General Conference weekend can feel long for little ones, so I pulled together every toddler and preschooler activity we have into one big list. These quiet, hands-on activities help your kids stay happily busy (and a little reverent) while you listen. Pick a few that fit your child and rotate them through the sessions. New … Read more
In the mood for a cute, spooky Halloween treat? These owl brownies are easy to put together with the kids, and I will walk you through everything you need. What delicious treat can I make with my kids that is both cute and tasty? When it comes to Halloween who doesn’t love to make themed … Read more
If your family loves a good Halloween craft, these two spider web crafts might become favorites. All you need is a spider web picture, glitter, and glue. What are some easy Halloween crafts my kids can do? If you absolutely love Halloween crafts these spider web crafts might be some of your favorites! All you … Read more
I grabbed a bag of pumpkin table scatter at the dollar store on a whim, and it turned into 15 different toddler activities. Here is everything you can do with one cheap little bag. I was at the dollar store the other day and saw a package of some cute pumpkin table scatter. I snatched … Read more
M is for Monsters is a silly, hands-on week your toddler is sure to have a blast with. These games teach the letter M with a friendly-monster theme. These fun toddler learning games and activities are perfect for teaching the letter M. The theme is M is for monsters and your toddler is sure to … Read more
Fall is the perfect time for L is for Leaves. Learning about leaves while the real ones are changing colors outside makes the letter L feel extra special. Fall is the perfect time to teach your toddler about the letter “L”! It would be so fun to learn about leaves while all of the leaves … Read more
For the letter K, we headed to the kitchen. These activities help your toddler practice the letter K along with fine motor and matching skills. These ideas will help your child learn while practicing their fine motor skills, letter learning, and matching skills! Make the Letter Use glitter glue to cover this thin letter K. … Read more
Craft sand is lovely for sensory play, but it can get pricey. Colored salt is a cheap thing you can make at home instead, and your toddler will not know the difference. What’s an inexpensive alternative to craft sand? Craft sand is a beautiful sensory material that always gets my toddler’s creative juices flowing, but … Read more
J is for Jungle uses a fun jungle theme to teach your toddler the letter J, with wild animals, vines, and plenty of hands-on play. Teach your toddler about the letter J by using a jungle theme. Make the Letter Cover a tray with shaving cream. Then, have your toddler practice writing Js in the … Read more
These thin letter alphabet printables are a simple way to expose your child to letters, and there are lots of ways to play with them. Here are some of our favorites. Alphabet printables are a wonderful way to expose your child to the letters of the alphabet. There are so many different ways to play … Read more
Teaching letters doesn’t have to be boring, especially when there are insects involved. I is for Insect is full of buggy, hands-on ways to teach your toddler the letter I. Teaching letters to your toddler doesn’t have to be boring – especially when there is insects involved! Learn how to teach the letter I to … Read more
H is for Hat is one of our toddler school weeks, packed with hat-themed activities for practicing the letter H, fine motor skills, and matching. What toddler homeschool curriculum will help my teach letters to my child? This post is all about the H is for Hat Toddler School curriculum. Come and see the fun … Read more
Not sure how to set up toddler trays? This video tutorial walks you through exactly how I put ours together, step by step. How do I set up tot trays and how do I present them to my toddler? First off, sorry I didn’t have a video last week. I had one planned, but sickness … Read more
At some point every child connects a written number to an actual amount of things, and clip cards are a great way to practice that. Your toddler counts the objects, then clips the matching number. At some point we all learn that there is a connection between a written number (a symbol) and an amount … Read more
These magnetic letter match printables are a cheap, easy way to work on the alphabet with your toddler. Pair them with a set of magnetic letters and you are ready to go. This cheap and easy product can help with teaching the alphabet! Teaching the alphabet is probably one of the most important things that … Read more
I did a garden theme with my toddler one summer and he loved it so much that I built it right into my curriculum. G is for Garden is full of growing, digging, and letter G fun. I did a garden theme for toddler school with my toddler last summer and he liked it so … Read more
Ever opened a preschool pack and wondered what to actually do with one of the pages? This kicks off a series where I show you how to use all those printable activities. How do I use these kids printable activities? I am starting a new series called How to Use Preschool Printables. There will be … Read more
