Printables Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

Cut and Paste Back to School Activity Book

Paula — Sun, 06 Sep 2026 14:31:49 +0000

What’s up guys and gals? It is so close to back to school time here. I know you feel it. The moths flying out of your wallet? Yeah, me too. I know my kids are WAY, way past these cut and paste activities but some of your kiddos still love a cute and fun activity book. As a lot of you know it is always my goal to provide affordable activities and fun learning experiences for low cost to you. Skip to the download link below if you just want to download and print. Times are hard and we cannot afford much. I feel your pain. This year back to school shopping will be a hardship for many. That’s why I keep sharing inexpensive ways to save money and free printables for kids. Saving Money is Inherent in Everything I Do While one of mine is entirely done her undergraduate degree (proud broke Mom moment), at least until she decides to pursue a second degree or a Master’s degree, the other should be heading back to school. Should be, I said. Because honestly I hope they have done the work needed to get courses lined up but because of privacy laws here and the fact that said kid is over 20 I have no visibility into that. None. That is a whole other scenario and a story for another time. With FASD on board everything is a bigger deal and harder to access and frankly I expected more from college but here we are. Post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. Purchases made via qualifying links equal a small commission for me which allows me to keep writing and sharing. This cute cut and paste activity encourages enthusiasm around going back to school while also nurturing fine motor skills. Cut and paste can be preschool level and kindergarten as well. My kids always loved crafty opportunities like this. So I hope yours like this back to school cut and paste activity book too. Paper and Printer: Don’t forget these handy supplies you need to make your printables last: Printer paper helps. Yes, it is pretty expensive these days. This Amazon Basics paper is pretty good. Scotch PRO Thermal Laminator is excellent. Highly recommend. And bonus it doesn’t take up much space in your family room or your home office. Use it for some of the printables like the word searches and search and find projects and then hand them out with erasable markers. Reuse over and over. Happy Crafting and Word Games and Back to School! Download Here: As always, please remember these are for your use only. Thanks so much for reading and following copyright rules. Do not reprint or attempt to sell this activity book. It is for personal use only. If you have any other ideas of activities or printables, or even health, travel or parenting topics you’d like to see here, please leave a comment. I will do my best to share helpful content as we all need help from time to time. Cheers to a Positive School Year Ahead! Best of luck on day one and if your child is new and just starting school, get all those photos and remember to take a Kleenex or two with you that day. Here’s another helpful back to school idea if you need it. All About Me Booklet WE found this above All About Me booklet extremely useful when supporting our younger child at school and when introducing them to a new instructor or teacher. We used it at camp a few times too and had positive feedback. If your child is neurodivergent or has any unique needs along with a disability fill one out and hand it to the team or instructor before they start. This can support them on the road to success.

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Learning to Read and Find the Verb Task Cards

