Category: Learn + Grow

Toddler-Tested and Approved Resources

Edible Jewelry Fun

Sierra Wilson is a children’s book author, artist, and mother of three. She’s a former art teacher who loves to be creative and doesn’t mind making a mess! Sierra currently lives in Alberta, Canada with her family. Learn more about Sierra at sierrawilsonauthor.com This fun and simple…

Edible Texture Collage

Sierra Wilson is a children’s book author, artist, and mother of three. She’s a former art teacher who loves to be creative and doesn’t mind making a mess! Sierra currently lives in Alberta, Canada with her family. Learn more about Sierra at sierrawilsonauthor.com We all know…

Reality Check

When I get on Instagram and I scroll through my feed I see so much perfection. Perfect food, perfect homes, perfect people. Clutter free, clean homes. Beautiful food that takes only a second to process. Amazing, genius ideas. I see accounts and people with hundreds, thousands…

Play Dough Baking Pretend

For this play experience I got out a bunch of baking supplies and a few containers of play dough and let the kids choose what they wanted to do. Above you can see: a mini cookie sheet, plastic knives and forks, a garlic press, cookie cutters,…

Kitchen Play Water Table

I loved this water play table! I got a smattering of kitchen utensils out that can be used to pour, mix or dump, and set them out with a full cooler of water on a table outside. I had bowls of different sizes, little pots, a…

10 Simple Ways to Inspire Imaginary Kitchen Play

Imaginary play is a great opportunity for our little ones to explore and experiment! I find when we are really cooking, my style is to be the leader and require the kids to follow my instructions and maintain a sense of order. That’s how it works…

Cooking Themed Sensory Bin

My kiddos have a rice bin that usually holds a bunch of cars and marbles. They enjoy playing with it sometimes especially on rainy afternoons. But I had the idea, why not create a bin that is cooking themed? So the kids can use the rice…

5 Simple Strategies to Organize Kids’ Art

I’m so thrilled to have Crystal here as a guest today. She is a stunning artist who especially loves watercolor! She’s also a mama of 3 young girls and is sharing her wisdom on how to maximize the memories but minimize the mess (and stress!) that…

5 Toddler Friendly Home Decor Ideas

I am so tickled to have my good friend Jenny as a guest here today! In a former life she was the social worker to my RN on a hospice team in Portland – once upon a time when we were working full time, before we…

Cooking with Toddlers 101

This article is a collaborative effort featuring words and images from from of my favorite instagram friends! I’m share my WHY behind cooking with toddlers, top tips from 2 moms @littlecookery and @baking_with_kids who are actively cooking with their kids, toddler SAFETY, some toddler friendly RECIPES…

7 Toddler Hairstyles for Beginners, that take 5 Minutes or Less

Tessi Wood is back again to share some *quick* hairstyles for all you toddler parents out there! My daughter absolutely loves these hairstyles and loves to look at Tess’s instagram account each morning to pick out a style – which I attempt to recreate! Hair is…

5 Simple Ways to Help Prepare Your Child for Music Lessons

Huge thanks to Miriam for this post about music lesson and music education prep for young children, from toddler age to grade school! You don’t want to miss this post that is full of resources and ideas. I attended one class to observe the let’s play…

10 Simple Ways to Minimize Meltdowns while Cooking with Kids

Recently on Facebook my friend posted: “Anyone know how to cook with kids and not have every one of us have a meltdown?! 😩👩🏼‍🍳😭”  When I first started trying to cook with my kids it did not go well. It was a high stress situation for everyone…

5 Easy Steps to Create Your Own Music and Movement Class

This post comes courtesy of my dear friend and old neighbor Charlotte Barnes! She led a music and movement class when we both lived in married student housing at BYU. It was the happening place! I even went and I didn’t have any kids at the…

10 Easy Snacks to make with Toddlers

Make snack time fun with these simple, healthy and entertaining recipes! Peanut Butter Apple Smiles Mandarin Pumpkins Mini Fruit Kabobs Toddler Made Deviled Eggs Rainbow Veggie Bites Cereal Balls No Bake Banana Oat Energy Bites Trail Mix Anytime “Breakfast” Sundae No Bake Granola Bars What did…

Birthday Cookie Tutorial

I’m so excited to be sharing this two part tutorial from my friend Bre! I absolutely love her cookies that I’ve seen her posting on Instagram. With this tutorial and inspiration you can create your own beautiful cookies for your toddlers birthday or other celebration! Read…

Simple Holiday Table Arrangement

Many of you enjoyed Jessica’s piece on why she gardens with her kids. Today she is back to share a simple tutorial for creating a fresh foraged holiday table arrangement. Thanks for your words and for sharing your creativity Jessica! – Bethany This time of year…

Audrey Wood’s Napping Books Don’t Put You to Sleep!

If you are a huge fan of good illustrations that come with an entertaining plot line, you will love these books.  All of Audrey Wood’s books are winners for both of my toddlers. Several of her books are bestsellers!  The plot-lines are engaging, quirky and unique…

Cruise Through Donald Crews Train Books

I’m sure many of you are familiar with Donald Crews’ big sellers “Freight Train” and “Truck”, but he has several other books that grab kids attention and help them to learn.  If you have toddlers who love trains, trucks, boats etc. these are the books for…

Mo Willems Mo’ Fun

If you haven’t heard of the Mo Willems books go get them right now!  These books are so much fun!  The Knuffle Bunny series uses real photography- along with drawings for their illustrations and so the books are super unique.  The Pigeon series is extremely interactive;…