You know those claw machines at the arcade that kids go crazy for? Fishing for ABCs is basically that game, but instead of spending $5 to (most likely) not get a toy, why not play this far more rewarding AND educational version using vocabulary words and letter tiles instead?

Kids decorate their own “fish bowl” using an ice cream carton or tissue box. Parents (or older kids) build a “fishing rod” using a wooden dowel and some magnets, and then fill the fish bowl with letters and early vocabulary words. Kids go “fishing” for letters to create words, or simply to practice saying the letters of the alphabet. Older kids can fish for words and create sentences. There are endless ways to play!

Especially in the early stages of learning, kids crave sensory play to help connect mind and body. Physically handling the fishing pole and fetching the letters keeps them engaged, while also practicing fine motor skills. This game is also great practice for letter recognition (I know this shape is a letter “L”) and letter sound correspondence (The letter “L” makes the /l/ sound).

Ayla (age 7) was excited to paint her fish bowl, fetch words to make sentences, and sort her letters by color (sorting is another awesome skill to flex in this game).

Lennon (age 3) had a great time spelling her name and winding up the fishing pole.

Did you try this activity out with your kids? Let us know how it went! Tag us on social media @mothergooseclub #ShowMeHow.

SHOW ME HOW!

Supplies:

• Cleaned ice cream carton, tissue box, or similar
• Paint in various colors, including white for priming
• Paint brushes
• Construction paper
• Marker
• Drinking straw or wooden dowel
• String
• Small magnet
• Paper clips
• Use our free printouts:
  • Fish printout
  • Shapes printout
  • Squares printout
  • Alphabet printout

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the fishing container: Find a suitable fishing container like an ice cream tub, a tissue box or a cake box.

Step 2: Cut a hole on the lid at least 3 inches in diameter at the center of the container’s lid.

Step 3: Prime the container by painting the outside with white acrylic paint. This layer of paint hides the print on the tub or box and prepares the surface for the final colors of paint.

Step 4: Paint the container: Once the layer of white paint dries, paint the container with various colors of tempera, poster paint or acrylic paint. You can make stripes, dots, swirls or other patterns. You can also paint an ocean theme or any design you like.

Step 5: Make paper squares or fishes: Cut out several 1-inch squares or small fish shapes from construction paper.

Create alphabet letters: Write a letter on each paper square or fish using colored markers or crayons. If you intend to level up to a spelling activity, make sure to add more vowel tiles. Put a metal paper clip on each of the letters. Put the letters in the fishbowl.

Tip: Make this activity a fun challenge by asking your kids to fish for the letters of their name.

Make a fishing pole: Cut string to a length of about 1½ to 2 feet. Tape one end of the string to a small magnet. Tie the opposite end to the tip of a drinking straw or wooden dowel.

Fish for letters: Finally, have kids use the fishing rod to catch alphabet letters inside the container. The magnet on the fishing rod will attract the metal paper clips on the letter squares. Have kids identify each letter they catch.

Level up! Spell some words: Fish for a few letters and see how many words you can spell. As a math activity, count all the letters caught or the words created. You can also incorporate shapes learning by making the letter tiles out of different shapes instead of just squares and using numbers.

Make it a game! Set a timer and see how many words your kids can form in 3 minutes. Winner gets to help clean the next ice cream carton

Most people have spent a lot more time indoors this past year than they would have liked. Now that we are all starting to slowly emerge into the sunlight again, this is the perfect time of year to show our planet all the appreciation it deserves. With that in mind, here are five super easy ways to have fun while making a difference this Earth Day.

1. Family trip

It’s been said that passion starts with education. Instead of just filling up that blue bin this week, load up your recyclables into your vehicle and drive on down to your local recycling center. Seeing the large bins that separate each type of material, physically depositing items into the bins with their own hands, and witnessing the entire community contributing to this effort will leave a lasting impression on your children.