Paula — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 13:33:12 +0000

It’s no secret to most of you that I love languages and reading and the written word. Language arts, as they used to call it at my school when I was growing up, was the subject I excelled at and couldn’t get enough of. Even still, I am the person lining up to get all the books at the library. Find the verb task cards is one tool that can help kids identify parts of speech. Are you a Reader Too? My holds list is almost always full of three books at a time and my to read bucket list is always growing as fast as I can cross off the accomplishments. If you are a huge reader of little neighbourhood libraries and thrift stores and a fan of writing and books in general then you probably want to instil that same passion in your children. Finding the parts of speech was always a fun activity as a kid. Also spelling. I love spelling activities and word games and still pride myself on being very good at spelling. So what? Who cares Paula? Well, I know we are all in back to school mode. Some of you are in let’s get the kids started in school and let’s make the new experience and milestone a positive one for all. So after the back to school shopping and the week to get supplies together and resume a routine or begin one that is completely new to you, then comes next steps. Next Steps Might Be… Locating affordable educational tools can be a challenge. Let’s be clear, these days everything is wildly expensive as are tutors. So finding ways to save and use accessible learning tools is actually crucial. I literally told someone the other day every added expense becomes less food in my fridge. That is just a fact at this stage of life and I need to feed people in my home. Here’s a fun activity for you when they are working through some early literacy tasks. Find the verb. I still to this day recall this basic little reminder for nouns and verbs. A noun is a person, place or thing. Still accurate. A verb is an action word. So coach your kids to find the action word in each of these task cards and they will be off to the races in terms of understanding language and also figuring out how to make words into sentences. This is grammar 101. The dog runs on the beach. The lazy brown fox jumped over the log. You probably all recall the ways that we once learned grammar and reading and parts of speech too. Sometimes kids learn more by having some hands on tools like what we used to call flash cards. These Find the verb task cards are basically flash cards. Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. I may receive a small commission via purchases made through qualifying links. Download the Free Find the Verb Task Cards here: Use the final page like a worksheet. If your child is old enough to work independently, they can find the number on each card and the identify the verb and print it on the corresponding card. You can then go through them at the end and grade them or just check them for the correct answers. Don’t Miss These Free Activities Too Remember to visit my free printables board if you need help looking for free activities for your kids to do. For a high quality print out of the life cycle content do not miss this downloadable Bee Life Cycle activity and the Alligator Life Cycle Kit is extremely popular over on Pinterest. Other Task Cards I have a math related set of task cards as well if you are interested and working on concepts such as greater than and less than. Basically comparing numbers. There’s a similar Beginning Sounds grammar activity for free too. Enjoy. Supplies Needed Printer paper helps. Yes, it is pretty expensive these days. This Amazon Basics paper is pretty good. Scotch PRO Thermal Laminator is excellent. Highly recommend. And bonus it doesn’t take up much space in your family room or your home office. Use it for some of the printables like the word searches and search and find projects and then hand them out with erasable markers. Reuse over and over. Making Thrifty Choices These days and for the last 6 years at least it has felt like saving money and thrifty living has become a necessary life skill. That’s partly why I keep sharing free activities and free printables for my readers. Number one: people who are my readers tend to love them, pin them for later and return repeatedly for the printables. Number two: we all need simple things to help support raising kids and grandkids. Here’s hoping this helps you as well. Please drop a comment below if you have an idea or a suggestion for something cute and educational you would love to see here in future. I will do my best to add it to the lineup.

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Comparing Numbers Task Cards

Paula — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 14:20:50 +0000

We all probably recognize that math can be a hard task to master. But comparing numbers is a fun little subject on its own inside of the standard math curriculum that every single child who attends school will have to learn at some point. Comparing numbers task cards activity is an easy way to commit this greater than or less than concept to memory. Why Do We Learn This? Learning to compare numbers is a foundational mathematical skill that builds number sense. This is important for so many reasons but mostly because it shifts mathematical understanding and learning into a higher level of thinking that we also use every day of our lives. We Need to Know Numbers We need to know how numbers relate to each other in size, value, and order because we use them every day. When my kids were younger, the youngest who struggles with math used to say to me: when am I ever going to use this? And frankly I answered every single time with the same reply. You will be shocked how often you use math in daily life. It is a foundational skill. EVEN as a social media marketing expert or a senior marketing manager at work writing and posting and creating all day I still have used comparing numbers on a daily basis. My colleague and I used to look at each other on occasion and laugh and say: I had no idea there’d be this much math involved. Data analysis is heavily involved in social media marketing strategy. Analysis is forever involved in anything you do from trades to white collar work to teaching and creating. You will be asked to compare things on a regular basis in order to make decisions about where to spend money or what to prioritize. That is a constant for a lot of fields. Comparing numbers shifts math from simple counting to understanding value, proportion, and scale. Key Reasons We Learn Comparing Numbers Unlocks Data Analysis & Logic: You cannot interpret graphs, rank priorities, spot trends, or organize information without sorting values from greatest to least or identifying minimums and maximums. Develops Place Value & Scale: Comparing numbers like 48 and 84 reinforces how a digit’s position dictates its value. It helps students grasp the difference between tens, hundreds, and thousands, preventing errors when dealing with larger numbers. Powers Real-World Decision Making: Everyday life relies on comparison. That is a fact. Even at a basic level in the grocery store is $4.99 a good deal for a cereal brand that is a 750 gram box or is this deal a better one: 2 boxes 750 gram boxes for $9. Is there space to fit both into your pantry or kitchen cupboard. Can I fit my car in that tiny parking spot and when I leave will I be able to ease out of the lot without too much difficulty? It is all math and comparing sizes, shapes etc. Money: Determining which item costs less, where to get a better discount, or whether a budget covers your expenses. Comparing numbers is involved daily on this level. It is unavoidable. Time & Measurement: Figuring out which route is faster, who ran a quicker lap, or if a piece of furniture will fit in a space. Data & Risk: Comparing temperatures, tracking growth, or evaluating statistical risk. If you live here in the south of this province or state where there is a 20% risk of hurricanes every years does that make sense versus can I live in a cooler smaller city in the northern area where the risk is 2%. Pin This Post for Later Comparing Numbers Task Cards I hope you enjoy these Beach themed comparing numbers task cards. Comparing numbers even at the beach and during the summer months is a thing we will sometimes gamify to make it more palatable. Turn anything into play can be fun. Count rocks, count beach glass, count the crayons or markers the kids bring to the beach to sit and draw when drying off after a swim. These beautiful task cards will support learning and creativity as well. There is a black and white set your kids can colour in if they wish. Some people also laminate these free printables so that they can be reused endlessly. Yes, creativity and math can also be linked if you try hard enough. Resourceful much? LOL. The black and white set is below. Consider laminating if you wish. This is a great way to reuse them for a longer time. Print These Task Cards Click on the link below to download and use them indefinitely. Again, just a quick reminder that you can enjoy them as a family or in your school class. But do not reprint them on your own site and don’t try to resell. They are protected by copyright. Many thanks for visiting the site always. My readers are the best and I appreciate how often you return and how often you pin my content too. Save it for later. You will not be disappointed next year when you spy these at the start of the summer! A Few Other Games One of our favourite games on the beach is Bocce Ball. It is so portable and easy to play together. Motorola rechargeable long range and waterproof walkie talkies. Best walkie talkies around at a decent price. You can find cheaper ones but they won’t last and I assure you that they will lose or break one of the cheaper ones at some point so pay for these ones instead. Worth it. Don’t forget the supplies you need to make this work. Printer paper helps. I know it is pretty expensive these days. Amazon Basics paper is good. Scotch PRO Thermal Laminator is excellent. Highly recommend. And bonus it doesn’t take up much space in your family room or your home office. If you want to reuse my printables then laminate them and take them with you.

