MariaSmith on LTK

Since it still feels like the desert around here, that’s exactly where we are headed this week.

Before we go full fall we are going to visit The Grand Canyon, cowboys and a few desert dwellers. These are all of the books we’re reading this week to get us there and learn more about our local desert habitats.

#LTKBaby #LTKKids #LTKSeasonal

Since it still feels like the desert around here, that’s exactly where we are headed this week. Before we go full fall we are going to visit The Grand Canyon, cowboys and a few desert dwellers. These are all of the books we’re reading this week to get us there and learn more about our local desert habitats. LTKBaby LTKKids LTKSeasonal

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Over and Under the Canyon | Amazon (US)

Welcome to the Cactus Hotel | Amazon (US)

Cactus Hotel (Rise and Shine) | Amazon (US)

Who's Hiding in the Desert? | Amazon (US)

Day and Night in the Desert (Habitat Days and Nights) | Amazon (US)

The Grand Canyon: Ready-to-Read Level 1 (Wonders of America) | Amazon (US)

Desert Animal Adaptations (A+ Books: Amazing Animal Adaptations) | Amazon (US)

B is for Buckaroo: A Cowboy Alphabet (Sports) | Amazon (US)

Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse | Amazon (US)

Grand Canyon: (Caldecott Honor Book) | Amazon (US)

National Parks of the USA (Americana, 1) | Amazon (US)

This is now the do not tell me you’re bored basket! It’s our everything every day bin.
Thankfully, it’s rare for the kids to say they’re bored but when they do, I point straight to the basket. We have stickers, jewelry making, busy jars, morning menus and even playing cards.
I do think the scratch Halloween masks are the new favorite.

#LTKSeasonal #LTKKids #LTKHalloween

It’s my favorite time of the year and thankfully it’s the kids favorite too!

My spooky girl (what she calls herself) especially loves it. We also share a love for books and these are our Halloween favorites.

#LTKHalloween #LTKKids #LTKSeasonal

Had to share our car go packs from our little road trip this weekend.

We were in a bit of a time crunch trying to head out the door but I pretty much have it down to a science now. Always add stickers! My kids love morning menus, anything they can trace and dry erase markers, some kind of sensory toy and more stickers.

#LTKHalloween #LTKSeasonal #LTKKids

It’s that time of year! I usually give the kids their Boo baskets the first weekend in October but there are some activities I know they will want to do right away.

I use the same basket for every occasion because as much as I love baskets I have nowhere to keep them. It’s a cute basket so it works perfectly! I always add something they can wear, definitely a book, and activity and a fun toy.

#LTKKids #LTKHalloween #LTKSeasonal

When it’s as hot as the desert so you want to stay indoors. Put together a little activity basket so the kids don’t go stir crazy during this heat wave.
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I always have some version of these activities on hand but I try to change it up to match the theme. Stickers and painting are a must. The kids are currently obsessed with diamond art and these cactus coasters are adorable. I always have whatever books we’re reading for the day and some kind of building materials.
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It’s a sanity formula that never fails

#LTKBaby #LTKKids #LTKSeasonal

Are you ready for #nationalplaydohday

Had to break out some of our favorite play dough busy jars from @storiesinsensory

Use code CFD10 to save!

Five Little Monkeys is one of my daughters favorites to “read”. She knows all of the words by heart and yells them out. This is one that we can keep on hand all year round. The kids can grab, setup and cleanup all on their own.

#LTKFamily #LTKKids #LTKBaby

The Smart Cookie

We just can’t get enough bookish play!

My kids are obsessed with the food group books and this one is perfect for back to school. Both of my kids have about me projects and presentations. They get to share everything that makes them special and this book has taught them to appreciate that everyone has unique talents.

#LTKKids #LTKSeasonal #LTKFamily

It’s National Read a Book Day! 📚

I thought I would share a few of our all time favorites that are perfect this time of year. Whether your kids got to school, homeschool, play on teams, these books have great lessons.

The food group books have great themes that have helped my kids navigate stressful moments in class and with friends.

#thefoodgroupseries #thefoodgroupbooks #thesmartcookie #thebigcheese #thesourgrape #thegoodegg #sel #selforkids #selbooks #nationalreadabookday

#LTKSeasonal #LTKBaby #LTKKids

The big, big feelings are fully expected this time of year.

