If your kids are learning to add, about money, or to be an entrepreneur, suggest a penny store. Save your pennies, and get ready for big fun.
Supplies:

Sticky notes for prices
Pencil or pen
Table or bench for the “store”
Cash register (if you have one)
Items to sell — see below
Pennies ( – nickels and dimes for older [...]

Summer seems to be flying by. Swimming, playing, traveling is winding down. I don’t know about you but I’m hearing a lot of, “I don’t know what to do!”
As if.
It makes me crazy. But, no more. I’m prepared, and now, so are you. I’ve made a little “What to [...]

Writers need to write. Artists need to create. Musicians need to play. Create a wonderful writing “center” or “nook” for your young writer(s) to write. All you need are space and materials. Try to let your child’s inner writer emerge. Don’t comment too much or expect perfection. [...]

It’s late. You’re so tired you could sleep on the floor through an earthquake outside in a rainstorm. Or that might just be me. Then your child says, “Tell me a story.” And you can’t think of a single idea other than sleeping . . . soon.
Here’s all you need to [...]

Trail mix (often called Gorp) is one of my favorite snacks! It’s so filling, especially with almonds or cashews. You can make this snack as an activity with your kids, and even help your kids write up the directions.
Go to the bulk aisle in the grocery store and select your ingredients . . [...]

You don’t believe me, do you?
I think the majority of us, me included, hate writing poetry. But, it’s an easy way for kids to write about nature . . . about anything for that matter. Try this and let me know if I’m a big fat liar or not!! (Pick not, pick not!)
Write a [...]

Hate to read? Learning to read?
Read a book you wrote. Yes, you’ll have to write a book – more on that in a moment.
Melissa Depper, a youth services librarian at Arapaho Library District, reminded me today how helpful it is for struggling readers to read their own story. She said, “Have [...]

You’ll need more than one person for this activity so have your child invite a friend, sister or brother to play restaurant.
If you have a play kitchen, this can be played over and over, with the kids doing different jobs.
If not, today’s lunch can be the restaurant with you as cook [...]

Grab a box and send your kids out to collect nature’s treasures.
Now, for more fun. Make your own nature alphabet books. In my Imagination Soup kid’s writing classes, I order my books from Bare Books. You can do this or make your own book by folding 14 pages and bind with staples or yarn.
Help your [...]

You’re done with the bath, jammies, brushing teeth and bedtime stories. Now what?
Tell a silly story.
Play quiet games.
Read in bed. (I like to pretend I’m being REALLY nice, “I gueeesss you can read.” . . when of course, I’m thinking yippee!)  The best way to see in the dark room, especially if your little [...]