178 Learning Websites and free resources for Preschool – 12th grade

Life around us is quickly changing. As parents we have quickly changed to teacher and parent. I am passing on to you websites geared towards grades preschool-12th grade. And adults too! Here we are practicing social distancing to help prevent the spread of covid-19 and ensure our health and to the people around us. I hope everyone is safe and in good health! Below is a very long…(sorry) but very helpful list of websites to help your at home learning. These websites can be used to do lessons, team up with the lessons given by your child’s teacher, give them (and You) a break, get them out of the funk from learning at home, explore new and fun learning! Look at the ones that will interest your child(ren) and pass along these resources to friends and family around you! Just a reminder: We are all in this together, we will get through this, and reach out to people around you through a simple text, call, FaceTime. If you have any questions reach out to me @spoonfulofsugarbaker on Instagram!

177 Learning Websites & free resources pre-k thru high school

✅become a Disney Imagineer with this free course https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/hass-storytelling/imagineering-in-a-box

✅The San Diego Zoo has a website just for kids with amazing videos, activities, and games. Enjoy the tour!https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/

✅Tour Yellowstone National Park!
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm

✅Explore the surface of Mars on the Curiosity Rover.
https://accessmars.withgoogle.com/

✅Indoor Activities for busy toddlers
https://busytoddler.com/2020/03/indoor-activities/?fbclid=IwAR3tYXAqw7tJRAzLExpPcJo4rApLsKtgL0AwghzxgnhwOajc4auX6o12_xw

✅Play games and learn all about animals
https://switchzoo.com/

✅Play with fave show characters and learn too https://pbskids.org/

✅Travel to Paris, France to see amazing works of art at The Louvre with this virtual field trip.
https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne

✅This Virtual Tour of the Great Wall of China is beautiful and makes history come to life.
https://www.thechinaguide..com/destination/great-wall-of-china

✅Math and Reading games https://www.funbrain.com/

✅Phonics skills https://www.starfall.com/h/

✅This iconic museum located in the heart of London allows virtual visitors to tour the Great Court and discover the ancient Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies. https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/

✅ Read, play games, and hang out with Dr. Seuss https://www.seussville.com/

✅300,000+ FREE printable worksheets from toddlers to teens https://www.123homeschool4me.com/home-school-free-printables/

✅Geography and animals
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

✅Math practice from counting to algebra and geometry http://www.mathscore.com/

✅Fave kids books read by famous people https://www.storylineonline.net/

✅Crafts, activities, mazes, dot to dot, etc, https://www.allkidsnetwork.com/

✅High school chemistry topics https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/articles-by-topic.html

✅Math and reading games https://www.abcya.com/

✅Math and language games https://www.arcademics.com/

✅Hands on Elem science videos https://www.backpacksciences.com/science-simplified

✅Voice based learning… learn through Alexa https://bamboolearning.com/resources

✅Fun games, recipes, crafts, activities https://www.highlightskids.com/

✅ClickSchooling brings you daily recommendations by email for entertaining websites that help your kids learn. https://clickschooling.com/

✅Math as a fun part of your daily family routine http://bedtimemath.org/

✅Games to get “into the book” https://reading.ecb.org/

✅Online history classes for all ages preteen through adults https://school.bighistoryproject.com/bhplive

✅Biology https://www..biologysimulations.com/

✅ Elem Math through 6th grade https://boddlelearning.com/

✅Educational games K-12 https://www.breakoutedu.com/funathome

✅Digital archive of history https://www.bunkhistory.org/

✅Test Prep for SAT, ACT, etc. https://www..bwseducationconsulting.com/handouts.php

✅Geometry https://www.canfigureit.com/

✅Resources for Spanish practice https://www.difusion.com/campus/

✅Chinese learning activities https://chalkacademy.com/

✅Music is for everyone https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/Experiments

✅Science, Math, Social Studies https://www.ck12.org/student/

✅Grammar practice for middle grades https://www.classroomcereal.com/

✅Daily free science or cooking experiment to do at home.http://www.clubscikidzmd.com/blog/

