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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

Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie

October 15, 2023 by Mama Carmody Leave a Comment

Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie

Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie: A Grandkids’ Creation for Zombie-Proof Brains!

Hey there, fellow smoothie enthusiasts! Today, I have a special treat for you – a delicious concoction that not only tantalizes your taste buds but also promises to fortify your brain against a zombie invasion. Yes, you read that right! Introducing the “Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie” – a wholesome creation dreamed up by my grandkids and me.

With its vibrant colors and a taste that screams “healthy indulgence,” the Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie is the perfect way to start your day. Whether you’re a kid or just a kid at heart, this brain-boosting blend will tickle your taste buds and get your mental gears turning.

Our Inspiration

Whipping up this Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie was an adventure inspired by my grandkids’ homeschool curriculum. Thanks to “Nutrition 101: Choose Life!“* (paid link), a book that taught them the best foods for extra brainpower, we’ve concocted a smoothie that not only nourishes your noggin but also fortifies it against any zombie invasion. Remember, a strong brain is your best defense against the undead – sip up and stay sharp, my friends!

Let’s dive into the secret recipe that will make you zombie-proof!

Click the photo to get a pdf of the Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie recipe.
Click the photo to get your
pdf copy of the recipe.

Ingredients:

The Green Defender – Spinach (1 cup)

Our first line of defense comes from this leafy green powerhouse. Spinach is packed with essential nutrients, like iron, vitamin K, and folate, which will help you stay sharp and focused.

 Powerful Pineapple – Fresh or Frozen (1 cup)

These sweet chunks are like little bursts of sunshine in your smoothie. They’re your trusty pineapple grenades, exploding with tropical flavor to keep those zombies at bay.

Raw Locally Sourced Energy Boosting Honey (2 tablespoons)

The natural sugars in honey provide a quick energy boost to aid in the defeat of zombies.

Bone Strengthening Vanilla Greek Yogurt (½ cup)

Greek yogurt contains calcium, which is essential for maintaining strong bones and is essential for proper nerve cell communication. This is particularly important when battling zombies.

The Zesty Zing – One Whole Juice Orange

With a citrusy punch, the orange adds a burst of vitamin C to our smoothie. It’s like a shield against the zombie’s toxins! Don’t worry if you get a seed or two, they are nutritious too.

 Lively Lime Juice (1 tablespoon)

The lime juice is your trusty sidekick, adding extra Vitamin C and a dash of zesty zing that’s like a swift kick to the undead taste buds. It’s the secret weapon to keep your smoothie sharp and zesty, just like your survival skills.

Avenging Avocado (¼ of small, soft one)

It’s a must to add this sheath building ingredient to strengthen the protective layer around the nerves in your brain. The avocado provides the smoothie with its creamy texture. It’s the green guardian of your blend, ensuring your smoothie is thick and satisfying, just like your triumph over the zombie menace.

A sprinkle of Zombie-Freezing Ice Cubes (for that chilling effect)

Instructions:

1. Load all the ingredients into a blender.

2. Blend until smooth and creamy, like a super-secret concoction for brainpower.

3. Pour your Zombie Zapper Smoothie into your favorite glass.

4. Sip, savor, and let the brain-boosting magic begin!

Have Fun

This smoothie is not just about its nutrients; it’s about the experience of creating something special with your grandkids. Together, we dreamt up this fantastic concoction, and every sip brings a smile to our faces, knowing we’ve crafted a delicious weapon against the zombie apocalypse.

So, why not give the Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie a try? Make it a fun family project, sip together, and maybe even create a game of zombie tag in the backyard. Who says staying healthy can’t be an adventure?

Remember, it’s not just about sipping a smoothie; it’s about sharing a bond with your loved ones and preparing for the unexpected, one delicious gulp at a time. Stay safe, stay healthy, and may your brains be forever zombie-proof with the Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie! 

Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie, Final Taste Test

*Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Filed Under: Autumn/Fall, Halloween, Holidays, Uncategorized Tagged With: brain boost, brain boost smoothie, brain health, brain nutrition, educational activities, family friendly, family friendly activities, fun learning, Halloween, halloween smoothie, learning fun, love to laugh and learn, Mama Carmody, nutrition, smoothie, zombie

Generally Having Fun with Music

February 5, 2014 by Mama Carmody 37 Comments

Generally Having Fun with Music




This post, Generally Having Fun with Music, is written in collaboration with Shannon Wijnker, who used to blog on Mamamusing. Shannon is a music teacher and mother of four.