Homemade playdough is pretty easy to make, but seeing it done first always helps. We make this recipe all the time, and the video shows you exactly how. How do I make homemade playdough? Making homemade playdough is honestly pretty easy, but if you’re like me, seeing the directions first might be useful. We absolutely … Read more
Looking for fun ways to teach the letter F? We used a farm theme full of animals and barnyard activities your toddler will love. What preschool learning themes can I use to teach my toddler the letter F? Make the Letter To practice the letter F, write several letters on a whiteboard along with a … Read more
When I first started tray work with my toddler, it took plenty of trial and error to figure out. These five Montessori tray ideas (with a short video of each) will save you some of that guesswork. How do I set up and teach a Montessori inspired tray for my toddler? When I first started … Read more
In this video I share the exact words I use to teach uppercase letter formation, so your child learns to write each letter correctly. It pairs nicely with my letter formation overview. How can I teach my child to form uppercase letters? Today’s video is uppercase letter formation. If you missed my first letter formation … Read more
E is for Extinct gave us the perfect excuse to dig into dinosaurs, fossils, and woolly mammoths. It is a theme most toddlers love, all while learning the letter E. Where can I find a toddler homeschool curriculum to teach the letter E? This week our theme is E is for extinct. This theme gave … Read more
This video walks through the exact prompts I use to teach lowercase letter formation. If you have not seen my first letter formation video yet, that is a great place to begin. What exact phrases do I use to say each lowercase letter when teaching the lowercase alphabet? I have another video for you today! … Read more
D is for Dance might sound girly, but it is a blast for boys and girls alike. We talked about music and moving our bodies while learning the letter D. What is an early childhood education curriculum for toddlers that is fun for boys and girls? The theme for this week of toddler school is … Read more
Alphabet stamps are a simple, inexpensive tool that toddlers and preschoolers love. Here are five different ways to use them for learning letters. Alphabet stamps can be such a fun learning tool for your preschooler and toddler! Keep reading to learn how. These Melissa and Doug Alphabet Stamps work so well with the Toddler Curriculum. … Read more
This is the first video in a new letter formation series I am so excited about. It covers why and how to teach your child to write letters correctly right from the start. How do I teach my child to write letters correctly? I am so excited to share with you the first video of … Read more
For the letter C, we went with a community helpers theme. Think firefighters, mail carriers, and doctors, all while your toddler practices the letter C. How do I teach my toddler the alphabet? My Toddler Curriculum has been a great homeschool curriculum for many family. Read more about the Toddler Curriculum here. Read the rest … Read more
B is for Baby is another week from my Toddler Curriculum, full of sweet baby-themed ways to teach the letter B. Here is everything we did. Where can I find a good toddler homeschool curriculum that has some Montessori influence? It’s time for another week from our toddler curriculum. This is a great toddler homeschool … Read more
This year we made Valentine’s Day a little mathy with a simple graphing printable. Your child sorts and graphs Valentine’s pictures, which is an easy introduction to early math. What is a fun Valentine’s Day activity I can do with my child that will help develop math skills? This year for Valentine’s Day we thought … Read more
A is for Apples is the very first week of my Toddler Curriculum, which I worked on for almost six months. It is packed with apple-themed printables, tray ideas, a craft, and more for teaching the letter A. I worked on this curriculum for almost six months and I am so happy with how it … Read more
Sensory bins are one of my favorite tools for learning, and they are built right into the Toddler Curriculum. You can make an ABC sensory bin for whatever letter your child is working on. How can I teach my toddler the letters of the alphabet by using a sensory bin? Sensory bins are a fabulous … Read more
These Christmas toddler trays have been so loved at our house. They are a festive way to keep your little one learning and busy through the holiday season. What are some Christmas learning activities I can do with my toddler? These Christmas trays have been much loved in my house. They are probably some of … Read more
I built these Thanksgiving toddler trays around food and dinner, since that is the one thing every family’s Thanksgiving has in common. They are a festive way to learn and play. What are some toddler trays I can do with my toddler that have a Thanksgiving theme? I made this set of Thanksgiving trays mostly … Read more
A Montessori moveable alphabet is a wonderful tool for kids who are starting to read and spell, and you can make your own at home. Here is how I put ours together. How can I make my own Montessori moveable alphabet and how do I use it? A Montessori moveable alphabet is a great tool … Read more
