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Memorial Day for Kids: Fun Activities That Teach Honor and Respect

May 22, 2025 by Mama Carmody Leave a Comment

Memorial Day is more than just the start of summer or a day for backyard barbecues. It’s also the perfect time to explore meaningful Memorial Day activities for kids that teach honor, gratitude, and remembrance in age-appropriate ways.

It’s a special time to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives while serving in the U.S. military. And yes, even young children can begin to understand the values of sacrifice, gratitude, and remembrance.

As a mom, teacher, and proud military family member, I believe in making learning meaningful—and fun! Below are some simple, heartfelt ways to help children learn about Memorial Day in age-appropriate and engaging ways.

 Leave a Coin to Show You Care

One Memorial Day, our family visited a military memorial together—my daughter, son-in-law (who is in the Army), my grandkids and me. As we walked around looking at the names and the memorials, we took part in a simple but powerful tradition: leaving coins on the headstones or memorials of veterans.

Each coin has a special meaning:

  • A Penny on a headstone is a common sign that someone visited the grave to show respect. 
  • A Nickel means that the visitor shared basic training with the deceased. 
  • A Dime means that the visitor served with the deceased service member. 
  • A Quarter is the most significant coin. It means you were with the veteran when they passed away.

Leaving a coin is a quiet way to say: “I remember and I’m thankful for your bravery.”

Watching my grandson point to the symbols and asking questions was a reminder that children are always learning. They may not fully understand everything, but they feel the importance of the moment. They learn by seeing, by doing, and by sharing these experiences with the people they love.

Family visiting 1st Cavalry Division Memorial at Fort Hood/Fort Cavazos, leaving coins to honor fallen soldiers on Memorial Day. Grandson pointing to symbols on monument.

📍 The memorial in our photos is located at Cooper Field near Legend’s Way at Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos), Texas. It honors the 1st Cavalry Division troopers who served in the Persian Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom, with the names of 69 brave individuals etched into its stone.

Free Printable: Thank You Cards to Leave With a Coin

To make this activity even more special, I created a free printable your child can leave with their coin. These small cards (there are 4 to a page) are the perfect size for little hands and include a space, on the back, for them to sign their name or write a short message.

📍 Click here and leave your email to get the free printable card set. Start a meaningful Memorial Day tradition with your family this year.

More Fun Ways to Celebrate and Learn

  • Visit a local veterans’ memorial and talk about the symbols and names you see.
  • Watch a short Memorial Day video made for children.
  • Read books that help kids understand bravery, honor, and loss (see below!).
  • Color a flag or soldier-themed coloring page.

You can also grab my Free Patriotic Coloring Pages available on Teachers Pay Teachers. They’re great for quiet time or creative reflection:  Get the free coloring pages here

More Memorial Day Resources

If you’re looking for even more ideas, be sure to visit my earlier blog post: Memorial Day Learning Activities

In that post, you’ll find:

  • A fingerprint poppy craft
  • A list of recommended children’s books about Memorial Day and military families that I reviewed myself.

Memorial Day is a wonderful opportunity to help children grow in understanding and gratitude. With just a few simple activities, you can help them connect with the deeper meaning of the day in a way that’s age-appropriate, loving, and memorable.

And remember—you don’t have to teach it all at once. Little hearts grow big with small, thoughtful lessons.

Wishing you a meaningful and memorable Memorial Day,
Mama Carmody

Related Posts

Celebrating the 4th of July with Children

Celebrating Flag Day

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Children’s holiday activities, Coin tradition Memorial Day, educational activities, family friendly, family friendly activities, Free Memorial Day printable, free printable, Honoring veterans with children, love to laugh and learn, Mama Carmody, Memorial Day, Memorial Day activities for kids, Memorial Day learning ideas, Military family traditions, Patriotic crafts for children, Teaching kids about Memorial Day

Dig into Gardening: Fun Activities, Science Projects, and Healthy Eating Tips

May 7, 2025 by Mama Carmody Leave a Comment

Children and an adult planting vegetables together in a garden, promoting fun gardening activities for kids and healthy outdoor learning

Gardening with kids is a joyful, hands-on way to spark curiosity, teach science, and encourage healthy eating habits. Whether you’re planting a single pot on a balcony or creating a full backyard garden, there are endless opportunities to have fun while learning. In this post, you’ll discover gardening activities for kids that blend science, creativity, and delicious rewards. Plus, we’ll share free printables to help your little gardeners dig right in!