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Roll a Story Road Trip Game

Paula — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:36:00 +0000

If you know my family at all then you know that we love a good road trip. Honestly, it’s the least costly way to get to where you are going often. For instance, we frequently do this Home to Tremblant Quebec drive or we do one of our Vermont ski trips as a family. We have this down to a ‘T’ by now. Snacks packed, route loaded on the GPS, hitting the road by 4 a.m. and we are rocking and rolling. Oh, but not without some reliable road trip activities and road trip games like this roll a story road trip game. Let’s Roll a Story Road Trip Game Tomorrow we are heading out on another camping trip this summer. Now I know this trip is a short one, as in I will barely have enough time to load my favourite playlist on Apple Carplay, but I like to be prepared. So I will have a few things and the kids naturally bring headphones to tune out noises and sometimes even tune one of us out. It’s all good in the name of getting away and peaceful adventures. Here’s to short trips and not needing a whole lot of distractions when driving because it is just me. My husband doesn’t camp anymore. He’s a fan of indoor plumbing and actual beds. LOL. Weirdly I love sleeping in a tent on an inflatable mattress with the sound of crickets and cicadas as you fall asleep. When the kids were younger I never left home without a whole bag full of tricks. Our kids are neurodivergent and they also get bored easily which when they were little meant fights or hyper behaviours. That, in a car is super distracting so, it needs to be curtailed proactively when possible. So, tools like this Road Trip Roll a Story game are invaluable. Mostly though I packed word searches, colouring pages and big blank booklets for them to draw in and journal in as well. If there is a single rainy day when camping then you will also be looking for things to do. These kinds of storytelling and literacy activities are valuable on those rainy days. You might also consider these: Roll A Story Camping Trip Word Search Paper and Printer: Don’t forget to order paper – HP Printer Paper and also be sure to use a good printer. This Epson Eco Tank Printer is amazing. It saves ink like nobody’s business. There are several camping and road trip activities here now on my site so please take advantage of them and return if you think there’s something fun or cool you’d like to see here. Don’t forget to visit my Free Printables board on Pinterest. A couple of road trip items I rarely leave home without: Tiny Inui Portable power bank charger Melatonin Just in case we get where we are going and nobody can sleep that night. I want to enjoy my trip not stress over sleep. Take only as directed. Car First Aid Kit – if you have kids then you know this is not an option.

