Supplies

• Doughnuts (Glazed work the best!) 
• Candy Eyes 
• Plastic Vampire Teeth (Dollar General has them out now) 

Directions

1. Take a pair of your Plastic Vampire Teeth and carefully place them in the circle part of the donut. Donuts come in all shapes, so you might not get a perfect fit, however, they will still look pretty festive!

2. Now take your Candy Eyes and stick them onto your donut. The glaze from the donuts should hold the eyes in place. 

3. You now have Vampire Donuts! Easy peasy to make and sure to be a crowd pleaser!

The post Halloween Donut Fun appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.

Apple Books

Hello, World! How Do Apples Grow? 

This board book is the perfect nonfiction book that is written in clear and easy terms. From apple seed to apple tree and then farm to store, this delightful book with cheerful illustrations is a perfect way to introduce apples to young children. 

How Do Apples Grow?

You’re not seeing double. This book is also called How Do Apples Grow, but it’s another good one and worth sharing. In this book, readers learn how an apple grows from bud to flower to fruit. It’s the perfect informative text.

Apple Picking Day!

Do you ever use readers as a read aloud? They often have great illustrations and are full of good vocabulary. I also like that after reading them, students have a better chance of re-reading and retelling because it is a reader. This adorable rhyming book is about a sister and brother who celebrate autumn by taking a trip to a local apple orchard.

Apple Trees and the Seasons

Follow the apple trees throughout the year and watch what happens to them during each season. This is a great nonfiction text. 

Amelia Bedelia’s First Apple Pie

Who doesn’t love a good Amelia Bedelia book? Amelia loves Fall and her favorite thing to do is pick apples. In this book, Amelia bakes her first apple pie with her grandma. Of course there is a problem but she has a solution. This is the perfect book to pair with your apple pie tasting. 

Bad Apple: A Take of Friendship

When an apple named Mac meets a worm named Will, they become best friends. Apples and worms aren’t supposed to be friends though, so Mac gets called names that hurt his feelings. Mac has to decide if he will stand up to his bullies and keep his friend Will. There is a positive moral to this story, which will lead to great lessons on friendship and character.

Apples

This book is full of so much apple goodness: vocabulary, picture diagrams, apple varieties, and more. This is the perfect introduction or ending to your apple week.

Applesauce Day

Maria and her family visit an apple orchard and pick apples. Then it’s time to turn the apples into applesauce! Every year they use the special pot that has been in the family for generations to make applesauce. First they wash the apples. Then Grandma cuts them into quarters. Follow each step in the process as everyone helps to make delicious applesauce!

More Hands-On Apple FUN!

When prepping my Apple Unit, Bennett wanted to try on the apple hat and kept saying, “Cheese!” Sweet baby, you can tell that his mom takes all the pictures, and he definitely loved “helping” with all of the apple activities, especially the sensory tub. You can click here to see more.

Outside of reading, hands-on learning experiences are my FAVORITE. This is one of three art projects in this apple unit. Have you ever painted with apples?

Sensory tubs are a great way for your young learner to have developmental experiences using all of their senses while also building their cognitive skills. In this sensory tub, children are “making apple pie” with an educational spin. You can add a few cinnamon sticks to entice their sense of smell, too. Kids will love this! You can check this out by clicking here. 

We hope you enjoyed our book list. We LOVE incorporating APPLES in literacy, math, art and STEM. Check out our Apple Learning Set by clicking here. 

If you are looking for a list of Teacher Approved Apple VIDEOS, Simply Kinder has you covered. You can see them by clicking here. 

Happy teaching!

**Posts on Kreative in Life may contain affiliate links which means we make a very small percentage off of your purchase but that does not affect your price. 

The post Apple Books for the Early Childhood Classroom appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.

