3-5 Years

The preschool years are full of discovery and delight as kids continue to grow and explore their world.

Here, you'll find hacks relevant to these years, including:

...and more! Scroll down for our most recent tips.

Don't forget to check the All Ages archive for more great hacks.

10 April 2012

Kid takes swim vest off while in the pool?

3-5 Years, Health, Travel + Getting Out
What happens when you combine the stubbornness of a toddler with the increased manual dexterity of a preschooler, then add water? You have a kid who can undo the buckles on his floaty swim vest. Here's how Jennifer staved off the problem (for the next few pool visits at least).

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COMMENTS: 16

04 April 2012

Mobile phone alerts help the Tooth Fairy do her job

3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Getting Organized
Kid loses a tooth. Tooth goes under the pillow. Tooth Fairy swaps tooth for money. Everyone's happy! Until the Tooth Fairy forgets.

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COMMENTS: 6

14 March 2012

A drinking straw trick that reduces beverage spills in the car

3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Mealtime, Travel + Getting Out
Martha's road trip tip may save your car upholstery from soda pop disaster.

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COMMENTS: 10

17 February 2012

How to get a child to stop nailbiting? Talk amongst yourselves.

3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Behavior + Learning, Health
Parenthackers share tips for getting a child to stop nailbiting.

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COMMENTS: 29

13 February 2012

Valentine hearts letter match game

3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Behavior + Learning, Fun Projects + Activities
Marie of Make and Takes came up with a sweet way to encourage kids to "love" the alphabet.

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COMMENTS: 0

09 February 2012

Printable Valentine cards for "smarties"

3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Fun Projects + Activities
A cute, free, printable Valentine card + a classic (retro, even!) candy. SWEET.

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COMMENTS: 2

08 February 2012

Printable Valentine cards: Robot Hearts

3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Fun Projects + Activities
Look at these adorable classroom valentines Christy made! Not only did she point to them from the Parent Hacks Facebook page, she's invited anyone to print, cut and distribute at will.

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COMMENTS: 4

03 February 2012

Make a heart stamp out of a toilet paper roll

3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Fun Projects + Activities
That's a TOILET PAPER ROLL. With paint on it! I've seen this before but now I'm impressed all over again.

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COMMENTS: 2

25 January 2012

New favorite craft material: polymer clay

3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Fun Projects + Activities
Polymer clay (such as Sculpey and Fimo) has everything going for it: it's inexpensive, widely-available, versatile, long-lasting, easy to use, easy to clean up, and open to endless interpretation.

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COMMENTS: 5

23 January 2012

Perfect first baking project: Blondies

3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Fun Projects + Activities, Mealtime
I stumbled onto a recipe for Mark Bittman's Blondies over the weekend, and I hereby dub it The Perfect Recipe for a New Baker.

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COMMENTS: 4

17 January 2012

New kids' app review site: A Matter of App

3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Behavior + Learning, Fun Projects + Activities
Smartphones are the new handheld gaming device for many kids, especially preschoolers. The trick is to wade through all of the app offerings, which is why the new app review site, A Matter of App, is such a welcome addition to the blogosphere.

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COMMENTS: 5

09 January 2012

Delegate after-meal cleanup with a homemade "Clean/Dirty" dishwasher sign

3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Getting Organized
All you need is an index card and a fridge magnet to make your own version of one of those "clean/dirty" dishwasher indicators.

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COMMENTS: 6

04 January 2012

Create a "toy zone" with painter's tape

1-3 Years, 3-5 Years, Fun Projects + Activities, Getting Organized
Darienne's husband deserves a big, fat kiss from every parent of children who likes to play with small toys.

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COMMENTS: 13

15 December 2011

Cut toast with a gingerbread cutter for a quick, festive snack

3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Fun Projects + Activities, Mealtime
Anne's daughter turned making gingerbread men into something easy enough to do every day.

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COMMENTS: 5

13 December 2011

How to quickly cool down hot chocolate

1-3 Years, 3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Mealtime
Lukewarm hot chocolate! Oxymoron? Maybe. But definitely a good hack.

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COMMENTS: 23

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