Love to Laugh and Learn

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

Unusual Advent Reading for Children

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What is Advent?

Some churches celebrate a season of Advent leading up to Christmas. They are celebrating the coming of Jesus, God’s Son. The simple definition of advent is “the arrival of a notable person, thing or event.” We focus on Jesus coming to earth as a baby and celebrate it at Christmas.

Did you realize that the whole Bible, every story, was pointing to the Advent (coming/birth) of Jesus? I am a grandmother and I have read and studied the Bible since I was 9 years old but I am just now learning that. I knew those Old Testament stories were showing God’s power and leading but I had no idea that, even then, they were pointing to Jesus. 

The Jesus Storybook Bible

Since the Christmas season is here, and celebrating Jesus’ birth should be the center of the activities, I’ve created a Christmas Bible Reading plan using “The Jesus Storybook Bible”.

It’s simple enough, start with the first story and read one each day. I’m including the title and a short summary of each story. This Advent reading is a bit unusual because it doesn’t simply cover the birth of Jesus. It starts at the Creation and goes through several Old Testament Bible stories all the way to the birth of Jesus. Experience how each story points to the Advent of Jesus. 

This December, take time each day to remember that at Christmastime we are celebrating God’s most precious gift, Jesus, His only Son.

December 1 – “The Story and the Song” pg 12

 The introduction of the story of Jesus; the young Hero, the brave Prince. Most of all, it’s the story of God’s love. His love is shown in the greatest Christmas present ever; the birth of Jesus. 

December 2 – “The Beginning: a Perfect Home” pg 18

God created everything. He loved His children (all people) more than anything He made. “Whatever happened, Whatever it cost Him, He would ALWAYS love them.”

December 3 – “The Terrible Lie” pg 28

 Adam and Eve break the rule and break God’s heart. God still loves them – “with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.” He would show that love by sending the Rescuer, Jesus. 

December 4 – “A New Beginning” pg 38

The flood was going to wash away all the hate and sadness, and make the world clean again. The coming of Jesus made it possible for us to be clean.

December 5 – “A Giant Staircase to Heaven” pg 48

Although the people were trying to get to Heaven by themselves, God knew they couldn’t do it. “Heaven would have to come down to them.” And it came in the form of a baby.

December 6 – “Son of Laughter” pg 56

Abraham and Sarah named their baby, Isaac, because he brought them laughter and made their dreams come true. God was going to send another baby that would make the whole world’s dreams come true.

December 7 – “The Present” pg 62

The story of Abraham and Isaac may seem cruel but look deeper. God was showing that a sacrifice would have to be made to make the world right again. God didn’t want Isaac to die. God provided a ram to take Isaac’s place. God provided The Lamb (Jesus) to take our place.

December 8 –“The Girl No One Wanted” pg 70

You don’t have to be beautiful for God to love you, but you ARE beautiful because God loves you. When God looked at Leah, He saw a princess. Through her family He would send The Prince of Peace (Jesus).

December 9 –“The Forgiving Prince” pg 76

“Joseph would leave his home and his father. His brothers would hate him and want him dead. He would be sold for pieces of silver. He would be punished even though he had done nothing wrong.” Can you think of someone else, from the Bible, that was treated this way? (hint: We celebrate His birthday at Christmas.)

December 10 – “God to the Rescue” pg 84

God sent many warnings to Pharaoh but he wouldn’t listen. God sent one last horrible warning but the Israelites were protected by the blood of the lamb. You and I can be protected by the blood of THE LAMB if only we will accept it. 

December 11 – “God Makes a Way”pg 92

God knows how to make a path when there seems to be no way. One time the path was made through a deep sea another time the path was made through a baby. (Baby Jesus)

December 12 – “Ten Ways to be Perfect” pg 100

No matter how much we try, we can’t be perfect. We can’t keep all the rules, all the time. Only Jesus can be perfect and stand in our place.

December 13 – “The Warrior Leader” pg 108

The battle was won without a fight. Jesus would later win the battler over sin without a fight either. 

December 14 – “The Teeny, Weenie…True King” pg 116

David may not have been the biggest or the strongest, but he was full of love and compassion. Jesus came as a tiny baby full of love and compassion.

December 15 – “The Young Hero and the Horrible Giant”   pg 122

David defeats the giant but David admits it wasn’t him or his strength, God was the one to win the battle. Later God would send another young Hero to win the greatest battle the world ever knew. 

