Terri Thompson

Write Spelling Words with Paint in a Bag

February 1, 2022 By Terri Thompson

I don’t remember where I first saw the concept of paint in a bag. It’s brilliant, isn’t it?

I’ve seen it offered to kids from toddler age through preschool. It’s often a fun sensory experience and a no-mess way for kids to play with paint.

Having older kids, I’ve discovered that the fun shouldn’t end in preschool. We used our Paint in a Bag to practice our spelling words.

A child is using their finger to write words on a baggy filled with orange paint. The words "writing with paint in a bag" is on the image.

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How To Make Your Paint In a Bag

You’ll need a plastic food storage bag, paint, and some packing tape (or duct tape). I chose a freezer bag because the plastic is thicker and sturdier.

Pour paint in the bag while it’s laying flat. Squish it around a bit until you’ve filled the bag with a good layer of paint.

Carefully close the bag, trying to remove as much air as you can. Use the tape to seal the zipper top so that the bag won’t easily open.

A child is using their finger to write the word cat using a baggie filled with orange paint

Write Your Spelling Words With Paint In a Bag

Once your bag is ready, let your child use it to write their spelling words with their finger.

You can “erase” the word by flattening the bag with the palm of your hand. It’s fun to use this to write the words over and over.

Tip: My daughter loves to hold the bag up to the window on a sunny day. The light shining through gives it a fun glow.

I haven’t tested it out fully, but your paint in a bag will last for quite awhile, especially if you were able to get all the air out. Store your paint in a bag flat in a safe place and you can use it over and over again. If the paint starts drying out, just toss it and make a new one.

Your kids will jump at the chance to practice their spelling words if they get to write with paint in a bag.

Square image of a bag filled with orange paint held up to a window while a child uses their finger to write words

My Must-Have Resource For Practicing Spelling Words

I’ve gathered all of my spelling practice ideas into a simple, printable 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 where you can purchase a copy of the ebook.

Spelling practice printable ebook fanned out on a green background.

Valentine’s Day Word Scramble Printable

January 26, 2022 By Terri Thompson

I always loved a fun word scramble when I was a kid. They’re fun and usually a quick activity. Plus, my brain loves the puzzle.

I still love them now and luckily, so do my kids. I don’t think I’ll ever grow out of my love for word puzzles and I don’t think my kids will either. Do you and your kids like to solve word scrambles?

That’s why I’ve got a fun Valentine’s Day Word Scramble printable for you. Print it out, share with your kids, and have some fun.

Valentine’s Day Word Scramble

I created this simple word scramble with ten Valentine’s Day words, like cupid, love, and heart.

Unscramble and solve all the words. If you need help, you can also download and print the word scramble answer sheet.

This activity is fun for quiet time. It’s also a great time filler in the classroom. And, it’s perfect to take along to a waiting room or a restaurant.

Or, why don’t you try this idea? You can print one for all your classmates, roll them up, tie with a pretty ribbon, and hand them out as classroom Valentines instead of candy. Include a cute Valentine’s pencil as well. Wouldn’t that be so much fun?

How would you use this Valentine’s Day word scramble?

Are you ready to have some fun? Use the links below to download and print your Valentine’s Day Word Scramble printable. Feel free to make as many copies as you need for your family, friends, or classroom.

And, for your convenience, you can also download and print an answer sheet.

Download the Valentine Word Scramble here

Download your answer sheet here

Resources to turn this into a classroom Valentine

This would be a perfect candy-free Valentine for the classroom. Just print, roll, tie with a ribbon. And, if you want, you can add a cool pencil or pen. Here’s some great resources to get you started.

10 Fun Walk Ideas for Families

January 24, 2022 By Terri Thompson

Going on a walk is not only good exercise, it’s also a lot of fun.

And, it’s a easy and simple family fun idea.

It’s so easy to just grab the kids and go on a simple neighborhood walk. You get exercise, burn some energy, and breathe fresh air. But, sometimes you want to mix things up and if you want to add a little variety to your neighborhood walk, here are 10 fun walk ideas for families.

