6 Taste Safe Toddler Valentines Activities

Valentine’s season is here and it’s so inspiring to see all of the adorable small shop goodies out to celebrate the love in the air. I’ve done so many Valentine’s Day Toddler activities that I figured it was time to do a little round up. Looking back, check out these awesome taste safe, Valentine’s Day inspired activities.

1. Moon Sand - This was super fund and super simple. Just ground up graham crackers, cornstarch and I think I used the opportunity to get rid of some cheerios.

2. Love Machine - Last year I was looking to get rid of some old boxes and pulled together this awesome little Love Machine using an empty wipes package, tops of baby food, empty boxes and some pink & red ribbon.

3. Heart Water Beads - Obviously water beads aren’t edible, so we cut a heart shape hole in a cardboard box and sealed the water beads inside with a plastic bag. This made it easy for Sofie to play and poke without getting messy or throwing beads around the room. Perfect for those 10-18month olds.

4. Cloud Doh - This doh is so easy to make and while sugary, you don’t have to worry about your toddler putting it in their mouth. Just mix frosting, cornstarch, and powdered sugar and you have the perfect doh!

5. Valentine’s Jello - Everyone forgets how easy Jello is to make and what a great sensory activity it is. We filled a baking pan with red jello and then I let Sofie use some hearts sprinkles on top to make it festive. She scooped in this tub mixing and stirring for hours!

6. Taste-safe Finger Paint - This one was by far the simplest to make, but not so fun to clean up. I’d recommend doing this one in the bath tub next time. But it’s super easy — just mix food coloring in yogurt, spread a mat of paper out on the floor and let your toddler paint (I’d recommend doing it naked).

There you have it! 6 awesome, Pinterest-worthy toddler taste-safe Valentine’s Day sensory activities. You can easily fill up the weeks leading up toward the holiday with all of this fun!

Lady Bug Valentines Day Basket

This year we got inspired by one of Sofie’s favorite books and Slumberkins and did a Lady Bug themed valentines basket and sensory bin. We started by making a bright red colored rice using vinegar and food coloring. Unfortunately the vinegar made the rice really smelly so we’ll be doing it with paint next time around. To create this cool ladybug effect we started with uncooked black beans for the head and inner wings. With those shapes in place we poured a vase layer of rice and then went back and forth until we filled the dish. Then we used an empty toilet paper roll to funnel the black beans on top for some nice round spots. The contrast of the black and red created quite a stunning effect. And Sofie loved scooping and pouring the rice. It’s the only activity she’s been talking about for the last two weeks! I wasn’t loving the mess of rice all over the room but luckily Sofie was happy to help me clean it up.

Valentine’s Basket Fillers:

• Cuddle Bug Book: This is one of Sofie’s favorites and since we were doing a Lady Bug theme, I had to include it. Even though she’s already read it, she’s still at the age where I can repurpose gifts which is awesome for me.

• Slumberkins Love Bug: I love that Slumberkins did a lady bug this year! It’s so stinking cute. And the set even comes with classroom Valentine’s cards. Sofie will be taking hers to the park along with these cute little Valentine’s Memory Game sets since over here we’re big fans of non-candy Valentines.

• Colored Rice & Black Beans Jar: I made this one by hand, but I highly recommend checking out @busylittles on instagram for great sensory kits pre-made and mailed directly to you!

• Bugs Flashcards: These are so great for expanding your toddler’s vocabulary and teaching new words in both English and Spanish. Sofie loves using these to match things like toys to each flashcard as she learns the words. These are also great mealtime distractions for quizzing her when she’s getting challenging at the dinner table.

• Floss & Rock Magnetic Dress Up Character: Sofie absolutely loved the one that she got for Christmas so I bought her another doll in the set for Valentine’s day. This little dress up down keeps her entertained for at least and hour. She loves taking the clothes off and on and the more dolls you have in the set, the more outfits you have overall.

