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Easter Bunny Coloring Craft – How to Make a Personalized Card

Easter Bunny Coloring Craft – How to Make a Personalized Card

Easter Bunny Coloring Craft – How to Make a Personalized Card

Easter Bunny Coloring Craft - How to Make a Personalized Card

Discover how to create a personalized Easter bunny coloring craft with our step-by-step guide, perfect for making cards and table settings!

Create a Personalized Keepsake with this Easter Bunny Coloring Craft

Easter is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a fun and creative craft? Keep reading to explore this super fun printable coloring craft featuring an adorable Easter bunny. But what sets this craft apart is its interactive 3D design, allowing you to personalize it with your own face and use it as both a card and a table setting decoration. Get the printable HERE!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Skills: Arts and Crafts

Ages: 3+ 

Prep Time: 15 min

Watch How to Assemble This 3D Easter Bunny Coloring Craft!

Watch the video to see how to assemble this adorable Easter bunny coloring craft

This craft takes Easter coloring to a whole new level. When you add your own picture and color the bunny, it really makes this printable special!

But the real kicker? Those arms! They stretch forward, ready to hold a basket of eggs or a cute Easter egg. It’s such a fun detail that really brings the card to life. Kids will have a blast with it, and hey, adults might too!

I love how versatile this printable is! First and foremost, it’s perfect for a relaxing coloring session, allowing both children and adults to unleash their creativity and personalize their own Easter bunny masterpiece.

Once colored, the printable can serve as a standalone greeting card, ideal for sending heartfelt Easter wishes to friends and family. Pair it with an Easter gift to add an extra special touch, turning it into a charming card that doubles as a delightful keepsake. For those hosting an Easter gathering, consider using the bunny as a unique place holder for table settings, adding an adorable touch to your festive decor!

Watch How to Assemble This 3D Easter Bunny Coloring Craft!

Watch the video to see how to assemble this adorable Easter bunny coloring craft

This craft takes Easter coloring to a whole new level. When you add your own picture and color the bunny, it really makes this printable special!

But the real kicker? Those arms! They stretch forward, ready to hold a basket of eggs or a cute Easter egg. It’s such a fun detail that really brings the card to life. Kids will have a blast with it, and hey, adults might too!

I love how versatile this printable is! First and foremost, it’s perfect for a relaxing coloring session, allowing both children and adults to unleash their creativity and personalize their own Easter bunny masterpiece.

Once colored, the printable can serve as a standalone greeting card, ideal for sending heartfelt Easter wishes to friends and family. Pair it with an Easter gift to add an extra special touch, turning it into a charming card that doubles as a delightful keepsake. For those hosting an Easter gathering, consider using the bunny as a unique place holder for table settings, adding an adorable touch to your festive decor!

personalized 3D Easter Card

Tips for Creating This Easter Bunny Coloring Craft

Choose Quality Materials: Opt for sturdy cardstock paper when printing your Easter Bunny template. This ensures durability and stability for your 3D card once assembled.

Personalize Thoughtfully: When adding a photo to customize the bunny’s face, select one that fits well within the designated area and complements the overall aesthetic of your craft. 

Experiment with Decorations: Have fun embellishing your Easter Bunny with additional decorations such as glitter, stickers, or even small embellishments like ribbon or sequins. 

Get the Printable HERE!

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

Download the printable Easter bunny template and print it on sturdy cardstock for durability.

Step 2

Color your bunny!

Step 3

Cut out a photo of your face to fit within the designated area on the bunny’s head. 

Step 4

Carefully cut along the solid lines of the bunny and Easter egg images, including the arms that wrap around for a 3D effect. Take your time to ensure neat edges. 

Step 5

Fold along the line intended for folding to create the bunny’s body and arms. Use glue or tape to secure the hands, forming the 3D structure. Make sure the arms are positioned to hold either a basket of eggs or the single Easter egg.

Step 1

Download the printable Easter bunny template and print it on sturdy cardstock for durability.

Step 2

Color your bunny!

Step 3

Cut out a photo of your face to fit within the designated area on the bunny’s head. 

Step 4

Carefully cut along the solid lines of the bunny and Easter egg images, including the arms that wrap around for a 3D effect. Take your time to ensure neat edges. 

Step 5

Fold along the line intended for folding to create the bunny’s body and arms. Use glue or tape to secure the hands, forming the 3D structure. Make sure the arms are positioned to hold either a basket of eggs or the single Easter egg.

Easter Activity and Gift Guide!

And if you are looking for more ways to have fun this Easter season, check out our Easter Activity and Gift Guide—a jam-packed resource! Inside, you’ll find tons of activities to keep them entertained, like egg decorating, Easter egg hunts, bunny-themed crafts, and more DIY cards. Need ideas for Easter basket gifts? We’ve got you covered with suggestions. Plus, our guide doesn’t stop at Easter-specific activities. We’ve thrown in plenty of spring-inspired ideas too!

Check our our Easter Guide HERE!

easter activity ideas
easter activity ideas

Easter Activity and Gift Guide!

And if you are looking for more ways to have fun this Easter season, check out our Easter Activity and Gift Guide—a jam-packed resource! Inside, you’ll find tons of activities to keep them entertained, like egg decorating, Easter egg hunts, bunny-themed crafts, and more DIY cards. Need ideas for Easter basket gifts? We’ve got you covered with suggestions. Plus, our guide doesn’t stop at Easter-specific activities. We’ve thrown in plenty of spring-inspired ideas too!

Check our our Easter Guide HERE!

More Easter Themed Activities!

Explore some more of our favorite Easter themed activities and printables!

feed the bunny activity for toddlers fine motor skills

Feed the Bunny Activity!

easter egg activity eggmazing egg decorator mess free decorating

Hatch the Egg Printable!

This free printable is a fun, hands on way to do math problems! Use clothing pins as bunny ears to solve the equations whether addition, subtraction, multiplication or division!

Bunny Math – Learn Addition Printable!

easter and spring themed worksheets printables

20+ Easter Printable Activities!

What’s Next?

Easter Activity Ideas – So Many Eggciting Ways to Celebrate!

Easter Activity Ideas – So Many Eggciting Ways to Celebrate!

Easter Activity Ideas – So Many Eggciting Ways to Celebrate!

easter activity ideas

Springtime brings with it the joyous celebration of Easter, a perfect opportunity for children to engage in so many fun Easter activity ideas. From crafting DIY Easter cards to exploring play ideas, decorating eggs, and grabbing our free coloring pages, there’s something fun to do for the whole family! 

From Eggs to Bunnies, Easter Activity Ideas for All Ages!

From toddlers to teens, we believe that Easter festivities should be fun for all ages. I’ve carefully curated a diverse range of activities that cater to different developmental stages and interests. Whether you’re seeking simple crafts for the youngest members of your family or more intricate projects to engage older children, you’ll find something here to inspire creativity and fun for everyone!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Guide to Easter Activities: From Easter Hunts to Printable Coloring Sheets!

Click the links in the blue box to explore more details about each one of these ideas!

how to decorate eggs with rice and food coloring and create sensory play rice

Decorate Eggs with Rice and Food Coloring

Easter Bunny Coloring Craft - How to Make a Personalized Card

Easter Egg Popsicles!

easter activity idea bunny glove blowing experiment

Bunny Glove Activity

easter printable activity bundle

Printable Easter Bundle of Activities!

glow in the dark egg hunt mini glow sticks easter basket

Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt!

easter egg popsicle

Easter Egg Popsicles!

golden egg maker egg spinner easter

Golden Egg Maker!

emptying out an egg cascarones tip hack easter

Emptying Egg Hack!

feed the bunny activity for toddlers fine motor skills

Feed the Bunny Activity

feed the animals printable activity worksheet fine motor skills for toddlers and preschool

Printable Version: Feed the Bunny Activity

diy easter card handprint bunny keepsake paper

Handprint Bunny Card

easter egg activity eggmazing egg decorator mess free decorating

Spinning Egg Decorater

paper mache egg decorating

Paper Mache Egg Kit

This free printable is a fun, hands on way to do math problems! Use clothing pins as bunny ears to solve the equations whether addition, subtraction, multiplication or division!

Fun Printable for Learning Addition

travel activity sensory hair pull

Free Easter Coloring Pages

easter activity idea bunny glove blowing experiment

Bunny Science Experiment

make the carrot orange color mixing activity

Carrot Color Mix

easter bunny bags diy adorable treat bags

Easter Bunny Bags

egg slime sensory play taste safe slime

Taste Safe Egg Slime

hand eye coordination game for toddlers hatch the egg chick

Hatch the Egg Printable

Easter Basket Gift Ideas!

Below you’ll find some of our top picks for Easter gifts for kids. If you want to see even more gift suggestions, check out this LINK which has a comprehensive list with over 60 selections for all ages!

easter gift basket ideas for kids

LEGO Bunny!

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Gardening Kit

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Carrot Shaped Teether

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Egg Shaped Chalk

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Easter Puzzles

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Bunny Bubble Machines

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Interactive Bunny Stuffy

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Egg Sorting Toy

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Bunny Slippers

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Bunny Pop It Toy

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Easter Stuffy Set

easter gift basket ideas for kids

Bunny Jack-in-the-Box

Beyond Easter: Spring Themed Activities!

Explore a refreshing array of spring-themed activities perfect for embracing the season’s beauty and creativity, offering fun activity ideas beyond traditional Easter festivities.

blooming paper flowers experiment

Blooming Paper Flower Experiment with Printable Flowers!

counting-activity-for-kids-spring-themed-count-the-petals-on-a-flower

Count the Flower Petal Activity!

counting-activity-for-kids-spring-themed-count-the-petals-on-a-flower-printable

Printable Version of the Count the Flower Petal Activity!

butterfly wings printable spring craft

Butterfly Wing Craft Decorated with Nature!

This is a counting activity for toddlers using pipe cleaners and a magnetic wand to learn number symbols and practice counting

Count the Worm Sensory Activity

four seasons printable bundle

Printable Activities all about seasons!

nature-walk-scavenger-hunt-color-matching-art

Nature Walk Color Scavenger Hunt!

food scrap science experiment scallion celery romaine

Regrowing Food Scraps Science Project!

The Immense Benefits of Easter and Spring Themed Activities

I hope you enjoyed reading through all of these fun ideas! Beyond the mere enjoyment these activities bring, these experiences foster meaningful connections among family members, ignite imaginations, and encourage the development of essential skills like creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor abilities.

By immersing ourselves in these fun opportunities, we not only create cherished memories but also lay the foundation for lifelong learning and exploration.

So, as the flowers bloom and the days grow warmer, let’s continue to embrace the magic of hands-on play, crafting moments of joy and discovery that will flourish long after the Easter eggs have been found!

The Immense Benefits of Easter and Spring Themed Activities

I hope you enjoyed reading through all of these fun ideas! Beyond the mere enjoyment these activities bring, these experiences foster meaningful connections among family members, ignite imaginations, and encourage the development of essential skills like creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor abilities.

By immersing ourselves in these fun opportunities, we not only create cherished memories but also lay the foundation for lifelong learning and exploration.

So, as the flowers bloom and the days grow warmer, let’s continue to embrace the magic of hands-on play, crafting moments of joy and discovery that will flourish long after the Easter eggs have been found!

What’s Next?

Play Dough Storage – How to Keep Perfect Portions in Ice Trays

Play Dough Storage – How to Keep Perfect Portions in Ice Trays

Play Dough Storage – How to Keep Perfect Portions in Ice Trays

play dough storage hack ice cube tray with cover

Say goodbye to the frustration of mixed-up play dough batches and hello to extended playtime fun with our innovative Play Dough Storage Hack! Are you tired of your kids blending all the colors into one big mess, leaving you with a mound of unusable dough? Fear not! In this post, we unveil a brilliant solution for preserving the integrity of your play dough by storing it in stackable ice cube trays with lids

Play Dough Storage with Stackable Ice Cube Trays

While making a batch of ice one day, it suddenly occurred to me that this container would be the perfect way to store play dough – either homemade or store bought! These trays truly provide a comprehensive solution for maximizing play dough longevity and convenience, including the perfect 1-ounce portions, effortless push-out with silicone bottoms, and freshness preservation with lids, while their stackable design saves space and facilitates organization. 

Benefits of Storing Play Dough in This Ice Cube Tray!

The advantages of using this ice cube tray for play dough storage are numerous and game-changing. Firstly, these trays allow you to portion out your play dough into convenient 1-ounce servings, a significant reduction from the typical 4-ounce containers. This not only ensures that your child has just the right amount of play dough for their creations but also minimizes the risk of mixing up entire batches.

Additionally, the silicone bottoms of these trays make it incredibly easy to push out the play dough once it’s been stored, ensuring effortless cleanup and a hassle-free playtime experience.

Moreover, the inclusion of a lid with these trays keeps the play dough fresh and pliable for longer periods, preventing it from drying out or becoming unusable.

Lastly, the stackable design of the trays saves valuable storage space, allowing you to neatly organize and store multiple colors or batches without cluttering your play area. With these benefits combined, ice cube trays prove to be the ultimate solution for maximizing the longevity and enjoyment of your play dough. 

Benefits of Storing Play Dough in This Ice Cube Tray!

The advantages of using this ice cube tray for play dough storage are numerous and game-changing. Firstly, these trays allow you to portion out your play dough into convenient 1-ounce servings, a significant reduction from the typical 4-ounce containers. This not only ensures that your child has just the right amount of play dough for their creations but also minimizes the risk of mixing up entire batches.

Additionally, the silicone bottoms of these trays make it incredibly easy to push out the play dough once it’s been stored, ensuring effortless cleanup and a hassle-free playtime experience.

Moreover, the inclusion of a lid with these trays keeps the play dough fresh and pliable for longer periods, preventing it from drying out or becoming unusable.

Lastly, the stackable design of the trays saves valuable storage space, allowing you to neatly organize and store multiple colors or batches without cluttering your play area. With these benefits combined, ice cube trays prove to be the ultimate solution for maximizing the longevity and enjoyment of your play dough. 

play dough storage hack ice cube tray with cover

Where Can I Get This Ice Cube Tray?

To see the exact ice cube tray that we use – click HERE. It comes in a pack of 4 with lids that make each tray stackable. Each portion is only 1 ounce, which is the perfect amount to play with!

If you are making homemade play dough, keep in mind that the salt in the dough may crystalize at the top. You can prevent this by covering the play dough even further with plastic wrap. However, it is not necessary. Even if the play dough crystalizes slightly, just knead the play dough for a few minutes and the salt will be mixed back in no time!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

How to Make Homemade Play Dough

Our play dough recipe is super easy to do and results in the silkiest, smoothiest play dough!

Find the full step by step instructions HERE.

While you can do this storage hack with store bought play dough as well, if you’ve never made homemade play dough before you will be shocked at how easy it is to do!

Opting to make homemade play dough brings with it a multitude of benefits. Firstly, homemade play dough is cost-effective, utilizing simple kitchen ingredients like flour, salt, water, and food coloring, saving you money in the long run compared to store-bought alternatives. Additionally, homemade play dough offers customization options, allowing you to tailor the texture, color, and scent according to your child’s preferences or any specific sensory needs. 

making play dough in every color
making play dough in every color

How to Make Homemade Play Dough

Our play dough recipe is super easy to do and results in the silkiest, smoothiest play dough!

Find the full step by step instructions HERE.

While you can do this storage hack with store bought play dough as well, if you’ve never made homemade play dough before you will be shocked at how easy it is to do!

Opting to make homemade play dough brings with it a multitude of benefits. Firstly, homemade play dough is cost-effective, utilizing simple kitchen ingredients like flour, salt, water, and food coloring, saving you money in the long run compared to store-bought alternatives. Additionally, homemade play dough offers customization options, allowing you to tailor the texture, color, and scent according to your child’s preferences or any specific sensory needs. 

The Benefits of Playing with Play Dough

Engaging in play with play dough offers numerous developmental benefits for kids.

Firstly, it stimulates sensory exploration, allowing children to experience different textures, colors, and shapes, which in turn enhances their cognitive development and fine motor skills.

Moreover, playing with dough encourages creativity and imagination, as children can mold, sculpt, and manipulate the dough to create a wide variety of objects, fostering their artistic expression and problem-solving abilities.

Additionally, dough play provides a calming and therapeutic outlet for children, helping them to relax, unwind, and manage stress or anxiety. 

play dough storage hack ice cube tray with cover
play dough storage hack ice cube tray with cover

The Benefits of Playing with Play Dough

Engaging in play with play dough offers numerous developmental benefits for kids.

Firstly, it stimulates sensory exploration, allowing children to experience different textures, colors, and shapes, which in turn enhances their cognitive development and fine motor skills.

Moreover, playing with dough encourages creativity and imagination, as children can mold, sculpt, and manipulate the dough to create a wide variety of objects, fostering their artistic expression and problem-solving abilities.

Additionally, dough play provides a calming and therapeutic outlet for children, helping them to relax, unwind, and manage stress or anxiety. 

More Ways to Play with Play Dough

Explore these fun printables and techniques for playing with play dough!

Learn the alphabet while playing with play dough with this fun set of printable play dough mats! Each page is all about building a letter out of play dough with an opportunity to practice phonics!

Printable Play Dough Mats to Learn Letters

Play Dough Mats: Numbers

Printable Play Dough Mats to Learn Numbers

Play Dough Mats: Shapes

Printable Play Dough Mats to Learn Shapes

making play dough into rainbow swirls

How to Make Rainbow Swirl Play Dough!

What’s Next?

Handprint Craft for Valentine’s Day

Handprint Craft for Valentine’s Day

Handprint Craft for Valentine’s Day

handprint craft for valentine's day using shrinky dink paper to make a keychain

Create a heartwarming handprint craft for Valentine’s Day with this DIY Shrinky Dink handprint keychain. This creative activity is perfect for kids of all ages!

A Heartfelt Miniature Handprint Craft for Valentine’s Day 

This simple yet meaningful DIY Shrinky Dink keychain is not just an art project but will be a cherished keepsake that will warm the hearts of its lucky recipients.

Crafting with Shrinky Dink material adds an extra layer of excitement to the traditional handprint keepsake. The unique shrinking process creates a miniature masterpiece that you can place inside an envelope for a cute gifting experience. Keep on reading to find out how you can make this too!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

 

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

Watch the Tutorial: Making a Handprint Craft for Valentine’s Day

See how easy it is to transform a simple handprint craft for Valentine’s Day into a miniature, personalized keychain that holds sentimental value. We choose a design to use the word LOVE and replace the O with a handprint, but you can feel free to adapt and create any meaningful design you’d like!

We love using the Shrinky Dink paper or number 6 plastic. Permanent markers and acrylic paint work best on this type of paper. I used black permanent marker to create the letters and helped my one year old daughter to make a red handprint.

The shrinking process is so cool to watch, so be sure to keep your eyes on the oven to not miss it because it happens fast! You can put the finished artwork into an envelope to be given like a card, or turn it into a keychain keepsake gift!

This is such a great craft for all ages. Adults can help young children in making this keepsake, but we should encourage older kids to be more hands on throughout the whole process. Of course, when it comes to the steps involving the hot oven, adult supervision is required!

Watch the Tutorial: Making a Handprint Craft for Valentine’s Day

See how easy it is to transform a simple handprint craft for Valentine’s Day into a miniature, personalized keychain that holds sentimental value. We choose a design to use the word LOVE and replace the O with a handprint, but you can feel free to adapt and create any meaningful design you’d like!

We love using the Shrinky Dink paper or number 6 plastic. Permanent markers and acrylic paint work best on this type of paper. I used black permanent marker to create the letters and helped my one year old daughter to make a red handprint.

The shrinking process is so cool to watch, so be sure to keep your eyes on the oven to not miss it because it happens fast! You can put the finished artwork into an envelope to be given like a card, or turn it into a keychain keepsake gift!

This is such a great craft for all ages. Adults can help young children in making this keepsake, but we should encourage older kids to be more hands on throughout the whole process. Of course, when it comes to the steps involving the hot oven, adult supervision is required!

What You Should Know Before Using Shrinky Dink Paper

What is Shrinky Dink Paper? For this handprint craft for Valentine’s Day, I used Shrinky Dink paper. It is a type of polystyrene plastic that has been designed for craft purposes. When heated, it undergoes a process of shrinking and thickening, allowing for the creation of smaller, more durable versions of the original design.

Is Shrinky Dink Paper safe? Shrinky Dink paper is generally considered safe for use in crafting and art projects when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Should I follow safety guidelines when using Shrinky Dink Paper? It’s recommended to use Shrinky Dink paper in a well-ventilated area. The heating process may release some fumes, and good ventilation helps dissipate any potential odors.

Is there an age limit for using Shrinky Dink Paper? Shrinky Dink projects are often suitable for various age groups, but it’s important to adhere to age recommendations specified by the manufacturer. Some projects may require fine motor skills or involve the use of heat sources, so age-appropriate supervision is advised.



Valentine’s Day Card with Secret Message - Printable
Materials
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1

For this handprint craft for Valentine’s Day, use acrylic paint to make a handprint on the Shrinky Dink sheet or number 6 plastic. This handprint will form the ‘O’ in the word ‘LOVE.’

Step 2

Write the letters ‘LVE’ on the sheet using a permanent marker.

Step 3

Place the prepared sheet on a foil-lined tray and put it in a preheated oven at 325°F. Bake for 1-3 minutes, allowing the material to shrink and solidify. Don’t worry if it curls up as it should settle back down. If any curling persists, you can carefully push the handprint flat once removed from the oven.

Step 4

If desired, punch a hole in the sheet before baking to transform the keepsake into a charming keychain.

Step 1

For this handprint craft for Valentine’s Day, use acrylic paint to make a handprint on the Shrinky Dink sheet or number 6 plastic. This handprint will form the ‘O’ in the word ‘LOVE.’

Step 2

Write the letters ‘LVE’ on the sheet using a permanent marker.

Step 3

Place the prepared sheet on a foil-lined tray and put it in a preheated oven at 325°F. Bake for 1-3 minutes, allowing the material to shrink and solidify. Don’t worry if it curls up as it should settle back down. If any curling persists, you can carefully push the handprint flat once removed from the oven.

Step 4

If desired, punch a hole in the sheet before baking to transform the keepsake into a charming keychain.

How This Activity Helps Develop Fine Motor Skills

For older kids, who are able to have more independence in the crafting process, this handprint craft for Valentine’s Day can contribute to the development of fine motor skills in several ways:

Painting and coloring: Applying acrylic paint and permanent markers onto the Shrinky Dink paper involves precise movements of the hands and fingers. This activity helps refine fine motor skills by encouraging control and coordination in the manipulation of small tools.

Handprint creation: Making a handprint on the Shrinky Dink sheet requires careful positioning of the hand and controlled pressure to ensure a clear and well-defined print. This process enhances hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity.

Writing and detailing: Writing the letters “LVE” with a permanent marker on the Shrinky Dink sheet involves controlled movements to create legible and neat characters. This contributes to the development of fine motor skills, particularly in the fingers and wrist.

 

handprint craft for valentine's day using shrinky dink paper to make a keychain

Engaging in these specific steps for this handprint craft for Valentine’s Day promotes the development of fine motor skills, including hand-eye coordination, finger strength, precision, and control. These skills are crucial for various daily tasks, academic activities, and future artistic endeavors. 

handprint craft for valentine's day using shrinky dink paper to make a keychain

How This Activity Helps Develop Fine Motor Skills

For older kids, who are able to have more independence in the crafting process, this handprint craft for Valentine’s Day can contribute to the development of fine motor skills in several ways:

Painting and coloring: Applying acrylic paint and permanent markers onto the Shrinky Dink paper involves precise movements of the hands and fingers. This activity helps refine fine motor skills by encouraging control and coordination in the manipulation of small tools.

Handprint creation: Making a handprint on the Shrinky Dink sheet requires careful positioning of the hand and controlled pressure to ensure a clear and well-defined print. This process enhances hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity.

Writing and detailing: Writing the letters “LVE” with a permanent marker on the Shrinky Dink sheet involves controlled movements to create legible and neat characters. This contributes to the development of fine motor skills, particularly in the fingers and wrist.

Engaging in these specific steps for this handprint craft for Valentine’s Day promotes the development of fine motor skills, including hand-eye coordination, finger strength, precision, and control. These skills are crucial for various daily tasks, academic activities, and future artistic endeavors. 

