Futuristic Activities for Kids: Fly to the Moon Lesson Plans and Companion Games

Activities for Outer Space Moon Lesson

Looking for new ideas for a children's Homeschool or VBS Futuristic Outer Space or Moon lesson for the kids? These futuristic activities for kids are fun and educational. We've included a few Outdoor games for P.E. activities too. Enjoy!

Futuristic Space Astronaut Backdrop for Photo Booth Op.  
Outer Space theme VBS fun for school fundraiser too.

This post contains affiliate links.

Don't let kids play with fireworks? Here are Safety Tips for a Happy Fourth of July Celebration

Kids can Play with Sparklers if you Follow these Safety Tips for the Fourth of July.

I don't like fireworks, especially sparklers. They are marketed toward young children, but can be more dangerous than other varieties of fireworks, and they look like mini magic wands. Children should never play with ANY fireworks without adult supervision... a real adult, a sober adult, a safe adult. Hope you know someone :) If you want to be safe try these edible firework kabobs. Enjoy! 

When is Independence Day in America? 

Independence Day is always celebrated on July 4th, thus the more common name, "The Fourth of July"!

Never point a sparkler at anyone, even if you think it is a dud.

Always hold your sparkler at arm's length and off to your side.

Party poppers, Snappers, and Snakes are good fireworks for children
(if there is such a thing). Beware the Party Popper pointed at your face.
Did you know there is gunpowder in there?
Shoot your popper straight in the air high above your head.

Don't pretend a sparkler is a magic wand (get a stick for that) and never hold your sparkler over your head. Do you want flaming hair? Yeah, no way! Holding your sparkler to your side is the safest, but if you hold it straight in front of you, always extend it at arm's length.

Firework Safety Tips for Kids

People all over the world love to celebrate special occasions with fireworks. Americans have been celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks since our country was set in motion. It is important to know and obey your city and state firework laws.

• Always use common sense. Read the labels on the box and follow the usage directions. Make sure you know what to expect from your firework. Remember some fireworks take longer to ignite, so leave a "dud" set before running to reignite it. 

• There are no "safe" fireworks! All fireworks should be lit by adults. If you must use fireworks that are marketed to children, such as, snakes, sparklers, and poppers, do so with close, responsible, adult supervision. Children should not handle or play with fireworks. Children should NEVER light fireworks.

• A responsible adult is an adult not under the influence of alcoholic beverages or recreational drugs.

• All fireworks should be lit on a flat, level, hard surface, preferably concrete. Lighting a firework in the grass can cause a the firework to tip over and shoot in an unexpected direction. It can also start a fire. If you must light fireworks in your yard, always use a flat wooden board as your launching platform.

• Keep a good distance between you and the firework. Never use fireworks indoors (duh!). Use fireworks outdoors in an open area away from vehicles, animals, and buildings. Also, keep away from dry grass or anything that could catch fire. Children and other spectators should stay away at least 25-40' for fountains and even farther for flying, spinner-type fireworks. Remember, the wind can change the direction of the sparks and flying debris.

• Never hold a lit firework in your hand! Never look in or stick anything inside a firework that doesn't go off. Don't stand over a firework... you know this - just use common sense. To be safe, you should light fireworks with a punk stick or a hand butane lighter stick (not a pocket lighter). NEVER try to ignite that dud! Wait several minutes and douse it in water. It is better to waste a good firework than to lose an eye!!! Keep a bucket of water nearby in case of emergencies.

• Always handle fireworks with care. Never stick them in your pocket. Never, ever aim them at someone else (even if you think the firework is extinguished). Keep your animals safe. Remember animals may walk too near the firework, they may become frightened, and they may run away from home. It is best to keep animals inside during holiday fireworks displays.

Recommended Reading:

Firework Safety Tips

The Fourth of July Story

Corduroy's Fourth of July

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24 Best Educational Toys To Gift Your Kids This Year

Gift Guide: 24 Cool Toys for Kids

As a parent, one of the biggest dilemmas for every birthday and holiday season, is what gifts to buy for your kids. Recently, it's become a trend to give kids gadgets, but always giving the gift of technology is proving detrimental for your kids well-being of our future adults. Instead, why not invest in something that's both educational and enjoyable. This way, your children will develop and grow into well balanced adults and still have fun along their childhood journey.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

For More Help
Buying presents for infants and toddlers is even more difficult than for older children. Luckily, there are many websites and blogs to guide you with gift ideas and recommendations. Snugbaby is one such helpful blog. From reviews about the best strollers for your young ones to life-saving advice for new struggling parents, Snugbaby.net has it all. So, be sure to check it out for more helpful gift reviews and advice on parenting little ones.

