazing games presented! I am blessed to work in a school district that allows us to work together and learn from each other! I know what you are thinking...this is NOT 18 games...YEP you counted right...I will post about the other games later! :)

Color matching popsicles are a fun way for kids to learn about colors and numbers! Here are DIY tips and Montessori-inspired advice for teaching colors!