2. Have a contest

Over an entire week or for just one day, have everyone in the family compete to see who can collect the most recyclable items. Old newspapers, plastic packaging, cardboard boxes are all fair game. Just make sure the little ones don’t collect things that are still being used. Also be prepared to reward the winner with an appropriate prize. In our house that would be ice cream.

3. One person’s trash

Many items that are commonly thrown away could be repurposed in creative ways. You can use old paper towel tubes and some paint to make a beautiful pencil holder. Cut the tops of some paper milk cartons and use them to plant some herbs for your kitchen. Gather some large cardboard boxes, some scissors and a paint brush to make an awesome secret fort for your kids. Every little bit of reused trash makes a difference.

4. Paper of plastic? Neither

If you are like our family you have lots of cardboard boxes that either take up space in the garage or get folded into stacks for recycling. The next time you go grocery shopping, take some medium sized boxes cut in half with you. Instead of getting grocery bags, place all of your items into the boxes. Not only will they be easy to carry, but they also won’t spill everywhere while you are driving.

5. Farm fresh

An inordinate amount of trash is produced from the packaging of food. Try visiting a local famer’s market once a week. Even purchasing some vegetables and fruits you would normally buy at a store will reduce a significant amount of waste packaging over time. Oh and a great way to transport all of your farmer’s market loot back home? Those boxes you made in #4.

I hope you and your family will try at least one of the ideas in this list. Let’s all strive to tell the world that we learned something, we had fun, and we made a difference. Happy Earth Day everyone! Don’t forget to share your Earth Day activities with us by posting on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #mothergooseclub.

Growing up near the Chesapeake Bay, some of my fondest childhood memories are tied to being in and around the ocean. Last year I revisited the Maryland coast with my family and noticed considerably more debris washing up on the sand, extremely overcrowded beaches, and far fewer fish than I remembered. This made me wonder if the children of the next generation would be able to enjoy some of the same things about the ocean that I was able to in my youth. What family doesn’t endure months of planning to spend a few days watching the waves crash closer and closer to the sandcastles their children painstakingly built? What if the tuna, shrimp and clams we put on the table for our families just aren’t readily available anymore? While not everyone has the time to organize a beach cleanup, or the resources to start their own environmental non-profit, there are some very simple, helpful things that all of us can do right from our homes that can go a long way to helping our oceans.

It is estimated that up to 12 million tons of plastics enter the earth’s oceans every year. Everyone can help reduce this amount by cutting down on single-use plastic items. If you don’t already, carry your own bags whenever you go shopping to cut down on plastic bags. Most places that serve beverages will gladly fill a beverage container that you provide; some like Starbucks even offer a small discount. Although many plastic containers these days are recyclable, the EPA estimates only 8% of plastics are actually recycled. If possible, choose non-plastic containers for items such as milk, orange juice and cream cheese. Try to avoid synthetic fibers in your clothing. Nylon, polyester and acrylic clothing shed millions of tiny fibers when washed that end up in our waterways and oceans.

Conserving water is one of the easiest ways we can make a significant contribution to the well-being of our oceans. The water that leaves our homes goes to sewage treatment facilities that can get overwhelmed, leading to harmful substances entering our waterways. If you have a yard, up to 60% of your household water use can be used for landscape irrigation. This excess water can pick up pollutants on the way to entering our rivers and oceans. Stormwater and urban runoff are the primary reason for beach closures around the country. We can help by turning off the tap when brushing our teeth or shaving. Promptly fix any leaky faucets and pipes. If you are familiar with your home’s plumbing system, turn off water to areas of your home that don’t use much water at certain times of year, such as outdoor faucets during the colder seasons. For those with a yard, redirect any rainwater from your gutters to your lawn or garden. Consider installing a rain barrel to collect rainwater throughout the warmer months. Compost or mulch in your yard will help retain rainwater longer, giving plants more time to absorb it.