Gather These Ocean Sensory Tub Supplies

• Blue Rocks (gravel)
• Play Sand
• Mini Plastic Ocean Animals
• Seashells
• Mini Plastic Sea Plants
• Plastic Art Activity Tray

Directions

• Get a plastic tub and add blue rocks (gravel) to to it. Leave a bit of space for play sand.
• Add play sand to the remaining space in the tub.
• Place seashells and mini plastic sea plants in the play sand.
• Add mini plastic ocean animals to the blue rocks.

It’s time to play! Invite your little ones to explore the “ocean” and the “beach.” For more fun, add some water to the rocks! The sand will get wet and they can make tiny little castles. This ocean sensory tub will lead to hours of fun.

If you are looking for a kit that is ready for you, try this one. I purchased this set on Amazon and used Bennett’s water table to fill it with the water beads and ocean toys. Bennett and his friends loved this simple activity. When they were finished, I transferred it to a tub for outside play all summer. We LOVE sensory bins. If you are looking for more themes, click here.

Looking for more OCEAN-THEMED activities? Check these out!

The post Ocean Sensory Tub appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.

Today we are sharing with you a fun, free coloring pages download and DIY tips for creating this adorable eagle craft.  The bald eagle was chosen June 20, 1782 as the emblem of the United States of America, because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks, and also because it was then believed to exist only on this continent.  It only seems fitting that creating this national emblem seems fitting for this week of celebration of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Before getting started, you will need a few supplies.

Supplies:

Brown and White Felt

Yellow Foam Paper

Popsicle Sticks

Google Eyes

Scissors

Toilet Paper Tubes

Hot Glue

Instructions:

• Begin by folding your yellow foam paper in half. On the fold, cut out the shape of bird feet. Use the scraps to create small triangle beaks.

• Cut the ends of a popsicle off. Keep them about 1 inch. Glue your bird’s feet onto the popsicle stick. This will help weigh down your toilet paper tube.

• Glue your birds feet to your toilet paper tube.

• Cut a long strip of brown felt a little more than half the height of your toilet paper tube. Wrap the felt around the bottom of your toilet paper tube and secure with glue on the back. Follow this step with your white felt. Trim off any excess felt from the top with scissors.

• Cut wing shapes out of your brown felt. They don’t need to be perfect! Glue your wings onto the brown portion of your toilet paper tube.

• Take your birds beak and fold it in half and pinch it on the bend tightly. You want to create a 3D beak. Glue your birds beak into place.

• Glue google eyes above your bird’s beak. Your bald eagle is finished and looking mighty fearless!

Before you go make sure you grab this coloring book here. Have a great July 4^th and remember to celebrate all the things that makes our nation great.  I am so thankful to live in a country where I am free to worship God, speak my mind and love each and every person without seeing color, ethnicity and gender.  Each person makes this world a beautiful place to live and for that, I am thankful.

Don’t forget to grab  your free coloring book here.

The post FREE July Coloring Book & Eagle Craft  appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.

The outdoors is a great place for kids. Unfortunately, there are many kids who don’t like going outside. The second you send them out, they come back in complaining that they’re bored. If this sounds like your kid, then you need these tips for getting kids outdoors this summer.

Go With Them

You are the best example for your kids, which is why you should be the first one out the door when it comes to getting your kids outdoors. Head outside with them and do something fun, such as going fishing, playing catch, or playing a game of tag.

Make It Interesting

You want your kids to develop a love of the outdoors and not be bored. That’s why you should make it interesting. Each time you send your kids outside to play, try to guide them towards a fun activity that they haven’t tried. By changing things up and making things interesting, your kids will enjoy their time outdoors.

Plan Nature Outings

Don’t just expect your kids to sit around outside in your yard. Instead, show them what nature is all about with planned nature outings. Take a hike at a local state park.  Go on a scavenger hunt through the woods. Take a telescope out on a clear night and gaze at the stars. The more connected your child feels with nature, the more they’ll love going outdoors!

