Easter is so late this year– I keep feeling like it’s already passed, but when I remember that we still have a little bit, I get excited about it again! Easter is a fun holiday, especially because it’s associated with Spring (and the extra chocolate doesn’t hurt!).
Like the few previous holidays, I’ve created a couple of Easter themed I-Spy pages: one in color, and one black and white. These make the perfect classroom activity for fast finishers, as a stand alone activity, or they can even be used for group work. They are also really great to print off and have your kids do on the car ride to grandma and grandpa’s house for the annual family Easter egg hunt. Laminate them and use them over and over again!
Regardless if you use them at home or in the classroom, I hope you and your kiddos enjoy them!
** As always, these are for personal or classroom use only. Please do not sell or re-post as your own. **
It’s Spring Break season! If your kids are anything like mine, the sudden lack of structure has them going a little bit wacky. On top of being out of our normal routine, our Spring Break has felt more like Winter Break, especially with the 2” of snow currently on our lawn.
Since outdoor activities are a bit limited at the moment, we’ve had to come up with our own fun! I thought I’d share some ideas of things to do in case your Spring Break isn’t going how you had planned. The best part of these activities is that they involve learning or practicing skills in some way, but most of the time your child won’t even notice it’s a learning activity! Win-win!
Coloring pages- the internet is full of free printable coloring pages for any interest, age, or skill level. Or, you can click here and download the freebie I posted last week!
Easter Egg Match- cut out several plain white egg shapes and decorate them however you’d like. Then, cut them in half using different kinds of cut lines (zig-zag, wavy, scalloped, etc.). Spread them out and have your child match up the halves.
Alphabet Match- On a large piece of paper (even the back side of wrapping paper will work!), write all the letters of the alphabet (choose either lower case or upper case). Next, on 26 different small pieces of paper or sticky notes, write the letters in the case opposite of what you wrote on the large paper. Put each paper inside a plastic Easter egg. Hide the eggs around the house, and as your child finds them, have them open it up, find, and tape the correct letter match on the large paper. Other options for this activity would be to match numbers, shapes, colors, or pictures. It is easily adapted for any age.
If weather permits, take a walk around the neighborhood. Before you go, create a simple list of things to find while you are on your walk. Take your list with you and do an outdoor scavenger hunt while you walk. Mark off the items on your list as you find them.
Do some themed days! Have all activities and snacks tie to your theme. Learn about your theme, if applicable. Possible themes might include Disney, insects, colors, letters, or a specific place.
Make and deliver a treat and card to someone in your neighborhood who might be lonely or need some cheering up.
Create a spring time mosaic— draw a simple spring-themed shape (Easter egg, bunny, flower, etc.) on a plain white piece of paper. Cut up pieces of varying colors of construction paper into small squares. Have your child glue them onto the traced shape, covering the whole space. Cut out the shape and enjoy your child’s masterpiece!
Think of different simple objects that can be built from Legos or other building blocks. Write them on small cards. Have a building competition where you pick one of the cards and everyone has to build whatever is on the card. Have fun seeing the different things your kids (and yourself) come up with!
Hopefully your Spring Break is less winter-y than ours has been, and hopefully you’re able to find at least a few minutes each day to slow down with your kids and have fun. Use one or more of these ideas to inspire some fun, creative play and watch the magic happen!
It’s finally feeling like Spring where I live– is it where you are? The warmer temperatures are a welcome thing after a cold winter! To celebrate Spring finally coming, I designed a couple of free printables for you to use in your classroom! Below you will find a downloadable coloring page as well as a page of bookmarks that can be printed and colored.
Enjoy these pages, but please only use them for personal or classroom use. They are not to be resold or shared as your own. Thank you!
St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner– time to prepare your leprechaun traps and gather your pots of gold! If fancy traps and extravagant celebrations aren’t your thing, it’s your lucky day! I’ve put together a couple of fun free printable I Spy games you can do with your students or with your kids at home. I’ve included both a color and a black and white version to fit all printing needs and capabilities.
**Free printables are only to be used for home or classroom use and must not be resold, distributed, or used as your own.**
Click on the links below to download and print yours!
Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s been so fun sharing Valentine’s themed activities for you to do with your students or children. Before the day ends, I wanted to share a few Valentine’s Day themed books that I thought were fun for kids of all ages!
Love Monster by Rachel Bright
This darling book follows a cute monster who feels like he doesn’t fit in where he lives. Everyone around him is cute and fluffy, and everyone seems to like cute and fluffy things, NOT hairy google-eyed monsters. He sets out on a quest to find someone who is just like him, but doesn’t have any luck. After searching high and low and everywhere in between, he finally decides to go back home, and is pleasantly surprised to find another monster just like him when he arrives!
Love From the Crayons written by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
Another book from the Crayons series, this book talks about the different colors love can be. Sometimes love is pink because it is silly. Sometimes it is blue because it feels stormy. Other times, love is white because it’s hard to see. This sweet book teaches that love isn’t always perfect and it isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. Love can be many things!
I’ll Love You Till the Cows Come Home written by Kathryn Cristaldi, illustrated by Kristina Litten
This book gives a sweet reminder of just how long a grown up will love their child. It goes through several animals, describing fun adventures they might go on, and how the adult will love the child until all those adventures have ended. The illustrations are cute and fun and will catch your attention. The story itself is a perfect book to read at bedtime or any other time a child needs a reminder of how much they are loved.
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatchwritten by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Paul Yalowitz
Mr. Hatch is a single man, living a very ordinary, very lonely, very predictable life until he receives a package one day. Inside the package, he finds a large heart shaped box filled with chocolates. Along with the package is a note that says, “Somebody loves you.” Mr. Hatch’s view on life completely changes. He starts to smile and laugh. He interacts with his neighbors and coworkers. He willingly helps people around him. People are astounded by this new person Mr. Hatch seems to be. They love it! One day a while later, the postman comes back to Mr. Hatch’s home to admit that he accidentally delivered the heart package to the wrong address. Mr. Hatch is saddened by this news, and returns to his old ways. The townspeople are confused and wonder what happened to Mr. Hatch. The postman explains the mix-up with the package and comes up with an idea to help Mr. Hatch feel loved again. Together, the town surprises Mr. Hatch with an unforgettable celebration and reminder that he really is loved.
Because Narwhals Can’t Kiss written by Catharine Day, illustrated by Lucy Pirogova
This heartwarming, adorable story teaches the different ways that love can be shown. Narwhals can’t kiss because of their tusks, so they find other ways to show their love for others– sharing, helping, playing together, hugging, and saying kind words. Children learn that love isn’t just hugs and kisses, and that love can be shown in so many ways.
What are your favorite Valentine’s Day books? Happy reading!
If you’re looking for a fun last minute, super simple activity to do with your students, I’ve got you covered! All you need is a printer, paper, scissors, and something to color with! Click on the link below to download and print off four Valentine bookmarks. Leave them black and white, or color them in!
*Please do not sell or distribute this file. It is intended for only personal or classroom use.*
In continuing with some fun Valentine’s Day themed ideas for the classroom (or home!), I’ve created two different I Spy printables, one in color, and the other in black and white, so you can print whichever version works for you!
Put kids in to teams to find the pictures, have them work independently, or make it a whole class activity. Count each different picture, then add up the numbers to see how many total pictures are on the page. The options are plentiful, and the fun is endless!
Happy Spying!
*Please only use these printables for classroom or home use. Do not sell these files.*