If you are like me, you may have experienced a firm poke from your conscience when picking up that container of drain cleaner, you know, the one with the skull and crossbones on it. We may not be able to completely eliminate harmful chemicals from our lives, but we can all definitely find at least one or two items in our homes that will have effective, less toxic alternatives. Many glass cleaners and all-purpose cleaners have more natural options that won’t impact our ability to clean, protect and disinfect. Aside from the ready-made products, try baking soda to clean and scrub the bathroom and kitchen. White vinegar and lemon juice are also excellent cleaners and do a great job of cutting through grease.

Lastly, sign up for a cool specialty license plate for your vehicle that contributes to organizations helping to keep our waterways and oceans clean. Not only will you be helping a worthy cause, but you also get to accessorize your vehicle with a catchy plate that expresses your individual style. Check with your state’s motor vehicle webpage where usually all specialty plates are browseable. One word of caution – research the organization behind your chosen plate as not all of them are as reputable as their name might imply.

With efforts like these, a little can go a long way, and hopefully our efforts can collectively lead to preserving healthy rivers, lakes and oceans for generations to come.

Get a scoop of that. Get a scoop of that.
What? Ice cream! What? Ice cream!
Get a scoop of that. Get a scoop of that.
What? Ice cream! What? Ice cream!

When the day is hot and steamy,
Ice cream is so cold and creamy.
Put it in a cone. Put it in a cup.
I’m just gonna eat it up!
Yeah! Ice cream!
I’m just gonna eat it up!
Yeah! Ice cream!

Get a scoop of that. Get a scoop of that.
What? Ice cream! What? Ice cream!
Get a scoop of that. Get a scoop of that.
What? Ice cream! What? Ice cream!

Vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry,
Mint chip, butterscotch and cherry.
Ice cream, ice cream, we want more!
One, two, three, four, five scoops.
Yeah! Ice cream!
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten scoops.
Yeah! Ice cream!
Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream!

Get a scoop of that. Get a scoop of that.
What? Ice cream! What? Ice cream!
Get a scoop of that. Get a scoop of that.
What? Ice cream! Awesome!
Yeah! Ice cream!

Sugar cones and waffle cones,
Yo there are no awful cones.
Sprinkles on it, syrup on it,
Don’t you put your ear up on it.
No? No no you eat it all up, you eat it all up.
Yeah! Eat it all up!
Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream!
Ice cream! Ice cream!

View on YouTube!

Get a scoop of that. Get a scoop of that.
What? Ice cream! What? Ice cream!
Get a scoop of that. Get a scoop of that.
What? Ice cream! What? Ice cream!

When the day is hot and steamy,
Ice cream is so cold and creamy.
Put it in a cone. Put it in a cup.
I’m just gonna eat it up!
Yeah! Ice cream!
I’m just gonna eat it up!
Yeah! Ice cream!

Get a scoop of that. Get a scoop of that.
What? Ice cream! What? Ice cream!
Get a scoop of that. Get a scoop of that.
What? Ice cream! What? Ice cream!

Vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry,
Mint chip, butterscotch and cherry.
Ice cream, ice cream, we want more!
One, two, three, four, five scoops.
Yeah! Ice cream!
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten scoops.
Yeah! Ice cream!
Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream!

Get a scoop of that. Get a scoop of that.
What? Ice cream! What? Ice cream!
Get a scoop of that. Get a scoop of that.
What? Ice cream! Awesome!
Yeah! Ice cream!

Sugar cones and waffle cones,
Yo there are no awful cones.
Sprinkles on it, syrup on it,
Don’t you put your ear up on it.
No? No no you eat it all up, you eat it all up.
Yeah! Eat it all up!
Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream!
Ice cream! Ice cream!

View on YouTube!

Get a scoop of that. Get a scoop of that.
What? Ice cream! What? Ice cream!
Get a scoop of that. Get a scoop of that.
What? Ice cream! What? Ice cream!

When the day is hot and steamy,
Ice cream is so cold and creamy.
Put it in a cone. Put it in a cup.
I’m just gonna eat it up!
Yeah! Ice cream!
I’m just gonna eat it up!
Yeah! Ice cream!

