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Hands On As We Grow

Engaging our kids with simple, fun activities, every day.

Hands On As We Grow has activities, crafts and art projects for kids up to school age, and even into their beginning years of school. You’ll find fun things to do with them, crafty ideas, and easy ways to make learning fun.

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Carving is fun… but messy and short-lived. These 28 creative no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas are kid-friendly, last longer, and just as festive!
Featured Post

Skip the pumpkin mess (28 fun no-carve ideas!)

Hey Reader!Do you carve pumpkins every year? We do -- however there's a couple things I don't like about it -- My husband and I did all the cutting until the kids were 8 or 9... It's a huge mess. My kids are asking to do it from the 1st of October... ... and they only last a few days after they're carved. But the look on the kids' faces makes it worth it year after year. So we still do it. But I want to offer my kids a way to decorate pumpkins themselves each year -- and this way they last...

14 days ago • 2 min read
Activity Capsule - 6 mini activity capsules!

Hi Reader!I’ve been really into card games lately, and it got me thinking about all the fun things you can do with just a deck of cards. When I was younger, I used to play games like Nerts (also known as Peanuts), Crazy Rummy, War, Golf, and Go Fish! But did you know there are many more ways to play with cards? You can easily carry a deck in your purse or bag, so whenever you’re out and about and need something to keep you occupied, other than staring at a screen, you’re all set! Here are...

28 days ago • 2 min read
Worksheets aren’t the only way to learn—here are simple, hands-on activities to help preschoolers build writing and fine motor skills.

Hi Reader!Did you know that kids can be super smart and creative when they figure things out on their own, without being told exactly what to do? It's true! I read an article a long time ago that has stuck with me over the years. It talked about two studies on why preschool shouldn't be like regular school. You can read more about it here if you want. It reiterated to me that worksheets are not the best way for kids to learn, especially little ones like preschoolers and toddlers. Those...

about 1 month ago • 2 min read
From pumpkin crafts to spaghetti slime, these simple fall activities will keep kids engaged, learning, and having fun all season long.

Hi Reader!Fall is almost in full swing here in Iowa -- and I love Fall weather, so I'm a happy girl :) I've made a FALL WEEK of activities -- Fun Week of Fall Activities It includes a nature scavenger hunt, spaghetti slime, find the letter on the apple and so much more. To keep the fun going all season long -- here's the most popular activities for fall. 40 Pumpkin Activities for Kids 36 Pumpkin Crafts for Kids Fall Button Tree Quiet Bin for Preschoolers A Sticky Spider Web Slimy Eyes Sensory...

about 1 month ago • 2 min read
One mom discovered the joy of letting go—and found that simple letter activities (like “Disappearing Letters”) made learning fun again.

Reader-Planning enough activities to keep an active preschooler (or toddler) busy -- can get daunting and overwhelming to keep up... ... and can end up being not-so-much-fun anymore... “It wasn’t that fun because I was trying to control it too much.” Do you ever feel that way? That's actually a quote from Liz R, a member of The Activity Room -- ROOM has allowed her to let go of that control a little bit and let the activity go where it naturally needs to go. I felt like I was all over the...

about 2 months ago • 3 min read

Reader! How have you been? I once got asked something that makes me feel the need to come clean with you and share this every once in awhile. Now, don't get me wrong... it's not like I've lied to you in any way, shape, or form. But the internet is very misleading. And it definitely shows the good over everything and magnifies it like no other. And tends to leave out the bad. Well, the question was this. "How many activities should I do each day?" Well... for me - the reason I suggest doing...

3 months ago • 3 min read
Snakes and worms are fun… but there’s so much more you can do with play dough! Try these 35+ playful, creative, and learning-packed ideas.

Reader! Play dough is a go-to for most parents and kids generally love it. But what the heck do you do with it besides makes worms and snakes?? No worries - I've rounded up a LOT of ideas for you to do with Play Dough -- and you will never wonder what to do with it again. Not only a lot of ideas, but there's ways to create and make art, use play dough as a way to encourage pretend play, items to add in to play dough for never ending fun, and PLUS you can learn with play dough. YES, I said...

3 months ago • 2 min read

Reader! This amazing post by That's Inappropriate that has stuck with me over the years... Go ahead, go read it... but then come back to hear my take on it. ... ... ... Here's my take on it... let me know what you thought when you read it. At first when I read it, I was so inspired by it. To get out there and play WITH my kids. To be a part of their lives. To be the fun, silly mom. To do all the things. It has great intentions, of course. But as I was lying in bed that night, that post...

3 months ago • 3 min read
When it’s too hot to play outside but your kids are bouncing off the walls—these indoor movement ideas are a lifesaver (and sanity saver).

Reader! This email comes from a place that has always been of necessity in my house. Mid-Summer in Iowa mean lots of indoor time... the heat and humidity make it unbearable to be outside for too long some days and having three boys in my house has always meant lots of energy that needs to be burned off. Even still as they're older. I've created a week of just INDOOR + GROSS MOTOR activities. Do you need these as badly as I do? Or am I just over exaggerating this necessity and my kids should...

4 months ago • 2 min read
These quiet, no-fuss ideas help turn around a tough day—perfect for when you're short on time, energy, or patience (been there!).

Reader! Do you ever have one of those days where you're just struggling and you need to turn the day around... and you really just need something for the kids to do that's quiet... and not messy.... and easy to set up quickly? Not asking for much, right? (ha!) The Activity Room® has been brilliant for helping with this for the last 9 years. *Hint Hint-- if you're not already a member, you can still enroll for the rest of 2025! Sort pom poms by color in a muffin tin Thread Cheerios on...

4 months ago • 2 min read