✅Chemistry https://www.playmadagames.com/

✅Reading passages for grades 3-12, with reading comprehension and discussion questions. https://www.commonlit.org/

✅Vocabulary, grammar, listening activities and games in Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Korean, and Latin. https://conjuguemos.com/

✅35,000 pages of online content on the cultures and countries of the world. https://www.countryreports.org/

✅K-5th Science lessons https://mysteryscience.com/

✅Tons of free classes from leading universities and companies https://www.coursera.org/

✅Free printable K-8 Reading and Math activity packs (available in English and Spanish) https://www.curriculumassociates.com/supporting-students-away-from-school

✅Digital learning content for preschool through high school https://www.curriki.org

✅A wide range of math content from middle school through AP Calculus. https://deltamath.com/overview

✅Day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing. https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html

✅Classes for older teens or adults https://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/lp/t1/freemo?source_id=FREEMO&utm_source=Social_Media&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=1000614&fbclid=IwAR1vaJx-3_aCdyE75S0fTJg4JZ_jI6KJvsJb4CnXY03tnfTm3FdgflaNpYs

✅Online homeschool platform & curriculum for Pre-K to 12th grade. All main subjects are covered, plus extra curriculum courses. http://discoveryk12.com/dk12/

✅Printable board games, activities and more for phonics and reading all using evidence-based methods. Can be customized to any student’s needs including creating flashcards for other subjects. https://dogonalogbooks.com/printables/

✅K-8 online math program that looks at how a student is solving problems to adjust accordingly and build a unique learning path for them. https://www.dreambox.com/at-home

✅Engaging reading game for grades 2-8 that combines strategy, engagement, and imaginative reading passages to create a fun, curriculum-aligned literacy game. https://www.squigglepark.com/dreamscape/

✅Higher level math series… online video series with detailed solutions to more than a thousand publicly-released College Board SAT Math, Subject Test Math Level 1, and Subject Test Math Level 2 problems.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbQoCpvYRYRkRRvsObOPHaA?reload=9

✅Foreign languages https://www.duolingo.com/

✅Interactive video earth science based curriculum supplement. https://www.everyday-earth.com/

✅A safe research site for elementary-level readers. They are offering — free 24/7 access
USERNAME: read (case sensitive)
PASSWORD: read (case sensitive)
https://www.facts4me.com/

✅Resources for AP students including live reviews, live trivia, and study guides! https://app.fiveable.me/

✅Educational brain breaks to help students review essential literacy and math skills, while getting in some exercise. Find over 900 videos to help your child keep learning at home and burn off some extra energy. Our site is best used for ages 4-8. https://fluencyandfitness.com/register/school-closures/

✅Movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts. https://www.gonoodle.com/

✅7,000 free videos in 13 subject areas https://hippocampus.org/

✅Carmen Sandiego videos, stories, and lessons for all subject areas https://www.carmensandiego.com/resources/

✅Math Videos with lessons, real life uses of math, famous actors https://www.hmhco.com/math-at-work

✅Entertaining & educational videos for all levels and subjects
https://www.izzit.org/index.php

✅Online education program for toddler through high school… https://www.khanacademy.org/

✅Free Printables for PreK-2nd Grade https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Literacy-With-The-Littles/Price-Range/Free

✅Free printables library with activities for children 0-6 https://www.littlesparkcompany.com/printables-library

✅Free at-home kids yoga lesson plans https://littletwistersyoga.com/online-store/

✅Resources for AP students https://marcolearning.com/

✅Enter your math problem or search term, press the button, and they show you the step-by-step work and answer instantly. 2nd grade through college. https://www.mathcelebrity.com/online-math-tutor.php

✅Elem Math games, logic puzzles and educational resources https://www.mathplayground.com/

✅Poetry and music https://www.thewell.world/mindful-music/mindful-poetry-moments

✅3D printing projects and Coding projects, involving math and other K-12 subjects https://www.instructables.com/member/EdgertonCenter/instructables/

✅Introductory and intermediate music theory lessons, exercises, ear trainers, and calculators. https://www.musictheory.net/

✅Scads of free resources, games, learning resources, and lesson plans for teaching personal finance https://www.ngpf.org/

