- The Many Little Joys

Apple towers: a fun (and delicious) STEM activity for snack time

If you’re looking for a SUPER easy way to jazz up afternoon snack time, try building apple towers! It’s a fun STEM building challenge that will get kids thinking creatively and learning through play.

Building apple towers is a fun STEM building challenge that will get kids thinking creatively and learning through play during snack time.

As my boys get older, I find myself looking for ways to draw everyone together for quality family time. We’re not home together all day long the way we were when they were toddlers, so lately I’ve been brainstorming ways to make the most of the time we DO have together.

This activity did just that!

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Favorite short chapter book series for kids that will keep them reading

These short chapter book series are perfect for kids ages 6-9. They’re fun, engaging, and sure to have your kiddo begging for a trip to the library to get the next book!

These short chapter books are perfect for kids ages 6-9. They're fun, engaging, and sure to have your kiddo begging for a trip to the library to get the next book in the series.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy something through a link on my site, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you. See my disclosure to learn more.

When I taught school, one of my best strategies to motivate reluctant readers to pick up a book was to get them hooked on a great series.

And book series aren’t just for struggling readers either!

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Healthy packed lunch ideas for kids (with free printable checklist)

Want to teach your kids to pack their OWN lunch for school this year? Or maybe you just need ideas to make the process easier for yourself? Either way, this school lunch checklist is your complete guide to easy and healthy packed lunch ideas all year long!

School lunch box filled with healthy packed lunch ideas.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy something through a link on my site, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you. See my disclosure to learn more.

School day mornings can be crazy. There are breakfasts to make, kids who need help taming their seriously impressive bedhead, and missing shoes to find.

In the midst of the morning hustle, it can be hard to make time to pack a healthy lunch that kids actually want to eat.

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Chore sticks: a super simple chore system for kids

If you need a super simple way to get your kids to help around the house, try using chore sticks! It’s the easiest, best chore system we’ve ever used.

Part of being in a family is working together to take care of the home we all live in. This is something I feel strongly about, but it can be tricky to find a system that works for more than a couple of weeks.

I’ve been there.

I’ve tried a bunch of chore systems over the years, but the super simple plan that we’ve come back to several times—and is working brilliantly for us right now—is CHORE STICKS.

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How to get kids to read this summer + Free printable summer reading charts

Need a simple way to keep track of your kids’ reading during the summer? Download these free printable summer reading charts to keep kids motivated all summer long!

printable summer reading charts to keep kids reading all summer long.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy something through a link on my site, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you. See my disclosure to learn more.

Ahh summer. The season of ice-cold popsicles, crackling campfires, sunny days…and sopping wet beach towels left on the bathroom floor (#truth).

Whether you have a bucket list full of adventures or prefer to be more spontaneous and enjoy whatever comes your way, part of the joy of summer is kicking back, letting go of strict school schedules, and having fun!

Still, we want our kids to keep their minds sharp over the summer, and one of the best ways to do that is by encouraging our kids to READ!

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Our favorite summer workbooks for kids to stop the “summer slide”

If you’re looking for a simple, affordable solution to keep your kids excited about learning this summer, you’ll love our favorite summer workbooks for kids!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy something through a link on my site, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you. See my disclosure to learn more.

Summer’s almost upon us, and I’m looking forward to lots of trips to the park, days at the pool, and long hours listening to the clatter of Legos being shuffled around as my kids let their imaginations go wild.

But as much as I want my kids to have a carefree and fun-filled summer, I also want to make sure they keep learning while they’re out of school.

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How to teach the Ten Commandments to kids with a fun & simple game!

Use this fun mnemonic picture game to teach the ten commandments to kids and help them (and you!) remember them in order. Download, print, and play!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy something through a link on my site, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you. See my disclosure to learn more.

When I was a child, I attended Primary (that’s what our church calls Sunday School for children) every week. One Sunday, my teacher shared with us some goofy-looking pictures that incorporated the numbers of each of the ten commandments to help us remember them. And you know what? Decades later, I still can tell you all ten commandments in order.

Pictures are powerful teaching tools!

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Preschool math activity: How many spots does the ladybug have?

Practice core math skills with your child like counting, one-to-one correspondence, simple addition, and more–all in a simple play-based preschool math activity.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy something through a link on my site, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you. See my disclosure to learn more.

Did you know that one ladybug can eat up to 5,000 insects in its lifetime?! That’s a lot of food for one little critter!

When I’m creating activities for my preschooler, I love to use the things they are interested in at the time. For us right now that means…BUGS!

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Earth Day activities for kids: simple ways to celebrate the planet

Help your kids appreciate the beauty of our planet (and teach them to take care of it) with these simple earth day activities for families.

Child planting a red flower in a garden. Help your kids appreciate the beauty of our planet (and teach them to take care of it) with these simple earth day activities for families.

Fun fact: In its lifetime, one reusable bag can prevent the use of 600 plastic bags. (source)

April 22 is Earth Day! It’s a great time to teach kids about the wonders and beauty of our planet…and what we can do to take care of it.

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