We love summer vacation in our home! We have fun going on adventures, attending fairs, swimming at the pool, and hanging out with friends. Even with all of that excitement, we still have “boring” and “lazy” days. Those days are wonderful in many ways, but sometimes we just need to shake things up a bit to get the kids playing and engaged in activities again AND outdoors! 

Why try hanging basket activities? 

Here are a few reasons why I love this idea:

1. The containers are durable and easy to clean! You can easily clean any bubble or chalk reside. They are made of strong plastic and can take a beating. It’s ok if kids throw the toys back in, the baskets can take it!
2. You can keep them in the same predictable spot or you can move them around your yard to keep kids guessing and searching for them. Kids will enjoy the challenge of finding the “basket activity of the day!” If you have dinosaur figures, you could place the basket in an area of the yard with a lot of plants to mimic their natural surrounding. If you place books inside the hanging basket, put it in the garden or somewhere you would like to read books with your kids. The options are endless!
3. Try rotating toys in and out of the baskets to keep them fun and exciting for your kids. Your kids might be getting bored of their car collection, but try bringing them outdoors and they can create race lanes with sticks or rocks! If you change their typical play environment, the toys feel new to kids. 
4. They are easy to take off the hook to put in the garage or in the house if rain is predicted. You could keep plastic toys outside, but I would bring the other play options indoors during inclement weather. 

Here’s Our Outdoor Activities Set Up:

The idea here is to breathe new life into those old everyday activities or try a new activity in an outdoor setting! Try filling your hanging planters with these fun activities:

1. Books

There’s nothing better than reading a book outside on a nice day. Fill a hanging planter with a few old favorites or surprise your little one with new books!

2. Bubbles

I love these hanging planters as storage for bubbles because you can spray a hose inside the basket when it gets sticky from bubble residue. There are also drainage holes and a removable base so you don’t need to get messy when dumping out the water, it will simply drain out the bottom. It’s the perfect size for multiple bubble bottles for a party!

3. Chalk

For the same reason I like this for bubbles, I also love it for chalk! We all know that chalk can get messy, so it’s super simple to spray a hose in the hanging planter and let the water drain out the bottom. This doesn’t need to be placed near concrete, kids can color on large rocks, mulch or sticks!

4. Learning Material

I added some nature identification books to the hanging planter to inspire outdoor exploration, but you could put worksheets or even craft supplies in a planter!

5. Games

Add a few small games to inspire outdoor time on a beautiful summer day. Put a blanket and a couple of outdoor pillows near the hanging planter to create an inviting space to play!

6. Toys

I have always loved bringing toys outside for my kids! Brining toys outdoors into a new environment, invites kids to play with their toys in new and different ways. Here you can see the DIY Magnetic Tiles that I made, but you can try any toy! I particularly love the magnetic tiles because they stick right on the metal stand!

Ready to give it a try!? Here’s what you’ll need..

Supplies for the Chicken Boredom Buster:

• Shepherd Hooks– There are tall and short hooks, so make sure you get the size that will work best for the height of your child. When purchasing, make sure to consider that the planters will hang down from the top height of the hook . This 48 inch set of hooks would work well for young children. We have 35 inch hooks and much taller hooks. The planters hang a couple inches from the ground with the 35 in hooks. 
• Hanging Planters– We used these hanging baskets. Again, there are different sizes so make sure you get the size that works for your needs!
• Books– Check out this list of picture books that are great for spring and summer. Consider the size of the books and hanging planters to make sure they will fit. 
• Toys– We added these DIY magnetic tiles! They are perfect because the magnets stick right on the hooks! Different toy figures would be fun too. This dinosaur set or a simple car set would be perfect in an outdoor setting.
• Chalk 
• Bubbles
• Small games- We like placing card games in the planters. 

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What would you add to the planters? Let me know on Instagram. 

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I hope you enjoy these outdoor activities in hanging planters as much as I do!

-Tara

Need more simple nature ideas?! Check out:

Wasp Nest Decoy

More than 30 Press Flower Crafts

The post Outdoor Activities in Hanging Planters appeared first on Little Pine Learners.

Here is my fall version of my viral pressed flower magnetic tiles! I loved that DIY so much that I had to recreate it for fall and I *think* I like these even more than the flowers! The leaf stickers that I found are so realistic and stunning. These tiles are incredibly durable and the pressed leaf stickers have a strong adhesive.  This DIY toy is perfect for little hands!

These make a wonderful and unique birthday or holiday gift for kids! They would be perfect to add to a fall equinox gift basket. Make a bunch of these magnetic tiles and place them in a basket along with fall books and other fun fall gifts, and give it to a special child in your life!

Ready to give it a try!? Here’s what you’ll need..

Supplies for the DIY Leaf Activity for Kids:

• Clear Magnetic Tiles– This activity has been such a big hit that the first set of magnetic tiles that I used is sold out on Amazon and their website! They tend to go back in and out of stock, so you can TAP HERE to see if they are currently available. If they are not in stock, then try the following brands! I have used these as well and they work well for the DIY! This Magna-Tile set comes with 16 tiles and I found its the perfect amount to mix in with our regular colorful set of tiles. Imagsimags also work well and of course Connetix Tiles are gorgeous! 
• Pressed Leaf Stickers– The adhesive on these brands are super strong and great for this activity!  This set of leaf stickers offers larger leaves and allows for one leaf per tile. 
• Light Pad– This is optional, but a fun accessory for any magnetic tile fan! You can see this in action on my Pressed Flower Magnetic Tile Post. 
• Flameless Tea Lights– I started adding these lights to my magnetic tile section of my classroom and they are a big hit! 

