The Many Little Joys

“Squirt the Letter” fun outdoor alphabet game

Grab a squirt bottle and some chalk and take learning outside with this fun outdoor alphabet game for preschoolers.

Grab a squirt bottle and some chalk and take learning outside with this fun outdoor alphabet game for preschoolers.

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.

The weather is warming up, and that means we’re taking our learning outside! Hooray for sunshine!

Last week I set up a little outdoor alphabet game for my preschooler to practice identifying letters and making letter sounds. It’s super simple, and we had a great time playing and learning together on a Friday afternoon.

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Wookiee Cookies (AKA – Ranger Cookies)…a simple way to celebrate Star Wars Day

Celebrate Star Wars Day (May 4th) with this simple recipe for deliciously “chewy” ranger cookies that are a little scruffy-looking…just like your favorite Wookiee. May the force be with you!

Celebrate Star Wars Day (May 4th) with this simple recipe for deliciously "chewy" ranger cookies that are a little scruffy-looking...just like your favorite Wookie. May the force be with you!

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.

Are you a Star Wars lover?

Star Wars day is coming up May 4th (you know…May the “4th” be with you). I’m not one for elaborate celebrations of obscure holidays, but I do think it’s fun on occasion to do something simple to make a random Tuesday feel a little special.

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Traveling with Kids: What to do in St. George, Utah

Looking for a great family-friendly vacation destination to spend a long weekend or spring break? Check out St. George, Utah! Here are some can’t-miss fun, free, and memorable activities to do when traveling with kids in St. George!

Looking for a great family-friendly vacation destination to spend a long weekend or spring break? Check out St. George, Utah! Here are some can't-miss fun, free, and memorable activities to do when traveling with kids in St. George!

I have lived in Utah for almost 20 years now, but until this week I had never planned a trip to St. George. Boy have I been missing out!

I have traveled through St. George plenty of times on my way to California (where I grew up), and I’ve even stayed there over night on my way to Zion National Park (a great idea because it’s only an hour away). I’ve always viewed it as a stop on the way to somewhere else rather than a destination in and of itself. But after this week, I understand why it’s a popular spring break destination for Utah families. It’s such a great family-friendly place!

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How to fit in more time to read aloud to kids, even when you’re busy

Life gets crazy sometimes, and it can be hard to carve out time to read aloud to kids, but these simple ideas will help you fit in the reading time that you know is so important!

Life gets crazy sometimes, and it can be hard to carve out time to read aloud to kids, but these simple ideas will help you fit in the reading time that you know is so important!

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.

I grew up on a steady diet of books. My childhood was filled with days spent carrying armfuls of books out of our local library, being mesmerized by the strange ocean creatures I encountered as I flipped through our National Geographic books, and listening to my mom read The Chronicles of Narnia as I snuggled in bed at night. Books were everywhere in my home.

I didn’t think anything of it at the time, but I realize now what a wonderful gift my parents gave me by filling my life with books.

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The Best Train Books for Kids of all Ages

If you have aspiring train engineers at your house, you’ll love this curated list of our favorite train books for kids…from our train-loving family to yours!

If you have aspiring train engineers at your house, you'll love this curated list of our favorite train books for kids...from our train-loving family to yours!

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.

As a mom of three young boys, I’ve spent a lot of hours over the past eight years playing with and reading about TRAINS.

All of my boys have gone through a serious train phase (my youngest is still in the thick of it!). Trains are right up there with dinosaurs and construction trucks for my kids biggest obsession.

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Superhero Muffins (AKA – Hidden veggie muffins)

These healthy superhero muffins are packed with veggies and whole grains, and–even better–they taste really, really good. Even picky eaters are sure to love them!

These healthy muffins are packed with veggies and whole grains, and--even better--they taste really, really good. Even picky eaters are sure to love them!

Calling a muffin a “superhero” is a bold statement, but these muffins earn the title. They are full of nutrient-dense foods, so they are perfect for building strong muscles in the aspiring superheroes of your family. Besides, what kid can say no to a SUPERHERO muffin?

Truths of parenting: It’s all about the marketing.

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How to make Easter egg bath bombs: a fun STEM craft for kids

These Easter egg bath bombs are the perfect combination of festive craft and fascinating science! Make them with your kids using easy-to-find ingredients, and then take them to the tub for a fun-filled bath time!

Easter Egg bath bombs STEM craft 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.

Easter is around the corner, and I’ve got an egg-celent (I know, I blame my dad for teaching my puns) DIY project for you today! This one requires a little advance planning (nothing too crazy, I promise), but the little bit of effort will yield LOTS of fun.

We’re making Easter egg bath bombs!

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Playdough Color Mixing for Kids

What happens when you mix red and blue? Kids will learn this and more in this creative hands-on color activity that uses a playtime classic: playdough!

What happens when you mix red and blue? Playdough Color Mixing for Kids is a creative hands-on learning activity that teaches color theory and more all through 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.

Kids LOVE color…the more, the brighter, the better!

You know what else my kids love? Playdough. We have made dozens of batches of playdough over the years (using my very favorite playdough recipe), and my kids just don’t get tired of it.

To capitalize on their interests, I combined these two kid-friendly things into a creative hands-on color mixing activity for my three boys.

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Cranberry Orange Irish Soda Bread

Irish soda bread is an iconic St. Patrick’s Day recipe, and this sweet version is perfect for cooking with kids: it’s simple, quick, and delicious!

Irish soda bread is an iconic St. Patrick's Day recipe, and this sweet version is perfect for cooking with kids: it's simple, quick, and delicious!

St. Patrick’s Day is kind of a random holiday to celebrate in the United States. Still, I’m all for a simple and fun day of celebration when we’re coming off a long winter and could really use a little pick-me-up. So, bring on the green food and the Celtic music; we’re celebrating St. Patty’s around here!

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