For our sensory bin we paired the rice play with the Cuddle Bug book and our favorite letters from Chars Jars shop.

Color Mixing & Matching

Last weekend we did some awesome color mixing and matching. This activity was so perfect for Sofie because she’s obsessed with all things water play. And this one combined a little learning practice as well. She’s really struggling with confusing a couple of her colors (like red and green, black and white, and yellow and blue). So it was so fun to show her how to mix two primary colors to get secondary and tertiary colors. And this was so simple to set up:

5 Easy Steps to Color Fun

1. Find 5 jars for each of the colors

2. Fill each glass jar with water

3. Place them in the flower pedal learning tray https://www.etsy.com/listing/1148479868/decorative-wooden-flower-petal-tray

4. Drop food color in (I like the pastel colors!)

5. Keep a separate jar to use in the middle for mixing

6. Use rainbow droppers to suction and release colors

7. Bonus: We filled a spray bottle with various colors so that she could spray a paper towel and see the color soak in!

And don’t forget to snag Color Flashcards from the shop so that you can guide through each color as you mix and match and help improve your toddler’s vocabulary by showing the words associated with each color.

Sensory play is a vital part of toddler education, as it helps to develop important skills such as fine motor coordination and problem-solving. One fun and easy way to incorporate sensory play into your child's routine is through a food coloring and water dropper activity.

To set up the activity, you will need:

• Food coloring (various colors)

• Water

• Droppers (or small plastic syringes)

• Plastic cups or containers

Step 1: Fill each cup or container with water and add a few drops of food coloring to each, creating a different color in each container.

Step 2: Set the cups or containers on a table or tray and provide your child with droppers or syringes.

Step 3: Encourage your child to explore the colors by using the droppers to mix the colors together and create new shades.

Through this activity, your child will learn about color mixing, and how different colors combine to create new shades. They will also develop fine motor coordination as they use the droppers to transfer the water and color from one container to another.

Sensory play is a crucial part of toddler education as it allows children to explore, experiment, and discover the world around them. Play-based learning is essential for toddlers as it helps them to develop and refine their cognitive, physical, and emotional skills.

Sensory play activities like this one offer children the opportunity to experiment and discover new things, which can help to build their confidence and foster creativity. Additionally, play-based learning activities can help to improve focus and attention, which is an essential skill for children to learn.

Overall, this simple food coloring and water dropper activity is a fun and easy way to incorporate sensory play into your child's routine. It encourages creativity and experimentation while also providing opportunities for children to develop important skills such as fine motor coordination and problem-solving.

Positive Parenting: Family Contributions for Toddlers

So here we are in the midst of toddlerhood with our two-year old Sofia and I gotta say, it’s rough. You always hear about the terrible twos, but wow I had no idea. Despite her charming personality and non-stop chatter, everything is a battle with her. Putting on clothes, brushing her teeth, going down for a nap, eating breakfast, and especially the dreaded getting into the car seat. And we’ve tried absolutely everything from being calm and patient, bribing her with treats, toys, and rewards. Nothing seems to work and it’s so frustrating! Until finally we found the Positive Parenting Methodology and so far, we’ve been practicing all of the behaviors and tools to get us on the right track and reduce the frustration.

Today, I wanted to share the Family Contributions method as a replacement for “Chores”. Luckily, Sofie is already excited about helping out around the house and she recently got the Lovevery Sink so she’s been obsessed with washing dishes (anything water or pouring related really). But as we learned in the course, we really need to make it an official part of her contributing to the family. We learned that a lot of the popular chore and rewards systems work in the short term but don’t produce good long term behaviors.

External rewards may provide a quick fix, but it’s only internal motivation that’s sustainable.