Other DIY Valentine’s Day Activities

Looking for more Valentine’s Day fun? Check out these printable resources that go beyond making this handprint keepsake!

hot glue pendant printable make your own jewlery with hot glue

Hot Glue Pendants

Craft beautiful customized crystal pendants effortlessly to embellish your bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. Designed for individuals aged 6 and above, utilizing a low-heat glue gun ensures safety. An elegant and considerate gift suggestion!

Valentine’s Hot Glue Craft - Printable

Valentine’s Craft

Ignite your child’s artistic spirit with our exclusive Valentine’s Hot Glue Craft – Printable. Simply print the provided illustrations and embark on a crafting adventure. To ensure safety, adult supervision is recommended when using hot glue.

Valentines Play Dough Mats

Valentine’s Play Dough Mats

Introduce a touch of magic to your Valentine’s Day festivities with our delightful Valentine’s Day PlayDough Mats. This printable product is specially crafted to ignite creativity in young hearts, providing an enchanting addition to your celebration.

valentine's day printable activities

15+ Valentine’s Day Activities

Elevate the spirit of Valentine’s Day for your little ones with our printable set of over 15 Valentine’s Day themed activities! Tailored to foster early childhood education skills, these delightful worksheets are designed to be both enjoyable and educational.

What’s Next?

Playroom Inspiration – An Exciting Space for All Ages

Playroom Inspiration – An Exciting Space for All Ages

Playroom Inspiration – An Exciting Space for All Ages

Playroom inspiration

Ready to dive into some seriously cool playroom inspiration vibes? Keep reading to get the lowdown on a space that’s like the MVP for all ages! Think rotating toys for the little rascals, air hockey and arcade games for the big kids, and a cozy couch setup perfect for group hangouts in front of the TV.

Playroom Inspiration – Here’s A Quick Tour of Our Furniture, Games, and More!

Below I’ve listed everything we have in our play space, but we’re not just talking play; we’re talking a full-on experience that grows with your crew. Get ready for a playroom that’s the ultimate chill spot and the epicenter of fun. Get ready to redefine family fun and make memories that will last a lifetime. 

All toys and activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Playroom Inspiration Furniture, Games and More!

Here’s a comprehensive list of everything we have in our playroom, including furniture, rugs and games!

playroom inspiration Faux Leather chairs

Faux Leather Chairs

checkered rug playroom inspiration

Checkered Shag Rug

playroom shelving

Playroom Shelves

air hockey table

Air Hockey Table

coffee table with stools

Coffee Table with Stools

media console table

Media Console Table

bean bag couch

Great Toy for Fine Motor Skills

arcade game

Arcade Machine including 412 Games for 2 Players 

wooden dollhouse

Wooden Dollhouse

montessori desk and chair

Montessori Table and Chairs

black and white kids tent

Kid’s Teepee Tent

plant basket

Plant Baskets

The Impact of Nurturing Kids’ Exploration through Playful Spaces!

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, carving out a small corner for your little ones to play isn’t just about creating a designated area—it’s about fostering a haven for growth, discovery, and invaluable life lessons.

Be it a cozy nook or a dedicated playroom, the space becomes the canvas for their imagination to run wild. As kids explore and learn through play, they not only develop essential cognitive and motor skills but also cultivate a sense of independence and creativity that resonates throughout their lives.

From building towering block structures to delving into make-believe worlds, these early playful experiences lay the foundation for a lifetime of curiosity, resilience, and joyous exploration. We hope this playroom inspiration has helped you! 

Playroom inspiration

So, whether it’s a corner or an entire room, let’s champion the significance of providing our kids with spaces that speak to the heart of their growth journey.

Playroom inspiration

The Impact of Nurturing Kids’ Exploration through Playful Spaces!

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, carving out a small corner for your little ones to play isn’t just about creating a designated area—it’s about fostering a haven for growth, discovery, and invaluable life lessons.

Be it a cozy nook or a dedicated playroom, the space becomes the canvas for their imagination to run wild. As kids explore and learn through play, they not only develop essential cognitive and motor skills but also cultivate a sense of independence and creativity that resonates throughout their lives.

From building towering block structures to delving into make-believe worlds, these early playful experiences lay the foundation for a lifetime of curiosity, resilience, and joyous exploration. We hope this playroom inspiration has helped you! So, whether it’s a corner or an entire room, let’s champion the significance of providing our kids with spaces that speak to the heart of their growth journey.

What’s Next?

Valentine Handprint Craft – Make This Adorable Bee Mine Keepsake

Valentine Handprint Craft – Make This Adorable Bee Mine Keepsake

Valentine Handprint Craft – Make This Adorable Bee Mine Keepsake

valentines handprint craft

This Valentine handprint craft is so adorable! It’s a fun and simple craft for the kids to make for Valentine’s Day! Using a leftover toilet paper roll proves that once again, you can easily make something adorable out of items that you were just going to toss in the trash! 

Where a Valentine Handprint Craft Collides with Paper Tubes

Can we all just agree that heading to the store and trying to buy Valentine’s cards is a lot of work? It can be super stressful at times to try to pick out options from the ones that are left at the store.

This is why I love this fun Valentine activity. It allows the kids to be a part of creating their cute Valentine and lets us create fun memories together as well.

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

How to Make This Valentine’s Handprint Craft

This is so simple to make! You can see the easy steps that we took to create this fun Valentine’s Handprint craft. 

In the video, I demonstrate the process, but this is definitely a project that the kids can do from start to finish! Of course, they may need some help tracing their dominant hand!

How to Make This Valentine’s Handprint Craft

This is so simple to make! You can see the easy steps that we took to create this fun Valentine’s Handprint craft. 

In the video, I demonstrate the process, but this is definitely a project that the kids can do from start to finish! Of course, they may need some help tracing their dominant hand!

Tips for Making This Valentine Handprint Craft

Tacky Glue. We used tacky glue to create these Valentine handprint crafts because it is a strong adhesive that dries super fast!

Paper Roll. If you’d like to sterilize your paper roll before using it in a craft, you can bake it on your oven’s lowest setting around 200F for 20 minutes.

Handprints. Getting handprints from young children can sometimes be tricky. Instead of tracing, you may want to use a mess-free stamp pad instead!

For more arts and crafts projects, be sure to visit our comprehensive list

valentines handprint craft

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

Cut a yellow piece of paper the length of and width of your paper tube. Cut three black stripes of paper and glue them in a bee-like pattern on the second half of the cut yellow paper.

Step 2

Glue the yellow and black paper around the paper tube. Hold for 30 seconds while the glue dries. Cut two small stripes of black paper for the antenna, and for a festive Valentine’s look, glue two small pink hearts to the top.

Step 3

Glue the antennas to the paper tube.

Step 4

To make the wings, trace your child’s hands on white paper, and cut out the handprints.

Step 5

Glue the wings to the paper tube. Add googley eyes and a smile to make your bee come alive!

Step 1

Cut a yellow piece of paper the length of and width of your paper tube. Cut three black stripes of paper and glue them in a bee-like pattern on the second half of the cut yellow paper.

Step 2

Glue the yellow and black paper around the paper tube. Hold for 30 seconds while the glue dries. Cut two small stripes of black paper for the antenna, and for a festive Valentine’s look, glue two small pink hearts to the top.

Step 3

Glue the antennas to the paper tube.

Step 4

To make the wings, trace your child’s hands on white paper, and cut out the handprints.

Step 5

Glue the wings to the paper tube. Add googley eyes and a smile to make your bee come alive!

Valentine’s Day Themed Printable Activity Worksheets!

If you are looking for even more fun activities to do that have a Valentine’s Day theme, definitely check out our printable worksheets!

These Valentine’s Day activities are a fun way to play and learn! The set includes over 15 Valentine’s Day themed activities that strengthen early childhood education skills, including scissor skills, tracing, the alphabet, coloring, numbers, matching, writing, phonics, and so much more!

easy to make play dough recipe homemade no cook
easy to make play dough recipe homemade no cook

Valentine’s Day Themed Printable Activity Worksheets!

If you are looking for even more fun activities to do that have a Valentine’s Day theme, definitely check out our printable worksheets!

These Valentine’s Day activities are a fun way to play and learn! The set includes over 15 Valentine’s Day themed activities that strengthen early childhood education skills, including scissor skills, tracing, the alphabet, coloring, numbers, matching, writing, phonics, and so much more!

More Ways to Explore Artistic Mediums

Want more projects after doing this spider handprint activity? Here are my top picks for arts and crafts kits that encourage hands on creations!

arts and crafts kit marbling

Water Marbling Kit

Create beautiful marbled art with this easy to use kit. This is water based art and comes with all the tools needed to create 10 masterpieces!

arts and crafts kit spin and spiral art

Spin and Spiral Art

This fun kit allows kiddos to explore both spin art and spiral art. The kit comes with 3 spiro gears, 6 markers, 3 ink bottles, 15 paper discs, and an art station base.

arts and crafts kit sand art

Sand Art Kit

This sand art kit comes with 8 different colors of sand to create sand bottles and pendant bottles. A great way to discover art through a different medium!

arts and crafts kit string art

String Art Kit

This kit is a fun way for kids to create and display amazing shapes and designs artistically made with string.  Use a pattern included in the kit or create your own!

What’s Next?

Scented Play Dough – How to Make Rose Swirls

Scented Play Dough – How to Make Rose Swirls

Scented Play Dough – How to Make Rose Swirls 

scented play dough rose valentine's day kid activity school gift

This rose scented play dough recipe smells divine! It is a fun activity to do around Valentine’s Day. Keep on reading to find out how we make it!

Give A Scented Play Dough Gift!  

After you make this scented play dough, you may want to give it to all your friends (like we did!). Put the play dough into a small jar and pair it with a heart-shaped cookie cutter and rolling pin and you’ve got the most adorable Valentine’s gift for kids!

This play dough recipe is sensory-packed! Not only is including a scent amazing, but the swirls are so easy to make and fun to look at. Once kids begin to play with the dough, it also becomes a lesson on color mixing – what color does white and red make when combined?!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

How to Make Swirl Rose Scented Play Dough!

Watch the video to see how easy it is to make this play dough recipe! You’ll see that my son (age 3 years old at the time) enjoyed doing most of the steps on his own!

Grown ups, of course, will need to mix in the boiling water. And, depending on a child’s age, it may be preferred for a grown up to create the layers and cut the dough into swirly sections!

How to Make Swirl Rose Scented Play Dough!

Watch the video to see how easy it is to make this play dough recipe! You’ll see that my son (age 3 years old at the time) enjoyed doing most of the steps on his own!

Grown ups, of course, will need to mix in the boiling water. And, depending on a child’s age, it may be preferred for a grown up to create the layers and cut the dough into swirly sections!

Easy to Make Play Dough – Tips and Tricks!

Mix while hot, but use caution! 

I wear gloves and mix the *very hot* play dough by hand to make sure that the dough is kneaded thoroughly, which spreads the heat, dissolving the granules to make a smooth texture. Don’t have your kiddos do this part!

Why is my batch too sticky?

Too much water was added! If too sticky add a little more flour.

Why is my batch too dry?

Not enough water was added! If too dry add a little more water.

Do I need to add oil?

The coconut oil gives the dough a super silky texture. You could also use glycerine. Alternatively, other vegetable oil will work too, but I’ve found that coconut oil makes it super silky!

What is cream of tartar, and do I need it?

The cream of tartar is a preservative and it makes the play dough have a longer shelf life. You can omit it, but the dough will not last as long!

scented play dough rose valentine's day kid activity school gift

How can I store and how long does it last?

Play dough can last up to 6 months if stored in a sealed container. We like using 4oz jars as pictured below. But with all things that kid’s touch, there is risk of germs entering once touched, so always be sure to look for mold – seen as black dots. If black dots form, it’s time to throw out!

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

Mix together the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a bowl.

Step 2

Add the rose extract and coconut oil.

Step 3

Add food coloring into the 3/4 cup of water.

Step 4

Boil the water. (In my microwave, it takes about 2 minutes to reach best temperature.)

Step 5

Mix the water into the flour mixture, transferring to a flat surface to knead until smooth and not sticky. Don’t miss my note above about wearing gloves to protect your hands from the heat!

 

Step 6

Repeat above recipe except skip the food coloring to make plain white play dough.

Step 7

Roll out 2 layers of white and 2 layers of red.

Step 8

Stack the layers on top of each other in red, white, red, white order.

Step 9

Use the rolling pin to flatten all the layers together a little more.

Step 10

From bottom to top, roll the play dough into a roll to desired thickness.

Step 11

Cut into individual portions and enjoy!

Step 1

Mix together the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a bowl.

Step 2

Add the rose extract and coconut oil.

Step 3

Add food coloring into the 3/4 cup of water.

Step 4

Boil the water. (In my microwave, it takes about 2 minutes to reach best temperature.)

Step 5

Mix the water into the flour mixture, transferring to a flat surface to knead until smooth and not sticky. Don’t miss my note above about wearing gloves to protect your hands from the heat!

Step 6

Repeat above recipe except skip the food coloring to make plain white play dough.

Step 7

Roll out 2 layers of white and 2 layers of red.

Step 8

Stack the layers on top of each other in red, white, red, white order.

Step 9

Use the rolling pin to flatten all the layers together a little more.

Step 10

From bottom to top, roll the play dough into a roll to desired thickness.

Step 11

Cut into individual portions and enjoy!

The Importance of Playing with Play Dough

Playing with play dough in general is such a sensory rich experience. The tactile experience provides wonderful hand strengthening opportunities. Rolling, squeezing, twisting, pulling, and more — all of these actions are great for fine motor skills.

When you add a scent into play dough, it takes the sensory experience to the next level. This recipe had rose extract, but you could incorporate lots of different types of scents. Lavender, for example, would be a great way option for a calming, soothing recipe!

For more sensory play activities visit our comprehensive list!

scented play dough rose valentine's day kid activity school gift
scented play dough rose valentine's day kid activity school gift

The Importance of Playing with Play Dough

Playing with play dough in general is such a sensory rich experience. The tactile experience provides wonderful hand strengthening opportunities. Rolling, squeezing, twisting, pulling, and more — all of these actions are great for fine motor skills.

When you add a scent into play dough, it takes the sensory experience to the next level. This recipe had rose extract, but you could incorporate lots of different types of scents. Lavender, for example, would be a great way option for a calming, soothing recipe!

For more sensory play activities visit our comprehensive list!

 

More Sensory Bases to Explore

Here are my top picks for sensory bases you can buy!

sensory sand play for kids

Sensory Sand

Sensory sand is moldable! This bulk pack comes with enough to fill an entire bin for lasting fun! Bonus points for including a storage bin!

mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

Modelling Dough

This modelling dough compound NEVER dries out! It is a fun texture – it is stretchy like play dough, moldable like kinetic sand, and odorless.

play dough wild dough sensory

Premium Play Dough

This play dough is the cream of the crop! It is ridiculously silky and smooth, lasts for 6 months, and is scented!

slime kit sensory play for kids

The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

This kit includes 8 fascinating varieties of slime and putty, including premade putty, magnetic slime, glow in the dark putty, and so much more.

What’s Next?

Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments – How to Make This Adorable Keepsake

Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments – How to Make This Adorable Keepsake

Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments – How to Make This Adorable Keepsake

salt dough ornaments how to make and decorate kid tradition holiday christmas handprint

Salt dough handprint ornaments are such great keepsakes! Keep on reading to find out how to make the dough and find ideas on how to decorate! 

A Classic Keepsake – Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments! 

Salt Dough Ornaments are a classic holiday craft! Not only are they fun to create, but the kids will love being able to decorate them and paint them after they’re dry. Our salt dough recipe is simple to make and will result in such a great homemade gift or item to decorate the tree at home.

Whether you create these DIY ornaments with handprints or not, the key is to give the kids a ton of creative freedom to have a blast! 

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

Watch How to Make Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments 

In this video you’ll see how quick and easy it is to make salt dough handprint ornaments! This video is a tutorial to demonstrate the process, but be sure to get the kids involved from start to finish. They can help make the dough, roll it out, and decorate! 

Plus, with the extra dough not used for the handprint, have the kiddos make additional ornaments using cookie cutters!

Watch How to Make Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments 

In this video you’ll see how quick and easy it is to make salt dough handprint ornaments! This video is a tutorial to demonstrate the process, but be sure to get the kids involved from start to finish. They can help make the dough, roll it out, and decorate! 

Plus, with the extra dough not used for the handprint, have the kiddos make additional ornaments using cookie cutters!

salt dough ornaments how to make and decorate kid tradition holiday christmas

Tips for Making Salt Dough Ornaments

How do you prevent ornaments from puffing up? To prevent your ornament from puffing up, be sure to select a plain flour since the self-rising kind may cause your ornaments to get puffy when baked. Also, make sure you bake the dough at a low temperature. While we bake at 200F, all ovens can vary so if your ornaments puff up, bring the temperature down and bake for longer until dry.

What is the best paint to use? Acrylic paint! It is vibrant and long lasting. (But keep in mind, it is not washable!)

How do you seal the ornaments? With a decoupage like Mod Podge. This will give the ornaments a great finish and preserve them too!

Caution for pet owners. Salt dough is toxic to pets, so be sure to keep them out of reach!

 

 

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.

Step 2

On wax paper, roll the dough out until it is about 1/8 inch thick. If it is too thick, you may end up with air bubbles. 

Step 3

Design your ornament using cookie cutters or cutting out the shape of a handprint. Have fun with it!

Step 4

Bake at 200F for about 1 hour, flip, and back for an additional hour until the dough starts to look golden.

Step 5

Once cool, use acrylic paint to decorate.

Step 6

When dry, cover with a layer of mod podge. Hang up on the Christmas tree and enjoy for years to come!

Step 1

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.

Step 2

On wax paper, roll the dough out until it is about 1/8 inch thick. If it is too thick, you may end up with air bubbles. 

Step 3

Design your ornament using cookie cutters or cutting out the shape of a handprint. Have fun with it!

Step 4

Bake at 200F for about 1 hour, flip, and back for an additional hour until the dough starts to look golden.

Step 5

Once cool, use acrylic paint to decorate.

Step 6

When dry, cover with a layer of mod podge. Hang up on the Christmas tree and enjoy for years to come!

More Holiday Themed Activities!  

This Christmas Activity booklet includes 18 playful learning activities to promote early childhood skills including, alphabet recognition, color recognition, scissor skills, early math, writing, and so much more!

It is a fun bundle to have during the holiday break to keep the kiddos busy, learning, and having fun!

For more printable resources be sure to check out our full collection of worksheets

fall sensory bin taste safe toddler baby foam
fall sensory bin taste safe toddler baby foam

More Holiday Themed Activities!  

This Christmas Activity booklet includes 18 playful learning activities to promote early childhood skills including, alphabet recognition, color recognition, scissor skills, early math, writing, and so much more!

It is a fun bundle to have during the holiday break to keep the kiddos busy, learning, and having fun!

For more printable resources be sure to check out our full collection of worksheets

More Holiday Crafts to Explore 

Here are more fun ways to do festive crafting during the holiday season!

sensory bin build you own bin michaels

Paper Mache Ornament Kit

This ornament kit includes 3 paper mache ornament balls, and a bunch of craft supplies to decorate with!

sensory bin marine creatures

Spinning Ornament Decorator

A creative way to decorate ornaments! Place the plain ornaments in the tree spinner, and decorate using markers!

christmas ornament crafting kits

Bead Elf Ornaments

Create your own bead elves with this fun kit that includes wooden beads in 5 shapes, paper hat cutouts, and 8 pipe cleaners.

christmas crafting kits

Gingerbread House

This large scale gingerbread house is all about coloring and decorating. Great for pretend play when personalized!

What’s Next?

Color Mixing for Kids – Hands on Learning

Color Mixing for Kids – Hands on Learning

Color Mixing for Kids – Hands on Learning!

Discover the magic of color mixing for kids using Oobleck. This is a great hands on way to discover primary and secondary colors!

Prepare to embark on a colorful journey of both science and hands-on sensory exploration as we delve into the world of color mixing for kids! 

Oobleck Color Mixing Station Sensory Play

Sensory play has long been recognized as a powerful tool for early childhood development, stimulating young minds while igniting their creativity.

In our sensory table adventure, we’re combining the enchantment of colors with the tactile wonder of Oobleck—a fascinating non-Newtonian fluid. This hands-on activity not only introduces budding scientists to the magic of color blending but also engages their senses in a thrilling, messy adventure. Keep reading to discover the incredible benefits of sensory play and the captivating world of primary and secondary colors!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Skills: 

Ages: 

Prep Time: 

Watch This Color Mixing for Kids Activity in Action!

No doubt this activity can get pretty messy, but there is a wealth of learning opportunities. While some grown ups may instinctively shy away from mess, it’s important to recognize that this very messiness is an integral part of the learning process.

As children dive their hands into the colorful world of Oobleck, they engage their senses fully, sparking curiosity and igniting their creativity. This tactile experience isn’t just about fun; it’s about immersion.

The squishy, gooey sensation of Oobleck becomes a canvas for understanding colors on a deeper level. The unpredictability of mixing primary colors to form secondary hues provides a firsthand lesson in color theory, reinforcing concepts while making them memorable.

So, fear not the mess—embrace it as the vibrant pathway to a richer understanding of colors and a world of sensory delight.

Watch This Color Mixing for Kids Activity in Action!

No doubt this activity can get pretty messy, but there is a wealth of learning opportunities. While some grown ups may instinctively shy away from mess, it’s important to recognize that this very messiness is an integral part of the learning process.

As children dive their hands into the colorful world of Oobleck, they engage their senses fully, sparking curiosity and igniting their creativity. This tactile experience isn’t just about fun; it’s about immersion.

The squishy, gooey sensation of Oobleck becomes a canvas for understanding colors on a deeper level. The unpredictability of mixing primary colors to form secondary hues provides a firsthand lesson in color theory, reinforcing concepts while making them memorable.

So, fear not the mess—embrace it as the vibrant pathway to a richer understanding of colors and a world of sensory delight.

Discover the magic of color mixing for kids using Oobleck. This is a great hands on way to discover primary and secondary colors!

How to Make Oobleck

Crafting your very own batch of Oobleck is a simple and magical process that can be as much fun as the sensory play itself. To get started, all you need are two basic ingredients: cornstarch and water. Step-by-step instructions below!

Oobleck, the mesmerizing non-Newtonian fluid, is a captivating lesson in science. When pressure is applied to Oobleck, the starch particles in the mixture resist movement, causing it to temporarily solidify. However, as soon as that pressure is released, the starch particles relax, and the substance reverts to a liquid state. This unique property makes Oobleck an exceptional material for demonstrating the principles of viscosity and fluid dynamics.

Its gooey, yet fluid nature makes it an ideal canvas for color exploration. Children can experiment with different combinations, observing how red and blue transform into vibrant purple, or how yellow and blue blend into soothing green.

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

Combine 2 cups cornstarch and 1 cup water, plus food coloring. Begin by taking a mixing bowl and adding cornstarch. Slowly pour water into the cornstarch while stirring until you achieve the desired consistency. Feel free to experiment with the proportions of cornstarch and water to find the perfect texture that captivates your young learners.

Step 2

In addition to letting the kids feel how this changes from a solid to a liquid and back to a solid, create primary colors (red, blue, and yellow), and task your kids with mixing them to discover secondary colors (orange, green, and purple) and other tints and shades! 

Step 1

Combine 2 cups cornstarch and 1 cup water, plus food coloring. Begin by taking a mixing bowl and adding cornstarch. Slowly pour water into the cornstarch while stirring until you achieve the desired consistency. Feel free to experiment with the proportions of cornstarch and water to find the perfect texture that captivates your young learners.

Step 2

In addition to letting the kids feel how this changes from a solid to a liquid and back to a solid, create primary colors (red, blue, and yellow), and task your kids with mixing them to discover secondary colors (orange, green, and purple) and other tints and shades!

Cultivating STEM Enthusiasm Through Color Mixing for Kids

The color mixing Oobleck activity is a prime example of a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activity that seamlessly blends science with hands-on exploration. By delving into the unique properties of non-Newtonian fluids, children engage with scientific principles such as viscosity, fluid dynamics, and material science.

They experiment, hypothesize, and observe as they learn how Oobleck transforms from a liquid to a solid with the application of pressure and returns to its liquid state when that pressure is released. Moreover, as they mix primary colors to create secondary hues, they gain a foundational understanding of color theory—an essential concept in both art and science. 