0-1 year olds Educational Toy Gift Ideas

Melissa and Doug Shape-Sorting Set
This classic toy is a popular educational toy for kids and comes in a variety of themes. See the farm sorting set pictured above, It gives a basic introduction to shapes and colors, as well as, problem solving skills and manual dexterity.  Kids have to insert the blocks into the correct shape.

VTech Musical Rhymes Book
This colorful book with baby-friendly pages engages your toddlers with nursery rhymes while providing a fun way to learn the rhymes.


Skoolzy Rainbow Counting Bears with Matching Sorting Cups
Another simple game, it's an excellent way of teaching colors and simple math skills. Here, toddlers learn to put the bear in the matching colored cup. They also have to count the number of bears available to fill each cup, which makes it a helpful lesson in mathematics.

Download our counting math activity printable to use with this game.

VTech Sit to Stand Learning Walker
This popular toy encourages 9-month-olds to walk while engaging them with colorful activities and sound, thus developing their sensory skills and coordination.

1-3 years (Toddlers)

Learning Resources Alphabet Island Game
Using the classic ABC rhyme doesn’t have to be the only way to teach kids the alphabet. Make learning fun for your toddlers while they go treasure hunting for the alphabet.

Sensory Alphabet Activity

Learning Resources Fine Motor Hedgehog
The spikes on the hedgehog are color-coded and easy to grip, making it a great game for kids to play to  enhance motor skills, color coordination, and sorting abilities.

LeapFrog Scribble and Write Tablet
What a great way to introduce letters and numbers before your kids start preschool. Kids trace the letter or number using the tracing tool without the need for writing with crayons or pencils.

The Learning Journey: Match It! Spelling
Visual learning is a great method to teach kids. Linking words with images helps children learn more quickly. Moreover, the puzzle nature of the game also develops kid’s dexterity.

VTech Smart Shots Sports Center
This game is a great way to introduce an active toddler to sports. The Smart Shots Sports Center comes with a net and two balls. It teaches counting by scoring hoops for points and also teaches shapes, songs, and simple words.

ehome Toddler Musical Instrument
People of all age groups enjoy music, kids are no different. This set contains various musical instruments, so parents don't have to worry about which instrument to buy. Encourage your kids to try out playing the different instruments. Who knows, you may have the next Michael Jackson in your house. These also make a great gift for Easter baskets!

3-5 years (Preschool)

Magnetic Drawing Board Mini Travel Doodle
There's nothing wrong or right when it comes to art. This is the basic concept behind this old, yet popular toy. Give your kid free reign over the board and let the pen do the rest. It's fun for trips with family too!

Tips for Family Travel

Learning Resources Pretend and Play Doctor Kit
Playing doctors is still just as popular as ever. The doctor kit is a great gift for aspiring doctors and it's also a great way to teach kids to be kind, helpful, and patient.

ThinkFun Zingo Bingo Board Game
This award-winning game is a fun family activity. Essentially bingo with tiles that have labeled images, it teaches kids word-picture association, and it's also a great way to teach preschoolers new words.

Ideal My First Magic Set
Magic is always fascinating to kids, and what better way to teach your kids confidence, social skills, and self-discipline than using this fun magic game? The 25 tricks in this set, which comes with props, instructions, and online videos, make a great Christmas gift for children.

Back To Nature Outdoor Toy Set
For little explorers, this set includes a flashlight, binoculars, compass, and a magnifying glass. Make the game more fun by making a map and preparing a treasure and set your kids out treasure hunting. Can you imagine a memorable childhood play experience?

5-12 years (Elementary School)

Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Exploration Kit
Does your kid love tinkering around with electronics? This is the perfect gift for engineers in the making. The color-coded circuit components come with a guide and after they have mastered the basics, watch your kids build their own circuits!

See our Snap Circuit Activity for Homeschoolers.

Melissa and Doug Fashion Design Activity Kit
Science isn't the only subject of educational toys. Let your child's creative side flourish with this attractive fashion design kit that contains fashion plates, pencils, and crayons.

Scientific Explorer Mind Blowing Science Kit
This kit is equipped with 11 fun activities that will entertain your little ones’ inquisitive minds. Build curiosity for new things and a love of science with this science experiment kit that's easy to clean and will quickly become your kid’s next favorite toy.

