Melissa & Doug Blog

Patriotic “Spin Art” Star Garland

allisonmcdonald — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:02:34 +0000

This patriotic Spin Art craft idea is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador Allison McDonald. “Everyday play is what childhood should be about.” -Allison Spin art isn’t just a dynamic and fun way to paint. It also has a distinctive fireworks-like appearance. And, nothing seems more patriotic than red [...]

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Talking to Kids about Occupations

melissaanddoug — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:34 +0000

Have you ever asked your child: “What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?” If you haven’t, don’t worry: This doesn’t have to be a stressful conversation for your child (in fact, it can be quite fun!) While your kids may be too young for “Take Your Daughter to Work Day” or “Career Day” at school, you [...]

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Nurturing Kids’ Confidence Through Play: An Age by Age Guide

melissaanddoug — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:04:51 +0000

No matter our age, how we feel about ourselves influences the way we act and how we perceive other people. And as parents, nurturing in our children a strong sense of confidence and self-worth at home better equips them to interact with peers in the outside world. One healthy, non-threatening way to develop kids’ self-esteem [...]

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Colors of Nature Color Hunt

melissaanddoug — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:00:14 +0000

This “Colors of Nature” post is provided by Joyce from Childhood Beckons. Each season has unique attributes and opportunities. One of the ways we have studied different seasons is by going on a hunt to find colors in nature. This simple activity will have your children looking closely at the details, and they are sure to notice [...]

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Water, Water, Everywhere: 10 Fun Facts About H2O

melissaanddoug — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:00:03 +0000

Summer is almost here, which means that beach and pool days are just around the corner! Help us kick-off summer with some “water-themed” fun. Share these fun facts about water with your child over dinner or in the car: We think they may spark some creative conversations to help pass the time (while providing a few [...]

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Teaching Storytelling Skills: 3 Story Starters (Plus Printable!)

melissaanddoug — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:47 +0000

Sometimes, a simple story prompt is all you need to inspire hours of creative, imaginative play with your child. Whether you’re telling silly stories, or recapping a past event, the art of telling a good story is one every child should practice as they continue to develop their reading and writing skills. This Story Starters [...]

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Pre-Trip Planning Tips: Getting Ready to Travel with Kids

melissaanddoug — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:07 +0000

The countdown to summer is on . . . Planning to travel with kids this summer? Our bloggers Zina Harrington, Tiffany Dahle, and Marnie Craycroft are helping you prepare for your upcoming summer trips! We’ve rounded up these bloggers’ recent articles on pre-trip planning in case you missed a post or just want a quick refresher. [...]

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5 Fun Facts: Puzzling over Puzzles

melissaanddoug — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:42:46 +0000

Does your child love to play with puzzles? Share these fun facts as a family! The first jigsaw puzzle was created in 1767 when John Spilsbury, an English cartographer, chopped up a wooden map of Britain and challenged the public to reassemble it. He called it a “dissected puzzle.” Jigsaw puzzles got their name because [...]

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4 Activities to Teach Summer Safety

melissaanddoug — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:40:52 +0000

This Summer Safety post is provided by Guest Blogger Katie Heap of Live Craft Eat. Summer is a great time for kids and adults alike to get outdoors and enjoy the warmer weather! But along with warm weather comes the inevitable increase in traffic and construction. Kids who love to explore need to know how to be safe in [...]

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