April 26th is Pretzel Day and that felt like the perfect excuse to make homemade soft pretzels again.

We originally made these while studying Germany for our homeschool because pretzels are such a recognizable part of German culture and food traditions. The kids thought twisting the dough was fun, I liked that it turned into both a cooking lesson and a cultural one, and the whole house smelled like a bakery for an afternoon. I just love the smell of baking bread!

Homemade pretzels might sound harder than they actually are. I think the twisting and the boiling step make them seem intimidating, but once you do it once, it’s surprisingly manageable… and fresh pretzels right out of the oven are completely different from the frozen kind.

A Little About German Pretzels

Traditional German pretzels are usually darker on the outside, chewy, and have that classic deep pretzel flavor from being boiled before baking.

They’re often served with mustard, alongside soups, with meats and cheeses, or simply warm with butter. While ours probably aren’t perfectly authentic German bakery pretzels, they gave us that homemade version of the experience… and that’s enough for me.

Why We Loved Making These

These homemade soft pretzels are…

• Fun for kids to shape
• Great for cultural studies
• Perfect for movie nights or snack boards
• Surprisingly freezer-friendly
• A fun alternative to regular bread or rolls

There is something about a delicious baked pretzel. With as much time as our family has spent at the ball parks with 10 years of little league and what will amount to 6 years of high school ball… I feel we are pretzel coinsurers at this point. Trust me when I say… these are good!

Ingredients You’ll Need

I’ll add the exact printable recipe card below, but this is the general ingredient lineup we use.

Dough:

• flour
• yeast
• warm water
• brown sugar
• salt
• butter

For Boiling:

• water
• baking soda

Topping Ideas:

• melted butter
• coarse salt
• cinnamon sugar
• garlic butter

Optional Dips:

• cheese sauce (queso, cheddar, or nacho)
• mustard (spicy or beer mustard)
• icing

How These Come Together

The process sounds more complicated than it feels. You simply…

• make the dough
• allow it to rest
• divide and roll into ropes
• twist into pretzel shapes 0r other shapes

Then comes the part that makes pretzels taste like pretzels… the baking soda bath.

Each pretzel gets quickly dipped into boiling water before baking. This helps create that chewy outside and deeper color. After resting, bake the pretzels… and enjoy!

A Few Things I Learned and Noticed

After making these a few times, here’s a few things that might be important…

• The baking soda bath really changes the texture, don’t skip it
• They taste best warm and can be reheated, just keep an eye on them
• Traditionally, the pretzel shape is universal, but pretzels have been shaped into many things throughout history (hearts, crosses…)

A Few Things That Help

You definitely don’t need fancy baking tools, but these help:

• a large baking sheet
• parchment paper
• a sturdy stock pot
• a dough scraper
• kitchen scale
• pastry brush (silicone or natural)
• coarse pretzel salt

I’ve linked the kitchen tools and baking supplies we use most often here.

Final Thoughts

These homemade soft pretzels ended up being one of those projects that felt bigger than just making food.

It slowed us down for an afternoon, gave the kids something hands-on to do, tied into homeschool naturally, and made the kitchen smell amazing. And while they may not look like perfect German bakery pretzels… they tasted homemade in the best possible way.

If you make these homemade soft pretzels, I’d love to hear how they turn out! Comment below or tag @bemandfam on Instagram or Facebook so I can see your version.

BEM and Fam

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PS. This post has some affiliate links, read more about those here.

Print the Homemade Pretzel Recipe

Print

Homemade Pretzels

Course Snack

Cuisine German

Ingredients

For Pretzels

• 1 pkg yeast 2 ¼ tsp of yeast
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 ¾ cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tsp melted butter

Soda Bath

• ½ cup baking soda
• 2 quarts water

Baking

• 1-2 tbsp melted butter
• coarse salt

Instructions

• Melt your butter and allow to sit so it isn't so hot.
• Mix the yeast and brown sugar into a bowl, then pour in the lukewarm (around 100-110 degree) water, allow to sit for about 1-2 minutes. It should bubble a bit or look frothy. This is proofing your yeast.
• Mix flour and salt together in a large mixing bowl or mixer bowl. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour the yeast/water mixture and melted butter into the well. Mix with spoon or dough hook until everything starts coming together. Then, I pour it all on a lightly floured surface and hand knead the dough for about 4 minutes. You should end up with a soft dough ball. If it gets too tacky when kneading, just sprinkle with a little flour.
• Once mixed let the dough rest for 30 minutes. I usually place a tea towel over it. During this time, prep the baking sheets (I used 2) with parchment paper, you can lightly butter or grease it if you would like... I usually do.
• Cut the dough into 75g equal parts, then roll each piece on the table into about a 20 inch rope. Think playing with playdough! Bring the ends together and twist them twice, bring them down to form the pretzel shape.
• Bring baking soda and 2 quarts of water to a boil. Once boiling, add each pretzel into the water for about 15 seconds. Use a spatula to remove, let water drip off for a second and place back on the baking sheet. Do the same to all pretzels.
• Preheat the oven to 400 F. Fill large stock or pasta pot 3/4 full and bring the water to a boil. Carefully and slowly add the baking soda to the boiling water. There will be a reaction when the baking soda hits the water and it will bubble furiously for a moment and then relax. Stand back a bit just to be safe. Using a slotted spoon, gently drop each pretzel into the bath for 10 seconds, then turn over for another 10. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Cover with tea towels and put in the refrigerator for an hour or up to 24 hours.
• When ready to cook, preheat oven to 400℉. Brush melted butter on each pretzel and then sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake the pretzels for about 13-15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Notes

• This could make 6 bigger pretzels, just do 150g portions and give a couple extra minutes for baking.
• Do not allow for more time in the soda bath, it can alter the pretzel.
• You can also brush with more butter after baking.
• Store at room temperature for about 3 days and you can reheat them with a microwave or popping them in an air fryer for a few minutes.

The post Homemade Soft Pretzels appeared first on Blue Eyed Mama | Family Recipes, Crafts & Homeschool Ideas.

With teens comes snacking… and sometimes you just need something that feels a little more like a treat.

These chocolate oat muffins have quietly found their place in our rotation, maybe not as an everyday muffin, but as one of those “a little extra” options that make you smile. They came from trying variations to some of my other oat muffins!

They’re rich and chocolatey without being over-the-top. And while they lean more into dessert territory than some of the other muffins I’ve made, they’re still made with simple ingredients that hold everyone over.

Why These Muffins Work So Well

These hit a slightly different because they feel like a dessert…

• Chocolate-forward without being overly sweet
• Soft and moist with a rich texture
• Still made with oats for a little substance
• Easy to make in one bowl
• Freezer-friendly and snack-ready
• Feel like a treat, but not a sugar overload

They’re not trying to be “healthy chocolate muffins”… and they’re not cupcakes either. They land somewhere in the middle, which is exactly why they work.

A Note About Sweetness

These are sweeter than my other oatmeal based muffins, as expected, but they’re not the kind of muffins that leave you feeling like you just ate sugar and frosting.

The sweetness is balanced with cocoa and simple ingredients, so they feel more like a homemade treat than something from a package.

Ingredients You’ll Need

I’ll include the full printable recipe below, but here’s the general ingredient lineup.

You’ll need:

• Oats (regular or high-protein)
• Cocoa powder
• Ripe bananas (for moisture and subtle sweetness)
• yogurt
• Eggs
• Milk
• Maple syrup
• Chocolate chips (optional, but recommended)
• Vanilla extract
• Baking powder and baking soda
• Pinch of salt

Simple pantry ingredients, nothing complicated.

How These Come Together (Print the Recipe Below)

• Mix the wet ingredients
• Stir in oats, cocoa, and leavening
• Let the batter rest briefly (this helps the oats soften)
• Fold in chocolate chips if using more chocolate
• Scoop, add a few chocolate chips on top, and bake until set

They come out soft, rich, and just sweet enough.

Add-Ins + Variations

You can keep these simple or tweak them depending on what you want.

• Add peanut butter chips or swirl in peanut butter
• Mix in chopped walnuts
• Add a sprinkle of coarse salt on top before baking
• Skip chocolate chips for a more subtle version

Optional: A More Filling Version

These chocolate oat muffins already have about 7g of protein per muffin (I use high protein oats already) but with some adjustments they could be higher protein. I plan on trying for a high protein recipe as I did in my Triple Apple Oat muffin recipe. Once I have it… I will add it here!

Storage & Reheating

These store well…

• Room temp: 2–3 days
• Fridge: 5–6 days
• Freezer: 2–3 months
• Reheat: warm slightly or let come to room temp

They’re especially good warm, the chocolate softens just enough, but I love them room temperature too!

Quick Picks: What I Use

These are the exact items I keep on hand when I make these:

• My favorite gluten free oats → here
• My favorite high-protein oats → here
• Parchment muffin liners (no sticking) → here
• Stainless steel muffin tin → here
• Cocoa powder → here
• Aluminum free baking powder → here
• Snack containers → here

Final Thoughts

These chocolate oat muffins are the “treat” version of this little muffin series. They’re not something we make every week… but when we do, they disappear fast.

