Author: thehomemakersdream@gmail.com

If you’re looking for a fun, screen-free activity that sparks creativity and gets your kids outdoors, a mud kitchen might be just what your backyard needs. Here are 7 reasons why this DIY favorite is worth the (minimal) mess!

1. It Encourages Imaginative Play

Wether baking mud pies or pretending to cook dinner for stuffed animals, the mud kitchen has countless oportunities for pretend play. Watch your kids become chefs, bakers, and scientists all in one messy spot!

2. It Gets Kids Outside

Sometimes the hardest part is getting them out the door. A mud kitchen is an irresistible outdoor magnet that makes getting out of the house a part of their routine.

3. It Supports Sensory Development

Squishing, scooping, pouring, and stirring are all examples of sensory exploration. The textures, temperatures, and even smells of outdoor play help develop your child’s sensory processing.

4. It’s Easy to Set Up

All you need is some wooden planks, a couple of metal bowls or pots, and a few plastic bins for water or dirt. Add old kitchen utensils and let the creativity explode.

5. It Grows with Your Kids

My toddler uses it to explore textures while a five-year-old might run a full pretend restaurant.

6. It Teaches Real-Life Skills

Kids practice pouring, measuring, mixing, and cleaning — all useful life skills, that will really take them far, disguised as play.

7. It’s Surprisingly Affordable

You can DIY a mud kitchen with upcycled items from around the house or find affordable options online. Want a head start? Check out my favorite mud kitchen picks on Amazon here.

Want to Make One Just Like the Picture?

This setup includes:

• A wooden base with a sturdy shelf
• Two stainless steel “sinks”
• Hanging utensils (spoon, spatula, mini pan)
• Plastic bins for mud, water, and stones
• A fun label that says “Mud Kitchen”

Perfect for little hands to get creative!

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Counting the Omer can be a powerful and educational part of each evening for your kids—but it’s easy to forget or lose track of the days. Here’s a simple counting the Omer craft idea to give your kids a hands-on visual to follow along with each night.

It’s preschool-friendly, lightweight enough to hang up or move around the house, and easy to personalize with your child’s name or favorite colors.

What You’ll Need:

• A large sheet of cardstock or poster board
• 49 small stickers, Velcro dots, or buttons
• Glue or adhesive dots
• Markers, washi tape, or decorative items
• A ruler (optional)
• Number stickers or a pen for labeling days 1–49
• Optional: Laminator or page protector for durability

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Set up your board: Create a 7×7 grid—one row for each week of the Omer. You can draw the lines with a ruler or use strips of washi tape to divide the sections.

2. Label each square: Inside each box, write or place a number from 1 to 49. You can also color-code the weeks if you’d like (ex: Week 1 = blue, Week 2 = green, etc.).

3. Decorate together: Let your child decorate the board with markers, stickers, or a theme that’s meaningful—like hearts, stars or mitzvah symbols.

4. Add your counting elements:

You can use:

• Velcro dots and small felt shapes
• Tiny numbered stickers they can peel and place
• Buttons that your child glues down one per day
• Mini clothespins with numbers on a string

How It Works:

Every night after counting the Omer, your child adds a sticker or item to mark the day. This makes the mitzvah feel exciting and builds anticipation as Shavuos gets closer.

Tip: Keep the board in a central spot, like the fridge or your child’s bedroom wall, with a pen or stickers ready so it’s easy to remember.

This counting the Omer craft idea is perfect for preschoolers, homeschoolers, or just as a nightly family tradition. It’s simple, fun, and meaningful—just the way crafts should be.

Parshas Ki Sisa is packed with big moments—the half-shekel donation, the golden calf, and Moshe receiving the Luchos on Har Sinai. There’s so much to teach, and the best way for kids to connect to the Parsha is through hands-on activities!

That’s why I’m sharing a fun and interactive FREE ½ Shekel printable—perfect for math games, counting activities, and creative crafts. Download it below and use it in your classroom, home, or Shabbos table learning!

What’s the Significance of the ½ Shekel?

