Let's get to that baby sweater. I adore the classic look of a basic button up cardigan on a baby. It's plain and simple, but that's the charm. Baby is certain to take center stage when wearing this classic. I've knit the Basic Baby Cardigan many times. It's from Keya Kuhn but no longer available on Ravelry. I have the PDF and if anyone would like it, email me (my address is on the side bar of my website, scroll down to "contact form"), and I'll send it to you. I don't think the designer will mind since it was always offered for free anyway. (Edited a few days after posting--a reader told me this pattern is offered for free on Love Crafts!) It is knit in DK weight and comes in three sizes: 3, 6 and 12 months. The size above it a hybrid, so more like a 9 month. Here is my Ravelry project page.  For some reason I could not find a simple free baby beanie pattern using DK yarn to fit a 9-12 mos baby head. I made up my own and here it is as a gift to you:

This hat is knit in the round from the bottom up, using your preference of either magic loop method, DPNs, or 9" circulars.

22 sts per 4 inches in stocking stitch

Needles 

Gauge needle: the needle you use to achieve gauge

One size below gauge needle: this will be used for ribbing only

Using the one size below gauge needle, CO 80 sts, join in the round being careful not to twist stitches stitches. Work K2P2 rib for .75 inches

After the ribbing is complete, switch to gauge needle and K all rounds until the hat is 4.25" from CO edge

Begin decreases:

Round 1: K6, K2tog all around: 70 sts

Round 2 and all even rows: knit all around

Round 3: K5, K2tog all around: 60 sts

Round 5: K4, K2tog all around: 50 sts

Round 7: K3, K2tog all around: 40 sts

Round 9: K2, K2tog all around: 30 sts

Round 11: K1, K2tog all around: 20 sts

Round 13: K2tog all around: 10 sts

Cut yarn and thread tail through remaining sts, fasten and weave in tail. Put it on the baby's head and give him a kiss for me.

If you'd like to read about how to make free baby sweaters with your scraps in your choice of 3 different yarn weights, please read this popular post.

Now here's something fun for the older kids! I've shared this free children's creative activity before, but I thought it would be a good idea to share again because it's useful for grandparents who plan to have grandchildren spend time with them this summer. It's appropriate for age 3 and up, with younger ones needing assistance. 

In a dedicated box I save bits of interesting looking packing material, recycled treasures such as cardboard, bottle and jar caps, and always a few TP and paper towel rolls. In the picture below I also see a plastic domed drinks cover, a broken chain from a purse, and the little tins from votive candles. When our grandson is spending a day with us, and I suspect boredom will soon creep in, I pull it out and ask if he feels like being creative. The answer is always an enthusiastic yes! I spread the contents onto the counter and he looks it over like he's examining a fine Chippendale chair. I can see the wheels spinning--such concentration--then all of a sudden he's got it! He selects what he needs and we get on the floor and with plenty of tape and a glue gun (that's were I come in) he creates his showpiece. He's made robots, monsters, insects, musical instruments, vehicles and buildings, and this week, a Hot Wheels track, which I absolutely loved. Sometimes he will take his great works home, but if they stay here, I let them reside on his little table for a month or so--if they last that long, they usually fall apart pretty quickly because once we are done creating he and Papa play with it, and sometimes they are rough. After a few weeks, when I notice he has lost interest, it goes in the recycle bin and he never seems to miss it, we just make another one! We started this activity during the pandemic and we haven't tired of it. The contents of the box change weekly as I add to it and each time we pull it out it seems fresh. My favorite thing about this activity is that no mistakes can be made and there is no right or wrong, it's all perfect. Sometimes we have begun one thing, say a fire truck, only to find out it's really a monster. Please let me know if you have a recycled craft to share; we've got to help each other out with summer doldrum ideas!