We had been in subtle ways using little rewards to keep Sofie motivated rather than instilling in her intrinsic value system. If kids learn to only do chores in order to get a reward, then they’ll never be motivated to do them without the reward. And similarly, if chores are used a punishment, kids will only dislike them more. Instead, we want kids to be motivated internally to contribute to the family. The positive parenting program also recommends using allowance as a reward for doing chores. “By linking money to the completion of chores, parents turn an allowance into an ‘if-then’ reward. This sends kids a clear message: in the absence of a payment, no self-respecting child would willingly set the table, empty the garbage, or make her own bed.” — Daniel Pink

How to make “Chores” a part of your toddler’s routine

Step 1:

Rename “Chores” as “Family Contributions” This helps set the right expectation — that everyone in the household is expected to contribute to the family and the household. You can help your toddler grasp this concept by creating a visible Family Contributions chart in a common area of the house. This will help your toddler see that everyone makes contributions to the family and the household to keep it running smoothly. You can download this Family Contributions kit for the Daily Contributions and Weekly Contributions posters.

Step 2:

Create a list of age appropriate jobs that your toddler could be doing if taught how. These would be tasks that they’re not already doing on a regular basis but would be capable of doing primarily independently. If you’re not sure where to get started, check out this list of chores by age group for some inspiration. You can also print out this page as mini task cards for your toddler to track their family contributions. It’s not a reward chart — there are no points or treats at the end, but seeing the chart visually will help your toddler feel accomplishment over their contributions to the family.

Step 3:

Create the checklist with your toddler. Once you have a list of the possible tasks, sit down with your toddler and create the checklist together. Your toddler will appreciate being involved in the process of planning and creating his or her own family contributions routine. I started with 3 weekly contributions that she could make so that we could nail those before adding more. But this toolkit includes Daily & Weekly routine planners and chore cards so that you can choose a plan that fits your family’s needs.

Step 4:

Train your toddler how to do each task by walking them through it step by step. It takes time at first (and lots of patience), but once they get the hang of it, you’ll be so glad you did! I started with the tasks that Sofie had helped us with before but didn’t do on a regular basis so that the training would be a bit easier and she could feel great about her accomplishment right away. You can also start with the tasks you know your toddler will get excited about — for example, Sofie has been so excited about the new leaf blower that we got for Christmas (and is generally excited about all types of machinery) so training on “Gardening” was an easy win.

Step 5:

Create When-Then routines to help your toddler understand that sometimes we need to make sure the household is running smoothly before we can get to the fun. For example, “When you’ve done all of your family contributions, then you can go to the park to play.”

Step 6:

Provide encouragement for a job-well done. When your toddler has made their family contributions, focus on the outcome and encourage hard work. Instead of giving praise like “you’re a good girl,” positive parenting focuses on encouragement, which reenforces a growth mindset. Try these phrases for offering encouragement:

• “We all get to enjoy a clean and tidy house when the toys are picked up".

• “When we have clean clothes to wear, we can feel good about how we look.”

• “You must be so proud of making such an important contribution to the family.”

FULL LIST OF CONTRIBUTIONS BY AGE GROUP

---

4 to 6 YEARS OLD

• Wake up with an alarm clock

• Find grocery items

• Sort lights & darks

• Wipe down bathroom

• Water plants

• Make the bed

• Help vacuuming floors

• Help dusting furniture

• Empty the dishwasher

• Measure ingredients

• Plan meals

• Bathe the pets

• Help with gardening

18 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS

• Turn off the lights

• Bring in the newspaper

• Bring in the mail

• Pick up toys and clothes

• Put soiled diaper in diaper pail

• Wash vegetables & produce

• Set the table

• Clean up the table

• Feed the pets

• Put groceries away

• Fold laundry

• Wash laundry

• Dry laundry

• Clean the dishes

• Dry the dishes

---

Looking for even more resources?

Check out this awesome Routines Checklist for toddlers. Implementing basic morning, daily, and evening routines was a game changer in my house and I can’t wait to see if it helps you too!

Did you know that creating routines can really help you evade the “terrible twos”?! Learn more about the Toddler Tango in this article.