December 16 – “The Good Shepherd”   pg 130

David was a good shepherd but nothing like the one whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas. The Good Shepherd (Jesus) would lead all God’s lambs (us) back where we belong – close to God’s heart.

December 17 – “A Little Servant Girl and the Proud General”pg 136

Naaman had sick skin but even worse, he had a sick, proud heart. God allowed Elisha to heal Naaman’s skin and God healed his heart. Years later, Jesus would come to heal the terrible sickness in our hearts.

December 18 – “Operation – No More Tears”   pg 144

God sent the world a message through Isaiah. God told everyone that He was going to send Someone to rescue them but He wouldn’t be what they were expecting. God sent a King; but not one that had riches and lived in a palace, but one that was born in a stable among farm animals. 

December 19 – “Daniel and the Scary Sleepover”   pg 152

Daniel obeyed God, no matter what it might cost him, and God rescued him. “God would send another brave Hero, like Daniel, who would love God and do what God said – whatever it cost Him, even if it meant He would die.”  (quote from The Jesus Storybook Bible)

December 20 – “God’s Messenger”   pg 160

At first, Jonah tried to run away and hide from God (which you can’t do). Jonah spent three days in a dark, disgusting place (the belly of a large fish). After that he went to Nineveh and shared God’s message. “Many years later God was going to send another Messenger, like Jonah, He would spend three days in utter darkness. But this Messenger would be God’s own Son.” (quote from The Jesus Storybook Bible)

December 21 – “Get Ready”   pg 170

“It had taken centuries for God’s people to be ready, but now the time had almost come for the best part of God’ plan.” God, Himself, was coming.  “The true party was about to begin.” (quotes from The Jesus Storybook Bible)

December 22 – “He’s Here!”   pg 176

The Maker of the universe could have arrived in great glory and splendor but that’s not how it happened. He came as a small, seemingly, insignificant baby. Not born in a palace but in a barn. “Mary and Joseph named Him Jesus, ‘Emmanuel’ – which means, ‘God has come to live with us’, because, of course, He had!”

December 23 – “The Light of the World”   pg 184

God wanted everyone to know about the birth of His Son. He put an especially large, bright star in the sky. He sent angels to make the announcement to the shepherds. Baby Jesus would be like that bright star. Jesus would chase away darkness, helping people to see Him. 

December 24 – “The King of All Kings”   pg 192

The King God had promised David, all those years before, had arrived. “But this Child was a new kind of King. Though He was the Prince of Heaven, He had become poor.  Though He was the Mighty God, He had become a helpless baby. This King hadn’t come to be the boss. He had come to be a servant.”

December 25 – “Merry Christmas!”  

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, good will toward men.”  Luke 2:14

Learning Through Laughter: Why Learning Should Be Fun

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

Colors – Overview

Teaching Shapes to Preschoolers: An Overview of Fun Learning Activities

The American Flag and Its Hidden Message

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Flag Day is here again! Every year, the United States celebrates National Flag Week, with Flag Day on June 14th. It’s a time to honor one of our most important national symbols: the American flag.

Why Do We Celebrate the Flag?

You might wonder — why celebrate a flag? After all, it’s just red, white, and blue cloth… right?

Have you looked closely at an American Flag? Did you know that there is a hidden message? Can you find it? Here’s a picture. Take a moment and look at it closely. 

Do you see the message yet? I will give you a hint. The American Flag is telling you a story.

Now do you see it? 

Where’s The Story?

No, it doesn’t have tiny words on it but if you know what to look for, it’s full of meaning.  The American Flag tells you how our country began. Are you ready to hear how it tells its story?

How It Began

Before America was the United States, it was a group of colonies ruled by England. Some people came for freedom to worship God the way they wanted, some for adventure, and others simply to make money.

So how many colonies were there? The flag gives us a clue!

Count the stripes — yes, there are 13.
These stripes remind us of the 13 original colonies that started it all. No states yet, just a group of determined settlers starting something new.

There is still more to the American Flag’s hidden message. The colors are each telling you a different part of America’s story. 

What Do the Flag’s Colors Mean?

🔴 Red stands for valor
That means bravery — being strong and courageous even when things are hard. Red can also remind us of the brave people who fought to protect our freedom.

⚪ White stands for purity
This color reminds us to have a kind heart, do what’s right, and treat others with honesty.

🔵 Blue stands for justice (or loyalty)
Blue is for fairness and staying true — to your friends, your family, and your country. It reminds us to stand up for what’s right.

What Does the Flag Tell Us About the States?

