Photo courtesy of Holly Aprecio Photography
I'm Asia, a former classroom teacher with an M. Ed who now stays home full time with my two littles: X and S. (PS - If you are looking for my author website with details about events and school visits, you can find that here).
X is a newly minted one year old who loves music, his big sister, exploring...and lately, the "Little People" Batgirl that his grandma got him (pictured below in his left hand).
S is a soon-to-be four year old who is an amazing artist with a deep love of messy play, dinosaurs, robots, bugs, and her baby brother.
My greatest hope is to make playing at home seem simple, easy, and affordable - because it can be! I try to focus on open-ended play that encourages creativity and imaginative play. We do a little bit of everything here - science, art, crafts, sensory play, and small world play.
Here are some places to look to get you started:
You can find our 15 Most Popular Posts here.
For those of you who are new to sensory play and are feeling a bit intimidated by the mess it (usually, hahaha) creates, I'd recommend checking out my post on Managing Messy Play.
If you're looking for some easy ways to entertain your children with things you likely have on hand in your house right now, I'd recommend checking out my series on Super Easy Sensory Plays or my Water Transfer Challenge.
If you are on a tight budget, I'd recommend checking out my Play on a Budget series (it includes links to putting together a Sensory Starter Kit for under $20 from either Target or the Dollar Tree).
Looking to inspire imaginary play? You can find several easy to set up worlds in my Simple Small World series.
Designing a new playroom for your kids? You might like to check out my series on Designing Playspaces.
You can find activities for babies here, toddlers here, and preschoolers and up here.
You can find activities for babies here, toddlers here, and preschoolers and up here.
There's plenty more to be found, so I encourage you to nose about if you have the time. But hopefully the above will give you a great place to start. If you like what you see here, I'd love to have you join our Facebook fan page, follow us on Pinterest, or subscribe to the blog via RSS or email.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to catch up with me via our Facebook fan page or by email.
OH! And last but not least, don't forget to check out our BOOK!!!! :)
OH! And last but not least, don't forget to check out our BOOK!!!! :)
I love your blog!! Thanks so much for the great ideas and tips on all projects!!! My kids will love some of these activities!!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you Anonymous!!! That totally makes my day! :)
DeleteHi I=I am a grammy of 4under 10 years. can u please tell me where I can buy liquid colouring.? regards Margaret
DeleteHi Margaret! Congratulations on all your grandkids! :) Here's a post that has links for all the liquid watercolor options (I can't tell if you're from the US or not): http://www.funathomewithkids.com/2013/08/what-are-liquid-watercolors-and-why.html
DeleteHope that helps! :) :) :)
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI just want to say "Big thank you". Your blog gives me a lot of fun ideas (for me too) on what to play with my daughter. My daughter and I are much closer now since we both enjoy the activities.
Thank you so much for such a sweet comment! This makes me so happy!!!! :) :) :)
DeleteDear Asia, I just discovered your blog and I'm so happy I did! I like very much your idea of playing.There are so many ideas I already saved for some months later.
ReplyDeleteI have a blog too I can't wait to post about my playing children. Oh my god, I'm so excited about showing life for my baby! Thank you again for sharing these ideas!
Aw, thank you Agnes!!! It sounds like you guys are going to have so much fun!
DeleteJust wanted to say thank you for all the fab advice and ideas that have led to the many special moments I have enjoyed with my boys and thank you for always adding useful suggestion and alternatives for us in the uk its really helped :0)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Gemma! I'm learning so many great terms from the UK! Washing up liquid! Cornflour! Hahaha - I think they need to make a Google Translate for products so we all know what each other is saying, lol!!! I'm so glad to hear you guys have been enjoying the activities and glad that my fumbling about with terms is helpful! :) :) :)
DeleteOur kids are so close in age! I just stopped by to get the link to your rainbow foam as I'm writing about our first experience playing with it! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHow crazy, Devany! So fun! :)
DeleteThank you so much for the great awesome ideas. My 2 year old and 7 month old are going to love this. I'm super excited myself on trying everything.
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so glad! Thank you, Jazmin! I hope you all have a blast!!!
