Making Homemade Applesauce

When I think of fall and back to school, I think of apples! Making your own applesauce is a very simple process and one you can easily involve your preschooler in. Make a real trip of it and pick your own apples in the orchard or support your local farmer's market. A plastic knife or butter knife can further chop down apple slices.

We use this recipe from AllRecipes.com Note: The type of apple you use might affect how much sugar the recipe needs. We recommend "Pink Lady" apples, and use a little less sugar than the recipe calls for.

Sarah's Applesauce

Sensational Scarves

A scarf is a simple prop that encourages movement. Scarves are available for purchase on a number of children's stores. I suggest checking your local thrift store. They are light and showy. They flow with ease through the air as the mover prances and dances. It encourages crossing the midline. So many play possibilities!

Abracadabra! Scarf Magic!

Making Colored Noodles

Materials: Noodles, zip top baggies, food coloring, rubbing alcohol

1. Decide on what kind of noodles you want to use. To make noodle jewelry, find pasta with a hole in the center.

2. Use as many zip top bags as colors you want.

3. Place the desired amount of noodles into each bag.

4. Pour just enough rubbing alcohol in the bag so all the noodles are covered.

5. Add a generous amount of food coloring to each baggie of noodles.

6. Put the bags of noodles aside and let them sit until they are the desired color-- the longer they sit, the brighter the colors.

7. Remove from the baggies and spread in a single layer on paper towels to dry.

8. Craft away!

DO NOT EAT. It may take hours for coloring and up to 24 hours to dry. Store in an airtight container for future use.

*Variation: Colorations® Liquid Watercolors work to dye noodles as well.

School Supply Shopping

There's generally a list involved, and to me that means an opportunity for language and literacy. I let C hold our list and once we found the Kleenex I showed him the print on the box. He then found it on the list and crossed it off. He "matched" the words. Finding purpose in print! He was thrilled to do his part, and I could see this made him even more excited for back to school.

Fisher-Price Play and Learn Family Activities

Passing on some great ideas from Fisher-Price, organized by age group. The good news is they target multiple areas of child development.

Play and Learn Family Activities 5-6 Years

101 Ways to Praise a Child

So many ways to say "good job." Try a new one today!

101 Ways to Praise a Child

Arts & Crafts Gift Buckets

Here's a gift idea that encourages imagination and creativity. It would make a nice birthday gift or party favor! While I like Discount School Supply, a great time to pick up the "stuffings" would be during back to school sales.

Arts & Crafts Gift Buckets

P.S. Discount School Supply is one of my favorite online stores for materials!