iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 11/06/2026

Heads up: If you have young readers who enjoy snail mail surprises, Illustoria is having a 24-hour flash sale today - $30 for the next 3 issues 👉 www.illustoria.com #kidlit #kidsactivities #summer #reading #literacy

Several open illustrated copies of Illustoria Magazine arranged in an overlapping flat-lay on a white surface, showing a variety of editorial illustration styles

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 01/06/2026

🚨Attention parents: This free collection of 38 summer resources from trusted creators - including activity guides, meal planning tools, boredom busters, learning materials, and more - is only available through June 5th! Grab your copy here! 👉 bandb26--wondermom.thrivecart.com/2026-camp-mo...

A screenshot of the Camp Mom summer bundle page

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 14/05/2026

Hey, trans friends - just wanted to make sure you know this today and every day: we see you, we love you, and you will always belong here. 🏳️‍⚧️

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 07/05/2026

World Turtle Day is coming up on Saturday, May 23rd. The American Tortoise Rescue has bunches of great kids resources you can download for home, your classrooms, camps, and more! Find them here 👉 worldturtleday.org #WorldTurtleDay #Shellebrate #KidsActivities #NatureSky #Nature

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 06/05/2026

Are you into migration tracking as much as we are? The interactive maps you can find over at Journey North are such a great resource to use with kids (especially this time of year). 👉 maps.journeynorth.org/maps #NatureSky #Migration #KidsActivities #OutdoorLearning #TeacherResources

A screenshot showing the Journey North maps for different spring sightings

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 05/05/2026

Heading out for a walk? Grab our ✨new✨ free fairy scavenger hunt bundle for the kids first. Unicorns, gnomes, dragons, woodland sprites...they're all out there if you know what to look for...! 🌿 👉 barleyandbirch.com/free-printab... #naturesky #kidsactivities #freeprintable

An illustrated printable fairy scavenger hunt paper sheet sits on a rustic dark wood surface, surrounded by green felt leaves, small purple flowers, and smooth gray river stones.

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 22/04/2026

In honor of Earth Day, here's a thread of some of my favorite b&b activities, ideas, and projects to help your kids incorporate eco-friendly practices into their day-to-day routines... 🧵 1/? #earthday #kidsactivities #teachers #naturesky #edusky #parenting #momsky

A child holding a colorful handmade sign that says "SAVE EARTH SAVE EVERYTHING" and is decorated with heart and star stickers and drawings of earth.

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 08/04/2026

Did you know that the @archive.org has a (commercial free) collection of all the classic episodes of Reading Rainbow...? ....But you don't have to take MY word for it...😉 👉 archive.org/details/Read...

The classic title card for the TV series Reading Rainbow

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 22/03/2026

Easy spring kids activit: Set up a 'weather station' with a paper map, a clipboard, and a window view and invite kids to give a daily spring weather report: temperature estimate, cloud types, and any signs of spring. Record the observations. #kidsactivities #naturesky #forestschool #outdoorlearning

An illustration of different weather effects

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 20/03/2026

Make a batch of unscented playdough, then press in fresh rosemary, lavender, or any garden herbs available. The smell is extraordinary and kids can keep rolling and pressing to release it. #sensoryplay #kidsactivities #kidscrafts #playdough #spring #ECE

Four colorful balls of homemade playdough rolled into herbs sitting next to plants and pinecones against a peach background

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 19/03/2026

Incredibly fun plasticine "painting" idea from A Faithful Attempt. 👉 afaithfulattempt.blogspot.com/2026/… #arted #kidsart #arteducation

A colorful plasticine painting sitting against a neutral background

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 17/03/2026

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 🍀 Find some last-minute fun in our collection of crafts and activities. 👉 barleyandbirch.com/tag/st-patricks-…

A photo collage with pictures of four St. Patrick's Day crafts and activities for kids

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 14/03/2026

It's happppeninnnng! ❄️❄️❄️ Stay safe during this blizzard warning upper midwest folks! Reminder that we have a lot of indoor snow-themed activities over on the blog if you're looking for easy entertainment. 👉 barleyandbirch.com#search/q=snow #MN #WI #blizzard #snowstorm #kidsactivities

A play dough snowman sitting against a white background with nature items, cardboard cutout trees, and a glass bead path.

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 11/03/2026

Going outside with kids? Make a simple list together before heading out: something poking through soil, something with a bud, something a bird might use for a nest, something that smells like outside again. #kidsactivities #natureplay #forestschool #naturesky

Boy in black and white stripe t-shirt and black shorts standing on gray concrete pathway. Photo by Kasumi Sasaki on Unsplash.

