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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: 3 Years +

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

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!

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?

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?

Practical Life Skills – DIY Learning Board

Practical Life Skills – DIY Learning Board

Practical Life Skills – DIY Learning Board

practical life skill fine motor skill board zipping tying buckling

Buckling, zipping, tying: these are all practical life skills that take time and practice! This DIY board is a fun way to help kids learn! With three different sections included, the kids can learn how to tie shoes, buckle a belt, and zip up a shirt, strengthening fine motor skills and building confidence along the way!

The Importance of Practical Life Skills

The activities that you’re going to create on this board are all very important for the kids to learn as they will use those skills for the rest of their life. Tying and zipping and buckling are not only done on clothes and shoes but they’re also used daily in other aspects of life. 

This shows the kids the importance of being independent so that they can start working on all these skills on their own. This will help with their confidence and allow them to practice over and over again until they succeed!

Skills: 

Ages: 

Prep Time: 

practical life skill fine motor skill board zipping tying buckling

How We Created Our Life Skill Board

Since the kids are all about trying to do things on their own, they loved diving in and making this board. They were super pumped that it had three parts to it that worked on various new skills that they’re trying to master. 

We like to choose some time daily to sit down and work on this board.

 

A Budget Friendly DIY Toy for Learning Practical Life Skills!

Cardboard, glue, and some leftover clothing helped to create this DIY practical life skills board! 

For example, save a zipper from an old sweater, a buckle from an old bag, or a shoelace from an old shoe! All of these things can be used for a busy board like this!

You can even add buttons and clips to provide even more fine motor skills opportunities!

practical life skill fine motor skill board zipping tying buckling
practical life skill fine motor skill board zipping tying buckling

Tips for A Practical Life Skills Board

As mentioned above, there is no need to spend a lot of money on this! Save old clothing, shoes, and bags and use the materials from them to build this practical life skills board.

Cardboard makes a great board because it is cheap and sturdy! To make the cardboard colorful, I like to use tempera paint sticks because they are vibrant like paint, but roll on like a crayon and dry in seconds!

Also make sure you use a strong glue, like tacky glue. Since kiddos will be tugging at the strings, zipper, and buckle, you’ll want to make sure everything adheres well!

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

Cut out cardboard shapes for the shoes, shirt, and pants.

Step 2

Have the kids color them in and glue them on a sheet of cardboard.

 

Step 3

Add the laces to the shoes, the belt to the pants, and the zipper to the shirt.

Step 4

They can then work on tying, zipping, and buckling over and over again.

Step 1

Cut out cardboard shapes for the shoes, shirt, and pants.

Step 2

Have the kids color them in and glue them on a sheet of cardboard.

Step 3

Add the laces to the shoes, the belt to the pants, and the zipper to the shirt.

Step 4

They can then work on tying, zipping, and buckling over and over again.

More Ways to Strengthen Fine Motor Skills

The three practical life skills covered in this activity all require the strengthening of fine motor skills.

While we definitely don’t want to encourage our kiddos to cut their own hair, 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 three practical life skills covered in this activity all require the strengthening of fine motor skills.

While we definitely don’t want to encourage our kiddos to cut their own hair, 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?

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?

    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?

    Skeleton Printable Activity – Unique Puzzle Using Cotton Swabs

    Skeleton Printable Activity – Unique Puzzle Using Cotton Swabs

    Skeleton Printable Activity – Unique Puzzle Using Cotton Swabs

    skeleton printable puzzle using cotton swabs sensory bag

    This skeleton printable activity, is a unique way to play and learn using cotton swabs as puzzle pieces! Keep on reading to learn about the different ways you can enjoy this puzzle, including turning it into a sensory bag!

    Many Ways to Play with This Skeleton Printable

    First off, this skeleton printable pack comes with 6 skeleton puzzles to choose from – a human, dog, cat, bird, fish, and snake! 