Discover the magic of color mixing for kids using Oobleck. This is a great hands on way to discover primary and secondary colors!

This STEM-based activity not only promotes critical thinking but also nurtures a lifelong curiosity for the STEM disciplines, setting the stage for future exploration and discovery.

Discover the magic of color mixing for kids using Oobleck. This is a great hands on way to discover primary and secondary colors!

Cultivating STEM Enthusiasm Through Color Mixing for Kids

The color mixing Oobleck activity is a prime example of a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activity that seamlessly blends science with hands-on exploration. By delving into the unique properties of non-Newtonian fluids, children engage with scientific principles such as viscosity, fluid dynamics, and material science.

They experiment, hypothesize, and observe as they learn how Oobleck transforms from a liquid to a solid with the application of pressure and returns to its liquid state when that pressure is released. Moreover, as they mix primary colors to create secondary hues, they gain a foundational understanding of color theory—an essential concept in both art and science.

This STEM-based activity not only promotes critical thinking but also nurtures a lifelong curiosity for the STEM disciplines, setting the stage for future exploration and discovery.

 

More Sensory Bases to Explore

Here are some more sensory bases to explore!

slime kit sensory play for kids

The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

This kit includes 8 fascinating varieties of slime and putty, including premade putty, magnetic slime, glow in the dark putty, and so much more.

sensory sand play for kids

Sensory Sand

Sensory sand is moldable! This bulk pack comes with enough to fill an entire bin for lasting fun! Bonus points for including a storage bin!

mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

Modelling Dough

This modelling dough compound NEVER dries out! It is a fun texture – it is stretchy like play dough, moldable like kinetic sand, and odorless.

play dough wild dough sensory

Premium Play Dough

This play dough is the cream of the crop! It is ridiculously silky and smooth, lasts for 6 months, and is scented!

What’s Next?

Rotating Toys in Our Playroom – Month 2

Rotating Toys in Our Playroom – Month 2

Rotating Toys in Our Playroom – Month 2

Here is what rotating toys in our playroom looked like during this October!
Do you need some ideas for toy rotations? Every month, I plan on sharing our playroom and how I rotate the toys. Welcome to our second month!

Is Rotating Toys Important?

Toy rotations are a great way to keep kids engaged with a limited amount of toys to avoid overwhelming a child with too many choices which can often result in clutter, disorganization, and toys not being played with at all.

A rotation could be weekly, monthly, every other month. There is no set way to do it, but I personally aim to do it monthly! 

Rotating toys is not just about changing up the specific toys they are playing with, it is about displaying them in a simple way so they are in sight. In fact, some times you don’t even need to switch all of the toys out, but instead change the placement of a toy to spark a new interest in it!

Watch to See How I Rotated Toys This Month!

In this video you’ll see all the toys the kids got to play with and enjoy during the month of October! You will also see how I decorated the walls with my kid’s Halloween-themed artwork from past years as well as other spooky decor on top of the toy shelves!

Keep on reading to see a full list and details on each of these toys along with links in case you are interested in rotating toys too!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Watch to See How I Rotated Toys This Month!

In this video you’ll see all the toys the kids got to play with and enjoy during the month of October! You will also see how I decorated the walls with my kid’s Halloween-themed artwork from past years as well as other spooky decor on top of the toy shelves!

Keep on reading to see a full list and details on each of these toys along with links in case you are interested in rotating toys too!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

montessori play shelves rotation

About Our Play Room Shelves

We love these Montessori-inspired play room shelves. You can get them in 4 different configurations as pictured.

They are wooden, handmade, and are the following dimensions:

  • Width: 28 1/2 inches
  • Height: 43 1/8 inches
  • Depth: 13 1/2 inches

I love how there are so many sections with varying sizes to accommodate different types of toy shapes and lengths – they make rotating toys so easy to display. The clothing rack is a wonderful accessory for being able to display pretend play outfits! They were very easy to build and are such a beautiful way to display toys!

Toy Rotation Items

Here are the details for the toys my kids (7, 5, 4, and 10 months) had in their playroom for the month of October!

Weather Board Toy

Weather Board

A visual and interactive tool to help your kiddo understand weather, seasons, days of the week, and temperature!

Alphabet learning game cookie

Alphabet Cookies

This jar full of alphabet shaped cookies is a fun way to learn letters and build simple words!

Magnetic Number and Shape Tracing Board

Magnetic Tracing Board

Use a magnetic wand to learn how to trace and write numbers and shapes!

Sorting Bear Activity Learn Numbers and Colors

Counting Bears

These colorful bear manipulatives are a fun way to learn counting and colors!

Anatomy Puzzle for kids

Vertical Anatomy Puzzle

This is such a fun way to learn about the human body. The pieces are magnetic and it comes with the storage container!

large insect figurines

Jumbo Insect Figurines

These insect figurines are huge! Great for babies and toddlers. Use them with our free printable Montessori-inspired insect matching cards!

wooden modular doll house

Modular Doll House

The set includes a modular house, garage, car, people, as well as wooden bed and stairs.

wooden camper van and tent toy

Wooden Camper Van and Tent

This wooden camper has a lock and keys as well as a tent, sleeping bags and wooden people. Great for fine motor skills and pretend play!

Wooden Emotion Doll Toys

Wooden Emotions

This set of wooden dolls is a great way to learn the names of emotions!

life cycle of frog toy

Life Cycle of Frogs

These figurine are a great way for kids to visualize the life cycle of a frog!

world map puzzle

World Map Puzzle

This beautifully crafted puzzle is a great way for kids to learn about the world’s continents.

wooden peg drop toy

Wooden Peg Drop

This toy. isa great way to strengthen precise fine motor skills and enage in problem solving!

tip and turn toy

Tip and Turn Toy

Made out of stainless Steel this tip and turn toy is great for practicing bilateral coordination with two-handed play.

acorn letter recognition and phonics

Acorn Letters and Phonics

This fun fall themed toy is great for letter recognition and phonics. Each acorn has an uppercase letter on the outisde, a lowercase letter on inside of the acorn top and a figurine to help with phonics.

alphabet train puzzle

Alphabet Train Puzzle

Learn the alphabet and phonics as you build a train. My kids loved how long the puzzle became once completed!

pizza maker pretend play

Pizza Maker

This pizza kit is adorable with its very own pizza crafting station!

xylophone pounding toy

Music Pounding Toy

Multifunctional musical instrument and pounding toy in one!

wooden instrument set for kids

Musical Instrument Set

These wooden musical instrument set includes 11 pieces including pieces for shaking, tapping, beautiful and blowing!

wooden train set

Rainbow Pebbles

Sort them, stack them, and turn them into the pictures feautred in the included activity cards.

texture cards for babies

Textured Cards

This set of textured cards include 18 different everyday objects that babies are getting to know!

magnetic wooden cutting and cooking toy wooden food pretend play set

Wooden Food

This set of wooden food is “sliceable” and reatttaches with magnets.

smoothie blender maker toy

Blender Set

Such a fun pretend play set where kids can blend and make smoothies.

mermaid costume

Dress up!

This mermaid is just one of seven different costumes I hung up on their pretend clothes rack. This is a great opportunity to reuse old Halloween costumes!

Permanent Playroom Toys

There are also a handful of toys that we permanently keep in the playroom. All of which are open-ended. I often find that my kids will build with these items and integrate the newly rotated items into whatever world they create!

connetix magnetic tile

Colorful Wooden Blocks

These large unit sized blocks are our first product and are so beautifully vibrant! Check back soon to see when they will be available for sale.

baby bike

Baby Bike

This balance bike is a great first bike for baby where they can learn to balance their body while siting and cruising.

double rainbow rocker

Rainbow Rocker

Such a beautiful open ended toy – my kids have used it as a bridge, boat, balancing board, slide, counter, and doll cradle to name a few!

wooden balance board

Balance Board

Multi-use toy that helps develop balance, stimulate vetibular system, and gain body awareness. 

connetix magnetic tile

Magnetic Tiles

We have a huge basket of magnetic tiles and they usually stay in rotation every month since they get played with so often!

building bricks lego duplo

Building Bricks

These building bricks are safe for 18 months and up – a great set for both big kids and little kids to safely play with together.

rainbow wooden stacking toy for color recognition

Wooden Stacking Rainbow

My kids often use these arches as tunnels during open-ended play!

mega blocks for babies

Baby’s First Building Block!

This set comes with 80 big building blocks, ideal for ages one and up.

Not Just Rotating Toys – Rotate Books Too!

We have a ton of books, but the kids didn’t really start appreciating them until I began to rotate them and place them in a book display that showcased the book cover. Where books were once collecting dust, they are now getting so much more love!

Since we celebrate Halloween in October, all of the books in our the display had a spooky theme. You can find our Halloween Book List Here.

 

Halloween book display

What’s Next?

Toy Rotation Ideas for Kids – Month 1

Toy Rotation Ideas for Kids – Month 1

Toy Rotation Ideas for Kids – Month 1

toy rotation shelves playroom
Do you need some ideas for toy rotations? Every month, I plan on sharing our playroom and how I rotate the toys. Welcome to our first month!

Why do a toy rotation?

Toy rotations are a great way to keep kids engaged with a limited amount of toys to avoid overwhelming a child with too many choices which can often result in clutter, disorganization, and toys not being played with at all.

A rotation could be weekly, monthly, every other month. There is no set way to do it, but I personally aim to do it monthly! 

Toy rotations are not just about changing up the specific toys they are playing with, it is about displaying them in a simple way so they are in sight. In fact, some times you don’t even need to switch all of the toys out, but instead change the placement of a toy to spark a new interest in it!

Watch to See This Month’s Toy Rotation

In this video you’ll see all the toys the kids got to play with and enjoy during the month of September! Keep on reading to see a full list and details on each of these toys along with links in case you want to get them too!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Watch to See This Month’s Toy Rotation

In this video you’ll see all the toys the kids got to play with and enjoy during the month of September! Keep on reading to see a full list and details on each of these toys along with links in case you want to get them too!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

montessori play shelves rotation

About Our Play Room Shelves

We love these Montessori-inspired play room shelves. You can get them in 4 different configurations as pictured.

They are wooden, handmade, and are the following dimensions:

  • Width: 28 1/2 inches
  • Height: 43 1/8 inches
  • Depth: 13 1/2 inches

I love how there are so many sections with varying sizes to accommodate different types of toy shapes and lengths. The clothing rack is a wonderful accessory for being able to display pretend play outfits! They were very easy to build and are such a beautiful way to display toys!

Toy Rotation Items

Here are the details for the toys my kids (7, 5, 4, and 9 months) had in their playroom for the month of September!

connetix magnetic tile

Magnetic Tiles

We have a huge basket of magnetic tiles and they usually stay in rotation every month since they get played with so often!

read build write board

Reading and Writing Board

I paired this wooden board with letters for my kiddos to explore reading and building words.

rainbow wooden stacking toy for color recognition

Wooden Stacking Rainbow

My kids often use these arches as tunnels during open-ended play!

wooden counting box

Wooden Counting Box

Count the pegs while you place them, then pull the handle to hear them fall.

number puzzle

Number Puzzle

We love this super colorful, wooden board and numbers puzzle.

marine creatures

Marine Creature Figurines

We have a collection of figurines, most of which come from this set. I paired them with our free printable marine creature Montessori matching cards.

ice cream toy

Ice Cream Counter

A favorite in our house! Kids can scoop and serve wooden ice cream cones or a cup!

felt flowers in a row

Felt Flowers

Plant them, pick them, and make a bouquet! 

magnetic tracing maze

Number Maze

This wooden maze has a magnetic pen. Great for fine motor skills, number learning, and color recognition!

pop the pig game

Pop the Pig Game

Great for number recognition. To make the game more challenging, I covered up some numbers with dot stickers and hand wrote higher numbers.

babies first books

Babies First Books!

I love this set which includes colors, animals, things that go, and first words!

life cycle of sea turtle

Life Cycle of Sea Turtle

This set comes with 4 pieces to show how animals change and grow.

pattern building toy puzzle

Magnetic Patterns and Shapes

Contains colorful cards for creating patterns and real life objects!

mirror for baby

Mirror for Baby

My baby loves looking at herself in this mirror. She first started using it for tummy time! 

alphabet puzzle

Alphabet Puzzle

This is a beautifully crafted wooden puzzle for classic letter learning!

toy tissue box for baby

Toy Tissue Box

This wooden toy tissue box has linkable tissues that are also fun for peekaboo and mouthing.

sliding top box

Sliding Top Box

Build strength, hand-eye coordination and problem solving skils with this surprising box.

xylophone pounding toy

Music Pounding Toy

Multifunctional musical instrument and pounding toy in one!

stem building toys tubes

Tube Building Toys

These tube building toys can be turned into different shapes, cars, animals, etc.

rainbow pebbles

Rainbow Pebbles

Sort them, stack them, and turn them into the pictures feautred in the included activity cards.

alphabet dinosaur puzzle

Wooden Dinosaur Alphabet Puzzle

Build a dinosaur while working on alphabet fluency!

disney princess make up kit

Pretend Make Up Kit

This is a princess themed pretend play make up kit.

magnetic wooden cutting and cooking toy wooden food pretend play set

Wooden Food

This set of wooden food is “sliceable” and reattaches with magnets.

doctor's kit pretend play

Doctor’s Kit

This pretend play doctor’s kit is a fun set of wooden pieces including a real stethoscope. 

Toy Rotation Puzzle Display Hack!

The best way to display puzzles during toy rotations is with a plate stand! The puzzles are much more visible and inviting to play with.

If they are big enough, you can also try to prop them up against the back wall, but the wire plate stand is a much more secure option. 

You can also display books in it as well!

how to display puzzles in the playroom

What’s Next?

Sensory Bags for Babies – Helpful Tummy Time Distractions

Sensory Bags for Babies – Helpful Tummy Time Distractions

Sensory Bags for Babies – Helpful Tummy Time Distractions!

These sensory bags for babies are so easy to make and are such a great distraction during tummy time. Here are 4 ways you can make them!

These sensory bags for babies are so easy to make and are such a great tool to use during tummy time. Here are 4 ways you can make them! 

Benefits of Sensory Bags for Babies

Even babies can enjoy sensory play! Not only are these sensory bags for babies a fun distraction during that critical tummy time, but sensory play in general, is so beneficial for baby! This type of sensory play can help build neural connections in the brain as those young hands explore new textures, colors, and sounds.

They will also strengthen hand-eye coordination, and generally, are great for baby’s rapidly developing vision.

Tummy time will be a success as they will be so curious to see and try to feel what’s inside the bags!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

 

 

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

Watch How to Make Sensory Bags for Babies

In this quick video, you’ll see how easy it is to make sensory bags for babies.

The 4 bags I created were all based on items I had in my home, which included a bag filled up with cheap hair gel and googly eyes, one filled with water beads, another one filled with oil, water, and food coloring; and finally, one filled up with leftover wrappers that made a crinkly sound! 

For more baby activities, visit our comprehensive list of ideas.

Watch How to Make Sensory Bags for Babies

In this quick video, you’ll see how easy it is to make sensory bags for babies.

The 4 bags I created were all based on items I had in my home, which included a bag filled up with cheap hair gel and googly eyes, one filled with water beads, another one filled with oil, water, and food coloring; and finally, one filled up with leftover wrappers that made a crinkly sound! 

For more baby activities, visit our comprehensive list of ideas.

These sensory bags for babies are so easy to make and are such a great distraction during tummy time. Here are 4 ways you can make them!

Tips for Setting Up This Activity

Use What You’ve Got! As mentioned above, these sensory bags for babies were made of items I found around the house (including granola bar wrapper trash!). They do not need to be fancy, so feel free to adapt them based on what is available! Water, oil, shaving cream, water beads, hair gel, rainbow rice, paint – anything that makes a great sensory base will work well in a sensory bag!

Seal and Secure with Tape. For using sensory bags during tummy time, you’ll not only want to tape the plastic bags to the floor, but you’ll also want to first seal the zipper edge of the plastic bag with tape to prevent any spillage! Use an easy to remove masking tape for the floor, and something more strong like gorilla tape for sealing bags shut.

Make the Bag Label-Free. Both acetone, aka nail polish remover, and rubbing alcohol will remove the white label found on most plastic bags!

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

Remove the label on plastic bags using nail polish remover.

Step 2

Fill up your sensory bags with different sensory materials including water beads or crinkly leftover granola wrappers! You can also fill one up with oil, water and food coloring. Or you could fill one up with cheap hair gel and something like googly eyes!

 

Step 3

Seal the bags shut with strong tape. This is especially important when using liquids. Plastic bag’s built in zipper are not fool proof and are prone to breaking, so this will help prevent a clean up headache!

Step 4

Tape the sensory bags to the ground so that baby can enjoy looking at them and touching them during tummy time without the bags sliding around!

Step 1

Remove the label on plastic bags using nail polish remover.

Step 2

Fill up your sensory bags with different sensory materials including water beads or crinkly leftover granola wrappers! You can also fill one up with oil, water and food coloring. Or you could fill one up with cheap hair gel and something like googly eyes!

Step 3

Seal the bags shut with strong tape. This is especially important when using liquids. Plastic bag’s built in zipper are not fool proof and are prone to breaking, so this will help prevent a clean up headache!

Step 4

Tape the sensory bags to the ground so that baby can enjoy looking at them and touching them during tummy time without the bags sliding around!

Get FREE Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

Need more fun things to do with baby? This free printable set of black and white cards for babies includes 12 different high contrast images. Plus, tape them together to make them stand up on their own – perfect for tummy time!

Make sure that you are allowing your baby to view them at a close distance. Remember, everything gets very blurry after 12-15 inches away from them! 

And for even more printable activities, visit our Printable Shop. It is filled with easy to set-up activities that help strengthen early childhood education skills!

These sensory bags for babies are so easy to make and are such a great distraction during tummy time. Here are 4 ways you can make them!
These sensory bags for babies are so easy to make and are such a great distraction during tummy time. Here are 4 ways you can make them!

Get FREE Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

Need more fun things to do with baby? This free printable set of black and white cards for babies includes 12 different high contrast images. Plus, tape them together to make them stand up on their own – perfect for tummy time!

Make sure that you are allowing your baby to view them at a close distance. Remember, everything gets very blurry after 12-15 inches away from them! 

And for even more printable activities, visit our Printable Shop. It is filled with easy to set-up activities that help strengthen early childhood education skills!

Top Baby Toy Picks

Here are a few of our top picks for toys that are great for baby development!

black and white baby activities

Play Gym

This item is the ultimate play gym for babies with multi-sensory areas, 3 rattles, and lots of black and white cards!

black and white baby activities

Crinkle Activity Book

This black and white activity book includes a mirror as well as black and white images that prop up easily.

sensory play for babies

Tummy Time Splash-Free Mat

This mess-free aquatic themed water mat is great for tummy time and strengthening baby’s neck and shoulders! 

baby toy ball

Baby’s 1st Ball

This easy to grasp ball is perfect for young babies just learning how to hold objects and later transfer them from hand to hand.

What’s Next?

DIY Baby Toy – How to Make Sensory Wrist Bands

DIY Baby Toy – How to Make Sensory Wrist Bands

DIY Baby Toy – How to Make Sensory Wrist Rattles

diy baby toy how to make black and white wrist rattles

This DIY baby toy is so easy to make! Babies will enjoy exploring the high contrast colors and jingly sounds of these homemade rattles that can be placed on their wrists or feet! 

Benefits of this DIY Baby Toy

Around 2 months, babies begin to discover their hands. This DIY baby toy is a great way for babies to continue to explore those hands and develop their strength through sound and high contrast colors! With bells enclosed inside the felt band, they can hear rattling. Plus, the high contrast colors of the white band with the black jumbo pom poms is great for vision development in babies.

The wrist bands attach with velcro making them easy to put on and off by adults, but not easy for babies to take off! So they perfect for bringing on-the-go because they are secure and won’t be easily lost!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

 

 

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

Watch How to Make This DIY Baby Toy

In this quick video, you’ll see how easy this DIY baby toy is to make!

We attached them to the wrist, but you could make them for the feet too! I used high contrast colors because they are great for younger babies, but you could also use other more vibrant colors especially for older babies whose vision is more developed.

For more baby activities, visit our comprehensive list of ideas

Watch How to Make This DIY Baby Toy

In this quick video, you’ll see how easy this DIY baby toy is to make!

We attached them to the wrist, but you could make them for the feet too! I used high contrast colors because they are great for younger babies, but you could also use other more vibrant colors especially for older babies whose vision is more developed.

For more baby activities, visit our comprehensive list of ideas

diy baby toy how to make black and white wrist rattles

Tips for Setting Up This Activity

Extra Large Pom Poms. As babies develop their hand control, they usually bring them straight to their mouths. This is why using extra large pom poms, 1.75 inches and larger, is important to avoid any concerns for choking hazards.

Parts Need to Be Secured. The bells inside the velcro straps need to be firmly secured as they are small parts and it would be very dangerous if they were to get loose. Therefore, strong glue must be used or, alternatively, the pieces can be sewed together. Either way, supervision is required at all times.

Wake Windows. A wake window is that short time in between feeding and sleeping (or being changed!). Between 0-12 weeks wake windows can be between 60-75 minutes and up to 2 hours by 4 months. During this time, babies will benefit greatly from activities like this that not only stimulate their bodies, but their brains too. Be sure to grab these moments during the wake windows or else baby may get tired and cranky and may not want to play!

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

Firmly secure bells onto a strip of felt.

Step 2

Glue another strip of felt on top to enclose the bells.

 

Step 3

Glue extra large pom poms onto the felt band.

Step 4

Use velcro stickers on the ends so that the band can open and close around baby’s wrist.

Step 1

Firmly secure bells onto a strip of felt.

Step 2

Glue another strip of felt on top to enclose the bells.

Step 3

Glue extra large pom poms onto the felt band.

Step 4

Use velcro stickers on the ends so that the band can open and close around baby’s wrist.

Get FREE Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

Need more fun things to do with baby? This free printable set of black and white cards for babies includes 12 different high contrast images. Plus, tape them together to make them stand up on their own – perfect for tummy time!

Make sure that you are allowing your baby to view them at a close distance. Remember, everything gets very blurry after 12-15 inches away from them! 

And for even more printable activities, visit our Printable Shop. It is filled with easy to set-up activities that help strengthen early childhood education skills!

black and white high contrast stimulation cards for babies newborns free printable
black and white high contrast stimulation cards for babies newborns free printable

Get FREE Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

Need more fun things to do with baby? This free printable set of black and white cards for babies includes 12 different high contrast images. Plus, tape them together to make them stand up on their own – perfect for tummy time!

Make sure that you are allowing your baby to view them at a close distance. Remember, everything gets very blurry after 12-15 inches away from them! 

And for even more printable activities, visit our Printable Shop. It is filled with easy to set-up activities that help strengthen early childhood education skills!

More High Contrast Activities

Here are my top picks for more ways babies can play with black and white!

black and white baby activities

Play Gym

This item is the ultimate play gym for babies with multi-sensory areas, 3 rattles, and lots of black and white cards!

black and white baby activities

Crinkle Activity Book

This black and white activity book includes a mirror as well as black and white images that prop up easily.

black and white baby activities

Take Along Mobile

This mobile has black and white colors, calming music, and an adjustable arm that can fit many different environments.

black and white baby activities

Rattles

This set of plush rattles have an animal design, black and white patterns, crinkly paper, and other sounds that are perfect for babies.

What’s Next?

What to Put in Diaper Caddy? List of 11 Helpful Items!

What to Put in Diaper Caddy? List of 11 Helpful Items!

What to Put in Diaper Caddy? List of 11 Helpful Items!

what to put in diaper caddy essential list ideas

Do you need some ideas of what to put in a diaper caddy? Keep on reading to see my list of 11 helpful items to include inside!

Wondering what to put in a diaper caddy?

Perhaps you are a parent-to-be or a new parent and want to be prepared on what to have in your diaper caddy. Or perhaps you simply are fed up with running all over the house looking for supplies!

Well, let me help you out! I’ve put together a handy list to make your life a little more convenient and easy! This list includes +10 things you may want to have in your diaper basket for when doodie calls (plus other baby-care moments with your little one)!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Watch to See What to Put in a Diaper Caddy

In this quick video you’ll see all the items I like to include in my diaper caddy!