Button snakes have been popular for a while, and I finally made one for my toddler with a shape twist. It is a quiet busy bag that builds shape skills and finger strength at once. What is a busy bag my toddler can do that will teach him how to button? Button snakes have been … Read more
It is fall week at our house, and these toddler trays have been a blast. They bring all the cozy fun of autumn into your toddler’s playtime learning. What are some Fall themed activities I can do with my toddlers that will promote learning? This week is fall week and so far it has been … Read more
Got a pile of leftover Halloween candy? We turned ours into a simple science experiment to find out which candies are the strongest. It is a fun way to make all that sugar a little educational. What is a fun way to use candy to teach science? It’s two days after Halloween, so you probably … Read more
This hanging leaves game is a fun fall (or Halloween) activity your toddler can do with just a paper tree and some leaves. It is wonderful for building those little finger muscles. What is a fun fine motor game that will be fun for Halloween and for Thanksgiving? If you are looking to do a … Read more
This foam shape sorting activity is a simple busy bag that helps your toddler practice their shapes. You can grab a big bag of foam shapes at most dollar stores. This post has a great foam shape sorting activity that will help your toddler practice their shapes. You can find a big bag of foam … Read more
Looking for some easy Halloween toddler trays? These are quick to put together and full of seasonal, hands-on fun for your little one. Looking for some fun Halloween toddler school trays you can do with your toddler? Keep reading for some fun ideas! Halloween is such a fun holiday for theme related activities. We put … Read more
Fall is such a fun time for toddler trays. These pumpkin-themed activities are a sweet, seasonal way to keep your little one learning. Fall can be such a fun time to use a toddler tray! Keep reading to find some great pumpkin activities for your toddler! Pumpkin Art What you Need Instructions Have your toddler … Read more
Toddlers love putting things into a container and taking them right back out, so I made this beads in a water bottle busy bag to give that urge a purpose. It is a great quiet activity for little hands. If you have a toddler, you probably know that toddlers love to put things into something … Read more
Rectangle trays round out our shape-themed tray series. These easy activities help your toddler get to know the rectangle through hands-on play. What rectangle toddler trays can I set up to teach my child about rectangles? This will be the last set of shape toddler trays I will be posting for you. Starting in October, … Read more
These triangle toddler trays are easy to adapt to whatever your toddler is working on, and they are a hands-on way to teach the triangle shape. These Montessori-inspired toddler trays are so easy to adapt different ideas to match whatever theme we are currently working on. Shape Game for Triangles: Find the Shape Print off … Read more
Our last General Conference activity for this week is dry erase marker coloring. This is a very simple activity and works well for toddlers and preschoolers. The printables that we used to color can be found on lds.org in their media section. There are so many great images there in addition to the coloring pages, so … Read more
As you know, at Teach My Toddlers we love dot markers! It was only natural that we came up with some more fun Do-a-Dot pages for General Conference. These pages are really simple to use but should be a lot of fun for your children! Simply print off the do a dot pages for General … Read more
These circle toddler trays are so much fun, and they are a simple way to introduce shapes. Here are the circle activities we set up. What are some shape themed Montessori inspired circle toddler school trays that will teach my toddler about shapes? These circle toddler trays are so much fun! We are sure your … Read more
We are back to tray work with some square toddler trays. These simple activities help your toddler recognize and explore the square. What are some Montessori inspired square toddler trays that will teach my toddler shapes? After our very short break from toddler trays, we have started up again with some square toddler trays. Look … Read more
Little Bear has always loved our dot marker and dice activities, so I made another one for practicing numbers and counting. Dot markers and a pair of dice are all you need. What is a preschool graphing activity my child can do that will teach counting? I have done a few activities with dot markers … Read more
These red toddler trays make your toddler think they are just playing, when really they are learning so much. Here is what we set up to teach the color red. These Montessori-inspired toddler trays make your toddler think they’re playing, but really they’ll be learning so much. It’s wonderful! Special Red Tray: Red Pegboard and … Read more
This gross motor shape game is fun, super cheap, and takes almost no prep. All you need is some sidewalk chalk and a little room to jump. Are you looking for a fun game that will improve gross motor skills for toddlers? This game will not only help to improve your toddler’s gross motor skills, … Read more