    Setting up this activity can be as simple as printing, and providing cotton swabs to match! Alternatively, you can create a sensory bag like we did! Filling up a bag with hair gel and placing the cotton swabs inside is a challenging way to match puzzle pieces while strengthening fine motor skills!

    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 Skeleton Printable as a Sensory Bag Activity

    Here’s how you can easily set up this skeleton printable using a sensory bag!

    By putting the cotton swab pieces inside the sensory bag, kids can use their fingers to push the cotton swabs to the correct locations. This is great for fine motor skills and hand eye coordination! 

    Sensory bags are so much fun, it’s hard not to squish it!

    Watch the Skeleton Printable as a Sensory Bag Activity

    Here’s how you can easily set up this skeleton printable using a sensory bag!

    By putting the cotton swab pieces inside the sensory bag, kids can use their fingers to push the cotton swabs to the correct locations. This is great for fine motor skills and hand eye coordination! 

    Sensory bags are so much fun, it’s hard not to squish it!

    skeleton printable puzzle using cotton swabs sensory bag

    Get the FREE Set of Skeleton Printables!

    This printable set of 6 skeletons with cotton swab bones is totally FREE!

    We enjoyed playing with the pages using a sensory bag, but we also enjoy an even quicker set up by just matching the cotton swabs to the paper directly. You could even use glue to keep the cotton swabs in place, or you could place a piece of adhesive paper (sticky side up!) over the printable to have the cotton swabs adhere.

    This is a great way to get kids excited about anatomy and learning about the bones inside our bodies and other creatures!

    For another anatomy-themed activity, you have to check out our Systems of the Body for Kids. Not only is this also a free printable activity, but children will get a thrill out of revealing all the different systems of the human body – it’s like magic!

     

    Materials

    Step-by-Step Instructions 

    Step 1

    Grab our free printable skeletons!

    Step 2

    To make a sensory bag activity, grab a plastic bag and use nail polish remover to remove the white label on the front of the plastic bag (allowing you to view the inside of the bag without obstruction!).

    Step 3

    Add clear hair gel into the plastic bag.

    Step 4

    Cut cotton swabs in half and in quarters as well as keeping some whole, and place them in the plastic bag.

    Step 5

    Choose a skeleton page from the bundle, and place the sensory bag on top. Tape it down to prevent it from sliding around.

    Step 6

    Task your kiddo with moving the cotton swab pieces to match the skeleton!

    Step 1

    Grab our free printable skeletons!

    Step 2

    To make a sensory bag activity, grab a plastic bag and use nail polish remover to remove the white label on the front of the plastic bag (allowing you to view the inside of the bag without obstruction!).

    Step 3

    Add clear hair gel into the plastic bag.

    Step 4

    Cut cotton swabs in half and in quarters as well as keeping some whole, and place them in the plastic bag.

    Step 5

    Choose a skeleton page from the bundle, and place the sensory bag on top. Tape it down to prevent it from sliding around.

    Step 6

    Task your kiddo with moving the cotton swab pieces to match the skeleton!

    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!

    For more printable activities, visit our full collection

    More Ways to Learn About the Human Body

    Here are my top picks for toys that are all about the body, anatomy and human biology!

    anatomy science organs skeleton

    Organ Apron

    Here is a life-size puzzle you can wear and learn all about anatomy! The set includes removable organs and an apron!

    anatomy science organs skeleton

    Human Body System Set

    These magnetic pieces are a 3D puzzle! It has anatomically correct pieces for both boys and girls for learning body systems!

    anatomy science organs skeleton

    3D Human Model

    This fun set includes soft, squishy organs and hard, removable bones. It is an interactive and sensory based puzzle!

    anatomy science organs skeleton

    Anatomy Doll

    Science has never been so cuddly! Explore organs and the human body with this doll that unbuttons at the chest to reveal organs and body sounds!

    What’s Next?

