Who has time to find all the best free online learning games for kids?  Me.  I know that inquisitive parents of inquisitive kids might need these sites.  One day.  Some day.  So, here you go. But first, a quick newsflash . . Imagination Soup is getting a makeover.  Thanksgiving will bring an amazing new look (=landing page + categories) and... [read more ]

Congratulations to Cynthia!  Random.org picked you as a winner! Kids LOVE photographs of themselves and their world– now even the  little kiddos can get their own photo album board book from Board Book Albums, LLC. I tried so many photo albums with my babies — the plastic ripped or they’d only fit a few photographs — but... [read more ]

Any age can pretend play animal hospital doctor or veterinarian.  Use your love for animals and let my 3 p’s of pretend play — props, plan and play — guide your make-believe time into a delightful journey of imagination. Props: - stuffed animals - pillows and blankets - band-aids of all sizes - doctor’s kit - lab coat or... [read more ]

You want your child to read. I understand.  Reading rocks!  Who wouldn’t want their child to read!? (Please remember:  Kids will read when they’re ready.  Pushing them won’t help them or you.) No, you can’t watch a video. No, Sesame Street won’t do it either. The most important thing you can do to teach your child... [read more ]

Alarm clock.  Check. Coffee stockpile.  Check. Slippers for walk across street to bus.  Check. School supplies. . . dang.  Not check. It’s all you these first days of school.  But, get enough systems in place and you’ll be able to hand off responsibility to your child.  You’ll just need to have a system and do some training. PREP... [read more ]

Our talented ten year old neighbor, Gia, is the best mother’s and babysitter!  She brings toys and thinks of new activities to do with my four year old while I’m working or teaching.  Last week, after writing class, I wandered over to the dining room table to see what they’d been doing.  I found them playing with a homemade paper... [read more ]

Writers and scientists observe.  Watch.  Learn.  Describe.  Experiment with . . Help your child be both scientist and writer while enjoying the playfulness of bubbles. Best bubble solution (tested by Imagination Soup writers) Homemade bubbles: 1 cup water 2 Tablespoons dish soap Store bought bubbles might include several different brands. ... [read more ]

My kids can’t wait to take a vacation, so much so that they’ve been playing “trip” for a week.  Playing trip includes packing their rolling suitcases with all their favorite toys, and books — no clothes to speak of.  Next, they roll the suitcases around the house to different destinations.  Good thing they’re... [read more ]

Is your child learning the alphabet?  Keep things mixed up with a variety of activities like . . . the alphabet song magnetic letters – Fridge Phonics from Leap Frog is great Leap Frog’s Letter Factory video (recommended by a friend) alphabet board book spelling own name alphabet cookies, soup, snacks play dough alphabet shapes alphabet... [read more ]

If you’re like me, you and your kids are in the car a lot.  This summer, you might be traveling by car on vacation.   Whether on a road trip, in a restaurant, or inside on a rainy day. . . here are a few fun ideas your kids can do with a pencil and piece of paper. Hangman Two or more players.  One player thinks of a word and writes a line for... [read more ]

Going on a road trip? Think Mad Libs?  or Mad Libs Junior.  You make your own stories, inserting nouns, verbs and adjectives.  It turns out hilarious. Kid crack up so much with Mad Libs – they don’t even realize how much grammar they are learning.  It’s worth the money to see your kids laugh that much. Not on a road trip? ... [read more ]

Bugs are everywhere – give your kids a notebook, pencil and magnifying glass — if you have one.  They can make a science notebook on backyard bugs. *Tell them that scientists and writers both must be good observers.  They look closely at details and include those details in their notes. To do: Draw the bug. Write the name. Write a short... [read more ]