Keep on reading to get the full list below and where to get them!

Plus, also check out the adorable moveable diaper caddy and diaper changing basket!

 

Watch to See What to Put in a Diaper Caddy

In this quick video you’ll see all the items I like to include in my diaper basket!

Keep on reading to get the full list below and where to get them!

Plus, also check out the adorable moveable diaper caddy and diaper changing basket!

List of What to Put in a Diaper Caddy

Here are all the details for the items to include in a diaper caddy and where to get them!

what to put in diaper caddy essential list ideas

Diapers

It goes without saying that diapers are an essential part of a diaper caddy!

what to put in diaper caddy essential list ideas

Baby Wipes

Along with diapers, this is another essential item that goes without saying!

what to put in diaper caddy essential list ideas

Diaper Rash Cream

For everyday use, this brand of aquaphor is our go-to! If a bad diaper rash develops, Triple Paste is a life saver!

what to put in diaper caddy essential list ideas

Moisturizer

This is our top pick for a moisturizer for babies whether they have eczema or not!

what to put in diaper caddy essential list ideas

Gas Reliever

While this is not an essential item, it is a natural and efficeint way to relieve fussy babies. whomay have gas!

black and white high contrast stimulation cards for babies newborns free printable

Black and White Cards or a Toy

Something to entertain baby! For newborns and young babies, grab our free printable black and white cards!

Nose Picker

But it doesn’t just pick hard to get boogers. It is a great tool for cleaning nails, ears, belly button, and beyond! 

Nail Clipper

This baby nail clipper also has a magnifier for those who need some extra help seeing those little nails!

what to put in diaper caddy essential list ideas

Thermometer

This no-touch forehead thermometer makes taking temperatures fast and easy!

what to put in diaper caddy essential list ideas

Hand Sanitzer

A reminder for parents to wash up after every diaper cleaning or booger picking!

what to put in diaper caddy essential list ideas

Pacifier or Other Soother

For a baby that is fussy, have a pacifier or other type of soother available!

what to put in diaper caddy essential list ideas

Diaper Caddy

Of course, we need a caddy to organize everything! I personally love this woven, sectioned moveable basket!

What’s Next?

Life Skill Activity for Toddlers – DIY Zipper Board

Life Skill Activity for Toddlers – DIY Zipper Board

Life Skill Activity for Toddlers – DIY Zipper Board

girl playing with diy zipper board

This DIY zipper board is an easy-to-make life skill activity for toddlers. It’s such a fun way for kids to learn how to zip up and down! Keep on reading to find the simple instructions on how to make one yourself!

A Life Skill Activity for Learning How to Zip and Unzip

Life skills are exactly what they sound like – skills that we will use throughout the course of our life! There are a lot of life skills that kids can start practicing at an early age – zipping, buttoning, cutting, washing, brushing – to name a few!

And this zipper board has the zipping and unzipping category covered! 

Learning practical life skills like this at an early age not only allow kids to be independent, but can also provide grown ups relief by allowing their kids the opportunity to learn to dress themselves!

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

Watch this Life Skill Activity in Action!

There are loads of sensory boards and books you can buy (and I have some really good recommendations for them below!). But there are also easy life skill activities like this that we can make ourselves!

In this video, you’ll see how much fun my 1 year old and 3 year old had practicing the skill of zipping this colorful board over and over again! It is one of those DIY items that made it’s rotation in our play room just as much as a store bought toy!

Watch this Life Skill Activity in Action!

There are loads of sensory boards and books you can buy (and I have some really good recommendations for them below!). But there are also easy life skill activities like this that we can make ourselves!

In this video, you’ll see how much fun my 1 year old and 3 year old had practicing the skill of zipping this colorful board over and over again! It is one of those DIY items that made it’s rotation in our play room just as much as a store bought toy!

girl playing with diy zipper board

Tips for Creating This DIY Zipper Board

Colorful Set of Zippers. It is not necessary at all to have all of these colors, however it is a great opportunity to talk about colors during the activity to build on language development and vocabulary!

Glue. When gluing down the zippers make sure you keep the glue as far away as possible to the zipper itself. If it gets inside the zipper, it will be really tricky to zip it up and down without it getting stuck in the dried glue!

Cardboard. This is definitely a fun activity to save cardboard for! Cardboard is such a great DIY resource for kids activities since it is durable and basically free (if you get as many packages as we do!).

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

 

Materials

    Step-by-Step Instructions 

    Step 1

    Get a piece of cardboard that is square in size and large enough to hold multiple zippers. 

    Step 2

    Apply hot glue to the material on the side of the zippers making sure to leave plenty of space from the zippers themselves. 

    Step 3

    Let the glue dry completely, and that’s it! 

    Step 1

    Get a piece of cardboard that is square in size and large enough to hold multiple zippers. 

    Step 2

    Apply hot glue to the material on the side of the zippers making sure to leave plenty of space from the zippers themselves. 

    Step 3

    Let the glue dry completely, and that’s it! 

    More Ways to Strengthen Fine Motor Skills

    The greatest benefit of creating this zipper board is strengthening the muscles and coordination in the hands in fingers to move the zipper up and down. In other words, strengthening fine motor skills!

    When your kiddo is ready, cutting activities are another great way to practice this skill! This free printable haircutting activity is so much fun and will allow your kiddos to strengthen their fine motor skills while also learning the practical life skill of cutting!

    For more fine motor skills activities, visit our comprehensive list!

    scissor skill printable fun haircut worksheet for preschoolers and toddlers learning how to cut and strengthen fine motor skills
    scissor skill printable fun haircut worksheet for preschoolers and toddlers learning how to cut and strengthen fine motor skills

    More Ways to Strengthen Fine Motor Skills

    The greatest benefit of creating this zipper board is strengthening the muscles and coordination in the hands in fingers to move the zipper up and down. In other words, strengthening fine motor skills!

    When your kiddo is ready, cutting activities are another great way to practice this skill! This free printable haircutting activity is so much fun and will allow your kiddos to strengthen their fine motor skills while also learning the practical life skill of cutting!

    For more fine motor skills activities, visit our comprehensive list!

    Top Picks for Strengthening Practical Life Skills

    Here are some great gifts for continuing to strengthen practical life skills!

    fabric busy book fine motor skills practical life skills

    Fabric Busy Book

    This high quality fabric busy book is jam packed with practical life and fine motor skill activities! From dressing, to tying, buckling, and beyond!

    wooden sensory bin tools that are great for fine motor skills through play

    Sensory Bowls and Tools

    Scooping, pouring, and transferring are all important practice life skills! This set of wooden bowls, scoops, and a tong are great for sensory play!

    practical life skill construction toy screw driver board

    Screw Driver Board

    This car shaped screw driver board is a fun way for kids to learn how to screw and thread real life objects while using real life tools!

    practical life skills busy board book fine motor skills

    Activity Board

    This alligator shaped busy board will help young kids learn even more practical life skills. It is lightweight and folds into a book for easy carrying on the go!

    What’s Next?

    Baby Hand and Footprints – Tips and Tricks to Get Good Prints!

    Baby Hand and Footprints – Tips and Tricks to Get Good Prints!

    Baby Hand and Footprints – Tips and Tricks to Get Good Prints!

    Baby Hand and Footprint Tips and Tricks

    Getting baby hand and footprints can be tricky! These simple tips and tricks can make the process a whole lot easier! Keep on reading to find out!

    Baby Hand and Footprints Make the Perfect Keepsakes!

    There is no denying that kids grow up so fast! One way to freeze time is by making hand and footprints. During my babies first year of life, I try my best to get hands and footprints every single month because it is incredible to see how fast they grow! After the first year, I get their hands and footprints every birthday.

    Plus, handprints and footprints make the perfect gifts and keepsakes. You can include them in a card, or use them in a piece of artwork as well!

    All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

     

    Skills: Early Math

    Ages: 2 Years +

    Prep Time: 20 Minutes

    Mess-Free Ink Pads versus Large Washable Ink Pads

    In this video, I test out mess-free ink pads for babies and compare them to the large washable stamp pads.

    There are definitely pros and cons to each of those that I further explain below! 

    Alternatively, you can always use regular washable paint, though this technique is the most messy!

    Mess-Free Ink Pads versus Large Washable Ink Pads

    In this video, I test out mess-free ink pads for babies and compare them to the large washable stamp pads.

    There are definitely pros and cons to each of those that I further explain below! 

    Alternatively, you can always use regular washable paint, though this technique is the most messy!

    mess free stamp pads Baby Hand and Footprint Tips and Tricks

    Baby Hand and Footprints Using Mess-Free Ink Pad Technique

    These mess-free ink pads are a great choice for infants and babies. Baby is able to place the hand or foot down on top of a non-ink side, thereby transferring the ink onto a piece of paper without getting any ink on themselves!

    I found a set that comes in lots of different colors, not just the jet black one that you may have seen before or that hospitals often use.

    No doubt, there is a big benefit in this being mess-free, but there are a few cons. First, these pads are small and won’t be usable for older kids. Second, the number of uses is extremely limited. I was able to get 2-3 prints only from each ink pad.

     

    Baby Hand and Footprints Using the Large Stamp Pad Technique

    These large stamp pads do require getting ink on the skin, but they solve the big cons associated with using the mess-free ink pads.

    They are much larger and can be used by kids of all ages, even adults too! They also have a much longer life-span with lots of ink to create one handprint or footprint after another!

    And while they are not contact-less, they are non-toxic and easily washable.

    In addition to the two ink/stamp pads described below, you can also use regular old washable paint! It will do the trick just fine, even if it is a little bit messy!

    stamp pads Baby Hand and Footprint Tips and Tricks

    More Tips to Getting the Perfect Baby Hand and Footprints 

    Clipboard. Use a clipboard, hard cover book, or another hard surface when making prints! Just using a paper is too flimsy and may result in not so perfect prints!

    Heel to Toe. When making footprints, gently hold baby’s foot by the ankle and guide it from heel to toe onto the paper. The foot should open up and give you a nice print!

    Open Hand. Getting an open hand from an awake baby can be really tricky! With that in mind, try to grab baby’s handprints while they are sleeping. If that’s not possible, make sure baby is happy and fed, and gently add pressure at the top of the wrist before placing the hand onto the paper. This will often open the palm for optimum placement!

    simple subtraction free printable activity for kids

    Create artwork with those precious prints! Pictured, is a fun project I did with my daughter after getting her footprints every month for her first year. You can also create lots of fun images out of handprints like this dinosaur, bee, and spider art projects!

    Baby Hand and Footprint Tips and Tricks

    More Tips to Getting the Perfect Baby Hand and Footprints 

    Clipboard. Use a clipboard, hard cover book, or another hard surface when making prints! Just using a paper is too flimsy and may result in not so perfect prints!

    Heel to Toe. When making footprints, gently hold baby’s foot by the ankle and guide it from heel to toe onto the paper. The foot should open up and give you a nice print!

    Open Hand. Getting an open hand from an awake baby can be really tricky! With that in mind, try to grab baby’s handprints while they are sleeping. If that’s not possible, make sure baby is happy and fed, and gently add pressure at the top of the wrist before placing the hand onto the paper. This will often open the palm for optimum placement!

    Create artwork with those precious prints! Pictured, is a fun project I did with my daughter after getting her footprints every month for her first year. You can also create lots of fun images out of handprints like this dinosaur, bee, and spider art projects!

     

    More Ways to Create Baby Hand and Footprints

    Here are some beautiful ways to capture baby’s hands and feet while they are still little!

    Baby Hand And Footprint Kit 

    This kit comes with everything you need, including the cute rustic frame. 

     

    Baby Hand and Feet Casting

    A beautiful way to capture those tiny hands and feet! This kit includes mold material, plaster, and detailed instructions!

    clay handprint bowls footprint keepsakes

    Handprint Clay Bowls

    This set includes 38 polymer clay blocks in 12 different colors. It can make 3-6 handprint bowls.

     

    Baby Ornament Keepsake

    This kit comes with everything you need to create a lovely clay casting of your baby’s hand or footprint. 

    What’s Next?

    Aladdin Party Idea – How to Make a Themed Play Dough Kit

    Aladdin Party Idea – How to Make a Themed Play Dough Kit

    Aladdin Party Idea – How to Make a Themed Play Dough Kit

    aladdin party idea play dough kit sensory play

    This Aladdin party idea will be a hit with the kids! It is such a fun activity to play with and also makes a great homemade gift! Keep on reading to find out how to make your own play dough and where to find all the items to include in the kit!

    Unique Activity Makes a Great Aladdin Party Idea

    Does your little one love all things Aladdin? Whether you are looking for Aladdin party ideas or gift ideas, this kit is an awesome thing to include!

    One of my go-to activities for kids at parties is to have a play dough station with several colors of play dough and loose parts to spark their imaginations. It is so much fun to create a kit based on a party theme and this one, with the colorful gems and gold nuggets, did not disappoint!

    This activity must be supervised. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

    Skills:
    Ages: 
    Prep Time:

    How To Make Play Dough

    In this video you’ll see our favorite play dough recipe! It comes out so silky and smooth. You can use food coloring to make any color you’d like as well.

    We use this play dough recipe in all of our play dough kits. It can last for several months, up to 6 months if stored properly!

    For all the details on how you can make play dough, I’ve explained the step by step instructions and other tips for making the perfect batch.

    How To Make Play Dough

    In this video you’ll see our favorite play dough recipe! It comes out so silky and smooth. You can use food coloring to make any color you’d like as well.

    We use this play dough recipe in all of our play dough kits. It can last for several months, up to 6 months if stored properly!

    For all the details on how you can make play dough, I’ve explained the step by step instructions and other tips for making the perfect batch.

    aladdin party idea play dough kit sensory play

    How to Assemble This Aladdin Party Idea

    There is always a benefit to making play dough kits! We have made lots of different themes including ocean, cupcake, Frozen, and insect, to name a few! Here is my handy list of items to think about including when assembling kits of any theme. Plus, keep reading for the specific items I included in this kit!

     

    Materials

    Step-by-Step Instructions 

    Step 1

    Start by making the homemade play dough. Don’t forget the coloring to make the play dough fun and different colors. 

    Step 2

    Let the cooked play dough cool down, and then the play dough will be ready to add to the kit. 

    Step 3

    Load the container up with all the decorative pieces, and it’s ready to go! 

     

    Step 1

    Start by making the homemade play dough. Don’t forget the coloring to make the play dough fun and different colors. 

    Step 2

    Let the cooked play dough cool down, and then the play dough will be ready to add to the kit. 

    Step 3

    Load the container up with all the decorative pieces, and it’s ready to go! 

    Benefits of Creating a Play Dough Kit

    Playing with play dough in general, is such a fantastic way to strengthen fine motor skills and provide a rich sensory experience.

    I love that these play dough kits are a great way to keep everything neat in one simple storage case. This teaches the kids the importance of picking up after themselves, too, and keeps it all compiled in one easy and accessible location. 

    The kits allow the kids to stay focused, be creative, and use their imaginations all at once. As a mom who is always busy, this is such a great bonus to have these kits on hand! When the kids need activity, they have their kits to turn to!

    aladdin party idea play dough kit sensory play

    For more fun sensory play activities, check out our comprehensive list!

    aladdin party idea play dough kit sensory play

    Benefits of Creating a Play Dough Kit

    Playing with play dough in general, is such a fantastic way to strengthen fine motor skills and provide a rich sensory experience.

    I love that these play dough kits are a great way to keep everything neat in one simple storage case. This teaches the kids the importance of picking up after themselves, too, and keeps it all compiled in one easy and accessible location. 

    The kits allow the kids to stay focused, be creative, and use their imaginations all at once. As a mom who is always busy, this is such a great bonus to have these kits on hand! When the kids need activity, they have their kits to turn to!

    For more fun sensory play activities, check out our comprehensive list!

    More Sensory Bases to Explore

    Here are my top picks for different types of sensory bases.

    sensory sand play for kids

    Sensory Sand

    Sensory sand is moldable! This bulk pack comes with enough to fill an entire bin for lasting fun! Bonus points for including a storage bin!

    mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

    Modelling Dough

    This modelling dough compound NEVER dries out! It is a fun texture – it is stretchy like play dough, moldable like kinetic sand, and odorless.

    play dough wild dough sensory

    Premium Play Dough

    This play dough is the cream of the crop! It is ridiculously silky and smooth, lasts for 6 months, and is scented!

    slime kit sensory play for kids

    The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

    This kit includes 8 fascinating varieties of slime and putty, including premade putty, magnetic slime, glow in the dark putty, and so much more.

    What’s Next?

    Activity for Toddlers – Colorful Taste Safe Sensory Play With Cereal

    Activity for Toddlers – Colorful Taste Safe Sensory Play With Cereal

    Activity for Toddlers – Colorful Taste Safe Sensory Play With Cereal

    activity for toddlers colorful taste safe cereal sensory bin

    This activity for toddlers is a colorful way to use stale cereal for sensory play that is also taste safe! Keep on reading to find out how easy this is to set up! 

    A Taste Safe Activity for Toddlers

    This activity is not about eating the cereal! Taste-safe and edible play are not synonymous. We prefer not to do edible play because to avoid the confusion of what sensory bases are safe to eat versus not safe to eat. I want my kiddos to assume that all sensory bases are not meant to be put in the mouth! 

    Therefore, this activity is taste-safe. Allowing a toddler to explore the sensory bases while learning not to put it in their mouth. Of course, if a toddler were to eat some, grown ups will know that it will not be harmful!

    All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

    Skills:
    Ages: 
    Prep Time:

    How to Make This Activity for Toddlers

    Watch this short video to see how easy it is to make stale cereal colorful. I want to emphasize to use stale cereal because there is no use in wasting good cereal you can eat! However, if you have cereal that would otherwise go in the trash bin, always think about how you could use it for sensory play first!

    My daughter, two years old at the time, had so much fun scooping and pouring and mixing it all up!

    How to Make This Activity for Toddlers

    Watch this short video to see how easy it is to make stale cereal colorful. I want to emphasize to use stale cereal because there is no use in wasting good cereal you can eat! However, if you have cereal that would otherwise go in the trash bin, always think about how you could use it for sensory play first!

    My daughter, two years old at the time, had so much fun scooping and pouring and mixing it all up!

    activity for toddlers colorful taste safe cereal sensory bin

    Tips for Setting Up This Activity for Toddlers

    Bowls and Spoons. Make sure to include them in the set up! They are perfect tools for young kids to learn the practical life skill of scooping, pouring, and transferring!

    Keep it stale! As mentioned above, we don’t want to encourage playing with good food that can be eaten. Instead, this is about utilizing stale cereal that would otherwise hit the trash bin!

    Food Coloring. We used a gel-based food coloring as it spreads a bit more evenly. The water-based food coloring is likely to absorb too quickly into the cereal and not spread as well. Also, be sure to let the cereal dry before playing with it to avoid the color transferring to the skin. However, if it does, wash hands with baking soda as this has been an effective way to remove stains on skin.

    Materials

    Step-by-Step Instructions 

    Step 1

    In a sealed container, add 1/2 cup of cereal. We used Cheerios. Add a squirt of gel based food coloring. (It may help to squirt it to the side of the container, not directly on the cereal itself.)

    Step 2

    Seal the container and shake, shake, shake! Once the color is spread throughout, lay the cereal out to dry for an hour to minimize the color from transferring. Repeat for each color.

    Step 1

    In a sealed container, add 1/2 cup of cereal. We used Cheerios. Add a squirt of gel based food coloring. (It may help to squirt it to the side of the container, not directly on the cereal itself.)

    Step 2

    Seal the container and shake, shake, shake! Once the color is spread throughout, lay the cereal out to dry for an hour to minimize the color from transferring. Repeat for each color.

    .

    The Importance of Sensory Play 

    It’s important to teach kids sensory play because it teaches them to learn with their bodies’ various senses. 

    This also teaches them colors as well as lets them feel the shapes of the cereal and hold the various colors with their hands. 

    Teach them the importance of not putting things in their mouth without understanding that it’s safe to do so as well. 

    This is one fun colorful activity that is perfect for toddlers and younger learners.

    activity for toddlers colorful taste safe cereal sensory bin
    activity for toddlers colorful taste safe cereal sensory bin

    The Importance of Sensory Play 

    It’s important to teach kids sensory play because it teaches them to learn with their bodies’ various senses. 

    This also teaches them colors as well as lets them feel the shapes of the cereal and hold the various colors with their hands. 

    Teach them the importance of not putting things in their mouth without understanding that it’s safe to do so as well. 

    This is one fun colorful activity that is perfect for toddlers and younger learners.

     

    More Sensory Bases to Explore

    Beyond this taste-safe cereal activity for toddlers. Here are some more sensory bases to explore!

    slime kit sensory play for kids

    The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

    This kit includes 8 fascinating varieties of slime and putty, including premade putty, magnetic slime, glow in the dark putty, and so much more.

    sensory sand play for kids

    Sensory Sand

    Sensory sand is moldable! This bulk pack comes with enough to fill an entire bin for lasting fun! Bonus points for including a storage bin!

    mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

    Modelling Dough

    This modelling dough compound NEVER dries out! It is a fun texture – it is stretchy like play dough, moldable like kinetic sand, and odorless.

    play dough wild dough sensory

    Premium Play Dough

    This play dough is the cream of the crop! It is ridiculously silky and smooth, lasts for 6 months, and is scented!

    What’s Next?

    Peppa Pig Activity – Make This Adorable Play Dough Kit

    Peppa Pig Activity – Make This Adorable Play Dough Kit

    Peppa Pig Activity – Make This Adorable Play Dough Kit

    peppa pig activity for kids play dough kit sensory

    Looking for a Peppa Pig activity? This DIY play dough kit is adorable, so easy to make, and can be played with time and time again! 

    The kids had a blast with the theme, and I could tell that their imagination was already working in overdrive from the moment that we started. When it comes to sensory fun and learning, you can’t go wrong with play dough kits.

    Endless Hours of Imagination with Play Dough Kits

    This Peppa Pig Activity, and play dough kits in general are one of those creations that are a win-win for everyone. Not only do they help to contain the mess, but they also keep everything together in one easy space so that the kids can open the lid and start to play. 

    This activity must be supervised. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

    Skills:
    Ages: 
    Prep Time:

    How To Make a Homemade Play Dough 

    Once you get started in making this simple kit, you’re going to love the process. It’s fun and easy to do, and all you need are a few easy supplies to get started. 

    Keep in mind that these are not only handy to have in the house for play time for the kids, but they’re great to gift to others, too. These make perfect birthday gifts or even fun take-home gifts for kids that maybe attended a birthday party at your house.

    How To Make a Homemade Play Dough 

    Once you get started in making this simple kit, you’re going to love the process. It’s fun and easy to do, and all you need are a few easy supplies to get started. 

    Keep in mind that these are not only handy to have in the house for play time for the kids, but they’re great to gift to others, too. These make perfect birthday gifts or even fun take-home gifts for kids that maybe attended a birthday party at your house.

    peppa pig activity for kids play dough kit sensory

    How to Assemble This Peppa Pig Activity Kit 

    In addition to this Peppa Pig activity, we have made so many other play dough kits – from ocean, to cupcake, to Frozen, and insect themed to name a few. 

    I know that it’s important to keep the supplies on hand to make the kits, and I try to do that always! The following are what I think is important to have on hand to create play dough kits for the kids.

    Materials

    Step-by-Step Instructions 

    Step 1

    Create the homemade play dough and have the kids help decide the colors that they want to make it. We chose green for grass, brown for muddy puddles, and pink for the pig’s colored skin.

    Step 2

    Once the play dough has been made, make sure to let it cool down all the way and then store it in the container. 

    Step 3

    Put the rest of the play dough kit items inside, and you’re good to go! 

     

    Step 1

    Create the homemade play dough and have the kids help decide the colors that they want to make it. We chose green for grass, brown for muddy puddles, and pink for the pig’s colored skin.

    Step 2

    Once the play dough has been made, make sure to let it cool down all the way and then store it in the container. 

    Step 3

    Put the rest of the play dough kit items inside, and you’re good to go! 

    Beyond Just a Peppa Pig Activity

    Playing with play dough is so much more than just having playtime at home. The kids will use their hand muscles and dexterity to stretch and mold the play dough to create fun and new things.

    This is great for sensory play and development and a simple way to have them think outside the box for creativity as well. Encourage independent playtime with play dough, too, as a fun way to work on that skill as well!