Grow ‘n’ Glow Terrarium
A unique toy that even adults have fun playing, is this gardening terrarium game. Kids plant the Chia seeds in the terrarium. The kit also comes with glow in the dark stickers and resin figurines to decorate.

IQ Builder Building Toy Set
This building toy set, featuring various shapes and sizes, challenges your kids to expand their creative boundaries in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Equipped with a storage box, this must-have STEM toy, barely takes any space in your room. 

ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Logic Game
Develop strategic thinking skills with this innovative game. It uses blocks arranged in different ways to  creatively work around the effect of gravity. The difficulty level increases as the game gets more complex.

Scharkspark Telescope For Kids
This birthday, gift your kids something out of this world. This wonderful telescope helps kids realize the beauty of our vast universe. Introduce your kids to the amazing world of star-gazing and also teach them to take care of their toys with this real working scientific instrument.

National Geographic Break Open Geodes
For the little James Huttons and Florence Bascoms who love scavenging and exploring, this amazing geology set is the perfect gift. Watch your kids squeal in delight when they discover beautiful gems after breaking open the included rocks.

Thames and Kosmos Candy Chemistry Kit
Inspire your kids love of chemistry with this fun game that rewards kids with handmade sweet treats. Sweets and science have truly undeniable chemistry together, a match made in heaven.


Summary
Parents spend a lot of money and time trying to give the best educational toys for kids. From toys to education, parents try not to compromise anything for the sake of their children. However, the best gift that parents can give their children are good values and a strong support system. Always encourage your children to try new things on their own and give their best effort. Eventually, your little one will grow to guide you on the journey of life, instead of the other way around. 

Good luck on your journey of parenthood; you'll need it!



Recommended:

Activity Games you can Play with Things Around the House

Sensory Play Ideas

How to Make a Chef's Hat Cat in the Hat What's She's Wearing

Wondering How to Make a Chef's Hat? 

I suggest you make one for a child's costume and not for your cat. Your cat does not want to wear a hat. He doesn't want to wear it in a chair. He doesn't want to wear it over there. He doesn't want to wear it in the kitchen. No, I'm sorry, your cat doesn't think a hat is bitchin'. He doesn't want to wear a hat near the stair. Believe me, he doesn't want to wear a hat anywhere. Enjoy!

I cut ear holes so he couldn't squirm out as easily- fail. 
No animals were hurt in this post.

Cardboard Stove Tutorial for Pretend Play

I tried to hold him very still for the picture. 
The picture is bad from all the movement.

Almost.

Shaking it off. Yep, that was the hat.

"Oh geez, just get this over with, will you!"  
After three days of trying, this is the best we can do.

So, make your hat bigger for you kids.

You only need paper, scissors, and tape 
to make a Chef's hat at home. That's easy :)

She's wearing a chef hat and apron.

Not shown sparkly pink shoes and lacy dress.

For a cat's hat or doll's hat, use 8 1/2 x 11 paper. For a child's hat, use legal size paper or tape two sheets of letter size paper together. Now draw a line (or eyeball it) about 2" from the edge of the paper. Next, cut strips about 2" wide to your line. Your paper will look like giant fringe. Take the fringe and gently fold it over the edge of your 2" border. Tape it down and repeat. When all of the fringe pieces are taped down wrap the paper around your cat/child/doll's head to measure for proper fit. Tape to secure. Now you know how to make a hat for a cat  child's costume for an impromptu session of creative play! Would also make a great hat for a teddy bear.

Does your cat like to wear clothes? Here's our "Little Rascals" style KCC Kid's Video Mayhem bakes bread in the  "Sweet Shop".



Recommended Reading:

Kids Creative Chaos Cooks (Kitchen Kids Book 1)*

Or you could just... Buy a Chef's Hat for Kids Costume*






ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Make a Monkey Mask, Treat, and Read Companion Story Preschool Activity

Do Monkey Around... with this monkey theme Preschool Activity

We made a mask, yummy treat, and had fun with preschoolers pretending to be monkeys. Pretend play is a great way to incorporate many elements of sensory play. Enjoy!

Our Messy Preschool Class had a blast making 
paper monkey masks and you can too.

One Tricky Monkey up on top.

                      Knives and Spoons make great sticks for the mask,

                            just tape it to the back and use as a handle.

Monkey Sight Word Game for Kindergarten/First Grade

How to make healthy monkey treat snacks for kids.