Deletei'm so going to use these when i baby sit
ReplyDeleteAwesome! :)
DeleteI just came across your blog and I am so excited to try some (all) of these ideas out. I am going to finally be able to be home full time with a toddler (20 month old daughter) and baby (12 month old neice) beginning in March. What would you say would be a great 'starter kit' for being able to have some fun without breaking the bank? This may be covered somewhere on here already.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
Hi Jessica! Thank you and awesome!!! Here are some posts to give some ideas for starter stuff:
Deletehttp://www.funathomewithkids.com/2013/05/sensory-starter-kit-for-under-20-from_18.html
http://www.funathomewithkids.com/2013/05/nine-free-materials-for-play-and.html
http://www.funathomewithkids.com/2013/03/basic-sensory-play-supplies-before-i.html
And here are some easy starter sensory bins for those ages:
http://www.funathomewithkids.com/2013/05/10-super-easy-sensory-plays.html
Hope that helps!!! :)
I love your ideas. I am planning on completing some of these ideas for my kids as well. We have been to places in our city that has sensory boards and sound boards but i never thought to add that stuff to our house. Great ideas. I will be following you for sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Misty!!! And oh, those spots sound super cool! There's one place near us that has a sound garden for kids and it is AWESOME.
DeleteAs a former preschool teacher turned stay at home mom (my son is 7 months), I admire your willingness to let your kids get messy! Your ideas are amazing and your blog is wonderful! Thanks for sharing (and truly helping your kids learn and grow!!!)
ReplyDeleteThank you so so much, Elizabeth!! :) :) :)
DeleteYou're an AMAZING MOTHER! Makes me want to cry seeing everything you do with your children. The crying started when I realized that all the children (which was 2! only) were none other than your own children. I save "Kid Fun at Home" from PINTEREST and I never get to them usually but, your page has touched me totally different and I want to be you so bad for my children ( I have 2 girls 1y & 6y). You have done so much with them! and that is/will be very special to them as they grow--that you have done that much with them and not necessarily outside but in the privacy of your own home! You have made them love being home which is something super hard to do! I don't know you but I love you dearly for being the great mother that you are to those babies. I will try my best to follow your footsteps in this collection of (your children's valuable memories with momy and dady) I will try one a day or every other day.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Melina
Aw, thank you so much, Melina!!!! You are so kind. And I promise I am a regular person - some days we don't do anything because I'm too tired (or grumpy, or sick). One activity a day is totally a great goal, and if you miss some days here and there - no big deal. Your girls are lucky to have such a loving mama!!!!
DeleteBest.Blog.Ever.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for all of your amazing ideas! My girl just turned 7 months and is super active and loves to explore - I was totally dreading (aka refusing) filling our house with more (noisy) toys that may only get played with once, not to mention cost way to much. Thank goodness I found your site! YAY YOU!!! :D I'm a pretty creative gal myself, so I've been trying to think of some DIY activities but I was always stumped by the mess it might make, etc. You've perfected DIY play time fun. I am so inspired by your ideas, and am SO excited to hit up my local dollar store tomorrow with my babe and get playing!
Also, we are currently finishing our basement and I've been brainstorming some play room ideas, and yep, you guessed it, I am even more excited and inspired now after reading about and seeing yours. :)
One a side note, we are huge lovers of the earth, nature and everything living (my husband is a high school biology teacher and I used to work at a vet clinic :)) and want to give our daughter the best experiences and teach her everything we can about it (as well as with everything else there is to learn about - we love learning hehe). Your pond and ocean ideas are so awesome. Oh, I could go on and on about how infatuated I am with your ideas but I'll put a lid on it for now.
Love Love Love it all. Thank you!
Ashley :)
Ps. You're home looks amazing..the huge windows, that view.. #swoon. What a perfect place for a couple of beautiful children to grow up! We dream of having something of the same some day :).
Best.Comment.Ever. :) Thank you so much, Ashley!!!!! Your sweet note totally made my whole evening!!!!! <3
DeleteI have just started working as a support worker for children with learning difficulties. Thank you so much for producing such a wonderful blog jam packed with infomation. I have been able to use your messy play ideas for our saturday clubs/parties for the kids and teenagers, they have loved every one. THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteOh awesome!!!!! It makes me so happy to hear that! Thank you!!! <3
DeleteI thought the small Alex Toys trampoline would be a great indoor activity. It looks like there was a recall in 2012 and now is pretty much impossible to locate. Can you suggest another brand? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteArgh! Yes, the Alex Toys trampoline is discontinued and so is my HABA ship - these toy companies are killing me!!!! :) Unfortunately I haven't been able to find a trampoline we've tried or one from a company we know well enough that I'd feel comfortable recommending it. My best advice is to check Amazon reviews to get a feel for what might be highly recommended there. I wish I could be more helpful! :/
DeleteHi Asia
ReplyDeleteI have been visiting (stalking?) your blog for about 2 years now and just wanted to thank you for your creative and easy ideas. I am currently home on maternity leave with #2 and try to set up a project to do with #1 when she comes home from school with dad. Because of your blog I can run to the craft closet and spend a few minutes pulling together materials while the baby sleeps. This way the big one knows I am thinking of her throughout the day too! Thank you!!!!!