They’re rich without being too much, simple to make, and just different enough to break up the usual routine.

If you like these, you’ll probably also enjoy the Blueberry Oat Muffins and Triple Apple Oat Muffins – they all follow the same simple base with different flavors.

Hope you love these chocolate oat muffins as much as we do! If you make these muffins… I’d love to hear about them! Comment below or head over to Instagram or Facebook, share your pics, and tag me @bemandfam… I’d love to see them!

BEM and Fam

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PS. This post has some affiliate links, read more about those here.

Print the Chocolate Oat Muffins Recipe

Print

Chocolate Oat Muffins

Ingredients

• 2 bananas
• 1 cup full fat Greek yogurt
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup milk
• 3 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups ground oats blend oatmeal in a food processor
• 1 cup regular oats
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• chocolate chips optional - I add 3-5 on the top of the muffins

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
• Put the bananas into the mixer and blend until mushed.
• Add the milk, yogurt, eggs, syrup, and vanilla extract and then mix.
• Grind the 2 cups of oats in a blender or processor. Add them and the cup of regular oats to the mixture along with the baking powder, baking soda, and cocoa. Mix.
• Allow mixture to sit for 10 minutes. Prep the muffin tin with the parchment muffin liners. After the 10 minutes, fill the muffin liners to about 3/4 full. If using chocolate chips, add a few to the tops of muffins.
• Bake for about 24-27 minutes... until it passes the toothpick or fork test.

Notes

This batch makes about 17 muffins and as there is no butter or oil... I use parchment paper muffin liners, and they work like a charm. Putting batter into another liner or any metal liner might create sticking... even if greased. These are done when they are able to have a fork or toothpick come out clean... old trick but it works! 

If you want more chocolate, add a cup to the batter and then also sprinkle on the top. This will change sugar and calorie content.

Extra Nutritional Information per Serving:

• Calories 140
• Protein 6-7g
• Carbs 23g
• fat 3-4g
• fiber 3g

The post Chocolate Oat Muffins appeared first on Blue Eyed Mama | Family Recipes, Crafts & Homeschool Ideas.

April 23rd marks the celebrated birthday and widely believed date of passing, of one of the most well-known writers in history… William Shakespeare. Now, I’ll be honest, Shakespeare can feel a little intimidating at first.

The language is different and sometimes it’s hard to know where to even begin, but when you step back a little, what he wrote about is actually very familiar:

• love
• jealousy
• ambition
• friendship
• mistakes and consequences

The same things we still talk about today, and that’s what makes Shakespeare worth exploring… even in simple ways.

Who Was William Shakespeare?

William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, a small town surrounded by farmland and everyday life. As an adult, he moved to London, where he became involved in the theatre world… acting, writing, and eventually becoming one of the most influential playwrights of all time.

His plays were performed at places like the Globe Theatre, where audiences gathered to watch stories unfold live, reacting in real time. He didn’t just write plays, he helped shape the English language itself. Many of the phrases we still use today came from his work.

Reading Shakespeare as a Family

Shakespeare doesn’t have to be “all or nothing.” You don’t need to sit down and read an entire play start to finish to appreciate it.

Here are a few simple ways to bring it into your home:

The post Shakespeare Activities for Kids – Simple, Creative Ideas to Bring His Stories to Life appeared first on Blue Eyed Mama | Family Recipes, Crafts & Homeschool Ideas.

When we were learning about the Earth’s layers in homeschool, I wanted something more interactive than just reading a diagram in a book. So… we made this Earth’s layers activity… tiny Earths out of homemade salt dough.

It was simple, messy in an easy way, and honestly one of those little projects the kids remembered long after the lesson ended.  This is the kind of activity that helps younger learners actually see the Earth’s layers instead of just memorizing the words crust, mantle, and core… and because it doubles as sensory play and art, it feels more like playtime than school.

Why This Activity Works So Well

This Earth’s layers activity is:

• Hands-on and visual
• Great for younger learners
• Inexpensive to make
• Easy to adapt for homeschool or classroom use
• Perfect for Earth Day or science units
• A fun mix of science and sensory play

Best of all… kids can actually hold the layers of the Earth in their hands.

What Kids Learn from This Activity

While making these Earth models, kids naturally practice and explore:

• The Earth’s core, mantle, and crust
• Basic geology concepts
• Fine motor skills
• Spatial understanding
• Sensory exploration
• Following steps and sequencing

It turns a science concept into something tangible… and those kinds of lessons tend to stick.

How We Built the Earth Layers

These are easy to make, and they don’t have to be perfect when done!

• We started by rolling a small red ball for the Earth’s core.
• Next, we wrapped yellow dough around part of the red layer to create the mantle, leaving a little red visible so the inside could still be seen.
• After that, we added blue and green pieces around the outside for the oceans and land.

There’s really no “perfect” way to do this and it allows the kids to get creative. You could show them an example or just tell them to shape the land how they would like it.

We Used Homemade Salt Dough

We used homemade salt dough for this project because:

• it’s inexpensive
• easy to make
• dries into a keepsake

If you already have playdough or clay, you can absolutely use that too.

You can find my simple homemade salt dough recipe here.

Drying the Earth Models

Once assembled, place the models on parchment or wax paper with the land/ocean side facing upward.

Let them air dry for several days. You can bake salt dough at a low temperature (around 200°F), but layered projects tend to crack more easily in the oven, so we usually just let ours dry naturally.

Tips and Thoughts

If making a larger center, use balled up foil as the true center and put the red dough around it. This can be another teaching point as metal is at the center of the Earth, though it is liquid metal, but it could help the kiddos remember the point.

Setting the Earths on parchment will make one side flat, which is fine, it is like you cut into the Earth that way, however, if you want it to be round, you will need to build each layer and allow it to dry before moving on to the next layer.

Pair This with Earth Resources

While we worked on this project, we also used the book Earth in 30 Seconds alongside it.

It’s filled with short, approachable Earth science concepts that work really well for younger learners and hands-on lessons like this one.

I’ve linked the Earth science books, supplies, and fun Earth items we used here.

Final Thoughts

We did this Earth’s layers activity about 11 years ago and they’re still sitting on our bookshelf. When the kids were younger, they were part of a bigger science display. Now that they are much older, they are keepsakes!

They’re not perfect, polished projects… but that’s part of why I love them. They may not last forever, but they mean a lot to me after the years!

They remind me that learning doesn’t always have to look formal to matter.

If you make this Earth’s layers activity, I’d love to see them! Comment below or tag @bemandfam on Instagram or Facebook so I can see your version.

Don’t forget to save this for Earth Day or your next Earth science unit.

BEM and Fam

 Save This for Later

PS. This post has some affiliate links, read more about those here.

The post Earth’s Layers Activity for Kids (Easy Salt Dough Science Project) appeared first on Blue Eyed Mama | Family Recipes, Crafts & Homeschool Ideas.

Earth Day (April 22) is one of those days’ kids (and honestly, adults too) hear about, but don’t always fully understand or pay much attention to.

It started back in the 1970s, at a time when people were beginning to notice how much the environment had changed. Water pollution was becoming more visible, wildlife was declining in some areas, and there was a growing awareness that not everything we were doing was sustainable long-term.

What’s interesting is that Earth Day wasn’t started by just one type of group. It brought together people from different backgrounds, different jobs, and different perspectives… all with a shared concern about taking better care of the world around them.

Over time, it spread beyond the United States and became something recognized around the world, and like anything that grows over time, people have different opinions about it now. Some see it as meaningful, others feel like it’s become more about messaging than action.

For me, I try to keep it simple. Earth Day is just a good reminder to pause and notice the world around us… our air, water, plants, animals, and all the things we don’t always think about in the middle of a busy week.

It’s a chance to check in and see if we personally are doing what we can and a chance to teach that small choices can make an impact.

Things like turning off lights, picking up litter, and reusing something instead of just throwing it away… matter. Earth Day is a great day to pause with kids and help them see they make an impact.

Here are some simple Earth Day activities for kids you can do at home or in a classroom.

Simple Earth Day Activities for Kids

Some of the best Earth Day moments we’ve had have come from just doing one small thing and letting the conversation happen naturally around it.

Here are a few easy ways to start.

1. Go Outside and Actually Look Around

This sounds almost too simple, but it’s one of those things that works every time. Just step outside and slow down for a minute. Once we really appreciate the green spaces or butterflies… it is easy to want to do our part.

Look for:

• what’s starting to grow
• what looks different than it did a week ago
• what needs care
• what maybe shouldn’t be there

Sometimes kids notice things we completely miss.

You can keep it casual or turn it into a little scavenger hunt if they like having something to check off. Either way, it usually leads to more conversation than you expect.

2. Where Does It Go? (Trash vs. Recycle)

This one always ends up being more interesting than it sounds. Just grab a few everyday items, a plastic bottle, a box, a wrapper… things they see all the time… and ask:

“Where would this go?”

