The Hands On As We Grow® Archives

Nature Soup Sensory Activity

Make Your Own Safari Adventure Binoculars

Make Your Own Reading-Inspired Activity with Audible

The Not-So-Secret Tip to Do More Activities

5 Peanut Butter & Jelly Variations for Field Trip Lunches (+ Tips)

10 Family Activities to Power your Passions this Summer

On-The-Go Geoboard Using Food Pouch Caps

A ‘Counting Up’ Countdown to Back to School

10 Classic Reads for Your Boy (plus 3 of his faves)

How to Learn Number Orders with a Number Chain

How to Transform Activities to What Your Child Enjoys

Silly Listening Ears Craft for Audible Stories

25 Ways to Make Today an Adventure with FREE Printable

A Letter Hunt on The Stairs

Create a Memory Box To Save Special Moments

Superhero Playground Challenge for Energetic Kids

A Crab Walk Transfer Gross Motor Activity

5 Tips to Get Back to Doing Activities

4 Simple Ways To Sneak In More Quality Time With Your Kids

Achieve Your Summer Goal of Fun & Relaxation!

Basket Painting Process Art For Kids

How to Calm Toddler Jealousy When Your Baby Arrives

Balloon Body Pop Experiment for Kids

Paint the Pasta! Creative Noodle Painting for Kids

Passing Objects Fine Motor Activity

When Can Mom Sneak in a Book?

Count The Treasure, Matey! Sensory Activity for Preschoolers

Build Your Confidence as a Hands-On Parent

Upcycled Clock: A Color Matching Activity

A-MAZE-ing Way to Learn a Letter

Your Three Essentials For Mom “Me Time”

The Activity Room Member of the Month: Mindy

The Leak-Proof Bag Experiment You Need to Try

Women History Books With Corresponding Kids Activities

St. Patrick’s Day Craft: Wreath

Drawing Underneath & Upside Down

Painted Rock Garden Markers for Kids to Make

The Activity Room Member of the Month: Tabitha

Easy Number Learning Activity with a Kitchen Scale

How to Practice Sight Words with Everyday Bread Bag Tags

Kid-Made Valentine Snacks for the Classroom

Find the Letter on the Heart

Simple Sorting Activity When You’re in a Pinch

Who Do I Love? Message Board Craft for Valentine’s Day

Magic Homemade Puffy Paint to Make a Snowman

How to Fulfill Your Activity Goals this Year

How to Actually Protect Your Family

Valentine’s Day Stamped Cards

Five Ways for Kids to be Glad to Give

Color Matching with DIY Domino Sticks

How to Make a Menorah Hanukkah Craft with Shapes

Touch & Feel Hanukkah Game for Kids

Classic Glittery Christmas Stocking Craft

Yarn and Glue DIY Christmas Ornament Craft

Sticker Tracing Hanukkah Activity for the Kids

Paper Hands and Feet Gross Motor Activity

Simple Syringe Painting for Preschoolers

Simple Sensory Walking Path for Feeling with Your Feet

Jello Sensory Activity Perfectly Simple for Babies

How To Make Simple and Random Spaghetti Art With Kids

Number Puzzle Scavenger Hunt for Preschoolers

A Week of Fun in the Fall

Big Art for Your Little Artist Using Carpet Square Samples

How to Address Grief With Your Little One

Hands On Books: For Every Age and Stage

Pick a Photo Project to Do with Your Kids

Hanging Instruments to Crash, Rattle & Bang!

Measuring Activity: How Far Does it Roll & Slide?

Play Dough Suncatcher Craft

Secret Hand Signals to Empower Kids (from the Sidelines)

15 Awesome Audio Books for Kids This Summer

Summer Activity Plan to Enjoy With the Kids

How to Make Doing Kids Activities All About YOU

Simple Lid Frisbee Toss Game for Kids

How to Rock Reading This Summer with Audiobooks

Fine Motor Knot Tying Activity

3 Photo Activities For Kids Who Love Taking Pictures

Strengthening Hands with Play Dough Names

Butterfly Teacher Appreciation Craft

Paper Towel Art is Gloriously Fun for Everyone

Trace to Erase the Letters on the Chalkboard

Salt Color Soak Sensory Activity for Hurt Little Fingers

How to Build a Fun Cardboard Box Fort

How to Teach Kids About Recycling When They’re Young

Simple Things for Young Kids to Do on an Airplane

Can You Promise to Play an Hour a Day for 30 Days?

Classic Beating on Pots & Pans

Preschool Scavenger Hunt to Find Colors

Cereal Sensory Bin for Toddlers

Tracing Letters & Shapes with Toothpicks

What to Do When an Activity is No-Good

Learn to Weave & Pattern With a Clothes Basket

Letter Search for Toddlers (Word Search Alternative)

“I Spy My Name” Rice Sensory Bin

3 Questions for a Second Chance at Parenting

Non-Rules to Let Kids be Kids & Never Grow Up

5 Things Your Child Will Learn from Sesame Street

5 Simple Steps to Reclaim Your Child’s Bedtime Tonight

Holiday Activities to Do at Grandma’s House

Hey! I'm Jamie. I have 3 boys that are crazy energetic & we like to have fun!

Hands On As We Grow Newsletter

"It is hard to think of things to keep the 3 year old entertained and engaged while taking care of the baby. Everything we have tried so far from your website, the three year old has loved. Your ideas are so simple and he can do them for hours. HEAVEN!" - Karen I.
I am now one happy Dad!

"You have changed how I spend time with my kid in so many positive ways! I am now one happy dad that no longer wonders what I am going to do with this little guy for the next 12 hours :P Your site was this first time dad life saver!" - Jack C.
Hands On As We Grow Newsletter

"I feel like a new mama having so many fun ideas. I used to dread the afternoon, after naps, as it was so boring doing the same thing day after day but now I look forward to our "play" time!" - Haley S.
Free Activity Challenge

"Thank you so much for these activities. They have proven to me that I CAN be that mom that does cool and creative things with her kids! And those cool and creative things can actually be quite simple! What a revelation. Thank you!!" - Katie M.
Activity Plans eBooks

"This takes down the need to scour the internet for ideas. It's like looking for a recipe on the internet, so many options that often times it is less overwhelming to look in a book on the shelf than stress about too many options." Robyn G
So organized and easy to use.

I have found it impossible to Google ideas from a million different sites, get organized, shop for supplies, etc. This is exactly what I have been searching for! Thanks for making something so organized and easy to use. - Early Years Activity Plans User, Melissa C.
The Activity Room Member

"I absolutely love that this takes all the prep work out of engaging my children. It is so easy to just put up the calendar, and glance at it for inspiration when we are in a funk." - Rachel
Grateful to have activities handed to us...

"There's always something new for us to discover, as well as old favorites. I am so grateful to have activities handed to us... Fun and easy ones that can be put together in a moment's notice! You're awesome Jamie and I appreciate you sharing your activities and ideas!!" - Melissa C.