    For more fun sensory play activities, check out our comprehensive list!

    peppa pig activity for kids play dough kit sensory
    peppa pig activity for kids play dough kit sensory

    Beyond Just a Peppa Pig Activity

    Playing with play dough is so much more than just having playtime at home. The kids will use their hand muscles and dexterity to stretch and mold the play dough to create fun and new things.

    This is great for sensory play and development and a simple way to have them think outside the box for creativity as well. Encourage independent playtime with play dough, too, as a fun way to work on that skill as well!

    For more fun sensory play activities, check out our comprehensive list!

    More Sensory Bases to Explore

    If your kiddo loved this Peppa Pig activity, here are my top picks for different types of sensory bases.

    sensory sand play for kids

    Sensory Sand

    Sensory sand is moldable! This bulk pack comes with enough to fill an entire bin for lasting fun! Bonus points for including a storage bin!

    mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

    Modelling Dough

    This modelling dough compound NEVER dries out! It is a fun texture – it is stretchy like play dough, moldable like kinetic sand, and odorless.

    play dough wild dough sensory

    Premium Play Dough

    This play dough is the cream of the crop! It is ridiculously silky and smooth, lasts for 6 months, and is scented!

    slime kit sensory play for kids

    The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

    This kit includes 8 fascinating varieties of slime and putty, including premade putty, magnetic slime, glow in the dark putty, and so much more.

    What’s Next?

    Toddler Fun – Cut Paper Tubes to Strengthen Hand Eye Coordination

    Toddler Fun – Cut Paper Tubes to Strengthen Hand Eye Coordination

    Toddler Fun – Cut Paper Tubes to Strengthen Hand Eye Coordination

    toddler fun activity paper tube recycled hand eye coordination stacker

    This stacking game made out of recycled paper tubes is toddler fun at its best! Super easy to set up and great for hand-eye coordination! 

    Lots of Toddler Fun with This Paper Tube Stacker

    Are you ready to see how simple it is to make toddler fun learning activities at home? The best part is that you don’t need a ton of supplies to make this happen. In fact, the next time that you use up all your paper towels, you’re just about ready to use them as a stacking activity. 

    You can easily spend money on a stacker toy at the store but why would you when you can make one cheaply at home? It’s also a fun way to have older kids be involved in the creation process, too! They’ll be so proud that they helped make this!

    This activity must be supervised. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

    Skills:
    Ages: 
    Prep Time:

    Toddler Fun in Action!

    Watch this video to see how much fun my toddler is having with this DIY stacking toy made out of paper tubes!

    She is having such a good time stacking, and it is wonderful to see her working on her fine motor skills and hand eye coordination!

    This is such a simple way to have fun, use what you’ve got in terms of materials, and strengthen some skills in the process!

    Toddler Fun in Action!

    Watch this video to see how much fun my toddler is having with this DIY stacking toy made out of paper tubes!

    She is having such a good time stacking, and it is wonderful to see her working on her fine motor skills and hand eye coordination!

    This is such a simple way to have fun, use what you’ve got in terms of materials, and strengthen some skills in the process!

    toddler fun activity paper tube recycled hand eye coordination stacker

    Tips for This Toddler Fun DIY Stacking Toy

    Save all your paper tubes! These cardboard tubes are sturdy and such a great, free craft and play resource! So next time you finish a roll of paper towels, set it aside!

    Cut it up! Big kids can work on their scissor skills by cutting up the pieces of cardboard. We made them about 2 inches wide, but you can mix it up based on your preference!

    Make them colorful! A quick and fast way for adults to make paper towel tubes colorful is with spray paint. However, you can get the kids involved instead with non toxic paints and paint sticks!

    Grab your paper towel holder! Borrowing a paper towel holder for this activity is best. However, if you don’t have one you could always glue a stick to a square of cardboard!

     

    Materials

    Step-by-Step Instructions 

    Step 1

    Cut up recycled paper towel tubes.

    Step 2

    Make the pieces colorful by using paint, paint sticks, or spray paint.

    Step 3

    Use a paper towel holder or stand and task your kiddo with stacking the cut up paper roll pieces. Older kids can practice patterning as well.

    Step 1

    Cut up recycled paper towel tubes.

    Step 2

    Make the pieces colorful by using paint, paint sticks, or spray paint.

    Step 3

    Use a paper towel holder or stand and task your kiddo with stacking the cut up paper roll pieces. Older kids can practice patterning as well.

    Toddler Fun For Learning

    Not only is stacking fun but it’s also great hand-eye coordination for the kids. They’ll love being able to create a fun pattern out of the colors and stack them any way that they want. 

    This activity is also great for teaching patterns as well. Challenge them to stack reds and yellows and then count home many of each color there are. This works well for color identification and counting skills, too. 

    The last major benefit of this stacking activity is that it focuses on fine motor skills. Each time that they pick up a ring and stack it on the tube, they’re working their hand and finger muscles which is great for dexterity.

    printable fine motor skills activity

    For more ways to strengthen fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, try this fun and free printable using dull toothpicks!

    printable fine motor skills activity

    Toddler Fun For Learning

    Not only is stacking fun but it’s also great hand-eye coordination for the kids. They’ll love being able to create a fun pattern out of the colors and stack them any way that they want. 

    This activity is also great for teaching patterns as well. Challenge them to stack reds and yellows and then count home many of each color there are. This works well for color identification and counting skills, too. 

    The last major benefit of this stacking activity is that it focuses on fine motor skills. Each time that they pick up a ring and stack it on the tube, they’re working their hand and finger muscles which is great for dexterity.

    For more ways to strengthen fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, try this fun and free printable using dull toothpicks!

    More Fine Motor Activities to Explore

    Here are my top picks for toys that will help your kiddo strengthen their fine motor skills!

    fine motor skills buckles and strings toy

    Buckle and Threading Pillow

    This colorful pillow is fantastic for fine motor skills with 12 buckles to explore as well as a threading exercise!

    fine motor skills pike the hedge hog toy

    Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog 

    These chunky spikes are easy for little hands to grasp while strengthening muscles as they fit into the back of the hedgehog!

    fine motor skills threading toy with beads

    Big Lacing Beads 

    Threading large wooden beads are great for strengthening fine motor skills! This set includes 30 beads and 2 colorful laces!

    fine motor skills tissue box baby toy

    Pull and Play Tissue Box

    This fun toy is a play tissue box that comes with 12 reusable scarves to encourage grasping and fine motor skills!

    What’s Next?

    Christmas Sensory Activity – How to Make Candy Cane Oobleck

    Christmas Sensory Activity – How to Make Candy Cane Oobleck

    Christmas Sensory Activity – How to Make Candy Cane Oobleck

    christmas sensory activity candy can oobleck

    Candy Cane Oobleck is such a fun Christmas sensory activity. Plus, add tongs to pick out candy canes to strengthen hand muscles! Keep on reading to find out how to make it yourself in minutes!

    Sensory Play During Holiday Time!

    Oobleck is fun to play with anytime of year, but there is something extra special when you add some holiday twists! 

    By making the oobleck look like candy cane colors, adding a peppermint scent, and small candy canes to be plucked out, this combination is sensory packed and great for fine motor skills too!

    For more info about oobleck, check out this article where we share everything you need to know about it!

    All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

    Skills:
    Ages: 
    Prep Time:

    Watch How to Make and Play With This Christmas Sensory Activity

    It is super simple to make oobleck! At the very least, you just need corn starch and water. Mixing it together and then placing it in a tray will take all of a few minutes to do!

    In the video, you’ll see how my kiddos loved exploring the texture, picking out the little candy canes, and then mixing up the white and red colors to make pink!

    Watch How to Make and Play With This Christmas Sensory Activity

    It is super simple to make oobleck! At the very least, you just need corn starch and water. Mixing it together and then placing it in a tray will take all of a few minutes to do!

    In the video, you’ll see how my kiddos loved exploring the texture, picking out the little candy canes, and then mixing up the white and red colors to make pink!

    christmas sensory activity candy can oobleck

    Tips to Make the Most of This Christmas Sensory Activity

    A Bowl of Water. Have one nearby! Even kids who love to get messy will want to wash their hands off from time to time and this will really extend the play longer!

    Tongs. Add some tongs to the set up to strengthen fine motor skills! Make sure you have a thin layer of oobleck, so that the candy canes don’t fully sink inside it! The texture of the oobleck when resting is hard, so this is a great challenge for kids to remove them using tongs or tweezers!

    Add a scent! Peppermint makes the most sense for this set up! It really adds so much more to the sensory experience.

    Dilute Before Disposing. When playtime is over, you can either dump the oobleck mixture straight into a trash can, or you can dilute it fully first with water and then flush it down the drain or throw it in the garden!

    Materials

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Step 1

    White Oobleck: Combine 2 cups cornstarch with 1 cup water and a 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint flavoring.

    Step 2

    Red Oobleck: Same as the white oobleck, just add a nice squeeze of red food coloring. 

    Step 3

    Add a little bit of each color to a bin, alternating colors. Oobleck spreads quickly, so keep that in mind.

    Optional: drop mini candy canes on top for an added fine motor challenge.

    Step 1

    White Oobleck: Combine 2 cups cornstarch with 1 cup water and a 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint flavoring.

    Step 2

    Red Oobleck: Same as the white oobleck, just add a nice squeeze of red food coloring. 

    Step 3

    Add a little bit of each color to a bin, alternating colors. Oobleck spreads quickly, so keep that in mind.

    Optional: drop mini candy canes on top for an added fine motor challenge.

    More Holiday Themed Activities!  

    This Christmas Activity booklet includes 18 playful learning activities to promote early childhood skills including, alphabet recognition, color recognition, scissor skills, early math, writing, and so much more!

    It is a fun bundle to have during the holiday break to keep the kiddos busy, learning, and having fun!

    For more printable resources be sure to check out our full collection of worksheets

    fall sensory bin taste safe toddler baby foam
    fall sensory bin taste safe toddler baby foam

    More Holiday Themed Activities!  

    This Christmas Activity booklet includes 18 playful learning activities to promote early childhood skills including, alphabet recognition, color recognition, scissor skills, early math, writing, and so much more!

    It is a fun bundle to have during the holiday break to keep the kiddos busy, learning, and having fun!

    For more printable resources be sure to check out our full collection of worksheets

    More Sensory Bins to Explore 

    Here are my top picks for sensory bins, toys, and books you can buy.

    sensory bin build you own bin michaels

    Build Your Own Sensory Bin Bundle

    This fun bundle allows you to choose between different compounds, figurines and other accessories.

    sensory bin marine creatures

    Pre-Made Sensory Bins

    Whether you want to explore the ocean, dinosaurs, ice cream shop and more. These pre-made kits make set up easy!

    sensory play monster truck bin

    Monster Truck Arena

    This sensory-play item is perfect for the monster truck fan! It comes with 2 pounds of monster dirt and a monster truck!

    fabric busy book

    Sensory-Based Book

    Sensory play doesn’t have to be messy! This fabric book is full of hands-on sensory-based activities!

    What’s Next?

    Play Dough Gift – Easily Assemble a Fun Princess Kit

    Play Dough Gift – Easily Assemble a Fun Princess Kit

    Play Dough Gift – Easily Assemble a Fun Princess Kit

    play dough gift princess kit

    Kids can enjoy not one, but so many princesses in this fun kit! These boxes are easy to assemble and make such great play dough gifts! Keep on reading to find out about not only what materials we used in this kit, but also how to use these kits as gifts and beyond! 

    A Play Dough Gift and More

    Play dough kits can be simple, fast, and easy to make. Not only do they make the coolest play dough gifts, but they are great for little ones to learn independent play,  creativity, and strengthen fine motor skills.

    I love that these kits literally have everything that they need in them so that kids can take over and dive into their imaginations princess-style! Kits give them a great way to express their creative freedom and create something truly on their own.

    This activity must be supervised. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

    Skills:
    Ages: 
    Prep Time:

    How to Make Play Dough for Your Gift!

    If you’ve never made play dough before, you may think it is going to be a lot of work! But, nope! Our simple recipe is super easy to make. There is no cooking involved, just using a microwave!

    Making play dough together with kids is such a fun way to include them in the process. They can learn so much by just measuring and counting ingredients. Plus, if you’re like us, you’ll want to make it in every color!

    How to Make Play Dough for Your Gift!

    If you’ve never made play dough before, you may think it is going to be a lot of work! But, nope! Our simple recipe is super easy to make. There is no cooking involved, just using a microwave!

    Making play dough together with kids is such a fun way to include them in the process. They can learn so much by just measuring and counting ingredients. Plus, if you’re like us, you’ll want to make it in every color!

    play dough gift princess kit

    Building the Perfect Play Dough Gift Kit

    We make a ton of play dough gift kits. It’s my go-to for birthday presents for kids aged 2-5 years old! We have made kits for dozens of themes, but whichever you choose (ocean, cupcake, Frozen, insect, you name it!) below are the basics for the general types of items I look for to fill up a box:

     

    Materials

    Step-by-Step Instructions 

    Step 1

    Start by making homemade play dough. You can add glitter to it or use food coloring to make different colors based on your theme. In this princess play dough gift, I included 3 colors, purple, pink, and yellow, but feel free to switch this up however you prefer!

    Step 2

    Once the play dough has cooled down, add it to the storage containers.

    Step 3

    Use the above as a guide for deciding what loose parts, figurines, and other items you want to include.

    Step 4

    Close it up and cover in gift wrap if giving as a present!

    Step 1

    Start by making homemade play dough. You can add glitter to it or used food coloring to make different colors based on your theme. In this princess play dough gift, I included 3 colors, purple, pink, and yellow, but feel free to switch this up however you prefer!

    Step 2

    Once the play dough is cooled down, add it to the storage containers.

    Step 3

    Use the above as a guide for deciding what loose parts, figurines, and other items you want to include.

    Step 4

    Close it up and cover in gift wrap if giving as a present!

    The Importance of Playing with This Play Dough Gift

    Playing with play dough is one of those activities that can occupy your child for hours. When they want to play using their hands and minds, have them create with play dough! 

    They’ll be able to pull, stretch, and mold and love having their kit to use. Plus, it’s so much fun to give them as gifts! Whether you make it as a gift, or for use at home or school, kids will love being able to have this kit to open and play with at any point in time. 

    Having all of it stored neatly in a case means that you and the kids can have less mess and clean-up time and more time playing! This is a great way to motivate them to take care of their own personal kits.

    play dough gift princess kit

    For more fun sensory play activities, check out our comprehensive list!

    play dough gift princess kit

    The Importance of Playing with This Play Dough Gift

    Playing with play dough is one of those activities that can occupy your child for hours. When they want to play using their hands and minds, have them create with play dough! 

    They’ll be able to pull, stretch, and mold and love having their kit to use. Plus, it’s so much fun to give them as gifts! Whether you make it as a gift, or for use at home or school, kids will love being able to have this kit to open and play with at any point in time. 

    Having all of it stored neatly in a case means that you and the kids can have less mess and clean-up time and more time playing! This is a great way to motivate them to take care of their own personal kits.

    For more fun sensory play activities, check out our comprehensive list!

    More Sensory Bases to Explore

    Here are my top picks for different types of sensory bases.

    sensory sand play for kids

    Sensory Sand

    Sensory sand is moldable! This bulk pack comes with enough to fill an entire bin for lasting fun! Bonus points for including a storage bin!

    mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

    Modelling Dough

    This modelling dough compound NEVER dries out! It is a fun texture – it is stretchy like play dough, moldable like kinetic sand, and odorless.

    play dough wild dough sensory

    Premium Play Dough

    This play dough is the cream of the crop! It is ridiculously silky and smooth, lasts for 6 months, and is scented!

    slime kit sensory play for kids

    The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

    This kit includes 8 fascinating varieties of slime and putty, including premade putty, magnetic slime, glow in the dark putty, and so much more.

    What’s Next?

    Animal Themed Party, Everything You Need to Know

    Animal Themed Party, Everything You Need to Know

    Animal Themed Party, Everything You Need to Know

    animal themed party table decor photo dessert table

    Everything you need to know to throw a super fun animal themed party! From animal themed activities, to cake & table design, we got you covered!

    When planning a kid’s birthday party, I always have a handy checklist so I don’t forget something important! Here are the main areas:

    • Food
    • Dishes and Utensils
    • Beverages
    • Activities
    • Decor: Table and Front Door
    • Outfits
    • Trash Can
    • Party Favors
    • First Aid and Other Essentials Basket

    Keep on reading to get all the details and see some inspirational animal party fun in action!

    Skills:
    Ages: 
    Prep Time:

    The Party in Action!

    Before I get into all of the details, watch this video for a glimpse of our animal themed party in action!

    From creepy crawlers to wild animals, my son loves to explore all kinds of living things! Instead of focusing on a specific type of animal theme party like jungle, safari, woodland, or otherwise, we stayed broad allowing the flexibility to include any and all animal types!

    All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

    The Party in Action!

    Before I get into all of the details, watch this video for a glimpse of our animal themed party in action!

    From creepy crawlers to wild animals, my son loves to explore all kinds of living things! Instead of focusing on a specific type of animal theme party like jungle, safari, woodland, or otherwise, we stayed broad allowing the flexibility to include any and all animal types!

    All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

    animal themed party table decor

    Animal Themed Party: Activities!

    Whenever I plan my kid’s birthday parties, activities are always one of the most important things to figure out!

    We opt for hands on, often sensory-based and arts and crafts experiences over bounce houses and other more costly alternatives. Read on below for the main activities we decided to do for the animal themed party!

    Age and interests will also help determine what types of activities you’ll want to set up. For toddlers, and young preschoolers a simple coloring station will provide lots of entertainment! On the other hand, if you have the budget, older kids might enjoy some entertainment like a wildlife show!

    Be sure to check out our recent dinosaur themed party too for more activity ideas!

    animal themed party activities painting

    Animal Lego Building

    These eggs are filled with building blocks that create wild animals. I set the eggs up on a wood slice cupcake stand where kids had the freedom to select an egg and build what was inside!

    animal themed party table decor

    Animal Paint Station

    On our other kid-sized folding table, I set up an arts and crafts activity! These animals, paints, and brushes were all part of a kit. So much fun transforming the plain animals into colorful ones!

    animal themed party activities play dough

    Play Dough Tray

    This invitation to play dough is all about using loose parts to create an animal habitat! I included blue glass beads, moss, rocks, and animal figurines in addition to lots of colorful play dough!

    animal themed party wildlife show

    Wildlife Show

    Seeing and engaging with real animals was lots of fun for the kids! Research your local area to see if anyone offers a wildlife show like this where they bring animals and teach kids all about them!

    What to Eat at an Animal Themed Party!

    We went all out when it came to food for this party – from a beautifully crafted buttercream cake with animal figurines and a cascading waterfall, to cake pops, snacks, and a mobile pizza maker.

    I always love to give the cake table extra attention because that tends to be where our best photo opportunities take place!

    I was also able to find some fun animal-themed snacks for the snack table. Read about them below! 

    animal themed party table decor photo dessert table cake cake pops
    animal themed party table decor photo dessert table cake cake pops

    Animal Themed Cake!

    We go all out with our cakes whenever we have a themed party and this wildlife themed cake didn’t disappoint! No fondant here – just buttercream and realistic figurines create a beautiful edible scene!

    animal themed party table decor photo dessert table cake cake pops

    Cake Pops

    We chose 3 animals to make into cake pops, including a fox, parrot, and alligator! But feel free to mix that up! We also got some wooden cake pop holder trays that had a natural look that worked well with the party’s theme!

    animal themed party food

    Snack Center

    I got my hands on some fun animal cracker boxes, plus some no-sugar added bear gummies! We wanted to keep snacks in individual packs to prevent the spread of germs and to make access easy for the children to do independently.

    animal themed party food

    Mobile Pizza Maker

    We splurged on our main food option and had a mobile pizza maker come to our house to make kids and parents custom pizzas. It was a big hit – not only delicious, but also a great non-buffet option during these times!

    animal themed party table decor photo dessert table cake cake pops

    What to Eat at an Animal Themed Party!

    We went all out when it came to food for this party – from a beautifully crafted buttercream cake with animal figurines and a cascading waterfall, to cake pops, snacks, and a mobile pizza maker.

    I always love to give the cake table extra attention because that tends to be where our best photo opportunities take place!

    I was also able to find some fun animal-themed snacks for the snack table. Read about them below! 

    animal themed party cake desserts

    Animal Themed Cake!

    We go all out with our cakes whenever we have a themed party and this wildlife themed cake didn’t disappoint! No fondant here – just buttercream and realistic figurines create a beautiful edible scene!

    animal themed party table decor photo dessert table cake cake pops

    Cake Pops

    We chose 3 animals to make into cake pops, including a fox, parrot, and alligator! But feel free to mix that up! We also got some wooden cake pop holder trays that had a natural look that worked well with the party’s theme!

    animal themed party food

    Snack Center

    I got my hands on some fun animal cracker boxes, plus some no-sugar added bear gummies! We wanted to keep snacks in individual packs to prevent the spread of germs and to make access easy for the children to do independently.

    animal themed party food

    Mobile Pizza Maker

    We splurged on our main food option and had a mobile pizza maker come to our house to make kids and parents custom pizzas. It was a big hit – not only delicious, but also a great non-buffet option during these times!

    animal themed party table decor photo dessert table

    Animal Party Decor

    What are we left with once the party is over? The pictures! So setting up a great photo op dessert table is always a priority for us!

    I used a leopard print table cloth with a burlap runner that I bought in bulk. I was able to have enough material to make the kids arts & crafts tables in the same style!

    I snagged some succulent plants from Trader Joes and a few other leafy plants from Home Depot and dispersed them across the various spaces to integrate living greenery.

    Add some green vines, a happy birthday garland, wooden cake pop holder, and balloons (number and cheetah), and everything came together so well!

     

    animal themed party activities lego

    Wood Slice Cake Platters

    We’ve used these rustic cake platters in the past for holding cupcakes, but since we didn’t have cupcakes this time, they were great for holding the prize eggs at our building-block station!

    animal themed party table decor photo dessert table

    Animal Shaped Planter

    We scattered various planters throughout the tables at the party, filling them up with soil and succulents! We found these cute giraffes as well as a pack of other fun wildlife animals!

    burlap decor dinosaur party

    Burlap Runner

    I love that this high quality burlap runner comes in a bulk roll! I was able to use it on 3 different tables and I have more to spare for our next party! It gave the tables such a great texture!

    animal themed party table cloth set

    Animal and Leaf Print Table Cloth Pack

    This pack of 4 table clothes came with a leaf print and the following animal prints: cheetah, zebra, and tiger!

    animal themed party cheetah balloon

    Animal Themed Balloons

    This cheetah balloon went on the wall where our dessert table was located. We also got an alligator and a tiger for the front door area for people to see when entering our home. 

    animal themed party pool floats

    Animal Pool Floats

    If you are having a party during the warmer months, adding some animal themed floats are a great way to integrate the theme to the pool! We planned to do this, but it got too cold, and used these floats in our pool as decoration! We got a giraffe, alligator, and a parrot

    animal themed party greenery vines

    Greenery Vines

    These greenery vines are a great touch to an animal-themed party backdrop! It comes with 12 different pieces, and we had plenty to spare for our next party!

    animal themed party plates and napkins

    Animal and Leaf Themed Plates and Napkins

    In addition to animal themed plates and napkins, I also included some leaf shaped plates and wooden utensils.

    More Party Ideas!

    Looking for more fun details for your Animal Party? Here are some more ways to have a great time with this theme!

    animal themed party party favors

    Party Favors

    We always opt to spend a little extra budget on a high quality party favor that kids will actually use more than once! Kid’s got to take home an animal-print bag with a bug catching kit, sunglasses, and a felt animal mask!

    animal themed party outfits shirts dress

    Animal-Themed Outfit

    The boys got dressed up in a fun animal themed shirt, and my daughter wore an adorable dress with cheetah print. She even matches the table cloth!

    animal themed party costume

    Animal Costume

    Instead of hiring someone to come dressed up as a mascot, have a family member do it instead! And this fox costume is so much fun, cute, and not scary! Also great to hold on for Halloween!

    animal themed party pinata

    Parrot Piñata

    Piñatas are such a fun way to add entertainment to a birthday party. This parrot shaped piñata isn’t huge, so keep that in mind depending on your party size! We put squishy animals toys and animal themed bubbles inside!

    animal themed party number balloon

    Number Balloons

    Number balloons are a fun way to shine a light on your little one’s new age! Make sure to use a very strong double sided tape to make sure it stays up on the wall throughout the party! 

    dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

    Happy Birthday Garland

    This happy birthday garland comes pre-strung, which is such a time saver when you are already so busy setting up for a party!

    dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

    Garland

    This tassel garland is the perfect color scheme for a wildlife-themed party! The tassels have wooden beads in between adding for a natural jungle and woodland look!

    animal themed party vest dress up

    Explorer Vest

    This adorable vest and hat set is a fun addition to have the birthday kid wear during their animal themed party! It is made of durable plastic and comes with lots of pockets!