You’ll start to see pretty quickly what they already understand and what they’re guessing on. That’s where the good conversations happen. The truth is there may be things even adults aren’t sure about… and this is a great way to check your local laws and ordinances.

This could stem into your family recycling more or maybe even a trip to the local recycling center!

Our family took a trip to a local recycling center, and it is where we learned that all the recycling has to be cleaned out to be recycled. This seems like common sense now but was news to me then.

3. Would You Rather… Earth Day Edition

This is one of the easiest ways to get kids talking without it feeling like you’re trying to teach anything.

You can throw out questions like…

And then just… see where it goes. Kids tend to have opinions about this kind of thing, and sometimes their reasoning is better than you’d expect.

4. Small Changes That Actually Matter

Find something small in your home or classroom to change. Start recycling paper. Start a compost bin. Switch from one-use plastic water bottles to reusable water bottles (preferably ceramic or stainless steel). Start buying a brand that offers recyclable materials versus those that don’t.

It doesn’t have to be big, it just has to be intentional.

If every household and business gave up one-use plastic or metal drink containers (bottled water or soda can)… that would be a major win, and that is the point.

5. Earth Day Story or Reflection

Some kids want to talk things out and others need a little more space to reflect. This is where something like drawing or storytelling works really well.

You can keep it open:

• draw what a “healthy Earth” looks like
• make up a short story
• or just write one thing they noticed

It doesn’t have to be structured. Just a quiet way to process what they’re thinking.

Make It Simple

If there’s one thing I’ve learned with days like this… it’s that you don’t need major science lessons or big environmental speeches.

Just pick a few activities that everyone can relate to and have some fun.

Want Something Ready-to-Go?

If you’d rather not piece it all together yourself, I did put together a simple Earth Day pack that follows this same idea.

It’s not meant to be overwhelming, just something you can open and use.

It includes:

• An Earth Day mini book for conversation
• Recycle sorting activities
• Earth Day Would You Rather cards
• A scavenger hunt
• Earth Day vocabulary word search and other activities

You can use all of it or just parts of it depending on your day.

If you’d rather just open something and start, you can check it out here.

Final Thoughts on Earth Day

While visiting a nature center when I was in elementary school (so… a long time ago), one of the things that stuck with me was learning how the plastic rings from soda packs could hurt animals, especially sea turtles.

It was such a small thing, but it stayed with me.

I don’t really buy soda like that anymore, but for decades, I always took a second to cut those rings before throwing them away (before I learned that plastic shouldn’t be used).

That’s kind of how I think about Earth Day.

It doesn’t have to be big to matter. Most of the time, it’s the small things kids remember… and I can say that’s definitely been true for me and my kids.

If you use any of these Earth Day activities for kids, I’d honestly love to hear it. Comment below or tag @bemandfam on Instagram or Facebook with pics of your favorites!

Happy Earth Day!

BEM and Fam

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PS. This post has some affiliate links, read more about those here.

The post 5 Earth Day Activities for Kids appeared first on Blue Eyed Mama | Family Recipes, Crafts & Homeschool Ideas.

Every year, summer sneaks up on me. 

I know it’s coming. The calendar says it’s coming. The weather starts hinting at it sometime in April. Yet somehow, every single year, there’s a moment where I suddenly realize we’re about two weeks away from summer schedules and absolutely nothing feels ready.

The towels from last year are nowhere to be found. Someone suddenly needs sandals and water shoes… AND new cleats. Camps want forms filled out immediately. The kids need a new physical for sports. Oh, and they’ve outgrown their bat, mitt, swimming suit, shoes, and the tires on their bikes are flat.

Summer is wonderful, but it can also become chaotic fast. That’s why using simple ways to prepare for summer can make the difference!

Over the years, I’ve realized something important though… enjoying summer isn’t about being the most organized or the most productive. It’s about connecting with your family and that is easier to do with a little planning.

You don’t have to have a perfect plan, just enough that the season feels easier instead of overwhelming. That’s why I’ve started treating April like a summer prep month. I begin to think about what we need or what we want to do, so when summer arrives, we are ready. 

Summer Stress Usually Starts Small

Most summer chaos doesn’t begin with one giant problem. It starts with tiny things:

• nobody knows what’s for dinner
• towels pile up constantly
• the kitchen becomes a revolving snack station
• everyone’s sleep schedule shifts
• activities overlap
• we spend more because we didn’t prepare ahead

Honestly, I don’t think most families feel stressed over the summer due to failure, I just think that they want to do more than they actually plan for… and that brings exhaustion. Life moves quickly, and when we don’t have even a few simple systems in place, we end up reacting to everything instead of enjoying the season.

One Small System Can Change a Lot

I used to think systems had to be elaborate to work. Now I think the best systems are the ones simple enough that tired people will actually use them.

Things like:

• a basket with outdoor essentials by the door
• one shelf in the fridge dedicated to grab-and-go snacks
• a towel bin instead of everyone asking where towels are
• simple rotating dinners
• freezer meal backups
• a visible family calendar

None of these things are revolutionary, but together, they lower stress… and lowering stress changes the entire feeling of a home.

For our family, having a “summer bag” changed everything.

I kept cards, small games, wipes, snacks, goggles, a towel, and a few simple essentials ready to go at all times. I also kept an easy change of clothes for each kid in the car.

Our summers were full. We’d go bowling, swimming, to a museum, have a picnic, and then end the day with a movie… sometimes all in one day. Having a couple simple systems made those days feel fun instead of overwhelming.

Summer Spending Gets Sneaky

One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that disorganization quietly turns into spending. Not because people are irresponsible… but because chaos is expensive.

We buy duplicates because we can’t find things. We grab fast food because evenings became overwhelming. We impulse shop online because we forgot something important. We spend more simply because planning ahead became harder.

Preparing for summer isn’t just about organization. It’s also about creating a little breathing room financially.

Even small things help:

• stocking simple meals before schedules get busy
• checking summer clothes early
• making a list before activities begin
• preparing for birthdays or vacations ahead of time

The goal isn’t to have everything perfect, it is to have fewer “panic purchases”.

Start Small… Not Perfect

If preparing for summer already feels overwhelming, don’t try to fix everything at once. Pick one thing…

• one small system
• one area of your home
• one weekly rhythm
• one financial habit

That’s enough to begin and then maybe this week you…

• organize summer gear
• create a snack shelf
• start a small summer savings cushion
• plan a few simple dinners
• write down a handful of things your family actually wants to do this summer

Small preparations now… prevent bigger stress later.

The Most Important Thing Might Be Rhythm

I think what families really need heading into summer isn’t stricter schedules… it’s rhythm. A few steady things that make life feel anchored even when the days become more flexible.

Maybe that looks like:

• Friday movie nights
• evening walks
• backyard dinners
• Sunday prep time
• library days
• quiet afternoons on certain days

Small rhythms create familiarity, and familiarity helps people feel relaxed.

We did this a lot when our kids were younger. We’d start looking at the things we’d want to do with the kids and begin to plan out our week. Our local library had a wonderful summer program, our bowling alley had free bowling for kids, and there were a few theatres that offered free movies.

Once we had a few anchor points, everything else became easier to build around. We either plugged other activities into those rhythms… or simply enjoyed slower days in between.

Without some loose planning, we would have either missed a lot of things or become stressed trying to cram everything in.

A Reminder Before Summer Arrives

You do not need to earn a “peaceful” summer by becoming perfectly organized first. You don’t need matching bins. You don’t need a flawless routine. You don’t need to overhaul your entire life in April or May. Sometimes preparing for summer simply means:

• noticing what stressed your family last year
• choosing a few things to improve
• checking a few websites for activities
• saving a few extra dollars for a couple months just to have a little cushion
• picking 5 go-to meals for the summer 

Final Thoughts

I don’t think the goal is to create a “perfect” summer. Honestly, most families probably just want a summer that feels a little calmer, a little more connected, and a little less rushed.

A few small systems, some simple preparation, and realistic expectations can make a bigger difference than we think.

You do not need to overhaul your home or plan every moment ahead of time. Sometimes the best thing we can do is simply notice what stressed us last year and make a few gentle adjustments before the season begins.

That’s enough and honestly, it’s probably what helps a summer feel enjoyable in the first place.

A Resource I’ve Really Appreciated

One book that genuinely shifted how I think about routines, systems, and home life is The Lazy Genius Way.

I appreciate that it focuses less on perfection and more on making the things that matter easier and more manageable. That mindset has helped me approach home life with a lot less pressure.

Grab the book The Lazy Genuis Way here

Related Summer Posts You May Enjoy

If you’re already thinking ahead to summer, you might also enjoy:

• 25 Free (or Nearly Free) Summer Activities for Families
• Summer Learning: Yay or Nay?

Both are simple, realistic ideas for making summer feel meaningful without overcomplicating it.

Want a Simple Place to Start?

Some of this and other ideas are inside the April section of the Family Binder. I included pages focused on:

• gentle home resets
• simplifying before summer
• reducing stress spending
• creating small systems that make everyday family life feel easier

Nothing extreme. Just practical ways to prepare for a busier season without feeling stressed out by it. They are designed to give you some room to plan before the summer hits.