    Pumpkin Activities – Being Creative with a Real Pumpkin

    Pumpkin Activities – Being Creative with a Real Pumpkin

    Pumpkin Activities – Being Creative with a Real Pumpkin

    pumpkin activities growing pumpkin seeds in a pumpkin making a pumpkin flower pot growing plants in a pumpkin

    These pumpkin activities are a fun way for kids to crack open a pumpkin and create some fun festive decor while learning about plants!

    Using a pumpkin as the pot, you can use it to contain a bouquet of cut flowers, or be the home to flowers still growing in dirt, and our absolute favorite, growing pumpkin seeds inside the pumpkin itself! Keep on reading to find out how to make each!

    Pumpkin Activities Double As Fall Decor

    From planting seeds, to replanting flowers, and assembling cut flowers, so much can be learned about gardening and pumpkins while making Fall decor in the process! We love using these as centerpieces on our Thanksgiving table, and on our front porch during Halloween!  

    Skills: 

    Ages: 

    Prep Time: 

    Watch the Video to See How to Make 3 Pumpkin Activities!

    In this video, you’ll see how easy it is to make festive floral arrangements inside the pumpkin itself!

    Plus, you’ll see how fun it is to plant the pumpkin’s seeds right back inside the pumpkin! It takes less than 7 days to see the pumpkin sprouts arise from the dirt.

    This is a great opportunity to talk about living plants, cut plants, and planting seeds!

    Watch the Video to See How to Make 3 Pumpkin Activities!

    In this video, you’ll see how easy it is to make festive floral arrangements inside the pumpkin itself!

    Plus, you’ll see how fun it is to plant the pumpkin’s seeds right back inside the pumpkin! It takes less than 7 days to see the pumpkin sprouts arise from the dirt.

    This is a great opportunity to talk about living plants, cut plants, and planting seeds!

    pumpkin activities growing pumpkin seeds in a pumpkin making a pumpkin flower pot growing plants in a pumpkin

    How to Make a “Hairy Pumpkin” and Other Pumpkin Activities

    The supplies are simple and super adaptable! Grown ups should do the cutting of the top of the pumpkins, but kiddos can lead the rest!

    Each activity has it’s own process, but the results for each are stunning and the perfect Fall decor!

    For the “Hairy Pumpkin,” not only is it fun to plant the seeds and see sprouts grow within a week, but you could also extend the activity by treating it like a chia pet and giving the pumpkin a haircut! Alternatively, if your weather permits it, you can plant the pumpkin and perhaps grow your own pumpkin patch for next year! 

    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 

    To Make the “Hairy Pumpkin”

    Adult to cut the top of the pumpkin and pierce the bottom a few times for drainage. Then, have your kiddos: remove the seeds, add dirt into the pumpkin shell, sprinkle seeds on top, and cover seeds with dirt. Give water and sunlight, and within a week, you should see sprouts!

    For a Halloween look, use a black permanent marker to create eyes, a nose, and a mouth for a pumpkin face!

    Keep in mind that the pumpkins will start to decompose (the warmer the climate, the quicker). We had to keep ours inside with air-conditioned temperature. When we tried this outside, the pumpkins rotted very quickly, and birds ate the seeds!

    To Use the Pumpkin as Pot for Plants

    Adult to cut the top of the pumpkin and pierce the bottom a few times for drainage. Then, have your kiddos: remove the seeds and add a potted plant. You can use flowers or herbs for example! Add extra dirt if necessary and water regularly. We keep these inside as table centerpieces and bring them outside during the days leading up to Halloween!

    To Use the Pumpkin as a Vase

    Adult to cut the top of the pumpkin. Then, have your kiddos remove the seeds, add a tin can inside the pumpkin, fill with water, and add the cut flowers into the can! This beautiful arrangement also makes for a great centerpiece!

    To Make the “Hairy Pumpkin”

    Adult to cut the top of the pumpkin and pierce the bottom a few times for drainage. Then, have your kiddos: remove the seeds, add dirt into the pumpkin shell, sprinkle seeds on top, and cover seeds with dirt. Give water and sunlight, and within a week, you should see sprouts!