It is green week at our house, which means green toddler trays. These hands-on activities teach the color green while sneaking in lots of other skills. What are some ideas for green tot trays? It is green week for toddler school which means green toddler trays! It’s weird to think that we only have one … Read more
I have been reading a lot about the Montessori method lately, and these purple toddler trays are the result. They teach the color purple through simple, hands-on play. What are some Montessori inspired toddler school activities? I am so excited to share some purple-themed toddler school trays with you today. I have been reading a … Read more
With Kindergarten on the brain at our house, I made this beginning letters activity to practice matching pictures to their starting sounds. Your preschooler cuts out each picture and pastes it under the right letter. What is a cut and paste page for preschool that will help my child with phonemic awareness? My preschooler has … Read more
Ever since we started our color trays, my son has been pointing out colors everywhere. These orange toddler trays keep that going while teaching the color orange. Can I just say that these color themed toddler trays have been so fun? My son has been pointing out colors everywhere, especially yellow and blue. He still … Read more
This is the start of our color-themed tray weeks, beginning with yellow and blue. These trays let your toddler practice two colors at once through play. This week will be the first week of a new kind of toddler trays. For the next few weeks we will be doing colored themed toddler trays. My toddler … Read more
Getting ready for summer? These beach-themed toddler trays are perfect for sandy, sunny play, all while your toddler practices new skills. This is the last set of generally themed Montessori inspired toddler school trays. If you are getting ready for the summer like we are, this tray is perfect for playing and learning. There are … Read more
This red, white, and blue sensory bin was a blast to make, and it comes with a little flag matching game too. Here is how to put one together for your toddler. This sensory bin was a blast to make! The combination of the red, white, and blue was really fun and I think you … Read more
I am not always the craftiest mom, but the 4th of July is one holiday I love to craft for. These preschool 4th of July crafts are simple enough that we actually finish them. I am not always the greatest at doing crafts with my kids, but there are a few holidays that I love … Read more
My preschooler kept wanting in on his little sibling’s gardening trays, so I put together this garden cut, paste, and color page just for him. It is a simple way to work on scissor skills with a spring theme. Since my preschooler has really been enjoying my toddler’s gardening toddler trays I put together some … Read more
Kids often learn letters in just one font, so they get stumped when they see the same letter written a different way. This match the font worksheet helps your child recognize letters no matter how they look. Sometimes children get accustomed to letters in only one font. When they see the same letters in other … Read more
These gardening toddler trays bring the fun of spring indoors, with planting, digging, and growing activities for your toddler to learn and play with. This gardening toddler tray has many activities for your child to learn and play! This is also a great way to bring the fun of spring a things are warming up … Read more
After my missing numbers worksheet was such a hit with Little Bear, I made a letters version too. Your preschooler cuts out the letters and pastes each one into the gap where it belongs. Last week, the missing numbers cut and paste worksheet I created was a huge hit with Little Bear. I decided to … Read more
These bug-themed toddler trays are perfect for the little one who loves creepy crawlies. They are a hands-on way to learn about bugs and the world outside. These bug-themed trays are perfect for kids that love learning about bugs and the world around them! 2 Part Bug Puzzles What You Need How to Play Print … Read more
Pretty much every family is familiar with pizza, which is exactly what makes this activity so fun. Your toddler builds pizzas out of different shapes, because who does not love pizza? If you are like us, your family may be pretty familiar with pizza! This activity shape is fun because who doesn’t love making pizza? … Read more
Cut and paste worksheets are one of my toddler’s favorite ways to practice numbers. This missing numbers page is just one sheet, which is perfect for a short attention span. Here is how it works. What is a cut and paste worksheet for my preschooler that will help teach him numbers? It’s time for another … Read more
Is your toddler in the cut-everything-with-scissors phase? This shapes cutting activity gives them a constructive outlet while they practice their shapes. Is your toddler at the age where they want to cut everything with scissors? This activity will give them a constructive outlet, while helping them to learn shapes! This activity will let you capitalize … Read more
This sorting colors activity is a cut and paste game that is perfect for preschoolers. Your child cuts out the pictures and pastes each one onto the matching color page. I have another fun cut and paste activity for you today and it is perfect for preschool. I made some sorting colors cut and paste … Read more
