Love to Laugh and Learn

Fun and interesting learning activities to do with the children in your life

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Learning Through Laughter: Why Learning Should Be Fun

July 19, 2025 by Mama Carmody Leave a Comment

A colorful vertical Pinterest image collage with photos of children learning through fun activities like crafts, cooking, and music. Text reads: “Learning Through Laughter: Why Learning Should Be Fun.”

“A joyful heart is good medicine…” – Proverbs 17:22

My Mission

From the very beginning of Love to Laugh and Learn, my mission has been simple: to show that learning should be fun — not serious and stiff, but filled with joy and meaning. In fact, the more joy we bring into it, the more it sticks.

Natural Learners

Children are natural learners—curious, creative, and constantly absorbing the world around them. But here’s the key: they learn best when they’re having fun.

Whether it’s identifying colors, discovering shapes, or exploring the roles of community helpers, I’ve always believed in making learning hands-on, engaging, and joyful. Flashcards have their place, and repetition absolutely helps secure knowledge—but I believe that repetition works best when it’s wrapped in meaningful play, exploration, and real-life application.

Love to Laugh and Learn Has Grown

Over the years, Love to Laugh and Learn has grown—just like the little ones it serves. My background is strongest with early childhood (birth to Kindergarten), but now that I’m a grandmother to kids who are 9½ and 12, you’ll notice the blog is expanding to include content for older children, too.

You’ll find posts that cover:

  • Early learning basics like colors, shapes, and numbers
  • Themed units like Fun with Music, where we explore instruments and sounds
  • Holiday activities filled with crafts and conversations
  • Community helper studies that bring real-world roles into focus
  • Printable resources, educational games, and more!

In the early days of the blog, I often highlighted family-friendly attractions and events around Indianapolis, where I used to live. Now, after a decade in Texas, I’m looking forward to doing the same here—especially once my daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids move back nearby. I’m excited to start reviewing local sites and activities again that make learning an adventure.

My Goal

It is still my goal is to support families and teachers alike in creating joyful, meaningful learning moments. Most ideas can be adapted wherever you live and whatever stage your learners are in—whether you’re homeschooling, supplementing school lessons, or simply having fun at home.

Science Behind Learning Should Be Fun

And in case you need some science to back it all up: Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and professor of psychology at Temple University, says:

“Play is not a break from learning. It’s the way young children learn.”
Research shows that playful learning boosts cognitive development, social-emotional skills, and long-term memory retention (Zosh et al., 2017, American Academy of Pediatrics).

So whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, or caregiver, I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s laugh, explore, and learn together—because learning should be fun, every step of the way.

Most sincerely,
Mama Carmody
Love to Laugh and Learn

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Learning Should Be Fun (my blog’s first ever post)

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: educational activities, family friendly, family friendly activities, fun learning, homeschool, homeschool ideas, learning fun, Learning Should Be Fun, learning through laughter

Celebrating the 4th of July with Children

July 1, 2015 by Mama Carmody 10 Comments

Celebrating the 4th of July with Children

Illustrated image of a family sitting on a red-and-white checkered blanket, watching fireworks on the 4th of July, with the text “Celebrating the 4th of July with Children – Love to Laugh and Learn” over a starry night sky.

 


4th of July! A time to celebrate the birthday of the United States of America. For me, the 4th of July is the 2nd biggest holiday of the year. I love celebrating the 4th and all it represents. I believe we, too often, fail to remember what it took to become a nation.

People traveled across the ocean, in uncomfortable conditions, to get to the New World. Once here, they experienced many hardships, including sickness and death. Settlements were established but then they realized they wanted to make their own laws and govern themselves. They had to fight to become independent and begin building their own nation. The freedoms we have today are granted to us because of the people that sacrificed their lives fighting for it. We need to appreciate and celebrate their sacrifices.

Patriotism has always been taught and celebrated in our family. It is something I have tried to instill in my children and now I hope to pass it on to my grandchildren. Now that I have a son-in-law serving in the Armed Forces, it means even more to me.

Celebrating the 4th of July with Children

You might be wondering how to teach your children the deeper meanings of the 4th of July. If you have been following me for very long you know I like to start with books. You will find several that I have read and reviewed below in the Story Time section. Choose a couple books and share them with your child. You will be surprised the conversations that will come up. Maybe not at the time you are reading but sometime over your 4th of July celebration, someone will bring up something you read to them in a book.

Start teaching your children how to respect the United States flag. Did you know that during a parade you are supposed to stand for the American Flag? You don’t have to stand every time you see one because, especially during an election year, many groups or floats might have the American flag with them. The very first American flag in a parade (usually carried by an Honor Guard) should be shown our respect by standing (removing head coverings) and placing your right hand over your heart. It’s not a time for chatting and goofing around but for remembering what the flag stands for and the cost of freedom. My 23 month old grandson is all ready learning this.

