The Hands On As We Grow® Archives

6 Things to Do With Goldfish Crackers: Activities to Cure “I’m Bored”

Fun and Easy Travel Journal Keepsake Craft for Kids

5 Fun Learning Activities with Bottles and Caps

Super Simple Color Ball Matching Game for Kids

Play Dough Hidden Treasures for Many Preschool Skills

Magic Finger Pepper Experiment for Kids

Simple Art Prompt: Drawing on the Table

Washing Toys Water Activity for Toddlers

3 Activities in One! Homemade Colored Rice

10 Creative Art Activities for Preschoolers

Outdoor Play Cooking: Make a Nature & Mud Pizza

35+ Things to Make with Play Dough: Pretend, Create, Learn

3 Fun Educational Kids Games with Dominoes

Simple Letter Tracing Art Project as Writing Practice

Blowing up a Balloon with Baking Soda and Vinegar

10 Messy Play Ideas to Keep it More Contained & Clean

18 Water Balloon Games with Targets, Activities & More for Kids

Sight Word Jump & Grab

Simple Cardboard Airplane Craft for Kids

Hop! Skip! Jump! with Paper Plates

7 Summer Art Projects to Do Outside

Silly Spell Your Name Activity by Jumping to Connect the Letters

Simple Spoon Nesting & Stacking Activity with Montessori Learning

50 Sensory Bin Ideas for Kids from Craft Supplies, the Pantry, Nature & More!

Straw Drop Painting Apple Tree Craft

30 Foil Crafts for Kids to Make, Create, Wear & Play With

Quick Cotton Ball Toddler Fine Motor Activity

What to Make with Craft Sticks: Kid Art to Hang on the Wall

7 Marble Games & Activities for Fine Motor Skills

Easy DIY Linocuts Make Fine Art for Kids

2 Robot Crafts Your Kids Will Beg to Make!

20 Mess-Free Sensory Bin Ideas Your Kids Are Going To Love

Fizzling Fireworks Painting with Straws: Bursting, Dazzling & Easy to Do!

CandyLand Color Sorting Game with Lots of Movement

Easy Preschool Science Experiment to Learn What Dissolves in Water

Sample Weekly Activity Plans

Year-End Interview Questions for Kids + Free Printable

47 Block Activities for Preschoolers! It’s Blocks of Fun!

Super Simple Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course for Gross Motor Skills

30 Paper Crafts for Kids! Tear It, Chain It, Twirl It, Quill It & More!

Simple Sensory Foil Activity to Wrap, Strengthen Fingers & Explore Texture

Connect the Dots Kids Painting Activity

How to Get Kids to Clean up on Their Own

Wild Flower Bouquet Activity for Toddlers with a Fine Motor Twist

35+ Dinosaur Activities & Crafts Perfect for Every Kid

How to Make a Simple DIY Hand Drum Craft for Kids

48 Spring Themed Activities for Preschoolers to Develop All Areas

30 Easy Must-Make Summer Crafts for Kids

Build a Balance Scale for Preschoolers to Explore Weights

Simple & Exciting Backyard Outdoor Water Obstacle Course

Craft a Pretty Nature Collage Suncatcher for Toddlers

Build Your Own Magnetic Race Track in 1 Minute

48 Five Senses Activities for Kids to Explore All Five

10 Father’s Day Gifts From Kids with a Creative Touch

27 Awesome Busy Bag Ideas for Toddlers On the Go

Edible Fruit Paint for Babies as a Fingerpainting Sensory Experience

Tin Can Robots Craft for Kids to Keep Busy When You Need It

Magnet Tiles Ideas that are Magnificent for Kids

5 Simple Language Play Ideas for Language Development

9 Obstacle Course Ideas for Kids that are Super Simple

Small World Forest Play for Toddlers & Preschoolers

“Feed The Monster” Math + Fine Motor Activity for Kids

Look What Happens When Happy Kids Paint with Mud

Life Skills for Preschool and Things to Teach a 3 & 4 Year Old

30 Pattern Activities for Preschoolers! Patterning Ideas are Everywhere!

Sizzlin’ Summer Activities for Preschoolers That Are So Much Fun!

Toddler Activities for 1 Year Olds to Do This Week

Mega Baking Soda to Vinegar Ratio Experiment

6 Different Activities for 6 Lines of Tape

Science Activities for Toddlers to Try

Kids’ Science Experiment to Make Music with Water

4 Blanket Games To Play That Burn Off Energy & Encourage Gross Motor Skills

27 Super Fun Rainy Day Activities for Toddlers

A Week of Nature Activities to Do

5 Pipe Cleaner Activity Ideas for Fine Motor Toddler Fun

Move & Spell Fun Gross Motor Literacy Game

Ribbon Flower Bouquet Gift Made by Kids

How to Make a Composting Bin with Worms

10 Free Road Trip Printables for Long Car Rides

Nature Sensory Bag Suncatcher

10 Jumping Activities Sure to Wear Out the Kids

48 Quick Sensory Bags to Make for Your Kids

Rainbow Bead Counting Game for St. Patrick’s Day

40 Sensory Activities for Babies and Toddlers that are Appropriate

13 No-Prep Games to Play Over FaceTime (or Skype)

Learn to Spell Your Name & Make a Rainbow

Homemade Nature Suncatcher Wind Chimes for Kids to Make

Improve Kids Fine Motor Skills with 30 Materials & Activities

10 Gross Motor Activities YOU can do Outside with the Kids

No-Prep Pom Pom Fine Motor Activity by Stuffing Gloves!

20 Lucky Shamrock Crafts for Kids to Make this St. Patrick’s Day

40+ Big Fun Art Projects for Kids

Shamrock Suncatcher Craft for a Lucky St Patrick’s Day

12 Easter Scavenger Hunt Ideas That are Not Your Average Easter Egg Hunt

How to Keep the Baby Busy While Your Cooking Dinner

Mortar and Pestle Montessori Sensory Activity to Crush & Grind

20 Cat in the Hat Activities to Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s Birthday!

A Week of Activities to Learn A Number

DIY Sticker Busy Box for Easy Quiet Time Play for Kids

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.