Hot Cocoa Sensory Bin & Dramatic Play Kit

It’s Hot Cocoa season! And I’m so excited to share this downloadable, printable Hot Chocolate Kit. This kit includes so many great goodies and opportunities to learn. Big thank you to Busy Littles for the sensory kit and @rene.gowen for the photography!

• Hot Chocolate Banner

• Toppings Labels

• Pennant Flag

• Baby it’s Cold Outside Sign

• Cut outs

• Fractions Practice Fill-a-cup Activity

Capturing Maternity Milestones: 3 Strategies for Stunning and Consistent Photos

Pregnancy is a remarkable journey filled with anticipation, joy, and transformation. One beautiful way to document this incredible phase of life is through maternity milestone photos. These snapshots capture the progression of your pregnancy and allow you to relive these moments for years to come. To ensure your photos are both great and consistent, here are three valuable strategies, supported by insights from professional photographers.

1. Consistency is Key: Same Time of Day

When it comes to creating a series of consistent milestone photos, timing is everything. Photographers often recommend choosing the same time of day for your photo sessions. This consistency in lighting will not only make it easier to track your pregnancy's progression but also enhance the overall quality of your photos.

- Golden Hour: Many photographers suggest shooting during the "golden hour," which occurs shortly after sunrise and before sunset. The soft, warm light during these times can provide a flattering and ethereal look to your maternity photos.

- Controlled Lighting: If scheduling your photos during golden hour isn't possible, consider using artificial lighting sources. Studio or home setups with softboxes or diffusers can help maintain a consistent look throughout your maternity journey.

2. Plan Your Color Scheme and Outfits in Advance

Creating a cohesive and visually appealing collection of maternity milestone photos requires thoughtful planning. Start by deciding on a color scheme and selecting outfits that complement it. This helps tie all your photos together and makes for a striking visual narrative.

- Color Harmony: Choose a color palette that suits your style and the season. Coordinating your outfits and props within this palette will provide a harmonious and polished look.

- Choose comfy clothes: You’re going to want a look that’s comfy and reproducible. So if pulling on those skinny jeans is going to feel like a drag at week 26 then opt for that flowy dress. Or check out this guide on how to feel comfortable in maternity photos.

3. Don't Overdo It: Keep It Simple

As your pregnancy progresses, it's easy to get carried away with elaborate hair and makeup styles. However, to maintain consistency in your milestone photos, opt for simplicity. This is a crucial strategy recommended by photographers.

- Natural Beauty: Keep your hair and makeup natural and minimal. Embrace your pregnancy glow and avoid drastic changes from one session to the next.

- Focus on the Bump: Ultimately, the star of maternity milestone photos is your growing belly. Simple hair and makeup styles ensure the focus remains on your beautiful bump.

Capturing your maternity journey through milestone photos is a touching way to celebrate and remember this unique time in your life. By following these three strategies, you can ensure that your photos are not only great but also consistently beautiful. Remember, it's the love and joy radiating from you and your growing family that make these pictures truly special, and these strategies are here to help you frame that love in the best way possible.

Links to shop:

• Bump stickers

• Pea in the pod maternity tops, pastel colors

• Train set

• Wooden rattle

• Milestone cards

• Clam Feet Baby Slippers

• White buckle baby shoes

Girl’s Halloween BOO party PINK & Black

This weekend we got the Ghoul Gang together for a little Halloween party and it was so much fun! I’ve been dying to have a little get together at our new house and we’re so lucky the weather cooperated because it literally poured down rain right before and after the party. This party was so much fun to design — I had to go with the girly pink and black Halloween theme year. And of course feature some of my favorite small shops. Check out the list below for all of the goodies!