Heather
Congrats on baby #2, Heather! And so glad to hear that we've been able to help with the adjustment. What lucky babies to have such a dedicated mama!!! <3
DeleteLove ur blog I have aspergers I'm super high functioning but im looking at some of ur play sensory things and going omg I want to try. I honestly would suggest these as great ideas for people with aspergers and kids with it or autism.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Hunter!!!
DeleteI can't wait to try some of these activities. I teach early childhood special ed for our school district and this year I have a little girls with Downs that enjoys sampling everything we play with. Your edible activities are going to be a lot less stressful in the classroom :-) Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you found us! If it helps, there are even more "taste-safe" recipes/activities in the book. :) Hope that you and the kiddos you work with have fun!!! :) :) :)
Deletehola esta muy bien. Quiero saber si el libro esta en español?
ReplyDeleteHola! Gracias! Lo siento - ahora mismo el libro sólo está disponible en todo el mundo en Inglés. Espero que algún dÃa habrá una traducción española disponible. un editor extranjero tendrÃa que comprar los derechos del libro de mi nos editor para hacer esto. si usted sabe de un editor que estarÃa interesado por favor hágamelo saber! Me encantarÃa tener una versión española !!!
ReplyDeleteHi Asia,
ReplyDeleteI was wondering when your book "150+ screen-free activities" would be in stock again? Looking to buy one for Valentine's Day.
Thanks!
Hi there! I'm so sorry that Amazon hasn't updated yet. They were supposed to pick up their new books this LAST Monday - ARGH!!!! I'm not sure why they are taking so long, but the book is in stock at Barnes and Noble (and online at bn.com) and also via my publisher (http://www.adamsmediastore.com/150-screen-free-activities-for-kids-grouped) and both could get them to you before Valentine's Day. Theoretically any day now it will be back in stock at Amazon as well, since the book didn't sell out worldwide - just at Amazon US and UK. Hope that helps!!! And thank you for your patience! :)
DeleteLove this blog so much. Using your idea activities playing with my daughter is just so much fun..love it
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!!! :)
DeleteAny chance of a link to the glow vitamin on Amazon so I buy the correct one? I am dying to try out some of your recipes but as I am from England some of the ingredients are a bit confusing, still trying to get hold of liquid starch. Anyone else from England here willing to share what they used for the slime????
ReplyDeleteHi Tina, all you have to do is click on the link that says "UK vitamin" in the post - I can't make clickable links in comments here, so if you'd like to get the link, just go to the post. You can also find all of the options for making slime in the UK under the post "laundry detergent slime". Hope that helps.
DeleteI just got your book a few weeks ago and have tried the flubber and water world (starting slow). My 3 year old and 17 month old boys LOVE it! I did have a question on the flubber...how do you store it and for how long? Also, my 3 year old grabbed a turkey baster, inserted it into the flubber and squeezed, and it made a "hilarious" sound that kept the boys occupied for quite awhile! Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteHAHAHAHAA that's so hilarious - I love it! The flubber breaks down fairly quickly since it's edible/made of food. I'd say a day or two in the fridge - check for funky smells and mold before using it again. :) So glad to hear you guys are enjoying the book! <3 <3 <3
DeleteWhat do you mean your children don't exactly 'believe in sleeping'?