Add some learning ideas, explore nature, and more. So, let’s get outside, get moving, and have some fun with our family.

Fun Walk Ideas for Families

Here are 10 fun ideas to add a little variety to your family walks. They’re great for kids of all ages and the adults will have fun too.

1. Go on a counting walk. Count the number of trees you see or count the parked cars. Come up with a few things you see routinely on your walks and have the kids count them.

Two young girls in pink hoodies taking a walk in the woods with a sunbeam shining down.

2. Take binoculars and look at your neighborhood up close! Find all the tiny things you usually don’t notice. Look up in the tops of trees. What do you see? You may need to take it slow on this exploration walk, but I guarantee you’ll find things you never noticed before. This is also a fun idea for a walk in the park or local nature center.

3. Make it a scavenger hunt. Look for something big, something tiny, something rough or something smooth like we did in our backyard scavenger hunt.

Simple backyard scavenger hunt on a clipboard with a pen.

4. Play “I Spy” while you walk along. “I spy something brown and green and taller than a house.” Whoever guesses first gets to come up with the next clue.

5. Go on a color hunt. See how many different colors you can find. You can have a casual color hunt or take our Rainbow Color Hunt outside to see what you can see.

More Family Walk Ideas

6. Take your camera. Document all the things you see on your walk, then turn it into a book when you get home or print out a few favorite photos. Don’t forget to take a few selfies with the kids!

7. Bring a bag and look for nature treasures like we did when we went leaf collecting. Use your nature treasures in learning activities the rest of the week.

Young girl with a small brown paper bag she is using to collect fall leaves.

8. Go on a listening walk. How many different things do you hear on your walk? Here is a fun idea for a listening walk along with a printable checklist.

9. Stop and climb a tree! If you don’t want to climb a tree, stop and examine a leaf, smell a flower, make a snow angel or jump in a puddle. In other words, enjoy the experience!

10. Find a new-to-you place to go for a hike. Your walk doesn’t have to be around the neighborhood! In case the idea of taking young children on a hike makes you nervous I have some simple tips to make it easy on everyone.

Two young girls examining the bark on a tree

Even More Outdoor Fun

Check out this article on finding the balance between outdoor safety and adventure from Teach Preschool. So, why not climb a hill and run back down it!

What is your favorite fun walk ideas for families?

Photo collage of the images found in this post: young girl taking a photograph, scavenger hunt sheet, girl collecting leaves.

Find More Outdoor Ideas in One of These Books

We’ve got a small library of books at home to help inspire us to get outside together. Here are some recommendations you may want to add to your home library.

Rain and Raindrop Crafts for Kids

January 23, 2022 By Terri Thompson

Instead of dreading the next rainy day, why not celebrate the rain?

These fun rain crafts for kids are all fun ways to make a stormy day less gloomy.

Are you ready? It’s time to get creative and celebrate the rain.

These fun rain and raindrop crafts for kids of all ages are perfect for a rainy day, a weather unit, or any day in between.

Fun Rain Crafts for Kids

All of these fun crafts are easy to do. You’ll find some classic art techniques and some unique twists.

These ideas are perfect for kids of all ages. Your youngest kids can get creative with a Raindrop Mobile or a Toddler Rain Cloud Craft. Let your older kids create some Silhouette Rainy Day Art or Monoprint Rainstorm Art. You can even use the rain to help you create!

If you’re looking for toddler crafts, check out these Weather Crafts for Toddlers that are all fun and age-appropriate.

Come on, let’s get creative and find a fun project (or two) to do with our kids!

Rain Crafts for Kids

These rain and raindrop crafts for kids are perfect for a rainy day, a weather unit, or any day in between. You'll find crafts for all ages of kids from toddlers to preschoolers to elementary.

Raindrop Mobile Kids Craft

Use a fun drip-painting technique to make this rustic raindrop moblie.

Sun and Rain Sensory Bottles

Create glittery sensory bottles inspired by both the sun and rain with this craft.