Get a scoop of that. Get a scoop of that.
What? Ice cream! What? Ice cream!
Get a scoop of that. Get a scoop of that.
What? Ice cream! What? Ice cream!

Vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry,
Mint chip, butterscotch and cherry.
Ice cream, ice cream, we want more!
One, two, three, four, five scoops.
Yeah! Ice cream!
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten scoops.
Yeah! Ice cream!
Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream!

Get a scoop of that. Get a scoop of that.
What? Ice cream! What? Ice cream!
Get a scoop of that. Get a scoop of that.
What? Ice cream! Awesome!
Yeah! Ice cream!

Sugar cones and waffle cones,
Yo there are no awful cones.
Sprinkles on it, syrup on it,
Don’t you put your ear up on it.
No? No no you eat it all up, you eat it all up.
Yeah! Eat it all up!
Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream!
Ice cream! Ice cream!

View on YouTube!

Strong dental hygiene is a must, but developing this habit can often be a major obstacle for young ones. Crafts are a fun way to engage children in developing positive habits and important new skills – try this one together by following the simple instructions below. Once your alligator is ready to go, practice the brushing motions while talking about the importance of making this a daily habit. Keep the craft in a visible spot around the house as a daily reminder!

For some additional reinforcement, follow along with Mary, Teddy and Jack in “Brush Your Teeth” as they use song and dance to teach the importance of brushing each night, especially after some late-night ice cream!

Materials:

All the materials you need are below. Most everything can be found around the house or at your local store. Get creative, improvise and let us know what works for you!

• Cardboard (roughly 14” x 7”)
• White lego pieces
• Black sharpie
• Toothbrush and floss
• Glue
• Scissors

Step 1 – Draw:

Referencing our example above, start by drawing the outline of your alligator on the cardboard.

Step 2 – Cut and Fold:

Parents should take the lead for the cutting. And remember – it doesn’t have to be perfect. Feel free to approach your design differently, or even try making a different animal!

Follow these steps while referencing our example above:

• Cut off the corners of the cardboard, along the diagonal lines we just drew. Then, cut along the curved lines and push the flaps out to create the alligator’s eyes.
• Next, apply some glue in the middle section where we drew the dotted line (try to avoid going over the solid lines with the glue).
• Fold the cardboard along the dotted line and apply some pressure. The glued area should stick together, leaving the flaps (mouth) free to move.

Step 3 – The Teeth!

Add in those pearly whites! Glue the lego blocks along the open mouth. Just the bottom can work well for this exercise, but if you have extra lego blocks and glue, fill out the top too.

Use colored markers to add some finishing touches – we drew in eyes and nostrils!

Share With Us!

We hope this craft inspires some fun playtime and positive habit-building in your household! Share your creations with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using #mothergooseclub.

Happy brushing!

Start with a small and simple task to build momentum and a sense of accomplishment. Encourage children to learn from their mistakes along the way. It’s also important to lead by example, so don’t forget to brush YOUR teeth too!

Try using the videos below to help strengthen and reinforce some of your family’s daily habits.

Bedtime Routine:

We know bedtime can be beyond frustrating, but what they say about routines is true – they can help make the process go a little smoother. Use this video as a signal bedtime is near, or to build familiarity and comfort. Have the kids follow along with Caralyn as she takes us through her routine and work up to accomplishing your own checklist each night.

Brushing Your Teeth:

This is often a major bedtime obstacle, but encouragement from your favorite characters and a fun song and dance can help keep those pearly whites clean. Follow along with Mary, Teddy and Jack as they teach the importance of brushing your teeth each night, especially after some late-night ice cream!

Practicing Good Manners:

Instilling good manners at an early age can have behavioral benefits that last well into adulthood. Start simple by teaching the importance of saying “please” and “thank you”. Mastering this habit can help children develop empathy, perspective and kindness.

Tidying Up:

Just like bedtime, it’s helpful to get each day started with a routine – even if it’s as quick and simple as tidying up the bedroom and making the bed. Eep, Baa Baa and Mary once again use song and dance to encourage kids to model this positive behavior.