You can find the April Family Binder here.

If you find any of these things helpful for you to prepare for summer or have tips of your own… I’d love to hear them! Comment below or head over to Instagram or Facebook, share your pics, and tag me @bemandfam… I’d love to see them!

BEM and Fam

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Thomas Jefferson has always been interesting to my kids, especially my daughter, since they share a birthday. She also likes to remind me that he brought foods like macaroni and cheese and ice cream back from France, which makes him pretty memorable in our house. Those were favorite foods when my kids were little, so somehow that connection has always stuck.

Jefferson is also one of those historical figures people tend to have strong opinions about. I’m not going to get into everything here, but I do think it’s important to read more about him beyond quick summaries or talking points.

He lived during a time when slavery existed almost everywhere in the world, and he himself was part of that system, but he recognized in the middle of living in it… that it was wrong and needed to change. In his original draft of the Declaration of Independence, he included a passage criticizing slavery and the slave trade. That section was removed during revisions by other delegates.

What came later was the thought that individual farmers could make small changes which would allow for real, lasting change. This is usually called Enlightenment. Of course, that was naive, as not everyone wanted change, and sadly, Jefferson and several founding fathers realized that ending slavery would probably end in war… and they were right.

What remains is complicated, but also important.

Jefferson wrote the words “all men are created equal,” and those words have carried forward far beyond his lifetime, shaping conversations about freedom and equality not just in America, but around the world.

History isn’t always simple, and people aren’t either. But I do think Jefferson is worth learning about, especially with kids, because his story opens the door to bigger conversations about freedom, growth, and understanding the past more fully.

To really understand him, it helps to step back and look at the basics first.

So… Who Was Thomas Jefferson?

Most kids first hear Jefferson’s name connected to the Declaration of Independence, but that’s really just the starting point.

• He was born in 1743 in Virginia
• He was nicknamed Mr. Mammoth because he was so tall (kids love this one and you can introduce mammoths)
• He was the main author of the Declaration of Independence (did most of the actual writing), though he was part of a group called the Committee of Five, and it also included…
  • Benjamin Franklin (click to see some STEM activities relating to Franklin)
  • John Adams
  • Roger Sherman
  • Robert Livingston
• He was Governor of Virgina, second Vice President, and third President of the United States
• He helped double the size of the U.S. through the Louisiana Purchase
• He designed his own home (Monticello) and really enjoyed architecture
• He started the University of Virginia (an accomplishment he was proud of)
• He spoke multiple languages and played violin
• He collected books and helped build one of the largest personal libraries of his time

But those facts only tell part of the story.

Why He Still Matters

What I find interesting isn’t just what Jefferson believed, it’s that he kept revisiting those ideas over time. Jefferson helped shape some of the core ideas of America:

• Freedom and independence
• The importance of education
• The idea that people should think for themselves
• The belief of smaller governments

What also stands out most is that he didn’t stop learning once he became successful. He kept reading, building, planting, experimenting, and that’s something kids can actually relate to.

Jefferson Beyond History

Jefferson wasn’t only a figure in American history, he also loved science. He wasn’t a “scientist” in the way we think of today, but he was deeply interested in:

• Plants and gardening
• Architecture and design
• Mapping and land exploration
• Food and cooking (he brought new foods back from Europe)

At Monticello, he kept detailed notes on what he planted, what grew well, and what didn’t. He worked on inventions to help the home run smoother. He treated everyday life like something worth observing. He often used the scientific method, without knowing it, to tackle issues. This makes learning about Thomas Jefferson even more interesting because it allows for STEM activities!

This is usually the part that clicks for kids… realizing he wasn’t just a name in a book, but someone constantly trying to figure things out.

Simple Jefferson-Inspired Activities

These aren’t complicated or overly academic. Just simple ways to bring him to life a bit. One of the easiest ways to make Jefferson real is to let kids step into his role for a moment.

1. Write Your Own Declaration

Thomas Jefferson didn’t just write words, he made an argument. He listed problems, explained why they mattered, and then clearly stated what needed to change. That’s something kids can do too… in a way that actually connects to their real life.

This simple Declaration activity is one I did with my kids but also still do with my students in my American History 1700s class. I’ve had students get creative by wrinkling paper or using tea to stain paper!

This is one of those activities that always surprises me a little. Kids have strong opinions, they just don’t always have the structure to express them.

Step 1: Choose Your “Cause”

Have kids choose something they genuinely care about to declare against or from… and this can be done at home or in a classroom.

Keep it simple but real:

• “We should have more time outside”
• “Homework should be shorter”
• “We should get more choice in what we learn”

Step 2: Build the Argument (Jefferson Style)

Instead of just writing opinions, guide them like this:

1. What is the problem? What feels unfair or needs to change?
2. Why does it matter? How does it affect you or others?
3. What should happen instead? What’s your solution?

Sentence starters (very helpful for younger kids):

• “We believe that…”
• “It is not fair that…”
• “This matters because…”
• “We propose that…”

Step 3: Present & Defend

This is where it becomes multi-curriculum. Have kids…

• read their declaration out loud (speaking)
• explain their thinking (critical thinking)
• answer simple questions (presenting)

Step 4: The “Reality Check” 

After presenting, talk through the declaration and ask…

• Would this work for everyone?
• What might be difficult about it?
• Does anything need to change?

This naturally leads into conversations about compromise, rules, structure and so on!

Step 5 – Optional Extension: Create a Simple “Constitution”

Jefferson was not part of the writing of our Constitution, though there were several likeminded people there. His ideas of smaller government are one of the reasons why America is founded on checks and balances.

This extension focuses on the “next step” scenario after the declaration. Once ideas are discussed, kids can turn their best ones into 3–5 “family rules” or “class agreements”

This is a great way to show:
Declarations = ideas
Constitutions = how those ideas actually work in real life

Step 6 – Optional Extension: Build Your Own Country

A country is more than documents. Have students design a flag, draw a map, and decide what are the country’s typical interests. This can be a really fun extension or a standalone exercise.

Another way to take this farther is to have learners present their country in a presentation.

This could be done with a play, a general presentation (board display or slide show), or a simple speech. If you wanted to give older leaners more to think about, ask them to compare and contrast their country to the United States.

2. STEM Challenge: Design & Build Like Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was a fan of ancient Roman architecture. He designed his home, Monticello, and he also designed some of the buildings at the University of Virgina. Thomas Jefferson carefully thought about light, space, function, and how people would use the space.

He also loved gadgets and had several made to his specifications to make life easier for the house. This wasn’t just about what looked nice. It was about creating something that worked well. That’s the idea behind this challenge.

I actually had an assignment like this when I was young, though it wasn’t tied to Jefferson, and I loved it. We walked around a neighborhood sketching the home we liked best. I liked a blue four-square home and built one out of match boxes and painted it blue. Some 40 years later… I live in a four-square home that we painted blue. When we bought the home and later painted it… the exercise was the farthest thing from my mind, but when I challenged my kids to this… I had to wonder if that home didn’t influence me more than I thought.

That’s the beauty of this type of learning!

Step 1: Think Before You Build

Ask kids to design a building, a home, school, church, or any space they would like. Before jumping into materials, have kids plan what their space needs, what it will be used for, and what it would need to make life better (or more fun).

Give them 3 design goals:

• Comfort (What makes it feel good to live there?)
• Function (What makes it work well?)
• Creativity (What makes it unique?)

This is where it becomes design thinking, not just building

Step 2: Create a Simple Blueprint

Have kids sketch their home first and include rooms, spaces, doors, windows, outdoor areas, and so on. Challenge each kid according to their level. This could be done with a ruler, teaching about measurement and even legends.

You’re introducing planning before execution (huge skill)

Step 3: Build a Model

Now have them bring it to life in a way that interests them. They can use…

• LEGO
• cardboard boxes
• Minecraft
• popsicle sticks

Add a simple constraint (this is what makes it STEM): Must include at least 3 features that serve a purpose

Examples:

• Windows for natural light
• Storage space
• Outdoor area
• Separate quiet/work space

Step 4: Explain the Design

Have kids walk through their home and explain why they chose their design, what problems it solved, and what they could or would change.

Step 5: Improve It (Jefferson Mindset)

Jefferson constantly revised his designs. Ask your kids or students what they would change or what didn’t work. This teaches problem solving, flexibility, and iteration.

3. Start a Small Garden

One of the quieter parts of Jefferson’s life, but one that I think matters, is how much attention he gave to plants and food. He grew a wide variety of crops and kept detailed notes about what worked and what didn’t.

At one point, tomatoes weren’t widely trusted to be edible. Jefferson helped change that simply by growing them and serving them. He also planted and studied new plants brought back from the Lewis and Clark Expedition, including echinacea (also known as coneflowers, seen above).

There’s something simple about this that works really well with kids. Try planting a small garden or even just one plant… or maybe plant both tomatoes and echinacea for a Thomas Jefferson garden!

This is a fun and lasting way (especially with echinacea as they are perennials) to create a connection with Jefferson, and honestly, I have found tomatoes and echinacea two of the easiest plants to grow! 

