Liz Baill

Liz Baill is an educator, writer, and mom of three in the Philadelphia area. She loves developing resources that inspire kids and families to engage in creative play and open-ended exploration. She has taught children and their grown-ups in museums across the country including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Liz has developed award-winning content for kid-friendly audio guides, labels, exhibitions, websites, and lesson plans, and is the author of "Armor & Animals" and "What Can Colors Do?" Follow her attempts at momming creativishly and her work pursuits in the art education world in Instagram @creativishmom.

Latest posts by Liz

10 Simple and Fun Light Experiments for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Submitted by Liz Baill on Thu, 09/01/2022 - 12:00pm

Who needs a disco ball when you've got a flashlight and magnetic tiles? Photo by author Liz Baill @creativishmom

We've all made hand shadows with flashlights when the power goes out unexpectedly, but have you tried lowering the lights on purpose for playtime? Light experiments are a magical form of sensory exploration with well-documented developmental benefits for kids, while happening to be deceptively simple for even the laziest parent (like me). Setting up a dark environment and incorporating flashlights into your play unlocks a whole new way of looking at the world, mesmerizes tumultuous toddlers, and brings open-ended process play into your home with minimal effort. Light experiments can even work wonders on children who fear the dark.

So cut the lights and grab your flashlights (check for batteries first, because dead flashlights are a bummer) and try out these 10 easy light and shadow experiments for toddlers and preschoolers. For more preschool and toddler science ideas, check out our list of science experiments for toddlers, and more science fun for kids of all ages in our Guide to Science Experiments for Kids.

Visiting Philly's Museum of Illusions with Kids: Fool Your Eyes, Bend your Brain, and Strike a Pose

Submitted by Liz Baill on Fri, 08/12/2022 - 8:00am

Don't worry, Ben's keeping watch at the Museum of Illusions.

By now you've probably seen photos popping up all over your social media feed of friends defying gravity in a diner, playing cards with several versions of themselves, chilling with their heads on a platter, or sauntering down a spinning light tunnel while trying to keep their lunch down. Welcome to the Museum of Illusions, Philly's hottest selfie spot that also manages to strike that elusive note of being both genuinely entertaining and educational.

Here's what you need to know for Philly's most mind-bending museum, including all the best highlights to fool your eyes, challenge your brain, and seriously up your selfie game. For more stories like this sent straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletters, and browse our Guide to Philly Museums for Kids for more of the city's most kid-friendly museums.

21 Rainbow Crafts for Kids: Colorful Crafts and Rainbow Activities for Toddlers to Big Kids

Submitted by Liz Baill on Tue, 05/31/2022 - 11:30am

Rainbow crafts for kids will add color to your world.

Looking for some fun and easy rainbow crafts for kids? I am always on the lookout! As a child of the 80s, rainbows have been part of my psyche since my very first Rainbow Brite episode. Long before the Home Edit was a thing, I arranged all my stuff in rainbow-colored order. Even my bridesmaids wore different-colored dresses and lined up in ROY-G-BIV order. So when it comes to crafts for kids, you guessed it—I'm all about the rainbows.

Whether you're exploring color theory with your littles, looking for a vibrant STEM experiment, celebrating Pride, or just like all things rainbow, here are 21 rainbow crafts for kids and rainbow activities for toddlers to help you add a little color to your world.

Paper Towel Art: A Fun & Easy Preschool/Toddler Science Experiment

Submitted by Liz Baill on Thu, 05/12/2022 - 12:00pm

Blow your kids' minds with the magic of paper towel art.

Looking for an art project that will wow your kids? They'll think you're a wizard when you demo this paper towel art magic trick, which also involves science for an added bonus. This one never ceases to amaze both kids and kids-at-heart and is super easy to do, making it perfect for everyone from toddlers to big kids. Plus, it uses materials you likely already have.

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to make your own paper towel art. For more STEAM fun for kids, check out our lists of 25 preschool science experiments, 64 easy science experiments for kids to do at home, and 100 awesome art projects for creative at-home fun.

Great Stroller Walks and Stroller Hikes near Philly

Submitted by Liz Baill on Fri, 04/22/2022 - 9:56am

Both babies and dogs love stroller walks for some fresh air. Photo courtesy of Gina Massaro for Mommy Poppins

There's a time in parenthood when the stroller becomes your ride or die. Baby only nap on the move? Strap 'em in and walk. Need to workout with a tiny human in tow? Make that stroller push your strength workout. Maybe you need a walk-and-talk mom date or a self-care solo stroll outside. Whatever your strolling needs, we've rounded up the best stroller hikes near Philly to give parents and tots some much-needed fresh air.

These stroller walks near Philadelphia feature paved hiking trails for the excursion-inclined, wide-open gallery spaces to engage your tired yet creative mind, and simple but scenic jaunts that will add some Vitamin D to your caffeine high. For more great ideas to get out and about with little ones, don't miss our guide to Playgrounds and Parks in Philadelphia.

Awesome Sleepaway Summer Camps in the Poconos for Kids

Submitted by Liz Baill on Mon, 03/21/2022 - 10:12am

All smiles, all summer long. Photo courtesy of Independent Lake camp

Pack your kids' bags for summer camp and prepare for parental freedom. Poconos sleepaway summer camps are the perfect place for kids to unplug, make memories, and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the school year. Whether co-ed sleepaway summer camps, all girls or boys, faith-based or secular, this list has a sleepaway summer camp in the Poconos for every kind of camper.

For more awesome regional summer camps, browse Great Summer Sleepaway Camps in the Northeast. For Overnight camps a little further from home, don't miss the Top Midwest Overnight Summer Camps for Kids and Teens, and Amazing Overnight Summer Camps in California for Kids and Teens. For a complete list of our favorite sleepaway camps in the country, check out our Sleepaway Camp Guide: The Best Overnight Camps in the US.

25 Preschool Science Experiments: Simple Science for Toddlers through Kindergarten Kids

Submitted by Liz Baill on Thu, 03/10/2022 - 12:00pm

Create colorful storm clouds out of shaving cream and food coloring.

You don't need a tiny inventor or an aspiring Ada Twist, Scientist to have some fun with science. After all, every kid is an expert experimenter, and nothing makes us feel more like fun parents than breaking out some magical tricks and elixirs. Here are 25 easy preschool science experiments for all the STEM and STEAM your toddler, preschooler, or kindergarten kid can handle.

For more science experiments for kids of all ages, check out our list of 64 easy science experiments for kids, try our colorful Skittles science experiment, or enjoy one of our magical light experiments for toddlers and preschoolers—all of which can be found in our Guide to Science Experiments for Kids. Happy discovering!

12 Healthy Snacks for Kids That Are Works of Art

Submitted by Liz Baill on Thu, 02/24/2022 - 10:56am

Even the pickiest toddler will want to literally eat a rainbow.

For months, my toddler refused to host different foods on the same plate. Goldfish and graham crackers in one bowl were cause for a tantrum. Cucumbers on the same surface as strawberries led to a full flail. One desperate day I arranged some healthy snacks in a rainbow, and lo and behold, his usual disgust gave way not quite to joy, but at least curiosity—a huge win. After stepping it up to food faces, animals, or silly scenes, I officially found my picky-eating toddler hack.

Here are 12 go-to ideas for creative food creations that are also healthy snack ideas for kids. And I promise, you need no special food, tools, or artistic ability to turn these healthy snacks into tasty masterpieces! Check out our Guide to Easy Recipes for Kids for more simple and fun meal ideas, like 25 Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Kids, and 100 School Lunch Ideas Kids Will Actually Eat.

Liz Baill

Latest posts by Liz

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