✅Improve your typing skills while competing in fast-paced races with up to 5 typers from around the world. https://www.nitrotype.com/

✅Illustrated recipes designed to help kids age 2-12 cook with their grown-ups. Recipes encourage culinary skills, literacy, math, and science. https://www.nomsterchef.com/nomster-recipe-library

✅Online curriculum that builds better writers. https://www.noredink.com/

✅80+ do at home science activities https://elementalscience.com/blogs/news/80-free-science-activities

✅Daily lessons and educational activities that kids can do on their own https://www.superchargedschool.com/

✅Adaptive curriculum in Math and ELA for Grades K-8
https://www.scootpad.com/

✅Novel Effect makes storytime a little more fun for kids (and grown-ups too!) As you read out loud from print books (or ebooks!) music, sound effects, and character voices play at just the right moment, adjusting and responding to your voice. https://noveleffect.com/

✅Quick & easy at home projects curated for kids 2 and up
https://www.kiwico.com/kids-at-home

✅Teaches students how to write a paragraph through interactive online tutorial http://www.paragraphpunch.com/

✅PreK-12 digital media service with more than 30,000 learning materials https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/

✅Curricular content hub specifically designed for K-3 students.
https://pebblego.com/free-pebblego-capstone-interactive-access-school-closures?fbclid=IwAR0ldr6TT3grhEDzJ_fEpYvNGG13kqYo5ogwEqYneW7QBkX8L4u7cEIS0nE

✅Science and math labs and simulations https://phet.colorado.edu/

✅An online physics problem and video bank designed for conceptual, standard, honors or AP1 physics. https://www.positivephysics.org/home

✅Prodigies is a colorful music curriculum for kids 1-12 that will teach your kids how to play their first instrument, how to sing in tune & how to understand the language of music! 21 for free https://prodigiesmusic.com/

✅Free videos from around the world from grade 3-12
https://www.projectexplorer.org/

✅QuaverMusic is offering free access to general music activities to all impacted schools, including free student access at-home https://www.quavermusic.com/info/at-home-resources/

✅For students to practice and master whatever they are learning. https://quizlet.com/

✅ReadWorks is an online resource of reading passages and lesson plans for students of all levels K-12. https://www.readworks.org/

✅Critical Thinking resources for K-6 students https://marketplace.mythinkscape.com/store/redtkids

✅Music Based Spanish Learning https://rockalingua.com/

✅Science simulations, scientist profiles, and other digital resources for middle school science and high school biology
https://sepuplhs.org/

✅The Shurley English program for grades K-8 provides a clear, logical, and concrete approach to language arts. https://www.shurley.com/

✅Sight reading and sight singing practice exercises. https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/

✅Music practice transformed https://www.smartmusic.com/

✅Spellingcity is free right now with code VSCFree90
https://www.spellingcity.com/

✅Kid-friendly workouts — choose from Strength for Kids, Agility for Kids, Flexibility and Balance for Kids, Warm-Up for Kids, Cooldown for Kids, Stand Up and Move for Kids, OR create your own custom kid workout. https://app.sworkit.com/collections/kids-workouts

✅A collection of hundreds of free K-12 STEM resources, from standalone models and simulations to short activities and week long sequences of curriculum materials. https://learn.concord..org/

✅Course sets (Levels 1–5) that combine and thoroughly cover phonics, reading, writing, spelling, literature, grammar, punctuation, art, and geography—all in one easy-to-use, beautiful course. https://www.goodandbeautiful.com/

✅At home OT, PT, and ST resources designed to build skills in children through movement and play. https://www.theottoolbox.com/

✅Science projects that can be completed with or without Internet access https://sciencespot.net/Pages/classhome.html

✅Keyboarding practice https://www.typingclub.com/ or https://www.typing.com/

✅Next Generation Science video game focused on middle school where students directly engage in science phenomena as they solve problems. https://www.tytoonline.com/

✅Short videos and readings that answer various burning questions for students. There are vocabulary challenges and comprehension questions. http://wonderopolis.org/

✅Math practice https://xtramath.org/#/home/index

✅K-5 curriculum that builds deep understanding and a love of learning math for all students https://www.zearn.org/

