Spring has sprung! The sky is blue, the flowers are popping up, the birds are chirping… and after reading Lois Ehlert’s Garden boxed set, my girls are chomping at the bit to start our seeds for this year’s garden. Unfortunately, it’s a few weeks too early here, with overnight temps… The post DIY Garden Markers Inspired by Lois Ehlert appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
Who else remembers the candy haul from class valentines when you were a kid? Red heart lollipops, boatloads of chalky conversation hearts, and chocolate kisses galore! However, times are changing. And if your kids’ schools are anything like mine, parents are “strongly discouraged” from sending in food or candy items… The post School-Approved Valentines Your Kids Will Love appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
In our family, cookies are a given for every holiday. It’s a tradition that dates back to my Great Grandmother’s Christmas cookie baking marathons, continued by my Grandfather, my mom and now me. And I love that I’ve already ingrained it so well in my kids that they think it… The post Easy Valentine’s Day Cookies For Kids appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
With Valentine’s Day, comes an abundance of candy hearts. You can’t possibly eat them all… but before you throw them away, let your kids use them for learning through play. Check out this great list of Valentine candy hearts activities and have your kids counting, sorting, playing games, learning sight… The post 20+ Valentine Candy Hearts Activities for Kids appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
This post is part of a series on College Savings Plans sponsored by CHET, the Connecticut Higher Education Trust’s 529 College Savings Plan. As always, opinions remain 100% my own. Now that you have started a college fund and are saving money to it every month, what is the best… The post The Best Way to Invest for College appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
This is a sponsored post for Crayola as part of the Mom It Forward influencer network. As always, opinions remain 100% my own. Learning activities for 2 year olds can be tough. They want to do what the older kids are doing, but are easily frustrated when their development skills… The post Quick and Easy Fine Motor Activities for 2 Year Olds appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
This post was sponsored by Crayola as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. This might be the most nerve-wracking week of the entire year. It’s the week our school district sends the email blast announcing classroom teachers. Last… The post You Can’t Repay Teachers… But You Can Write Thank You Notes appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
This post is sponsored by Kleenex Facial Tissue. As always, opinions remain 100% my own. This back to school season, wants to help you be a Classroom Hero. Learn 15+ ways you can go the extra mile to support your child’s teacher with parent volunteering… whether by sharing your time,… The post 15+ Ways to Be A Classroom Hero by Parent Volunteering appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
Want to know how to thank a teacher? Tell them how you feel! Make thank-you notes for your favorite teacher share them with Crayola for a chance to win!| Playground Parkbench
Big M (age 4) is obsessed with the movie, Brave, and pretending to be Merida. So much so, that she often runs around the house with a plastic coat hanger (her bow) pretending to shoot arrows. My husband and father-in-law have fed her obsession by taking her for archery practice…| Playground Parkbench