Hashem commanded every Jew to give a half-shekel coin to contribute to the Mishkan. Unlike other donations, everyone gave the same amount—rich or poor.

💡 Lesson for Kids: Every Jew is equally important, and we all contribute to the bigger picture of Klal Yisrael!

Now, let’s bring this mitzvah to life with engaging Parshas Ki Sisa activities!

5 Fun Ways to Use the ½ Shekel Printable!

1. Half-Shekel Counting Game (Math Meets Parsha!)

💡 Teaches: Counting, grouping, and simple addition!

• Print and cut out the ½ Shekel coins.
• Have kids count by halves—two coins make a whole!
• Use it as a Shabbos game to see how many ½ Shekalim equal different amounts (5 shekalim, 10 shekalim, etc.).

📌 Extra Idea: Hide the coins around the room for a Half-Shekel Hunt!

2. Give Tzedakah – Tactile Mitzvah Learning

💡 Teaches: The mitzvah of tzedakah in a meaningful, hands-on way.

• Have kids put their ½ Shekel printables into a Tzedakah box.
• Explain how everyone’s donation together made the Mishkan possible!
• Discuss how we can give tzedakah today to help others.

4. ½ Shekel Collage – A Creative Keepsake

💡 Teaches: Fine motor skills & hands-on creativity.

• Print multiple sheets of the ½ Shekel printable.
• Have kids cut and glue the coins into a cool mosaic or collage.
• Display it as a visual reminder of the mitzvah!

📌 Extra Idea: Add a pasuk from the Parsha to make it even more meaningful!

Grab Your Free ½ Shekel Printable Now!

This fun, easy-to-use printable makes learning about Parshas Ki Sisa exciting and interactive. Whether you use it for math games, storytelling, tzedakah lessons, or craft projects, it’s a great way to engage kids with the Parsha.

Click below to download your FREE ½ Shekel printable and bring Parshas Ki Sisa to life!

How will you use your ½ Shekel printable this week? Let me know in the comments! 😊

Parshas Tetzaveh is filled with beautiful details about the bigdei kehuna (the Kohen Gadol’s special clothing), including the Choshen Mishpat—a magnificent breastplate decorated with 12 precious stones, each representing one of the Shevatim of Bnei Yisrael.

This hands-on Parshas Tetzaveh craft is a great way for kids to connect to the Parsha while creating their own Choshen necklace to wear!

Choshen Mishpat Necklace – A Fun and Meaningful Craft

Materials Needed:

• Gold cardstock or thick paper (for the base)
• 12 small, colorful gems, stickers, or beads
• Glue
• Hole punch
• Yarn, ribbon, or string (to wear it as a necklace)
• Optional: Markers, gold paint, or glitter for extra decoration

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1️⃣ Cut Out the Choshen Shape

• Cut a rectangle out of the gold cardstock.
• The Choshen in the Mishkan was a square, so try to keep it even on all sides.

💡 Did You Know? The Choshen was woven from gold, techeiles (blue), argaman (purple), tolaas shani (red), and fine linen—a sign of its importance!

2️⃣ Arrange the 12 Stones

• The Choshen had four rows of three stones each.
• Place your 12 gems, stickers, or beads on the paper before gluing them down.

💎 Each stone represented one of the 12 Shevatim! Some examples include:

• Odem (Ruby) for Reuven
• Pitda (Topaz) for Shimon
• Barekes (Emerald) for Levi

💡 Extra Challenge: Look up the names of all 12 stones and try to match the colors!

3️⃣ Glue the Stones in Place

• Once you’re happy with the arrangement, glue each gem securely.

💡 Think About It: The Urim V’Tumim inside the Choshen helped the Kohen Gadol get messages from Hashem!

4️⃣ Add the Necklace String

• Punch two holes at the top of the Choshen.
• Thread yarn or ribbon through the holes and tie the ends.

5️⃣ Decorate (Optional)

• Outline the edges in gold marker.
• Add a bit of glitter for extra shine.
• Write the names of the Shevatim under each stone!

What We Learn from the Choshen

👑 Every Shevet had a unique mission, but together they made up Klal Yisrael.