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Setting the Stage for Success: Preschool Patterns and Shapes

Paula — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:34:00 +0000

The first day of kindergarten is a landmark occasion. For children, it’s a big step into a wider world of friends, learning, and independence. For parents, it’s a mix of pride, excitement, and a little bit of anxiety. I will never forget my children’s first day of school. One was more than ready but the other definitely had separation anxiety very early on. In fact, they couldn’t have been more different in that regard. We were of course teaching our kids many of the skills they’d need, from preschool patterns and shapes to letter recognition, but they also each had their own personalities and needs. My oldest could read early and was happy to go to school. My youngest child with sensory processing disorder needed a bit more support to feel safe. And that’s okay we aren’t all the same and we don’t all progress at the same rate. We all want our kids to walk through those classroom doors feeling confident and ready to succeed. While the academic journey officially begins there, the true foundation for school success is built in the precious years leading up to it. What is Involved in School Readiness? As early childhood educators and parents, we often think about pre-reading and number recognition, but schol readiness is much broader. It’s about a set of skills that allow a child to navigate a classroom, engage with a teacher, collaborate with peers, and follow directions. Think of it this way: a child can know all their letters, but if they are unable to sit for a five-minute story or ask for a turn, they will struggle to show what they know. Before we dive into our fun new Preschool Patterns and Shapes worksheet packet, let’s talk a little about some of the core skills little ones need to thrive in a kindergarten environment. The Basics of Kindergarten Readiness A child entering kindergarten should be developing skills in a few key areas: 1. Social and Emotional Development This is the cornerstone of all learning. Can your child manage big emotions, play cooperatively with others, and show empathy? Social skills like sharing, taking turns, and understanding others’ perspectives are essential for a positive classroom experience. At this age, readiness means a child can, with support, solve a simple conflict with words and manage their frustration when they can’t get what they want immediately. 2. Fine Motor Skills Strong hand muscles are essential. In kindergarten, children will be expected to use a pencil, handle scissors, and open their own snack containers. Activities that develop fine motor skills—like molding playdough, using tongs to pick up small objects, and, yes, completing activities on worksheets—build the strength and dexterity needed for printing and writing. 3. Cognitive and Pre-Academic Skills This is where the excitement for learning can grow. Children begin to observe their world and make sense of how things work. They will start to count, recognize their name, and grasp basic spatial concepts such as like over, under, and beside. Crucially, this is the stage where children develop patterning and shape recognition skills. This isn’t about memorizing labels; it’s about a foundational understanding that the world has structure. They are learning to observe, categorize, and predict. They see that a day has a predictable order (morning, noon, night) and that a shirt might have a simple blue-white-blue-white pattern. This logical thinking is the gateway to both math and literacy, where recognizing patterns in numbers and sounds is essential. Introducing the Preschool Patterns and Shapes Matching Series I am excited to introduce this new, free printable worksheet packet designed for exactly this purpose! This playful collection focuses on two key readiness skills: shape recognition and pattern copying. With bright colours and friendly, age-appropriate illustrations, your child might not even realize they are “learning.” Each worksheet is an invitation to explore. They’ll get to search for matching pairs of shapes, identifying everything from simple circles and squares to more complex stars and hearts. We’ve also included a variety of pattern activities. Your child will practice copying a given pattern (like circle, square, circle) and then, in the next step, predict and draw what comes next. This simple task is a cognitive workout. It requires logic, sequence prediction, and fine motor control. Get This Preschool Patterns and Shapes Activity Now These worksheets can be more than just a passive activity. Use them to sit with your child, to talk about what they see (“What colour is that square?”), and to celebrate every moment they recognize the pattern and draw the match. It’s about making learning a joyful, shared experience that builds their skills and their confidence, one matching shape at a time. Get Your Content Here: Please remember these are for your use. They are not for reprinting on your own website or other publication. Don’t miss my Common sight words for kindergarten and preschool Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. Any purchases made via qualifying links may mean a small commission for me. Don’t forget these handy supplies you need to make your printables last: Printer paper helps. Yes, it is pretty expensive these days. This Amazon Basics paper is pretty good. Scotch PRO Thermal Laminator is excellent. Highly recommend. And bonus it doesn’t take up much space in your family room or your home office. Use it for some of the printables like the word search and search and find projects and then hand them out with erasable markers. Reuse over and over. Happy Crafting and Camping and Word Games and even Back to School! Stay Tuned – There are more worksheets to come.