✅A quick start resource to help families pull together a plan for surviving the next 1-2 months at home with their kids, but it can also be a time of slowing down and enjoying kids as they learn.
Preschool through 8th grade https://abetterwaytohomeschool.com/learning-at-home-everything-you-need-in-one-place.html?fbclid=IwAR0Lo2FZ5cWLMt-6nto19auqTtI5kztqLqwi3japOPl1rcR_rLaNuCUcaYw

✅450 Ivy League courses that you can take https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/ivy-league-free-online-courses-a0d7ae675869/?fbclid=IwAR0tbYeSJTzmrzgs1z1Brpoh-Lg8zoqnThQAUTFqR-bBX9O6AEh2_lnLhTs

✅Spelling 1-4 grade
https://www.spellingtraining.com/

✅2,500+ online courses from top institutions https://www.edx.org/

✅22 languages to learn https://www.memrise.com/

✅Learn to code https://www.codecademy..com/

✅Miscellaneous games for all subjects k-8 https://www.funbrain.com/

✅Phonics and learning to read https://readingeggs.com/

✅PreK – 5 games for all subjects https://www.turtlediary.com/

✅Online digital coloring pages https://www.thecolor.com/

✅Every course you could possibly want to homeschool preschool – 8 https://allinonehomeschool.com/

✅Every course you could possibly want to homeschool for high school https://allinonehighschool.com/

✅Phonics worksheets for kids https://www.funfonix.com/

✅Free stories online ages 3-12 https://www.freechildrenstories.com/

✅National Geographic Young Explorers is a magazine designed specifically for kindergarten and first grade students. Children can listen to the magazine being read to them as they follow along with the highlighted text. https://ngexplorer.cengage.com/ngyoungexplorer/index.html

✅Learn all about earthquakes https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/

✅Learn all about the periodic table https://www.chemicool.com/

✅Farmer’s almanac for kids… Date, weather, moon phase, etc. https://www.almanac.com/kids

✅Guide to gardening for kids https://web.extension.illinois.edu/firstgarden/

✅Website allows students to play basic games to reinforce math skills and compete against the computer or others https://www.mangahigh.com/en-us/

✅Space science for kiddos https://www.nasa.gov/kidsclub/index.html

✅Math Games, Logic Puzzles and Brain Builders https://www.mathplayground.com/

✅Games, quizzes and fact sheets take kids on a journey through time. https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/forkids/

✅NGAkids interactives offer an entertaining and informative introduction to art and art history. https://www.nga.gov/education/kids.html

✅News and more for kids https://www.youngzine.org/

✅Randomly generates 356,300,262,144 story starters
https://thestorystarter.com/

✅Immerse yourself in cryptography https://www.cryptoclub.org/

✅Math games galore https://gridclub.com/

✅Tons of science experiments that you can do at home
https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/

✅An interactive way to learn history
https://www.mission-us.org/

✅Just explore, have fun, and learn some science along the way. https://thehappyscientist.com/

✅Interactive games based on the book series
https://www.magictreehouse.com/

✅Work on the 8 parts of speech https://www.grammaropolis.com/

✅Learn all about cells https://www.cellsalive.com/

✅All sorts of learning here if you dig in https://www.google.com/earth/

✅Scratch draws students of all types into coding and lays a foundation for future learning. https://scratch.mit.edu/

✅A wonderful, endlessly detailed way to get kids engaged in the world of art. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/metkids/

✅Tests kids’ geography skills. Using images from Google’s Street View, it plops players down in the middle of the street and asks them to figure out where they are. https://www.geoguessr.com/

✅Allows students to type in any city, state, or country to view an archive of historical photographs and other documents. It’s a unique way to help them learn about history.
http://www.whatwasthere.com//

✅Short videos about numbers that help kids explore complex math topics and make math more fun. https://www.numberphile.com/

✅A human visualization platform that allows students to explore the human body in really cool ways. https://human.biodigital.com/login?returnUrl=/dashboard

✅Helps kids learn to appreciate the arts by providing them with the opportunity to play games, conduct investigations, and explore different forms of art.. https://artsology.com/