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Here’s How I Made the Magnetic Tiles:

These are so easy to make! Just peel the leaves and stick them on the magnetic tiles. You can combine the small and large leaf stickers or place just one sticker on each tile. It’s up to you how you want to decorate them!

How to Play with these Leafy Magnetic Tiles!

Try identifying the leaves with your child. It’s a fun challenge and great way to learn nature identification. The perfect leaf activity for kids!

They looked so beautiful in the sunlight! This presented a great opportunity to learn about shadows! The leaf shadows are gorgeous and fun to look at.

We also had fun stacking them on our sliding door. The tiles made a pretty sun catcher! They are also fun to arrange on the refrigerator or any metal surface. 

These are also so fun to play with on a light pad! The magnetic tiles are almost like DIY pressed leaf specimens. I’ve had this same light pad in my early childhood classroom for years and it has proven to be durable and long lasting! I guarantee the children will love stacking the tiles on and around the light pad!

We also loved making fall castles! My kindergarteners loved making up stories about the king and queen that lived inside the leafy castle. This fall activity offers kids the great opportunity to work on their language skills through storytelling! 

There are so many ways to play with these magnetic tiles! Perhaps the best way is to place them with other loose parts toys and let children come up with their own activities! The sky is the limit with these. 

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Here is a magnetic tile castle with flameless tea lights! So pretty. 

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I hope you enjoy this leaf activity as much as I do!

-Tara

Need more simple nature ideas?! Check out:

Stunning Leaf Lanterns

Leaf Sensory Writing Tray

The post A Leaf Activity for Kids appeared first on Little Pine Learners.

You came to the right place if you are looking for a fun spring or summer flower activity for kids! These make a wonderful and unique birthday, Easter, or holiday gift for kids! Make a bunch, stack them up and tie them together with twine for a special gift that any child would love.

Even though I made these for my preschool students, my 8 and 10 year old boys and were both instantly drawn to them! I’m so excited to share these with my little ones at school and see their magnetic tile wildflower garden creations.

These tiles are incredibly durable and the pressed flower stickers have a strong adhesive.  This DIY toy is perfect for little hands!

Ready to give it a try!? Here’s what you’ll need..

Supplies for the DIY Pressed Flower Magnetic Tiles:

• Clear Magnetic Tiles– This activity has been such a big hit that the first set of magnetic tiles that I used is sold out on Amazon and their website! They tend to go back in and out of stock, so you can TAP HERE to see if they are currently available. If they are not in stock, then try the following brands! I have used these as well and they work well for the DIY! This Magna-Tile set comes with 16 tiles and I found its the perfect amount to mix in with our regular colorful set of tiles. Imagsimags also work well and of course Connetix Tiles are gorgeous! If you have a different brand and would like to use the 2 sets together, please double check to make sure they will work!
• Pressed Flower Stickers– The adhesive on this brand are super strong and great for this activity! I also love the butterflies, mushrooms and leaves in this set . I purchased a set with dragonflies and beetles, but it’s not currently available. Here is the same brand with dragonflies and butterflies.
• Light Pad– This is optional, but a fun accessory for any magnetic tile fan!

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Here’s How I Made the Magnetic Tiles:

These are so easy to make! Just peel the flowers and stick them on the magnetic tiles. I placed 3 flowers on each tile and found that looked best. I trimmed the sticker stems to make the flowers fit on the inside flat part of the tile. They looked beautiful!

I mixed up the colors and flower types to make the magnetic tiles look like a wildflower garden when stuck together! Try identifying the flowers with your child. It’s a fun challenge and great way to learn nature identification. 

They looked so beautiful in the sunlight! This presents a great opportunity to learn about shadows! The flower shadows were gorgeous and fun to look at.

We had fun stacking them on our sliding door. The tiles made a pretty sun catcher! They are also fun to arrange on the refrigerator or any metal surface. 

These are also so fun to play with on a light pad! The magnetic tiles are almost like DIY pressed flower specimens. I’ve had this same light pad in my preschool classroom for years and it has proven to be durable and long lasting!

Children will love stacking the tiles on and around the light pad! 

You can mix these in with the rest of your magnetic tiles or create a challenge for your child! Here is challenge idea: Have your child build a house out of your regular magnetic tiles and then create a wildflower garden for the home out of the DIY flower tiles!

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I hope you enjoy this fun pressed flower activity as much as I do!

-Tara

Need more simple nature ideas?! Check out:

A Simple and Beautiful Nature Craft to Try Today

Flower Petal Art on Rocks

If you are looking for nature identification activities, then try my scavenger hunt ideas! These fun and interactive scavenger hunts will get your child outdoors and excited to learn about nature. 

The post DIY Pressed Flower Magnetic Tiles appeared first on Little Pine Learners.

CLICK HERE OR ON THE PHOTO TO LEARN MORE!

Polishing rocks with oil has become a fun family activity for us! We love collecting special rocks at the lake and they look so pretty when they are all wet and shiny at the beach. Unfortunately by the time we get them home, they are dry, look dull and are almost unrecognizable. Here is an easy way to bring out all of the gorgeous details in the rocks!