If you enjoy gardening with kids, be sure to check out our earlier post, Earth Day: Gardening with Children, for even more fun ideas!

Plant a Rainbow Garden

Planting a rainbow garden is a colorful and exciting project for children. Choose fruits and vegetables that represent each color of the rainbow—red tomatoes, orange carrots, yellow peppers, green lettuce, blue blueberries, and purple eggplants.

Activity Idea: Use our free Rainbow Garden worksheet to have children draw or write the name of a plant for each color. Challenge them to think of more options than just the examples provided!

Fun Science: How Plants Grow

Gardening is packed with natural science lessons. Talk about the life cycle of a plant—from seed to sprout to flower to fruit. Let kids track their plants’ growth with our free Garden Observation Sheets, perfect for ages 4-12.

Activity Idea: Start a “plant journal” where children record weather conditions, measure growth, and sketch what they observe each week.

Young child and adult exploring worms together in a garden bed.

Worm Watching: Nature’s Garden Helpers

Introduce kids to worms and the magic they do underground! Worms help aerate the soil and break down organic matter to create rich, fertile dirt.

Activity Idea: After a rainy day, go on a “worm walk” to find worms in the garden. Discuss their important role in helping plants grow.

Colorful kid-friendly fruit and veggie snacks displayed in fun shapes like rainbows, caterpillars, and flowers.

Taste the Garden: Healthy Eating Fun

Kids are more likely to try new fruits and vegetables when they’ve grown them themselves! Create simple, healthy recipes using their harvest.

Snack Ideas:

  • Rainbow Veggie Skewers: Thread colorful veggies onto skewers and serve with a tasty dip.
  • Healthy Banana Splits: Use bananas, yogurt, and an assortment of fresh fruits like kiwi, pineapple, and apples.
  • Apple Nachos: Thinly slice apples and top with nut butter, grapes, and mini chocolate chips.
  • Cucumber Sandwich Bites: Use cucumber slices with cream cheese or hummus, topped with cherry tomatoes or peppers.

Activity Idea: Host a “garden picnic” where kids pick, prepare, and eat their homegrown snacks.

Story Time (affiliate links)

“Container Gardening for Kids” by Ellen Talmage, featuring colorful illustrations of vegetables, flowers, and creative plant containers, designed to teach kids about growing plants in small spaces.

Container Gardening for Kids by Ellen Talmage

Reading Level: Ages 7 to 12 yrs old This book is bursting with creative and unique ideas for turning all kinds of containers into mini gardens—some you can even make yourself! From boots to buckets, it encourages kids to think outside the (plant) box.

Not only does it inspire creativity, it also teaches important plant care tips. Your young gardener will learn why it’s important to avoid overcrowding, how to divide plants into new containers, and—even cooler—how trimming the roots can actually help a plant stay healthy and stress-free. (Yes, I even learned something new too!)

This book is a great guide for kids who want to get their hands dirty and show off their green thumbs in fun, personal ways. Let the container garden adventures begin!

Errol’s Garden by Gillian Hibbs

Reading Level: Birth to 8 yrs old Errol’s Garden is a charming picture book that celebrates the love of gardening—even in unexpected places. Errol dreams of growing plants, but living in an apartment doesn’t offer many options. That is, until he discovers the rooftop! Follow along as Errol and his neighbors come together to create a beautiful rooftop garden, proving that community and creativity can help gardens grow anywhere.

Growing Vegetables by Tracy Nelson Mauer

Reading Level: Ages 7 to 12 I discovered this gem at my local library. It’s perfect for young gardeners! This book is packed with practical, age-appropriate information on how to plan, plant, and harvest your very own vegetable garden. It covers everything from choosing the right location and tools to understanding when to water, weed, and pick your produce. While I wasn’t able to find this book on Amazon at the time of writing, I highly recommend checking your local library or school collection. It’s a fantastic resource to pair with garden activities and outdoor science lessons!

Cover of the children’s book “Ready, Set, Grow!” by DK Books, featuring a smiling sunflower face and subtitle “Quick and Easy Gardening Projects,” designed to teach kids simple, hands-on gardening activities.