Banana Treats, cover in vanilla yogurt or p.b. and dip in your favorite  toppings.

How to make a paper monkey mask.

Recommended Reading:

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed*

Bananas and Chocolate Chips on a Stick Recipe for Kids

One Tricky Monkey Up On Top *
ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Bake Shop Costume, Cardboard Stove, Chef Hat Video: What She's Wearing Wednesday

Creative Play Baking Sweet Shop with Cardboard Stove

In this edition of, What She's Wearing Wednesday, catch the KCC Kid, Mayhem, in "Sweet Shop". A video in the "Little Rascals" style. She's baking bread in her upcycled cardboard kitchen stove, wearing her chef hat tutorial, and having fun with her best kitty friend.  Enjoy!



The toys in the video were donated by Alex Toys. You might also like our KCC Kid's Spy Video, "Monster Trouble" that highlights their super sleuthing toys. We had lots of fun making these videos. 


Recommended:

Fun Ideas for Cooking with Kids

Kids Creative Chaos Cooks*

Chef Costume for Pretend Play*

Make a Chef Hat












ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Looking for 1 Year Old Birthday Gifts?

Best Toys and Gift Ideas for 1 Year Old Girls

Have a one year old baby's birthday coming up? So, what are the best toys and gifts for a one year old? Nothing feels better than watching your baby girl grow. You want to be there when she makes her first step, and you want to be the first one to hear her alter her first word. These moments are magical. Believe me, it gets even more exciting when she turns a year old. It's her first birthday and it's normal to feel super excited and overwhelmed. How do you make it special and unforgettable? Other than holding a birthday party and inviting all your friends and their kids to celebrate, getting the perfect gift is the best way to ensure that your baby girl never forgets the day.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

But wait! Which is the best gift for a one-year-old girl? A toy is the best catch here. You want the best for your daughter, something that she will like and even if you were to keep it and show it to her when she is already all grown up, she would have the same smile she had when you first showed the toy to her when she was one year old.

What to get a 1 year old girl on their Birthday? 

Choosing such a toy can be a daunting task. This article aims to make the work easy for you by outlining a list of the best gifts and toys for a one year old girls.

A VTech pull and sing puppy

Kids love puppies, and they find them to be the cutest thing, and it gets even better when puppies and toddlers are combined. Not all girls are into barking, taking dogs for walks and having a pooping pooch. You do not have to get a real puppy to match the experience for your baby girl. If she loves puppies, a VTech pull and sing puppy is an excellent choice.

The little guy can do tricks and other stuff that real dogs can do and more. He can sing, teach numbers, body parts and colors as the baby pulls him around his leash. It comes with over 50 songs and melodies to keep the kid entertained, and she will never get bored even if you were to leave her alone as you do chores around the house. You, however, need to include a battery.

Baby Einstein take along tunes

Kids are sensory. Its smell and touch alone are enough to make the baby glued to the creature as she tries to figure out how the machine can respond to her queries. If your kid is already a young jammer trying to get her tune in line, this toy will do her good. It's a kind of jukebox that switches between a total of seven melodies.

What's more? It lights up as it sings. It also comes with a volume control button and two AA batteries. It's a perfect toy for small hands, and your kid will not struggle as she plays with it. Even better; it is made of a soft polypropylene surface which makes it safe for children. The color and design are cute, so it does not scare the baby away.

Fisher Price brilliant basics first doll

Girls love trying to play-pretend at this age, and a baby doll is a perfect gift to help foster her imagination. She can tote the doll around as she tries to learn new words and understand different body parts like the mouth, legs, hands, and eyes. Dolls are soft and cuddly which makes it ideal for helping the baby in social recognition and giving them a sense of comfort when playing with it. She will carry the doll where she goes which is also a way of learning a sense of possession.

Fisher-price Baby’s first Blocks playlist

Your child will have a blast with this gift set on her birthday. It features two Fisher-Price toys a baby’s first block and a rock-a-stack. What she has to do is sort them for fun, which is a perfect way to keep baby busy and put her mind at work.

Such toys help develop problem skills too. The toy is meant to prepare kids for preschool through mental development. Grasping, sorting, and stocking the blocks is a fun way for your baby to stay happy as she explores. It will teach her a sense of discovery as she tries to see what happens after all the rings are sorted and stacked.

LeapFrog count and crawl number Kitty

Get your child on the move on many skills with this unique, cute kitty. The doll is designed to enhance a great push and play experience for little ones, keeping them busy and offering them a positive way of having fun. It comes with keys, that when pressed, make the cat start counting in a rhythm. How exciting is that? That's not all.