First you need to decide which type of oil you would like to use. We used food grade mineral oil because it’s the first choice for many experienced rock polishers. Jojoba oil seems to be the second choice and also more environmentally friendly. We are planning on trying jojoba oil next!

Ready to give it a try!? Here’s what you’ll need..

Supplies:

• • Lake or River Rocks
  • Oil- Jojoba or food grade mineral oil both work well for this activity. We used food grade mineral oil for this blog post. 
  • Jar
  • Strainer
  • Oil for strained oil
  • Paper towel
  • Old absorbent towel that you don’t mind getting oily

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Here’s How to Make Rocks Shiny:

Step 1: Wash and dry the rocks.

First, wash the rocks with a light soap and water. Then leave them in the sun to dry.

Step 2: Place rocks in a jar and add mineral oil.

Gently add rocks to a jar and submerge them in oil. Make sure the rocks are completely covered with oil. 

Step 3: Cover and let the rocks sit in the oil.

Put the cover on the jar and let the rocks sit in the oil for at least two hours. The rocks are pretty fun to look at while they are soaking in the oil!

Step 4: Strain oil.

Place a bowl under the strainer and strain the oil from the jar. Set aside the extra oil and add it back in the jar for future polishing. 

Step 5: Polish with paper towel.

The rocks are pretty oily at this point so I like to give the rocks a quick polish with paper towel to soak up some of the oil.

Step 6: Use an absorbent towel to polish the rocks. 

This is the really fun part! Use an old towel to polish the rocks and wipe off the rest of the oil. The oil will stain the towel, so you might want to set this one aside to use over and over again. 

I’m always so surprised when I see the end result! The rocks look so beautiful and the details are stunning! These rocks will stay shiny for a few weeks and then they will probably need another polishing! 

I hope you enjoy this nature activity as much as I do!

-Tara

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Need more rock ideas?! Check out:

Simple Mummy Rock Craft for Halloween

A Simple Stone Activity to Try Today

The post How to Make Rocks Shiny appeared first on Little Pine Learners.

To prepare the printable, cut out the lenses and run the sheets through the laminator. I used my laminator at home because my sheets are a bit thicker than the laminator machines at school. Cardstock is recommended to unsure a durable work mat!

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Find the Printable for this Activity HERE!

Check out the COLOR AND SHAPE ACTIVITY BUNDLE HERE!

Once the sheets are prepped, decide if you want to use cellophane sheets to color the lenses or if you want students to color them with dry erase or chalk markers.

Here is the cellophane method:

Tape a strip of cellophane to the back of the lenses and you are all set! This gives a very smooth and colorful finish, which is great for viewing! The cellophane is also a good option if you are using thinner lamination and regular printer paper. Erasing dry erase marker over and over again on the lenses portion might cause wear and tear on thinner work mats, so the cellophane would help the mats last longer!

Here is the Marker Method:

Another option is to keep the lenses clear and let the children color the lenses with dry erase or chalk markers! My preschoolers and second grade son both really enjoyed this option. They thought it was fun to create colorful lenses all by themselves. 

This is all great fine motor work for little ones! Both the cellophane and marker options are great, and you can choose one that works best for your class… OR try them both! Keep dry erase liquid cleaner on hand for easy clean up. 

There are four different color activities for kids included in this packet and it includes both black&white and color options for printing. Here are the directions for the first activity!

Activity 1: Trace the Shapes

First, color the lenses (if there isn’t cellophane), look through them and say the name of the color.

Next, say the names of the objects and color them with dry erase or chalk markers. Objects on the coloring mats and sorting sheets (next activity) are the same.

Last, Erase the marker. 

Activity 2: Sort the pictures

First, color the lenses (if there isn’t cellophane), look through them and say the name of the color.

Next, say the names of the objects on the cards and sort them on the correct side. Object names are listed in the product.

Last, erase the marker.

Activity 3: Trace the words

First, color the lenses (if there isn’t cellophane), look through them and say the name of the color.

Next, trace the color words and say the color name.

Last, erase the marker. 

Activity 4: Write the words

First, color the lenses (if there isn’t cellophane), look through them and say the name of the color.

Next, write the color words on the lines.

Last, erase the marker. 

The colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and pink work best for these activiteis. It’s easiest to find the supplies for these colors and they look really inviting and fun to play with. I included brown, black, white and grey/gray for teachers that want to make complete sets and might have access to supplies that I don’t access to. Here is a list of supplies to help you get started!

Supplies:

• Color Activity printable
• Cardstock or printer paper- I recommend cardstock for a more durable work mat. 
• Laminator machine
• Scissors
• Dry Erase or Chalk Markers- If you want one marker for every color offered in the product, you might need to buy multiple sets. This set has most of the colors needed. I have only found white in chalk marker sets. Please note that chalk markers are not quite as see-through as dry erase markers and will leave lines on the lenses, but they still work and are easier to clean! Here is an entire set with all of the colors needed for the activity. 
• Colored cellophane- Just like the markers, you will need to do some searching for all the colors offered in the product. Here is a great set that offers the rainbow colors. Here is a black cellophane roll. I would use that set for both gray and black. Just use one sheet for gray and 2 sheets for black. Here is a white polka dot cellophane roll (white is tough to find) and here is a brown cellophane roll!
• Dry Erase Marker Cleaner

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I hope you try these color activities for kids! I promise, your little learners will love it as much as my boys and preschoolers.