Ready, Set, Grow! – Quick and Easy Gardening Projects by Deborah Lock (DK Books)

Reading Level: Ages 7 to 11 DK Books never disappoint—and Ready, Set, Grow! is no exception! This colorful, photo-packed gem is perfect for young gardeners who are ready to dig in. Before planting a single seed, kids will learn to think like a garden pro: How much space do you have? Is it sunny or shady? The book covers it all!

From clever ideas for quirky containers to super cute DIY garden decorations, this book makes gardening both practical and playful. Kids will also discover which insects are garden heroes (hello, ladybugs!) and which ones might cause trouble. There’s a garden full of information inside these pages—and it’s all presented in a way that’s fun, easy to understand, and sure to grow confidence.

Whether you have a backyard plot or just a sunny windowsill, this book will help your young gardener bloom! 

“Secrets of the Vegetable Garden: A Shine-a-Light Book” by Carron Brown and Giordano Poloni, featuring colorful illustrations of garden plants, animals, and a watering can, with a flashlight icon showing how to reveal hidden images through light.

Secrets of the Vegetable Garden (A Shine-A-Light Book) by Carron Brown & Giordano Poloni

Reading Level: Ages 2 to 8 Secrets of the Vegetable Garden is part of the delightful Shine-A-Light series, and it’s both magically entertaining and educational. I own this one along with Secrets of the Seashore, and my grandchildren absolutely love them!

In this interactive book, young readers are asked engaging questions like, “What three things does a seed need to grow?” and “What’s growing in the pods?” The fun twist? To reveal the hidden answers, you shine a flashlight behind the page in a dim room—it’s like discovering secret worlds hidden in the illustrations!

This book teaches real facts about gardening and the wildlife you might encounter, all through a hands-on, visually exciting experience. It’s a wonderful way to spark curiosity and learning through play.

Tiny Green Thumbs by C.Z. Guest

Reading Level: Ages 3 to 9 Tiny Green Thumbs is a sweet and educational story about a little bunny with a big dream—growing his own garden. With the loving guidance of his wise grandmother, Granny Bun, Tiny Bun learns all the steps it takes to grow something from the ground up. The book blends a heartwarming storyline with practical gardening tips, making it both entertaining and informative. Join Tiny Bun and Granny Bun as they dig, plant, and grow their way to a garden full of joy and learning!

Free Printables to Grow and Learn

Don’t forget to grab your free Garden Observation Sheets and Rainbow Garden Worksheet! These tools help make your garden adventure even more educational and fun.

Wrap-Up: Grow, Learn, and Laugh Together

Gardening with kids builds skills, sparks curiosity, and promotes healthy living. It’s a fun way to connect with nature—and each other! Whether you’re growing a few pots of herbs or a full backyard farm, these gardening activities for kids will plant seeds of wonder that last a lifetime.

Show Off Your Green Thumb in Style!

I’ve created two fun gardening-themed T-shirt designs that are perfect for kids, families, and anyone who loves to dig in the dirt! You can find them in my storefront, Mama Carmody’s Corner Store, available on TeePublic, TeeSpring, and RedBubble.

Each platform offers different items and runs unique sales, so be sure to check them all out for the best deals and product options!

Shop Now:

Look for my designs “I Dig Dirt – Little Gardener in Training” and “Grow Your Own Greatness – Roots, Rain and a Little Grit” — great for garden-loving kiddos and grownups alike.

This cute kids gardening shirt is perfect for little ones who love outdoor play, planting vegetables, and learning in nature.
“Grow Your Own Greatness – Roots, Rain and a Little Grit.” Perfect for garden lovers of all ages.

Filed Under: Gardening Tagged With: educational activities, family friendly, family friendly activities, free printable, fun learning, gardening, gardening with children, gardening with kids, love to laugh and learn, Mama Carmody, vegetable gardening with kids

Police Officers: Love to Learn About Community Helpers

January 25, 2015 by Mama Carmody 5 Comments

Police Officers: Love to Learn About Community Helpers
with free printables




It’s time to have fun learning about police officers. Police officers are there to protect and take care of us. Children need to learn this early because you never know when they might need a police officer’s help.

I like to start learning activities with a book. You can find several books about police officers in the Story Time section, below. Pick a couple out and share them with your child.

