Creative Family Fun

Your one-stop shop for kids activities and family fun

Terri Thompson

LEGO Spelling Words Activity for Kids

By

Is there anything more fun than LEGOs?

They’re one of the go-to toys at our house and often show up at the top of my girls’ wish lists, competing with books for the number one spot.

So, pulling them out to practice spelling words seemed like a win-win situation for everyone. Let’s make some LEGO Spelling Words.

Put down the pencil and practice spelling by creating LEGO spelling words. It's great fun for little LEGO fans and all kids.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

How to set-up

You’ll need a flat LEGO base plate and a pile of random LEGOs.

I found that the pieces that are only one bump wide work the best for building LEGO words.

Put down the pencil and practice spelling by creating LEGO spelling words. It's great fun for little LEGO fans and all kids.

Create LEGO Spelling Words

Using your spelling list, try to build each word with your LEGOs. Some letters will be easier than others (hello, lower case i!), but it’s a fun challenge to try to make each letter.

I went back and forth about whether or not I should provide you with instructions for each of the letters, but in the end I decided not to. Part of the fun is figuring out how to make the letters yourself. I’m sure your LEGO-loving kids are up to the task!

Let your kids use one of their favorite toys to do their homework. It’s a welcome change and lots of fun to create LEGO spelling words!

Put down the pencil and practice spelling by creating LEGO spelling words. It's great fun for little LEGO fans and all kids.

You may also like one of these spelling ideas

Make Words with Sticky Notes

Make Words with Alphabet Clothespins

Watercolor Resist Spelling Words

Unicorn Sensory Writing Tray at The Imagination Tree

Put down the pencil and practice spelling by creating LEGO spelling words. It's great fun for little LEGO fans and all kids.

Buy the 31 Ways to Practice Spelling Words Ebook

You can purchase a printable form of this book for $7.50 The book is designed to print and turn into a half-page size booklet. It’s perfect to keep at your homework station. Your kids can flip through and find a fun way to practice their spelling words.

The ideas will be convenient and ready to use. No need to turn on the computer every day for ideas.

Most activities require little to no prep time. And, if you make sure you have all the supplies on the Master Supply List (included in the book) on hand, you’ll be able to do any of these fun spelling word ideas any time.

Click here for my sales page or on the image below to purchase for $7.50.

The Cutest Panda Crafts for Kids

By

Do you have a favorite animal?

I can’t really choose one, but I will have to admit that pandas are definitely in the top ten of my list.

And, I know I’m not alone. Lots of people and especially lots of kids love pandas. So, let’s celebrate these roly-poly black and white animals with some of cutest panda crafts for kids I could find.

Your kids will love making one of all of these cutest panda crafts for kids. Grab the craft supplies and have some fun with these simple crafts.

You’ll find crafts for all ages of kids. Try the paper plate panda masks with toddlers and your preschoolers would have fun making fork-printed pandas. Even your tweens will want to make a few origami panda bookmarks.

These ideas are so much fun!

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

Fun Panda Crafts for Kids

Take an empty cardboard tube and turn it into a fun (and very cute) panda with our fun cardboard tube panda craft.

You can use a paper plate to make our simple panda mask.

Save your place with an origami panda bookmark from Red Ted Art.

Create potato stamped pandas with this fun printmaking project from I Heart Arts n Crafts.

Use a paper bag to make a fun and simple panda puppet from No Time for Flashcards

Lace up a cute paper plate panda with this idea from Danya Banya.

Make a fun panda mini notebook from one sheet of paper with this idea from Red Ted Art. 

Use a cupcake liner to make a super-cute panda with this simple craft from Kids Activities Blog.

Awesome Panda Arts and Crafts

Make a panda discovery bottle with this fun idea from Sunny Day Family.

Try fork printing to make this awesome project from Crafty Morning.

Get out your LEGOs to make these cool pandas using building instructions from Frugal Fun for Boys & Girls.

Make a cute panda using hearts with this simple craft from Artsy Momma.

Which of these cute panda crafts do you want to try with your kids?

Your kids will love making one of all of these cutest panda crafts for kids. Grab the craft supplies and have some fun with these simple crafts.

You may also like one of these animal craft projects:

Fun Elephant Crafts for Kids

Cardboard Tube Tiger Craft

Koala Bookmark Craft for Kids

Spoon Bear Craft for Kids

Extend the fun with a great panda book

Combine one of these cute panda crafts with a great book and you’ll have a fun activity time with your kids. Here are some great books that I recommend:

Do you want to do more activities with your kids?

Join our fun Facebook community, Creative Family Fun for Busy Families, for daily activities that are great for kids and families. We’ll chat, share, and have fun. It’s a safe and private place to share ideas for family and kids activities.