    What’s Next?

    Unique Gender Reveal – How to Make a Chocolate Piñata

    Unique Gender Reveal – How to Make a Chocolate Piñata

    Unique Gender Reveal – How to Make a Chocolate Piñata

    unique gender reveal chocolate pinata party piñata

    Looking for a unique gender reveal idea? Discover how easy and fun it is to make a chocolate piñata to smash open to discover baby’s gender and get all the colorful goodies inside! 

    A Unique Gender Reveal You Can Make Yourself!

    The great thing about this unique gender reveal is that the chocolate piñata is really really simple to make. You just need a few easy supplies and a mold to create this edible chocolate piñata. 

    I decided this was the perfect way to reveal our newest addition’s gender to the kids because it combined two things they love most – piñatas and chocolate!

    This was the first time we made a chocolate piñata, but we’ll definitely be using this fun technique for many birthdays and occasions to come! 

    All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

     

    Skills:
    Ages: 
    Prep Time:

    Watch This Unique Gender Reveal in Action!

    In this video you’ll not only see the moment when my kiddo’s realized the gender of their new baby sibling, but you’ll also see how easy it is to make a chocolate piñata!

    Don’t forget that piñata fun isn’t just for kids! This is so much fun for adults too! (Me and my husband simply couldn’t wait to find out the baby’s gender, so decided to do something special just for the kids!) 

    Watch This Unique Gender Reveal in Action!

    In this video you’ll not only see the moment when my kiddo’s realized the gender of their new baby sibling, but you’ll also see how easy it is to make a chocolate piñata!

    Don’t forget that piñata fun isn’t just for kids! This is so much fun for adults too! (Me and my husband simply couldn’t wait to find out the baby’s gender, so decided to do something special just for the kids!) 

    unique gender reveal chocolate pinata party piñata

    Tips for Making a Chocolate Piñata

    The Perfect Mold. These molds are made out of plastic and easily snap together. They come in many shapes as well as 2 different sizes – large (like we used) or a smaller version that is great for individual use!

    Pinata Prizes. On all the molds, the hole for placing in treats is the same size, so keep in mind that the items are small and should be able to fit into a hole about 2 inches in diameter.

    Spread the Chocolate Evenly. The step-by-step instructions are below, but be sure when you add the chocolate you spread it evenly throughout your mold to avoid cracks or holes!

    Be patient. Once the mold is filled with chocolate it will need time to set, so be sure to do this in advance!

    Materials

    Step-by-Step Instructions 

    Step 1

    If using one of the large molds, melt 12-24 ounces of chocolate according to instructions on the packaging.

    Step 2

    Pour the liquid chocolate into the mold, plug the hole with the top, and then rotate the mold so the chocolate spreads throughout and as evenly as possible.

    Step 3

    Place the mold in the refrigerator for 1-2 minutes.

    Step 4

    Remove the mold from the refrigerator and continue to rotate to make sure the chocolate is continuing to spread evenly.

    Step 5

    Repeat this step several times before removing the plug to ensure that all the melted chocolate has spread.

     

    Step 6

    Place in the refrigerator, without the plug, to set completely for at least 30 minutes.

    Step 7

    Once completely solid, remove the mold.

    Step 8

    Add the candy through the hole.

    Step 9

    When ready to flip, cover the hole up with a piece of thick paper, or cover it back up with the mold and flip instead.

    Step 10

    Decorate based on your preferences.

    Step 11

    Keep in the refrigerator until it’s party time, and provide a hammer to do the smashing! 

    Step 1

    If using one of the large molds, melt 12-24 ounces of chocolate according to instructions on the packaging.

    Step 2

    Pour the liquid chocolate into the mold, plug the hole with the top, and then rotate the mold so the chocolate spreads throughout and as evenly as possible.

    Step 3

    Place the mold in the refrigerator for 1-2 minutes.

    Step 4

    Remove the mold from the refrigerator and continue to rotate to make sure the chocolate is continuing to spread evenly.

    Step 5

    Repeat this step several times before removing the plug to ensure that all the melted chocolate has spread.

    Step 6

    Place in the refrigerator, without the plug, to set completely for at least 30 minutes.

    Step 7

    Once completely solid, remove the mold.

    Step 8

    Add the candy through the hole.

    Step 9

    When ready to flip, cover the hole up with a piece of thick paper, or cover it back up with the mold and flip instead.

    Step 10

    Decorate based on your preferences.

    Step 11

    Keep in the refrigerator until it’s party time, and provide a hammer to do the smashing! 

    Beyond A Unique Gender Reveal!

    We all know that piñatas are all about parties! They’re typically the star of any birthday party or a fun gathering with kids. Kids love to break open the piñata and see what is waiting inside!

    The great thing about making your own chocolate piñata is that you can have it be for any type of celebration and fill it up with just about anything you want! 

    Here are a few other ways you can enjoy a homemade chocolate piñata for an occasion beyond a unique gender reveal:

    • Birthday Parties – filled up with all the things the receiver loves
    • Engagement Surprised – with the ring hidden inside
    unique gender reveal chocolate pinata party piñata
    • Holiday Desserts – whether celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Easter, or another holiday, this is a fun addition to any dessert table!
      unique gender reveal chocolate pinata party piñata

      Beyond A Unique Gender Reveal!

      We all know that piñatas are all about parties! They’re typically the star of any birthday party or a fun gathering with kids. Kids love to break open the piñata and see what is waiting inside!

      The great thing about making your own chocolate piñata is that you can have it be for any type of celebration and fill it up with just about anything you want! 

      Here are a few other ways you can enjoy a homemade chocolate piñata for an occasion beyond a unique gender reveal:

      • Birthday Parties – filled up with all the things the receiver loves
      • Engagement Surprised – with the ring hidden inside
      • Holiday Desserts – whether celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Easter, or another holiday, this is a fun addition to any dessert table!

       

      More Unique Gender Reveal Techniques

      Here are some more fun ways to celebrate and surprise yourself and others with baby’s gender!

      unique gender reveal soccer ball

      Colorful Reveal with Sports Balls

      Reveal baby’s gender with a soccer ball that explodes with color when it’s kicked. There are also golf ball, football, and basketball versions too!

      unique gender reveal car tire

      Tire Burnout Gender Reveal

      For car fans, this is a fun way to reveal baby’s gender! You’ll have to know how to safely spin your tire to do this, but it will result in a cloud of color! 

      unique gender reveal cannon colorful

      Confetti and Powder Cannon

      Point, aim, and shoot for a colorful surprise! This set of blue and pink cannons are biodegradable and non toxic.  

      unique gender reveal balloon

      Pop the Balloon

      This classic gender reveal technique never gets old! It includes both balloons and heart-shaped confetti. The balloons are black and not see-through!

      What’s Next?

      Frozen Play Doh – Make Your Own Kit

      Frozen Play Doh – Make Your Own Kit

      Frozen Play Doh – Make Your Own Kit

      frozen the movie play dough doh kit for kids sensory play fine motor skills homemade gift

      This Frozen Play Doh Kit is easy to create and assemble. It makes the perfect homemade gift for a Frozen fan too! 

      A Frozen Play Doh Kit Saves the Day on a Rainy or Snowy Day!

      Not only does this Frozen play doh kit make a great homemade gift for any Frozen fan, but play dough kits can also come to the rescue when you are in a pinch and need to set up something quickly for the kids to do!

      It definitely is our go-to rainy day activity that I can easily pull from the shelf and have set up in no time. The kids get to explore all the loose parts and play independently making them happy and freeing up some time for the grown ups!

      We love making play dough kits, check out some of our other themes like our Birthday Play Dough Kit, Ocean Play Dough Kit, and Insect Play Dough Kit!

       

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      How to Make Play Dough

      If you’ve never made play dough, you may think it is difficult to do, but it is anything but that! With our no-cook recipe, you can make play dough in minutes!

      This video shows you exactly what to do!

      Also watch to see how you can add food coloring to make play dough in every color of the rainbow, but for this Frozen play doh kit, be sure to keep at least one of the colors plain white like snow!

      How to Make Play Dough

      If you’ve never made play dough, you may think it is difficult to do, but it is anything but that! With our no-cook recipe, you can make play dough in minutes!

      This video shows you exactly what to do!

      Also watch to see how you can add food coloring to make play dough in every color of the rainbow, but for this Frozen play doh kit, be sure to keep at least one of the colors plain white like snow!

      frozen the movie play dough doh kit for kids sensory play fine motor skills homemade gift

      Building the Perfect Frozen Play Doh Kit

      Below are the basics for the general types of items I look for to fill up a box:

      All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      Start by making homemade play dough. You can add glitter to it or used food coloring to make different colors based on your theme. In this Frozen play doh kit, I kept it white, but you could definitely add other colors!

      Step 2

      Once the play dough is cooled down, add it to the storage containers.

      Step 3

      Use the above as a guide for deciding what loose parts, figurines, and other items you want to include.

      Step 4

      Close it up and cover in gift wrap if giving as a present!

      Step 1

      Start by making homemade play dough. You can add glitter to it or used food coloring to make different colors based on your theme. In this Frozen play doh kit, I kept it white, but you could definitely add other colors!

      Step 2

      Once the play dough is cooled down, add it to the storage containers.

      Step 3

      Use the above as a guide for deciding what loose parts, figurines, and other items you want to include.

      Step 4

      Close it up and cover in gift wrap if giving as a present!

      The Benefits of This Frozen Play Doh Kit

      We love playing with play dough in our house because it’s great for fine motor skills and sensory learning. The kids can stretch, pull, wrap, bend, and mold the play dough – all great actions for building muscle strength in the hands and fingers! 

      When assembled in a kit like this, kids will also have the opportunity to experience imaginative play. They can have fun building a world with the loose parts around the figurines.

      Plus, as mentioned above it is such a fun homemade gift to make for someone special!

      frozen the movie play dough doh kit for kids sensory play fine motor skills homemade gift
      frozen the movie play dough doh kit for kids sensory play fine motor skills homemade gift

      The Benefits of This Frozen Play Doh Kit

      We love playing with play dough in our house because it’s great for fine motor skills and sensory learning. The kids can stretch, pull, wrap, bend, and mold the play dough – all great actions for building muscle strength in the hands and fingers! 

      When assembled in a kit like this, kids will also have the opportunity to experience imaginative play. They can have fun building a world with the loose parts around the figurines.

      Plus, as mentioned above it is such a fun homemade gift to make for someone special!

      More Sensory Bases to Explore

      Here are my top picks for different types of sensory bases.

      sensory sand play for kids

      Sensory Sand

      Sensory sand is moldable! This bulk pack comes with enough to fill an entire bin for lasting fun! Bonus points for including a storage bin!

      mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

      Modelling Dough

      This modelling dough compound NEVER dries out! It is a fun texture – it is stretchy like play dough, moldable like kinetic sand, and odorless.

      play dough wild dough sensory

      Premium Play Dough

      This play dough is the cream of the crop! It is ridiculously silky and smooth, lasts for 6 months, and is scented!

      slime kit sensory play for kids

      The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

      This kit includes 8 fascinating varieties of slime and putty, including premade putty, magnetic slime, glow in the dark putty, and so much more.

      What’s Next?

      Thanksgiving Activity for Toddlers – Easy Feather Poke

      Thanksgiving Activity for Toddlers – Easy Feather Poke

      Thanksgiving Activity for Toddlers – Easy Feather Poke

      thanksgiving activity for toddlers turkey feathers

      This Thanksgiving activity for toddlers is all about giving the turkey its feathers back! It’s an easy set-up to work on fine motor skills, especially hand-eye coordination!

      Transform a Cardboard Box into a Turkey!

      It takes all of a few minutes to set up and it certainly doesn’t have to look fancy, but a cardboard box is all you need to create your very own turkey for play!

      Toddlers and young preschoolers will be able to visualize the task after seeing those googly eyes and feel inspired to give that turkey it’s feathers back! 

      If this is a big hit, like it was for us, you’ll have to try our Poke the Animals activities, free printable included, where kids can use dull toothpicks or cotton swabs to give prickly animals their “spikes” back!

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      Watch This Thanksgiving Toddler Activity in Action!

      In this video you’ll see my son, 3 years old at the time, enjoy placing feathers into the cardboard turkey one at a time. The concentration on his face says everything – with his mouth open, tongue slightly out – he is in the zone!

      Coordinating his eyes and hands to poke the feathers in the tiny holes is tricky, but he is so proud when he is able to complete the game! 

      Watch This Thanksgiving Toddler Activity in Action!

      In this video you’ll see my son, 3 years old at the time, enjoy placing feathers into the cardboard turkey one at a time. The concentration on his face says everything – with his mouth open, tongue slightly out – he is in the zone!

      Coordinating his eyes and hands to poke the feathers in the tiny holes is tricky, but he is so proud when he is able to complete the game! 

      hatch the egg hand eye coordination printable activity worksheet for toddlers

      This Thanksgiving Activity for Toddlers Can Be Fun for Babies Too! 

      Want to save even more time? Skip the cardboard box and grab a colander or pasta strainer instead! Toddlers and preschoolers can poke the feathers into the small holes, and babies can even enjoy this too! Instead of poking the feathers, they will be able to pull them out!

      It’s always fun for young kids to do any activity with feathers because they’re full of a wide variety of textures. On one end, they’re soft, and on the other end, they’re pointy! 

      All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      Grab a small cardboard box and poke some holes in it!

      Step 2

      Cut out a circle for the face of the turkey, add on the eyes plus a triangular nose and red wattle out of felt or colored paper!  

      Step 3

      Provide feathers and task the kiddos with giving the turkey its feathers back! 

      Step 1

      Grab a small cardboard box and poke some holes in it!

      Step 2

      Cut out a circle for the face of the turkey, add on the eyes plus a triangular nose and red wattle out of felt or colored paper!  

      Step 3

      Provide feathers and task the kiddos with giving the turkey its feathers back!  

      More Thanksgiving Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

      This Thanksgiving activity for toddles is all about fine motor skills, but let’s have more fun with Turkey Day!

      We have a bundle of Thanksgiving worksheets that are great for toddlers and preschoolers to learn a dozen early childhood education skills. From scissor skills, to tracing, alphabet and number recognition, matching, writing, and phonics – this is just a few areas covered with a Thanksgiving Twist!

      For even more Thanksgiving activities, visit our comprehensive list!

      thanksgiving printable activities worksheets
      thanksgiving printable activities worksheets

      More Thanksgiving Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

      This Thanksgiving activity for toddles is all about fine motor skills, but let’s have more fun with Turkey Day!

      We have a bundle of Thanksgiving worksheets that are great for toddlers and preschoolers to learn a dozen early childhood education skills. From scissor skills, to tracing, alphabet and number recognition, matching, writing, and phonics – this is just a few areas covered with a Thanksgiving Twist!

      For even more Thanksgiving activities, visit our comprehensive list!

      Store-Bought Fine Motor Activities For Toddlers

      Here are my top picks for toys you can buy that strengthen toddler fine motor skills!

      fine motor skills buckles and strings toy

      Buckle and Threading Pillow

      This colorful pillow is fantastic for fine motor skills with 12 buckles to explore as well as a threading exercise!

      wooden sensory bin tools that are great for fine motor skills through play

      Sensory Bin Tools

      This set comes with 7 items including bowls, scoops, and a tong. A great set for learning practical life skills through sensory play.

      color recognition sorting rainbow fine motor skills

      Color Sorting Rainbow

      Strengthen motor skills while using tongs to color sort this beautifully crafted rainbow! Caution: small parts!

      fine motor skills pike the hedge hog toy

      Hedgehog Game

      Give the hedgehog it’s spikes with this fun game. Such a fun and colorful way to strengthen fine motor skills!

      What’s Next?

      Make Oobleck with a Pumpkin Autumn Twist

      Make Oobleck with a Pumpkin Autumn Twist

      Make Oobleck with a Pumpkin Autumn Twist

      make oobleck with a fall twist pumpkin spice soup sensory play

      This fun sensory activity is where you’ll make oobleck and inspire your kiddo to tap into their inner chef to whip up some pumpkin spice goop soup! 

      This is one of those set ups that will have kids engaged for a long time! Keep on reading to find out all the loose parts we included and how to make orange oobleck!

      What is Oobleck and How Do You Make It?

      Never heard of oobleck (aka goop)? Don’t wait another day! It’s so easy to make! Plain oobleck has a 2 to 1 ratio of corn starch to water! For this set up, I added a pinch of orange food coloring too. The consistency is the coolest — it’s both a liquid and a solid, depending on how you are playing with it. (Rest your hand on top of it: liquid. Squeeze it in your fist: solid.)

      All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      How to Make and Play with Pumpkin-Themed Oobleck 

      It takes all of a few minutes to whip up a batch of oobleck! Adding in some orange coloring and providing other fun items likes pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, and rosemary really enhances the sensory experience!

      Of course, try to save a pumpkin shell too because it makes for the perfect bowl to hold your kiddo’s pumpkin soup creation!

      How to Make and Play with Pumpkin-Themed Oobleck 

      It takes all of a few minutes to whip up a batch of oobleck! Adding in some orange coloring and providing other fun items likes pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, and rosemary to chop up really enhances the sensory experience!

      Of course, try to save a pumpkin shell too because it makes for the perfect bowl to hold your kiddo’s pumpkin soup creation!

      make oobleck with a fall twist pumpkin spice soup sensory play

      Tips on Embracing the Mess!

      Oobleck can definitely make a mess, but heres’ the good news – it’s relatively easy to clean up!

      If you can, do it outside, like us. This will allow you to likely be able to spray down the play table with a hose and have everything cleaned up in minutes.

      If doing it inside is the only option, lay down some towels to catch anything that falls from the table. Then, make sure you either dispose of the oobleck in the trash can or thoroughly dilute it with water so that it is no longer bound together. I have heard that if you dump it in the sink before diluting oobleck, it can clog pipes!

      When oobleck dries, what you are left with is powdery corn starch which can also be easily cleaned up off the floor with a vacuum or broom!

      Materials

      • Pumpkin Seeds
      • Cinnamon
      • Rosemary

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      To make the oobleck, mix in a bowl 2 cups corn starch with 1 cup water plus food coloring. The consistency should allow one to squeeze the oobleck in the hand to make a solid and when released it turns into a liquid and will fall from the hand.

      Step 2

      For the set up, provide Fall-themed objects like pumpkin shells for bowls, a spoonful of pumpkin seeds, sprigs of rosemary, and some cinnamon. Also provide a bin of water nearby so kids can clean the oobleck off their hands throughout the time playing!

      Step 1

      To make the oobleck, mix in a bowl 2 cups corn starch with 1 cup water plus food coloring. The consistency should allow one to squeeze the oobleck in the hand to make a solid and when released it turns into a liquid and will fall from the hand.

      Step 2

      For the set up, provide Fall-themed objects like pumpkin shells for bowls, a spoonful of pumpkin seeds, sprigs of rosemary, and some cinnamon. Also provide a bin of water nearby so kids can clean the oobleck off their hands throughout the time playing!

      The Benefits of Sensory Play

      Sensory play is not only great for having the kids learn about their senses and how important they are, but it’s also great for working on fine motor skills too. 

      Every time the kids scoop, pinch, pat, or just squeeze anything in this sensory activity, they’re using their hands, eyes, and other senses to learn.

      These are skills that they can quickly grow upon as they get older and will use in their everyday lives. 

      This activity also helps the kids learn about creativity and shows the importance of using their imagination as well. The more they can play and create, the more their love for learning and play will grow.

      make oobleck with a fall twist pumpkin spice soup sensory play

      For more sensory play ideas, visit our comprehensive list!

      make oobleck with a fall twist pumpkin spice soup sensory play

      The Benefits of Sensory Play

      Sensory play is not only great for having the kids learn about their senses and how important they are, but it’s also great for working on fine motor skills too. 

      Every time the kids scoop, pinch, pat, or just squeeze anything in this sensory activity, they’re using their hands, eyes, and other senses to learn.

      These are skills that they can quickly grow upon as they get older and will use in their everyday lives. 

      This activity also helps the kids learn about creativity and shows the importance of using their imagination as well. The more they can play and create, the more their love for learning and play will grow.

      For more sensory play ideas, visit our comprehensive list!

      More Sensory Bases to Explore

      Here are my top picks for sensory bases you can buy!

      sensory sand play for kids

      Kinetic Sand

      Kinetic sand is moldable! This bulk pack of sensory sand comes with enough to fill an entire bin for lasting fun! Bonus points for including a storage bin!

      mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

      Modelling Dough

      This modelling dough compound NEVER dries out! It is a fun texture – it is stretchy like play dough, moldable like kinetic sand, and odorless.

      play dough wild dough sensory

      Premium Play Dough

      This play dough is the cream of the crop! It is ridiculously silky and smooth, lasts for 6 months, and is scented!

      slime kit sensory play for kids

      The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

      This kit includes 8 fascinating varieties of slime and putty, including premade putty, magnetic slime, glow in the dark putty, and so much more.

      What’s Next?

      DIY Firefighter Costume – How to Make a Fire Truck

      DIY Firefighter Costume – How to Make a Fire Truck

      DIY Firefighter Costume – How to Make a Fire Truck

      diy firefighter fireman firewoman firetruck costume parade float

      This cardboard-made fire truck is the best accessory to a DIY firefighter costume! Plus, it’s a fun way to cart off the kids during Halloween or a local parade!

      The Ultimate Pretend Play DIY Firefighter Costume

      Imaginative play for kids is really important. This not only gives them a way to think creatively, but it helps them expand and use their imagination in new and fun ways. A DIY fire truck allows kids to take pretend play to the next level!

      Once made, this DIY fire truck can be played with year round, but it could be especially fun during Halloween or as local float during a Thanksgiving Day parade!

      All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

       

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      See Us Create a DIY Firefighter Costume Wagon!

      Once you see how we created this fun fire truck wagon, you’re going to be motivated to make one, too! I was amazed at how quickly it came together to create a really fun look and activity. Plus, the supplies couldn’t be more simple and budget-friendly!

      Once it was finished, the kids couldn’t wait to put on their fireman costumes and take their new favorite vehicle for a spin! They were the hit of the neighborhood for sure!

      See Us Create a DIY Firefighter Costume Wagon!

      Once you see how we created this fun fire truck wagon, you’re going to be motivated to make one, too! I was amazed at how quickly it came together to create a really fun look and activity. Plus, the supplies couldn’t be more simple and budget-friendly!

      Once it was finished, the kids couldn’t wait to put on their fireman costumes and take their new favorite vehicle for a spin! They were the hit of the neighborhood for sure!

      diy firefighter fireman firewoman firetruck costume parade float

      Tips for Making This DIY Firefighter Costume Wagon

      Save all the Cardboard! The main supply we used for our DIY fire truck was cardboard! I am a cardboard hoarder, so it wasn’t hard for me to piece all of it together to make the costume, but in case you are an avid cardboard recycler, make sure you start saving!

      The Paint. There are lots of different ways you could color your fire truck, but one of the quickest approaches is to use spray paint. The paint comes out evenly, fast, and dries quickly. Of course, you will want to keep the kiddos away for this process and do it outside (or in the garage with the doors open, like I did) for proper ventilation!

      If you love making your own costumes, you’ll have to check out our DIY Astronaut Costume and DIY Artist Costume!

       

       

       

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      Gather your cardboard pieces and cut out the following shapes: 2 rectangles (to wrap around the side of the truck), 4 squares (for the top of the truck – alternatively if you have a square box, just remove 2 of the sides), 2 right triangles (for the side windows). Plus, cut out the details: circles for lights, small rectangles for the grill, 2 x ladders, and 2 x badges. 