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Beginning Sounds Task Cards for Kids

Paula — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 19:46:00 +0000

When I was a kid learning to read began with learning the alphabet and then it shifted to discovering phonics. Phonics literally helped me figure out reading and shortly after that a lifelong love of books began. I mean phonics and sounding out words worked so well for me and millions of others in my age group at the time we were growing up. Unlocking the Magic of Reading Books are filled with endless wonder, colourful illustrations, mystery and so much joy. For adults, reading sometimes feels effortless, but for a child, decoding words and lines on a page can be a massive cognitive puzzle. One of the most effective and scientifically proven keys to solving that puzzle is phonics, specifically, mastering beginning sounds. This Works Some of you here know that my Mom was a grade 2 teacher for over 30 years. Even after she retired she tutored children mostly in learning how to read, figuring out reading comprehension and a bit of math too. Phonics was her secret weapon. If a child was stuck she did what she had always done with us and brought it back to the sounds and the phonics of it all. Beginning, middle and end sounds and then put them all together. So, believe me when I say I know this works. These beginning sounds task cards are intended to help you support your child or elementary school student with the extremely valuable job of learning to read. Download them below via the link near the end of the post. What is Phonics and Why Does It Matter? At its core, phonics is the method of teaching children to read by connecting individual speech sounds (phonemes) to written letters or groups of letters. Instead of treating words as giant pictures to be memorized, phonics equips children with a code. When children learn phonics, they stop guessing and start decoding. They realize that letters have a job and they make specific sounds. By learning how to blend these sounds together, a child can look at a brand-new word they have never seen before, sound it out, and figure out what it means. This builds independence and confidence, transforming reading from a guessing game into an empowering skill for life. The Power of Beginning Sounds Before children can read complex sentences or whole three-letter words, they need a starting point. That starting point is the beginning sound. Why Sounding Words Out Works Focusing on beginning sounds is crucial for several reasons. Before connecting sounds to print, children must learn to hear them. Recognizing that the word dog starts with a d or duh sound trains the brain to tune into building blocks of speech. Beginning sounds are an easy starting point. Learning beginning sounds and figuring out how they make words, links the visual letter B with its physical sound. Bringing Phonics Home and Into the Classroom Learning phonics does not have to be a drill or a pain. Because young children often learn best through play, beginning sound practice can be woven into everyday moments and games. The Key to Lifelong Literacy Reading is the foundation for all future academic learning. By grounding early literacy instruction in strong phonics practices and giving special attention to beginning sounds, you give children the ultimate toolkit. Move past memorization. Give them the power to unlock any word, open any book, and explore infinite worlds through reading. Just like flash cards, these tools should help them grow confident in reading. Beginning sounds task cards are cute and easy to use. When your kids are done they can colour them in if that’s what they want to do. OR some people laminate these printable tools and use them over and over. Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. I receive a small commission if purchase is made via qualifying links. Download the content here: PIN This for Later: Don’t forget the supplies you need to make this work. Printer paper helps. Yes, it is pretty expensive these days. This Amazon Basics paper is pretty good. Scotch PRO Thermal Laminator is excellent. Highly recommend. And bonus it doesn’t take up much space in your family room or your home office. If you liked this content then you might also want to read this Sight Words for Kindergarten to Grade 1 and pin it for later. Happy Reading! And if you are already at that point, here are a few books we loved when the kids were young. Some Favourite Reads The Kissing Hand Love You Forever Grandma Loves You

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Get Ready with This Back to School Word Search for Kids