Share With Us!

How does your family encourage positive habits? What other Mother Goose Club videos have helped your early learner? Reach out on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using #mothergooseclub!

Get a scoop of this cool and delicious homemade ice cream recipe! Parents, we recommend you lead the way on this one, but encourage participation and conversation along the way. Gather up the simple ingredients below, and then follow the instructions and tips.

For some ice cream-themed inspiration and background music, sing along to “Ice Cream Song“!

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Check out this video for reference, and our in-depth instructions below.

1. Take the quart-sized resealable bag and add the sugar, milk, heavy cream and vanilla extract. Seal the bag to make sure everything stays inside.
2. Put the ice into the gallon-sized resealable bag.
3. Use the thermometer to check the temperature of the ice in the bag. Record the temperature.
4. Add the salt to the gallon-sized resealable bag with ice.
5. Place the quart-sized bag inside the gallon-sized bag and seal the gallon bag.
6. Put on the oven mitts and shake the bag gently for five minutes. Pass the time with “Ice Cream Song”!
7. Measure the temperature of the ice with the salt and observe any changes to the ice cream solution.
8. Reseal both bags and shake the bag gently until the solution solidifies into ice cream.
9. Scoop out the ice cream, add toppings and enjoy!

Teachable Moments:

After measuring the temperature of the ice before and after adding salt, it should be apparent that the temperature of the ice dropped after adding salt. Ask your kids about what they observed and why they think the temperature dropped. After hearing their ideas, explain the science behind the experiment. Here are some quick bullet points to summarize what is happening:

• Salt lowers the freezing temperature of water.
• When salt is added to the ice cubes, it allows the water to reach a temperature lower than 32 degrees.
• The salt dissolves into the melted ice water and lowers the temperature of the entire ice bag. Ice water with salt can reach temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit!
• The lower temperature of the icy saltwater allows the ice cream mixture to freeze at a much faster rate.

Share With Us!

Did you enjoy trying this homemade ice cream activity? Share your thoughts and creations with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using #mothergooseclub!

A is for arrow. B is for ball.
C is for castle. D is for doll.
E is for elbow. F is for five.
G is for garden. H is for hive.

I is for ice cream. J is for jam.
K is for kitten. L is for lamb.
M is for monkey. N is for nurse.
O is for ostrich. P is for purse.

Q is for question. R is for rose.
S is for sandwich. T is for toes.
U is for umbrella. V, Valentine’s Day.
W is for watch, and X for X-ray.

Y is for yellow, yo-yo and you.
Z is for zebra, zero and zoo.
A is for alphabet, alphabet book.
A is for alphabet. Come take a look.

View on YouTube!

Rachel

Rachel is a Mother Goose Club producer and former teacher based in Las Vegas, Nevada. She enjoys hosting celebrations for all ages centered around crafts and activities. Rachel is excited to share her favorite things with you, and hopes to inspire your family to get creative!

When I was a little girl, we’d run hard in the green grass, climb trees and make up dance routines until we were called in to dinner. Hearty, hot home cooked meals were prepared daily by my German grandma, Laura.

When we charged through the patio door into the kitchen, the intoxicating smell of onions and garlic immediately made you feel loved, even if it made your stomach grumble. While we’d wait for hot entrees to cool, we’d indulge in this refreshing cucumber salad.

I love how this pretty green salad balances out the other savory and sweet flavors you traditionally find at a BBQ, making it perfect for all your summer gatherings. The ingredients outlined below are simple, inexpensive and easy to throw together. It’s cool, crunchy, has the tiniest bite from the garlic (you can add more or less depending on your obsession – mine is quite strong). I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family will be this weekend!

Ingredients

• 3 large cucumbers
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 bunch of green onions diced
• Paprika for garnish

Peel your cucumbers and slice them very thin. Sprinkle with salt, mix very well and allow to stand until soggy.

Add all other ingredients (saving chives and paprika for ganrish) mix, garnish, serve and enjoy!