Book Review – MESS – Craft Gossip

ISBN 9780399536007 RRP $13.95

I was lucky enough to receive a Galley Proof for Keri’s new book MESS. My 2 year old grabbed the book and asked if she could draw in it. I had not even read the title and snapped back NO that’s mummy’s book. She informed me it was a drawing book and proceeded to look for a pencil.

After reading the introduction I thought wow, what better way to MESS up this book than to let me 2 year old have a go.

What am I talking about?

You may be familiar with her best selling book “Wreck this Journal” where Keri provokes her readers to Wreck the journal by poking holes in pages, tearing things up and much much more.

Well MESS (the book) is pretty much the same thing, the book is filled with directions on how to MESS up the book with quirky challenges to inspire you to be creative. Not only by yourself but with others too with several pages being directed to Groups.

Edited to add: Now that my children are older I can truly appreciate the importance of children learning that imperfection is okay. I have two children who like to get things right all the time. This book is something we have revisited to show them that mess is not only creative it is also an important step in life, that can be acceptable.

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I know the last thing most kids want to do during the summer is anything that feels like school, but the truth is doing little things to reinforce the learning they did the previous year will make the next year easier for them.

Also true: you can make this learning fun by turning it into game time.

These printable math puzzles from Living Life and Learning are great to use in the car when you’re on a road trip, or just any time you need a little activity to pass the time. They involve adding numbers up to 10 and include cute summer-themed graphics as well as the numbers.

Help the bee get back to the hive with math in these math maze puzzles from Artsy Fartsy Mama. There are versions for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division for kids of different levels to enjoy.

Of course math games are even more fun if you take them outside. Hopscotch is a classic outdoor game that can be easily made about math. Just one idea is this skip counting hopscotch idea from Math Geek Mama. Have the kids fill in the numbers and them count them off as they jump. She also has a fun jumping math maze that looks like a lot of fun.

Look We’re Learning has some more fun ideas for math games you can play outside including a beanbag toss, counting treasure hunt and sidewalk chalk math.

Some days it’s too hot to go outside so you might need some indoor math games to play. Math Geek Mama also has a great collection of Lego math games and activities for kids of all ages. Primary Playground has games you can play with Uno cards to learn about numbers, sort colors and more.

Older kids will enjoy the math games using dominoes from Upper Elementary Snapshots.

Take your math learning on the go with these math themed cootie catchers from 123 Homeschool 4 Me. There are lots of options here including ones just with numbers, with math problems or that ask you to double numbers. Inside numbers are presented as hash marks, fingers or dots to add an extra layer of fun.

All About Me Math Themed Sheets

Animal Measuring Math Center Activity

Christmas Math Activities for Preschoolers [Lesson Plans]

Christmas Themed Math Activities [Lesson Plans]

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Have you read?