4. In the Kitchen with Jefferson

One of the things my kids remember most about Thomas Jefferson isn’t politics or documents… it’s food.

Jefferson spent time in France, and when he came back, he didn’t just bring ideas, he brought recipes with him. Foods like macaroni and cheese and ice cream weren’t completely new, but they weren’t common in early America either. He also helped introduce things like French-style cooking, potatoes prepared in new ways (like what we’d think of as fries), and even more formal dining habits.

Research more about the recipes that Jefferson popularized or check out our homemade Macaroni and Cheese recipe!

Want to Explore Thomas Jefferson Even More?

If your family is enjoying learning about Jefferson, I put together a few things that will bring history to life. This is exactly what I put together for our own studies.

1. Thomas Jefferson Education Unit

I have built an interactive and hands-on Thomas Jefferson unit that includes 7 lessons to help students learn more about Jefferson and his life. It includes…

• 7 lessons with a timeline
• links to interactive games
• flashcards
• activities… compare and contrast, word search, and crossword
• map
• Who Decides? game – a dice game that showcases Jefferson and Hamilton’s views on government
• schedule suggestions
• ticket in ideas
• Beyond the Lesson pages – ideas to extend the lessons

This is designed to be used at home, in co-ops, or even in the classroom. It is a guided unit but is able to be flexible.

Explore the Thomas Jefferson Unit here

2. Build a Jefferson Learning Basket

If you want to dive deeper, I put together a small Jefferson Amazon list with:

Check out the Jefferson Amazon list

3. Visit Monticello

For those that have the chance to visit Monticello, I would recommend it… but there are digital tours too! Check out this page on Monticello.org to see how to set up a digital tour or history lab… many of them are FREE!

Final Thoughts

Thomas Jefferson was an interesting man. Some say he was ahead of his time and others think he deserves to live in the past. However you view him, there is no denying that he changed not only American history, but world history.

If you try any of these Thomas Jefferson activities for kids above, I’d love to hear how it goes.  Comment below or head over to Instagram or Facebook, share your pics, and tag me @bemandfam… I’d love to see them!

Learning at home doesn’t have to be complicated or limited to school (in the home or classroom), it can be small moments that build connection and spark interest. Here’s to raising curious kids… one little bit at a time.

BEM and Fam

 Save This for Later

PS. This post has some affiliate links, read more about those here.

The post Thomas Jefferson Activities for Kids appeared first on Blue Eyed Mama | Family Recipes, Crafts & Homeschool Ideas.

Honesty sounds simple… until you’re standing in the kitchen holding the evidence and your kid is still saying, “I didn’t do it.” Suddenly it’s not even about the thing anymore, it’s about the lie.

That is the part that always catches me off guard, maybe with my upbringing and being lied to and let down so much… I just can’t stand lying. But honesty doesn’t just… happen. It is something we learn and teach, but it is also something we choose.

Why Teaching Honesty Matters (Even When It’s Uncomfortable)

I think part of why is so important for me is because honesty isn’t really about rules, it’s about trust.

When a child tells the truth, even when they know they might get in trouble, it builds something. You start to feel like you can rely on what they say. They start to feel safe being known, even when they mess up, and when they don’t… it creates distance.

That’s why this matters so much, not because we expect kids to be perfect, but because honesty is what holds relationships together over time. It’s also something they carry with them outside of our homes and into their adult lives.

If they learn early that the truth is something you face, not something you avoid, it shapes the way they move through the world.

The hard part is… it doesn’t come from one big talk. It comes from all the small moments when we decide how to respond.

What Teaching Honesty Actually Looks Like at Home

This is the part I think gets misunderstood because it’s easy to picture “teaching honesty” as a lesson or a sit-down conversation, but most of the time, it looks a lot more ordinary than that.

Here are a few ways teaching honesty happens at home.

1. Catching the moment without blowing it up

There are times I’ve wanted to react immediately… and sometimes I have. I’ve noticed that when everything escalates quickly, the focus shifts from the truth to the reaction.

I’ve always tried to stay as calm as I could, especially when my kids were younger, because I didn’t want them to connect telling the truth with me overreacting. If telling the truth feels like walking into something intense, they’re going to hesitate next time.

That doesn’t mean ignoring it. I’ve never ignored a lie. I just try not to turn it into something bigger than it needs to be in that moment.

Because what I really want is the truth… not a shutdown, not defensiveness, not a battle, and sometimes keeping things steady is what makes that possible.

2. Helping them understand what trust actually means

This is something I don’t think we talk about enough with kids. We say, “Don’t lie,” but we don’t always explain why it matters beyond getting in trouble.

At some point, I started explaining it more directly. Not in a lecture… just in real conversation. I explained that trust is what makes relationships feel safe. That when someone lies, even about small things, it starts to create doubt, and when people aren’t sure they can believe you, they start to pull back a little.

I’ve explained it in ways they can understand:

If a teacher keeps catching a student in lies, they’re going to double-check everything.
If a grandparent isn’t sure what’s true, they’re going to hesitate before saying yes to things.
If I’m not sure what’s true, it makes it harder for me to give freedom or trust decisions.

Not as a threat, but just as reality… because everyone wants to be trusted. Everyone wants people to feel comfortable believing them.

Honesty is what builds that over time and explaining that clearly and regularly, is important.

3. Being clear about truth, consequences, and second chances

This is probably where I’ve landed the most over time. I’ve told my kids more than once…

If something happened, we’ll deal with it, but I would rather hear the truth now than have it turn into something bigger later. Because there’s a difference between making a mistake (even deliberately) and continuing to lie about it.

The mistake might have a consequence, but continuing to lie creates something else, it puts a wedge in trust. That part matters more in the long run. I also try to leave space for them to come back from the lie and to tell the truth, even if it takes a minute.

I don’t want honesty to feel like an all-or-nothing moment. I want it to feel like something they can choose… even after they’ve messed up.

4. Showing them what honesty looks like in real life

This is something I became very aware of as they got older. If I expect them to be honest, then I have to be someone they can trust too.

That means following through when I say I will. Admitting when I’m wrong. Not making excuses or covering things up.

There were times I made very intentional choices around this, because I didn’t want there to be confusion later about what honesty looks like.

I wanted them to know… I’m not going to lie to you. Even when it would be easier. Even when it would smooth something over. Because if they believe that, then when I say something, especially something they don’t want to hear, they know it’s coming from a real place, and that matters more than always being liked in the moment.

5. Don’t assume they “know better” as they get older

This is probably the biggest mistake I see, and honestly, it’s an easy one to make. At some point, we feel like…

• “They’ve been taught this.”
• “They know right from wrong.”
• “We’ve already had this conversation.”

But knowing something and choosing something are not the same thing, and if anything, honesty gets harder as kids get older… not easier.

When they’re little, the stakes are small. It’s things like toys, snacks, little moments. However, as they grow, everything gets bigger. More freedom, more responsibility, and more consequences. Which can equate to more reasons to lie.

When a teenager tells you they’re going one place and they end up somewhere else, that’s not just a small thing. That directly affects trust. Now it’s not just about honesty in the moment… it’s about safety, responsibility, and whether you can rely on what they say.

And that impacts everything:

• Whether they can stay out later
• Whether they can go somewhere without you
• Whether you feel comfortable saying yes next time

Trust isn’t just a value at that point, it’s the foundation for their independence. If that trust starts to crack, it changes the way you parent. It has to. That’s why this isn’t a conversation we have once and move on from. It’s something we come back to.

Because even kids who know better still make choices in the moment. Even kids raised in strong homes and who’ve been taught clearly.

I’ve noticed something else too. The more open the conversation is, the more you tend to actually know what’s going on. Kids are a lot more likely to be honest when they know they can talk without everything immediately turning into a shutdown or a lecture. That doesn’t mean there aren’t boundaries or consequences. It just means honesty stays part of the relationship… not something that only comes up when something goes wrong.

In the long run, honesty isn’t just about avoiding trouble. It’s about helping them become someone who tells the truth, even when it would be easier not to.

Simple Ways to Practice Honesty, Without Making It a Big Deal

If you want to be a little more intentional without turning it into a heavy conversation, here are a few easy ways to work honesty into everyday life:

• Ask “what would you do?” questions
• Talk through real-life scenarios casually
• Share your own small mistakes
• Let them see honesty modeled in normal conversation

Make honesty and trust a family value early on, and work on making it stick.

A Simple Honesty Activity That Makes It Click

This is something I did with my kids when they were small. All you need is a ball of yarn.

Sit down together, around the table, on the floor, wherever, and start telling a simple story. It can be completely made up. As you tell it, start wrapping the yarn around the kids, a chair, passing it across the table, looping it around things nearby. Then add in a small “lie” to the story.

Keep going. Each time, keep wrapping or crossing the yarn somewhere new, around a chair leg, across someone’s arm, and before long, you end up with this tangled web stretched across the room.

When you are done, say something like:

“This is kind of what happens when we don’t tell the truth. One small thing turns into something bigger, and then it gets harder to untangle.”

