Category: Blog

Fall has arrived. Whether it be the change in weather or the endless fall-themed activities that come with this time of year, there is something so comforting that comes with the change of seasons from Summer to Fall. One of my favorite fall recipes to make with my kids is gourmet caramel apples just like the ones you see at the mall that seem impossible to make.

Gourmet Caramel Apples are fun to make because the possibilities are endless, you can easily wrap them with cellophane and ribbon for a unique gift, and they sure are yummy!

Here’s what you need:

• 5 green apples, washed and dried with stems removed
• Skewer sticks made for caramel apples or just plain ol’ popsicle sticks
• 1 package of Kraft Caramel Bits or caramel squares
• Toppings of your choice. Our favorites include crushed Oreo cookies, mini M&Ms, or walnuts.
• White + milk chocolate chips, melted for drizzle

Begin by removing the stems from each apple. Wash and dry your apples well. This step is important. Your apples need to be clean and dry as it helps the caramel stick easier. Place the popsicle sticks in the middle of the apple and insert them until they are secure. Place your apples in the fridge while you prepare the caramel and toppings.

Melt your caramel according to the package directions. Stir the caramel in 30 second to 1 minute intervals until it is completely melted and easy to stir. Tip: Melt the caramel in a deep, glass measuring cup for easy dipping.

While you are melting your caramel, prepare your favorite toppings. The possibilities are endless. Our favorites include crushed Oreo cookies, mini M&Ms, and walnuts. Place your toppings in shallow, wide dishes to make for easy rolling. Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper to place your apples on.

Once your caramel is melted and your toppings are prepared, let your caramel sit for a minute before you start the dipping process. You do not want to dip your apples when the caramel is really hot or the caramel will run off and pool at the bottom of your apple. Make sure you don’t let it cool too much, though.

Begin dipping each apple into the caramel until it is completely covered. Swirl it around in the caramel and then let the excess caramel run off as you spin the stick in your hands. Tap the stick on the edge of the measuring cup before placing the apple on the wax paper to set. It is important to work quickly before the caramel cools.

Now comes the fun part: adding your toppings! You want to let your apples sit for a minute after dipping them but before adding your toppings so that the caramel has a minute to set before taking on the weight of the toppings. Otherwise, your toppings will fall to the bottom of the apple.

Roll each apple into your topping, pressing down pretty generously so the topping really sticks into the caramel. Place the apple back onto the wax paper to cool completely. You can place it into the fridge to chill quickly if needed.

Melt 1/4 c. of white chocolate chips and 1/4 c. of milk chocolate chips in 15 second increments until it is melted and smooth. Drizzle each kind of chocolate over the apples while spinning it until you reach the desired amount of chocolate that you want.

Let the apples sit until they are completely cool and dry. Wrap them in cellophane and ribbon to gift to a friend or slice and enjoy!

What are your favorite fall recipes? We would love to hear your favorites! Share them with us @thepreschoolbox!

Father’s Day is right around the corner and let’s face it, Dads can be hard to buy for. Over the years, I have found that an easy way to win over a dad’s heart and to show them we appreciate them is by gathering up the kids to create a homemade gift that he can use and proudly display at work or home. I was considering all of the options of what to create for the Dad in our lives this Father’s Day and I came up with something I believe will be useful, but cherished. An even bigger bonus is that kids can create it themselves, just for dad, or any other person in their lives. 

Here’s how to make this Salt Dough trinket + coin dish. The best part is, you likely already have most of these items at home. 

Here’s what you will need: 

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup of salt
• ¾ cup-1 cup of water
• Mixing bowl + spoon
• Cookie sheet
• Parchment paper
• Acrylic paints
• Paint brush 

Start by placing the flour, salt, and ¾ cup of water into your mixing bowl. 

Mix it well until it forms into a ball and no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl.

If it seems dry and crumbly, add a small amount of water until everything combines together well. If it is too wet, add just a touch of flour. Once your dough is the perfect consistency, separate it into 4 different balls. This recipe will make enough to create four different trinket + coin dishes.

Take one of the balls and begin forming your dish. Turn the ball in your hands as you push out the middle, almost as if you are forming a pizza crust. (Top Left) Once your dough is about ¼” in thickness, place it on your surface and form the edge. You can do this by pinching the edges and moving your fingers upward, turning it as you go. (Top Right) Next, stabilize the edge of your dish by running your finger along the edge like above, smoothing it as you go. (Bottom Left)

Once you are done forming your dish, transfer it to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. (Bottom Right)

Bake it at 200 degrees for 2 hours until it is completely dry and baked.