I really wanted a shape activity that would fit neatly in a busy bag, so I made these shape lacing cards. They work on shapes and fine motor skills at the same time. If you would rather buy a set than make your own, you can find lacing cards for toddlers on Amazon. They are … Read more
I had been wanting to do some cut and paste with Smiley Man, and shapes turned out to be the perfect thing to practice. Your toddler sorts and pastes each shape where it belongs. What is a cut and paste activity my child can do that will teach shapes? I’ve been itching to do some … Read more
We have been talking about spring nonstop at our house, so I put together a spring sensory bin full of bugs, flowers, and frogs. It is a hands-on way to introduce the season to your toddler. We have been talking about spring a lot in our house recently and what better way to introduce spring … Read more
Puzzles are a great way to teach just about anything, and these two-part shape puzzles are perfect for toddlers. Print them out and your little one can start matching right away. Puzzles are a great way to teach any topic and 2 part puzzles are perfect for the toddler crowd. Print these free 2 part … Read more
I made these shape cards on a whim and honestly was not sure how to use them at first. It turns out there are several fun ways to play, and I am sharing all of them here. I made these shape cards this week and I knew they would be fun, but I wasn’t sure how to … Read more
When you have a busy toddler who needs something to do on their own, a quiet book is a lifesaver. This shape quiet book keeps little hands busy while they practice their shapes. When you have a busy toddler running around who needs to be entertained, it’s good to have something they can do on … Read more
General Conference is this weekend! General Conference is a meeting that happens twice a year in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We hear from the prophet and apostles. There are 4 blocks of 2 hours of talks, which means lots of listening and LOTS of sitting. As you can imagine, this sitting … Read more
Is your toddler just getting ready to identify shapes? This decorating shapes activity is a fun place to start, and I will share some easy ways to play with it. If your child is ready to start identifying shapes, this activity will give you some great ideas! Start by printing some shape pages. First, help … Read more
A few weeks ago, a reader asked us to do a post about when to teach certain things. Let me start by saying that I could have made this post a LOT longer than it is. I tried to keep it short and sweet and stick to the things that parents most often have questions … Read more
Toddler trays are hands down my favorite way to homeschool a toddler, and these St. Patrick’s Day trays are all about playful, hands-on learning. Here is what we set up. We love toddler trays!!! Seriously, I cannot say this enough. It is the perfect “homeschool” to do with your toddler. These trays are all about … Read more
I wanted to make a color game my toddler could do more on their own, and this rainbow puzzle craft clay activity was the result. It is colorful, hands-on, and a little self-directed. There are several color games for your child and many of them are so awesome, but we really wanted to make something … Read more
Bubble painting is one of our family’s favorite color activities. There is no guessing or sorting, just your toddler exploring colors and having fun. Bubble Painting to Teach your Child Colors This color game is definitely one of our family’s favorites. Your child won’t have to guess the right color, or sort, or anything. They … Read more
People often ask me when their child should learn colors. Around 18 months is a good rule of thumb, and these color sensory bins are a wonderful, hands-on way to start. I’ve had some people ask me when their child should learn the colors. 18 months is a pretty good general rule of thumb, but … Read more
There are lots of ways for preschoolers to practice writing letters, and sensory play is one of the best. Tracing letters in something they can feel really helps the shapes stick. Preschoolers can learn how to write letters in many different ways, but one great way to teach letter formation is through sensory experiences. To … Read more
This color scavenger hunt is about as easy as a color game gets. Grab a paper bag, write a color on the front, and send your toddler off to find matching things around the house. This color game is about as easy as it gets. Get a bag (a grocery bag, brown paper bag, or a … Read more
No matter how long you have been working on colors, this popsicle stick matching game helps the connections click. It is simple to make and easy to take on the go. No matter how long you have been working on colors with your child, these color games can really help them make connections when it … Read more
This ice cube color mixing game is a favorite for toddlers and preschoolers, since it uses food coloring and water. Your child gets to watch the colors blend right before their eyes. Toddler color games are a great way to teach your child the colors. This game is wonderful for toddlers and preschoolers because it … Read more
Got a little one who is into cars? These car themed toddler trays are a fun way to sneak in some learning, and they are simple to set up together. Looking for a fun way to teach your toddler about cars? These activities are fun and easy for you to do together! Cars in a … Read more