    For a Halloween look, use a black permanent marker to create eyes, a nose, and a mouth for a pumpkin face!

    Keep in mind that the pumpkins will start to decompose (the warmer the climate, the quicker). We had to keep ours inside with air-conditioned temperature. When we tried this outside, the pumpkins rotted very quickly, and birds ate the seeds!

    To Use the Pumpkin as Pot for Plants

    Adult to cut the top of the pumpkin and pierce the bottom a few times for drainage. Then, have your kiddos: remove the seeds and add a potted plant. You can use flowers or herbs for example! Add extra dirt if necessary and water regularly. We keep these inside as table centerpieces and bring them outside during the days leading up to Halloween!

    To Use the Pumpkin as a Vase

    Adult to cut the top of the pumpkin. Then, have your kiddos remove the seeds, add a tin can inside the pumpkin, fill with water, and add the cut flowers into the can! This beautiful arrangement also makes for a great centerpiece!

     

     

    Don’t Miss Our Halloween Printable Activities!

    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
    halloween worksheets printable early childhood education skills

    Don’t Miss Our Halloween Printable Activities!

    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 Explore Gardening with Kids

    Here are my top picks for gifts for a little one who has a green thumb!

    science-experiment-food-earth-day-activity

    Plant Growth Kit

    This kit provides the perfect view of the plant life cycle. It comes with this self-standing planter that can be placed on a tabletop or window sill.

    science-experiment-food-growing-planting-kids

    Kid’s Workbench

    This 2-in-1, child-sized potting bench has a flat work surface for seed starting, potting up plants and maintaining potted plants.

    science-experiment-food-growing-planting-kids

    Veggie Garden Kit

    This egg carton garden includs 6 packages of heirloom seeds, starter soil, wooden stakes, instructions, a journal, and the egg carton planter!

    science-experiment-food-growing-gardening-kids

    Wooden Gardening Pretend Play Toy

    This adorable set is a great way to spark a young gardener’s imagination. It comes with 3 seed packets, 3 flower pots with a sunflower, carrot and tomato plant!

    What’s Next?

    DIY Ghost – Easy & Inexpensive Halloween Decoration!

    DIY Ghost – Easy & Inexpensive Halloween Decoration!

    DIY Ghost – Easy & Inexpensive Halloween Decoration!

    diy ghost decorations for halloween

    This DIY ghost is so simple to make! It takes all of a few minutes to assemble and is made up of budget-friendly materials! Keep on reading to find out how to make it yourself!

    A Budget-Friendly DIY Ghost

    You can likely find all of the supplies to make these DIY ghosts at a store like the dollar tree! To be completely honest, I originally went searching for decorative ghosts that I could buy at the store, but I either couldn’t find anything, or the price was outrageously high! (For example, I saw a set of 6 glowing LED ghosts for nearly $80 – yikes!!).

    Rest assure, these DIY ghosts are super inexpensive and are so easy to make that the kiddos will want to make them too. Plus, you won’t have to stop at just making one, and they will last for many Halloween seasons 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 Video to See How to Make DIY Ghosts

    In this video, you’ll see just how easy it is to assemble these budget-friendly supplies to make a DIY ghost.

    Don’t stop at just one! We decided to line our trees with multiple ghosts. During the day they are white and glide with the wind, but at night, once the lights are turned on, they look just like glowing ghosts with their black eyes visible!

     

    Watch This Video to See How to Make DIY Ghosts

    In this video, you’ll see just how easy it is to assemble these budget-friendly supplies to make a DIY ghost.

