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Multiplication Practice with Jelly Bean Arrays

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Have you ever worked with arrays? It’s a great way to visualize multiplication and these Jelly Bean Arrays are a fun way to learn.

So, today we’re grabbing our Easter candy and having some fun. Are you ready to learn?

Learn about and practice multiplication with Jelly Bean Arrays. This fun Easter math activity is a great way to practice multiplying and is 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.

Arrays are a great way to describe a multiplication problem and help you “see”  how to get the answer.

It’s a great way to visualize multiplication. And it’s another one of those things I didn’t learn in school, but my children are. I’m glad they are!

Use jelly beans to practice multiplication arrays.

How Do You Use Arrays In Multiplication?

First of all, let’s define an array. Quite simply, it’s a visual representative of a multiplication problem (at least in our case) using objects arranged in rows and columns.

Take the multiplication problem, 2 x 4. The first number, two, represents the number of rows. The second number, four, represents the number of columns.

So, for 2 x 4, we would create two rows with four objects each.

Jelly Bean Arrays - a fun way to learn about multiplication

What Else Does the Array Show?

In the above photo, you’ve got three rows and four columns. It represents 3 x 4. Or, 4 + 4 + 4. Can you see that?

And the answer to both of those math problems is twelve.

Arrays can tell you a lot!

Jelly Bean Arrays

Now that we have an understanding of arrays, let’s grab our jelly beans and have some fun.

Our set-up was simple, I just used an index card to display my arrays and grabbed a pile of jelly beans.

Note: You can do this any time of the year. Just use M&Ms or Skittles instead of jelly beans.

The only other thing you need are some multiplication problems.

Let’s start solving!

Multiplication practice with jelly bean arrays

How do you solve 3 x 2?

You’d make 3 rows with 2 jelly beans in each row. Now let’s solve. Count up the jelly beans and you’ll find 6. 3 x 2 = 6

Let’s flip the problem around? Would 2 x 3 look the same as 3 x 2?

The answer is the same, but the array would look different. To make an array for 2 x 3, you’d have 2 rows with 3 jelly beans in each row.

Keep using jelly bean arrays to work on all your multiplication problems. I love how this helps you see exactly how to solve a multiplication problem.

This is such a great math tool!

Learn about and practice multiplication with Jelly Bean Arrays. This fun Easter math activity is a great way to practice multiplying and is so much fun.

More Fun Math Activities

Learn your multiplication facts with this fun and easy to make Paper Plate Multiplication Practice Activity

Visualize skip counting with this fun STEAM activity – Math Art: Skip Counting Pointillism

Hands-On Perimeter Activity: Perimeter Lab is a fun way to practice measuring and calculating perimeter using real objects.

These Patterned Multiplication Circles at Lemon Lime Adventures are another great way to visualize multiplication.

More Multiplication Resources

It can take a lot of work to memorize multiplication facts, so it’s great to have a variety of games and activities to help your kids.

Here are some fun ideas to consider:

Recycled Valentine Crafts for Kids

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We love to use recycled materials when we make crafts.

It just seems much less wasteful to use a few things before they get thrown out.

Here are some awesome recycled Valentine crafts that all use an item or two from the recycle bin. Grab those old newspapers, cardboard boxes, and scraps of paper. It’s time to start crafting!

Awesome recycled Valentine crafts for kids, tween, and teens.

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.

Recycled Valentine Crafts for Kids

I love using recycled materials for crafts. It’s less wasteful because you’re using materials instead of throwing them away. And, it saves money and a trip to the store for extra craft supplies.

These simple Valentines crafts are all pretty and fun. You’re kids will love them!

So, rummage in the recycle bin and grab some supplies.

What Recycled Materials Should You Keep?

Keep anything cardboard, such as old packing boxes, cereal boxes, and even cardboard tubes.

Also, newspaper, magazines, and paper scraps are good for craft projects.

Finally, keep some things that can’t be recycled, but can be reused such as old cd’s and bubble wrap.