There are also music mode keys that command the cat to play meows in low and high modes as she makes silly sounds. Pushing the kitty makes her produce fun counting songs that your baby girl will want to listen to the whole day. The kitty can sit, bat, scoot, and crawl. This toy is a perfect way of nurturing mental development and balance in your baby as she explores and counts numbers one to twenty and learns new music. It comes in beautiful colors to keep your baby's attention.

The choices are endless, and these are only a few of the best and highly reviewed toys. The best part is that they are all durable and you can keep them and show them to your baby girl when she is all grown up.

How do you choose a good toy for a one year old?

You shouldn't choose the first toy that comes when conducting an online searches in sites. Let's take look at what should inform your purchase of a one year old's gift. 

Considerations when buying a present for a one year-old girl

• Safety – some toys are just not safe for babies and they even come with a safety warning signs. You will realize that some of them have been written to explain that they aren't recommended for kids under the age of five. This is probably because the toy has some aspects that could compromise the baby’s safety. Kids at this age love putting things in their mouth and you have to ensure that what you get cannot choke your baby. Also, make sure that the toy is non-toxic and doesn't have sharp edges.

• Go for educational toys – it shouldn't be all about play and fun. The child should be able to learn something when interacting with the toy. This is the developmental stage, and therefore, the toy should at least sharpen her mental development, communication skills, and cognitive capacity. Your baby will probably be spending most of her time with the toy, and therefore, it should be in a position to help her learn.

• The toy should enhance coordination – it's around this time of her life that a baby girl will be learning how to roll over and pull up as she tries to take her first step. Choose a toy that can help her enhance her motor skills and coordination as she starts to stand and walk. Keeping baby's hands and legs busy improves her strength too.

• Color and material – these are also aspects to keep in mind. You want something that will attract a baby girl and you should choose brightly colored toys over the dull ones. Pink, blue, yellow, red, and white are the most recommended colors for girls. The material takes you back to safety. Choose something soft but durable.

Recommended:

Baby Articles for New Moms from Kids Creative Chaos

Best Selling Toys for One Year Old Girls

Gift Ideas for Girls

What She's Wearing Mayhem Fashion: Things to do with a Paper Bag: Native American Indian Dress Tutorial

How to Make an Indian Costume from a Paper Bag

Paper Bag Indian Costume.

She's wearing a paper grocery bag. We turned it into a Native American Indian Dress, an easy costume for kids.


Hiding somewhere in my garage is a bag with a Pocahontas dress (I hope) or maybe some kid walked away wearing it one day. At any rate, I was short one little Indian costume for our "movie." What's a crazed mom to do? I've made a ton of those Indian Vests and Hula Skirts in after-school programs, so I decided a dress couldn't be too difficult. Right? I guess it depends on  your standards and mine are low.

Native American Shirt from Paper bag.

First, take a paper bag- and good luck finding one. Talk about a tangent. Why, in this day of recycling are plastic bags everywhere, but no one has paper any more? Remember when the sacker used to ask paper or plastic? Now it's plastic or bring your own.

Once you've found the bag, turn it inside out and crumple it into a big paper wad. The more crumples the more it looks like leather. Next, unfold it and pop it open on the table, laying it on the side. Now, cut the sides all the way to the bottom of the bag. The center fold of each "arm" makes a perfect sleeve. Cut fringe about 3" at the end of each sleeve.

Native American Indian Dress.

At the bag's opening or the bottom of the shirt, cut out triangles/zigzags for a decorative edge. At the bag's base or the shirt's top, cut out a "u" or "v" for the neck. Decorate the shirt with Native American symbols. When done, insert kid and tape sleeves at wrists.

Paper bag fringe Indian Skirt.

For the dress skirt, turn bag inside out, wad and crumple, cut the bottom rectangle out, and cut down one seam. Now, cut fringe like a Hula Skirt. Wrap to fit and tape or staple.

We've also made these by punching holes in the waist and weaving yarn through to form a belt which can be tied for a perfect fit. If you want to get fancy, take another bag and cut the panels and then attach inside the sides of the shirt for full coverage.

Native American Indian Dress from Paper Bag.

This was good enough for our day of pretend play. Afterward, Mayhem gathered rocks and twigs to make a fire.


Recommended Reading:

Things to do with a Paper Bag

Sacajawea History Lesson

Native American History for Kids: With 21 Activities *

















ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)