Activity Roundup · Tot Play

Solar System Theme Play

I’ve added a new feature to the blog and have become an Amazon affiliate! Please note: This post contains affiliate links to Amazon products and I may receive a small commission for providing links to these products. Space is probably my favorite theme for tot school! It was really fun with Calvin this year because… Continue reading Solar System Theme Play

Activity Roundup · Tot Play

Construction Theme Week

A couple of weeks ago I brought home a new set of construction vehicle toys for Calvin and he was totally into them. I had been in kind of a rut with planning Tot School themes, so I decided to run with his newfound interest. Here are some fun construction-ish themed activities we did! When we… Continue reading Construction Theme Week

Art Projects · Tot Play

Popcorn Pear Tree Craft

When I spotted this popcorn cherry blossom tree craft from Glued to My Crafts on Twitter this week I was like, we have to do this! It fit all my craft project criteria: Easy [check]. Seasonal [check]. Developmentally appropriate for at least one of my kids [check]. Safe for Henry [check]. I already have all… Continue reading Popcorn Pear Tree Craft

Art Projects · Tot Play

Caterpillar to Butterfly Craft

The other day we pulled out  our little collection of insect toys and made a Play Doh and Duplo garden for them. We talked about how the bees and butterflies would be looking for flowers, we did some little bee dances as we pretended the bees were flying back to their hive. And we talked… Continue reading Caterpillar to Butterfly Craft

Family Life · Tot Play

Spring Things

Happy Easter and Happy Spring from Calvin and Henry! We had a rainy Easter weekend, so the boys put on their rain coats and boots for their egg hunt. Henry can’t actually walk very well in his boots, so we hid his eggs up on the porch where it was dry. I can’t get over… Continue reading Spring Things

Tot Play

Sagan’s Busy Bag

This post was originally on my old blog Pancakes in Bed. I decided to bring it over and update it for Surprisingly Special because it’s an oldie but a goodie! A busy bag is literally a bag full of things to keep your little one busy while you are out and about and they might otherwise… Continue reading Sagan’s Busy Bag

Activity Roundup · Holiday Activities · Tot Play

Rainbow Week

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!! For St. Patrick’s Day and for the beginning of spring, I decided to do a week of rainbow themed play! I remember two years  ago when I was trying so hard to help Calvin learn his colors and I was feeling frustrated because it was like they just weren’t sticking for… Continue reading Rainbow Week

Activity Roundup · Sensory Play · Tot Play

Exploring our 5 Senses

Before I get started writing about our 5 senses activities, I want to take a sec to clarify what I mean when I say “Tot School.” The name “Tot School” was coined by homeschool mom and blogger, Carisa, from the website 1+1+1=1. Here’s Carisa’s quick definition of Tot School: “Tot School isn’t really school at all,… Continue reading Exploring our 5 Senses

Tot Play

Alphabet Train Game

All aboard the Alphabet Train! Choo! Choo! Here’s a cute letter matching game for train-obsessed toddlers like my son Calvin. Calvin is my 22cutie and I am working with him on letter recognition. He is about to be 4 years old, and I’m feeling a teensy bit concerned that he won’t know all his letters… Continue reading Alphabet Train Game

Art Projects · Uncategorized

Marble Jar Painting

Some days this mama just does not have the strength for a messy art project. Which is why I’m so glad I found this idea for mess-free marble painting from Sunny Day Family! The inspiration for this particular art project was my dad’s birthday. I wanted to make him a handmade card from myself and… Continue reading Marble Jar Painting