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 11/03/2026

Today is the birthday of Ezra Zack Keats. Celebrate the day by making a collage in Keats' signature style using torn paper, fabric scraps, and found materials #KidLit #KidLitCrafts #EzraJackKeats #ArtEducation

An illustration from the childrens book "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 10/03/2026

March is unofficially the start of mud season around here! Quick #kidsactivity idea: Set out old pots, spoons, and muffin tins and announce that mud is allowed today. Waterproof boots and a change of clothes are the only prep required. #kidsactivities #outdoorplay #natureplay #naturesky

A child's feet wearing muddy boots standing outside on a bridge. Photo by Nick Page on Unsplash.

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 10/03/2026

This site is chock full of fabulous outdoor/natural spring play inspiration! 😍🌱👏 #forestschool #naturesky #outdoorlearning #earlychildhood #kidsactivities #natureplay Visit Stomping in the Mud: stompinginthemud.blogspot.com

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 09/03/2026

Reminder that the first decent March day is the perfect time to drag the bike or scooter out of the garage and declare spring has arrived (even if it hasn't quite). #kidsactivities #spring #bikesky

A child in a bright pink coat and light pink hat getting ready to ride a lime green bicycle.

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 08/03/2026

Easy and imaginative weekend activity: Use a shallow tray, an old pot, or a section of the garden to build a tiny home for an imaginary creature arriving with spring. Moss, spring flowers, small stones, twig furniture, a mirror-shard pond...whatever you've got! #kidsactivities #creativeplay

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 07/03/2026

Quick sensory play: Mix one can of cheap shaving cream with about 2 cups of cornstarch until it holds together like soft dough. It feels unlike anything else — cold, fluffy, slightly resistant. Kids roll it, cut it with cookie cutters, and build with it before it slowly dries out. #kidsactivities

A child playing with fluffy cloud dough in a clear bin on a white tabletap

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 06/03/2026

Build a tiny library for small plastic animals or figures: cardboard shelves, paper books with real titles written on the spines, a tiny check-out desk. Which books would a bear check out? What does the library mouse recommend? #kidsactivites #librarysky

A child holding a small decorated cardboard house

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 06/03/2026

Bookmark this nature play for a rainy day: After rain, take sticks outside and redirect puddle water — dig a small channel, build a twig dam, float a leaf boat and time how long it takes to reach the drain. #kidsactivities #natureplay #naturesky #spring #forestschool

Child walking across green grass holding a stick

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 04/03/2026

Recreate hibernation's end by filling a storage bin with layers of sand and soil. Bury small plastic animals that hibernate, along with twig 'roots' and toilet-roll tunnels. Give kids sticks and spoons to dig them out - a fun way to talk about what's been happening underground all winter. #nature

A child moving a stick around in a small bowl of rocks and moss, squirting the moss with a water bottle

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 04/03/2026

I adore this collagraph townscape activity from @artukdotorg.bsky.social, influenced by British-Indian artist Lancelot Ribeiro. The lesson uses recycled supplies — no press needed! #arted 👉https://artuk.org/learn/learning-resources/make-a-textured-collagraph-townscape #arted #arteducation

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 03/03/2026

Setting up a corner as a children's library doesn't take fancy supplies: a basket of books, index cards as library cards, a stamp and ink pad for checking books out, a small handwritten sign. Kids are surprisingly opinionated book recommenders! #kidlit #kidsactivities

Child reading a book in front of a cardboard house sitting against a blue background

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 02/03/2026

Have an unused low shelf or windowsill? Clear it for a rotating seasonal collection: a few budding branches in a jar of water, some pebbles, a feather, small figures of animals that emerge in spring. Swap items in through the week as kids find things on walks. #montessori #waldorf #ECE

Low shelves prepared for a Montessori classroom

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 19/01/2026

This Friday, Jan 23, stand with Minnesotans in a refusal to accept the violence ICE is inflicting on our communities. ✖️ No Work. ✖️ No School. ✖️ No Shopping. 🔗 Visit iceoutnowmn.com to learn more #ICEOutOfMN #DayOfTruthAndFreedom #strike

STRIKE
STRIKE
STRIKE
STRIKE
STRIKE
STRIKE
Jan 23. No work. No school. No shopping.
ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 19/01/2026

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through creativity and conversation. Find the free printables, lesson, and resources here: barleyandbirch.com/make-collage-mar… #MLKDay #kidsart #February #MLK #collage #arted #education #edusky

The pieces of a Martin Luther King Jr. paper collage sitting on a white background

A Martin Luther King Jr. paper collage sitting on a white background

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 23/11/2025

Turn lunch bags into forest magic! 🍄 Easy, eco-friendly paper bag mushrooms perfect for pretend play or setting a sweet handmade Thanksgiving table. Find the tutorial here: barleyandbirch.com/make-paper-bag-m… #UpcycledCraft #NaturePlay #KidsCraft #PaperCraft