Paula — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 12:54:00 +0000

Summer always feels like a whirlwind. Slow it down for half a second with some fun transition activities like this Back to School Word Search for Kids. Between the final trips to the beach and the hunt for the perfect backpack, the transition back to a school routine can be a jolt for students and parents alike. Not going to lie, I used to get panicky the closer we got to the end of the summer. This post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. I receive a small commission via qualifying links. Summer vibes are some of my favourite and I know I am not alone. Back to School is a mad race of activity and yes it is back to routine, which is welcome for many people, but also September is a lot. The forms alone are crazy in that first couple of weeks. AND, there’s a huge cost to back to school shopping. Recognizing that the cost of living is through the roof and few of us can afford extras, I like to share easy low cost and sometimes free opportunities for families. These Back to School word search is one of those freebies that I am sharing with you in mind. Whether you are looking for a quiet morning activity to settle those first-day jitters or a fun way to get kids back into learning mode, a themed word game or a puzzle is the perfect low-stress solution. Ease Into the School Mindset After weeks of sun and play, jumping straight into heavy textbooks can feel daunting. This Back to School Word Search for kids is designed to bridge that gap. It focuses on familiar classroom vocabulary. Think notebooks, recess, and library to help younger students re-engage with school themes in a way that feels like a game rather than an assignment. For teachers, this is an excellent morning activity. Having a stack of these on desks as students arrive on the first day gives them something immediate and engaging to focus on. And you can get a quick moment of peace while managing the inevitable chaos of new cubby assignments and attendance. For parents, it’s a great addition to a lunchbox surprise or a rainy afternoon activity during the final week of August. Benefits Beyond the Fun While word searches are undeniably entertaining, they also offer some sneaky educational benefits too. Download Your Free Printable Ready to get started? Download and print this word search in just a few clicks. It’s designed to be clear and easy to read, making it accessible for elementary-aged children. Pro-Tip: If you want to make it a challenge, set a timer and see who can find all the words first. Or have your kids circle the words using different coloured highlighters to make it colourful. Don’t forget the paper and supplies Don’t forget to order paper – HP Printer Paper and also be sure to use a good printer. This Epson Eco Tank Printer is amazing. It saves ink like nobody’s business. Post contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission when a purchase is made. Grab your favourite pencils, find a cozy spot, and let’s make this the best school year yet!

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Camping I Spy Game

Paula — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 13:15:00 +0000

It’s no secret we love camping. It is one of our favourite ways to disconnect and just touch grass. Good for my mental and physical health not to mention my whole family’s mental health. Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. Qualifying purchases mean a small commission for me at no cost to you. The Joys of Camping Nothing beats the feeling of gathering around a campfire. It’s the perfect way to hit the pause button on a busy week and enjoy some quality time in nature. Whether you are experienced campers or just starting out, there’s nothing quite like being outside together in a provincial or national park. One of my favourite things is spotting constellations at night. I mean listen if you are over 45 and need that bathroom break at 3 am like I do there’s no better spot to do it than at a provincial park where dark skies and no light pollution means you will easily spot Orion, Big Dipper, Little Dipper and Cygnus. But even camping isn’t perfect (is anything actually?) and young kids and teens will eventually blurt I am bored or something equally frustrating. Which is why I always recommend camping with a bag of tricks. Having some simple printables, activities and games like this Camping I Spy Game on hand if needed saves meltdowns occasionally. Camping Activities There’s so much to do when camping that you might be tricked into thinking that you won’t struggle to find ways to explore or stay active. I mean walking, biking, setting up camp, spending endless beach days swimming? What’s not to love? And yet, one of the biggest hurdles for parents can be keeping them busy during the witching hours just like at home. Having a few nature-focused games and activities handy is a lifesaver to keep everyone happy. Card Games I have a wild range of campfire games that we travel with when we go camping. We have picked up a few over the years and wouldn’t leave home without them. My kids are older so letting you know that before you get judgemental. Last year we bought Cards Against Humanity and it is a hoot. We haven’t laughed so hard in years. At 21 and 24, last season we were all okay with the language and the game was a blast. At Christmas I bought Noah the add on packs. There are so many, but we settled on the 90s pack. Classic Camping Games Another classic is corn hole, which is a simple setup and an easy one to play when someone is starting a campfire or waiting for somebody else to prep the food. For the most part we all pitch in and take turns helping with activities and meals but we also try to stay out of each other’s space at times. Everyone has a role and sometimes it’s better to play a game for a bit when somebody is cooking for instance. One of our favourite games on the beach is Bocce Ball. It is so portable and easy to play together. Pick one up via the link here or get a super cheap one at a discount store near you. Highly recommend. Print These out Before you Camp Head off the “I am bored” before it even starts. There are several camping activities here now on my site so please take advantage of them under the printables tab and return if you think there’s something fun or cool you’d like to see here. So, hit the Printables Pinterest board and take these with you. Don’t Miss These: Roll a Story Camping Game Camping Activity Pack Give these walkie talkies a try if you are looking for another fun camping activity for little people. THIS is a classic: Sports Washer Toss Where are you camping this season? Do you have a favourite camping game?