Content:

Playtime
Fun Sheet
Craft
Story Time
Related Posts
Acknowledgements

Playtime

There are many wonderful toys out there that can encourage imaginative play, while learning about police officers. Lego and Playmobil both have police themed sets. Your child might have a simple police car that they like to play with. We used to have a community helper doll set that we used in our preschool classes. I plan to get some for my home so my grandson and great-nephew will have them to play with.

I love the use of dress-up clothes. When I was teaching preschool, the boys loved to dress-up as much as the girls did. I pick up inexpensive costumes once Halloween is over. I picked up a play set with handcuffs, a walkie talkie and a toy gun at the Dollar Tree. You can read my post, “Let’s Play with Toy Guns”, to see why I believe that was a good addition to our dress-up bin.

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Fun Sheet

Police Officer Fun Sheet - Help the officer find the equipment she needs to do her job.
Police Officer Fun Sheet – Help the officer find the equipment she needs to do her job.

I have created a fun sheet to do with your child. Have your child color the police officer and then color only the items that the police officer would use. Don’t color the items that the police officer would not use. Click on the picture to get the downloadable fun sheet.

The fun sheet is a great way for your child to develop their fine motor skills, as they color. They will learn to follow directions and will also reinforce what they have learned about police officers.

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Craft

Police Car Craft

Learn About Police Officers using this free printable.

Materials Needed

Police Car template
markers, crayons or paints

Instructions

  1. Print the police car template.
  2. Do a Google search for your local police cars. (We have several different styles here in Indianapolis)
  3. Let your child color or paint the police car to match their favorite one. My favorite police cars are the black and white ones.
Police Car Craft – Do a Google search for your local police cars. Then let your child color or paint the police car to match their favorite one. There is a free printable included in this post.

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Story Time

A Day in the Life of a Police Officer (Kids’ Career Library) by Mary Bowman-Kruhm and Claudine G. Wirths

Reading Level: Ages 5 and up
If your child is looking for a little more information about police officers and not just a simple introduction, this would be the book to go to. This book explains the responsibilities of police officers and the equipment they need but with a little more detail than some of the other books. If you have an inquisitive child that loves to sit and listen, I would recommend this book.

A Day with Police Officers by Jan Kottke

Reading Level: Ages 2 – 6 yrs old
This is a great book to introduce your little one to the responsibilities of police officers. It has very simple text but covers the basic information your child will need. The illustrations are actual pictures of police officers on the job.

On another note, I was surprised when I picked up this book at the library. It came in a plastic bag with some paperwork and a DVD. I thought it was a movie of the book but that’s not what it was as all. It was actually a video of someone using American Sign Language to share the book with deaf children. It turns out there is an organization called The Shared Reading Project. The video is to help parents be able to effectively share books with their deaf child so they can become lifelong readers. You can search your library’s website for The Shared Reading Project and you will find several titles to choose from.

I’m Going to Be a Police Officer by Edith Kunhardt

Reading Level: Ages 4 and up
This story is about a little girl and boy whose daddy is a police officer. They get to go to work with him one day and they share all the things that their daddy does on the job. You will see some of the tools he uses and the many different aspects of his job. The illustrations are actual photographs of the police officer at work and with his family. This is a fun way to learn about police officers.

Police Officer (Benchmark Rebus: Jobs in Town) by Dana Meachen Rau

Reading Level: 3 – 6 yrs old
I love the books by Dana Meachen Rau that are put out by Benchmark Rebus. They are so simple and easy to understand. I like the fact that they use pictures instead of words as part of the text. It will make your little one proud that they are helping with the story. In this book we learn about the many things that police officers do and the equipment they use. This is a very cute book to introduce the job of police officers to your child.

Police Officers Help (Our Community Helpers) by Dee Ready

Reading Level: Ages 4 and up
This is a great book to introduce your child to the responsibilities of a police officer. The illustrations are actual pictures of police officers doing their many jobs. The text is simple; just a few clear sentences to each illustration. Once you share this book with your child, they will have a better understanding of what police officers do and the things they need to perform their jobs.

Police Officers, A to Z (Community Helpers (Walker) by Jean Johnson

Reading Level: Ages 5 to 8 yrs old
Every letter of the alphabet represents something a police officer uses or does. There are a lot of wonderful pictures of police officers at work. The illustrations are in black and white but they are still very interesting. There is quite a bit of information about police officers including an extra section in the back called “More About Police Officers”. I would recommend this book whether learning about police officers or just wanting to reinforce alphabet recognition.

