The Hands On As We Grow® Archives

A Challenge : 30 Days to Hands on Play

It’s Playtime! : Get Moving this Fall

Spaghetti Spider Web Craft for Halloween

Imaginary Play : Betty Lukens Felt Boards

Seven Mom Tips : Activia Selects

It’s Playtime: Make Creative Art with Your Kids

Sensory Activity: Hauling Corn

It’s Playtime! : Autumn Leaves

A First Birthday Celebration

Art Activity : Zoo Animal Puzzles

Keep updated!

Toddler Activity : Tissue Paper Bag

It’s Playtime! : Happy Birthday George!

Outdoor Activities : Yet to do this Fall

Art: DIY Wrapping Paper from Tissue Paper

How to Referee Fighting Boys

How to Discipline a Demanding 2 Year Old

Baby Play : Baby Food Jars

It’s Playtime! : Play for Boys

Pretend Play : Play Dough Pizza Bites

Raising Kids is Tough : Gender Awareness

It’s Playtime! : Preschooler Games

Raising Kids is Tough : Adult Differences

Simple DIY Calendar for Preschooler

It’s Playtime! : The Areas of Play

P is for Play!

Raising Kids is Tough : Eating Battles

It’s Playtime! : Energy Busters

Raising Kids is Tough : Healthy Snacks

It’s Playtime! : Feet & Hand Prints

Art : DIY Tie-Dyed T-Shirts

Fine Motor Activity: Cutting Straws

Raising Kids is Tough : Picky Eaters

It’s Playtime! : Favorite Play Posts

Free Play : DIY Road Map

Raising Kids is Tough : Dining Out

It’s Playtime : Play Resources

Art : DIY Upcycled Crayons

Outdoor Play : Scavenger Hunt

Raising Kids is Tough : At the Dinner Table

It’s Playtime! : Beat the Heat

A Mom with a Lesson Plan : Spotlight

It’s Playtime! : Fine Motor Skills

11 Fun Ways for Preschoolers to Clean Up

About hands on : as we grow

It’s Playtime! : Paper Play

Conflict Resolution : A Mommy Fun Fact

American Heart Walk : Ellie’s Story

It’s Playtime! : Colors

Preschool Technology : Keyboard Lesson

It’s Playtime! : Playing Favorites

Crafty Art : Eric Carle Caterpillar

It’s Playtime! : Animals

Kid Talk : Construction Site

Free Play : Fabric

Fabric + Wipes Container = Hours of Fun for Babies & Toddlers

Playtime Series : Let the Children Play

It’s Playtime : Just Art

Make a Tin Can Forest for Outdoor Pretend Play

Outdoor Play : Firewood Sculpture

Playtime Series : Quirky Momma

It’s Playtime! : Gardening

Letter Learning Activity with the ABC Mat!

Outdoor Play : Gardening

It’s Playtime! : Big Art Edition

Baby Play : Block Towers

Playtime Series : Messy Kids

Art : Window Paint Creations

Free Play : Carpet Doodles

Playtime Series : The Imagination Tree

It’s Playtime! : Upcycle before Recycle

Traveling Activities

Baby Play : Mirror Reflections

It’s Playtime! : Sensory Activities

Flour Piping Sensory Activity for Kids

Cardboard Box Ramps: Trial & Error

It’s Playtime! : Mother’s Day

Craft an Airplane : from Green Kid Crafts

Free Play Activity : Stirring and Mixing

It’s Playtime! : Move That Body!

Exploring Baby Food

Stacking : Trial & Error

Easter Egg Hunt

Painting Easter Eggs : Feature by Mama Pea Pod

Henry’s First Egg Decorating

Puffs Easter Bunny: Tissue Box Challenge

Tractor & Play Dough Birthday Party Fun!

DIY Balloon Birthday Wreath with Number

Building a Bird’s Nest : Outdoors in April

Painting with Balls : Guest Post by QuirkyMomma

It’s Playtime! : Show off your fun!

Cupcake Masterpieces by the Future Baker

Outdoors in April (take 1)

Food Tracks & Layered Play Dough

Balloon Art

Activity Course with Balloons

Play a Game of Balloon Badminton with Your Toddler

Henry vs George [0-6 months]

Box Flap Bridges & an Experiment

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.