Craft

4th of July Puzzle from Craft Sticks

D.I.Y. Flag Puzzle

I got the inspiration for this from Ginger Snap Crafts. I did not use the 3 ½” sized sticks to hold all the pieces together because I wanted it to be a puzzle. Instead I put magnets on the back of each of the large sticks so my grandson could put them together on the metal pan he plays with.

I also found a new product: foam craft sticks. I was going to use the large wooden craft sticks for this craft but when I found the color foam sticks I decided to give them a try.

Foam Craft Sticks
Foam Craft Sticks

Materials Needed

Foam craft sticks (tongue depressor size)
Small star stickers
Magnets
White foam sheet
Glue
Scissors

Directions

  1. Cut the rounded end of 3 blue foam craft sticks into 3 inch pieces.
  2. Get 3 red foam craft sticks.
  3. There were no white craft sticks in the set I purchased so I bought a white piece of craft foam and cut out 2 white craft sticks, using one from the package as a pattern.
4th of July Craft: White foam craft sticks for flag puzzle craft.
4th of July Craft: White foam craft sticks for flag puzzle craft.
  1. Line up the longer foam sticks starting with a red stick, then alternate white and red.
  2. Glue the 3 short blue pieces on top of the top three large craft sticks. This makes your blue field for your stars.
  3. Add stars to the blue field. I couldn’t find white stars to purchase so I use a star shaped punch and punched them out of white card stock. I was hoping to punch them out of the white foam but the foam was too thick to get inside the punch. (updated 6/22/25, with affiliate link) I just found this punch on Amazon and it says it will punch foam. Star Punch on Amazon
4th of July: Stars for Flag craft stick puzzle.
4th of July: Stars for Flag craft stick puzzle.
  • Turn the sticks over and add magnets to the backside.
  • 4th of July Craft: Attaching magnets to back of foam pieces.
    4th of July Craft: Attaching magnets to back of foam pieces.
  • Now you can put your flag puzzle together.
  • 4th of July Craft: Flag Craft Stick Puzzle
    4th of July Craft: Flag Craft Stick Puzzle

    Using the foam sticks made the project go quickly but if you want to make it more of a craft for your child, then I suggest using the wooden craft sticks and letting your child paint them the colors you need.

     

    Story Time

    (affiliate links included below)

    Celebrate Independence Day: With Parades, Picnics, and Fireworks by Deborah Heiligman

    Reading Level: Ages 6 to 10 yrs old
    This is a picture book with bright illustrations and lots of information. Your child will learn a little of our history and a lot about celebrating. It shares many different ways American’s celebrate the 4th of July. You might dress in red, white and blue or you might head to the beach. If you need some ideas, you will find plenty in this book.

    Independence Day (Our Country’s Holidays) by Sheri Dean

    Reading Level: Ages 4 to 8 yrs old
    Although this book mainly covers Independence Day for the United States, it also talks about Canada’s special independence day, which is called Canada Day. This is a great book for the younger child. It explains Independence Day in general terms. I like that it points out that Independence Day is our country’s birthday. Even young children understand the concept of a birthday and the fact that we celebrate it.

    Independence Day (Holiday Histories) by Mir Tamim Ansary

    Reading Level: Ages 6 to 8 yrs old
    Although this is a picture book, it is packed with loads of information. If your child is interested in learning a little more about how the United States formed this book will be a great choice. It shares a little of the history of our ancestors coming from England. It talks of the first 13 original colonies and how they were treated by England. Your child will learn why we wanted our independence from England and ways we celebrate our nation’s birthday.

    Independence Day (Holidays and Festivals) by Rebecca Rissman

    Reading Level: Ages 3 to 6 yrs old
    This is a great book to introduce the 4th of July to younger children. The text is fairly simple. It covers a little of the history of the United States without going into too much detail. The illustrations are a mixture of bright photographs and drawings.

    Independence Day (Rookie Read-About Holidays) by Trudi Strain Trueit

    Reading Level: Ages 5 to 8 yrs old
    This is a cute little picture book that will help your child learn about Independence Day (4th of July). Your child will learn a little about our history and breaking from England. They will learn about some of the symbols and traditions for our 4th of July celebrations. How do you like to celebrate the 4th of July?

    Related Posts

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    Filed Under: Holidays Tagged With: 4th of July, 4th of July books, family traditions, fireworks fun, flag craft, Fourth of July, holiday, holiday fun, holidays, homeschool ideas, july, July 4th, patriotic, patriotic parenting

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