We Need Police Officers (Helpers in Our Community) by Lola M. Schaefer

Reading Level: Ages 3 and up
This is a simple little book that makes a great introduction to police officers. There is just one sentence per page. Each page shows a picture and explains something about police officers. You get information about the jobs they do and the things they need to carry out their work.

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Related Posts

Community Helpers – Overview
Doctors: Love to Learn About Community Helpers
Dentists: Love to Learn About Community Helpers
Firefighters: Love to Learn About Community Helpers

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Acknowledgements

Cara's Clips Credit Button
Some of the images for the Fun Sheet were created by Cara’s Clips
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Cara-Taylor-8656

Charlotte's Clips and Kindergarten Kids

Some of the images for the Fun Sheet were created by Charlotte’s Clips
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Charlottes-Clips-4150

Polliwog Place

Images for Doctor’s Bag Craft and part of Fun Sheet created by Polliwog Place
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Polliwog-Place

whimsy-clips-by-laura-strickland-square
Some of the images for the Fun Sheet were created by Whimsy Clips
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Whimsy-Clips
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Filed Under: Community Helpers, Learning Activities Tagged With: Community Helpers, educational activities, free printable, fun learning, kindergarten, learning activities, learning fun, love to laugh and learn, making learning fun, police, police car, police car craft, police officers, preschool, preschool lessons, printable

Love to Learn about the Nativity

December 14, 2015 by Mama Carmody 7 Comments

Love to Learn about the Nativity

Love to Learn About the Nativity
Love to Learn About the Nativity



Nativity Scene: A representation of the birth of Jesus, God’s Son. It usually includes Mary, Joseph, a manger with Baby Jesus, some Shepherds and animals. Sometimes you will see 3 Kings or Wisemen included in the Nativity scene even though they were not there the night of the birth.

It is a good practice to think often of the great gift God sent to us; His only son, Jesus. Not just at Christmas but all through the year. But with Christmas Eve here, what better story to share with your family than the story of the night Jesus was born. It doesn’t matter whether you read the story straight from the Bible or a simple version that will be easier for your child to understand, just be sure to remind your family what Christmas is really about.

There are many great Bible translations out there but I enjoy the Christmas story from the King James Version. That is the version of the story that I grew up with and it’s the one quoted in the Charlie Brown Christmas movie.

Christmas Story
Craft
Finger Plays
Songs
Story Time
Related Posts

Christmas Story

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”
– Luke 2: 1-20 KJV (If you would like to find another translation check out http://www.biblegateway.com)

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Craft

Flower Pot Nativity Scene

I first saw this craft on pinterest.com. After a little research, I found out that the craft was first posted on thebigmamablog.com You will find a couple different photographs of the craft created by different people.

Materials Needed:

2 medium flower pots
1 small flower pot
acrylic paint
2 medium wooden balls (for Mary and Joseph’s heads)
1 small wooden ball (for Jesus’s head)
fabric for their head coverings
white fabric to swaddle (wrap) Baby Jesus in
doll hair (or you can just color it in with a Sharpie)
roll of grapevine to create headpiece and staff
moss
silver pipe cleaner or aluminum foil (for the halo)
hot glue gun or Aleene’s tacky glue
Sharpie, fine point
hay (optional for manger)

Instructions:

1. Paint the smallest flower pot brown, to represent the manger.
2. Paint the two larger pots whatever color you want Mary and Joseph’s clothes to be.
3. Use the fine point Sharpie to draw facial features on Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus.
4. Glue heads onto biggest pots.
5. Cut fabric and glue coverings to the heads.
6. Wrap white fabric to look like a baby wrapped in blanket.
7. Glue into smallest pot. Add Baby Jesus head.
8. Make a halo out of a silver pipe cleaner or twist a piece of aluminum foil and form it in a circle to make a halo. Glue to Baby Jesus’ head.
9. Use a brown pipe cleaner or a piece of grapevine to make a shepherd’s staff and glue to Joseph
10. Be sure to check the images out on thebigmamablog.com

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Finger Plays

The First Christmas
(Action Rhyme)