Bug Scavenger Hunt

Give your kids a goal when you send them outdoors. Send them on a bug scavenger hunt by giving them a camera or phone to take pictures with. Your kids will love the mixture of nature and technology as they try to find all of the items on their scavenger hunt list. You can download this printable by clicking here. Have kids color the bugs as they find them or when they get back inside.

These tips are sure to help your child develop a love of the outdoors. How do you get your kids outdoors during the summer? What are your favorite activities to do outside with them?

The post Tips For Getting Kids Outdoors This Summer appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.

After having friends, family and followers fill out a survey, it was clear that Italy and Greece where bucket list locations for everyone. The most popular months to travel were summer months but also the most expensive months for these two locations, which is why I chose November and September. I hope you will join me for this opportunity to explore our beautiful world. Keep reading so you can get answers to all of your questions.

Trip Options

You can sign up for one or join me for both!

• A Week in Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome: November 8-16, 2023. B
• A Week in Greece: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini: September 13-21, 2024. 

READY TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT? CLICK HERE!

I know you have questions and I have answers! Keep reading….

FAQ’s

Why are you planning so far out?

Traveling can be costly. This is why I planned trips far in advance to allow more people to come.  Also, we all have big dreams, a bucket list and things we will do “one day.” By signing up now, you know “one day” is going to happen so you can budget, plan and look forward to an amazing trip! 

Does the base price include airfare?

No, it does not. Your options are to include it in your trip price or get flights on your own. The benefit of including it now lets you lock in a price this far out.  You also have the option to cancel the flight portion of your trip and book on your own (maybe you want to use points built up by then) as long as you do it  90 days before the trip. Go Ahead Tours has relationships with many airlines and works hard to get you the best flight for the best price. 

Do I have to book extra excursions?

No. There will be free time to explore in the different cities and what you do is up to you. The extra excursions are options that may include places you want to see or things you want to do. These options have been vetted for you so you know your booking is solid. You don’t have to add them now but I do suggest adding them within thirty days of travel. There may be some that you can book the day of but there are no guarantees. 

Do we have a tour guide?

Yes. Each trip will have a dedicated tour director for guided sight seeing and 24/7 support. Our guide will share their words of wisdom as a local, help with suggestions for our free time and more. 

What exactly is included in the base price? 

Make sure you check out the trip page by clicking here. It will have all the details on meals, hotels and the set itinerary. Both trips include guided tours of popular places.  The best part about taking a trip like this is that almost everything is planned for you but you also have some free time to stop at a quaint coffee shop, add a wine tasting or visit a famous museum. These locations are absolutely beautiful. You may just want to walk around and soak in the beauty of the culture and that’s perfectly okay. 

Who can come on each trip?

These two trips are for adults 18 and older. 

How much money do I need to reserve my spot?

For travelers who enroll in AutoPay, your deposit is only $99 per trip with the balance due in accordance with your AutoPay schedule. Then you have up to 60 days before your first interest free payment is drafted. You can chose the monthly draft date too.  The remaining balance will be divided among the remaining months before travel. 

If you wish to pay in full or manually, your deposit will be $300 per trip and you must be paid in full 70 days before travel. Deposits are risk-free and can be refunded within 72 hours of being placed. You can make payments in your online account or by calling the Customer Experience Team.  Go Ahead Tours accepts debit or credit cards (Mastercard/Visa), or payments through a checking account.

How many spots are available?

Italy can have up to 30 travelers. Greece can only have 19. Don’t wait to sign up!

What is the deadline to register?

Each trip must have at least six travelers. So, invite your friends!  Remember, the purpose for planning so far out is to allow for a lower payment so the sooner you start making payments, the smaller the payments will be.

What if the trip sells out?

Interested travelers can pay the deposit to join a risk-free waitlist. If spots open up, travelers can join us on the trip and will need to follow the payment deadlines. If the trip remains sold out, the deposit will be returned to travelers on the waitlist. Additionally, travelers can leave the waitlist at any point and they will get their deposit back..

