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

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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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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

Learning Fun at Disney: The Importance of Imagination

September 10, 2020 by Mama Carmody Leave a Comment

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Disney, the land (or world) of fun and imagination. It can also be a fun place to learn. Some of these learning ideas can be used in other settings such as home, at the store or at other amusement parks but some learning activities will be especially for Disney. 

First, let’s discuss imagination. Some people may not understand how important it is but it is, oh, so important. Sometimes very intelligent people feel that they don’t need to use it. They feel using their imagination is childish. 

Let’s look at the definition of imagination. According to Merriam-Webster, it is “the act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality”. It is “a creation of the mind,” “fanciful or empty assumption”.

Yes, sometimes imagination can be fanciful, seemingly silly and useless but think of the great things that have been accomplished and the wonderful inventions that have been created all because of someone’s “creation of the mind”.

Flying
Imagination Takes Flight

My grandson and I recently flew on an airplane to Disney World. I am always in awe as  the plane gathers speed. Then all of a sudden this big metal contraption lifts up, off the ground and we are flying above the houses and eventually above the clouds. What kind of an imagination must the Wright Brothers have had to believe that they could fly through the air like a bird? They didn’t simply give up and say, “There is no way we can ever do what a bird does.” No, they imagined the possibility of fight and then used their brains to figure out how to make this dream a reality. 

This is what inventors do. They use their imagination to dream about some fanciful new gadget or way to travel. Then they use their brains and education to test and experiment with everyday items in new and different ways. The great imaginers of today will be the outstanding inventors of tomorrow. 

imagination
Journey into Imagination with Figment

Disneyland and Disney World are places full of imaginative activities but you can find an extra helping of imagination at Disney World Epcot. There you can enjoy a ride on Journey to Imagination with Figment. Figment is a little purple dinosaur. He is an adorable figment of some Imagineer. He helps you to learn how much fun and how important it is to imagine new and wonderful things.

Being smart and learning as much as you can are wonderful objectives but don’t forget to add in a large dose of imagination. You might come up with the next great invention because you were able to imagine it. 

Figment of your imagination.
Use Your Imagination

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Learning Should Be Fun

Ready to Plan Your DisneyTrip?

We always have great family time and make special memories when we travel to Disney. Click here to purchase tickets and start making your special trip plans.

Filed Under: Attractions and Events, Learning Activities Tagged With: Disney, Disney World, figment, figment of your imagination, imagination, learn at Disney, learning, learning at Disney, love to laugh and learn, love to learn

Learning Fun at Disney: Manners

May 23, 2023 by Mama Carmody Leave a Comment

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I think learning should be fun. I can’t think of a more delightful place to learn than Disney!

Manners

Today, we are going to tackle manners. Using good manners is such an important attribute. Your child will have many opportunities to use their manners and to see manners exhibited while at Disney.

Please and Thank You

The first, in my book, is the simple, “please” and “thank you”. The cast members work hard and sometimes in less-than-ideal situations. It can be really hot or stormy and the cast members still have to be there to care for you. A simple thank you can add some joy to their day.

There will be many opportunities, during the day, to use your manners. One of my favorite times is mealtime. 

     “Will you please pass the salt?”

     “Thank you for letting me get dessert.”

My family came from the south. We were taught to throw in a “please” or “thank you” when answering a question.

     “Would you like tomatoes on your salad?”

          “No, thank you.”

 “Would you like ice cream for dessert?”

          “Yes, please.”

The Napkin

Another manner, that is not so widely practiced, is the placing of your napkin. If it’s a restaurant with cloth napkins, we place them in our laps. 

Did you know you can send a secret message to your server by where you place your napkin? (Of course, that is, if your server knows the code.) If you leave the table, but will be returning, place your napkin on your chair.

When you are totally finished with your meal, place your napkin on the table next to your plate. This lets the server know they can start taking away your dirty dishes and bring you the bill. 

I hope this post on manners has been fun and has given you some ideas of how to use them. What other manners might you use, while on your trip? Don’t forget to continue using them when you get home.

Related Posts

Learning Fun at Disney: The Importance of Imagination

Ready to Plan Your Disney Trip?

We always have great family time and make special memories when we travel to Disney. Click here to purchase tickets and start making your special trip plans.

Filed Under: Attractions and Events, Learning Activities Tagged With: Disney, love to laugh and learn, Mama Carmody, manners, napkin, please, thank you

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

May 7, 2025 by Mama Carmody Leave a Comment

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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

Earth Day: Gardening with Children

April 14, 2015 by Mama Carmody 47 Comments


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Earth Day: Gardening with Children

As Earth Day approaches, I want to share, with you, the joys of gardening with children. My love of gardening came from my father. He was raised on a farm in West Virginia, and although he married and became an electrical engineer, his love of the land never faded. As I was growing up, Dad and Mom always planted a garden. Sometimes it was small and other times it was huge. Digging in the dirt, playing with worms and watching the plants, start as small seedlings and grow large enough to produce the food for our table, was a treat. I will admit that the weeding and breaking bushel after bushel of green beans got a bit tedious at times; but the vegetables we grew in our garden were better than anything we bought at the store.

I don’t have the green thumb that my Dad and Mom have but I continue to try. A few years ago, because of several health issues my husband has, we decided to try our hand at organic gardening. We chose the Square Foot Gardening method, as taught by Mel Bartholomew. It can be a little expensive in the beginning but I love it because I don’t need a rototiller to break up the ground. It is always soft, loose and easy to work in. And since it’s so easy to work with, it makes gardening with children a breeze.

One of the areas I fail miserably at is having the time to take care of my garden the way it needs to be. I work full time and I live far enough from my workplace that I don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to gardening. It’s mid-April and this is what my garden currently looks like:

Gardening with Children: Garden Needs Work
Gardening with Children: Garden Needs Work

I know, I was taught better than that. I should all ready have my onions and radishes in the ground. I was hoping to have my little helper (my great-nephew) last weekend but he and his mom were busy. Even though he wasn’t able to help me this past weekend, I can share the fun we had getting the garden ready two years ago.

Jeremiah was 21 months old, so as you can see, you can start gardening with your children when they are quite young. Here is one of the reasons that the Square Foot Gardening method works well when gardening with children; the dirt was so soft and loose that he was easily able to help me pull out weeds and old plants. He also helped me loosen the dirt by digging and raking. At first, he wasn’t too sure about getting dirt on his hands but the longer we worked the more he got into it. And I really mean he got INTO it! LOL!

Gardening with Children: Digging in the Garden
Gardening with Children: Digging in the Garden

There is so much learning that can happen while gardening. Realizing that vegetables grow on plants before they get to the store can be a lesson in itself. You can discuss how worms and certain bugs help the garden while other bugs hurt it. Learning about weather, and how the garden needs rain and sunshine to grow, are other lessons. You might find that your child is willing to try different vegetables when they have had a hand in growing and caring for them. One unexpected thing you might find growing, while working in the garden with your child, is the bond between the two of you. So put on some old clothes, grab some rakes and shovels and start growing your own memories.

Gardening with Children: Lessons to learn and memories to make.

Filed Under: Articles, Holidays, Learning Activities Tagged With: Earth Day, gardening, gardening with children, gardening with kids, planting, plants

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  • Learning Through Laughter: Why Learning Should Be Fun
  • Learning Fun at Disney: The Importance of Imagination
  • Learning Fun at Disney: Manners
  • Dig into Gardening: Fun Activities, Science Projects, and Healthy Eating Tips
  • Earth Day: Gardening with Children
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