      Step 2

      For the top of the truck, be sure to cut out windows (as pictured) within the 3 square pieces and within the 2 right triangles.

      Step 3

      Spray paint all of the pieces. We kept the top white, the bottom red, and the details yellow and white for the most part.

      Step 4

      Once dry, add the painted pieces to the wagon, securing them with tape.

      Step 5

      Put the red solo cups on top as the sirens and let the kids have fun! 

      Step 1

      Gather your cardboard pieces and cut out the following shapes: 2 rectangles (to wrap around the side of the truck), 4 squares (for the top of the truck – alternatively if you have a square box, just remove 2 of the sides), 2 right triangles (for the side windows). Plus, cut out the details: circles for lights, small rectangles for the grill, 2 x ladders, and 2 x badges. 

      Step 2

      For the top of the truck, be sure to cut out windows (as pictured) within the 3 square pieces and within the 2 right triangles.

      Step 3

      Spray paint all of the pieces. We kept the top white, the bottom red, and the details yellow and white for the most part.

      Step 4

      Once dry, add the painted pieces to the wagon, securing them with tape.

      Step 5

      Put the red solo cups on top as the sirens and let the kids have fun! 

      The Benefits of Pretend Play

      This DIY fire truck is a fun way to create a lasting vehicle that can be used for pretend play, aka imaginative play, aka dramatic play!

      Imaginative play has so many benefits. It allows kiddos an opportunity to strengthen so many skills through play. Think: language development, social, fine motor, gross motor, problem solving, and self-regulation skills, to name a few. It really spans the spectrum!

      The amazing thing about pretend play is how children often act out real-life scenarios allowing them an incredible opportunity to encounter social and emotional situations and roles.  

      diy firefighter fireman firewoman firetruck costume parade float
      diy firefighter fireman firewoman firetruck costume parade float

      The Benefits of Pretend Play

      This DIY fire truck is a fun way to create a lasting vehicle that can be used for pretend play, aka imaginative play, aka dramatic play!

      Imaginative play has so many benefits. It allows kiddos an opportunity to strengthen so many skills through play. Think: language development, social, fine motor, gross motor, problem solving, and self-regulation skills, to name a few. It really spans the spectrum!

      The amazing thing about pretend play is how children often act out real-life scenarios allowing them an incredible opportunity to encounter social and emotional situations and roles.  

      More Ways to Explore Pretend Play

      If your kiddo loved this DIY fire truck, there are so many other fun ways to have fun with imaginative play. Here are some top gift picks!

      pretend play doctors kit gift imaginative

      Doctor’s Kit

      This adorable doctor’s kit is made of mostly wooden parts. It includes a stethoscope, thermometer, syringe, blood pressure gauge, and more!

      dress up pretend play career imaginative

      Dress Up Kit

      Inspire your little ones to role play with this dress-up kit that includes 3 different careers – scientist, explorer and gardner! Great for any and all genders!

      play toy kitchen gift for kids

      Play Kitchen

      This play kitchen is not only adorable but will inspire such fun imaginative cooking play with it’s stove, oven, microwave, and storage areas!

      pretend play cleaning kit imaginative

      Cleaning Set

      It is surprising how much kids love this 6 piece pretend play cleaning kit! A fun way to motivate independence and a love for cleaning!

      What’s Next?

      Messy Play for Toddlers – Make a Pudding Sensory Bin

      Messy Play for Toddlers – Make a Pudding Sensory Bin

      Messy Play for Toddlers – Make a Pudding Sensory Bin

      messy play for toddlers pumpkin patch pudding sensory play

      Messy play for toddlers is the ultimate sensory experience. This pumpkin patch pudding activity is a great way to explore all of the 5 senses! 

      Food in Play, the Pros and Cons

      There are lots of benefits for incorporating food into play – it heightens the sensory experience by including both smell and taste and it helps children with sensory processing disorders get more comfortable with textures and tastes, to name a few.

      But including food in play is not for everyone. Whether related to cultural preferences, school rules prohibiting it, allergies, or personal concerns related to food cost and waste, there are lots of reasons grown ups do not set up activities that include foods.

      Our personal philosophy is to weigh the cost and benefits of including food in play. I have a son who is very selective with food and textures, so activities like this help him get more comfortable with the goal of expanding his palate. Weighing this benefit with the cost of a packet of pudding (less than $1.50), makes me comfortable to set this activity up for him. So for us, it is worth it! But, of course, we understand this analysis is not a one-size fits all scenario! 

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      Messy Play for Toddlers in Action!

      Setting up this activity is super simple. It is a fun activity to do before it gets too cold outside, so that your kiddo can really dig in, make a mess, and then have it easily cleaned up with a hose!

      In the video, you’ll see how my kids went from picking the pumpkins, to washing them up, transferring them to utility vehicles, that then delivered them to a tiny hole in one of their bins (great for fine motor skills too!).

      Messy Play for Toddlers in Action!

      Setting up this activity is super simple. It is a fun activity to do before it gets too cold outside, so that your kiddo can really dig in, make a mess, and then have it easily cleaned up with a hose!

      In the video, you’ll see how my kids went from picking the pumpkins, to washing them up, transferring them to utility vehicles, that then delivered them to a tiny hole in one of their bins (great for fine motor skills too!).

      messy play for toddlers pumpkin patch pudding sensory play

      How to Create a Messy Play for Toddlers

      Don’t forget that creating a sensory bin is all about letting the kids have fun and explore. Whatever pretty scene you have set up will likely get mixed up in minutes! Because of this, don’t make it complicated, and use what you’ve got to save time and resources.

      In our bin, we used pumpkin pasta from Trader Joe’s that we tried and didn’t like! (Sorry, TJ, we love you but not your pumpkin pasta!). We also had some wheat cereal that looked exactly like hay bales, so I decided to throw those in as well! Of course, there are toy versions of both pumpkins and hay bales (linked below!).

      For the soil, we had a packet of pudding, but you could also make your own DIY mud

      All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions

      Step 1

      Follow the directions on your box of pudding or our DIY mud recipe.

      Step 2

      Place items like pumpkins and hay bales on top of the “soil” and provide some tractors to inspire pretend play!

      Step 1

      Follow the directions on your box of pudding or our DIY mud recipe.

      Step 2

      Place items like pumpkins and hay bales on top of the “soil” and provide some tractors to inspire pretend play!

      6 Reasons Why Messy Play is Important 

      1. Language Development. Giving your children rich, textural experiences allows them to better communicate. If they can never touch something that is sticky, how will they know what to call and describe it?!

      2. Physical Development. It takes time for children to develop the practical life skills to NOT be messy, and in order to figure that out they need to have opportunities to explore and strengthen their movements. If you always pour water for your child in a cup with a lid, how will they learn to pour correctly and not spill? To that end, fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination are often strengthened through messy play.

      3. Sensory Development. Before a child can talk, they discover the world through their senses, and messy play allows them an incredible opportunity to explore through a sense or combination of senses.

      4. Fosters Independent Play. The goal of messy play should be decided by the child. Messy play is such an immersive experience children often engage in the activity independently.

      messy play for toddlers pumpkin patch pudding sensory play

      5. Social Development. In a setting where multiple children are playing, sensory play also fosters social development where sharing and cooperation are often experienced.

      6. Sparks Imaginations. Sensory materials are often open-ended materials allowing a child to use their imagination in the best possible ways. Dirt can become a mud pie, sand a construction site, and a bowl of water the ocean.

      messy play for toddlers pumpkin patch pudding sensory play

      6 Reasons Why Messy Play is Important 

      1. Language Development. Giving your children rich, textural experiences allows them to better communicate. If they can never touch something that is sticky, how will they know what to call and describe it?!

      2. Physical Development. It takes time for children to develop the practical life skills to NOT be messy, and in order to figure that out they need to have opportunities to explore and strengthen their movements. If you always pour water for your child in a cup with a lid, how will they learn to pour correctly and not spill? To that end, fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination are often strengthened through messy play.

      3. Sensory Development. Before a child can talk, they discover the world through their senses, and messy play allows them an incredible opportunity to explore through a sense or combination of senses.

      4. Fosters Independent Play. The goal of messy play should be decided by the child. Messy play is such an immersive experience children often engage in the activity independently.

      5. Social Development. In a setting where multiple children are playing, sensory play also fosters social development where sharing and cooperation are often experienced.

      6. Sparks Imaginations. Sensory materials are often open-ended materials allowing a child to use their imagination in the best possible ways. Dirt can become a mud pie, sand a construction site, and a bowl of water the ocean.

      More Sensory Bins to Explore 

      Here are my top picks for sensory bins, toys, and books you can buy.

      sensory bin build you own bin michaels

      Build Your Own Sensory Bin Bundle

      This fun bundle allows you to choose between different compounds, figurines and other accessories.

      sensory bin marine creatures

      Pre-Made Sensory Bins

      Whether you want to explore the ocean, dinosaurs, ice cream shop and more. These pre-made kits make set up easy!

      sensory play monster truck bin

      Monster Truck Arena

      This sensory-play item is perfect for the monster truck fan! It comes with 2 pounds of monster dirt and a monster truck!

      fabric busy book

      Sensory-Based Book

      Sensory play doesn’t have to be messy! This fabric book is full of hands-on sensory-based activities!

      What’s Next?

      Halloween Activity for Toddlers – Make a Shape Sorter

      Halloween Activity for Toddlers – Make a Shape Sorter

      Halloween Activity for Toddlers – Make a Pumpkin Shape Sorter

      halloween activity for toddler pumpkin shape sorter learning play craft

      This pumpkin shape sorter is a fun Halloween activity for toddlers! It is where crafting, playing, and learning collide with a pumpkin twist! Keep on reading to find out how we made it!

      A Halloween Activity for Toddlers with Lots of Emotions!

      Not only is this activity great for fine motor skills and learning the early math skill of shape recognition, but I love how you can create a collection of pumpkins to showcase so many emotions!

      This is a great opportunity to talk about feelings and put a name to each emotion. If you are looking for more emotion-related activities, be sure to check out our Easy DIY Feelings Cup activity!

      All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      Watch How Fun This Halloween Activity for Toddlers is!

      Making a DIY shape sorter is super easy. Get the kids involved in crafting the pumpkins and making them orange with a green stem!

      I love how this activity involves so many fun skills. They can tap into their creative side while crafting the pumpkins, learn about emotions, recognize and distinguish between a bunch of different shapes, all the while working out their small muscles in their hands and fingers as they push the shapes through the sorter (this is so great for fine motor skills!).

      Watch How Fun This Halloween Activity for Toddlers is!

      Making a DIY shape sorter is super easy. Get the kids involved in crafting the pumpkins and making them orange with a green stem!

      I love how this activity involves so many fun skills. They can tap into their creative side while crafting the pumpkins, learn about emotions, recognize and distinguish between a bunch of different shapes, all the while working out their small muscles in their hands and fingers as they push the shapes through the sorter (this is so great for fine motor skills!).

      halloween activity for toddler pumpkin shape sorter learning play craft

      Tips for Making Pumpkin This Shape Sorter

      This DIY toy is super adaptable! Since we had such an odd sized box, I decided to use it and have the kiddos make a bunch of pumpkins stacked vertically on top of each other, but feel free to adjust based on the kind of box you have! If it is a small one, then just make 1 pumpkin, if it is a big one, make a bunch. It is up to you!

      Make sure that you have an opening for the blocks to fall out (my kids love hearing them fall on a metal pan!), or if you prefer they don’t fall out, just make sure you leave an opening in the box so you can retrieve the blocks so the kids can play over and over again!

      If your are learning shapes with your toddler or preschooler, be sure to check out our Shapes Monster Craft. It’s perfect for the spooky season and can be even used as a Halloween decor gardland!

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions

      Step 1

      Using cardboard, cut out the shapes of pumpkins.

      Step 2

      Provide art supplies for the kids to decorate the pumpkins. We used orange and green paint sticks.

      Step 3

      Once dry, use a pencil to trace the shapes for the eyes and mouths of the pumpkins. Make them each look different so you can talk about emotions! Plus, add a nose!

      Step 4

      Glue the pumpkins to your box.

      Step 5

      Use a sharp craft knife to cut out the eyes and mouths, cutting all the way through both layers of cardboard so that the block pieces will enter and fall into the box.

      Step 6

      Tape to the wall for a vertical set up! And now this Halloween activity for toddlers and preschoolers is ready to be played with!

      Step 1

      Using cardboard, cut out the shapes of pumpkins.

      Step 2

      Provide art supplies for the kids to decorate the pumpkins. We used orange and green paint sticks.

      Step 3

      Once dry, use a pencil to trace the shapes for the eyes and mouths of the pumpkins. Make them each look different so you can talk about emotions! Plus, add a nose!

      Step 4

      Glue the pumpkins to your box.

      Step 5

      Use a sharp craft knife to cut out the eyes and mouths, cutting all the way through both layers of cardboard so that the block pieces will enter and fall into the box.

      Step 6

      Tape to the wall for a vertical set up! And now this Halloween activity for toddlers and preschoolers is ready to be played with!

      More Halloween Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

      This printable bundle of Halloween-themed activities is full of Halloween activities for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartens to learn early childhood education skills!

      It has 2 dozen unique activities that will be sure to keep the kids busy and learning the whole month of October!

      Activities include shape recognition, matching, phonics, letter recognition, counting, number recognition, coloring, writing practice, scissor skills, emotions, measurements, and patterns to name a few!

      halloween worksheets printable early childhood education skills

      For more printable activities, visit our full collection

      halloween worksheets printable early childhood education skills

      More Halloween Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

      This printable bundle of Halloween-themed activities is full of Halloween activities for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartens to learn early childhood education skills!

      It has 2 dozen unique activities that will be sure to keep the kids busy and learning the whole month of October!

      Activities include shape recognition, matching, phonics, letter recognition, counting, number recognition, coloring, writing practice, scissor skills, emotions, measurements, and patterns to name a few!

      More Ways to Play with Shapes

      Here are my top picks for shape themed gifts!

      shape train toy

      Wooden Block Shape Train

      This wooden stacking train is a fun way to combine block play, shape learning, and building! This set comes with the train car and 15 blocks.

      shape gift geometric puzzle early math

      Wooden Gemoetric Shape Puzzle

      This set comes with 155 pieces of different color blocks for creating different forms contained in 24 design cards.

      shape puzzle learning shapes

      Wooden Shape Puzzle

      This wooden puzzle includes 18 shape pieces a cotton bag. I love that it features so many types of shapes!

      shape sorter toy

      Shape Sorting Truck

      This versatile shape sorting tooy includes 15 shapes and a laser engraved pull-a-long truck!

      What’s Next?

      5 Senses Activity – How to Make a Puzzle for Kids

      5 Senses Activity – How to Make a Puzzle for Kids

      5 Senses Activity – How to Make a Puzzle for Kids

      5 senses activity for kids diy puzzle

      This 5 senses activity is a fun way for kids to learn about the sense of smell, taste, sight, hearing, and touch with a DIY puzzle. Keep on reading to get the free printable to make your own cardboard puzzle or to simply use it as an easy matching worksheet game! 

      How to Play with The Five Senses 

      It’s such a fun topic to talk about with kids. Not only will they learn where all their 5 senses are located on their body, but there are 3 examples of each sense to reinforce that knowledge. 

      While this activity is all about matching up the senses and putting them where they belong, challenge the kids to think of other ways they use certain senses, too. 

      All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      How to Make This 5 Senses Activity DIY Puzzle

      It’s amazing how easy it is to make your own puzzles! All you need is some cardboard, a sharp knife, and glue to easily create the foundation of a puzzle board and pieces. 

      Our free printable makes it that much easier for grown ups who don’t want to draw out the images of this 5 senses activity!

      I love that cardboard keeps the puzzle durable and budget friendly at the same time! A great opportunity to save money while using what you have at home for playful learning!

      How to Make This 5 Senses Activity DIY Puzzle

      It’s amazing how easy it is to make your own puzzles! All you need is some cardboard, a sharp knife, and glue to easily create the foundation of a puzzle board and pieces. 

      Our free printable makes it that much easier for grown ups who don’t want to draw out the images of this 5 senses activity!

      I love that cardboard keeps the puzzle durable and budget friendly at the same time! A great opportunity to save money while using what you have at home for playful learning!

      5 senses activity for kids diy puzzle

      Get the FREE Printable for This 5 Senses Activity

      This 5 senses activity printable has 2 different versions for ways your kiddo can play with the 5 senses!

      You can do what we did and make a DIY puzzle out of cardboard, or as an alternative, we’ve also included a worksheet where kids can simply match the 5 senses on the page itself. We understand that grown ups get busy, so definitely wanted to included an option for those who may not have the time to create the full DIY version.

      For more printable activities, visit our comprehensive collection! There are so many opportunities to turn printable pages into hands on play, like our Systems of the Human Body printable, Emotions Cup Activity with Elmo, our Brush the Teeth Activity, and our Count the Pizza Activity to name a few!

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions

      Step 1

      Grab our free printable, print them, and then cut out the images.

      Step 2

      Glue the images to one of the pieces of cardboard in the correct order.

      Step 3

      Create the puzzle pieces by cutting out the objects that relate to the 5 senses. Do not cut out the mouth, nose, hand, ear, or eye.

      Step 4

      Glue the cardboard with the cut outs on top of the other piece of cardboard.

      Step 5

      Once it’s dry, enjoy playing the puzzle over and over again!

      Step 1

      Grab our free printable, print them, and then cut out the images.

      Step 2

      Glue the images to one of the pieces of cardboard in the correct order.

      Step 3

      Create the puzzle pieces by cutting out the objects that relate to the 5 senses. Do not cut out the mouth, nose, hand, ear, or eye.

      Step 4

      Glue the cardboard with the cut outs on top of the other piece of cardboard.

      Step 5

      Once it’s dry, enjoy playing the puzzle over and over again!

      Beyond This 5 Senses Activity for Kids

      This 5 Senses Activity is a great way to learn, review and reinforce what kids know about the 5 senses! It will help them connect the dots to the importance of senses while also looking for new ways to use their senses in the real world too. 

      Extend the playful learning with actually using real world objects! One fun game is to have kids close their eyes and have a taste test. See if they know what they’re eating by what you put in front of them! You can also do this same game with all of the other senses – smelling items, feeling items, and hearing items too!

      5 senses activity for kids diy puzzle
      5 senses activity for kids diy puzzle

      Beyond This 5 Senses Activity for Kids

      This 5 Senses Activity is a great way to learn, review and reinforce what kids know about the 5 senses! It will help them connect the dots to the importance of senses while also looking for new ways to use their senses in the real world too. 

      Extend the playful learning with actually using real world objects! One fun game is to have kids close their eyes and have a taste test. See if they know what they’re eating by what you put in front of them! You can also do this same game with all of the other senses – smelling items, feeling items, and hearing items too!

      More Sensory-Based Activities

      Here are my top picks for sensory bins, toys, and books you can buy.

      sensory bin build you own bin michaels

      Build Your Own Sensory Bin Bundle

      This fun bundle allows you to choose between different compounds, figurines and other accessories.

      sensory bin marine creatures

      Pre-Made Sensory Bins

      Whether you want to explore the ocean, dinosaurs, ice cream shop and more. These pre-made kits make set up easy!

      sensory play monster truck bin

      Monster Truck Arena

      This sensory-play item is perfect for the monster truck fan! It comes with 2 pounds of monster dirt and a monster truck!

      fabric busy book

      Sensory-Based Book

      Sensory play doesn’t have to be messy! This fabric book is full of hands-on sensory-based activities!

      What’s Next?

      DIY Artist Costume – Easy and Budget-Friendly Dress Up

      DIY Artist Costume – Easy and Budget-Friendly Dress Up

      DIY Artist Costume – Easy & Budget-Friendly Dress Up

      artist costume halloween diy

      Are you looking for a fun dress-up outfit or a simple way for your little one to create their own DIY Halloween costume? This DIY Artist costume is perfect! If they have a love for all things art, this is a fantastic way to create a costume for them that lets them show that off!

      A Simple and Budget-Friendly Alternative to Store Bought Costumes!

      Why spend all that time and money shopping for a Halloween costume when you have the ability to make one right at home? You can easily have your little ones join in on all the creating fun! 

      They’ll be able to create their own artist costume with just a little bit of creativity and supplies. They can also use this costume as a way to dress up like an artist anytime that they want to right at home!

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      Watch How to Make a DIY Artist Costume

      The more creative that they want to be let them! An artist can be messy or not, and using the paints that you have at home is a way to let your little one go wild. If you plan on washing it though, you’ll want to be sure to use fabric paints!

      Make certain that they enjoy this project and have a fun time creating as well. The outcome is going to give them so much confidence when it comes to making a costume to wear and love.

      Watch How to Make a DIY Artist Costume

      This costume can be totally kid-made! The more creative that they want to be let them! An artist can be messy or not. They can create designs, patterns, real-life pictures, or just tap into their inner Jackson Pollock and create their costume splatter-style!

      It’s all about having fun! The outcome is going to give them so much confidence when it comes to making a costume to wear and love.

      artist costume halloween diy

      Tips for Making a DIY Artist Costume

      Fabric Paint. To make this costume washable, you’ll want to use fabric paint.

      Accessories. In addition to the painter’s apron, we added a DIY accessory of a cardboard paint palette. And to complete the costume we also added a red scarf, beret, and black and white shirt!

      Halloween or Year Long Dress Up. Not only does this costume make for a super creative and special Halloween costume, but it’s great for wearing year-round for pretend play and dress up!

      All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      Invite your kiddo to decorate a plain art apron with paint and other supplies of your choice.

      Step 2

      Provide paint brushes, rollers, or other tools if you like!

      Step 3

      Allow to dry over night.

      Step 4

      To make the paint palette, cut a palette shape out of cardboard and make colorful paint marks around it!

      Step 1

      Invite your kiddo to decorate a plain art apron with paint and other supplies of your choice.

      Step 2

      Provide paint brushes, rollers, or other tools if you like!

      Step 3

      Allow to dry over night.

      Step 4

      To make the paint palette, cut a palette shape out of cardboard and make colorful paint marks around it!

      The Benefits of Pretend Play

      This DIY artist costume is a fun way to create a lasting outfit that can be used for pretend play, aka imaginative play, aka dramatic play!

      Imaginative play has so many benefits. It allows kiddos an opportunity to strengthen so many skills through play. Think: language development, social, fine motor, gross motor, problem solving, and self-regulation skills, to name a few. It really spans the spectrum!

      The amazing thing about pretend play is how children often act out real-life scenarios allowing them an incredible opportunity to encounter social and emotional situations and roles.  

      artist costume halloween diy

      If your kiddo loves making their own costume, you’ll have to try our DIY Astronaut Costume too!

      artist costume halloween diy

      The Benefits of Pretend Play

      This DIY artist costume is a fun way to create a lasting outfit that can be used for pretend play, aka imaginative play, aka dramatic play!

      Imaginative play has so many benefits. It allows kiddos an opportunity to strengthen so many skills through play. Think: language development, social, fine motor, gross motor, problem solving, and self-regulation skills, to name a few. It really spans the spectrum!

      The amazing thing about pretend play is how children often act out real-life scenarios allowing them an incredible opportunity to encounter social and emotional situations and roles.  

      If your kiddo loves making their own costume, you’ll have to try our DIY Astronaut Costume too!

      Beyond a DIY Artist Costume – More Ways to Explore Pretend Play

      Here are my top picks for more ways kids can engage in imaginative play.

      pretend play doctors kit gift imaginative

      Doctor’s Kit

      This adorable doctor’s kit is made of mostly wooden parts. It includes a stethoscope, thermometer, syringe, blood pressure gauge, and more!

      dress up pretend play career imaginative

      Dress Up Kit

      Inspire your little ones to role play with this dress-up kit that includes 3 different careers – scientist, explorer and gardner! Great for any and all genders!

      play toy kitchen gift for kids

      Play Kitchen

      This play kitchen is not only adorable but will inspire such fun imaginative cooking play with it’s stove, oven, microwave, and storage areas!

      pretend play cleaning kit imaginative

      Cleaning Set

      It is surprising how much kids love this 6 piece pretend play cleaning kit! A fun way to motivate independence and a love for cleaning!

      What’s Next?

