Thursday, April 7, 2011

April Tot Time Plans and a Few More Ideas!

I have more ideas for you for the Spring!  My kids headed to the grandparents this week so I didn't even plan for this week.  Instead , I have ideas for the next couple of weeks based on some great books. 

I saw this idea over at Helping Little Hands and fell in love with it.  Why?  Because it fits us perfectly.  I love activities that are connected to books because by reading the same book over and over for days (or even weeks) on end kids learn what to expect and can start to "tell the story" themselves.  Right now my boys LOVE playing in laundry baskets so an activity that includes playing in one is perfect!
Another book idea is from Notes from a very red kitchen (I think she is the sister to the writer of the above blog . .).  I liked the math/number ideas she gives to go along with the book "This Old Man."


This looks like a fun idea to do outside from The Path Before Me.  I think we are going to hold off on this idea until this summer when it is warm enough for the ice cubes to melt and paint though.
One Hip Mom gives a great tutorial for making a tool belt - a cute idea for an Easter basket idea.

Another idea for a cute Easter basket gift is this crayon holder from Nested.  There is a great tutorial included too. 
Everyday Celebrate gives a tutorial for a colors quiet book - she also has items available in her etsy store to help make this craft easier.  We are starting to focus more on colors so I really like this idea.
This is an idea I started working on last summer when I went into Craft overload and never finished so I think I'll follow the clear tutorial given over at smartbottomenterprises and finish up this project for spring.

I would really like to do more crafts with the kids (well . .Josh .  .Nate has a little while yet) and though this was cute.  It's from Funny days with mommy and maddie and show how to make a cupcake liner bouquet.
Muffin Tin Mom gives another easy craft for making a paper chick.  I love that I do the prep work (cutting, etc) and than the boys get to be creative. 
Of course we need a bunny craft too and One Mom, Five Boys and a Bundle of Joy delivers!

The Ramblings of a Crazy Woman gives a cute Easter Wreath idea for kids to make. I'm not sure if I will have dandelions by Easter but I think that using pom poms would work too.

Another idea from Muffin Tin Mom is painting with plastic Easter eggs. 
These would be fun to make and fun for some pictures - bunny ears from Kaboose
I never did get my sensory bin made for March so I'm going to get April's done.  Here's one idea from mydeliciousambiguity
The Spring Units are starting to come out too!  Musings of Me has prepared another great unit with so many wonderful ideas to use.

She has also posted some really cute art projects to share also!

Home School Creations has a really neat looking Garden Unit.  They are also hosting a Garden Challenge that begins March 31st.

Than, over at Our Little Monkeys has prepared an April Showers Tot Pack.

Idea overload yet? LOL  It is amazing the ideas that are out there in blog world and, with Easter falling late this year, I know that there will be tons more ideas coming in the next few weeks.  I had planned to have my April calendar ready to post this week - and I actually had it done . . .than all of these spring units popped up and I felt the need to make some changes to my plans. I plan on finishing up plans and getting everything prepared this weekend so we can start out Monday with some fun plans. I also find that the last week of the month I use to plan for the next month (and this week . .. well I just dind't do anything) - the break is good for both the kids and for me!
So, for now, enjoy all of these ideas!