San Diego Model Railroad Museum and 20+ Terrific Train Ideas for Kids

San Diego Model Railroad Museum and 20+ Terrific Train Ideas for Kids

Tucked into the lower level of the Casa de Balboa Building on the Prado in Balboa Park is the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. Don’t let the basement entrance fool you, at 27,000 sq. ft., it is the largest such indoor model train exhibit in 

Christmas Fourth Grade Homeschool Ideas

Christmas Fourth Grade Homeschool Ideas

Christmas is a magical time of year. I am a bit Christmas obsessed. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays so I never jump ahead, BUT the moment Thanksgiving is over we dive head first into Christmas. Therefore, with homeschooling my Fourth Graders, Christmas is 

Harry Potter Unit Ideas

Harry Potter Unit Ideas

Harry Potter has been an obsession in our house for over a year. My twins hit that golden age where their attention span and interests seemed to align perfectly with the Harry Potter series. Whenever we take a long drive in the car I love 

In The Garden Unit for Third Graders

In The Garden Unit for Third Graders

The garden seems like the perfect place to start when you are thrown into homeschooling in early Spring. My kids, like millions of other kids, were sent home from school on a Friday in mid-March with no real return date in sight. Admittedly, I have 

How to Use Reggio Inspired Emergent Curriculum with Toddlers

How to Use Reggio Inspired Emergent Curriculum with Toddlers

When we left the fire station it was clear our twins were fascinated. They chatted all the way home and all afternoon about what we had seen and done. They were running around the house putting out imaginary fires and asking me questions about fire trucks. It 

New Children’s Museum in San Diego

New Children’s Museum in San Diego

When I think of a Children’s Museum the same things usually come to mind. A pretend play area. Maybe an art area. A pretend store. Usually some sort of water play. The New Children’s Museum will have you questioning all of those assumptions. The New 

20+ Animal Themed Unit Ideas for Kids

20+ Animal Themed Unit Ideas for Kids

“Let’s be squirrels today!” my son says taking a spoonful of cereal. “No. I want to be an orca.” his sister responds. She’s pouring more milk into her cup. “What if we be different animals in the ocean.” he negotiates. He eats some cereal while 

8 Things to Pack in Your Beach Bag Beyond a Bucket and Shovel to Spark Creative Play

8 Things to Pack in Your Beach Bag Beyond a Bucket and Shovel to Spark Creative Play

We’ve jumped waves and played tag. We’ve built a sand castle or at least a mound that looks like a castle. At least one of us has been buried in the sand or made to look like a mermaid. What now? affiliate links are included 

How to Make a Loose Parts Number Line

How to Make a Loose Parts Number Line

Number recognition is a tricky concept for some kids. It is a lot like learning your letters. While it is easy to sing the alphabet, it is more difficult to assign each letter name or sound to a character. Numbers are the same. While it 

Apple vs. Ball STEM Experiment with Toddlers

Apple vs. Ball STEM Experiment with Toddlers

I should state this first. In the 15 or so years I have spent educating young children, this is the messiest project I have ever undertaken. That’s second only to our muddy play date – which was also a messy and awesome good time. In