✅Lets kids play instruments online. Instruments include the guitar, piano, pan flute, drums, and bongos. https://www.virtualmusicalinstruments.com/

✅Crafts, activities, bulletin board designs, and finger plays for early education teachers and parents to use with kids.
http://www.preschoolexpress.com/

✅A large selection of fun songs to help teach preschool and kindergarten students https://www..songsforteaching.com/preschoolkindergarten.htm

✅Resource section includes free flashcards, coloring pages, worksheets, and other resources for children, teachers, and parents. https://supersimple.com/

✅Life skills curriculum for students in grades K-12. Their resources include strategies for teaching social and emotional skills. https://www.overcomingobstacles.org/

✅Coding for ages 4-10 https://www.kodable.com/

✅No need to travel to one of the Smithsonian’s zoos or museums — this website brings your child everything from live video of the National Zoo to the Smithsonian Learning Lab right to their screen https://www.si.edu/kids

✅Cool Kid Facts gives your child access to educational videos, pictures, quizzes, downloadable worksheets, and infographics. They can use these to learn about geography, history, science, animals, and even the human body.
https://www.coolkidfacts.com/

✅This interactive website, hosted by the U.S. Government Publishing Office, allows your child to see the ins and outs of the U.S. government by taking a series of learning adventures with none other than Benjamin Franklin. https://bensguide.gpo.gov/

✅This NASA initiative covers a wide range of topics including weather, climate, atmosphere, water, energy, plants, and animals. https://climatekids.nasa.gov/

✅Ask Dr. Universe is a science-education project from Washington State University. Kids can send Dr. Universe any question they may have about history, geography, plants, animals, technology, engineering, math, culture, and more.
https://askdruniverse.wsu.edu/

✅Your child can play games, learn fun facts, and find out how to turn coin collecting into a hobby. https://www.usmint.gov/learn/kids

✅From rainbows to tornadoes and winter storms to tsunamis, meteorologist Crystal Wicker breaks down the fascinating world of weather. http://www.weatherwizkids.com/

✅Kids Think Design explores careers in fashion design, graphic design, interior design, book design, product design, film and theatre, architecture, animation, and environmental design. http://www.kidsthinkdesign.org/

✅This educational website hosted by the Smithsonian Museum takes a deep dive into ocean life. https://ocean.si.edu/

✅Brainscape offers over a million flashcard decks for every subject, entrance exam, and certification imaginable. https://www.brainscape.com/

✅The Theta Music Trainer offers a series of online courses and games for ear training and music theory.
https://trainer.thetamusic.com/en

✅Banzai exposes students to real-world financial dilemmas to teach them the importance of smart money management. https://www.teachbanzai.com/

✅Innerbody explores the 11 bodily systems in depth. With interactive models and detailed explanations, this website will help them learn more about the internal mechanics of the amazing human body.https://www.innerbody.com/htm/body.html

✅Alcumus is specifically designed to provide high-performing students with a challenging curriculum appropriate to their abilities https://artofproblemsolving.com/alcumus

✅Find and fix learning gaps https://www.mobymax.com/

✅Algebra games for kids https://www.dragonboxapp.com/

✅Fractions practice http://www.mathchimp.com/freddysfractions.php

✅Education for kids all topics https://www.ducksters.com

✅Math and logic problems for ages 5 and up to adult
https://www.aplusclick.org/

✅Science podcasts to listen to with your kids https://medium.com/kidslisten/19-great-science-podcasts-you-can-listen-to-with-kids-6fe46ac506b8#.rb23iuaw6

✅Alaskan Wildlife cams http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=viewing.webcams

✅Coding with Star Wars https://code.org/starwars

✅Tons and tons and tons of games some learning some just fun https://www.crazygames.com/

✅Crafts, projects, science, recipes for young children https://www.funology.com/

✅Amphibian unit studies https://premeditatedleftovers.com/naturally-frugal-mom/amphibians-unit-study-resources/

✅Engineering challenges with things you have at home
https://thehomeschoolscientist.com/paper-structures-engineering-challenge/

✅Online photograph jigsaw puzzles You can set the pieces from 6-1000+ https://www.jigsawexplorer.com/

✅Toddler and preschool age ideas https://preschoolinspirations.com/

3 Easy Smoothies that kids will love too! We got a code ’23-19′!!!

We have a code 2319! We have a code 2319!

