Exploring Nature (Free Printables!)

This spring we bought a vintage pop-up camper. She needed a *little* more work than we anticipated, but this weekend we'll take her on her maiden voyage (and hope she doesn't leak!). Pre-kids, we camped often and loved it. But this is our first camping trip with the kids--so I'm excited and a little nervous too!

With camping + nature on my mind, I thought it was time I shared another free resource with you guys. Whether you are exploring your backyard or in the thick of a wild forest, getting outside with your kids can be refreshing and fun!

Plus, exploring nature is one of the most natural ways to talk about God and His beautiful creation :) 

If you are enjoying learning about nature, be sure to check out this post and download a free set of cute craft/play dough mats.

Have a good one!

Nicole

Free Printables: Donut Worry Prayer Box

If you've read the shop story, you know that the idea of a giant donut printable was the idea that sparked the creating and designing for Color + Kindness. Originally, it was a giant poster of a donut with prayer and thanksgiving sprinkles. However, last year I revamped it to make it a little more "print at home" friendly--and I think it's just as fun :) 

It's often easy to think that teaching our kids spiritual concepts should be button-up and serious (at least I certainly don't want to make the Bible or God seem silly). However, if using donuts to remind kids to "donut worry and pray and give thanks" helps them remember to go to Jesus when they are worried or afraid, then a little creativity and Bible learning can go hand-in-hand. 

These printables are super simple to print and use. We used watercolors, well, because clean up is the easiest ;) However, you could decorate your donuts with felt pieces, glitter, glitter glue, paint, markers, or other fun materials. The sprinkles are easy to cut out, but of course, you could also make your own with card stock or construction paper. 

There's also a cute 8x10 print included too :) 

I hope you enjoy this kit as much as we did and also that it helps you teach your little ones (and remind yourself!) to go to God in prayer and thanksgiving when they are worried or anxious. 

Have a good one friends!

Nicole

Love Your Neighbor: Make a Paper House Town

It's time to share another resource retired from the shop. We've actually done this activity a few times because the boys really enjoy it--I love that they get out some creative energy and I can recycle boxes in a fun way ;) Plus, once their paper houses are finished, they can play cars and people in their little town. If you've got a large cardboard box or large paper laying around, you could also draw some streets, railroad tracks, parks, etc. 

I originally created this activity as a tool to talk with your kids about loving their neighbor. While you are making your paper neighborhood, ask your kids about how they can love their neighbor--next door and beyond. You never know--you may be bringing cookies to that sweet widow down the street later that afternoon ;) 

A few tips:

• Open up cereal/snack boxes and make the inside the outside. I usually just use staples to make it back into a box shape.
• I usually let the kids color first, then I cut everything out. We've used watercolor, markers, and crayons. 

Full disclosure: it does take a little time to cut out the windows, doors, signs, etc, but it's also an excuse to listen to your favorite podcast while you snip away :) 

I hope that you enjoy making colorful paper houses with your kids. As always, I'd love to see if you do! Just use the hashtag #colorandkindness to share :)

Have a good one friends!

Nicole

Science + Scripture: Freebies

Guess what? 

There are a number of activities, prints, and resources that I've recently retired from the shop. Sometimes you need to dust off the shelves to make room for some new things, right? However, they are not disappearing forever--I promise you'll see most of them again ;)

Today, I'm sharing one of my retired favorites: science + scripture 5x7 prints and some cute (although not scienticically accurate--ha!) play dough or craft mats. 

They were some of my favorite to create and I hope you like them too. Ps. if you use them, be sure to tag #colorandkindness--I can't wait to see how you use them!

Have a good one, friends :) 

Nicole

On the Bookshelf: An Easter Pick

As Easter nears, I'm on the hunt for quality stories that help bring the gospel story to life. Recently, I saw someone share the book The Garden, The Curtain, The Cross*, and I ordered it right away. I don't buy too many books (thanks to the library!), but I thought this one would make a lovely addition to our ever-growing library. 

When we got it, I fell in love with the illustrations (because Catalina Echeverri is such a wonderful illustrator!). I also loved the depth, and the fresh perspective, of the story. Even now, it's not often that I think about that huge curtain that loomed in the temple--a very literal separation of God and His people. For kiddos (and adults too!), the symbolism of the curtain tearing is a strong visual for understanding how Jesus' death and resurrection allows us access to God.

I think some of it was a bit over my 4-year-old's head, but the main idea was strong:

Sin separated us from God, BUT Jesus died on the cross and took our sin so that we can be with God again.

And that's really the most important thing, right?

Do you have any favorite books for Easter?

ps. Don't forget to download some free Easter prints + coloring pages to enjoy as we near Easter. 

Have a good one, friends!

--Nicole

*Affiliate links were used in this post. Learn more about that here.