It has been a lot of fun writing the posts “Fun with Music” in collaboration with Shannon. Our posts have covered the different instrument families. This final post, of the series, is about ways for your children to simply have fun with all kinds of music.

Shannon and I both agree that most learning for young children should come through play and experimentation. So dance around the room with your child, share your favorite songs from childhood or watch a musical together. Just generally have fun with music!

“If the parent values music, and makes it a part of their life, then their children will value music also.” – Shannon Wijnker

Shannon shared:

“Children learn best by constructing their own concepts and ideas, and by trial and error. They will learn how to create a variety of sounds. Some of which they will like and some they will decide they don’t. Your concept of what is acceptable sound may vary from theirs. But be patient and let them explore. Remember that it’s not just about making a beautiful sound, but playing and exploring the concept of sound.”

Contents:

Musical Sensory Bin
Musical Outings
Games Online
Another Resource: The Recorder Classroom
Story Time
Related Posts

Musical Sensory Bin

Shannon mentioned that the dollar store is a good place to pick up inexpensive instruments for the children to experiment with. Recorders are great choice. You can also find tambourines, kazoos, etc. I took Shannon’s advice and headed to the dollar store to pick up some instruments. I decided to create a musical sensory bin. I found several items in the party favor section and some in the toy section. I picked up a recorder and a toy microphone from the $1 bins at Target.

Items in my Musical Sensory Bin:

Beans (I bought at Dollar Tree)
Rice (I bought it at Costco. It was cheaper to get a big bag here rather than smaller ones
at the Dollar Tree.)
Hand Drums
Plastic Musical Clackers
Kazoos
Slide Whistles
Recorder
Microphone
Empty Plastic Containers (of all sizes)
Empty Oatmeal Box
Metal Spoons (I bought at Dollar Tree)
Empty Shoe Box
Rubber Bands
Plastic Easter Eggs

Generally Having Fun with Music: Musical Sensory Bin

Jeremiah put beans and rice into different containers. We talked about the different sounds they made.

Generally Having Fun with Music: Experimenting with Shakers

There were different types of whistles and kazoos for him to play with.

Generally Having Fun with Music
Generally Having Fun with Music

We stretched rubber bands around a box and listened to the different sounds they made when we plucked them.

Generally Having Fun with Music: Musical Sensory Bin

The microphone was a big hit. Don’t forget that your voice is an instrument you take with you wherever you go. (Fun with Music: Voices)

Generally Having Fun with Music: Microphone

Using the spoon to drum on the different containers was also fun.

Generally Having Fun with Music: A Little Drumming

Jeremiah was almost 2 years old when I created this Musical Sensory Box. As you can see, he really enjoyed it. He has played with it on more than one occasion and I’m sure he will play with it many more times. The one thing that I noticed is that some of the whistles didn’t work very well. I will probably replace and add some better quality instruments, as I get the money, but this was a good place to start. As we have made the crafts on the different Fun with Music posts, we have added them to the bin. This was a place to start and as his interests grow and change we can add to or switch out instruments.

Shannon also wants to remind us to help our children explore sound within their own environment:

“You can talk about sounds being high and low. You can talk about the timbre (the quality of sound – how we can tell mom’s voice from dad’s). Encourage your children to explore sounds with their bodies and other toys/things they can find in the house. You don’t have to go out any buy instruments to explore sound and music.”

(top)

Musical Outings

In Indianapolis, you can find many places that give free outdoor concerts during the summer. Maybe you have the same opportunities in your area. Outdoor concerts are a great way to introduce your children to live music because they can sit in their own lawn chair, on a blanket or even get up and dance around a little. Expose your children to many types of music. Take the time to talk about what they are hearing, how it makes them feel and the different instruments they are seeing and hearing.

Shannon from Mamamusing wants you to know: “In London, there are several outdoor concerts and festivals in Victoria Park during the summer. One of the best is Sunfest (beginning of July). You can check out a video of my kids enjoying the multicultural music and dancing by clicking here.”

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Games Online

Now that you have introduced your children to some of the various instrument families
in the orchestra, you may want to visit The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. This
is a website created by Carnegie Hall which is a wonderfully FREE interactive online
game for young children to explore and learn more about the various instruments of the
orchestra. You will need to use a computer, because the game requires Adobe Flash,
which you can download for free (if you don’t already have this utility installed on your
computer).

There is also a wonderful set of books for children ages 4 to 9 years old that helps them learn different musical concepts. Along with the books the author, Sharon Burch, has a website with coloring pages and games for your child to enjoy and enhance their learning experience: Freddie the Frog Games and Coloring Pages.You can find more information about the books below in Story Time.