Preschool Paper Plate Umbrella Craft

This simple paper plate umbrella craft is great for toddlers and preschoolers.

Rain Cloud Suncatcher Craft

Photo Credit: preschoolinspirations.com

Make a simple puffy cloud and rain suncatcher with this fun craft.

Rain Painting Craft for Developing Prewriting Skill

Photo Credit: theeducatorsspinonit.com

Use watercolor resist to make this fun rain art project.

Bubble Wrap Rain Craft

Photo Credit: www.123homeschool4me.com

Try printmaking with bubble wrap for this simple rain and umbrella craft.

Rainy Day Window Art

Photo Credit: playteachrepeat.com

Create a rainy window with this fun rainy day art project.

3D Umbrella Rainy Day Card for Kids to Make

Photo Credit: www.craftymorning.com

This cute 3D umbrella card would be a fun homemade gift for family and friends.

Raindrop Suncatchers

Photo Credit: www.pre-kpages.com

Decorate your windows with these beautiful raindrop suncatchers.

Clouds and Rain Weather Windsock Craft

Photo Credit: www.adabofgluewilldo.com

This adorable windsock craft would be so much fun for preschoolers!

Rain Cloud Craft

Photo Credit: www.giftofcuriosity.com

Use drip painting to make this fun and simple rain craft.

Thunderstorm Art Project

Photo Credit: buggyandbuddy.com

Create your own interpretation of a thunder storm with this awesome weather art project.

Painting Rain with Printable Art Prompt

Photo Credit: www.adventure-in-a-box.com

Use printable silhouettes to make this fun rainy day artwork.

Rain Cloud Paper Craft with a Paper Plate Sun

Photo Credit: www.easypeasyandfun.com

This simple rain cloud craft is perfect to make on your next rainy day.

Rain Cloud Toddler Craft

Photo Credit: myboredtoddler.com

Your toddler can get in on the fun with this simple rain cloud craft.

3D Rain Clouds Craft

Photo Credit: iheartcraftythings.com

Use the free printable to help you make this cute 3D rain clouds craft.

Wind & Rain Process Art

Photo Credit: playtolearnpreschool.us

Use a rainy day to inspire some beautiful artwork with this wind & rain process art activity.

Weather Mobile Craft for Kids

Photo Credit: buggyandbuddy.com

Include the rain, storm clouds, rainbows, and other images of weather on this pretty mobile.

Rainbow Rainy Day Art STEAM Project for Kids

Photo Credit: rhythmsofplay.com

Use the rain to create beautiful artwork with this fun STEAM project.

Kids art :: Painting With The Rain

Photo Credit: nurturestore.co.uk

You could also try this simple rainy day art project and use the rain to help you create.

Butterfly Rain Art

Photo Credit: www.muminthemadhouse.com

Use the rain to help you blend your colors with this pretty butterfly art project.

Watercolour Pencils Rain Art

Photo Credit: www.adventure-in-a-box.com

Use watercolor pencils to create your artwork, then let the rain help you blend them together with this fun art project.

April Showers Rain Drop Craft

Photo Credit: simplytodaylife.com

Decorate your windows with these simple rain drop suncatchers.

Paper Plate Rain Craft

Photo Credit: www.craftsonsea.co.uk

Use a free template to make this cute paper plate rain cloud craft.

Combine Your Craft With a Book About Rain

It’s always fun to combine a craft with a great book to go along with the topic. So, if you’re planning a rain craft, try one of these books about rain to go along with it.

I find it’s always helpful to have a good book to read while you’re waiting for paint to dry!

Come on, Rain! by Karen Hesse and Jon J. Muth

Singing in the Rain by Tim Hopgood

Down Comes the Rain by Dr. Franklyn M. Branley

The Rain Came Down by David Shannon

Storm is Coming! by Heather Tekavec and Margaret Spengler

The Storm Book by Charlotte Zolotow and Margaret Bloy Graham

Rain: Ready-to-Read Level 1 by Marion Dane Bauer and John Wallace

Rain! by Linda Ashman and Christian Robinson