Native American Indian Paper Bag Crafts for Thanksgiving

Many schools teach Native American Indian history. Around Thanksgiving in the autumn is a popular time to explore native themes. Here is a cross-curricular lesson plan and craft to make Native American costume from a paper bag. Perfect for Halloween.  Recycle Bin Native American Indian Paper Bag Crafts for Thanksgiving 

Preschool Apple Themed Printables, Crafts, Lessons, Recipes

Apples are the perfect theme for fall lessons. And just in time for harvest and Halloween. Here's an interactive, cross-curricular apple unit with crafts, recipes, science, art, creative writing, math, social studies, practical life, field trips and community-builders. I've added free printable apple-themed lesson plans and worksheets for activity extenders.   Preschool Apple Unit, Cross-Curricular Hands-on Crafts, Activities, Recipes

Healthy Pumpkin Treats Kids Can Make

Boy, pumpkin sure is the theme--everything from IHOP pancakes to beer features it. And right in time for harvest and Halloween parties. So I thought, why not tap into that beta-carotene goodness for my Week-of-school-snacks and Five-day-school-lunch-menu series? Here are healthy recipes featuring pumpkin. Use fresh (use pumpkin, not a jack-o-lantern) or take my lazy way out and use canned--not pie filling. Involve toddlers and preschooler in preparations. Weekly Snack Menu, Healthy Pumpkin Themed Kids Treats

Free Printable Apple Activities for Fall, Halloween

Apples are a popular theme for fall lesson plans, especially for preschool lessons. Looking for apple activities for a harvest party, science lesson plans or maybe Halloween? Have I got a great sweet treat for you--a plethora of free printable apple-themed fun. This booklet includes apple math activities, science puzzles, social studies lessons and history extensions. There are printable creative writing prompts, word games and more.  Free Printable Apple Activities for Fall Preschool Lesson Plans 

Homemade Preschool Animal Costumes for Halloween

 Dramatic play develops preschool social, emotional, artistic, creative and communication skills. Plays lend themselves to all content. Here are homemade costumes, props and settings for life science theater. I call it bio-drama. Using recycled materials teaches real-life environmental science! Perfect for Halloween costumes and displays. Excellent for group costumes. Homemade Preschool Dramatic Play Animal Costumes, Habitats

Easy, cheap kids' fall birthday party tips

Got a child with a fall birthday? Autumn is a great time for an outdoor birthday party. Sometimes, fall outdoor parties are easier to manage because it's cooler. Here's an easy, cheap kids' birthday bash, suitable for preschool to elementary age children. I've included tips for food, crafts, games, activities and cleanup.  Easy, cheap kids' fall birthday party tips 

Best corn mazes in Southeast Michigan

Corn mazes are a fall Michigan tradition. What's a corn maze? It's a multi-acre corn field in which corn stalks are mowed in creative pattern. The pattern may be words, designs, or images. Intrepid corn maze visitors pay to traverse the labyrinth without getting lost. That's easier said than done. It took my daughter and me nearly two hours to find our way out of a 6-acre cornfield maze we visited. Some corn mazes feature intriguing puzzles to solve, too. Read on for best southeast Michigan corn mazes. Best corn mazes in Metro Detroit 

Quick Cook Kid Pleasing Summer Harvest Vegetable Soup Recipes

In summer heat, our appetites and cooking styles naturally turn to cold or grilled foods. I don't know about you, but sometimes, even in the blistering heat, I get a hankering for a hot (not char-broiled) meal. When that craving hits, I tout out these tried-and-tasty summer stove-top soups. These recipes feature pared-down (pardon the pun) cooking time frames that won't over-tax the air-conditioning or overheat the house. Best of all, these yummy soups incorporate summer's vegetable bounty and are easy on the diet. Kids love them too.  Quick-Cook Kid-Pleasing Summer Vegetable Soup Recipes 