If you want, you can take a minute and slowly start unwinding it or you can leave it for a bit and let them sit with it. Either way, it gives them something they can see, not just something they’re told. It’s a small thing, but it’s the kind of visual that helps bring the idea of honesty out of “just words” and into something they can actually understand.

A Few Things That Help These Conversations Go Easier

Honesty Freebie Download

If you want a simple way to start these conversations without turning it into a big lesson, I put together a small printable you can use at home. It’s just a few real-life prompts and questions that help kids think through honesty in a way that actually makes sense to them.

Nothing complicated, just something to give you a starting point when you need it.

Grab the Honesty Freebie 

Honesty and Character Unit

Once I began teaching online, I created an honesty class. To assist my students, I created a lesson that helped kids understand honesty and trust. I used what I learned with my kids and built something that parents could use at home or teachers could use in their classrooms. 

Over the years, the lesson became a unit, and part of a bigger Character Education system.

This Honesty and Character Unit is flexible, cross-curricular, and helps kids actually think through what honesty looks like in real life.

Inside you’ll find:

• real-life situations kids actually recognize
• simple prompts that open up conversation instead of shutting it down
• a reflection spaces that give them space to think, not just respond
• crafts and games
• suggested guides and deeper ideas

It’s something you can use at home, pull out when you need it, or even use more intentionally if you want to. 

Grab the Honesty and Character Unit here

Honesty Literature and Tools

Sometimes having a few tools nearby helps take the pressure off. We had several books when the kids were younger about honesty. A favorite was The Empty Pot, but we had several. This made the topic more natural as the kids were seeing our conversations enforced in the literature.

Having a journal might help for those frustrating moments when kids and teens want to get stuff of their chests.  

I created an Amazon Honesty list with tools that we had, mainly books, that helped encourage honesty. You don’t need a lot, just one or two can make these conversations feel more natural over time.

See our Amazon Honesty list

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, honesty isn’t about raising kids who never mess up. It’s about raising kids who are willing to tell the truth when they do. That doesn’t happen because we told them once not to lie. It happens because we keep showing them, over time, that honesty matters, that trust matters, and that telling the truth is always the better choice… even when it’s uncomfortable.

If honesty has been an issue for your home or if any of these ideas help in teaching honesty to kids… I’d love to hear it, and I am sure there are other parents that would too. Comment below or tag @bemandfam on Instagram or Facebook with pics of your favorite honesty tools!

BEM and Fam

 Save This for Later

PS. This post has some affiliate links, read more about those here.

The post Teaching Honesty to Kids appeared first on Blue Eyed Mama | Family Recipes, Crafts & Homeschool Ideas.

When I was younger, my grandmother used to call me her little elephant. She’d laugh and say it was because I remembered everything… every story, every detail, every tiny moment. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but that’s part of why elephants have always stayed with me.

There’s something about them… the way they move, the way they stay close to each other, the way they seem to carry both strength and gentleness at the same time. Every time we’ve seen them at the zoo, I’ve found myself just standing there a little longer than expected.

While Save the Elephant Day (April 16) and World Elephant Day (August 12) are often when people talk about them, elephants are the kind of animal that fit into learning any time of year. They naturally pull kids in and make learning memorable.

These elephant activities for kids are kid-friendly looks at elephants… how they live, communicate, eat, and care for one another.

So… What Makes Elephants So Interesting?

Elephants don’t just stand out because of their size… they challenge what kids expect animals to be.

• They are the largest land animals on Earth
• They use their trunks like tools (and hands!)
• They live in strong family groups led by females
• They communicate in ways humans can’t always hear

Science Facts About Elephants

• An elephant’s trunk has over 40,000 muscles
• They can “hear” through vibrations in the ground
• Elephants have incredible long-term memory
• Their ears help regulate body temperature
• They can drink up to 50 gallons of water per day
• Baby elephants stay close to their mothers for years

Fun Facts Kids Love

• Elephants can’t jump (at all!)
• They use mud and dust like sunscreen
• A group of elephants is called a herd
• Baby elephants suck their trunks like a thumb
• They show signs of empathy and even grief

Hands-On Elephant Activities

Each activity connects to how elephants actually live, how they stay cool, move, remember, and survive in their environments.

1. Mud Play (Why Elephants Need Mud)

If you’ve ever seen an elephant covered in mud, it’s not just because they enjoy it (though they probably do). Mud actually plays an important role in how elephants stay healthy.

It helps:

• Cool their bodies in hot climates
• Protect their skin from the sun
• Keep bugs and parasites away

In a lot of ways, mud acts like sunscreen, bug spray, and air conditioning all at once. You don’t need anything complicated to explore this.

If the weather allows, this can be as simple as letting kids have a true “mud day” outside, digging, mixing water into dirt, and just experiencing it the way elephants would.

If you’d rather keep things contained (or you’re indoors), a simple mud dough works really well for this. It gives kids the same sensory experience without quite as much cleanup, and you can add small animal figurines or just let them explore freely.

We’ve used these mud dough and water dough recipes (both pictured above) at home when learning about various animals and habitats, and it’s one of those activities that ends up lasting longer than you expect, but in a good way.

What I love about this one is how natural it feels. Kids don’t need instructions. They don’t need rules. They just start exploring… and in doing that, they’re actually understanding something real about how animals live.

2. Elephant Water Carry Challenge (How Powerful Is a Trunk?)

Elephants don’t just use their trunks to drink… they use them to carry water too. In fact, an elephant’s trunk can hold up to about 2–2.5 gallons of water at once before spraying it into their mouth or onto their body. That’s a lot more than it sounds.

To help bring that idea to reality, try a fun elephant challenge at home.

You’ll Need:

• Two buckets or containers
• A sponge (or cup, baster, or whatever you have)
• Tape or marker to make a “fill line”
• Water

What To Do:

1. Fill one bucket with water
2. Mark a line on the second bucket that is equal to the water filled in the first bucket (this is your goal)
3. Have kids transfer water using only the sponge or whatever they chose (cup, baster…)

They’ll quickly notice:

• Water drips
• It takes multiple trips
• It’s harder than it looks

Then compare:

• How many trips did it take you?
• How much water did you lose along the way?
• An elephant could do this in just one go.

It’s a simple way to feel the difference between human tools and an animal perfectly designed for its environment.

3. Elephant Memory Moment

Elephants are known for something pretty incredible, their memory. They can remember water sources from years earlier, migration paths across long distances, and other elephants, even after being apart for a long time.

Some researchers believe this is one of the reasons elephants are able to survive in changing environments. Their memory helps them return to places that are safe, familiar, and full of resources. It’s also part of why they stay so connected to their families.

This is a simple way to explore that idea at home.

You can try:

• A quick matching or memory game
• A “what’s missing?” tray (remove one item and guess what’s gone)
• Or even reading a short story and recalling details afterward

You can frame it like this… “Let’s see if you have an elephant memory.” and then do one or all of these activities. We have used all of these but I like our favorite is the “what’s missing” tray. You simply collect random items, put them on the tray or table, take one away when their eyes are closed, and see if they can remember what was there.

It isn’t explicitly about elephants, but it ties into one of their traits in a memorable way!

4. Elephant Habitat Map (African vs. Asian)

Elephants don’t all live in the same places, and once you start looking at a map, that becomes really interesting.

Have kids find:

• Africa → home to African elephants
• Asia → home to Asian elephants

Even this simple step helps kids start connecting animals to real places in the world. From there, you can notice a few key differences:

You don’t have to go too deep here, just noticing that they’re different is enough to start.

If your kids enjoy this kind of comparison, I’ll be including a simple map and a closer look at both African and Asian elephants in the upcoming Elephant Unit.

Elephant Learning Unit – In development

I’m currently working on an Elephant Learning Pack to go alongside these science activities. It’s designed to help kids understand not just elephants, but the environment they depend on.

• Detailed life cycle pages
• Elephant comparison charts
• Habitat & ecosystem maps
• Label anatomy
• STEM measurement activities

Notify me when the Elephant Unit is ready

Build an Elephant Learning Basket

To extend learning gently, here are a few things we actually use when we learned about elephants, or I make recommendations to students.

• Elephant figurines
• Puzzles
• Elephant books and more

  See our Elephant Learning Favorites here

 Free Printable: Science Log

If your kids enjoy these activities, the Science Log works perfectly here, for observations, recording ideas, or sketching habitats. It’s the same one we use for STEM posts throughout the year.

Kids can:

• Sketch life cycles
• Record jump measurements
• Write habitat observations
• Compare frogs to other amphibians

 Download the free Science Log

Elephant Wrap-up

If you want to build out a full elephant day (or week) at home, here are a few extras our family has loved:

• Our Favorite Elephant Toys
A simple, durable elephant figurine or play set goes a long way for sensory play and storytelling.
 See our favorite elephant pick here.