ReplyDeleteThat my kids are terrible nappers and sleepers. :)
DeleteI just found your blog today and I cannot wait to try your ideas. As a working Mom I get limited time with my little guy and I try to find fun things for us to do together when we have time to play. I already ordered some of the items I need and we're going grocery shopping tomorrow (in advance of yet another snowstorm) to get some that can be locally sourced so we can have fun indoor play during the coming blizzard.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear it!!! I hope you have a blast and the blizzard isn't too bad! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a nice comment! :)
DeleteHi . Could you please advise me as to where I could get a copy of the Homemade Paint Recipe for Crystallizing watercolours...I live in New Zealand and would love to try this and how do I this cheers Irene
ReplyDeleteYou can find it on our site here: http://www.funathomewithkids.com/2014/01/homemade-paint-recipe-crystallizing.html
DeleteHope that helps! :)
Hi, I was wondering where you get all your plastic tubs from :)
ReplyDeleteThey are underbed storage containers. If you live in the US, you can get them from Target or Walmart in the storage section. Hope that helps! :)
DeleteI bought your book and love it! I'm having a hard time finding the B complex vitamins though in the proportions that you mention. Could you recommend any brands? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! Do you live in the US? If yes, Kroeger brand, Nature's Way, and the Dollar Tree all have vitamins that work. Hope that helps! :)
DeleteHi Asia, your blog is such a wonderful source of inspirations. I plan to publish a list of “The Best 25 Rainbow Toy Tutorials” and would love to include your “Rainbow Pasta”, “Edible Finger Paint”, and “Rainbow Wooden Blocks”. Thus, I am asking your permission to link to your work and use a single picture from the respective post for illustration purposes. Thank you very much in advance for your time and consideration. Have a lovely day, Jana
ReplyDeletewww.meandmyveritas.wordpress.com
Hi Jana! Thank you so much for asking. Here's my copyright rules: You may feature one photo with a link back to my site without contacting me if and only if the following five statements are all observed:
DeleteYou may NOT use my photo(s) in ebooks, PDFs, handouts, flyers, newsletters, or print materials without prior written consent.
You may NOT feature more than one photo without written permission.
You may NOT reproduce part or whole posts on your site without written permission.
You may NOT use one photo and provide the recipe/tutorial alongside it.
You may NOT write on my photos or otherwise modify my images in any way without explicit permission from me first.
Thank you so much! And if you email me a link to it at funathomewithkids@gmail.com I am happy to pin it! :) :) :)
That's great. Thank you very much! :)
DeleteI was signed up to receive your weekly newsletter and bought the book but haven't received any new,enters in several months now. I don't see where to sign up again. Are you still sending them out? I've used so many of your amazing ideas with my grandkids and we enjoy the book so much. Didn't know you had a new book. I'll check that out too. Thanks for the wonderful explorations.
ReplyDeleteHi Sue! I just emailed you! :) Sorry about the newsletter - it was too expensive and so I had to discontinue it. Thank you so much for all of your support!!! :)
DeleteAsia,
ReplyDeleteI saw above your rules for using this blog, so I was wondering if you knew that photos of yours are showing up in ads for unrelated content? I saw a picture of your darling daughter playing with a slime along with a clickbait "this weird goop will clean your whole house!" ad on dose.com. I don't know what kind of agreements you have with other sites, but I felt I should let you know in case you were unaware of your content being used in this way!
Either way, you have a great blog and it's been a great resource for me. Thanks so much!
AAAHHH! Those photos are definitely being used illegally. Thank you SOOO much for letting me know! <3 <3 <3
DeleteHi Asia, I am looking into using your image for the DIY Chicken Costume, with a blurb about this pin being included on our Pinterest Board for Fall Fun. I have not posted board yet. The image will appear in our monthly parenting magazine in the We Love This feature page. http//www.suburbanparent.com You can click on our images and take a look-see.
ReplyDeleteLet me know, we are working on our Oct. issues now.
Mary Ellen, Publisher
Hi Mary Ellen! Thank you for asking. Are you able to include a clickable link or otherwise direct people to search my site for directions? I only allow the use of my image if there is no description of the how-to and there's a strong link to my site. If you'd like to buy the limited rights to the image for use in print, you can email me at funathomewithkids@gmail.com and we can talk about that if that sounds more like what you're interested in. Thanks! :)
DeleteHi Asia,
ReplyDeleteI just LOVE your blog!! I have a 3 year old girl that got distracted very easily, so the 'expensive' toys are most of the time a waste of money. But you have such great ideas how to have fun with things you can find in nature or 'cheap' shops.
The only problem I have is that some of the ingredients aren't easy to find for me because I live in Belgium. And it's too expensive to buy it on Amazon or something like that because it have to come from UK or US and they ask a lot of money for transportation! But I'll try to find alternatives (not very successful for the moment) so I can have (save) fun with my girl!
Thank you for sharing your creative ideas and keep on like this!
Greetings from Belgium! Xoxo Elise
Hi Elise! Oh I'm so glad you found our site! Please let me know if there's anything you're looking for - I can describe what it's used for and sometimes these things have VERY different names outside of the US. I would love to help you find alternatives. :) You can email me at funathomewithkids@gmail.com. :)
DeleteFrom Mandurah, Western Australia, thank YOU, so inspirational! New to family day care, your website is so helpful and just plain AWESOME as my 3 kids said!
ReplyDeleteMerry Munchkins Family Day Care xxx
Aww, thank you so much!!! <3
DeleteHello Asia!!