Free Printable Kids Halloween Party Planner

I love party-planning, especially for preschoolers. At this age, they're pretty easy to please and you don't have to spend much to put on a great kid-friendly shindig. I'll never understand why anyone would want to take kids to an birthday restaurant or activity venue. They're are over-priced and you really don't get much bang for all that buck. I've found that kids have the most fun with backyard birthday bashes and holiday parties. Here are some preschool games and activities that are easy and free (or pretty darn cheap). Use these for your kiddie harvest, All Saints Day, Christian-themed or Halloween party, too! Easy, cheap, DIY activities for preschool birthday parties

Free Printable Apple Activities, Lesson Plans

Free Printable Apple Activities Book Want to learn more the history and use of apples in Michigan? Parmenter's Northville Cider Mill (714 Baseline Rd.) has put together a free printable 8-page book about apples. It covers health, nutrition, recipes, history, science and some fun activities, too. Use this book as a follow up to a field trip, in your classroom, homeschool or just for fun at home. Read more...

Free Printable Bugs, Spiders Activities for Harvest and Halloween

Free Printable Insects and Spiders Lesson Plans and Activities Do you like insects or do they just bug you? Whether you're a hexapoda aficionado (bug lover) or a you have a phobia of the little critters, it's important to understand insects and spiders and their place in the environment. Here are free printable bug activities, crafts and coloring pages and lesson plans to help. Autumn is all about bugs. Just in time for your fall science, harvest, nature or Halloween lesson planning. Read more

Green Recycled Nature Crafts for Halloween and Harvest Parties

Eco-Friendly Recycled Halloween and Autumn Harvest Craft Ideas Planning your annual Halloween or harvest party? Here are great fall themed crafts that focus on autumn harvest and non spooky Halloween fun. Easy, inexpensive fall crafts using recycled materials. Read More

Free Printable Halloween Coloring Pages and Greeting Cards

Free Printable Halloween Greeting Cards, Invitations, Coloring Pages Looking for good seasonal and holiday coloring pages? Fisher-Price. Fisher-Price has free printable coloring pages for Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day. Read More

Free Printable Halloween Coloring Pages

Free Printable Halloween Coloring Pages Need activities to keep anxious little trick or treaters engaged until Halloween? Here are free printable Halloween and trick or treat coloring pages. Not too scary, these coloring pages are geared for preschool and elementary age children. Read More

Free Printable Halloween Trick or Treat Mazes and Puzzles

Free Printable Halloween and Trick or Treat Mazes Mazes are puzzles in which the player must follow a path, usually with his pencil, through a complicated pattern. Mazes are great fun and make great lessons to practice eye-hand coordination. Here are free printable Halloween and trick or treat mazes. Read More

Free Christian Halloween Party Planner

Free Printable Christian Party Planner for October Parties Religious and Christian themed party with games and activities for an October event that avoids the Halloween mentality. Includes games, costumes, decorations, activities and service opportunities. Read More

Apple Orchard U-Pick, Pumpkin Patch, Hayrides, Pony Farm Harvest Fest

Fruit Ridge Hayrides Harvest Fest Apple Orchard, Pumpkin Patch Family Fun There's no better place to be in fall than an apple orchard and pumpkin patch. Fruit Ridge Hayrides Fall Fest serves up hay rides, corn maze, petting zoo, pony rides, fire engine rides, pig train, donuts and cider. Read More

Free Printable Halloween Felt Board Story Patterns

Free Printable Preschool Felt Board Stories, Patterns, Templates and Stencils Felt boards are a teaching tool used in preschool classes to teach lessons and tell stories by illustrating with felt pieces. Here are free printable felt board or flannel board stories, patterns, templates and stencils. Read More

Free Printable Preschool Halloween Crafts and Activities

Free Printable Cut and Paste Preschool Themes, Crafts, Lessons and Activities Looking for free printable preschool and elementary cut and paste paper crafts for holidays, patriotic celebrations, religious themes, school themes, math activities, social studies and science crafts and lesson plans? Check out Making Learning Fun. Read More

Free Printable Halloween Photo Frame Crafts

Free Printable Cut and Paste Photo Frame Craft Projects Planning a Halloween party instead of trick or treat? Family Fun has an excellent website full of free printable crafts, cut and paste projects, seasonal crafts, holiday crafts, room decor, games, puzzles and activities. Here are free printable photo frame crafts for your Halloween party. Read More