A lot of these books are in the year round collection but especially now that they’re back in school. So far they’re great in class but man, when they get home! Books are a huge outlet and support for all of us!

#LTKKids #LTKSeasonal #LTKFamily

The Color Monster

We’re having a book based afternoon with one of our favorite books.

The big, big feelings have reared their chaotic heads. It was inevitable now that the kids are back in school and adjusting to new schedules.

This is one book we read all year long but I thought it would a perfect time to practice speaking all of the feelings.

#LTKFamily #LTKSeasonal #LTKKids

Numberblocks Rainbow
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The way my children love these little number characters is adorable.

When I saw that @preschoolfornuggys had number blocks themed numbers, I knew they would be perfect for back to school play! Along with her back to school rainbow collection. 🌈 👩🏻‍🍳 💋

Use CFD10 to save!

#LTKKids #LTKSeasonal #LTKParties

I always have little crafts and activities in our morning basket that the kids can grab and go. For the first week of school I’ll put them in special bags and it just makes it extra special!

They’re perfect transition activities after a long day!

#LTKFamily #LTKKids #LTKSeasonal

Our morning basket turns into our afternoon basket during the school year.

It’s always out and if the kids have time before school they can grab something. They rarely tell me that they’re bored, but when they do, I send them straight to the basket. It’s a collection of educational fidget and sensory toys that the kids love!

#LTKSeasonal #LTKKids #LTKFamily

Back to school shelfie.

The kids are back to school and we all need a little support. You can tell that Kindergarten has been the biggest transition for us!

This is the time that big feelings show up and show out! Our SEL books stay within reach all year but this is when I highlight them to prepare.

#LTKSeasonal #LTKKids #LTKFamily

Fun little setup so the kids could show me how their first day went.

This was the cutest and I wish we could leave it all year. The kids gave me the play by play of their first day at school. It was perfect!

#LTKSeasonal #LTKKids #LTKFamily

One of our favorite crafts but make it back to school.

We love these beadable pens and keychains. The kids can make them themselves with very little help. It’s something I can setup and walk away. It’s also the perfect BTS teacher gift. It’s something heartfelt that they can actually use.

The night before the first day of school.

I still have a few things to set out but we’re mostly ready. The kids and the dogs both got to the table so I have a few things to reset too.

The kids are actually in bed, let’s hope they stay that way. We have been on the sleep struggle bus lately so fingers crossed 🤞🏻

#thenightbeforethefirstdayofschool #backtoschool #backtoschoolbreakfast #specialbreakfast #backtoschoolsetup #backtoschooltable #backtoschooldecorations #mamamagic

#LTKParties #LTKKids #LTKSeasonal

Back to School Toy Rotation
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We start school this week and I wanted the kids to have something to enjoy the weekend before we head back. Some of these toys have been well loved since my Little Man went to preschool. I’m still looking for a log cabin bus and Little People bus driver.

Kids Car Essentials Part 2
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Whether we’re going 5 minutes or 5 hours, the kids always have some version of this go pack in the car.

It’s also perfect for the pickup line at school because Little Miss does not like to wait!

#LTKKids #LTKTravel #LTKSeasonal

Cars on the beach 🚗 🚙 🏖️

I’ve been loving all of the videos of these tracks on the beach and I found the perfect one, it looks like a road. This is one of those toys that will be played with a lot throughout the year!

It was so fun but we really need to work on our setup. We have big plans for next year!

#LTKKids #LTKSeasonal #LTKTravel

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Day!

This is another setup that’s always a winner! The kids love this book in all its versions. We have ABC, 123, electronic and in Spanish.

It’s also the perfect activity to transition into back to schooll

#LTKKids #LTKSeasonal #LTKBaby

I’ve cracked the code!

Can I just tell you, they did not make a peep on the way there or the way home. It was the most peaceful 5 hour road trip of our lives!

I also can’t believe the bags can fit this much and there’s a little room left over!

#LTKKids #LTKTravel #LTKFamily

Beach books at the beach!
🏖️ 📚
These were perfect for all our activity setups this last week. We read a little Moana, learned about wave art and lighthouses and went over and under the waves. 🌊

Such a wonderful week with the perfect reads!

#LTKKids #LTKSeasonal #LTKHome

Painting on the Beach 🖼️

My little one is kind of my indoor cat. She loves the beach, but in small doses. I like to bring her favorite activities to get her to stay a little longer, so that our outdoor cat gets his fill of the sand and sea!