Monsters inc inspired smoothies!

We tested 3 smoothie recipes this week and they are kid approved! Cheers to this because there is hidden ingredients like spinach, spirulina, oats, chia seed, and kale!!!

If your having trouble getting your child to eat veggies or even fruits here’s my tricks to get them to try it out! :

1. Have them pick out veggies and fruit on your grocery trip.

2. They can be helpers to prepare the meal!

3. Make it cute! Food that looks like a animal! We really become master chefs!

4. Or hide them in the food so they don’t know!!!! LOL!!!

And what I did today! Kinda a mix of all 4 and they were loved by my 1 year old & 5 year old! Now I’m not a nutritionist or anything but we added a veggie, fruit, and protein for each of these smoothies!

3 kid approved smoothies and perfect for adults too!

Mike Wazowski green smoothie recipe:

  • 1 Banana
  • 2 spears Pineapple
  • 1/2 Mango
  • 1 tablespoon Sunflower butter or your favorite nut butter
  • 2 cups almond milk
  • 1 handful spinach
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds

Cut all ingredients and add to a blender! That’s it and blend on high for 30 seconds mix and blend on high 45 more seconds!

Blend till smooth!
Affiliate link to Ninja blender: https://amzn.to/39tfJQF

Boo strawberry oat smoothie

  • 6 strawberries
  • Handful of raspberries
  • 1/4 cup oats
  • Banana
  • 1 tablespoon blue nectar agave
  • 1 table spoon chia seeds
Raspberries not pictured

Rinse berries and add to blender, add oats, banana, sweetener, chia seeds and 2 cups almond mild and blend high 45 seconds and again 45 seconds. Add liquid based how you prefer.

Sully’s Blue Smoothie

  • 2 Handful Blueberries
  • 4 Strawberries
  • 1/4 Oats
  • 1 tablespoon Agave nectar
  • 1 leaf of kale with stem cut
  • 1 tablespoon blue spirulina powder (link to spirulina: https://amzn.to/39rIqxv )

Wash berries and kale, add to blender. Add in oats, agave nectar, Greek yogurt and spirulina. Blend until smooth!

Now for the cups each I just added a little decorations with card stock hoping they would try it! London was a lil nervous to try the green smoothie but loved it! Her favorite was the blue Sully smoothie and Antonio‘s fave is the Boo strawberry smoothie. But fun cups also help or conceal what’s in the cup!

Now these are all perfect for breakfast or a snack! Preferred to be enjoy immediately after making them but the night before is ok too! Let me know if you try these recipes and tag me in your smoothies on Instagram @spoonfulofsugarbaker here ——-https://www.instagram.com/spoonfulofsugarbaker/

There is a few afflicted links that I literally earn penny’s but here are links if your looking for a high powered blender or blue spirulina!

Ninja blender on sale: https://amzn.to/2IorhJa

Blue spirulina:

https://amzn.to/39rNTV1

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy these as much as we did!!! Comment below your favorite!

Our Hojo Getaway : information and review

Our Family finally got to visit the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Play ground. We were excited for many reasons… Water playground, walking distance to Disneyland, and because we love lil getaways! This place didn’t disappoint. Im going to share my Top 5 favorite things about the HOJO hotel along with what comes along with your stay!