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Numbers & Letters Sorting Toolkit Printable

Paula — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:35:00 +0000

There is a specific kind of magic in watching a child make a genuine connection. It’s witnessing them light up and be receptive to learning. You know that split second where a jumble of symbols on a page suddenly transforms into a language they can decode. Lately, I’ve been thinking about how we can bridge the gap between those early days of spotting letters and the more complex world of mathematical patterns. It’s one thing to recognize a number; it’s another thing entirely to understand its personality. That’s why I am offering this Numbers & Letters Sorting Toolkit for you to use with your kiddos. Whether you are navigating the school year or looking for a way to keep little minds sharp during summer break, I’ve found that the best way to tackle tricky concepts is to make them tactile. Numbers shouldn’t just be something kids see on a chalkboard or a smart board. They should be things they can sort, categorize, and master. Most parents and early educators know that numbers are nebulous unless made real. Tactile objects like pipe cleaners, apples, blocks and even crayons make numbers real and tangible. Sorting Out the Chaos This new back to school Numbers & Letters Sorting Toolkit is designed to help kids slow down and really observe the characters they see every day. It is about moving beyond simple counting and diving into prime numbers, odd numbers and even numbers too. Working with Kids who Have Learning Disabilities In our house, with kids who had learning disabilities, it was important to be organized and provide scaffolding to help support success with many learning concepts. We did a similar thing with social learning as well. But that is a different post. One thing that helped was rehearsing in advance of school. These worksheets and activities helped our kids before September arrived. Break It Down This Numbers & Letters Sorting Toolkit activity is broken down into a few fun, digestible challenges: Learning Through Play I’m a firm believer that education doesn’t have to be clinical to be effective. By turning these concepts into a sorting game, it takes the pressure off getting it right and puts the focus on discovery. It’s about building confidence. The kit will help one prime or even number at a time. I’ve put together this Numbers & Letters Sorting Toolkit as a free resource for you to download and use whenever you need a quiet, focused activity that feels more like a game than a lesson. Just print it out, grab some crayons or a pencil and watch them work their magic. Ready to start sorting? Click the link below to grab your free Numbers & Letters Sorting Toolkit printable and get counting! More Printables Remember to visit my free printables board if you need help looking for free activities for your kids to do. For a high quality print out of the life cycle content do not miss this downloadable Bee Life Cycle activity and you should be off to the races. Follow that up with the horses life cycle activity and the frog life cycle activity.

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Cute Tracing Book for Preschoolers

Paula — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:41:00 +0000

If you’ve ever watched a preschooler concentrate on tracing a dotted line, you know it’s a high-stakes operation. Tongue out, brow furrowed, crayon gripped like a club. It’s adorable, but it’s also critical developmental work. Tracing isn’t just busy work to keep kids quiet while you finish your coffee. It is the foundational bridge between scribbling and legible writing. Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. Any purchases made via qualifying links mean a small commission for me. The Big Benefits of Tiny Lines Beyond just following a path, tracing helps children master several key milestones: The Progression of Tracing You wouldn’t ask a toddler to trace the cursive alphabet on day one. Like any skill, tracing follows a logical progression. Stage 1 straight lines is all about mastering vertical and horizontal movements. The second stage is simple shapes and an escalation to managing corners and intersections like squares and triangles. In stage three they learn curves and waves and then begin combining all of the above. To Print this Out: Click on the download link below. Save a copy and print it out. 3 Tips to Make Tracing Fun There are so many ways to make this a fun activity, perhaps even a sensory game if that’s appealing to your kiddo. When my youngest was preparing for senior kindergarten we often had shaving cream on hand. An occupational therapist would come in with sensory tools like shaving cream and my youngest child would be asked to draw letters or numbers. It made it a tangible activity that jumped off the page. Focus on the process and make it fun. If they go off the lines, they’re still learning how to correct their course. That’s a win! Print this Tool Out: Don’t forget the supplies you need to make this work. Printer paper helps. Yes, it is pretty expensive these days. This Amazon Basics paper is pretty good. Keep the inexpensive men’s shaving cream on hand if you are going to do these types of sensory activities. Scotch PRO Thermal Laminator is excellent. Highly recommend. And bonus it doesn’t take up much space in your family room or your home office.

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