My friend Jennie, a kindergarten teacher, and her daughter Josie (4 1/2) created this awesome doorway activity list for Josie’s room. She said she was inspired by my list, but man, I’m inspired by hers!
Together they came up with ideas of fun things they wanted to try this summer and wrote each on a cute little paper animal cutout. I forgot to ask where she got them — probably some special teacher only source, but who knows, maybe not. I’ll have to find out. I love how colorful and festive they all look together.
Josie wrote a few herself, although Jennie wrote most.
And here is a photo of Josie’s first choice off her summer list — “Take Wilson to the Do-It-Yourself Dog Wash.” Apparently it was fun and Wilson was a champ. Their plan is to take each paper shape and stick it in a journal with a photo of the activity. I love that idea! Jennie says, “I have finally come to understand that I do better with a little plan and a little -go with the flow- moments during the day.” Amen to that.
Now I’m completely inspired to sit down with Maia and make our own summer list…
Hi! My name is Jean and I am mama to two daughters -- a four year old and a newborn. I'm trying to parent in a way that encourages creative expression, imagination, joyfulness, and a love of learning. Thanks for visiting!
Mika said
Wow! That is a really cool idea – I am definitely going to do it with Froglet as I have some animal die cuts I don’t know what to do with (you can get them from scrapbooking suppliers I think) – thank you for sharing.
Micha said
I like this idea! It’s always good to make plans together with the children and this is a beatiful way to see the summer-plans for a while.
marsha Roberts said
What a fabulous idea! I have 5 kids and it is always difficult finding things they want to do or can do. But I especially love the scrap booking aspect of this. I am always taking pictures. If you have a cricut, you can die cut the animal shapes.
Julie said
That’s such a great idea!
marielle said
fabulous idea! Especially with the olders who have whole topics of interest in mind.
Jen said
Awesome! I can’t wait to make one and my kiddo is only 1!
Diana (Ladybug Limited) said
Oh, I am so inspired! My list-making kindergartener will love this visual!
hillary13 said
I love love love this idea! thanks so much for the inspiration! I like how it lends itself to multiple ends: a fun craft to do together, ideas to spring off of all season long and a format/jump start for a great scrapbook/journal!
Julie Liddle (ART IN HAND) said
Birds of a feather…
Your friend is nearly as inspired as you (and your readers)!!
Love this twist on the “fun box” idea.
r8ermom said
This is adorable. It was a rainy day today in our little corner so we (my two kids ages nearly 2 and 4) stayed in and looked through kids’ activity books until we found something we wanted to do today. We found a recipe for clay and made some shapes, which are baking right now. We’ll paint them and make them into a garland later. But I found a bunch of other things that I wanted to do and this is a perfect way to remind myself of other things to do in weeks to come. BTW, what a great color for the dog-bathing room. I love it!
Rachel said
I love this idea! So much fun! My husband and I are making a grown-up list as well. I can’t wait to start crossing off items! I’ll be linking to this.
Kirsty said
Love the twist on your idea and the animal cut-outs – please do find where we can get them from if we don’t have fancy die-cuts.
Jess said
This is so ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!!! I am going to have to do it in my own home. Thanks.
Sharna said
I recognize those cut-outs! They are punched out on an Ellison die cut machine. Where I live the local collage and library both have machines open to the public. And if you are a school volunteer and supply your own paper my kids school has one too and so does my church!
Sabrina said
What a wonderful idea!! I am inspired. It is always good to have a little push to do things during the summer, otherwise we tend to just be lazy. I think this is just what I need!
mrspilkington said
love this — thanks for sharing it!
Eva said
wwow what a great idea! I’ll have to try this!
Megret said
Love that you can pick and choose depending on your mood rather than putting it on an actual calendar — I may have to amend my plan!
The Artful Parent said
Thanks for the comments everyone!!
June 5th: SK Showcase and Weekend Links — Simple Kids said
[...] Projects for Kids: Chalk Pastel Flowers (link via The Crafty Crow) The Artful Parent: Doorway Into Summer This Vintage Chica: Easy Teacher [...]
Kirsten said
I love this idea. What a great way to accomplish things over the summer. My son and I will be working on this over the weekend. Thank you for sharing.
Michie said
You can buy all kinds of “die cuts” like those in a scrapbooking store, or in the scrapbook aisle of a craft store. You can also find several different kinds in a teacher supply store, or you might be able to order them online from a teacher supply website. I know that my library also has a die cut machine that can be used by local teachers – you may have something like that available to you. Of course, you could also just ask your friend to make some extras for you.
This is a great idea. I really like it.
Rebecca said
Way cute idea. I just saw those die cuts (or very similar) at our Dollar Tree in packs of 30 or so. I wanted to buy them, but had no proj in mind. Well now I do!!
One Crafty Place » Summer Activities Round-Up said
[...] summer activity list written on die-cuts. Then take them off as you complete them! Check out the Doorway into Summer at The Artful [...]
Nurit - 1 family. friendly. Food. said
Great idea! We should get to it too ASAP. Make some plans for the short summer break…
Green Mamma » Blog Archive » 30 Days of You and Me said
[...] up our chalkboard and keeping the ideas and plans for each activity were inspired even more by this idea that Jean’s friend Jennie shared with her and which is entitled “Doorway into [...]
Pam said
Great idea. I’m thinking it might be fun to put the ideas/cut-outs in categorized containers then choose one (randomly or specifically), do/go/read/etc. what’s on the cut-out and then add to a garland. Kind of a glass (garland) half full and filling it up way of doing it. I guess you’d have to change the wording a little. Maybe use cut-outs specific to the categories (e.g. books for reading) so all you’d have to write is the title of the book, and so on…