TOP 5 Reasons to stay at the HOJO Hotel

  1. WATER PLAYGROUD- The Castaway Water Cove was so much fun! Lots of areas for kids to play in. My kids are 5 and 1 years old and both really enjoyed this play area! The water playground has water slides, climbing area, and giant water bucket to add in even more fun! There is also a heated shallow kiddy pool! Yes heated! So this was a perfect for my 1 year old. Even my 5 year old daughter relaxed here with us and really enjoyed it! This area has plenty of seating, umbrellas, and towels to use. There is Life guard on duty to help supervise children. Their is also restroom at the water playground area.
  2. Walking Distance to Disneyland- it is only a 8 min walk give or take from the hotel to Disneyland! Also lots of food places on the way like Mimis cafe, mc Donalds, Panera bread, and ihop. So you can also eat on the way to Disney or heading back to the Hojo. There is also a shuttle that can take you to and from Disney but for myself with a double stroller and all the stuff I bring it is much easier to walk!
  3. The rooms!- we stayed in building 1 which is all renovated. Building 2 will be be finished in April. Be sure to indicate you would like to stay in a newly renovated room if you’d like one in the photo below. The room was very clean, bathroom best lighting ever! The beds were very comfortable!! We slept in on our stay! It was that good. Plus the room includes wifi, a mini fridge, keriug coffee machine, and a microwave! suites and Disney themed rooms include a rubber ducky for you to take home. Our room had a balcony facing Disneyland with a firework view.
  4. Great Customer Service- Throughout our stay we experienced great customer service! the front desk and staff were all extremely helpful and nice! front desk helped me get everything from the car and were very personable. during the stay we felt very welcomed and even the Main Street store in building one had the sweetest staff.
  5. amenities for kids!- along with the water playground as a parent I loved the “if lost tattoos”, complimentary face painting held on Saturdays, and the big orange lawn chair .

We enjoyed our stay and definitely want to return for another stay this Summer!I’m including a link to the Howard Johnson Anaheim and Water Playground to check our rooms and reserve your next stay! I also have a coupon code to use on your reservation!!!!
20% off Disneyland Annual Passholder Discount – Corp code:
 1000025935

15% off Discount for everyone! Corp code: 1000022077

https://www.hojoanaheim.com/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Spoonfulofsugarbaker

Here are somethings to remember when booking your room. call to confirm your stay will be in a renovated room, request a Disney theme room, pack plenty of snacks aka popcorn for movies in the room, take your swim stuff and prepare for fun, and if you are not a pass holder you can purchase your tickets at front desk to skip the lines at the parks ticket booths!

Thank you for reading along if your planning a vacation or Disneyland stay comment below!

 

Disney Inspired conversational Hearts DIY

Every year I do Valentine’s pre-orders…and every time I get asked if I ship my products. A conversational heart cookie made even better with a Disney twist. These are available to order or a great baking project at home!! This recipe is easy to follow and super cute!

Here is a list of supplies you’ll need:

  • Heart cookie cutter
  • Mickey cookie cutter (optional)
  • Parchment paper
  • Rolling pin
  • Cookie sheet
  • Piping bags
  • Cookie & royal icing ingredients

Ingredients:

Cookies

  • 1 cup butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Cream together butter and sugar. Scrape sides of bowl to be sure all butter and sugar is mixed well. Add egg and vanilla and mix. Add flour one cup at a time to butter mixture. Add salt & mix together. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour. Roll out dough and cut out cookie shapes. Cut parchment paper & add to cookie sheet. Place cut dough onto the cookie sheet. Bake for 8-12 minutes at 350 degrees.

Royal icing

  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 4 cups of sifted powdered sugar
  • 6 tablespoons warm water

Add meringue & powdered sugar (powdered sugar must be sifted) it will give you smooth royal icing. Add hot water one tablespoon at time. Mix on medium-high for 5 mins. Distribute equal amounts of royal icing to smaller bowls. Add in food coloring and mix well. If needed and extra water.

Add royal icing to pining bags and cut a small opening at the tip.

create a dam by outlining your cookie. Then fill with your royal icing after a few minutes. This helps royal icing from dripping from the edges.

Let the cookies set before adding words to it. Usually a 1-3 hours is best.

Use a #1 tip to your piping bag and write your messages on your cookies!

Here’s some fun disney sayings to use:

  • Best day ever
  • True loves kiss
  • Ur my greatest adventure
  • Kiss the girl
  • Yoda best
  • Yoda one for me
  • Single rider
  • Disney mama
  • Ur worth melting for
  • Xoxo
  • Oh boy
  • ChEARS
  • Luv & pixie dust
  • Luv u 2 infinity & beyond
  • Shine bright
  • Single rider
  • Meet me at the castle

Comment your favorite cookie phrase??