∼Tara

Looking for more fun printables for kids?! Check out:

4 Ways to Use Story Stones in the Classroom

Nature Collection Journal for Kids

The post Color Activities for Kids with See-Through Lenses Printable appeared first on Little Pine Learners.

We’re getting resourceful today and using some of those toilet paper rolls we have been saving! Reusing objects always makes crafting more rewarding and it’s fun to see everyday items transform into something useful. Kids will love helping with this process, but enjoy using their binoculars even more!

Ready to make this DIY binoculars craft? Here’s what you’ll need….

Supplies:

• 2 Paper Towel Rolls
• Washi Tape or Marker
• Single-Hole Puncher
• Twine or String about 18-20 inches (45-51 cm) long
• Craft Bond Tacky Glue
• 45-50 Straight sticks, about 3.5 inches (9 cm) and about 1/8 inch (.5 cm) thick. Test out one stick on your roll first. Make sure the stick sits under the washi tape line so it doesn’t poke your child’s eyes.
• 6 medium sized rubber bands and 1larger rubber band

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RELATED: Use These Binoculars with the Sticky Scavenger Hunt

Here’s How We Made This Beautiful Tic-Tac-Toe Game:

Step 1:

Put a washi tape border on one end of both paper rolls. Not only does this look nice, but will also protect your eyes from the sticks. If you don’t have washi tape, try drawing a border with marker! We used weeping willow sticks from a tree in our backyard.

Step 2:

Snap sticks by hand to the size you need. You can try scissors if your sticks are thin enough. Make them long enough to fit right under the decorative tape to the other end of the paper roll. Once you have one stick measured out to the correct length, snap the rest the same size.

Step 3:

Punch one hole under the washi tape on each of the binoculars. Take one end of your twine and thread it through the hole you made. Tie a knot to secure the thread to the paper roll. Use the same piece of twine and repeat with the other binocular.

Step 4:

Put glue on about 1/3 of your paper roll and place sticks on the binoculars. Press each stick on the glue for about 10 seconds. This part can be a little tricky and will require helping hands.  If one or two sticks fall off during this process, just put it back in its spot and press the stick for 10 more seconds. I found it helpful to cradle the part of the binocular with drying sticks in my hand to keep them in place. Repeat this process until the entire binocular is covered with sticks.

Step 5:

Put three rubber bands around each binocular to keep them in place while drying.

Step 6:

Once the binoculars are completely dry, take the rubber bands off and glue a stick in the middle of the binoculars to connect them. This stick can be just as long or a bit shorter than the other sticks. Place a larger rubber band around the binoculars to keep them in place while they dry.

Don’t they look great when completed?! 

They are perfect to take outside during any season, but we LOVE them for winter bird watching!

Want to make more nature binoculars? Try stone or pressed flower binoculars! If you have extra time, try painting the sticks to make colorful binoculars. We love our pressed flower binoculars pictured below.

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I hope you give this nature craft a try! I promise, your little nature lovers will love this activity as my boys.

∼Tara

Looking for more nature craft ideas?! Check out:

Homemade Pencil Case with Nature Prints

How to Decorate Pumpkins with Pieces of Nature

The post DIY Binoculars Craft with Real Sticks appeared first on Little Pine Learners.

These tic-tac-toe rocks are so fun to make! You can use special flowers from your yard that you dried yourself or purchase a pack of pressed flowers from Amazon. 

Try making Tic-Tac-Toe rocks for every season by painting simple pictures on the stones. For fall you can make pumpkin and spider stones and for winter try painting snowflakes and simple evergreen tree stones. The possibilities are endless! 

Ready to make a DIY Tic-Tac-Toe game? Here’s what you’ll need….

Supplies:

• 10 Rocks- Make sure your rocks are a little larger than your pressed pieces of nature. 
• You can also find stones in craft stores, landscape shops,  or Amazon.
• White paint
• Paintbrush
• Pressed Pieces of Nature- You will need 2 sets of game pieces with 5 similar types of nature. We made 1 set with 5 pressed flowers and another set with 5 pressed leaves. This set looks nice and this set does too!
• Mod Podge– Play around with gloss and matte finish to see which you like more. 
• Tweezers– These are helpful for small and delicate petals.
• 4 Sticks- Make sure they are large enough to fit your unique pieces of nature. Our sticks are about 12 inches (30.5cm) long.

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RELATED: Check out 10+ Simple and Beautiful Stone Activities for Kids!

Here’s How We Made This Beautiful Tic-Tac-Toe Game:

Step 1:

Paint your rocks white. Paint one side of the rock and let it dry. Then flip it over and paint the other side of the rock and let it dry.

Step 2:

Put a dab of Mod Podge on the rock and place your pressed piece of nature on the Mod Podge. The Mod Podge does not need to dry before moving on to the next step.

Step 3:

Cover the rock and pressed piece of nature with a coat of Mod Podge. Let the Mod Podge dry.

Step 4:

Repeat this process for all of your rock game pieces and let them dry thoroughly.

