DIY Snow for Sensory Play: 4 Easy Kid Recipes

child playing with DIY snow for sensory play featuring Santa figurines and pine trees

How to Make DIY Snow for Sensory Play at Home or in the Classroom

Looking for an easy way to make diy snow for sensory play? You’re in the right place! In this guide, you’ll find simple recipes using everyday household items to create snow that’s soft, moldable, and so much fun for kids. Whether you’re setting up a sensory bin at home, in the classroom, or even during a winter party, these fake snow recipes are perfect for hands-on play.

During the winter months, my kids love turning our sensory table into a snowy wonderland — complete with pine trees, animal figurines, and tiny trucks. It’s one of the easiest setups that sparks hours of pretend play.

There are so many benefits to sensory play, and DIY snow gives kids the chance to scoop, squeeze, and build while strengthening fine-motor skills and creativity.

Ready to make your own? Let’s go through a few easy recipes below, plus my favorite sensory table for snowy play setups.

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

Watch How to Make DIY Snow for Sensory Play

See how easy it is to make DIY snow for sensory play using items you already have — like baking soda, cornstarch, and shaving cream.

This video walks through how to make both moldable snow (perfect for snowballs and building) and powdery snow that kids can scoop and sift. You’ll also find a link below for my favorite store-bought option if you need a quick setup.

Watch How to Make DIY Snow for Sensory Play

See how easy it is to make DIY snow for sensory play using items you already have — like baking soda, cornstarch, and shaving cream.

This video walks through how to make both moldable snow (perfect for snowballs and building) and powdery snow that kids can scoop and sift. You’ll also find a link below for my favorite store-bought option if you need a quick setup.

DIY Snow for Sensory Play Recipes for Kids

Pick your favorite recipe depending on how your child likes to play — moldable for building, powdery for scooping, or a mix of both! ach of these easy DIY snow for sensory play recipes is great for kids who love to scoop, pour, and build snowy creations at home or in the classroom.

Moldable Snow Recipes

Version 1:

1 cup shaving cream
1 cup cornstarch or baking soda

Version 2:

½ cup hair conditioner
3 cups baking soda

Powdery Snow Recipes

Version 1:

1 cup cornstarch
1 cup hand or body lotion

Version 2:

½ cup baking soda
Add water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a powdery texture

💡 Tip: Double the recipe if you’re filling a large sensory bin or table.

Moldable Snow Recipes

Version 1:

1 cup shaving cream
1 cup cornstarch or baking soda

Version 2:

½ cup hair conditioner
3 cups baking soda

Powdery Snow Recipes

Version 1:

1 cup cornstarch
1 cup hand or body lotion

Version 2:

½ cup baking soda
Add water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a powdery texture

💡 Tip: Double the recipe if you’re filling a large sensory bin or table.

A Moldable and Powdery Fake Snow You Can Buy!

Make things really easy and buy some fake snow! All you need is 2 ounces of water for every scoop. Pictured in this small world tray is a product called Insta-Snow! It can make up to 2 gallons of fake snow. Wow!

You can make an Arctic small world set up using fake snow, mini pine trees, and Arctic animal figurines. It is a great way to learn geography while sparking imaginative play.

If you’re short on time, this store-bought option makes it easy to enjoy DIY snow for sensory play without the prep work.

Our Favorite Way to Play: The 7 Days of Play Sensory Table

Once your DIY or store-bought snow is ready, set it up inside our 7 Days of Play Foldable Sensory Table! The bins make it easy to keep snow contained while still giving kids space to scoop, pour, and build.

How to Use DIY Snow for Sensory Play with a Sensory Table

My kids love turning their table into a snowy Arctic world—complete with trees, animals, and little trucks plowing “roads.” The table folds flat for easy storage and can be used year-round for other sensory play ideas too.

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Foldable sensory table for kids from 7 Days of Play with removable bins and foldable wooden legs

Educational Benefits of DIY Snow for Sensory Play

DIY snow for sensory play isn’t just fun — it’s an incredible way to support your child’s development. When kids scoop, pour, and mold snow, they strengthen their fine motor skills and activate multiple senses at once: touch, sight, smell, and sound.

This kind of hands-on sensory play helps build new neural pathways in the brain and supports focus and creativity. You can even turn it into a mini science experiment by adding vinegar to your baking-soda snow to create a fizzy snowstorm!

Playing in fake snow also encourages imaginative storytelling — think snowmen, polar bears, or Arctic rescue missions — all while keeping playtime indoors and mess-free.

TRY THE EXPERIMENT!

Educational Benefits of DIY Snow for Sensory Play

DIY snow for sensory play isn’t just fun — it’s an incredible way to support your child’s development. When kids scoop, pour, and mold snow, they strengthen their fine motor skills and activate multiple senses at once: touch, sight, smell, and sound.

