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Fun Activities for Kids on Valentine’s Day

February has arrived, and that means another Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. While some kids may be celebrating for the first time, others may be looking for some fun activities to show their love for this special day. We have a few things you can do with your kids to get them interested in Valentine’s Day. Fake Stained-Glass Heart Designs – Start with a white sheet of paper. Then mix glue with black paint and create a heart design on

Read More

From Germany to Ghana: One Provider’s Journey to Child Care

It started as a way to help her family, but now one provider in Western Washington has turned early childhood education into a career. For more than three decades Carol Morris has been involved in child care, and she is working with the Imagine Institute to help others start their own provider business. She also is planning an educational trip to Ghana. MEET CAROL Carol Morris grew up in the Chicago area and joined the military after High School. While she was

Read More

Stopping the Boredom: Fun Activities for Kids This Winter

Cold, clouds, and rain can put a damper on your activities this winter, but there is plenty you can do to stop the winter blues! We have come up with a few fun things you can do to help entertain and educate your kids. Make Your Own Winter Snow Globe – Start by finding a mason jar, or an airtight glass container. Then, add some water and have the kids add some glitter or bright plastic pieces. They can even add in

Read More
Fall Activities 2024

Finding Fall Activities For Kids And Families

There’s a chill in the air, and that means the season is changing from summer to fall. With the cooler weather, it’s time to think about some fun activities to do both indoors and outdoors. We have put together a list of ideas you can choose from to get kids excited about the fall season. Fall Stained Glass Window – This unique activity will get kids involved and leave a lasting reminder of the fall season. First, have kids gather a bunch

Read More

Back-to-School Activities for Kids

It’s that time of year again when Summer break ends, and kids are heading back to school. Even if you are provider, you can get into the school spirit. We have a few activities you can share with your kids to make starting school more fun, and to get them excited to learn. School Scavenger Hunt – There are many ways to get kids excited about starting school, including a scavenger hunt. Place school supplies around the room and have kids go

Read More

Celebrate Pride Month with Fun Activities for Kids

June is Pride Month, and it’s a good opportunity to celebrate inclusion and equality with your kids. There are several activities to help kids understand what Pride is about and to promote the spirit of inclusion and representation. We have gathered a few ideas we think you’ll enjoy. Create a Rainbow Collage – Start by grabbing a big piece of paper and using crayons to draw a rainbow right in the center. Then find scraps of colored paper, stickers, glitter, thin wood

Read More

Imagine Spotlight Pierce County: Diego Ramos

The Imagine Institute helps support early learning providers all across Washington State, and like to keep track of the progress these providers are making. This week, we want to introduce you to Diego Ramos, who is helping kids in Pierce County, and helping to start a new trend in helping other providers in his community.   MEET DIEGO Diego lives in Tacoma and has been a licensed family home child care provider for about three years, but his training goes back even

Read More

Spring Into New Activities For Kids

The ground is thawing out, and the weather is getting warm. Spring is here, and it’s time to find some seasonal activities for your kids. Whether it’s outside or inside, we have some ideas for you that are fun and entertaining for your group. Cloud Paintings – The weather can change a lot during spring, and that means there are many different types of clouds in the sky. Take your kids outside to identify some of them. They can draw or paint

Read More
A young woman with brown hair stands on a beach

Imagine Spotlight: Alexis Wynne

This week, we are excited to highlight Alexis Wynne, who runs a family home child care business in Auburn, Washington.   MEET ALEXIS Alexis grew up in the child care business. Her mother, Carli Meek, started Little Steps Discovery Zone when Alexis was 7 years old and her sister was a baby. When she was a young teenager, Alexis started volunteering at Little Steps. She took a break after graduating high school, but she soon found her way back to child care.