Remove your dish from the oven and let it cool completely. The last, and most fun, step is to paint your dish. This can be as creative or simple as you want it to be.

Give the dad in your life a place to empty his pockets at the end of the day. This trinket + coin dish can hold change, keys, a wallet, or even candies.

All About My Dad Printable

Complete your gift for dad with this survey all about him! He is sure to enjoy reading about himself through the eyes of his kids.

Find your free printable here.

Happy Father’s Day to all of the dads, grandpas, uncles, and brothers out there!

Share your Father’s Day creations with us on Facebook @thepreschoolbox.

Summer is upon us which can mean two things for parents: we need to beat the heat and we need to find new, easy ways to keep our kids busy and learning. Popsicles are a summer staple that nearly every kid (and adult!) loves. This smoothie popsicle recipe is quick, easy, and sure to entertain them and keep them cool on a hot day. The kitchen is a great place to build upon their math and reading skills by measuring and following a recipe. Then, they will get to enjoy a yummy, cold treat after their hard work.

Here’s what you’ll need:

1 ½ cups any frozen fruit

⅔ cup yogurt

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Water

Blender

Silicone Mold

Popsicle Sticks

Begin by placing the frozen fruit, yogurt, sugar, and lemon juice in your blender. You can use any frozen fruit you like. There are so many different combinations you can try; peaches, strawberries, strawberries and bananas, or a berry blend. We used a blend of mango, papaya, and strawberry for our popsicles.

Start blending your fruit mixture. Add water as needed until everything is blended together. Your fruit mixture will need to be somewhat pour-able. Pour the mixture evenly into your silicone mold.  

Place it in the freezer for 30-40 minutes until they are just beginning to set. Remove the mold from the freezer and place the popsicle sticks directly in the middle of each well.

Place the mold back into the freezer for another 1-2 hours or until completely frozen. Carefully remove each popsicle from the mold to enjoy!

What fruit combination would you love to try? Share your favorite summer treats with us! We would love to see photos of the popsicles you create this summer. Share them with us by tagging our Facebook page! @thepreschoolbox

Parents want the best for their children.  It is at the epicenter of who we are as parents.  We want them to have the best chance to be successful in life.  I have created this preschool learning box and the learning activities because I want children to be prepared academically for their first year of school.  I am very passionate about this as I have spent several years in the education field which helped me develop this home preschool curriculum.  I feel even more strongly about children developing into socially and emotionally healthy individuals.

I want to reflect a little bit on what I think are some of the most important, non-academic characteristics that we as parents should develop in our children .  This first of these is kindness.  In my opinion, the world would be such a better place if everyone was kind to one another.  Helping your child understand what kindness is and how they can show kindness to others is one of the best things we can do as parents.

The second thing that I think is important for children to learn about is empathy.  It is not important for them to understand the word, but more so the idea.  It is very important for individuals to be able to put themselves in someone else’s shoes to help them better understand what others are going through.  As parents, we can help our kids learn this skill by occasionally asking them “how do you think this person feels” or “why do you think someone acted a certain way”.  This will help them gain the skill of being able to look beyond themselves to try to better understand others.

A third and final trait that is important for parents to help their kids develop is the ability to be grateful.  Children come from different backgrounds.  Regardless of their situation, everyone has something that can be thankful for, whether it be new clothing, a meal to eat or waking up with a roof over their head.  People these days tend to take things for granted.  Teaching children to be grateful for what they have will help them develop into more appreciative adults one day down the line.

I know that my children sometimes take the simple things for granted, so I like to point out to them what they do have… a bed to sleep in, food to eat, friends to play with, a new video game, or other things.  Being grateful is such a great quality for people to possess.  Taking time to think about others feel and being kind to others kind of go hand in hand, and are important skills for children to develop at a young age.

I hope you are able to take a little bit of time to talk with your kiddos about this.  We can make the world a better place one child at a time.

As the new year kicks off, many decide upon new years resolutions.  Some of those are health and exercise related, while others are aimed at forming healthy habits.  As a former teacher, I know how important it is to exercise the mind.  With the new year, now would be a great time to get your kids started in our learning program.  For students that are going to enroll in kindergarten later this year, this is especially important.  

When I was teaching kindergarten, I could tell which students had been doing learning activities before they started school.  Those students typically had greater success in their learning because they had been previously exposed to the content that I was covering.  Having a strong foundation of reading and writing skills as well as basic math skills puts students at a great advantage in their academic journey.  Anything that you can do to help prepare your students for academic success early on will provide them with a firm foundation for the remainder of their education.