Do you know how many different states there are in America today? It’s right there in the American Flag’s hidden message. Have you found it?

The answer is in the stars. No, not the stars in the sky, the ones on the flag tells you how many states there are. Just count them. There is one star for each state. 

How many stars did you count? 

That’s right, 50 stars, so that means there are 50 states!

Mystery Solved

So now you know the secret: the flag tells a story.

  • It reminds us of where America started.
  • It tells us how we should act — with courage, kindness, and fairness.
  • And it shows how far we’ve come — from 13 colonies to 50 states strong.

That’s more than a flag… it’s a legacy.

Related Posts

Celebrating Flag Day – Check out my 2015 post with fun ideas, snacks, and picture book reviews!

Flag-Themed T-Shirts and items – Celebrate in style with my patriotic tee, hats and other items. Perfect for Flag Day and the Fourth of July!


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

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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

Celebrating Father’s Day: Crafts and Gift Ideas

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Dad. Father. Pops. Just a few of the names for the first man in your life. Father’s Day is a wonderful time to pause and celebrate the love, laughter, and life lessons he’s shared with you. That’s why I’ve gathered some meaningful Father’s Day crafts and gift ideas to help you show just how much he means to you.

Vintage photo of a smiling father holding his infant daughter on his lap in a striped chair, used in a Father's Day blog post celebrating dads and special memories.

What are some of your favorite memories with your dad?

I remember going fishing with my dad. Sitting in his lap as he taught me to read is another favorite memory. And then there was his calm nature. Like the time I slammed on the brakes and nearly launched my mom into the front seat from the back. Without missing a beat, he looked over his shoulder and said, “Well, you told her to slam on the brakes.” That was my dad. Calm, even in chaos.

Finding ways to celebrate him was always a challenge. He never asked for anything. However, he appreciated everything.

So, if you’re stuck on what to get the special man in your life, here are a few ideas to inspire you. Some are handmade with love. Others are ready to buy. These Father’s Day crafts and gift ideas are easy for kids to help with and are sure to bring a smile.

Father’s Day: Crafts and Gift Ideas

🎨Handprint Keepsake

One of my favorite crafts to do with my preschoolers was a special handprint picture. I would paint Dad’s hand and press it to the paper, then paint the child’s hand and place it right inside Dad’s.
I’m including a free printable with a sweet quote to go along with this keepsake—just print and create!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

🖼️ Popsicle Stick Picture Frames

These are simple to make and full of heart. Here are two easy ideas:

“I’m Nuts About You!”
 Glue small hardware nuts (the kind that go with bolts) to a frame and write this pun along the bottom. Add a photo of Dad and child.

“Love You to Pieces!”
Use those leftover puzzle pieces from broken puzzles and glue them randomly around a frame. Add this fun message and a favorite photo together.

For sturdier frames, I recommend jumbo craft sticks like these (affiliate link):
👉 Jumbo Craft Sticks on Amazon

Or if you’d rather skip building the frame from scratch, I found this great kit on Amazon. It includes pre-assembled frames and even comes with fun Father’s Day-themed stickers—perfect for quick decorating!👉 Check it out here (affiliate link)

Quick & Easy Father’s Day Gift Ideas

If crafting isn’t your thing, here are a few fun gift ideas (yes, these include affiliate links, which help support my blog if you make a purchase):

📚 Dad Joke Books

Got a dad who loves to joke around? Here’s a whole page of dad joke books that’ll keep him laughing (and you rolling your eyes) for days: 👉 Dad Joke Books on Amazon

🔥 Grill Gloves for the BBQ King

My son-in-law is a grill master, and he loved the heat-resistant grill gloves I gave him for his birthday:
👉 Grill Gloves on Amazon

🍖 BBQ-Themed Aprons & Shirts

I’ve designed several BBQ-themed aprons that celebrate America’s most beloved grilling styles—Texas, Kansas City, Memphis—and just plain BBQ fun.
They’re available on Redbubble as aprons or t-shirts, perfect for the grill-loving dad: 👉BBQ Aprons 👉BBQ T-Shirts

However you choose to celebrate, I hope this Father’s Day is filled with laughter, love, and a few unforgettable moments. Whether it’s a handmade gift, a quiet afternoon together, or just a great big hug, the time you share is what truly matters.

Let’s honor all the amazing men who help shape little lives—dads, grandpas, uncles, and bonus dads, too. They deserve to be celebrated for the love, strength, and smiles they bring.

From my heart to yours,
Mama Carmody