What if I need to cancel? Do I get my money back?

Days Prior to Departure and Cancellation Fee (Inclusive of Non-Refundable Reservation Fee)

• 71 days or more: $300
• 70-46 days: $1,000
• 45-8 days: The greater of $1000 or 50%*
• 7-0 days: 100%*

I am traveling alone. Should I still come? 

Absolutely! You will make new friends and enjoy an experience of a lifetime. My husband hates to fly and will not do a long distance flight. So, I am a party of one right with you. Singles will be grouped with another person because the price is based on double occupancy, but you can pay extra to have your own room. I’ve traveled on a group trip before internationally by myself and had the BEST time. No regrets! 

Why this trip? 

Because “one day” is knocking on your door and giving you the opportunity to check this box on your bucket list. Also, there is THIS!

TRAVEL TO ITALY AND GREECE WITH ME!

Hello Italy!

Hello Greece!

Are you ready to travel to Italy and Greece with me? CLICK HERE and say yes! 

The post Travel to Italy and Greece with Me appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.

In addition to Valentine’s Day, there are quite a few more wonderful occasions and holidays to be celebrated in February. We love to read, so we’ve put together a list of Books to Read in February that fit many of the fun celebrations.

1. Snoopy for President! First on the list of Books to Read in February

Snoopy for President is the perfect book to read in February as we celebrate President’s Day.

Check the Snoopy for President!

2. A Visit to the Dentist

February is also National Children’s Dental Health Month, so A Visit to The Dentist is a great book to read to the kids.

Check A Visit to the Dentist

3. Llama Llama I Love You

This month is also colored with love, so a love themed book like Llama Llama I Love You is a great book to add to your list of books to read this month.

Check Llama Llama I Love You

4. Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Another great love-themed book to read is the Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Check The Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar

5. The Snowy Day

As we will soon be saying goodbye to snow, The Snowy Day is a great book to read, too.

Check The Snowy Day

6. Sometimes I Forget You’re a Robot

Did you know that there is a Love Your Robot Day celebrated in February? This book is perfect.

Check the Sometimes I Forget You’re a Robot

7. What Pet Should I Get?

February is also a month when we observe the Love Your Pet Day, so a good pet-themed book will make a great read. We recommend What Pet Should I Get by Dr. Seuss as Dr. Seuss day is just around the corner, too.

Check the What Pet Should I Get?

8. Dear Tooth Fairy

Another great read for Dental Health Month is the Dear Tooth Fairy.

Check the Dear Tooth Fairy

9. The Three Little Pigs

This book will make a great read on the Tell A Fairy Tale Day.

Check the The Three Little Pigs

10. The Little Polar Bear

With Polar Bear Day being celebrated in February, the Little Polar Bear book must make the reading list, too.

Check The Little Polar Bear

The post Books to Read in February appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.

Colder months of the year bring many opportunities to stay inside (where it’s warm) and get creative with kids. We’ve found some cool winter crafts for kids that are perfect for the classroom or to do at home, all of which are easy and frugal.

1. Doily Snowman Craft

We’re kicking of this list of winter crafts for kids with a fun and simple craft for toddlers, preschool or kids in kindergarten.

Source: Easy Peasy and Fun

2. Coffee Filter Snowflakes

Making snowflakes is such a timeless craft so try to make them with coffee filters.

Source: Red Ted Art

3. Snowflake Yarn Art

This is a perfect craft and a great activity for fine motor skills and also a nice project to introduce the kids to sewing.

Source: I Heart Crafty Things

4. Free Snowman Template

Grab this free snowman template and make these awesome cotton ball snowmen.

Source: A Little Pinch of Perfect

5. Egg Carton Penguins

I’m sure you have egg cartons laying around the house somewhere so why not make these cute penguins.

Source: One Little Project

6. Cotton Balls Penguin

This is such a simple project for young kids.