The Preschool Box was created with my understanding of what is important for students to know going into day one of kindergarten.  Each activity and learning objective were carefully planned and aligned to what will best benefit your student.  I sincerely hope that you consider having your child begin their learning journey with The Preschool Box. 

This year has been trying for everyone, especially teachers.  From schools being open one week to 100% virtual the next, from having to instruct some students in person while simultaneously trying to hold the attention of virtual learners, teachers are arguably facing the most challenging year the educational system has ever faced.  They are risking their health and that of their family’s in order to serve our students.  Virtual learning has also required them to use much more of their evening and weekend time in order to give your students the best possible learning experience.  Many parents are, especially for younger children, choosing to have their students attend school or preschool at home.

I can’t think of a better way to show them they are appreciated than by giving them a gift for the coming holidays.  I remember when I was a kindergarten teacher, I loved getting gifts from my students.  Even better, I could tell the students loved giving me gifts.  I remember so many times my students would bring me a gift with the biggest smile on their face, and were beaming with excitement as they waited to see my reaction.  It didn’t matter to me if the gift was big or small, but just seeing the joy they had in giving a gift made my day.  

When it comes to picking out a gift for your student’s teachers, you should ask your student what their teacher likes.  Many times teachers will tell students what their favorite candy is, where they get their coffee, or what their favorite restaurant is.  This will let your student feel like they have a bigger part in picking out the gift.  I taught at a school where there were many economically disadvantaged families, so I want to reiterate that it is never the price tag that matters, it is the thought that counts.  Here are some ideas, broken down by approximate price on what you can get your teachers this holiday season.  You may or may not see coffee under several pricing categories.  I’m not sure any of us could have enough caffeine in 2020 anyways. 

$5 or less

Teachers favorite candy

Gift card to Starbucks or a favorite local coffee shop

A holiday card with a handwritten message from your student

$10

Essential Oils for a diffuser (Recommended scents for relaxation: Lavender, Rose, Neroli and Spearmint)

Candle

Gift card to Starbucks or a favorite local coffee shop

Insulated Coffee mug

Gift card to Target, Bed Bath and Beyond or a store like that

$20

Diffuser for essential oils

Gift card to teachers favorite restaurant (or coffee shop)

Personalized gift (My favorite is a lunch box with my name embroidered on it I got my first year of teaching.  I still use it to this day.)

$20+

Gift card to a salon for a pedicure

Gift card for a massage

Remember to spread that holiday cheer and take care of your teachers.

Christmas time is my absolute very favorite time of the year.  I literally plan for it all year long.  I love the traditions we do every year, and the new ones that we occasionally pick up as well.  This year is going to look a little different than our norm, but I’m trying to find ways to keep our household festive and continue to build memories with our kids.  So we decided to sit down with the kids and brainstorm some ideas for a Christmas bucket list.  These are all the fun things that we want to do all month long to celebrate and these ideas don’t require group gatherings or a lot of public outings.  Remember the kids helped me so some of the ideas are a little silly, but hey why not?!

1. Drink Hot Cocoa with Marshmallows
2. Wrap presents as a family
3. Christmas crafts (see Pinterest for a gazillion ideas)
4. Decorate the Christmas Tree
5. Decorate the yard
6. Pictures with Santa (Bass Pro Shop did an amazing job of socially distanced photos with Santa- plexiglass barrier and everything)
7. Daddy dress up as Santa and give the kids a present (the kids obviously thought this one up)
8. Grinch movie night with green popcorn (or mix in some green m&m’s)
9. Play in the snow (We live in Texas so wishful thinking)
10. Build a snowman
11. Make ornaments
12. Eat Christmas themed food (Owen requested a snowflake shaped poptart)
13. Bake and Leave Santa cookies
14. Make Gingerbread houses
15. Sing Christmas songs together
16. Snowball fight (again we live in Texas so this may be a cotton ball fight)
17. Tell Christmas stories
18. Make a fire in the fireplace
19. Make gifts for friends
20. Drop of some toys at a Blue Santa donation site
21. Send donations to an orphanage
22. Watch a Charlie Brown Christmas
23. Drive around look at Christmas lights
24. Write letters to Santa
25. Read Christmas books
26. Send Christmas cards (the kids really enjoyed helping me put on the address labels and stickers)
27. Make Reindeer food and leave out for Santa’s reindeer on Christmas Eve
28. Make Gingerbread house ornaments out of terra cotta pots
29. Read Elf on the Shelf and wait for our Elf to do lots of fun things all month long
30. Watch the movie Elf. 

I hope that our list has inspired you to make time to do some special things as a family this holiday season.  2020 has been quite the year to navigate through but we hope each of you still manage to find joy in the small things and remember there’s always reason to celebrate.