      Kids Halloween Party – The Ultimate List of Fun Ideas

      Kids Halloween Party – The Ultimate List of Fun Ideas

      Kids Halloween Party – The Ultimate List of Fun Ideas

      kids halloween party ideas and activities

      Everything you need to know to throw a fun kids Halloween party! From spooky-themed activities, to decor and party favors, we got you covered! 

      When planning a kid’s birthday party, I always have a handy checklist so I don’t forget something important! Here are the main areas:

      • Food & Beverages
      • Dishes and Utensils
      • Activities
      • Decor
      • Outfits
      • Trash Can
      • Party Favors
      • First Aid and Other Essentials Basket

      Keep on reading to get all the details! And also be sure to check out our printable bundle of Halloween Activities, a fun way to learn so many early childhood education skills including letters, numbers, shapes, scissor skills, writing, and so much more. 

       

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:
      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Kids Halloween Party Activities

      Since we LOVE kid’s activities, I always try to include 3 or 4 different ones for kiddos to explore whenever we have parties. 

      We like to keep them budget-friendly getting bulk supplies online or from places like Dollar Tree or Target’s Bullseye section.

      Keep on reading to see the different activities we set up at this particular Halloween Party!

      All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

       

      Kids Halloween Party Activities

      Since we LOVE kid’s activities, I always try to include 3 or 4 different ones for kiddos to explore whenever we have parties. 

      We like to keep them budget-friendly getting bulk supplies online or from places like Dollar Tree or Target’s Bullseye section.

      Keep on reading to see the different activities we set up at this particular Halloween Party!

      All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration
      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Sandbox Pumpkin Patch

      We turned our sandbox into a farm with tractors to pick up pumpkins from a patch! 

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Spider Threading Game

      Kiddos had the opportunity to thread spider rings through a straw to strengthen their fine motor skills!

      kids halloween party ideas and activities

      Craft a Pumpkin

      This foam pumpkin craft kit comes with 18 packs for kids to decorate different silly pumpkin faces!

      kids halloween party ideas and activities

      Witch’s Brew!

      In a cauldron, water and insects (both big and small) collide for a fun sensory play, where kids can make spooky potions!

      Kids Halloween Party Guest Surprise!

      Have a cousin, Uncle or Aunt, or friend who would be open to making a special appearance during the kids Halloween party? 

      Pictured is my brother who dressed up like Blippi one year and the kids thought it was a hoot! During a Halloween party it is likely that all the kids and some adults will be dressed up, but it is always a fun treat when a new character joins the party and entertains the kids for thirty or so minutes!

      kids halloween party ideas and activities
      kids halloween party ideas and activities

      Kids Halloween Party Guest Surprise!

      Have a cousin, Uncle or Aunt, or friend who would be open to making a special appearance during the kids Halloween party? 

      Pictured is my brother who dressed up like Blippi one year and the kids thought it was a hoot! During a Halloween party it is likely that all the kids and some adults will be dressed up, but it is always a fun treat when a new character joins the party and entertains the kids for thirty or so minutes!

      kids halloween party ideas and activities

      Decor and Other Details for a Kids Halloween Party

      Here are some simple ways to give off some major Halloween vibes! Obviously Halloween decor is so adaptable and so dependent on the kind of items you’ve been collecting over the years.

      As you can see with this party, the decor is super young kid friendly – meaning no scary or bloody decor. But if your kiddos are ready for that, then go for it!

      Also worth noting, I wanted our party favor to be both practical and non-candy related, more on that below! And while we didn’t have candy inside our party favor, we did make sure to have a yummy treat for them to eat while they were at this kids Halloween party.  

      kids halloween party ideas and activities

      Table Decor

      A reusable orange table cloth cover and a black and white cloth runner gave this kids Halloween party a spooky vibe!

      kids halloween party ideas and activities

      Halloween Balloons

      We used some simple black and white and orange balloons to decorate our party favor space, but you can have even more fun with this set that has eyeballs, pumpkins & spiders

      kids halloween party ideas and activities

      Party Favors

      These party favors are practical because kids get to use the bag for trick or treating later, but also candy free with a Spooky Pookie book inside!

      kids halloween party ideas and activities

      Something Sweet!

      Now listen, I’m not against sweets. I just figured they’d be trick or treating after the party. But rest assure, serving yummy Halloween themed cupcakes is a must!

      More Party Ideas!

      Looking for more fun ideas for your Kids Halloween Party? Here are some more ways to have fun with this theme!

      face paint kit kids halloween party

      Face Paint Kit!

      This is a fun activity to include during a Kids Halloween Party! The kit comes with a guide to help grown ups create the perfect characters!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Halloween Ring Toss

      This is a fun Halloween-themed game for kids. The set comes with both a spider and a witch’s hat for ring tossing fun!

      halloween party easter eggs

      Halloween Egg Hunt

      As a possible alternative to (or in addition to) trick-or-treating, a Halloween egg hunt is sure to be a hit! This set comes with 36 pieces of varying designs.

      halloween party craft kit for kids

      Squishy Paint Kit

      This set of Halloween-themed squishy toys are either great party favors or a fun activity they can do at the party!

      What’s Next?

      DIY Astronaut Costume – How to Make it for Kids!

      DIY Astronaut Costume – How to Make it for Kids!

      DIY Astronaut Costume – How to Make it for Kids!

      diy_astronaut_costume_4

      This DIY Astronaut Costume is such a fun homemade costume for kids. It’s perfect for dressing up and is also great for Halloween! 

      If your child loves all things space, they’re going to love it when you make this adorable DIY costume for them. It’s literally “out of this world” amazing! 

      Imaginative Play with A DIY Astronaut Costume

      What little kid doesn’t dream about being an astronaut at some point in time? This easy DIY costume idea is a fun and simple way to make that dream turn into a reality. 

      Oh the magic of imaginative play, aka pretend play! Seeing kids get excited about dressing up is literally one of the best parts of seeing their imagination come to life. Even though this is great for a Halloween costume, I think this would be perfect for a simple dress-up outfit at home!

       

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      Watch How to Make This DIY Astronaut Costume

      The great thing about a DIY costume is you can adapt it easily! Choose colors that your kiddos love most, and use clothing that you already have at home to save costs on supplies! 

      The water bottle jetpack makes for such a fun accessory! Kiddos will have so much a great time pretending they are flying through the sky! You could even take it one step further and make a paper bag helmet!

       

      Watch How to Make This DIY Astronaut Costume

      The great thing about a DIY costume is you can adapt it easily! Choose colors that your kiddos love most, and use clothing that you already have at home to save costs on supplies! 

      The water bottle jetpack makes for such a fun accessory! Kiddos will have so much a great time pretending they are flying through the sky! You could even take it one step further and make a paper bag helmet!

      Tips for Making This DIY Astronaut Costume

      Recycle and Reuse. To save on costs of supplies, use what you’ve got! A plain t-shirt that you don’t mind dedicating to this costume is perfect to use! Check your supply cabinet to see if you have bits and pieces of felt that can be used instead of a buying a new pack.

      Space-Themed Patches. We love these space theme patches because they really made the costume look official! However, you could also save on costs by printing official images from the internet and gluing them to the costume instead.

      Fabric Glue. Speaking of gluing, make sure you use a strong fabric glue so all your details will stay in place even after washing!

      All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

      diy astronaut costume materials

      making play dough into rainbow swirls

      Tips for Making This DIY Astronaut Costume

      Recycle and Reuse. To save on costs of supplies, use what you’ve got! A plain t-shirt that you don’t mind dedicating to this costume is perfect to use! Check your supply cabinet to see if you have bits and pieces of felt that can be used instead of a buying a new pack.

      Space-Themed Patches. We love these space theme patches because they really made the costume look official! However, you could also save on costs by printing official images from the internet and gluing them to the costume instead.

      Fabric Glue. Speaking of gluing, make sure you use a strong fabric glue so all your details will stay in place even after washing!

      All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      For the astronaut costume, Cut a piece of felt into strips. Two long strips and four short strips.

      Step 2

      Use fabric glue to secure the long strips on both sides of the front of the shirt.

      Step 3

      Glue the short strips around the cuffs of the shirt and the pants.

      Step 4

      Cut a black piece of felt, gluing several pieces together if necessary to form a belt around the bottom of the shirt and securing with glue.

      Step 5

      Glue NASA-Themed patches on the shirt sleeves, chest, and center of the belt.

      Step 6

      For the rockets, spray paint two large plastic water bottles.

      Step 7

      On red and yellow felt, create a fire shape and cut it out.

      Step 8

      Glue the yellow fire pattern inside the red fire pattern.

      Step 9

      Repeat for each bottle and glue inside the lid of the bottle.

      Step 10

      Cut black felt strips for the straps, measuring enough to fit comfortably like a backpack.

      Step 1

      For the astronaut costume, Cut a piece of felt into strips. Two long strips and four short strips.

      Step 2

      Use fabric glue to secure the long strips on both sides of the front of the shirt.

      Step 3

      Glue the short strips around the cuffs of the shirt and the pants.

      Step 4

      Cut a black piece of felt, gluing several pieces together if necessary to form a belt around the bottom of the shirt and securing with glue.

      Step 5

      Glue NASA-Themed patches on the shirt sleeves, chest, and center of the belt.

      Step 6

      For the rockets, spray paint two large plastic water bottles.

      Step 7

      On red and yellow felt, create a fire shape and cut it out.

      Step 8

      Glue the yellow fire pattern inside the red fire pattern.

      Step 9

      Repeat for each bottle and glue inside the lid of the bottle.

      Step 10

      Cut black felt strips for the straps, measuring enough to fit comfortably like a backpack.

      Space-Themed Printable Worksheets

      If your kiddo loves all things space and astronauts, definitely check out this space-theme printable bundle of worksheets. It’s a great way to compliment this fun DIY astronaut costume!

      It is filled with over a dozen playful activities that touch upon different early childhood education skills. Perfect for preschool and kindergarten.

      From scissor skills, to the alphabet, number recognition, counting, phonics, writing, coloring, patterns, shapes, and memory games – there is so much to explore and learn!

      space themed worksheet astronaut diy printable early childhood education skills preschool kindergarten

      For more printable resources, check out our entire collection in this Printable Section.

      space themed worksheet astronaut diy printable early childhood education skills preschool kindergarten

      Space-Themed Printable Worksheets

      If your kiddo loves all things space and astronauts, definitely check out this space-theme printable bundle of worksheets. It’s a great way to compliment this fun DIY astronaut costume!

      It is filled with over a dozen playful activities that touch upon different early childhood education skills. Perfect for preschool and kindergarten.

      From scissor skills, to the alphabet, number recognition, counting, phonics, writing, coloring, patterns, shapes and memory games – there is so much to explore and learn!

      For more printable resources, check out our entire collection in this Printable Section.

      Beyond a DIY Astronaut Costume – Exploring Imaginative Play

      Here are my top picks for more ways kids can engage in pretend play.

      pretend play doctors kit gift imaginative

      Doctor’s Kit

      This adorable doctor’s kit is made of mostly wooden parts. It includes a stethoscope, thermometer, syringe, blood pressure gauge, and more!

      dress up pretend play career

      Dress Up Kit

      Inspire your little ones to role play with this dress-up kit that includes 3 different careers – scientist, explorer and gardner! Great for any and all genders!

      play toy kitchen gift for kids

      Play Kitchen

      This play kitchen is not only adorable but will inspire such fun imaginative cooking play with it’s stove, oven, microwave, and storage areas!

      pretend play cleaning kit

      Cleaning Set

      It is surprising how much kids love this 6 piece pretend play cleaning kit! A fun way to motivate independence and a love for cleaning!

      What’s Next?

      Fall Activity for Toddlers – Easy Autumn Sensory Bin

      Fall Activity for Toddlers – Easy Autumn Sensory Bin

      Fall Activity for Toddlers – Easy Autumn Sensory Bin

      fall sensory bin taste safe toddler baby foam

      This Fall activity for toddlers is a fun way to enjoy all things Autumn! The set up is super easy, and it’s so great for for sensory play and fine motor skills!

      An Adaptable Fall Activity for Toddlers

      The great thing about sensory bins is that there really isn’t any set “rules” on how to make one. Since this is a fall theme, you can plan on everything being all about fall! 

      Do you have fallen leaves, pine cones, or acorns?! Use them! Yup, it’s that simple! Throw in some fake apples and pumpkins too to talk about some typical produce of the season. We included corn kernels as well, but be sure to omit this if your kiddo is too young and likely to try to eat these. 

      All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      Having Fun with this Fall Activity for Toddlers

      Watch this video to see how super engaged toddlers can be with such simple materials! Providing bowls, spoons, and tongs will allow young kids to use real world objects that will help them strengthen fine motor and practical life skills!

      No doubt, their imaginations will spark as they have fun concocting unique bowls of Autumn soup with all the loose parts!

      Having Fun with this Fall Activity for Toddlers

      Watch this video to see how super engaged toddlers can be with such simple materials! Providing bowls, spoons, and tongs will allow young kids to use real world objects that will help them strengthen fine motor and practical life skills!

      No doubt, their imaginations will spark as they have fun concocting unique bowls of Autumn soup with all the loose parts!

      fall sensory bin taste safe toddler baby foam

      Tips for Setting Up This Fall Activity for Toddlers

      Use What You’ve Got! As I mentioned earlier, don’t underestimate the magic of natural objects that may have fallen right near your feet! Think: acorns, vibrantly colored Autumn leaves, and pine cones! 

      Dealing with the Mess. When toddlers first use sensory bins it may be difficult for them to keep the items from falling all over the floor. After all, they are likely working on a very important skill of scooping and pouring. And you don’t learn how not to spill unless you make that mistake a few times! Place some towels on the ground or set this up outside to help with the clean up!

      Provide Bowls and Tools. Bowls and tools will not only help your kiddo develop fine motor skills, but they will spark their imaginations by finding new ways to use the loose parts in front of them!

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions

      Step 1

      Add all your favorite fall items to a bin.

      Step 2

      Let the kids dig in with their hands or kid-friendly tools.

      Step 1

      Add all your favorite fall items to a bin. 

      Step 2

      Let the kids dig in with their hands or kid-friendly tools.

      The Benefits of This Fall Activity for Toddlers

      Sensory Play. Have you heard that sensory play helps to build nerve connections in the brain? Yes, that’s right! Including different textures and sights in this bin will allow kiddos to think and explore using their hands in new ways. 

      You could even add some scents, like cinnamon for your kiddo to smell and explore!

      Fine Motor Skills. And if you throw in some fine motor tools like tongs along with bowls and spoons they will have the opportunity to strengthen their fine motor skills.

      Pouring sensory bases from one bowl to the other, or scooping up the materials with a spoon are also all wonderful practical life skills they will use for the rest of their life.

      fall sensory bin taste safe toddler baby foam

      Language Development. Sensory play is a great time to build vocabulary! Talk about the items, explain what Autumn is, and have your kiddo repeat and explain these new words to you!

      For more sensory play fun, visit our comprehensive list!

      fall sensory bin taste safe toddler baby foam

      The Benefits of This Fall Toddler Activity

      Sensory Play. Have you heard that sensory play helps to build nerve connections in the brain? Yes, that’s right! Including different textures and sights in this bin will allow kiddos to think and explore using their hands in new ways. You could even add some scents, like cinnamon for your kiddo to smell and explore!

      Fine Motor Skills. And if you throw in some fine motor tools like tongs along with bowls and spoons they will have the opportunity to strengthen their fine motor skills.

      Pouring sensory bases from one bowl to the other, or scooping up the materials with a spoon are also all wonderful practical life skills they will use for the rest of their life.

      Language Development. Sensory play is a great time to build vocabulary! Talk about the items, explain what Autumn is, and have your kiddo repeat and explain these new words to you!

      More Sensory Bins to Explore 

      Here are my top picks for sensory bins, toys, and books you can buy.

      sensory bin build you own bin michaels

      Build Your Own Sensory Bin Bundle

      This fun bundle allows you to choose between different compounds, figurines and other accessories.

      sensory bin marine creatures

      Pre-Made Sensory Bins

      Whether you want to explore the ocean, dinosaurs, ice cream shop and more. These pre-made kits make set up easy!

      sensory play monster truck bin

      Monster Truck Arena

      This sensory-play item is perfect for the monster truck fan! It comes with 2 pounds of monster dirt and a monster truck!

      fabric busy book

      Sensory-Based Book

      Sensory play doesn’t have to be messy! This fabric book is full of hands-on sensory-based activities!

      What’s Next?

      Dinosaur Party, Inspiring Ideas for a Roar-some Birthday

      Dinosaur Party, Inspiring Ideas for a Roar-some Birthday

      Dinosaur Party, Inspiring Ideas for a Roarsome Birthday

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Dinosaur fans rejoice! Everything you need to know to throw a roar-some dinosaur party! There are so many ways to make a party dinosaur-themed. We had a blast brainstorming how to make those ideas come to life!

      When planning a kid’s birthday party, I always have a handy checklist so I don’t forget something important! Here are the main areas:

      • Food
      • Dishes and Utensils
      • Beverages
      • Activities
      • Decor: Table and Front Door
      • Outfits
      • Trash Can
      • Party Favors
      • First Aid and Other Essentials Basket

      Keep on reading to get all the details and see some inspirational dinosaur party fun in action!

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      The Party in Action!

      Before I get into all of the details, watch this video for a glimpse of our dinosaur party in action!

      My son has been a big fan of dinosaurs and he was so excited to celebrate his birthday dinosaur-style. This is our 3rd themed party for him. When he turned 3 he had a construction party, and when he turned 4 he had a garbage man party! During his 5th birthday, it was the beginning of co-vid and we kept things simple and theme-less!

      The Party in Action!

      Before I get into all of the details, watch this video for a glimpse of our dinosaur party in action!

      My son has been a big fan of dinosaurs and he was so excited to celebrate his birthday dinosaur-style. This is our 3rd themed party for him. When he turned 3 he had a construction party, and when he turned 4 he had a garbage man party! During his 5th birthday, it was the beginning of co-vid and we kept things simple and theme-less!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Dinosaur Party: Activities!

      Whenever I plan my kid’s birthday parties, activities are always one of the most important things to figure out!

      We opt for hands on, often sensory-based and arts and crafts experiences over bounce houses and other more costly alternatives. Read on below for the main activities we decided to do for the dinosaur party!

      In addition to the pool, there are 3 places I like to set up activities – on our kid-sized folding tables, inside our sensory table, and sandbox!

      We have a free printable dinosaur-themed activity you could include as well!

      All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

       

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Clay Dinosaur Eggs

      In our sensory bin, I filled up one tub with leaves, mulch, and clay dinosaur eggs each filled with a dinosaur inside! The other bin was filled with water, and I had two bowls filled with excavating tools!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Dinosaur Paint Kit

      On our kid-sized folding tables, I set up an arts and crafts activity! These dinosaurs, paints, and brushes were all part of a kit. So much fun transforming the white dinosaurs into colorful ones!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Fossil Sand Dig

      Inside our sand box, kids tapped into their inner paleontologist using sifting tools to find fossils underneath the sand. Other kids enjoyed hiding them right back under the sand for a friend to find!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Pool Time!

      With warm weather, we kept the pool open and added several dinosaur themed inflatables. We also splurged and got a life guard to keep the pool activity extra safe and allow parents to chat!

      What to Eat at a Dinosaur Party!

      The star of this section is the cake! We added figurines and a volcano to decorate an 8 inch cake. To keep the look earthy, sprinkle graham crackers on the cake platter!

      Since we are extra conscious of germs and keeping our guests healthy, we opted for a number sparkler instead of candles that are blown out. 

      Dinosaur caddies filled with succulent plants with larger succulents in planters make for a fun decor around the cake too!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration
      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Dinosaur Cupcakes!

      I originally planned to have cake pops, but I couldn’t find a baker on such short notice. Instead, I called Whole Foods and they were able to make these fun dinosaur-themed cupcakes after I showed them a few inspirational photos!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Disposable Plates and Napkins

      There are a lot of dinosaur plates and napkin options out there, but I narrowed it down to these! I love that the design is the perfect balance between fun and realistic. Not cartoony and not scary! 

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Snack Center

      Our only snack that was dinosaur-themed were our apple sauce pouches! Everything else was just easy, single-use options that kids would like. With the virus, we wanted to keep snacks individual to prevent the spread of germs!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Mobile Pizza Maker

      We splurged on our main food option and had a mobile pizza maker come to our house to make kids and parents custom pizzas. It was a big hit – not only delicious, but also a great non-buffet option during these times!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      What to Eat at a Dinosaur Party!

      The star of this section is the cake! We added figurines and a volcano to decorate an 8 inch cake. To keep the look earthy, sprinkle graham crackers on the cake platter!

      Since we are extra conscious of germs and keeping our guests healthy, we opted for a number sparkler instead of candles that are blown out. 

      Dinosaur caddies filled with succulent plants with larger succulents in planters make for a fun decor around the cake too!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Dinosaur Cupcakes!

      I originally planned to have cake pops, but I couldn’t find a baker on such short notice. Instead, I called Whole Foods and they were able to make these fun dinosaur-themed cupcakes after I showed them a few inspirational photos!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Disposable Plates and Napkins

      There are a lot of dinosaur plates and napkin options out there, but I narrowed it down to these! I love that the design is the perfect balance between fun, realistic. Not cartoony and not scary! 

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Snack Center

      Our only snack that was dinosaur-themed were our apple sauce pouches! Everything else was just easy, single-use options that kids would like. With the virus, we wanted to keep snacks individual to prevent the spread of germs!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Mobile Pizza Maker

      We splurged on our main food option and had a mobile pizza maker come to our house to make kids and parents custom pizzas. It was a big hit – not only delicious, but also a great non-buffet option during these times!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Dinosaur Party Decor

      What are we left with once the party is over? The pictures! So setting up a great photo op dessert table is always a priority for us!

      I used a leaf-themed table cloth with a burlap runner that I bought in bulk. I was able to have enough material to make the kids arts & crafts tables in the same style!

      I snagged some succulent plants from Trader Joes and a few other leafy plants from Home Depot and dispersed them across the various spaces to integrate living greenery.

      Add a cute garland, adorable wood-slice cake platter and cupcake platters, and balloons (number, dinosaur, and rawr!), and everything came together so earthy and fun!

       

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Wood Slice Cake Platters

      One of my favorite items from this party is the 2-tiered cupcake platter. The wood grain is so natural and added so much texture to the decor.

      dinosaur planter

      Dinosaur Planter

      We transformed dinosaur pencil caddies into planters by filling them up with soil and succulents! But you can also get these cute ones too that are designed to be planters!

      burlap decor dinosaur party

      Burlap Runner

      I love that this high quality burlap runner comes in a bulk roll! I was able to use it on 3 different tables and I have more to spare for our next party! It gave the tables such a great texture!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Leaf Print Table Cloth

      This palm leaf print table cloth is perfect for a dinosaur party (or a Hawaiian one too!). Each pack comes with 2 table clothes that are water proof!

      More Party Ideas!

      Looking for more fun details for your Dinosaur Party? Here are some more ways to have fun with this theme!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Party Favors

      We always opt to spend a little extra budget on a high quality party favor that kids will actually use more than once! Kid’s got to take home a book for emerging readers and a ceramic dinosaur paint kit!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Dinosaur-Themed Outfit

      Since we had a pool party, we went with dinosaur themed bathing suits, including dinosaur swim trunks and an adorable pink dinosaur onesie swimsuit!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Dinosaur Costume

      Instead of hiring someone to come dressed up as a mascot, have a family member do it instead! Uncle to the rescue with this fun dinosaur costume. Also great to hold on for Halloween!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Dinosaur Piñata

      Piñatas are such a fun way to add entertainment to a birthday party. This dinosaur shaped piñata comes with a stick and a blindfold. Fill it up with candy or small toys of your choice! 

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Number Balloons

      Number balloons are a fun way to shine a light on your little one’s new age! Make sure to use a very strong double sided tape to make sure it stays up on the wall throughout the party! 

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Rawr Balloon

      Add a little fun with this-dinosaur themed Rawr balloon! And add some dinosaurs balloons to the mix as well if you have the wall space! This double sided tape is the best.

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Garland

      This tassel garland is the perfect color scheme for a dinosaur-themed party! The tassels have wooden beads in between adding for a natural jungle and woodland look!

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      First Aid and Sanitizer Basket

      Make a basket with first aid, sanitizer, and other essentials like bug spray and sunscreen! It will inevitably come in handy for someone! 

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