Source: Easy Peasy and Fun

7. Lacing Ice Skates Craft

This is a great activity to practice small motor skills and it makes an awesome winter craft at the same time. Oh so colorful too!

Source: I Heart Arts n Crafts

8. Ice Wreath Bird Feeder Winter Crafts

Lets help birds survive the winter more easily and make ice wreath bird feeder with kids. They will love watching the birds.

Source: Hands on as we Grow

9. Twig Snowflake Ornaments

The classroom will look wonderful decorated with these twig snowflake ornaments.

Source: A Little Pinch of Perfect

The post Winter Crafts For Kids appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.

Cold winter evenings are more fun with a book that you and your child can read aloud together. We are sharing a list of wonderful winter books for young readers, all of them perfect for this time of the year.

1. The Lonesome Polar Bear

A wonderful story about friendship that your kindergartener will love.

Check The Lonesome Polar Bear

2. Snow! Snow! Snow!

It looks like a perfect day to hop on the sled and head down the hill. But could trouble await? “Uh-oh!” Your little one will want to read this book over and over again.

Check Snow! Snow! Snow!

3. If You Were a Penguin

What a wonderful book. How wonderful the world and play would be if you were a penguin.

Check If You Were a Penguin

4. Winter is For Snow

Celebrate snow and coziness of friends and family in Winter is for Snow.

Check Winter is For Snow

5. The Mitten

The Mitten is another gem in our Winter Books for Young Readers list and a classic must-read for every child.

Check The Mitten

6. Polar Bear’s Underwear

This polar bear has lost its underwear! You just know a good story follows. Lost underpants? What’s not to love!

The Polar Bear’s Underwear

7. Perfect Snow

We know not all snow is equally fun, so when the perfect snow falls, there certainly are a lot of happy kids.

Check Perfect Snow

8. Penguin Dreams

Penguins are one of the few birds that cannot fly. But what if they could, if only in their dreams?

Check Penguin Dreams

9. The Biggest Snowman Ever

Who will win the contest to build the biggest snowman ever?

Check The Biggest Snowman Ever

10. White Snow Bright Snow

All the wonder and delight of winter is captured in White Snow Bright Snow.

White Snow, Bright Snow

The post Winter Books for Young Readers appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.

Throwing a class Christmas party? Need some ideas? We are sharing 10 awesome and super easy Christmas class party ideas to get the little ones in the festive mood, from simple snacks to fun games to play!

1. Simple Treat Cups

These cute cups are perfect for serving classroom treats and can even double up as an easy craft for kids in the classroom.

Source: Simple as That

2. Cute Printable Gift Boxes

There are two different designs , one with a spot where you can write the name of the student which is just perfect for the classroom, and one without.

Source: Easy Peasy and Fun

3. Recycled DIY Winter Village

Kids can bring empty juice boxes to school to make this lovely winter village. Super fun craft and just imagine the whole village with houses made by each of the students.

Source: Red Ted Art

4. Fun Snowman Drinks

This is super simple to make and it will certainly make the kids smile.

Source: Finding Debra

5. Reindeer Food

This crunchy and gooey Christmas Snack is incredible easy to make and you can have it ready in about ten minutes.

Source: The 36th Avenue

6. Snowman Party Idea

This snowman party idea is a good group bonding activity and is an excellent ice breaker for some of the shyer kids.

Source: Pinterest

7. Pin the Nose on the Reindeer

This is a super fun classroom party activity because everyone will have a turn (blindfolded) to place the nose in the right place.

Source: Living on the Crafty Side of Life

8. Water Bottle Reindeer

Turn a simple water bottle into a cute reindeer .

Source: Instagram

9. Christmas Bingo

This free printable Christmas bingo works great for a class party or any Christmas party you are throwing.

Source: Crazy Little Projects

10. Decoration Ideas

Check out these twelve amazing Christmas table decoration ideas to get everyone into festive spirit.

Source: Little Party Love

The post Christmas Class Party Ideas appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.