    Don’t stop at just one! We decided to line our trees with multiple ghosts. During the day they are white and glide with the wind, but at night, once the lights are turned on, they look just like glowing ghosts with their black eyes visible!

    diy ghost decorations for halloween

    Tips on Making This DIY Ghost

    This project can be super adaptable based on what you have! Below I’ll share examples on other items that can be used if you don’t happen to have the ones we used! Also worth noting is that most of these supplies are available at stores like Dollar Tree!

    The Ghost’s Body. We used plastic jars, but you can use other items like a water bottle or an empty plastic ornament bal!

    The Ghost’s Eyes. We used black velcro stickers, but you could cut out circles in felt or even glue on black pom pom eyes!

    A White Sheet. We used cheese cloth, but you could use a white rag or an old white t-shirt! The thinner the material the better!

    The Light. The key is to make sure it fits through the opening of whatever container you choose for your ghost’s body. We used string lights, but battery operated candles can work well if you can fit them!

     

    Materials

    Step-by-Step Instructions 

    Step 1

    On a plastic jar, place dot stickers as eyes.

    Step 2

    Open the lid of the jar and insert the battery-powered light.

    Step 3

    On the lid, hot glue a pipe cleaner.

    Step 4

    Thread a piece of cheese cloth through the pipe cleaner so it hangs longer than the container.

    Step 5

    Tie the pipe cleaner into a hook, and close the lid.

    Step 6

    Your DIY ghost is now ready to be used as Halloween decor! Be sure to turn it on when it is dark out and turn it off to preserve the battery for the next day!

    Step 1

    On a plastic jar, place dot stickers as eyes.

    Step 2

    Open the lid of the jar and insert the battery-powered light.

    Step 3

    On the lid, hot glue a pipe cleaner.

    Step 4

    Thread a piece of cheese cloth through the pipe cleaner so it hangs longer than the container.

    Step 5

    Tie the pipe cleaner into a hook, and close the lid.

    Step 6

    Your DIY ghost is now ready to be used as Halloween decor! Be sure to turn it on when it is dark out and turn it off to preserve the battery for the next day!

    Beyond a DIY Ghost – Printable Halloween Activities!

    This printable bundle of Halloween-themed activities is full of opportunities for kids 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

    Beyond a DIY Ghost – Printable Halloween Activities!

    This printable bundle of Halloween-themed activities is full of opportunities for kids 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!

    For more printable activities, visit our full collection

    More Ways to Explore Artistic Mediums

    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?

    DIY Maracas – How to Easily Make a Musical Instrument

    DIY Maracas – How to Easily Make a Musical Instrument

    DIY Maracas – How to Easily Make

    a Musical Instrument 

    DIY Maracas easter egg musical instrument

    These DIY Maracas are not only so much fun, but they are super easy to make and allow kids to explore their artistic and musical sides! They are also a great activity to do during Hispanic Heritage Month, or after Easter when you are likely to have lots of leftover prize eggs to repurpose!

    The History of Maracas!

    There are lots of debates on the origins of the maraca, as rattle-like artifacts have been found across the globe including Africa, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas. Though it is believed that the Araucanian people in central Chile may have been the first to use the word maraca to describe a 500 BC old rattle made of gourds.

    If you are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, definitely check out our DIY Hola! Shirt, perfect to wear during the festivities!  

    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 to See How Kids Can Make Their Very Own DIY Maracas! 

    The steps to this activity were really quite simple. I organized the supplies on a tray and the kiddos dug in, using the filler and decorative tape in their own creative ways. 

    It was super fun to reuse materials like plastic Easter eggs and turn them into something new and fun! I used this as a great lesson to teach the kids about upcycling!

    Watch to See How Kids Can Make Their Very Own DIY Maracas! 

    The steps to this activity were really quite simple. I organized the supplies on a tray and the kiddos dug in, using the filler and decorative tape in their own creative ways. 

    It was super fun to reuse materials like plastic Easter eggs and turn them into something new and fun! I used this as a great lesson to teach the kids about upcycling!

