I realized last week how fast 4th of July was coming upon us! Since it’s my youngest charge’s birthday I knew I couldn’t just skip over it! With this mini unit being only a week long, I thought it would be fun to give myself a little challenge to just spend $2o!
I was honestly impressed with what I was able to find and pull together on short notice. All the items I purchased can and will be used in many different ways.
Shout out forever and always to Hobby Lobby and Dollar Tree, your holiday themed sections are beyond compare! The best thing about these ideas is that they are not just for 4th of July. You could easily use them for Memorial Day, Flag Day or any other time you want to isolate the colors red and blue.
Since it’s J’s 2nd birthday, most of these activities are geared for our younger toddlers!
SUPPLY LIST
- Red, White and Blue Vase Filler, Plastic Star Scatter, Foam Stars, Cupcake Toppers, Pipe Cleaners
- 3 Section Dip Tray
- Ice Cube Tray or Muffin Tray
- Sorting Bowls
- Any Sorting Toys in Red and Blue (like bugs, stringing beads, or pegboard pegs)
- Empty Spice Jar
- Star Cookie Cutters
- Rice Bin
- Fine Motor Tools (scoops, spoons, and tongs)
I love a themed rice bin! I was working on a deadline so I really wish I had had time to add some red and blue rice in the shape of stars.
Aren’t these hats the cutest?! Found this pack of 5 at Dollar Tree and knew they would come in handy for sorting activities and holding rice!
J is just beginning to notice the differences in colors which couldn’t have come at a better time. Most of these activities are sorting Red, White, and Blue. If you follow the Montessori method, red and blue are the first colors taught. Talk about perfect timing!
The next few activities use the 3 part dip tray I found at Dollar Tree and all the vase fillers and table scatter I found at Hobby Lobby.
For big sister we added the extra challenge of scooping.
She also noticed that the balls and stars have two sizes. So, I quickly leveled up her sorting tray to sort by color and size.
A simple transfer activity will always calm my charges down. They get really focused! We added water when using the plastic stars for a fun change.
One of the fun things when putting myself on a restricted budget is going through my large nanny closest to see what things can fit into our unit. I landed on bringing all the toys and tools I have that are red and blue.
Lacing beads at two different levels. We practiced making some patterns using colors and size.
Making peg towers on the pegboard along with hair ties was a favorite during our rainbow unit. The kids were excited to see these back into rotation.
Sorting bugs in red and blue.
Working on simple patterns in an ice cube tray is a great way to introduce patterning to younger toddlers. I create a pattern in the top row and E copies it below mine.
This spice jar got so much use over the winter. Adding pipe cleaners made it new again.
Since it’s J’s birthday (and America’s!) I had to pull out this posting birthday cake I found at Target last year. I love it! Melissa and Doug makes a pretty similar one.
I whipped up this playdough tray using all the little bits and bobs I got at Hobby Lobby.
I couldn’t pass up these adorable dog sticker packs. They came as a set of two at HL. I also found some airplanes and rainbow scratch stars. Here and here
The Teaching Nanny 
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