This kind of hands-on sensory play helps build new neural pathways in the brain and supports focus and creativity. You can even turn it into a mini science experiment by adding vinegar to your baking-soda snow to create a fizzy snowstorm!

Playing in fake snow also encourages imaginative storytelling — think snowmen, polar bears, or Arctic rescue missions — all while keeping playtime indoors and mess-free.

TRY THE EXPERIMENT!

Winter Sensory Bin Add-Ons

Looking to take your fake snow setup to the next level? Here are some of our favorite toys and tools that pair perfectly with your DIY snow for sensory play. These winter sensory bin toys pair perfectly with winter sensory bin play, adding storytelling and pretend play to your setup.

Mini Pine Trees & Snowmen: Great for building a tiny winter world.

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Insta-Snow Powder: Expands into gallons of snow in seconds!

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Arctic Habitat Figurines: Spark small-world play and storytelling.

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Snow Plow Toy: Perfect for pretend winter clean-up play. Add some road tape for even more fun!

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Best Learning Toys for Kids

Looking for the best learning toys for kids? We’ve got you covered with this list of educational gifts that kids will love and learn from!

DIY Snow for Sensory Play: 4 Easy Kid Recipes

Learn how to make DIY snow for sensory play in minutes! These 4 fake snow recipes for kids are perfect for home, classroom, or sensory bins.

Thanksgiving Activity Sheets for Kids: Free & Printable Holiday Fun

Child holding a Thanksgiving blow up turkey craft made from a plastic glove and paper feathers.

Find Thanksgiving activity sheets for kids, including free printables, coloring pages, scavenger hunts, and games to keep kids entertained!

Thanksgiving Activity Sheets for Kids: Fun and Easy Printables

Looking for fun and festive ways to keep the kids entertained this Thanksgiving? Say hello to my collection of Thanksgiving activity sheets! From a turkey-themed scavenger hunt to creative color-by-number pages, blow-up turkey crafts, and more, these printables are packed with holiday cheer. Whether you’re trying to keep little hands busy while you cook or just want to make the day extra special, these activity sheets are perfect for kids of all ages. Plus, they’re easy to download —so let the Thanksgiving fun begin!

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

Download All of Our Thanksgiving Activity Sheets

Your kids will be entertained for hours with these fun games and crafts! Download these Thanksgiving activity sheets for kids before the big feast and enjoy some creative, screen-free family fun.

Blow Up the Turkey

Turn a simple glove into a Thanksgiving turkey with this free printable. Your kids will love this interactive activity that’s super easy to create!

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Thanksgiving activity bundle featuring printable coloring pages, tracing sheets, and crafts for kids.

15+ Holiday Activities

Keep your kids entertained with playful learning this Thanksgiving. These holiday activities include scissor skills, coloring, tracing, and fine motor skills.

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Pin the Peg on the Turkey

Pin the Peg on the Turkey is a fun and festive game that will keep your kids entertained while working on hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

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Pilgrim Salon

Teach your kids about the history of Thanksgiving while unleashing their creative side. This activity will work on fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

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Set of 20 Thanksgiving-themed coloring pages featuring turkeys, pumpkins, and fall leaves.

Thanksgiving Coloring Pages

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Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

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Thanksgiving Color by Number

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November Activity Checklist

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How to Make the Blow Up Turkey Craft

The Blow Up Turkey Craft is one of our favorite Thanksgiving activities! Kids will love turning a simple glove into a silly, puffed-up turkey that comes to life as they blow it up. This hands-on activity is full of giggles and learning—it strengthens fine motor skills, coordination, and creativity all at once.

As children decorate their turkeys and watch them inflate, they’ll experience the magic of creating something with their own hands. It’s an easy, mess-free craft that parents will appreciate too.

🎥 Watch the video below to see exactly how to make your own Blow Up Turkey Craft!

Before the big feast, download these Thanksgiving activity sheets for kids to keep little hands busy and spirits bright.

How to Make the Blow Up Turkey Craft

The Blow Up Turkey Craft is one of our favorite Thanksgiving activities! Kids will love turning a simple glove into a silly, puffed-up turkey that comes to life as they blow it up. This hands-on activity is full of giggles and learning—it strengthens fine motor skills, coordination, and creativity all at once.

As children decorate their turkeys and watch them inflate, they’ll experience the magic of creating something with their own hands. It’s an easy, mess-free craft that parents will appreciate too.

🎥 Watch the video below to see exactly how to make your own Blow Up Turkey Craft!

Before the big feast, download these Thanksgiving activity sheets for kids to keep little hands busy and spirits bright.

