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Hands On As We Grow

Engaging our kids with simple, fun activities, every day.

Hands On As We Grow has activities, crafts and art projects for kids up to school age, and even into their beginning years of school. You’ll find fun things to do with them, crafty ideas, and easy ways to make learning fun.

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Let go of the Pinterest pressure. Messy, creative, different? That’s exactly how kids learn—and it’s what makes activities meaningful and fun.
Featured Post

Your reality ≠ Instagram. And that’s okay.

Reader... There is pressure. Way too much pressure these days for the "perfect" look, the "perfect" kids, the "perfect" craft. The "perfect" Easter outfit... I blame Instagram and social media in general for this mostly. But seriously, why do we put this pressure on ourselves? Have you ever scrolled Instagram to find an activity that looks amazing to do? ... but then think of YOUR reality and how it would really happen. YOUR REALITY: Your kid would do the activity differently than how it...

5 days ago • 3 min read
No need to scroll endlessly—these 4 simple Easter crafts are fun, easy, and use supplies you likely already have on hand. Just pick one and go!

Hey Reader - Happy Springtime... gosh I hope it's here to stay! I get a lot of feedback from readers about being overwhelmed with too many activities (we think we want all the ideas... but then get paralyzed with "which one should i do" or it takes forever to look through them all to see what supplies you might have on hand). If you celebrate Easter, it is already this weekend! I'd like to take down your overwhelm with Easter crafts and activities and choose my top 4 crafts or activities for...

11 days ago • 3 min read

Hi Reader - Do your kids have a lot of energy that they really need to burn, but the rainy, muddy, windy, cold spring days are stopping you from heading outside as long as you'd like? Let's grab some tape and your imagination! I’ve made it easy for you to play this fun color matching game that can be adjusted to the materials you have in your house. Not only will your kids love hopping across the colored paths, but they'll learn about colors and grow their mental skills. All you need for this...

26 days ago • 2 min read
Kat, our Activity Room Member of the Month, shares her best tips for making activity time easy, even with a busy schedule. Try her simple tricks today!

Hi Reader - We asked Kat, a rockstar Activity Room Member, what her biggest tips would be as a working mom for success with activity time. Here is what she had to share with us. Preparation Is the Key to All of the Activities Read Your Child's Cues Working Mom Tips 1. Preparation Is the Key to All of the Activities "My daughter, I'm sure is like a lot of children, gets very impatient if she has to wait. By the time you pull everything together, the moment is gone, she's not interested. It has...

about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Get ready for rainbow fun! ? Try colorful crafts, scavenger hunts, and sensory activities—perfect for St. Patrick’s Day and beyond!

Well Hi Reader! Scavenger Hunts. Cereal Crafts. Frozen Experiments. Oh my! What do these three things have in common? Rainbows silly! Ha! (So obvious, right?) Rainbows are the most fun craft to make for toddlers and preschoolers -- and right now, with St Patrick's Day so close, it's the perfect time to explore them! So go on a rainbow scavenger hunt. Create a Fruit Loops Rainbow. And experiment with a frozen rainbow! ALL RAINBOW ACTIVITIES Here are a ton of rainbow ideas for you and your kids...

about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with 4 fun, hands-on activities your kids will love! Easy to prep, engaging, and packed with festive fun. ?

Well Hi Reader! St. Patrick's day is in a couple of weeks -- and while I could give you my "Top 10" St. Patrick's Day crafts and activities to do, I'm going to instead give you just a couple of options since this isn't a holiday I usually go all out for. If you have a toddler: Try this simple Shamrock Suncatcher -- it's easy and a perfect way for a toddler to get crafty. If you have a preschooler: Try making these Shamrock Chandeliers -- they're great cutting practice! If you love rainbows:...

2 months ago • 2 min read
Messy play is full of learning & memories! Here’s how to embrace the mess (without the stress) and make cleanup a breeze. ??

Reader- Messes can be cleaned up. Memories can't be re-created. This is a mantra I live by. As well as "stains are marks of memories made." Being okay with the mess is another thing, it takes some practice getting used to. But it also takes a few precautionary things that you can do to be ready for the mess. And it makes it much more manageable. I started writing this to share with you our rainbow rice sensory bin with letter learning and then got on a tangent about messes. I challenge you to...

2 months ago • 2 min read
Rainbow Sorting Sensory Bin

Hi Reader! Toddlers learn best by using their senses! They do it every day. This no-mess rainbow sensory bin is an easy and fun way for them to explore colors and textures—without making a mess. If your little one loves sensory play, you’ll love the SENSE ebook! It’s packed with easy, hands-on activities to engage their senses in a meaningful way. From textures to sounds and everything in between, these activities will spark curiosity and learning—without overwhelming prep. Check it Out Here!...

3 months ago • 1 min read
I wanted to share some of that with you - the best things to do for Valentine's Day.

Reader! Valentine's Day is coming up super fast -- do you make homemade valentines for your kid's friends? Or go the store bought route? I used to make them with the kids when they were younger, but now we just go the store bought route. Sometimes it's just good to feel like "Good, I'm done with that! Phew." I wanted to share some of that with you - the best things to do for Valentine's Day. 33 Super Cute Kids Valentines for School <-- to make your own Valentines (find our donut hole...

3 months ago • 1 min read
This Valentine's Day, we can help your kid say, “I love you,” in one of two simple yet heartfelt ways with these easy hands-on crafts.

Hi Reader! Doesn't it just warm your heart when your kid runs up to you and wraps his arms around your leg? It's been such a long time since I've had this happen (granted... my 12 year old is less than likely to do this now). But doesn't this just beam “I love you!”?! Some of my favorite memories of my children are those little “love-y, dove-y” moments that you take for granted at the time (and might find a teensy bit a nuisance). This Valentine's Day, we can help your kid say, “I love you,”...

3 months ago • 1 min read