I’d love for you to join me! Just click the link below, request to join, and answer the questions (they’re easy, I promise). Come join the fun! Join the Creative Family Fun for Busy Families community here.

Spinning Tops Color Mixing STEM Activity

By

This fun color mixing STEM activity is a little bit science, a little bit art, and a whole lot of fun!

We tried to see if we could mix colors through motion and came up with some awesome results with these Color Mixing Tops.

STEM projects can be so much fun!

Our color mixing tops were simple to make and used supplies that you probably already have at home.

So, let’s get out the craft supplies and get ready to have fun with this STEAM activity.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

Supplies needed for this color mixing activity

Thin cardboard (recycled cereal or cracker box)
Circle template
Scissors
Paint – red, blue, yellow
Toothpicks

How to Make a Color Mixing Top

We used our circle template (the top of our Barrel of Monkeys) to trace a few circles on our cereal box. A drinking glass or a can would also work for your template.

You only need one circle per top. We made four different tops to test our different color combinations.

After we cut out our circles, we divided them into four equal sections.

Using our primary paint colors, we alternated the colors in each section. We used only two colors per top.

As an alternative, my 5-year-old divided her circles in half, with each half a different color.

Once our paint was dry, I made a tiny hole in the center of each top. (Use a pair of sharp scissors or a paper clip to make the hole.)

If you divided your top into quarters, the center is very easy to find.

We then poked a toothpick into the middle of each circle.

Color Mixing STEM Activity

They turned out so pretty! But, did they work? There’s nothing left to do but try to see if they word.

We started spinning and were amazed to see the colors blend together. So cool!

I tried my hardest to get some good pictures, but it wasn’t easy! Have you ever tried to photograph a spinning top in low light? Boy, is that tough! I got plenty of crummy pictures, but I was able to capture one that showed the color mixture effect.

In the photo below. We were spinning our red and yellow top from the picture above. Can you see the orange?

We also discovered that the tops divided into quarters blended the colors much better than the ones divided into halves.

Use these fun spinning tops as a lesson in color with this color mixing STEM activity. It's so fascinating to watch the colors mix while they spin!

I always love combining science and art. We always have so much fun!

And, this color mixing STEM activity was the perfect activity to combine science and art. We learned a lot while we got creative.

Use these fun spinning tops as a lesson in color with this color mixing STEM activity. It's so fascinating to watch the colors mix while they spin!

You may also like one of these STEM activities:

Melting Crayons Science Experiment

Marshmallow Engineering

Color Mixing Lab

Art + Science: Sun Prints

Color Pattern Projectors at Teach Beside Me

My must-have STEM resource

We love STEM so much that we’ve decided to have fun STEM activities delivered to our house each month with Green Kid Crafts. The activities are so much fun and all ready for you to create and learn.

You should check out their great products. You can get a subscription like we have, or just buy a single box.

Get a subscription here.

Or browse all their fun STEM boxes!

Get fun family STEM activity delivered to your inbox – for free!

Wouldn’t it be so much fun to get STEAM family activities delivered to your inbox? I think so! That’s why I’ve created this fun series, STEAM Family Fun, to be delivered to your inbox. After going through all the letters in STEAM each week with a fun activity devoted to each, you’ll start receiving a fun STEAM activity once a month. (And I’ll also pop up in your inbox occasionally if I’ve got other fun things to share.)

Fill out the form below to start receiving STEAM Family Fun in your inbox.



Family Fun in Edinburgh, Scotland

By

Family fun can happen anywhere. You can find adventure at home, in your community, and even when you travel.

We’re going to be highlighting some ideas for family adventure all over the globe, starting with family fun in Edinburgh, Scotland.

MaryAnne from the awesome blog Mama Smiles – Joyful Parenting recently spent some time there with her family and she’s here sharing some fun ideas with us.

There are so many places to explore if you're looking for family fun in Edinburgh, like these places to see and tips for traveling with kids.

Let’s travel to Edinburgh, Scotland!

This summer, my husband and I took our four kids to Scotland for the summer. For four weeks!

It was our second time making the trip (DH takes students over to study), and I wasn’t sure how it would go. The kids had loved Edinburgh at 3, 6, 8, and 10 years old. What would they think of the city at 5, 8, 10, and 12 years old? We’d already spend four weeks there; would they want to revisit the same sites again? Would they be open to exploring new places?

I needn’t have worried. Edinburgh is an incredible place for families to travel. Our four weeks in 2016 flew by, and the same was even more true of our four weeks in 2018.

There are so many places to explore if you're looking for family fun in Edinburgh, like these places to see and tips for traveling with kids.