Clop, clop, clop went the donkey’s feet,
(stomp feet like donkey walking)
Clop, clop, clop down the stony street.
(stomp feet like donkey walking)
Nod, nod, nod went Mary’s head.
(nod head up and down)
She was tired, and she needed a bed.
(stretch arms out and yawn)
Knock, knock, knock went Joseph at the door.
(act like knocking on door)
“Do you have room for anyone more?”
(hold hands up in a questioning motion)
“No, No, No!” the innkeeper said,
(shake index finger)
“I don’t even have one more bed.”
(hold up one index finger)
“Wait, wait, wait,” the innkeeper said,
(hold hand up, palm out, like police officer stopping traffic)
“You can use my stable for a bed.”
(put hands together under head, like sleeping)
“Shh, shh, shh…What is that I hear?
(hold index finger up to lips, then hold hand to ear)
The cry of Baby Jesus, oh so dear!”
(hold arms like rocking a baby)
– Original Author Unknown

Baby Jesus

Baby Jesus snuggles in deep,
(put hands together under head, like sleeping)
In warm but scratchy straw.
(scratch all over)
On a nearby hillside, shepherds hear,
(put hand to ear)
The angel’s song of awe.
(flap arms like angel wings)
They race to Bethlehem to see,
(run in place)
The king born in a stable.
(make animal sounds)
Then kneel before the Son of God,
(fold hands like in prayer)
A manger for his cradle.
(hold arms like rocking a baby)
– Original Author Unknown

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Songs

Away in a Manger

Away in a manger,
No crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head

The stars in the sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing
The Baby awakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes

I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle,
‘Til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray

Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

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Story Time

Away in a Manger illustrated by Mike Jaroszko
Reading Level: Ages 4 and up
This is a beautiful picture book. Illustrations are put to the familiar Christmas carol. They bring the book to life and visual meaning to the beautiful words.

The Christmas Baby by Marion Dane Bauer
Reading Level: Ages 2 to 7 years old
I love this version of the Christmas story. It goes through the familiar pieces of the story; Mary and Joseph trying to find a place to stay, the animals rejoicing, the angels rejoicing, the shepherd rejoicing and the wisemen coming from afar. But there was a sweet addition to this story that I wasn’t expecting. At the end of the Christmas part of the story it says that the Baby smiled with God’s own smile but the book doesn’t end there. It goes on to tell a short story about what happens every time a baby is born; angels rejoice, moms, dads, grandparents rejoice and the baby smiles with God’s own smile. I definitely want to get this book for my grandchildren’s first Christmas!

The Christmas Story: From the Gospel According to St. Luke from the King James Bible
Reading Level: Ages 3 and up
I love the fact that this is the Christmas story taken straight from the Bible. The story starts with the decree from Caesar Augustus and goes through to the shepherds returning to their fields praising God. I love the illustrations by James Bernardin. They are sweet and tender. I definitely want to add this book to my collection and include it in our holiday traditions.

The Christmas Story adapted and illustrated by Kay Chorao
Reading Level: Ages 3 and up
This story is adapted from the Book of Luke 2:1-21 and the Book of Matthew 2:1-12, King James version. The story starts where Mary is visited by an angel and goes through them fleeing to Egypt then finally returning to Nazareth. This is a wonderful way to share the Biblical account of Christ’s birth to young children.

Listen to the Silent Night by Dandi Daley Mackall
Reading Level: Ages 3 and up
This is a beautifully illustrated and book written in rhyme. The theme running through the book is that on this Silent Night things are not so silent. There is the flip, flap flap of sandals, the swish, swish, swish of the desert sand and the baa, baa, baa of the sheep; to name just a few of the sounds that people encountered this special night.

The Nativity illustrated by Julie Vivas
Reading Level: Ages 4 and up
I found the illustrations to this story a little odd, but for the most part, they are cute and whimsical. They have been created in a muted water-color style. The thing that bothered me a little was the wings on the angels. They looked tattered and torn. This is a personal preference and not a statement on the illustrations as a whole.  There are no complaints on the story, as it comes straight from the Bible. If you are looking for a way to interest your younger children in the Biblical account of Jesus’ birth, I would check this book out.

Tiny Baby Jesus by Dandi Daley Mackall
Reading Level: Ages 4 and up
The thing I love most about this book is the way it compares the baby Jesus with the adult Jesus. It first talks of the Baby’s tiny tiny fingers and then goes on to explain how He used those fingers as a carpenter. It talks of His tiny feet and then of how His adult feet walked on the sea. This book is a great reminder to children of all ages that Jesus was not just a baby in a manger but grew up into a loving man and our Savior.