All of these things are great for craft projects.

Recycled Valentine Crafts

Check your recycle bin for supplies to make these cute and fun Recycled Valentine crafts for kids.

Silly Heart Puppet Valentine Craft

These fun puppets use recycled cardboard and are great for toddlers and preschoolers.

Heart-Stamped Valentines

Use recycled materials to stamp your hearts on these fun and pretty notecards.

Heart Collage Valentines Cards

Raid the recycle bin to find all sorts of supplies to make these pretty heart collages.

Monochromatic Collage Valentine's Day Art

Recycled materials provide the base for this pretty monochromatic art project.

Easy Valentine’s Day Collage Hearts Art Activity

Photo Credit: artscrackers.com

Cut up your magazines before you recycle them to make these fun collage hearts.

Recycled CD Valentines Day Craft for Preschoolers

Photo Credit: www.craftsonsea.co.uk

Do you have a bunch of old cd's that you don't know what to do with? How about turning them into this pretty Valentine's craft.

How to Make a Valentine Box Robot

Photo Credit: b-inspiredmama.com

Turn an old tissue box into a super-cute Valentine robot.

Milk Carton Valentines Houses for Kids to Make

Photo Credit: happyhooligans.ca

Take old milk cartons and turn them into a fun little Valentine's village.

Heart Valentine Holder

Photo Credit: buggyandbuddy.com

Cut up an old grocery bag to make a simple Valentine holder.

Rag Heart Ornaments with Pipe Cleaners and Fabric Strips

Photo Credit: happyhooligans.ca

Use up your fabric scraps to make these pretty rag heart ornaments.

Newspaper Heart Garland

Photo Credit: www.kitchencounterchronicle.com

Cut up your newspaper before it hits the recycle bin to make this pretty heart garland.

Bubble Wrap Printed Hearts

Photo Credit: rainydaymum.co.uk

Before you toss your bubble wrap, use it for this fun printmaking project.

DIY Yarn Wrapped Letters for Valentine's

Photo Credit: rainydaymum.co.uk

Cut up an old cardboard box to make these pretty yarn wrapped letters.

Recycled Cardboard Heart Decorations

Photo Credit: www.artycraftykids.com

Or, you can use the cardboard box to make these pretty heart decorations.

Simple Kid Made Owl Valentines

Photo Credit: www.kitchencounterchronicle.com

Don't throw out those empty cardboard tubes! Instead, use them to make these cute owl Valentines.

Which of these recycled Valentine crafts are you going to try with your kids?

Will it be the newspaper garland, the Silly Heart Puppets, or something else?

Check your recycle bin for supplies to make these cute and fun Recycled Valentine crafts for kids. You'll want to make them all!

You May Also Like One of These Valentine Activities:

Get out the watercolors to make these pretty Coffee Filter Valentine Heart Suncatcher

Make use of heart doilies when you try this Measuring with Hearts math activity.

It’s so easy to set up a Simple Valentine Card Making Station and your kids can make Valentines for all their family and friends.

No-Sew Valentine Pencil Toppers make a fun Valentine gift that you kids can make for all their friends and classmates.

My Must-Have Valentine Craft Supplies

While the recycle bin has tons of fun stuff to craft with, you’ll want to few extra things to help you create some awesome Valentine’s crafts. Here are some supplies I like to keep on hand:

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.

Christmas Tree Alphabet Matching Game for Toddlers

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Are you looking for a festive, Christmas themed alphabet activity for toddlers or preschoolers? You’ll love our Christmas Tree Alphabet Matching Game.

Use it to practice uppercase and lowercase letter recognition and letter sounds.

Practice your ABCs with this fun and simple Christmas tree alphabet matching game. This easy-to-make game is fun for toddlers and preschoolers.

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 Christmas Tree Letter Game

Felt (you could also use paper)
Scissors
Marker

How to Set Up the Christmas Alphabet Matching Game

Cut out 26 triangles to represent your Christmas trees. I was able to get 26 trees out of 2 pieces of green felt. Feel free to make your Christmas trees whatever color you like. If you don’t have felt, you can use paper instead. You could even have your toddler help you color or decorate the paper trees before playing the game.