Read More
Two women, a mother and her adult daughter, sit in a car together

Imagine Spotlight: Carli Meek

This week, we are excited to highlight Carli Meek, the program manager for Imagine U and a longtime child care provider in Auburn, Washington.   MEET CARLI When Carli had her second daughter in 2004, she had just finished dental assistant school. But her plans quickly changed. Her sister also had a newborn, and the two enjoyed staying home with their babies so much, they decided to start a family home child care business. “I was able to stay home with my

Read More

Fun Activities for Kids on Valentine’s Day

February has arrived, and that means another Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. While some kids may be celebrating for the first time, others may be looking for some fun activities to show their love for this special day. We have a few things you can do with your kids to get them interested in Valentine’s Day. Fake Stained-Glass Heart Designs – Start with a white sheet of paper. Then mix glue with black paint and create a heart design on

Read More

From Germany to Ghana: One Provider’s Journey to Child Care

It started as a way to help her family, but now one provider in Western Washington has turned early childhood education into a career. For more than three decades Carol Morris has been involved in child care, and she is working with the Imagine Institute to help others start their own provider business. She also is planning an educational trip to Ghana. MEET CAROL Carol Morris grew up in the Chicago area and joined the military after High School. While she was

Read More

Stopping the Boredom: Fun Activities for Kids This Winter

Cold, clouds, and rain can put a damper on your activities this winter, but there is plenty you can do to stop the winter blues! We have come up with a few fun things you can do to help entertain and educate your kids. Make Your Own Winter Snow Globe – Start by finding a mason jar, or an airtight glass container. Then, add some water and have the kids add some glitter or bright plastic pieces. They can even add in

Read More
Fall Activities 2024

Finding Fall Activities For Kids And Families

There’s a chill in the air, and that means the season is changing from summer to fall. With the cooler weather, it’s time to think about some fun activities to do both indoors and outdoors. We have put together a list of ideas you can choose from to get kids excited about the fall season. Fall Stained Glass Window – This unique activity will get kids involved and leave a lasting reminder of the fall season. First, have kids gather a bunch

Read More

Back-to-School Activities for Kids

It’s that time of year again when Summer break ends, and kids are heading back to school. Even if you are provider, you can get into the school spirit. We have a few activities you can share with your kids to make starting school more fun, and to get them excited to learn. School Scavenger Hunt – There are many ways to get kids excited about starting school, including a scavenger hunt. Place school supplies around the room and have kids go

Read More

Celebrate Pride Month with Fun Activities for Kids

June is Pride Month, and it’s a good opportunity to celebrate inclusion and equality with your kids. There are several activities to help kids understand what Pride is about and to promote the spirit of inclusion and representation. We have gathered a few ideas we think you’ll enjoy. Create a Rainbow Collage – Start by grabbing a big piece of paper and using crayons to draw a rainbow right in the center. Then find scraps of colored paper, stickers, glitter, thin wood

Read More

Imagine Spotlight Pierce County: Diego Ramos

The Imagine Institute helps support early learning providers all across Washington State, and like to keep track of the progress these providers are making. This week, we want to introduce you to Diego Ramos, who is helping kids in Pierce County, and helping to start a new trend in helping other providers in his community.   MEET DIEGO Diego lives in Tacoma and has been a licensed family home child care provider for about three years, but his training goes back even

Read More

Spring Into New Activities For Kids

The ground is thawing out, and the weather is getting warm. Spring is here, and it’s time to find some seasonal activities for your kids. Whether it’s outside or inside, we have some ideas for you that are fun and entertaining for your group. Cloud Paintings – The weather can change a lot during spring, and that means there are many different types of clouds in the sky. Take your kids outside to identify some of them. They can draw or paint

Read More
A young woman with brown hair stands on a beach

Imagine Spotlight: Alexis Wynne

This week, we are excited to highlight Alexis Wynne, who runs a family home child care business in Auburn, Washington.   MEET ALEXIS Alexis grew up in the child care business. Her mother, Carli Meek, started Little Steps Discovery Zone when Alexis was 7 years old and her sister was a baby. When she was a young teenager, Alexis started volunteering at Little Steps. She took a break after graduating high school, but she soon found her way back to child care.

Read More
Two women, a mother and her adult daughter, sit in a car together

Imagine Spotlight: Carli Meek

This week, we are excited to highlight Carli Meek, the program manager for Imagine U and a longtime child care provider in Auburn, Washington.   MEET CARLI When Carli had her second daughter in 2004, she had just finished dental assistant school. But her plans quickly changed. Her sister also had a newborn, and the two enjoyed staying home with their babies so much, they decided to start a family home child care business. “I was able to stay home with my

Read More