I pray that you have a wonderful Christmas with your families. Give hugs and kisses to everyone around you.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.
based on Numbers 6:24-26

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Filed Under: Christmas, Learning Activities Tagged With: birth of Jesus, christian, christmas, Christmas symbols, December, educational activities, God, holiday, holidays, Jesus, learning, love to laugh and learn, nativity

Hearts: Learning Activities for Shapes

May 7, 2013 by Mama Carmody 14 Comments

Hearts: Learning Activities for Shapes

Hearts: Learning Activities for Shapes

 

Are you ready for some fun with hearts? Although you see a lot of them around Valentine’s Day, anytime of year is a good time to have fun with hearts. Below you will find books and craft ideas to allow your child to enjoy learning with them.

Seal Made from hearts.
Seal Made from Hearts


Content:

Toys
Craft:
Fun With Hearts
Snacks
Story Time
Related Posts

Toys

You might have a shape puzzle with a heart on it or maybe some heart-shaped beads to string. Do you have a shape sorter with a heart? When I taught preschool I used the Lauri Toys Shape and Color Sorter in my classroom. It has a heart shape and the children loved playing with it. Maybe you have a special stuffed animal you received for Valentine’s Day that has a heart on it. Please share with me what type of heart shaped toys you have by leaving me a comment.

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Craft

Fun with Hearts

This craft idea came from a book so before you do the craft either purchase or borrow from the library, My Heart is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall, and read it to your child. It is a very cute story and the animals in the story are made out of endearing shape. So for this craft provide your child with a bunch of hearts of different shapes and different colors. If your child is old enough to use scissors have them cut them out his/her self.

Materials Needed:

Craft ideas to make with hearts.
Material for Heart Craft

My Heart Is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall
Different color  and size hearts or a tub of foam hearts
Different colored construction paper, if your child can cut out their own hearts
Glue
Wiggly eyes

Directions:

1. First read the book to your child.

2. Using the book as inspiration have your child create animals with the hearts. They may want to copy some of the animals in the book or they may create their own animals. Just have fun.

Seal Made from Hearts
Seal Made from Hearts

I made a seal from hearts like the one in My Heart Is Like a Zoo.  What are you going to make?

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Foods for snack or meal time

I could not find any naturally occurring heart shaped foods but there were a lot of cute ideas on Pinterest of how to create heart shaped items but it would be fairly easy to trim a strawberry to look like one. You can use a heart shaped cookie cutter on fruits and vegetables as well as meats and cheeses.

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Story Time

The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond
Reading Level: Ages 3 – 8 yrs old
What would you do if it started raining hearts and it was close to Valentine’s Day? Pick up this cute little book to find out all the things that Cornelia Augusta did with the hearts she collected. You will enjoy finding out who her special friends are and the perfect Valentine she made for each of them.

My Heart Is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall
Reading Level: Ages 3 and up
This is such a cute rhyming book. Each of the animals in the zoo are made from hearts. They are quite creative. This book would not only be fun to read but also fun to try and make some of the animals that you find in it.

One Heart: A Valentine Counting Book by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Reading Level: Ages 3 and up
There are lots of hearts to look at and count as the little girl shares hearts wherever she goes. There was one special heart she put in her pocket at the very beginning of the book. I wonder who that is for? Pick up this cute little book and find out who the final Valentine is for.

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Related Posts

Shapes – Overview
Circles: Learning Activities for Shapes
Ovals: Learning Activities for Shapes
Squares: Learning Activities for Shapes
Rectangles: Learning Activities for Shapes
Triangles: Learning Activities for Shapes
Diamonds: Learning Activities for Shapes
Stars: Learning Activities for Shapes
Learning Should Be Fun
When Do Children Start Learning
The Lessons – Overview

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Filed Under: Learning Activities, Shapes Tagged With: educational activities, fun learning, heart, heart crafts, heart shapes, hearts, laugh, learn, learning, learning about hearts, learning concepts, learning fun, learning opportunities, learning shapes, lessons, love, love to laugh and learn, love to learn, making learning fun, Valentine crafts, Valentine's

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