Cut out stars. I only had one piece of yellow felt, so I cut out 13 stars and used both sides of each star for the game. 2 pieces of yellow felt should allow you to cut out 26 stars. I drew a star on a piece of paper, cut it out, and then traced it onto the felt.

Use a marker to write uppercase letters on your trees – one letter for each tree. You might want to have something underneath the felt as you’re writing. My permanent marker seeped through the felt onto my table.

Draw lowercase letters on each of your felt stars. Since I only had 13 stars, I drew the letters a-m on one side and n-z on the second side.

We played this game on a table. If you have a large felt board, it would great to play on there as well.

How to Play the Christmas Tree Alphabet Matching Game

Set out the Christmas trees with the capital letters. (I set up half since I only had 13 stars).

Place the stars below the trees. If you are using 13 stars, make sure the correct letters are facing up.

Have your child match the stars to the Christmas trees.

You might show him an example of where to place the stars. Stars on a Christmas tree usually go on top, so that’s where we put ours. Sometimes my 3-year-old placed the stars right in the middle of the tree. That’s totally fine, too.

The goal is to match the lowercase letter on the star with the uppercase letter on the tree.

Talk about the letters as your child plays. “What letter do you see?” “That’s a capital (big) A. Can you find a lowercase (little) A?” “What letter is on the tree?” “What letter is on the star in your hand?”

Practice your ABCs with this fun and simple Christmas tree alphabet matching game. This easy-to-make game is fun for toddlers and preschoolers.

Play a Find the Letter Game

You can use the trees to practice finding letters, too. Can you find the letter R?

Christmas alphabet matching game

Work on letter sounds as you play this game. What sound does the letter R make? Can you find the letter that makes the /b/ sound?

You can even practice beginning letter sounds. What letter does tree start with?

Use the Christmas trees and stars to spell your child’s name. Ask your child to find the letters in her name, or call out the letters for her.

More Christmas Tree Themed Activities for Kids

Christmas Tree Number Hunt

Baking Soda Painted Christmas Trees

Christmas Tree Crafts for Kids

Fun Christmas Math Activities for Kids

Do More Activities With Your Family

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.

Thanksgiving Lunch Box Jokes

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My daughter loves lunch box jokes!

I slip them in her lunch every single day. And, I’m so excited that it’s now November and I can use these fun Thanksgiving lunch box jokes.

She’s going to love them!

Fun free printable Thanksgiving lunch box jokes.

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 Thanksgiving Jokes!

Why did the turkey cross the road?
It was the chicken’s day off!!

Your kids will love finding these fun Thanksgiving jokes in their lunch box.

This fun printable has 5 sheets of 6 jokes each. Thirty fun jokes to get you through the holiday.

Download and Print Your Thanksgiving Lunch Box Jokes

You can find the link to the printable Thanksgiving jokes in the green box below.

Just click and it will bring up a pdf that you can either print or save for later.

You’ll need five sheets of paper and it prints in full color.

Get your lunch box jokes here.

Give your kids a laugh at lunch when you slip one of these fun free printable Thanksgiving Lunch Box Jokes into their lunch bag.

Fill Your Festive Lunch Box

In addition to your lunch box jokes, you can add some fun Thanksgiving treats!

Try a classic turkey sandwich with cream cheese and little bit of cranberry sauce instead of your usual cheese.

Add a cranberry snack. My daughter loves a handfun of Craisins (dried cranberries). Or you can add a fun lunch-box friendly muffin like these Easy Cranberry Muffins from Eating on a Dime.

Or maybe you want a pumpkin treat like these Pumpkin Cookie Bites from Super Healthy Kids.