This is perfect for travel because it can fit in a suitcase or beach bag easily.

#LTKSeasonal #LTKKids #LTKTravel

Walter the Whale Shark

This is an all time favorite book year round and it’s great for back to school. It’s all about feeling like you don’t fit in, going to some silly lengths to try to and ultimately realizing that the things that make you different make you special.

Did a quick setup and I’ve added some free printables in stories so you can too.

#bookbasedlearning #bookbasedplay #learningthroughplay #walterthewhaleshark #booksforkids #bookbasedactivities #letsread #readingisfun #dailyactivity

#LTKKids #LTKSeasonal #LTKBaby

Shark Beach with @chrishemsworth
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The way my son is o see with this documentary is adorable and a bit strange. When I say we watch it throughout the year, I mean he requests it weekly. I sometimes have to disappoint him because his sister is terrified of sharks.

#sharkweek #sharkbeach #sharkbeachwithchrishemsworth #sharks #sharkdocumentary #sharksarefriends #sharkconservation #learningthroughplay #watertable #watertableideas

#LTKFamily #LTKKids #LTKSeasonal

What lies beneath. 🦈

We did some mystery water / shark find in the water table today. It’s amazing how a little bit of water can turn into hours of fun.

For real thought this mystery water is not as easy as it looks. I ended up going with metallic tempera paint because the cornstarch didn’t look glittery enough. It took about 3 bottles of paint to actually get it opaque in the water table.

#sharkweek #sharkweekactivities #watertable #watertableplay #waterplay #sharkweekideas

#LTKKids #LTKFamily #LTKSeasonal

The perfect slow morning activity.

Combines two things each of my kids love, sharks and recipes. Add the sharks favorite ingredients to the shark bucket for a tasty snack. 🐟🦈

Shark tooth tray by @barn.owl.kids
Printables by @themamamindful

#slowmorningvibes #quietmorningactivity #sharkweek #sharksarebeautiful #sharksquad #sharklife #sharkactivity #sharkgame #learningthroughplay #sharkanatomy

#LTKKids #LTKSeasonal #LTKFamily

Moana Day at the Beach

I kind of love having a big spread of activities so the kids can move around and not be in each other’s way.

This is one of our current favorite movies and the kids were begging for the costumes. The beach vacation was the perfect setting. They wore them to the beach and to dinner.

#LTKTravel #LTKSeasonal #LTKKids

Have toy rotation, will travel.

I am so glad I packed up toys to bring with us. The kids can only take so much beach and I sometimes need them distracted. I used all of this stuff for activity setups too, it was perfect 👌🏼

#LTKKids #LTKTravel #LTKSeasonal

Rainbow Fish Day

The kids love this book and I love bringing it to life during the summer. It’s such an easy setup and the kids have enough activities to fill an hour.

Having a few activities has saved me on vacation. They’re perfect when I need to get ready for the next outing and when we need a little break from the beach.

#LTKSeasonal #LTKParties #LTKKids

Morning basket, but at the beach.
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Took a few days to settle into vacation. We love being on the beach but we still need a few activities to fill the time when mom needs to get everyone ready.

#morningbasket #beachmorningbasket #beachvacation #vacation #beachhouse #activitiesforkids #morningroutine #vacationactivities #dailyroutine #summervacation

#LTKKids #LTKFamily #LTKSeasonal

By far the best find of the summer!

It’s a cauldron, it has sensors and sound effects, all of the accessories, it’s Ursula’s potion set! What more could potion loving kids ask for! I added a few droppers and fizzy wand brushes. It was the perfect activity for the kids to do while I finished packing for vacation. They must have played for two hours!

#momwin #summerfind #besttoys #augtober #summerweeen #potions #potiontoys #potionsforkids #summeractivities #summerweenactivities

#LTKSeasonal #LTKKids #LTKParties

Morning Basket: Mermaid Edition 🧜‍♀️

Mermaid week was short and sweet. We had some fun resources that we actually took on the road with us.

#LTKSeasonal #LTKFamily #LTKKids

Scenes from a small world.

The kids love a setup like this. The stories they come up with are hilarious and adorable! I usually take a few things from the toy rotation and arrange them in a new way.

#LTKSeasonal #LTKParties #LTKKids