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 22/11/2025

Road trips just got *way* more fun! 🚗🗺️ Grab our free printable scavenger hunts — designed for all ages, from preschoolers to tweens. barleyandbirch.com/free-printable-r… #FamilyTravel #FreePrintable #KidsActivities

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 20/11/2025

Our 2025 gift guide has been updated with even MORE ideas for every kid on your list (plus DIYs and tips to help keep stress - and expenses - at a minimum!). Visit the full guide here: barleyandbirch.com/gift-ideas-for-k… #holiday #shopping #giftsforkids #kidsgifts

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 03/11/2025

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with kids through stories, art, and hands-on learning. Explore ways to honor culture with respect and creativity #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #KidsLearning #CulturalCrafts

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 30/10/2025

Here's a fun way to make a bit of edible art with Halloween party supplies you probably already have around (or use up leftover trick-or-treat candy) 😍🍬🍭🍫

A set of four candy mandalas - a Halloween art project for kids

Two bowls of Halloween candy sitting on a white background

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 24/10/2025

It's a beautiful weekend to get outside with one of our "slightly spooky" October nature scavenger hunts - grab the free printables or use our ideas in the article for inspiration! barleyandbirch.com/a-halloween-...

A clipboard holding an outdoor Halloween-themed nature scavenger hunt, sitting on fall leaves on an orange background.

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 19/10/2025

October will be here before you know it, and these free printable mini Halloween coloring pages make quick and easy entertainment (newly updated with BIGGER pages and writing prompts!) Find the full set here: barleyandbirch.com/freebie-mini...

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 17/10/2025

One for young October readers - turn your cozy fall read-aloud nights into a game with this (brand new!) free printable Halloween reading bingo card. 📙🕷 Download it here: barleyandbirch.com/shop/free-pr... #kidlit #childrensbooks #october

A Halloween reading BINGO card on an orange background with black plastic spiders and gold sequins

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 17/10/2025

See our last-minute Halloween instant printable fun + activity ideas here (plus a look at a few projects for the upcoming month) ☺️ URL: preview.mailerlite.io/preview/4216...

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 16/10/2025

Make a DIY Jack-O-Lantern shape sorter from a cardboard box 🎃 (doubles as a fun Halloween lantern too!) Visit the DIY and optional templates here: barleyandbirch.com/2018/10/make...

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 16/10/2025

Spooky season is right around the corner...! 🎃 Get in the mood with this collection of b&b's best Halloween activities for all ages and interests...🎃 Find our Halloween favs here: barleyandbirch.com/discover-mod...

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 16/10/2025

Grab the popcorn and a side of construction paper for these 31 kids Halloween movie + craft pairings 🎥 Save the streaming list here: barleyandbirch.com/discover-25-...

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 15/10/2025

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 15/10/2025

Our top 100 Halloween picture books (organized by theme) with links to some great art and craft project pairings for October kid lit art time! 👻 Find the full collection here: barleyandbirch.com/favorite-hal...

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 15/10/2025

Use school portraits, printed pictures, or old family photos to turn your family into WEREWOLVES! 😎🌕🌑 Find all the ideas to help you make this as cute or creepy as you prefer here: barleyandbirch.com/werewolf-fam...

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 15/10/2025

Brand new to the blog, this twist on classic Bingo invites kids to conjure symbols or works of the season. A new kid-created favorite for October family game nights! Find the DIY and free printables here: barleyandbirch.com/diy-hallowee...

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 14/10/2025

Oooo here's a fun new printable creative prompt for Halloween 🧙‍♀️🪄👻 Invite your kids to dream up their own potion recipes and magical spells for a wickedly good time. Download the full set here: barleyandbirch.com/shop/printab...

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 14/10/2025

Have you ever tried blind drawing? It is SO much fun, an incredibly easy art activity to pull together, and results in some of the *best* spontaneous kid-made artworks. Here are over 30 ideas to help you embrace the spirit of the season through your own Halloween blind drawing sessions or stations.

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 14/10/2025

Need some fresh ways to celebrate the season with your kids? 31 creative, kid-friendly October experiences to add to your family Halloween bucket list 😊🍂 Find all the ideas here: barleyandbirch.com/creative-kid...

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 14/10/2025

Over 31 fun and easy Halloween sensory play ideas - from bins and bottles to playdough, slime, and beyond! Find them all here: barleyandbirch.com/31-fun-and-e...

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 13/10/2025

Happy National Pumpkin Day! Mix up the perfect weekend-before-Halloween activity with these playdough pumpkins 🎃 Find the DIY and homemade pumpkin spice playdough recipe:: barleyandbirch.com/make-diy-jac...

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barley & birch @barleyandbirch.com · 13/10/2025

Use torn scrap paper and nature supplies to make fantastic fall-inspired art 🍂 barleyandbirch.com/make-hallowe...

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