• Mud Dough
Kid-favorites and pair perfectly with elephant sensory worlds.
 Easy Mud Dough Recipe

• Elephant Learning Basket (Amazon List)
Books, figurines, STEM tools, and cozy extras to make winter learning simple.
 Browse the Elephant Learning Basket

• Elephant Science Unit
Great for those that really want to learn more and have a full elephant experience.
 Get your Elephant Unit here – coming soon

• Quick Elephant Watch
If you want to wind down after the activities, try an elephant documentary clip or a behind-the-scenes zoo video. I recommend Elephant- Spy in the Herd documentary (by the BBC and my kids liked this one) or an elephant cam, like the one at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee (though others have them too).

Final Thoughts on Elephants 

Elephants are easy to slow down for. They don’t rush, they stay close to their families, and they seem to move with purpose. Every time we’ve seen them, they’ve been one of those animals we just stand and watch.

Not just because they’re interesting, but because they remind us intelligence comes in different packages… and that is worth learning!

You don’t need a full plan or a perfect setup for this. Just a little mud, a quick activity, a short conversation… it all counts.

If you try any of these Elephant activities for kids, I’d love to see them! Share in the comments or tag me on Instagram and Facebook @bemandfam… it absolutely makes my day, and I really do enjoy seeing it.

BEM and Fam

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April 5th is National Deep Dish Pizza Day, also known as Chicago-style pizza, and since we already make pizza at home pretty regularly, it felt like a good excuse to try something a little different.

I actually used to live in Chicago, so when I first moved there, I had to try deep dish. I’ll be honest… I wasn’t overly impressed. It’s just not my favorite kind of pizza. That said, if I had to pick one, I’d go with Lou Malnati’s. There’s something I like about it the best.

I once read that Chicago deep dish pizza came about because Chicagoans thought New York-style pizza was too simple… so they made something you couldn’t even eat with your hands, you HAD to use a fork. They felt it was more dignified.

I don’t know if that’s completely true, but it kind of fits… Deep Dish Pizza isn’t a grab-a-slice pizza. It’s layered, it’s thick, and you usually need a fork.

What Makes Deep Dish Different

If you’ve only ever had traditional pizza, deep dish feels a little backwards at first.

• The crust is thick and more like a pie
• The cheese goes on first
• Then the toppings
• Finally, the sauce goes on top

It takes longer to bake, and when it comes out, it feels more like a full meal than something you grab by the slice. You’re not folding this and eating it on the go… you’re sitting down with a fork.

Ingredients You’ll Need

I originally thought I would just use my regular pizza crust recipe (which is awesome), but after some digging, I saw that most authentic deep dish has some corn meal added to the flour. The rising process also usually asks for laminating, which I will explain later. So, I changed some things up, however, the basic ingredients are the same.

Dough:

• flour
• cornmeal
• yeast
• sugar
• salt
• water
• butter, both melted and room temp
• oil

Toppings:

• mozzarella
• parmesan
• any other toppings you like (sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms…)

Sauce:

I use my pasta sauce for all of my pizzas, however, if I am out, I use Muir Glen Organic Pasta Sauce.

You can use whatever sauce you like but I end up using about 24 ounces of sauce.

How This Comes Together

Much like most doughs you mix the dry ingredients first and then add the wet ones. I use a stand mixer to mix everything for a minute or two then pour onto a clean surface and knead until combined.

This dough requires two rises, which is why it isn’t a pizza for every night, but it is simple to let rise and work on other things.

I bake this in my 16 inch cast iron skillet and then allow to sit for about 10-15 minutes before serving.

A Few Things I Noticed

After making it at home, a few things stood out:

• It really does need to sit before cutting
• A deeper pan makes a big difference
• It’s more filling than regular pizza
• A small slice goes a long way
• Leftovers are actually really good the next day

It’s not as complicated as I thought it would be… just different.

Freezing the Dough

Just like with my regular pizza dough, you can make this ahead of time and then freeze it. Just make it, let it rise both times, then freeze in a freezer safe container. Once you’re ready to use, pull it out the night before and pick up where you left off.

Laminating the Dough

I mentioned earlier about laminating the dough. This is a process where butter is used to spread on the dough after it has been rolled out. The butter allows moisture to expand the dough, so the more times it is laminated, the puffier it gets. I only did this once for this recipe, but those that make croissants or other pastries do it many times to get that airy, puffy texture. You could do it twice here.

I explain the process more in the below recipe card, but you can see the process a bit here.

A Few Things That Help

You don’t need anything fancy, but a couple things make it easier:

• A deeper pan or cast iron skillet
• A good pizza cutter
• A sturdy spatula for serving

I’ve linked the pan and tools, plus my other kitchen favorites here.

Final Thoughts

Chicago style deep dish pizza isn’t quick… and it’s not supposed to be. It’s layered, a little heavier, and more of a sit-down meal than a grab-and-go one. Pair this with a salad and you have a great meal. 

Hope you enjoy this Deep Dish recipe as much as we do! If you make this… I’d love to hear about it! Comment below or head over to Instagram or Facebook, share your pics, and tag me @bemandfam… I’d love to see them!

BEM and Fam

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Print the Deep Dish Pizza Recipe

Print

Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword cast iron skillet, pizza

Equipment

• 1 16 inch cast iron skillet optionally you could use a deep dish pan or even split between two 9 inch pie pans.

Ingredients

Dough Recipe

• 3 ½ cups all purpose flour
• ½ cup yellow cornmeal
• 2 ¼ tsp yeast or you can use a .25 ounce pack of rapid rise yeast
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 ¼ cups water room temperature
• 3 tbsp melted butter

For Rising and Laminating

• 4 tbsp room temperature butter
• olive oil

Toppings and Building

• 1 tbsp room temperature butter for greasing pans
• 24 ounces sauce your favorite sauce
• 16 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
• ⅓ cup parmesan cheese
• meat and veggies see notes

Instructions

Making Dough and First Rise

• Combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, and yeast until mixed thoroughly.
• Add the melted butter and water and mix for 1-2 minutes. On a clean surface, pour dough (which will likely still be very crumbly) out and hand knead for about 5 minutes until combined.
• Take a little oil and coat the sides and bottom of mixing bowl that will allow your dough ball to double in size. Place the dough all into the bowl and then flip the dough allowing oil on both sides. Cover with hand towel or plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise for an hour.

Laminating Dough and Second Rise

• After the dough has risen an hour, place the oven rack on its lowest position and preheat to 425℉
• Turn the dough out onto a clean a slightly floured surface. Roll the dough out into a rectangle that is around 15x12 inches.
• Take room temperature butter, spread it all over the surface of the dough. Roll the dough from the short end (like rolling cinnamon rolls).
  
• Place the seam down on the counter and flatten the dough with hands until the dough is about 4 inches wide. Fold the dough into thirds (folding like a letter) and roll into a ball.
  
• Place back into the bowl to rise again and cover, except this time place it in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes

Topping Prep

• While the dough is rising, prep the toppings. Cut any veggies like mushrooms, sauté veggies like onions and peppers. Cook any meats like sausage.
• Gather cheese, sauce, and toppings

Building the Pizza

• Take a little butter and grease your skillet or pans
• On your floured countertop, roll the dough out until it is about ¼ inch thick and a roundish disk. Transfer the dough to the prepared skillet or pan and lightly press into corners. Let dough sit high on the sides, however, if any dough is too long for the sides, simply push down. Think of this like a pie crust. It is fine if it is thick.
  
• Add the mozzarella cheese to the pizza (yes, it is first), then add the toppings, spoon on the sauce, and top with the parmesan cheese.
• Bake the pizza for about 25 minutes or until the crust is golden. If the crust is getting browner than you would like, you could add foil.
• When pizza is done, remove from oven and allow to set for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Notes:

• You can use whatever you want for toppings. I used a pound of sausage, a package of pepperoni, an onion, and a couple of bell peppers. So, we are looking at 1 1/2-2 pounds of toppings, and the pizza could have easily held more. Just think about the volume when adding and precook or pre-sauté all meat and veggies that need it. 
• My pizza shows a little extra cheese on top and that is because I shredded too much cheese and just threw it on with the parm, however, I would not do that again. It made the cheese layer too solid. I would just stick to the third cup parm.
• I made one pizza, but you could make 2
  • divide the dough after first rise and follow instructions on each half
  • split the cheese, sauce, and toppings and build accordingly
• Unlike the traditional pizza dough that I make, this crust calls for room temp water and a refrigerator rising. This seems like it won't let the yeast work, however, it just is allowing it to rise slowly.

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When we started talking about Shakespeare, I realized pretty quickly that just reading about him wasn’t going to be enough. The language is different. The stories are big and for a lot of kids, it can feel like something far away. So, I wanted to bring in something that was hands-on.

If you’ve ever seen portraits of people from Shakespeare’s time, you’ve probably noticed those big, gathered collars around their necks. They look fancy, a little dramatic, and honestly… a little uncomfortable. However, they are a staple of Shakespeare’s time and fun for playing, so we set out to make one.

They are really simple, and it turns even a short reading or activity into something kids remember.

What You’ll Need to Make a Shakespearean Ruff

You don’t need anything complicated for this.