I picked up some pegboards from Amazon and my kids love them even more than I do. The colors are so bright that they were perfect for turning into a color game. I recently purchased some pegboards from Amazon and I love them! Luckily, my children love them even more. Since the colors are so … Read more
If you love the idea of Montessori sandpaper letters but would rather not buy them, these puffy paint letter cards are a great homemade stand-in. Your child traces the bumpy letters with a finger to build letter memory. Want to skip the DIY? You can find ready-made Montessori sandpaper letters on Amazon if you would … Read more
This colored fish matching game has been around forever, but if it isn’t broken, why fix it? I added a fun little poem to make it ours, and it is great for practicing colors. Colored Fishies! Okay, I know that this idea has been around forever, but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? … Read more
If you have a busy toddler, you know how hard sitting still can be. These winter-themed trays give those wiggly hands something productive and fun to do. If you have a busy toddler, you know it can be hard to help them sit still. It’s something you learn again and again. If you are looking … Read more
With all the color games I have been making, color puzzles were bound to happen eventually. These printable color puzzles turned out so well, and your toddler will love putting them together. With all these color games I’ve been making, I knew it was only a matter of time before I made some color puzzles. … Read more
This paint chip matching game is part of our Color Games for Toddlers series. Free paint chips from the hardware store make a simple, colorful matching activity. If you haven’t seen them already, this is part three of our Color Games for Toddlers Series. Normally they will be posted on Thursdays but with the holiday … Read more
Decorating the tree is one of our favorite parts of December, so we turned it into a learning game. Your toddler matches letters as they decorate a paper Christmas tree. Decorating a Christmas tree is always one of the most fun things to do during December. We had so much fun decorating our tree, and … Read more
The Christmas season gets busy, so I love simple activities that keep us focused on what matters. These nativity word cards are an easy way to walk through the Christmas story with your little ones. With so much going on during the Christmas season, here are a few activities to help your family remember the … Read more
As I was inventing new color games, I thought about how much my kids love I Spy books. So I made I Spy Color Cards, a simpler version your toddler can play to learn their colors. As I’ve been inventing new color games for toddlers, I thought of I Spy books. My child loves those … Read more
Two is such an exciting age, when kids are ready to learn and explore. This pom pom and egg carton activity is a perfect, simple way to start teaching colors. Two is an exciting age for kids–they’re ready to learn and explore! It is the perfect age for moms to start teaching them new things. … Read more
Candy canes are everywhere during the holidays, which makes them a fun, festive tool for teaching your toddler to count. Here are the candy cane math games we play. What is a Christmas themed math game my preschooler can play? Now that Thanksgiving is over it’s time to decorate for Christmas! Wahoo! Candy canes are … Read more
A little while ago I spent an afternoon making a flat marble alphabet, and it turned into one of our favorite letter games. If you have seen those pretty flat marble magnets, you already know what these look like. A little while ago I spent the day making a flat marble alphabet. What is a … Read more
October is the best month for crafting with little ones, and this flying bats craft is a quick one to add to your list. All it takes is a few simple supplies. If you love doing crafts, there are so many crafts to do with your kids this October! Check out the Halloween Crafts page. … Read more
As far as fall crafts go, this paper candy corn and pumpkin craft is about as easy as it gets. It does not take much time or prep, and your kids will have a blast. This wonderful craft is so easy and fun to do with the kids! It doesn’t take too much time or … Read more
These Halloween finger puppets are such a fun craft to make with your kids, and then you get to play with them afterward. We use ours for spooky little storytelling sessions. This is such a great halloween activity for kids. You can make these super cute Halloween finger puppets and then use them for storytelling. … Read more
So, what is LDS General Conference? The simplest answer is, church. There are members of the LDS church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) all over the world. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we go to church every week, but we go to a church building near … Read more
The easiest way to teach your toddler numbers and counting is with hands-on number trays. This post rounds up every counting activity from our Toddler Curriculum and toddler school in one place, so you can start counting with your little one today. I get asked all the time how I teach numbers and counting. The … Read more