Step 5:

Set up you Tic-Tac-Toe grid with the sticks – Lay 2 sticks vertically about 4 inches (10 cm) apart and lay the other 2 sticks horizontally on top of the other sticks about 4 inches (10 cm) apart.

How to Play with the DIY Tic-Tac-Toe Board

1. One person has the flower rocks and the other person has the leaf rocks.
2. Players take turns putting their stones in the empty squares.
3. The first player to get three of 3 of his/her stones in a row (up, down, across, or diagonally) is the winner!

You can make a special bag for your game pieces and play over and over again!

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I hope you give this nature activity a try! I promise, your little nature lovers will love this activity as my boys.

∼Tara

Looking for more nature craft ideas?! Check out:

Preserving Flowers in Resin

Magical Pressed Flower Lanterns

The post DIY Tic-Tac-Toe appeared first on Little Pine Learners.

What are skills-based gifts? These are gifts that help children foster important skills like learning how to make handicrafts, grow food and cook.  From developing fine motor skills to supporting self-esteem, there are many benefits to giving your child a skills-based gift!

Children learn by doing, so let’s give them experiences that help them acquire important skills and give them the opportunity to create or grow something beautiful at the same time! Crafting, cooking, growing plants, fishing, and more! Let’s get started.

ADULT SUPERVISION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL OF THESE GIFTS!

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Ceramics

1. Pottery Studio

Help children learn the skill of pottery with this awesome handicraft gift! This complete pottery wheel and painting kit includes three pounds of natural clay, pottery wheel, white glaze (for a base coat), opaque acrylic paint, paint brushes, sculpting tools, apron and more! Recommended for ages 8 and up. 

Faber-Castell Pottery Studio- Complete Pottery Wheel and Painting Kit for Beginners, with 3 lbs of Sculpting Clay and Tools

$59.99

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06/14/2026 05:01 am GMT

2. Clay Jewelry Dish

This kit makes it easy to make little clay dishes! Just roll the clay, form into a circular shape, paint and adorn with the all-inclusive kit and create 3 designer clay jewelry or trinket dishes. Recommended for ages 8 and up. 

Craft 'n Clay - Jewelry Dish Making Kit for Kids

$14.99

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06/13/2026 07:02 am GMT

Woodworking 

3. Woodworking Bench

This woodworking bench is the perfect gift for young children interested in learning the skill of woodworking. This set is make of sturdy wood, many tools and offers a space for imaginative play or a spot for real woodworking crafts! Recommended for ages 3 and up. Adult supervision is required. 

Large Wooden Play Tool Workbench Set for Kids

$69.14

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06/14/2026 02:06 am GMT

4. Wood Toy Making Kit

This kit includes everything you need to make six different wooden projects! Recommended for ages 8 and up. Adult supervision is required. 

Kraftic Woodworking Building Kit for Kids and Adults, with 6 Educational Arts and Crafts

$49.95

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06/14/2026 05:02 am GMT

5. Whittling Knife

This whittling knife is a good beginner whittling tool for children. These are still a little sharp and can cut skin, so I recommend using these gloves for beginners! This whittling book is also a great gift! The age recommendation says, kid. I would suggest 8 and up, but please test this out yourself before giving it as a gift. Adult supervision is required. 

Opinel My First No.7 Stainless Steel Children s Folding Pocket Knife with Safety Rounded Tip

$21.78

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06/13/2026 12:02 pm GMT

6. Carpenter Tool

This tool is AWESOME! We got this gift for our boys a couple years ago and they still use it. You can get replacement wood pieces here. If the tool is sold out in the photo below, then CLICK HERE and purchase from that link. This is a HOT toy and constantly sells out. Adult supervision is required. 

Most Popular!

PLAYmake Kids 4-in-1 Woodshop Carpentry Cool Tool with Jigsaw, Lathe, Drill Press, Sander, Power Supply, Safety Goggles, Extra Supplies, and Deluxe Project Book

$129.99

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06/14/2026 02:06 am GMT

7. Wood Burning Kit

Try your hand at wood burning and make beautiful designs and pictures in wood! This beginners kit includes everything you need to make your own beautiful creations. The age recommendation is “kid” on the package, but I would say this is for ages 10 and up. The wood burning tool gets very hot and can burn skin easily. We have this kit and it’s still a bit tricky for my 9 year old to use. Adult supervision is required. 

Beginners Wood Burning Kit

$34.99

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06/14/2026 05:02 am GMT

8. Bear Soapstone Carving Kit 

This material isn’t wood but soapstone! I thought it fit best under this cartegory because of the carving aspect of the kit. All necessary supplies are included to make awesome animal soapstone figures! This is recommended for ages 8 and up. 

STUDIOSTONE Bear Sculpture Soapstone Carving Kit for Kids and Adults

$29.99

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06/13/2026 12:02 pm GMT

9. V8 Combustion Engine Model Building Kit for Kids

This kit comes with everything you need to build a V8 engine replica! This awesome hands on STEM activity gives children the chance to develop useful skill! This gift is recommended for children 12 and up, but younger children would enjoy this with the help of an adult! The reveiws speek for themselves. 

Playz V8 Combustion Engine Model Building Kit for Kids and Adults, Educational Engineering Kit for Aspiring Engineers Ages 12+ with Guide & Realistic Mini Parts That R...