💖 The Kohen Gadol wore the Choshen over his heart, reminding him to care for all of Bnei Yisrael.

✨ Hashem’s presence guided the Jewish people through the Urim V’Tumim.

This Parshas Tetzaveh craft is not only fun to make—it’s also a meaningful way for kids to learn about the Choshen Mishpat!

More Parshas Tetzaveh Craft Ideas for Kids!

Looking for more creative crafts for this Parsha?

Try these ideas:

🌟 Menorah Glow Art – Use glow-in-the-dark chalk to create a stunning Menorah picture!

👕 Kohen Gadol Paper Doll – Make a paper doll dressed in the bigdei kehuna!

🫒 Olive Oil Sensory Bottle – Create a bottle that shows how pure oil stays separate!

Which Parshas Tetzaveh craft will you try first? Let me know in the comments! 😊

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Do you love soft and cozy rugs? Want to make one yourself? A pom pom rug is a fun and easy craft that adds a pop of color to any room. You can make it in your favorite colors, and it feels amazing under your feet!

This guide will show you how to make a pom pom rug step by step. It’s a great project for kids, teens, or anyone who loves DIY crafts.

What You Need

Before we start, gather these supplies:

• Yarn – Any color you like! Soft, fluffy yarn works best.
• Scissors – To cut the yarn.
• Pom pom maker – You can also use a fork or cardboard if you don’t have one.
• Rug base – A non-slip rug mat or a piece of fabric with holes (like a latch hook rug canvas).
• Hot glue gun (optional) – If you don’t want to tie the pom poms on.

Step 1: Make the Pom Poms

Pom poms are the soft, fluffy balls that will make up your rug.

How to make a pom pom with a pom pom maker:

1. Wrap the yarn around both sides of the pom pom maker.
2. Close the pom pom maker and cut the yarn in the middle.
3. Tie a piece of yarn around the center to keep the pom pom together.
4. Open the pom pom maker and fluff up your pom pom!

No pom pom maker? No problem! Try the fork method:

1. Wrap yarn around a fork about 50 times.
2. Slide the yarn off carefully and tie it tightly in the middle.
3. Cut the loops on both sides and fluff it up.

Repeat this step until you have at least 30-50 pom poms (or more, depending on how big your rug is).

Step 2: Arrange Your Pom Poms

• Lay your pom poms on a table and arrange them in a pattern you like.
• You can make a rainbow rug, color-block rug, or even a smiley face!
• Once you’re happy with the design, it’s time to attach them.

Step 3: Attach Pom Poms to the Rug Base

There are two ways to attach the pom poms:

1. Tie them on (Best for long-lasting rugs)

• Thread the yarn from each pom pom through the holes in your rug mat.
• Tie it tightly in a double knot so it won’t come off.

2. Glue them on (Faster but not as strong)

• Use a hot glue gun to attach each pom pom to the rug mat.
• Press down firmly and let it dry.

Step 4: Finishing Touches

• Check for any loose pom poms and make sure they are tight.
• Trim any uneven edges to make the rug look neat.
• Fluff up your pom poms one last time, and your rug is ready!

Tips for Making the Best Pom Pom Rug

Use thick yarn for fluffier pom poms.

Make extra pom poms so your rug looks full and soft.

Put the rug in a low-traffic area (like a bedroom) so it lasts longer.

Spot clean only – Don’t put it in the washing machine!

FAQs: Common Questions

Q: How long does it take to make a pom pom rug?

A: It depends on the size! A small rug can take a few hours, while a big one might take a weekend.

Q: Can I make this without a rug base?

A: Yes! You can use a piece of felt or fabric and glue the pom poms on instead.

Q: What’s the best yarn for pom pom rugs?

A: Acrylic or wool yarn works best because it’s soft and fluffy. Avoid thin yarns that don’t hold their shape.

Final Thoughts

Making a pom pom rug is a fun and creative way to decorate your room. You can make it big or small, colorful or simple, and it’s a great craft for kids and adults alike!

If you enjoyed this tutorial, share it with a friend or save it for later! Happy crafting!