Another Resource recommended by Shannon from Mamamusing

“If you homeschool your children, a great resource for teaching them music (and how to play the recorder) is a magazine called “The Recorder Classroom”. I believe there are 4 issues printed so far. You can download both the music and accompanying mp3s online. They are fun to play and I find my students are motivated to learn the music, when they have great accompaniments to play along with.”

(top)

Story Time – There were so many books that didn’t fall under any of our other posts so I have included them here. You should really check all of them out. I really enjoyed reading them and I’m sure you and your child will too.


Before John Was a Jazz Giant: A Song of John Coltrane by Carole Boston Weatherford
Reading Level: Ages 5 to 9 yrs old
This is an interesting look at the influences on a great musician. The book shares the many different sounds and experiences that John faced as he was growing up; listening to Daddy play the ukulele or to big bands on the radio. The essence of the story it that John heard and listened to many things that lead him on his path of becoming a Jazz Giant.

Freddie the Frog series by Sharon Burch
Reading Level: Ages 4 – 9 yrs old
This series was recommended by Shannon Wijnker from Mamamusing. She uses this series in her music classes. Shannon says, “A great series to start kids learning music concepts and theory is “Freddie the Frog”. These are cute stories with a hidden agenda. My students love these books and ask for them again and again!”

Through the series of books your child will learn the names of notes; they will learn about rhythm, beat and tempo. Each book comes with a CD that includes the dramatized story and sing-along songs.

Adventure #1 – Freddie the Frog and the Thump in the Night by Sharon Burch
Freddie the Frog lives on the island of Treble Clef, with his parents. Join him in his adventure as he searches the island for the source of the thump.

Adventure #2 – Freddie the Frog and the Bass Clef Monster by Sharon Burch
Freddie the Frog awakes from hibernation to find out that he is no longer at home, on Treble Clef Island.

Adventure #3 – Freddie the Frog and the Mysterious Wahooooo by Sharon Burch
Join Freddie the Frog and his best friend, Eli the Elephant, as they discover tempos, rhythms, and beats on Tempo Island. Your child will enjoy learning to play their percussion instruments to the rhythm and beat along with Eli and Freddie

Adventure #4 – Freddie the Frog and the Secret of Crater Island by Sharon Burch
Freddie and Eli take on a new adventure. They seek to find the secret on Crater Island, along with the Blue Beetle Bugs.

Adventure #5 – Freddie the Frog and the Flying Jazz Kitten by Sharon Burch
Join Freddie the Frog and the Flying Jazz Kitten, on Treble Clef Island, as Freddie becomes a jazz sensation. They will learn how to use an instrument they have with them all the time, their voice. Freddie and the Jazz Kitten help your child learn about scat singing.

Froggy Plays in the Band by Jonathan London
Reading Level: Ages 3 to 6 yrs old
Froggy sees a poster at school about a marching band contest and a big prize. When he asks his music teacher about it, she tells him to form a big band and practice, practice, practice. She helps Froggy and his friends as they work their hardest to become a great marching band. The one important thing the teacher tells them is, “Don’t stop for anything!” This is very good advice especially when they get to the end of the parade. Pick up this book and find out what happens to Froggy and his marching band when they didn’t stop for anything.

Instruments and Music by Daniel Nunn
Reading Level: Ages 4 – 8 yrs old
This book is a great introduction to instruments and music. Your child will get to see pictures of many different instruments; some will be familiar and some will seem strange. There are instruments from many countries. Your child will learn what materials the instruments are made of and how they produce sound. I believe any child interested in music and instruments will enjoy this book.

Jazz Baby by Carole Boston Weatherford
Reading Level: birth to 6 years old
This is simply a fun little book to introduce music and instruments to even the youngest “musician”. The text on each page starts with “Jazz baby, jazz baby” and then describes, in rhyme, some fun aspect of music; such as playing a horn or the drums. Your child will get to see children singing, dancing and playing instruments. I love this book. I think it’s absolutely adorable. I had to buy one for my grandson and one to have at my house.

Listen to My Trumpet! by Mo Willems
Reading Level: Ages 4 to 8 yrs old
Piggie gets a trumpet and wants to show his friend Elephant what he can do on his trumpet. He blows and blows and all kinds of sounds come out of the horn, but is it music? Find out what Elephant has to say about Piggie’s playing and how Piggie responds.