More Thanksgiving Ideas

Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

Fun Cranberry Activities for Kids

Turkey Art Projects for Kids

Thanksgiving Would You Rather Questions at Kitchen Counter Chronicles

Our Favorite Lunch Boxes

There are so many fun lunchboxes, which makes it so hard to choose a perfect one. We’ve been using the simple zip-up lunch boxes from Wildkin for years. They hold up well and are the perfect size. Plus, they’ve got so many designs to choose from!

Do You Want to Do More Activities With Your Family?

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.

Thanksgiving Addition Game: Add & Fill Turkey

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I don’t know about you, but I’ve been looking for some fun Thanksgiving math games, specifically a Thanksgiving addition game.

Luckily, I’ve got a great idea for you!

It’s time to grab some supplies and get creative. This Add and Fill Turkey game takes some prep time in the beginning, but it can be used over and over again.

Use addition to fill the turkey with this fun Thanksgiving Addition Game for kids. Roll the dice, add the numbers, and fill the turkey.

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.

I’ve always love this Race to Fill the Cup activity from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls. It’s simple and tons of fun. I’ve enjoyed it with my own girls when they were younger and it popped into my head when I was thinking of a Thanksgiving addition game to play.

That’s how this Add and Fill Turkey activity came about. I was inspired, added a few twists, made it more advanced, threw in a turkey, and voila – a fun new game.

Use addition to fill the turkey with this fun Thanksgiving Addition Game for kids. Roll the dice, add the numbers, and fill the turkey.

Supplies Needed for Your Turkey Addition Game

Brown, yellow, red, and orange construction paper
Small bathroom cup
Tape
Scissors
Glue
Black marker

Additional supplies needed to play the game

Pony beads, tribeads, mini erasers, or other small filler – enough to fill your bathroom cup
Pair of dice

Use addition to fill the turkey with this fun Thanksgiving Addition Game for kids. Roll the dice, add the numbers, and fill the turkey.

How to Make Your Thanksgiving Addition Game

Cut the pieces for your turkey from your construction paper.

Make a brown circle for the turkey head, a tiny yellow triangle for the beak, and a small red piece for the wattle. Also cut three feathers, one from each of the colors (except the brown) of construction paper. Make the feathers long enough to stick up over the top of your cup.

Glue your beak and the wattle to the middle of your brown circle. Use your marker to make a couple of eyes.

Use addition to fill the turkey with this fun Thanksgiving Addition Game for kids. Roll the dice, add the numbers, and fill the turkey.

Use the tape to attach the turkey feathers and the turkey head to your small bathroom cup.

Your turkey cup is ready to go. It’s time to play!

Use addition to fill the turkey with this fun Thanksgiving Addition Game for kids. Roll the dice, add the numbers, and fill the turkey.

How to play this Thanksgiving Math Game

This game is very easy to play. Throw the dice. Add the two numbers together and then put that many beads in your cup.

Keep throwing the dice, adding the numbers, and putting beads in your cup until your turkey up is full

How many dice will your turkey hold?

It can take awhile to fill your turkey cup. We had to throw the dice 30 times! If you want a shorter game, use a larger filler or aim to only fill the cup 1/2 way.

Fun Variations of This Addition Game

Make this a two person game. Make two turkey cups. The players can either take turns or race each other to find out who will fill their turkey cup first.

Find the total. After you add your two dice together, write down your answer before add your beads to the cup. Keep track of all the amounts and add them all together at the end to find out how many total beads are in your cup.

Use more dice. Throw three, four, or even five dice each time. Add them all together and put your beads in your cup.

What variation of this game would you try?

Use addition to fill the turkey with this fun Thanksgiving Addition Game for kids. Roll the dice, add the numbers, and fill the turkey.

More Math Games to Try

Pumpkin Pie Fractions Game

Telling Time With a Turkey Clock

Paper Plate Addition Game

Fun Addition Fact Games for Kids

My Must-Have Math Resources

My number one activity for helping my kids with math is to play a fun math game. There are so many fun ideas to make, but sometimes you just don’t have the time. In that case, here are some great games you can buy to keep on hand any time you want to have fun and practice math.

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.