ReplyDeleteI want you to know that your book is very popular among my friends in Poland and Spain.
Great present for first time parents!! (instead of toys and other unnecessary gadgets). Thank a lot!!!
That's so wonderful to hear!!! Thank you so much, Agnieszka!!! <3
DeleteDo u have a newsletter I can subscribe to I can't find were to sgn up for it thank u
ReplyDeleteHi Della! I used to have a newsletter, but it was costing me too much to keep it running, so I don't have one anymore - so sorry!!! :(
DeleteHi Asia,
ReplyDeleteI wanted to reach and out and pick your brain a little bit, if you don't mind. I love your book and website - I'm so thankful for the online community of mothers and women who get me through the day by sharing part of their lives too!
Anyway, I wanted to ask you for some advice (random I know, and I'm sorry for that) - I have 5 and 4 year old girls, and a 9m old son, and I'm really having a hard time figuring out how to make the older kids art supplies and toys accessible to them (independence!) but not somewhere the baby can get into, as he's pulling himself up on everything now. I thought maybe you might have some creative solutions or storage ideas that I could make work in my small house too. Any input would be appreciated - I know you're busy with kids and business too!
I hope you're having a good holiday :)
Best,
Jesse fine
Hi Jesse! Thank you so much for your sweet note! It's a tough age for sure. When little X was at his peak of little sibling rampaging, I kept art supplies in the center of our dining room table (this can get messy, but it was a good place that X couldn't reach) and for other toys (especially those with small parts), I used those little storage boxes that have the clips on either side (if you wander an aisle of a store like Target, you'll probably see what I'm talking about if you don't know what I mean by this). I don't know how dexterous your 9 month old is, but these were much too hard for X to get into until he was quite a bit older. I hope that helps! It's a challenging time for sure -- hang in there! :) :) :)
DeleteHi Asia,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't help but leave a comment because I just recently ran across someone reviewing "The Curious Kid's Science Book" and was so intrigued that I then bought a copy of the book. I am seriously LOVING your book! Although I do not have children of my own, I am a second grade teacher in a public school, and I identify closely with your ideas about teaching. I just wanted to share with you how excited I am to bring your book to my students and get them started conducting some experiments. Thank you for an awesome book; I can't wait to get my students involved in some deep scientific thinking!
Carrie
Hi Carrie! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment! You've totally made my night! I'm thrilled you found and love the book and that you'll be using it in your classroom. I'm also so happy to hear there are such wonderful teachers in our public schools (that's where my kiddos go). Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication. All of us parents appreciate you! <3
Deletehello! your blog is amazing! I am wondering if you have any recommendations for my older kids, 9 and 11? The same idea but maybe a tad more advanced/evolved but equally as accessible and fun? thanks!jill
ReplyDeleteThank you! And really nearly all of these activities would work for 9 and 11 year olds -- I've done a lot of the sensory recipes with middle schoolers before -- and everyone loves slime, even adults! Hope that helps. :)
DeleteHello Asia! I have enjoyed your blog for over a year and have purchased your book. This past spring I purchased the oil cloth and my daughter and the little boy I watched have done multiple projects on it. Recently, I have come across some scary things about the PVC vinyl it contains. What are your thoughts about this? Do you still consider it safe for your family? I'm certainly not trying to criticize your suggestion; I'm just a very concerned mom looking for some answers. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm not worried about it myself, but feel free to discuss it with your pediatrician if you have concerns! A quick search suggests that laminated cotton might be a better alternative -- it would do the same thing our oilcloth does, so maybe that would be a better choice for your family? Thank you! :)
DeleteHi Asia,
ReplyDeletei love your blog, so many great ideas for kids activities.
i want to subscribe this blog but can't find the sign up box. would you like to tell me where is the box? ^_^
Thanks
Hi Keandra! Thank you so much! Unfortunately the cost and time associated with having a newsletter were too much for me, so I discontinued it about a year ago. I'm very busy with books of late, so there's not as much regular new content here as there used to be. If you have IG, Pinterest, or Facebook -- I always share any new projects/ideas on those sites. Sorry again for the lack of a newsletter! They are soooo pricey on my end though! :)
ReplyDeletesuscription newsletter??
ReplyDeleteHi Janire! Unfortunately the cost and time associated with having a newsletter were too much for me, so I discontinued it about a year ago. I'm very busy with books of late, so there's not as much regular new content here as there used to be. If you have IG, Pinterest, or Facebook -- I always share any new projects/ideas on those sites. Sorry again for the lack of a newsletter! They are soooo pricey on my end though! :)
Delete