The Hands On As We Grow® Archives

Summer Reading with Quiet Reading too!

Learning Letters Lineup. Squirt!

15 Quick Sensory Activities from Hands on Moms

Redoing the Boys’ Whoops! Bedroom

Gross Motor Activity: Can You Move Like Baby Does?

Mother’s Day Craft for Kids to Make: Tissue Paper Flowers

Yarn Craft for Kids: A Circle Garland!

Simple to Make Photo Memories for Birthdays

Craft for Kids: Textured Painted Letter for Wall

Talk About School with Your Kids: Questions to Ask

Simple Machines for Kids: The Pulley

Big Art Project for Toddlers: Ribbon Painting

Learning Patterns with Blocks

Number Activity: Learn to Count with Grain Bins

Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?

A ‘Spy Game’ Scavenger Hunt

Bean Bag Toss as a Sight Word Game

Spot the Sight Word

10 Must Have Toys for Outdoor Fun!

Mixing Colors on the Window

Reuse Lotion for a Smelling Sensory Activity

Scavenger Hunt with Alphabet Photos

The Latest Portraits of the Kids!

11 Colorful Rainbow Activities for Preschoolers

St. Patrick’s Day Craft: Bubble Wrap Printed Shamrock

3 Math Games: A Hands on Mom Feature

4 Instruments for Kids to Make from Kiwi Crate

A Race to Learn Phonics: A Hands on Mom Feature

Water Activity with Newspaper

FREE Printable Kids Activities Planner!

How to Make Play Dough: Recipe with Flour Substitute!

Simple Valentine Craft: Make a Vase!

Conversation Heart Window Decorations

Homemade Heart Bird Feeder

Valentine Letter Learning & Matching Activity

Valentine Window of Toddler Painted Hearts

Match Upper & Lowercase Letters Bracelet

Sponge Art Painting for Valentine’s Day

Stamped Heart Valentine’s Day Art Project

Kids Designs for Tissue Boxes

Building with Blocks & Technology

Sensory Activity with Corn Meal to Explore

ABC Guide to be a Hands on Mom

6 Learning Activities on It’s Playtime

Best Toddler Activities from 2012

Box Train made from Cardboard Boxes

My Favorite Activities from 2012

Wrapping Paper Snowflakes

Yarn Wrapped Ornaments for Window

DIY Wrapping Paper: 10 Designs

Toddler Craft: Wrapping Paper Stocking

Tape Resist Candy Cane Painting

Decorate a Snowscape Window

What I Wish Moms Would Say: Parenting Is…

Christmas Tree Window Decorations!

Countdown to Christmas: Wrapping Paper Chain

5 Outdoor Activities on It’s Playtime!

Q-Tip Snowflake Craft

5 Cars & Trucks Activities

10 Top Toys for Builders

Just Play on It’s Playtime!

Meet Louis! The Littlest Brother!

8 Intentional Learning Activities

Gingerbread Mummy Halloween Treats

Foam Monster Treat Bags

6 Fall Fine Motor Activities

How to Make Kid Size Scarecrows

12 Things I Gotta Do Before the Baby Arrives!

Sticky Foam: A Birthday Cake in the Window

8 Leaf Activities for Kids on It’s Playtime!

Happy Birthday Sensory Bin

6 Sensory Activities for Toddlers to Explore with All 5 Senses

Large Tube Gravity Experiment

Halloween Craft: Spooky Treat Holders (A Candy Bag Alternative)

Make A Towel Fort!

A Clean Up Method: Blocks Transport

A Busy Play Activity: Styrofoam Destruction

6 Creative Painting Ideas on It’s Playtime!

Fine Motor Activity with Drawer Knobs & Screws

First Day of Preschool: Picnic Lunch

Learning Shapes on It’s Playtime!

Entertained with Dominoes!

Toddler Busy Play: Measuring Cups & Pots

Games to Play! It’s Playtime!

Drawing & Mark Making on It’s Playtime!

Time for Shoes with Shoelaces

Preschool Class on It’s Playtime

Olympic Crafts on It’s Playtime!

Who’s Fastest? Blowing Fabric Race Activity

Drawing Activity: Chalkboard Connect the Dots

Learning Activity: Shape Sorting for Preschoolers

Cultural Activities for Kids on It’s Playtime

Family Vacation Spot: Omaha, NE

Toddler Sensory Activity: Treasure Box

It’s Playtime! Love the Earth

Push Pin Geoboard: Made by Child!

Fabric Painted Pillowcase

It’s Playtime is Full of Imagination!

Fly a Homemade and Recycled Kite!

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.