• Balloons by @soireelove

• Banner by @goodnightfox

• Goodie bag bows by @thepurplewagongirls

• Goodie bag hairbands by @lovemiaco

• DIY Bowling game by @sunny.girls.vintage

• Pin the bone on the skeleton game by @goodnightfox

• Skeleton tees by @target

• Boo-nilla Milkshakes inspired by @lilluna

• Halloween cookie cutters by @hollyfoxdesigns

Fall Pumpkin Activities

Yesterday, I created this little Pumpkin Pie themed activity setup for when Sofie woke up from her nap. My favorite thing about making these little setups is that when she wakes up from her nap and walks down the hall to her playroom, you can just see her eyes light up in wonder with what’s new. And of course, these aren’t usually new toys or books, but just a collection of new things that work together for matching or pairing or talking about a certain topic or theme. Here’s what I gathered for this one:

• Pumpkin Pie Play Dough - Okay so maybe I enjoyed this one more than Sofie did. But it was so much fun to make a mini pumpkin pie out of play dough. I used CharsJars play dough in yellow and orange, but you could easily make your own! How much fun would it be to make some pumpkin spice flavored play dough for the pie. Or better yet, make the actual pie!

• Lovevery Wooden Puzzle - This fun wooden puzzle came in her latest Lovevery box and I’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to break it out. Sofie loves saying “it’s not gonna fit” and “this piece goes here, mommy!”

• Trader Joe’s Fall Leaf Chips - Sofie always needs a little snack when she wakes up and these fall leaves I found at Trader Joe’s were perfect. I loved the pretty fall colors and there are so many potential fun and creative uses for these. For this setup, I just added them in a bowl as a snack, but that’s all it took for Sofie to jump right into the activity. The first thing she said was “Chips!”

• Vegetable Flashcards - We used this opportunity to talk about pumpkins of course, but also all of the other fun vegetables that Sofie likes to eat. Fortunately she’s not at the phase yet where she hates healthy foods so we’re capitalizing on her love of broccoli while it lasts.

• Farm Animal Memory Game - Since Sofie’s been so obsessed with farm animals lately, I added this game to the mix. And to my surprise, she actually wanted to play and match them. She can’t quite get the turn them over part of the game, but she can at least pair the animals for now.

• Pumpkin Pie Book - This little book was so cute when I found it at the store, I had to grab it. And when I got it home, I realized it’s one of a series and she has the little cuddle bug version which we read almost every night. I can’t wait to make this a staple for bedtime.

Apple Picking Dramatic Play Kit

I’m so excited to be launching this Apple Picking Dramatic Play Kit! This one is so fun because there’s so many different activities you can do with it.

• Apple Tree - Pin the leaves and the apples on the tree

• Pie Making - Use play dough or these paper stencils to layer the pie

• Apple Stand - Use the labels for bins of individual products to sell

• Apple Seed Counting - Use raisins or chocolate chips to add to the Apple Seed Page

• Photoshoot - Take the Apple Orchard pennant flag to your local orchard for a little photoshoot

Printable Play Decor

• Flag

• Banner

• Signs

• Cut outs

---

Candy Apple Making

To make a caramel apple for kids, start by washing and drying crisp apples thoroughly. Remove the stems and insert a popsicle stick into the top of each apple. Unwrap soft caramel candies and place them in a microwave-safe bowl with a splash of milk. Microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, until the caramel is smooth. Dip each apple into the melted caramel, using a spoon to help coat it evenly. Place the apples on a lined baking sheet and let them cool in the refrigerator until the caramel sets. For extra fun, roll the caramel-covered apples in toppings like crushed nuts, sprinkles, or mini chocolate chips before chilling. Enjoy these sweet treats with the little ones!

---

Apple Seed Counting

Use the apple seed counting printable. Grab a taste safe activity filler like chocolate chips or raisins for kids under 3. For kids over 3, you can use a non-edible sensory filler like black beans. Put the filler in a bowl and have the child place each one on the printout and count the seeds as they go. For older kids, you can have them count the number of seeds on the paper and then pour, scoop, or blindfolded pick out the same number from the bowl! There are countless ways to make this one easier or harder depending on the child’s age and fluency with counting.

---

Dramatic Play