The Hands On As We Grow® Archives

Alphabet Rocks Make a Beautiful Name Craft for Kids

Make a Cereal Fall Tree Craft and “Kid-Powered Mornings”

Kids Nature Collection Used for Simple Activities

Apple Week: A Back-to-School Family Tradition

5 Hungry Ants Chant & Action Song for Preschoolers

Sand Drawing for Kids to Create Art in the Sandbox

Back to School Countdown Simple Art Project

Interactive Symmetry Activity with Loose Parts

Scented Ice Sensory Play: An Easy Activity for Kids

Shadow Art for Kids a New Creative Chalk Activity

Balloon Pop Activity for Exciting Spell Your Name Fun

Paper Clip Chain Activity is Quick Fun for Fine Motor Skills

Seasons for Kids Made Easy with Interactive Books and Activities

Clothespin Names and Letter Match so Simple for Kids

Shape Activity Using Bean Bags That’s so Simple to Do

Sort Living and Nonliving Things Activity Collage

Frozen Summer Time Capsule Easy for Kids to Create

Outdoor Pretend Play Beauty Salon Fun for All

Easy Activities to Learn Colors with Interactive Books

Magnetic Marble Maze Challenge

Clothespin Activity for Toddlers: Fine Motor Exploration

Dandelion Activity Fine Motor Threading

Wrapped Yarn Vase Craft for Mother’s Day

Magazine Scavenger Hunt with Paper Tearing

Stunning Mother’s Day Suncatcher Craft: “I Love You Mom”

Fingerprint Heart Card Homemade Gift for Mom

Upcycled Planter Flower Garden for Kids

Easy Cardboard String Art for Kids

Super Simple Watercolor Easter Eggs Toddler Art

Pom Pom Sorting + Posting Activity for Toddlers

Sticky Flower Color Matching Activity for Toddlers

No-Prep Earth Science Experiment for Curious Kids

Cute Heart-Themed Fine Motor Craft for Kids

Play This Easy No-Prep Valentine’s Game for Kids

Burn Off Energy with an Indoor Gross Motor Activity for Preschoolers!

Adorable Button Icicles Winter Craft for Kids

Super Easy Play Dough Straw Buildings for Kids

Shaving Cream Sensory Snowman for Kids to Squish

Kid-Made Mini LEGO Snowman for Winter

Cute Wintery Snowman Sensory Bin for Toddlers

Awesome Balloon Number Matching Game for PreK

Creative Gross Motor Scooting Pillow Case Race for Preschoolers

Learning In the Dark Scavenger Hunt for Kids

Simple Fun DIY Pom Pom Tunnels Maze

9 Christmas Picture Books to Snuggle Up & Read Together

No Prep Block Pick-Up Fine Motor Toddler Activity

No-Prep Game for Preschool Fine Motor Skills

Not-So-Spooky Spider Hunt in the Dark!

One Minute Prep Pumpkin Family Craft

Cute Potato Stamping Jack-O-Lanterns for Fall

Outdoor Gross Motor ABC Football Drill for Fall

Make a Spider Web to Learn Letter S

Super Fun Tic-Tac-Toe Activity with a Learning Twist

Easy Indoor Cup Stacking Challenge for Active Play

5 Ways to Make Chores Kid-Friendly Fun

Quick Painting the Driveway with Water Activity

Fun Fine Motor Leaf Cutting Activity for Fall

Easy Apple Stamp Tote Bag Teacher Gift!

Classic Outdoor Activity Rolling Down the Hill

Crazy Fun Balloon Activity Race Kids Love

Make Simple Rock Towers for On-the-Fly Kid-Friendly Fun

Easily Overcoming 10 Hands-On Hurdles to Become More Involved

Wild West Nerf Gun Target Practice for Kids

Make Back to School Mornings More Positive with Put Ups!

Pretend Shopping Trip in the Pantry Counting Real Money!

Cool Off with a Baby-Friendly Ice Sensory Activity

Easy Homemade Fizzy Sidewalk Paint Recipe for Kids

Extra Fancy Oil Pastel Resist Watercolors on Canvas for Kids

Make Your Own Easy Ice Cream Pops!

Easy Listen, Move & Follow Directions Game for Preschoolers!

Yummy Edible Frozen Excavation Sensory Play for Kids

Classic 4th of July Spin Art Streamers Craft for Kids

DIY a Festive Kid-Sized American Flag for Fourth of July!

Kids Love Creating with Messy-Fun Mud Painting

Safe Fireworks Float or Sink Experiment for Kids

15 DIY Father’s Day Gifts & Cards for Kids to Make

Super Fun DIY Nature Ring Toss Game for Kids

Easy Woven Strawberry Basket Craft for Kids to Make

3 Super Simple Incredibly Fun Pool Noodle Activities for a Rainy Day

Six Ways to Get Moving and Be Silly with a Pillowcase

Super Simple Seek and Find Shapes Water Activity for Toddlers

Easy Hands-On Color Matching Clothespin Game for Toddlers

Build Toddler Muscles with Simple Heavy Lifting Fun

Gorgeous and Fun DIY Charm Necklace Craft for Mother’s Day

Easy DIY Touch and Feel Shapes Board for Toddlers

Rainy Day Rainbow Body Tracing for Preschoolers

Fun Activities to Keep Kids Entertained on Road Trips

Simple Finger Painting for Toddlers with Edible Finger Paint You’ll Love

Easy Easter Egg Splatter Painting Activity for Kids

Simple DIY 3D Balloon Birthday Card Craft for Kids

Cool Preschool Watch Makes Taking Turns & Transitions Super Simple

Try an Easy Counting Flower Petals Math Activity for Kids

Two Simple, Fun Easter Egg Painting Projects for Kids

Messy Fun DIY Marbled Sensory Art Activity for Spring

Easy Low Prep Preschool Race to Practice Color Words

Learn to Skip Count by 5 Using Nickels for Preschoolers

Sweet Candy Speech Activity for Toddlers!

Jumbo DIY Cardboard Puzzle Perfect for Toddlers and Babies

Interactive Musical Storytelling Activity for Busy Indoor Fun

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.