$79.95

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06/13/2026 07:02 am GMT

Candle Making

10. Beeswax Candle Making Kit

These kits are so fun for kids of all ages! Younger children can help roll the beeswax and older children can design and create an entire candle. Candle making has become a favorite annual winter tradition for our family. There is no age requirement listed, but I think children ages 4 and up can help with various steps of this candle making kit. 

Beeswax Candle Making Kit for Kids - 100% Pure Bees Wax (16 Multicolor Sheets) DIY Candle Rolling Supplies and Tools

$29.99

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06/14/2026 05:02 am GMT

11. Holiday Candle Making Kit

Here is a holiday themed candle making kit. Both of the listed kits are from a company that I have made several purchases from and love their products! 

Christmas Candle Rolling Kit - Beeswax Candle Making Kit for Kids & Adults

$19.99

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06/14/2026 05:02 am GMT

12. Candle Making Kit with Molds

This kit is a little different than the two listed above. For this kit, melt the wax and pour it into a mold to form a candle shape! These are great for any holiday or occasion! Since you are working with hot wax, I suggest older children only for this activity. 

Complete Candle Making Kit for Beginners- Includes 5 Colors Candle Wax, 7 Candle Molds, 10 Wicks, 1 Melting Cup, and Guide book

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Textile Handicrafts

13. Potholder Loom

These kits are so fun! Weave a useful potholder and keep them or give them away as gifts! You can make 7″ potholders or 10″ potholders depending upon the kit you choose. The colors are so pretty and they are so fun and relaxing to make! Recommended for children ages 8 and up. 

Friendly Loom Potholder 7" Kit- Traditional Size with Rainbow Color Cotton Loops, Makes 6 Potholders

$31.95

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06/14/2026 05:02 am GMT

14. Loom

This is a basic loom to help children learn the art of weaving. This Melissa and Doug wooden multi-craft weaving loom includes everything kids need, including an adjustable wooden loom, oversize wooden needle, craft materials, illustrated design booklet, and 91 yards of rainbow yarn! Recommended for children ages 6 and up. 

Melissa & Doug Wooden Multi-Craft Weaving Loom -A

$30.99

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06/13/2026 12:04 pm GMT

15. Knitting Machine

I have not tried this machine yet, but have seen it a few times on Instagram and plan on trying it this winter! This machine looks so easy to use! Just thread yarn into the spindles and turn the crank to knit your very own masterpieces, such as hats, scarves and socks! Children of all ages can help with various steps of the knitting process with this machine! 

DIY Knit Loom Machine Kit for Hat, Scarves, Gloves, Socks

$44.99

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06/14/2026 02:07 am GMT

16. Woodland Animal Sewing Kit

This absolutely adorable sewing kit is perfect for kids! Children can sew together these woodland animals and then give them away as gifts or use them in imaginative play. Recommended for children ages 7 and up. 

CraftLab Woodland Animals Kids Sewing Kit, Educational Arts & Craft Gift for Kids and Teens

$29.97

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06/13/2026 12:02 pm GMT

17. Starter Felting Kit

This felted wool kit includes everything you need to make simple wool crafts. The six felted animal designs are so cute and very soft when completed! Recommended for beginners. 

Woolbuddy Needle Beginner Felting Kit

$29.99

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06/14/2026 05:01 am GMT

18. Screen Printing on Fabric

Learn the art of fabric screen printing with this unique gift! This silk screen printing kit includes a reusable wooden mold, fabric and puffy paint, stencils, paintbrush, silk screen squeegee and tape, as well as a canvas backpack kids can add their designs to! Recommended for children ages 10 and up. 

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Kids Screen Printing Kit- with Fabric Paint, Frame, Stencils & Squeegee Plus Drawstring Bag & More, Screen Print, Silkscreening Ki...

$24.59

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06/13/2026 12:02 pm GMT

19. Paper Quilling

Children can learn the ancient art of quilling with this fun modernized quilling machine! Transform a few simple strips of paper into adorable objects that are absolutely irresistible with this crafts for ages 6 and up!

Paper Quilling Kit with Electric Quilling Tool

$39.99

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06/14/2026 12:03 am GMT

Growing Plants

20. Growing Microgreens with Kids

Micogreens are packed with 40 times the vitamins and minerals of their mature plants. Learn how to grow 6 types of microgreens with this kit! Children of all ages can help with various steps of growing microgreens! 

Back to the Roots DIY Microgreen Grow Kit, 6-Grow Variety Pack

$34.99

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06/13/2026 07:02 am GMT

21. Growing Fungi with Kids

Try growing different types of fungi! These are so fun to watch grow and in 10 days, you can harvest and eat your mushrooms! Children of all ages can help with various steps of growing fungi!

Back to the Roots Organic Mushroom Grow Kit - Oyster and Pink Mushroom 2-Pack Variety - Indoor Non-GMO Growing Kit - Produces 3-4 Servings and Grows in 10 Days

$38.99

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06/13/2026 11:03 pm GMT

22. Root Viewer Garden

This tomato garden kit has everything you need to grow mini tomato plants on your window sill any time of the year. There are even cute plant markers that you can paint and stick in the planter! Children of all ages can help with various steps of growing tomatoes! 