    DIY Maracas easter egg musical instrument

    Tips for Making DIY Maracas

    Alternatives to Prize Containers. For the main rattle, we repurposed plastic Easter egg containers, but if you don’t have any, don’t worry! While toy prize containers work well, you could also use small water bottles, tin cans, and yogurt containers to name a few other options.

    TapeProvide both decorative tape as well as strong tape to be sure the rattle is secure and the fillers don’t spill out everywhere!

    The Filler. Again, use what you’ve got! We had some leftover rainbow rice, but maracas can be filled with lots of different materials from pebbles, to beads, and also dry beans to name a few!

    Tray. When setting up activities like this, I like to organize all the parts and pieces in a sectioned tray. It makes everything super accessible especially when there is more than one kiddo participating!

    Materials

    • Toy prize containers (easter eggs work well), or you could use small water bottles or yogurt containers – for the top of the maraca
    • A filler – we used old rainbow rice, but you could use paper clips, rocks, beads, anything that makes noise when shaken together!
    • Toy prize containers (easter eggs work well), or you could use small water bottles or yogurt containers – for the top of the maraca
    • A filler – we used old rainbow rice, but you could use paper clips, rocks, beads, anything that makes noise when shaken together!
    • Disposable spoons for the handle. If going the water bottle route, use a paper tube instead!
    • Decorative Tape
    • Stronger Tape to secure everything

    Step-by-Step Instructions 

    Step 1

    Fill up your prize containers or alternative recycled container with the filler.

    Step 2

    Tape any holes or openings securely so the filler does not spill out.

    Step 3

    Use tape to secure the disposable spoons as pictured, or if using a water bottle, put the spout into the paper tube and tape together.

    Step 4

    Use colorful tape, or paint, or other materials of choice to decorate the maracas!

    Step 1

    Fill up your prize containers or alternative recycled container with the filler.

    Step 2

    Tape any holes or openings securely so the filler does not spill out.

    Step 3

    Use tape to secure the disposable spoons as pictured, or if using a water bottle, put the spout into the paper tube and tape together.

    Step 4

    Use colorful tape, or paint, or other materials of choice to decorate the maracas!

    Beyond a DIY Maraca: The Benefits of Musical Play 

    Musical play has the kids slowing down and using their senses to learn and listen. This DIY maraca will allow them to create beats, make up their own songs, and just might discover a passion in music that they didn’t even know that they had. 

    Musical play will encourage them to tap into the artistic side of their brain and process how music is created and composed. This also will open up questioning so that the kids can try out the possibility of learning other musical instruments, too.

    DIY Maracas easter egg musical instrument
    DIY Maracas easter egg musical instrument

    Beyond a DIY Maraca: The Benefits of Musical Play 

    Musical play has the kids slowing down and using their senses to learn and listen. This DIY maraca will allow them to create beats, make up their own songs, and just might discover a passion in music that they didn’t even know that they had. 

    Musical play will encourage them to tap into the artistic side of their brain and process how music is created and composed. This also will open up questioning so that the kids can try out the possibility of learning other musical instruments, too.

    Top Picks for Musical Instruments for Kids

    If your kiddo loved making their own DIY maracas, check out these gift ideas!

    musical instrument gift ideas kit

    Musical Instrument Set

    This set includes 33 pieces of 18 types of different wooden percussion instruments including a tambourine, xylophone, maracas, and more!

    mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

    Wireless Microphone

    This microphone is portable! It comes in 4 different colors and play songs from apps on your phone like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music so kiddos can karoake with it!

    music gift synthesizer instrument

    Synthesizer for Kids

    This is an electronic music toy synthesizer. It is a great way to introduce music making to anyone, including kids as young as 3 years old! 

    harmonica gift music for kids

    Harmonica

    A harmonica is one of the best first instruments for kids! Not only is blowing air into it great for oral motor skills, but you may be surprised at how good the music is!

    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 astronaut 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.

    making play dough into rainbow swirls

    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?

    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! 

    What’s Next?