Make these? Tag me on Instagram @spoonfulofsugarbaker

Disneyland Balloon is a must on your vacation! My 5 reasons Why…

Disney Balloons are the best little souvenir on your next family vacation!!! Now if your a passholder I get it!!! My daughter used to ask for a balloon every time. Its tradition to get one for her birthday. It makes a Birthday extra magical and perfect for a family vacation! Here are my top 5 reasons to grab a balloon on your next family trip!

  1. Grab a balloon on your next family vacation! I’m a sucker for matching shirts to spot one another but a balloon you can spot a family member from a distance. You won’t regret this when you get distracted by a character and then look ahead and see that mickey balloon your niece just got!!
  2. Stroller spotter. Yess park your stroller to get on a few rides.. now there’s a million strollers lined up.. ok an exaggeration but yours will definitely stand out of the crowd. Also great distraction for a you g child in a stroller to!!
  3. Return policy! Yes!!! you can return a damaged, deflated or popped ballon on your family trip.. and it’s free! Just take it to any cast member with balloons and get a new one. So don’t worry if during your hotel stay it begins to deflate..you can just take it back for a brand new one🙌🏻
  4. Picture opportunity! Disney pictures are magical. You can capture joy, excitement, happiness.. the list goes on. Sharing your family milestones, memories at the Disneyland park is so special. My favorite is to Announce your babies gender with a blue or pink balloon. Get a ballon pic for your birthday, Engagement, anniversary, best friend trip. Getting creative to make an announcement is so much fun!
  5. These balloons last…I think that’s why they have a free return policy because they last way beyond your trip.. weeks even months. What a pleasant reminder of a great trip.

What’s your must have on your Disneyland or disneyworld vacation?

Comment below

How to decorate a cupcake-Toy Story inspired Tutorial

Still thinking about Toy Story 4 over here! So I decided to make the ” How to decorate a cupcake” Toy Story inspired treat. If you have no future toy story party plans this tutorial will still take your cupcakes from..

With 2 easy cake decorating tools you can up your cupcake game! For under $5

Cupcake decorating supplies:

  • 2 piping bags (25 cents each)
  • Wilton tip #1M ($1.50)
  • Wilton tip #1D($1.50)

Toy Story cupcake extras:

  • Yellow, red, sky blue, pink food coloring -preferably Wilton gel colors
  • Small pack of fondant
  • Bow mold
  • Small Star cookie cookie cutter
  • Piping bag
  • Wilton tip #3
  • Rolling pin

Click the link to watch “How to decorate a cupcake: Toy Story inspired”: https://youtu.be/xDjr-7URB2s

Please like and Subscribe to see more tutorials!

Find Cupcake and Frosting Recipe Below

Here are a close up of the supplies used to create the Woody & Bo cupcakes!

Gold dust found at cakewalk cake supplies and online retailers

Puncher and mold found on Amazon or local cake supply : link in my YouTube video

Share your cupcake creations on Instagram @spoonfulofsugarbaker

 

INGREDIENTS

Vanilla cupcakes:

  • 1 and 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 
  • 1 and 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup full fat sour cream

Vanilla Frosting:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups confectioner’s sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) heavy cream

INSTRUCTIONS

To make the vanilla cupcakes:

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 12-count muffin pan with cupcake liners. Line a second muffin pan with 2 liners (this recipe will make 14 cupcakes). Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large mixing bowl using a hand-held mixer), beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla. Add in the sour cream and mix until fully combined.
  • Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined, making sure not to over mix the batter.
  • Scoop the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them a little over half way full. You should end up with exactly 14 cupcakes.
  • Bake in separate batches at 350F for 18-22 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a couple of minutes. Remove all of the cupcakes from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the frosting

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large mixing bowl using a hand-held mixer) beat the butter on medium speed until smooth.
  • Add in the confectioner’s sugar and vanilla and mix on low until well combined. Slowly add in the heavy cream, increase the speed to medium-high, and mix for a few more minutes until the frosting is smooth and well combined.
  • Frost the cooled cupcakes.

NOTES

Store prepared cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to five days.