Family Fun in Edinburgh

As the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is full of exciting things to do. From the free museums my children adore to two castles (the well-known Edinburgh Castle and lesser-known but not-to-be-missed Craigmillar Castle) and a palace, the city is bustling with exciting things to do. You can even tour the Scottish Parliament! There is usually a bagpiper playing along the Royal Mile, along with other street performers. This summer the kids also enjoyed a sand artist who was there every time we visited.

We always stay near the Meadows, a free public park with lovely expanses of green grass and two fun playgrounds the kids love. Hike to the top of the nearby Arthur’s Seat for stunning views of the entire city.

Travel to the edges of the city for sandy Portobello beach and sightings of Highland Coos.

The city is surprisingly compact; you can walk to many sites (a large number are found along the Royal Mile). We always take Edinburgh public transport – even to out of the way sites. My kids enjoy seeing how many people they can wave to and convince to wave back when we ride the buses.

There are so many places to explore if you're looking for family fun in Edinburgh, like these places to see and tips for traveling with kids.

Tips for Visiting Edinburgh with Kids

Edinburgh is one of those cities where you can experience all four seasons in a single day. You’ll definitely want to pack layers, including some that can handle being out in the rain. This summer it only rained twice, which is highly unusual. Two years ago we had only one day when it didn’t rain!

We brought a collapsible backpack along this year, which proved really useful for carrying extra layers when the sun suddenly decided to show up.  The buses are not air conditioned, which can be uncomfortable on those rare occasions (like this past summer) when the weather is warm.

If you have the time, don’t be afraid to venture to cities outside of Edinburgh! Trains to Glasgow run frequently, and there are affordable buses to cities throughout Scotland. We took the train down to London this past summer, and the kids enjoyed the five-hour journey.

Thanks MaryAnne for all these fabulous tips for family fun in Edinburgh!

There are so many places to explore if you're looking for family fun in Edinburgh, like these places to see and tips for traveling with kids.

More tips for traveling with kids from Mama Smiles

Tips for Taking Kids on Long Flights

Packing for Trips with Kids

From San Francisco to Edinburgh via London

About MaryAnne

MaryAnne lives in California with her husband Mike and their four kids: Emma, Johnny, Lily, and Anna. She blogs about parenting, education, crafts, and family travel at https://www.mamasmiles.com/. Follow her family’s daily adventures on Instagram. Find book recommendations at Great Family Reads, and toy recommendations at Top Toy Finds.

There are so many places to explore if you're looking for family fun in Edinburgh, like these places to see and tips for traveling with kids.

If you enjoyed these ideas for family fun in Edinburgh, the above photo is perfect for saving on Pinterest.

You may also like one of these family fun ideas:

10 Fun Walk Ideas for Families

Go on a Family Adventure and Discover a “New to You” Park

Tips for Hiking with Young Children

School Supplies Word Scramble Printable

By

Do you love shopping for school supplies? I do!

If you do, you’ll love this fun School Supplies Word Scramble printable for kids.

It’s a perfect boredom buster for back to school time.

If you love school supplies and word games, you'll love this awesome School Supplies Word Scramble printable for kids. It's a great boredom buster!

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

School Supplies Word Scramble

Do you know how to work a word scramble?

All you do is look at the letters and try to rearrange them to spell a word.

All of the words in this word scramble are common school supplies, such as pencil, ruler, and backpack.

Can you figure out all ten words?

This quick and easy boredom buster will get kids thinking and solving puzzles. It’s great for the classroom, an afterschool wind-down, or to take along while waiting in a restaurant or doctor’s office.

If you love school supplies and word games, you'll love this awesome School Supplies Word Scramble printable for kids. It's a great boredom buster!

In order to have some fun, all you need to do is download and print this school supplies word scramble. It prints in black and white on one full sheet of paper.

For your convenience, I’ve also provided an answer sheet.

Download and print your word scramble here.

Download and print your answer sheet here.

You are welcome to print as many copies as you need for home or classroom use only. Please do not distribute for free or pay on your own website or business. Please do not include as part of a paid product. If you would like to use this for any purpose beyond classroom or home, please contact me here.

If you love school supplies and word games, you'll love this awesome School Supplies Word Scramble printable for kids. It's a great boredom buster!

You can find all my word scrambles for kids at this link. You’ll find holiday and other fun ideas for all year round.

 You may also enjoy one of these back to school activities:

Printable Apple Writing Paper

Apple Print Mini Notebook

Lunchbox Jokes That Will Make Your Kids Giggle

Back to School BINGO at Wondermom Wannabe

Simple Apple Cupcakes for Back to School at Rainy Day Mum