Vegetable Root Viewer - Indoor Planter with Window to Watch Roots as They Grow. Engaging Science Project for Kids and Students

$9.99

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06/13/2026 11:02 pm GMT

23. Growing Flowers with Kids

Paint and plant your own small flower garden with this sweet flower kit! Grow marigolds, zinnias, and cosmos with the step by step instructions included with this kit. Children of all ages can help with various steps of growing flowers!

Complete Paint & Plant Flower Growing Kit for Kids

$18.99

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06/14/2026 05:02 am GMT

24. Indoor Hydroponic System with Lights

Grow plants any time of year with this kit! This system includes eight planting pods and comes with planting baskets, sponges, and nutrients in order to get more plants at one time and allow plants to grow up to three times faster and healthier than traditional way. Children of all ages can help with various steps of growing plants with this system!

Indoor Garden Hydroponics Growing System

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25. Growing Sprouts with Kids

We have grown sprouts many times and it’s always so much fun! This complete kit is easy to use and includes instructions. Children of all ages can help with various steps of growing sprouts!

Complete Sprouts Growing Kit - 2 Large Wide Mouth Mason Jars with Sprouting Screen Lids/Tray/Sprouter Stand/Blackout Sleeves - for Growing Microgreens/Broccoli/Alfalfa/Mung Bean Sprouts

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26. Gardening Tools for Kids

Gets outside and grow something beautiful with this gardening tool set for kids! This kit includes a child sized wheelbarrow, watering can, gloves, hand rake, shovel, double hoe, cultivator, hedge clippers and washable apron. Recommended for ages 3 and up.

Cute Kids Gardening Tool Set, Garden Toys with Wheelbarrow, Watering Can, Gardening Gloves, Hand Rake, Shovel, Trowel, Double Hoe, Apron with Pockets

$39.94

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06/14/2026 05:03 am GMT

27. Raised Garden Planter for Kids

Give kids easy access to their very own garden with this planter! This planter kit includes multiple ways to grow plants, a garden guide and tools. 

Seed to Sprout Raised Garden Planter, Kids Outdoor Garden Kit with Garden Tools for Growing Flowers or Vegetables, Green

$59.99

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06/14/2026 02:07 am GMT

28. Farm to Table Farmers Market Stand

This fun dramatic play set will encourage imagination and offers many ways for little ones to play! Grow fruits and veggies and then sell them at your very own pretend farmers market stand!  Recommended for kids ages 24 months and up. 

Little Tikes® 3-in-1 Garden to Table Market, Pretend Garden Food Growing and Selling

$74.99

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06/13/2026 12:03 pm GMT

Cooking

29. Cooking and Baking Kit with Functional Tools

This 31 piece cooking and baking kit comes with kid-friendly cooking and baking tools and recipe cards specifically designed for kids! Recommended for kids ages 6 and up. 

31 Pcs Kids Cooking & Baking Set for Kids

$39.99

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06/13/2026 11:03 pm GMT

30. Raddish Kids Subscription Box

Learn about new cultures and cuisines each month with this subscription cooking box! Each month, you will get a new box with 3 illustrated recipes cards, cooking tools and shopping lists. Raddish boxes are recommended for kids ages 4 and up. 

31. Play Kitchen Accessories

Have a little one at home?! Try this fun dramatic play set to help foster a love for cooking at a young age! There are some very fun and unique pieces in this kit. 

Pretend Play Kitchen Toy with Cookware, with Steam Pressure Pot and Electronic Induction Cooktop, Cooking Utensils, Toy Cutlery, Cut Play Food, and Shopping Basket

$38.24

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06/13/2026 12:03 pm GMT

Outdoorsmen Gifts

32. Fishing Gear

Teach the skill of fishing with this gift! This set includes a fishing pole, travel bag, fishing book, lures and more accessories! 

Kid s Fishing Pole Kit with Spinning Reel - 62 Piece Tackle Bag, 4lb Line, Including Beginner s Guide eBook, Toddler Fishing Pole Combo, Youth Telescopic Portable Rod, and Gea...

$39.99

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06/13/2026 07:03 am GMT

33. Tackle Box

Speaking from experience, children love tackle boxes with a lot of compartments! That’s why I picked this one. But, if you are looking for one that’s a little smaller, try this one or this one!

Ready-Set-Fish 3-Tray Tackle Box with Tackle, Aqua Blue/Tan

$32.47

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06/13/2026 12:02 pm GMT

34. Adventure Vest and Accessories

Get kids outside and exploring with this fun gift! It includes a vest, sun hat, backpack, compass, magnifying glass, binoculars, light, bug jar, whistle and more! Recommended for kids ages 3 and up. 

Kids Explorer Kit with Safari Vest & Hat & Kids Camping Gear, Safari Outfit, Bug Catcher Kit for Kids & More

$34.97

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06/13/2026 12:02 pm GMT

35. Kid’s Head Lamp

This is a great gift for children that like to fish or explore in the evening! This gift is hands-free, hassle-free and convenient.

Hands-Free Headlamp, Long Range, Non-Slip Grip, High Power, Impact Resistant, Adjustable Light Modes, and Battery Powered

$12.95

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06/13/2026 04:04 pm GMT

36. Archery Practice

Help children learn the skill of archery with this fun toy! Recommended for children 6 and up.

Kids Archery Set with LED Flash Lights, Toy Bow and Arrow Set, Includes Archery Bow, 6 Archery Arrows, Target, Quiver - Great for Youth Practice

$26.99

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06/13/2026 12:03 pm GMT

I hope you enjoyed this skills-based list of gifts for kids!