• Coffee filters
• String, yarn or ribbon (I’ve always used yarn)
• Hole punch (optional, but helpful)
• Stapler

How to Make a Simple Ruff

Start by flattening out your coffee filters.

Fold them in half, then… half again, then, half… one more time. You’re left with a little wedge.

Next, staple the filter on the pointed end, leaving room to use a holepunch. Then, punch a hole in the tip and cut the tip off (see pictures).

After doing a few, measure your yarn (or ribbon) long enough to go around the neck tightly but comfortably, but leaving room to tie a bow in the back.

Thread your string, yarn, or ribbon through each coffee filter.

Once you get your yarn filled. tie knots on each end to secure the filters.

And that’s really all there is to it. I used about 45 to make the prototype.

Tie it loosely so it can sit comfortably around the neck.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. A little uneven actually makes it look more like the real thing.

Helpful Tips

• Use more filters for a fuller, more dramatic look
• While most ruffs in paintings were white, let kiddos use markers to color their filters before folding.
• When not in use, tie around a stuffed animal. It is not only cute but keeps the Shakespeare memory alive.

Why This Works So Well

This is one of those small additions that changes the whole feel of a lesson.

Once kids put it on:

• reading becomes more fun
• acting something out feels natural
• even just sitting and listening feels different

It gives them a way to step into the time period instead of just hearing about it.

Extend the Fun: Shakespeare Ideas

If your kids enjoy this, you can build on it really easily.

Think Like a Playwright
Have them create a short scene with two characters and a simple problem.

Try a Shakespeare Phrase
Use a phrase like “break the ice” or “wild-goose chase” and come up with your own sentences.

Read or Watch a Scene
Even a short clip or adapted version can bring everything together.

See what we used this alongside our Shakespeare study, that made everything feel a little more connected.

Pair It with a Full Shakespeare Study

If you want to go a little deeper, I created a Shakespeare Literature Unit that includes:

• short reading sections
• vocabulary and reflection pages
• creative writing activities
• this ruff craft + a simple recipe
• and a few fun extensions to tie everything together

You can explore the full unit here

Final Thoughts

This is one of those simple crafts that doesn’t look like much at first… but somehow ends up being the thing kids remember. It’s quick, not very messy, and easy to add to whatever you’re already doing.

If you try this Shakespearean Ruff, I’d love to see how it turns out. You can tag @bemandfam on Instagram or Facebook… I really do enjoy seeing those moments.

Happy creating,

BEM and Fam

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There are a lot of children’s books out there. Some are cute for a season, some get read once and forgotten… and then there are the ones that just stay.

When I saw that April 2nd is International Children’s Book Day, it made me think about the books my kids and I have actually loved over the years, the ones we reached for again, the ones that made us laugh, or pause, or think a little longer than expected.

This isn’t a perfect list, it’s just ours, books that stayed, long after others came and went.

You will also see a couple book reviews below that the kids did. We had watched some old Reading Rainbow shows and for a while… all the kids were into doing book reviews!

My Favorites as a Child (that I read to my kids)

Each Peach Pear Plum

Each Peach Pear Plum was released in 1979 and was a favorite of mine as a child. I loved the way it mixed I-Spy with fairytale characters, and it had a great rhythm. I am 47, and I can still probably recite this book by heart. The illustrations are soothing and this book won the Carnegie Medal for Illustration. I obviously had to read this one to my kiddos!

The Pokey Little Puppy

The Pokey Little Puppy is a Golden Book published in 1942. This was one of my favorite books as a young child, even though I had many of the original Golden Books. I can’t say why this one captivated me so much, but I loved the little puppy and his adventures. This was another classic I read to my kids!

My Kids’ Favorites

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type

Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type was published in 2000 and became a favorite of our oldest daughter, who is 22 now. We found this at a bookstore and she loved it. This book introduced us to Farmer Brown and a cast of farm characters. There are now 12 books in this series, with the latest being released in 2020. We have most of them, including another favorite, Duck for President. All of my kids have enjoyed these books, but Click, Clack, Moo… is a treasure!

Ivan the Terrier

Ivan the Terrier was released in 2007 and was a favorite of my oldest son. In this, the narrator is trying to read classics, but Ivan (a terrier dog) keeps stirring up trouble. My son and I read this 1000 times if we read it once. I remember him laughing at Ivan’s antics and it really became a nightly read for a long time.

Three Hens and a Peacock

Three Hens and a Peacock was published in 2011 and became another favorite of my oldest son. This book really is funny with the hens becoming flustered by the attention the peacock is getting. It ends alluding to another book and for years my son and I would randomly check to see if a sequel was published. Then in 2022… there was a sequel, Three Hens, a Peacock, and the Enormous Egg. For Christmas that year, I bought it as a small, nostalgic gift. We both liked the sequel, which also ends alluding to another sequel, but Three Hens and a Peacock became a classic in our home.

Here’s Elijah’s book review from 2016, he was 7!

Pinkalicious

Pinkalicious was published in 2006 and was a favorite among both of our daughters. It is a fun story about a girl being herself and learning some lessons. There are other colors in this series such as Purplelicious. One of our daughters grew to love pink and the other purple… so these books left a mark. For a long time, we heard about things in terms with how Pinkalicious would do something.

In total this series has…

• Pinkalicious
• Purplelicious
• Goldilicious
• Silverlicious
• Aqualicious
• Emeraldlicious
• Rubylicious

There are also holiday book associated with this series. See them all here!

Interrupting Chicken

Interrupting Chicken was published in 2010 and is one of my youngest son’s favorite books. This book is cute and he just loved Little Red Chicken, whose excitement causes her to interrupt during story time. There are 5 other books in this series, the latest, Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker, was released in 2025. I bought it for my youngest son as a nostalgic Christmas present and he was excited to see it.

In writing this, I see there is a new one coming out in October of 2026, called Interrupting Chicken Raises Her Wing. I am sure I will get that one for him too. 

The Empty Pot

The Empty Pot was published in 2007 and is a story based in Chinese culture. I used this to teach about honesty and my children, especially my daughter, really enjoyed it. The story is fantastic and teaches a valuable lesson. I have actually referenced this book while parenting. This book is a must have in any children’s library.

The Night Gardener

The Night Gardener was published in 2016 and became an instant favorite of my youngest son. The story is sweet and inspiring. The illustrations are simply adorable. It has a great undertone message of doing nice things without recognition. We still talk about this book and it is one of those books that you feel when you read it.

Five Nice Mice

Five Nice Mice Build a House was published in 2015 and was loved by my youngest son. The illustrations are adorable and the story about 5 mice and their compassion… is sweet. My son loved the part where they worked through their issues with a cat. This book is one of three in a series and they are all wonderful. We also own Five Nice Mice and the Great Car Race and Five Nice Mice (which was the first one). I recommend all three books but we both loved this one the best. Below is a review my son did in 2018, he was 7 at the time. 

Cold Paws, Warm Heart

Cold Paws, Warm Heart was published in 2007 and is loved by my youngest son. It is a story about compassion, and my son really liked the illustrations. This book seems to be out of print, though you can buy copies on Amazon. It is a great story for winter bedtime and when my son sees polar bears, he usually calls them Cold Paws.

Plump and Perky Turkey

A Plump and Perky Turkey was published in 2013 and quickly became a hit with all of the kids! We read it around Thanksgiving, and they couldn’t get enough of it, so we bought it. This book got a lot of attention around Thanksgiving every year and became a bit of a tradition. I still sit it on the coffee table in November, and it still gets thumbed through.

Why These Matter (At Least to Us)

We’ve read a lot of children’s books over the years. These are just the ones that didn’t disappear after one season. Some were funny, some were quiet, some led to conversations I didn’t expect, but all of them became part of our lives. 

Not all my kids loved each of the above children’s books, but they were all special to at least one of them. These are books that my now teens (one about to be 18) refused to donate and we still mention from time to time.

And some of these books didn’t just stay on the shelf… they showed up in our real life.

We saw a puppy at the shelter that looked just like Ivan from Ivan the Terrier… and my son really wanted to get her. So, we have a dog because of a book. Her name is Belle… and she lives up to name of the book, BUT… she brought something to our family too, all thanks to Ivan.

This is Belle with my son, about 10 years ago!

I recently purchased a faux bunny topiary for Easter, and my son mentioned that it looked like it came out of the Night Gardener, and he’s 15 now.

My 16 year old daughter recently did a paper for her English class about the Empty Pot.

I am not saying that these are the best or only children’s book out there, but these have impacted our lives and I love that. This is the beginner stack of books I will buy for all my grandkids some day!

Final Thoughts

Getting kids to read doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s just about finding the books that pull them in… the ones they ask for again or sit a little longer with. Those are the ones that build imagination, curiosity, and a love of learning over time.

If you’re rebuilding your home library or just looking for a few good ones to start with, click the link below so you can browse through them easily.

I’ve gathered them all in one place here

If you have favorite children’s books that your kids never got tired of, I’d honestly love to hear it, and I am sure there are other moms that would too. Comment below or tag @bemandfam on Instagram or Facebook with pics of your favorites!

BEM and Fam

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