Little Pig Joins the Band by David Hyde Costello
Reading Level: Ages 3 to 6 yrs old
Little Pig wants to play an instrument like the bigger pigs but he is just too small for any of them. He watches as everyone chooses an instrument and marches around. Little Pig watches each of them march in different directions and play different songs all at the same time. Once a big accident occurs, he realizes there is a job for him. Read this adorable book to find out how Little Pig helps out.

Meet the Orchestra by Ann Hayes
Reading Level: Ages 3 to 8 yrs old
This is a fun and well written book that covers many of the instruments that can be found in an orchestra. There are simple explanations of what the instruments look like and how they are alike or different from each other. Your child will receive an explanation of what the instrument sounds like. The illustrations are quite fun. Each musician is an animal, which will appeal to the younger crowd. This book makes a great introduction to instruments and the orchestra.

Music Is by Lloyd Moss
Reading Level: Ages 4 to 8 yrs old
This is an enjoyable book written in rhyme. It talks of all the fun ways music influences our lives. Lloyd Moss captures my feelings about music. It is a happy, important aspect of my life everyday. He talks of music when you wake up and music when you go to bed. Music for your birthday, 4th of July and to ring in the New Year. Music in an elevator and sometimes on a phone. Music fills our lives even when we aren’t paying attention. What would life be like without music?

Our Marching Band by Lloyd Moss
Reading Level: Ages 4 to 8 yrs old
This is a fun little book about a group of kids that loved playing their instruments. The story starts with them getting the instrument that they each wanted. They each practiced and practiced their parts separately and although they sounded a little rough in the beginning the sounds they made together were much different. Read this inspiring tale of how dreams and practice turned them into a marching band.

The Orchestra by Mark Rubin & Alan Daniel
Reading Level: Ages 5 – 8 yrs old
This book is a wonderful introduction to music, instruments, musicians and the orchestra. It describes the different families of instruments in the orchestra: strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. Your child will even learn different terms related to music such as melody, harmony, rhythm and tempo. The book covers a lot in simple descriptions your child can understand. I highly recommend this book as an outstanding introduction to music.

The Orchestra (Culture in Action) by Liz Miles
Reading Level: Ages 8 and up
This is a children’s book, but as you can tell by the reading level, it is for a little older child. There is a lot of great information about the orchestra, music, musicians and composers. You could still use this with a younger child who has an interest in music because it is broken up into several different sections. Sometimes you will find more than one subheading on a page. The reason this is nice is that you can read a section or two at a time, to a young child, and save some for later. I wouldn’t use this book as an introduction to orchestras for a young child but it has much valuable information for a little older child.

The Philharmonic Gets Dressed by Karla Kuskin
Reading Level: Ages 4 – 8 yrs old
As I first read through this book I was going to discard it as possible reading material for my posts on music but I had second thoughts. It is a silly book. Understand I usually like silly but I was taking my posts on music a little too seriously so I wasn’t going to suggest this book. The book goes through each step the one hundred and five members of the Philharmonic go through in getting ready for their performance that evening. It starts with them bathing and showering and then getting dressed. Oh, and it has every detail of them getting dressed; from putting on their underwear, socks or hose all the way to putting on their tuxedos or dresses. The further I read and the more I thought about it, I changed my mind and decided this would be a good book to include with my posts on music. Although it does it in a silly way, your child will get to see that the musicians are regular people with families and pets. They have to get ready for their job like everyone else. Your child will get so see some of the instruments and the different size cases they get carried in. I believe your child will have fun with this light-hearted book about the Philharmonic.

The Recorder and Other Wind Instruments (Let’s Make Music) by Rita Storey
Reading Level: 6 yrs old and above
This book covers both types of wind instruments; woodwinds and brass. Your child will learn how the instruments are made and how they are played. It gives you examples of skills you will need to build to be able to play a wind instrument, like being able to blow out a long slow breath of air (without puffing out your cheeks). They will learn what it means to buzz your lips and how to do it. The illustrations are pictures of wind instruments and people playing them. Have fun learning about the many different wind instruments.

Saxophone Sam and His Snazzy Jazz Band by Christine M. Schneider
Reading Level: Ages 4 to 8 yrs old
This is simply a “doo dilly dilly” silly book of two children and some sneaky jazz music. The music is calling but from where? Is it coming from the kitchen, the bathroom or from underneath the bed? Follow the children as they search for the music that is overtaking the house. They are having a toe tapping good time. After reading the book, or maybe even while you are reading the book, put on some jazz music and have some fun dancing to the “zoo zoo zing” once “the band is in full swing!”

Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss
Reading Level: Ages 5 to 10 yrs old
This book is not simply about a violin (as I thought), it is actually a musical counting book. Not counting as in tempos but as in the way you count musical group settings; such as a solo, a duet, a trio, etc.. The story is told in a fun rhyming text. Your child will be exposed to many different instruments as well as the varied names for the different sized musical groups. Although the story goes up to a group of ten, they only tell you the correct names up to nine. So if you are curious, a group of ten is called a dectet. Be sure to share this with your child to find out what the special names for all the groupings are.

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Related Posts

Music at an Early Age by Shannon at Mamamusing
Fun with Music: Overview
Fun with Music: Percussion Instruments
Fun with Music: Brass Instruments
Fun with Music: Woodwind Instruments
Fun with Music: Voices
Fun with Music: String Instruments
Fun with Music: Keyboards
Review: Rhythm! Discovery Center
Review: Peanut Butter and Jam Concerts
Bongo Boy Music School Review

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Filed Under: Music Tagged With: children and music, educational activities, family friendly, fun learning, fun with music, learning, learning fun, learning opportunities, love to laugh and learn, music, music fun

Christmas Angels to Laugh and Learn With

December 11, 2011 by Mama Carmody 28 Comments

Christmas Angels to Laugh and Learn With




Christmas Angels – Appeared to shepherds to announce the birth of Christ

Luke 2: 8-10 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’”

The Christmas Angels appeared in the sky, over the fields near Bethlehem. They announced the birth of Christ. You will usually find either an angel or a star on the top of a Christmas tree because of the importance of their appearances in the sky.

Following are some activities to do in relation to the angels. I hope you and the children in your life enjoy them.

Coloring Pages

If your child likes to color, here are a couple of free coloring pages from about.com
Angel coloring page
Cheerful Angel

Crafts:

Paper Plate Angels
I just had to share these adorable little angels I found online. They are made from paper plates. Click on Paper Plate Angels to go to the link. The one thing that I didn’t see mentioned, in the instructions, was the size of the paper plate. I used a small 6-inch sized plate. It made an adorable little angel. I was very happy with the size. If you want to put it on top of a large Christmas tree, I would use a bigger paper plate.

Christmas Angels from a paper plate.

Hand Print Angel
I have used this craft in my preschool classrooms. The parents always adore them. I love hand print crafts because they become a piece of family history. Be sure to always date the back of any special craft your child does and put their name on it. It will make a great conversation piece as you decorate for Christmas, in later years.

1) Trace the child’s hand three times. Have them keep their fingers together. Don’t spread them out like a fan.
2) Cut out the hand prints.
3) Use one hand print as the body of the angel and the other two as the wings. The wings will look the best if you be sure to place the hand prints so that the thumbs are facing down. (Refer to picture)

Christmas Angels made from hand prints

4) You can either cut out a circle to use for the head or you can use a picture of your child’s head. They both make nice looking angels.
5) As a final touch, (which I forgot to add to one of my samples) you can make a halo out of a silver or gold pipe cleaner or make one out of a piece of aluminum foil. To make the halo out of aluminum foil, cut off an 8 inch by 1 inch piece of aluminum foil. Gently squish and twist it. Then form it into a circle and tape it to the back of the angel’s head.

Christmas Angels from Handprint

Story Time

  “The Christmas Angel” by Hans Wilhelm
Reading Level: Ages 3 – 8
Your child will fall in love with this adorable little angel. All he wants to do is to travel from heaven down to earth; so he can sing his special song to the Son of God. But his wings are too small and he is not allowed to make the trip. Find out what happens to the scared little angel after his accidental fall off of a cloud.

“An Angel Came to Nazareth” by Anthony Knott
Reading Level: Ages 5 and up
This is a very interesting poem of an angel who came to a stable in Nazareth. The angel asks a camel, a donkey, a horse and an ox to pick which one of the four travelers they would carry. One of them would end up carrying “the greatest of them all.” Can you guess, before ever reading the poem, which animal carried “the greatest of them all”?

Please take the time to stop by my Facebook page, Love to Laugh and Learn, and tell me about any of the crafts or books that you shared with your children. I would love to see pictures too.

Related Posts:

The Santa Claus Debate
The True Meaning of Christmas
The Christmas Star
Love to Learn the Meaning of Candy Canes for Christmas
Review – Christmas on Monument Circle, Indianapolis

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Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays Tagged With: angels, christian, christmas, Christmas angels, Christmas symbols, December, family friendly, family friendly activities, fun learning, God, holiday, holidays, Jesus, love to laugh and learn, spiritual

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