∼Tara

The post Skills-Based Gifts for Children appeared first on Little Pine Learners.

*UPDATED ON July 18th, 2021 to add the option of Seventh Generation dish soap and give extra information on soft water.*

This is one of our favorite backyard activities! It’s inexpensive, easy to set up, great for people of all ages, and leads to hours (literally) of fun. These homemade bubbles are NOT the same as the stuff that you buy in a store! Once you try this giant bubble recipe, you will never go back. 

Ready to try this giant bubble recipe? Here’s what you’ll need….

Supplies:

• Bubble wands- We have 2 different types of wands. One is from a farmer’s market (which I can’t link) and the other is from Amazon. I actually like the one from Amazon more because it keeps my boys’ hands less sticky and bubbly. If you aren’t in the DIY mood, then I suggest this great giant bubble solution kit + wand or just the bubble solution. 
• Bucket– Some people like using a shallow dish instead
• 8 cups SOFT/distilled water- Bottled water and reverse osmosis water is typically soft because it’s low in minerals like calcium and magnesium. Regular tap water is typically hard water. Why soft water? Because soap forms bubbles (lathers) more easily in soft water.
• 1 cup Dawn dish soap or Seventh Generation Free Clear works as well if you would like a more natural solution! I can’t speak for any other brand since I haven’t tried any other types. 
• 4 teaspoons sugar

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RELATED: Check out 20+ Beautiful Pressed Flower Crafts

Here’s How to Make this Simple Giant Bubble Recipe:

Step 1:

First, mix the recipe supplies. Put 8 cups of soft water, 1 cup of dish soap, and 4 teaspoons of sugar into a bucket. SLOWLY mix the solution and let it sit for 1-24 hours. The longer you let it sit, the bigger and stronger the bubbles! Just make sure you store your solution in an air tight container and give the solution a gentle stir if you let it sit for a while!

You can definitely use it right away, but the bubbles will pop a bit easier and won’t reach their largest possible size. 

Step 2:

Dip your bubble wand into the solution and try to slowly spin around, gently walk backwards, or wait for a very light breeze to get the bubble going. Too much wind will make your bubble pop. 

The bubble wand pictured below is from Amazon. For this particular wand, try dipping the entire string into your giant bubble solution, gently pull the rods apart to allow the bubble to form, and close the rods together to release your bubble.

This activity is so compact and easy to pack up! Try bringing it along on fun nature adventures or road trips. 

It’s so tempting to pop them! Every now and then, you just need to go for it!

Pin this activity to save it for later!

I hope you give this easy giant bubble recipe a try! I promise, your little nature lovers will love this activity as my boys.

∼Tara

Looking for more nature craft ideas?! Check out:

Super Simple Edible Flower Cookies

25+ Nature Inspired Summer Activities for Kids

The post The Best Giant Bubble Recipe appeared first on Little Pine Learners.

These DIY binoculars are perfect for your little adventurer! Print off some free nature scavenger hunts and take these outside or bring them on your next casual nature walk. Either way, these are so fun to use and look like a fancy boutique purchase! No one will ever know they were made in about 30 minutes with a few simple supplies. 

Ready to make one? Here’s what you’ll need….

Supplies:

• Toilet paper roll- You could also cut a paper towel roll in half!
• White acrylic paint– This is more difficult to clean, but coats better than washable paint!
• Paint brush
• Pressed flowers– I have purchased a lot of pressed flowers and the flowers in this shop are by far the most beautiful set I have worked with! If you are looking to press your own flowers, try this simple drying method or give the microwave a whirl.
• Matte Mod Podge
• Single hole punch
• Twine
• Scissors
• Tape

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RELATED: Check out 20+ Pressed Flower Crafts

Here’s How We Made This Heart Craft for Kids:

Step 1:

First tear off any stubborn little pieces of toilet paper that’s stuck to the roll. Then give your toilet paper roll a coat or two of white paint. We used white toilet paper rolls, which helped make this step a bit easier. 

Step 2:

Next, let the paint dry and punch one hole near the end of both toilet paper rolls. 

Step 3:

Now put a layer of Mod Podge on one toilet paper paper roll. This will help the flowers stick to the roll. 

Step 4:

Now put your pressed flowers on the roll and add another layer of Mod Podge on the flowers. This will help protect and seal your flowers!

Step 5:

After the Mode Podge is all dry, take one end of your twine and thread it through the hole you made. Tie a knot to secure the thread to the paper roll. Use the same piece of twine and repeat with the other binocular.

Step 6:

Last, tape the both ends of the DIY binoculars together. 

The binoculars are ready for your next outdoor adventure! Children will love searching for bugs, flowers, and other signs of the changing seasons.

These are a must-have items for bird watching season! You can work on bird identification and observe them flying to and from nests. These will inspire hours of outdoor play and learning.

Pin this activity to save it for later!

I hope you try this DIY binocular craft! I promise, your little nature lovers will love this craft as my boys.

∼Tara

Looking for more nature craft ideas?! Check out:

Nature Collection Journal for Kids

A Simple and Beautiful Nature Craft to Try Today!

The post DIY Binoculars with Pressed Flowers appeared first on Little Pine Learners.