More Fun Ways to Play on Thanksgiving!

In addition to these Thanksgiving activity sheets for kids, here are a few fun Thanksgiving crafts and games you can buy to keep little ones entertained all day long.

Wooden Thanksgiving puzzles with owl, turkey, squirrel, and scarecrow characters for kids.

Wooden Thanksgiving Puzzle Set

A hands-on Thanksgiving puzzle that helps kids match animals and fall characters like a turkey, owl, and hedgehog while building fine motor and problem-solving skills.

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Inflatable Turkey Ring Toss Game

A hilarious family game where players toss colorful rings onto inflatable turkey hats. Great for all ages and easy to play indoors or outdoors.

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Giant Thanksgiving Coloring Tablecloth for Kids

A massive paper tablecloth kids can color together while waiting for Thanksgiving dinner — featuring turkeys, pumpkins, and all their favorite holiday foods.

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Gobble Wobble Board Book

A fun interactive board book that invites little ones to dance, wiggle, and giggle like a turkey! Perfect for toddlers who love silly Thanksgiving fun.

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The Best Gifts for 8 to 12 Year Olds!

Find the best gifts for 8 to 12 year olds with our top picks for boys and girls—perfect for sparking creativity and fun for kids this age!

Best Learning Toys for Kids

Looking for the best learning toys for kids? We’ve got you covered with this list of educational gifts that kids will love and learn from!

DIY Snow for Sensory Play: 4 Easy Kid Recipes

Learn how to make DIY snow for sensory play in minutes! These 4 fake snow recipes for kids are perfect for home, classroom, or sensory bins.

How to Make a Fairy House Pumpkin | Easy No-Carve Idea

easy pumpkin decorating ideas kids fairy houses

Create a fairy house pumpkin using flowers, leaves, and twigs. A magical, no-carve pumpkin decorating idea kids will love this fall!

The Cutest Fairy House Pumpkin You’ll Ever Make with Your Kids

If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your pumpkins into something straight out of a storybook, this fairy house pumpkin idea is pure magic. Instead of carving spooky faces, we turned our pumpkins into glowing little cottages with moss roofs, flower-lined windows, and twig-framed doors. It’s a no-carve pumpkin decorating idea that’s fun for kids of all ages — and the results look like something straight out of an enchanted forest. Best part? You can use natural materials you already have in your backyard!

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

Watch How We Made Our Fairy House Pumpkins

There’s something extra special about seeing this project come to life through a child’s eyes.

In the video below, my daughter builds her own fairy house pumpkin, from scooping out the inside to gluing on flower petals and tiny sticks for window frames.

It’s simple enough for kids to do with a little help from an adult, and the glow at the end makes it feel completely magical.

Watch How We Made Our Fairy House Pumpkins

There’s something extra special about seeing this project come to life through a child’s eyes.

In the video below, my daughter builds her own fairy house pumpkin, from scooping out the inside to gluing on flower petals and tiny sticks for window frames.

It’s simple enough for kids to do with a little help from an adult, and the glow at the end makes it feel completely magical.

Child looking at a glowing fairy house pumpkin decorated with moss, dried flowers, and twigs.

Materials and Instructions for Making a Fairy House Pumpkin

Ready to create your own fairy house pumpkin? Below you’ll find everything you need and the exact steps we followed to build ours. This no-carve pumpkin decorating idea uses natural materials like moss, twigs, and flowers to transform ordinary pumpkins into cozy, glowing fairy cottages. Kids can help with every part of the process, from gathering leaves to arranging the decorations.

Materials

1 medium or large pumpkin (any shape works!)
Craft knife or pumpkin carving tool (for cutting doors and windows)
Spoon or scoop (for hollowing out the pumpkin)
Twigs or small sticks (for outlining windows and doors)
Dried flowers, moss, and leaves (for decorating the fairy house pumpkin)

Petroleum Jelly, Non-toxic craft glue or hot glue (adult use only)
Small LED tea light (for the glowing “fairy light” inside)
Scissors
Optional: paint or markers to add extra color or details

1 medium or large pumpkin (any shape works!)
Craft knife or pumpkin carving tool (for cutting doors and windows)
Spoon or scoop (for hollowing out the pumpkin)
Twigs or small sticks (for outlining windows and doors)
Dried flowers, moss, and leaves (for decorating the fairy house pumpkin)
Petroleum Jelly, Non-toxic craft glue or hot glue (adult use only)
Small LED tea light (for the glowing “fairy light” inside)
Scissors
Optional: paint or markers to add extra color or details

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Prepare the Pumpkin: Cut out a small door and a few windows in your pumpkin using a craft knife or pumpkin carving tool. Scoop out the inside if you plan to light it up, or leave it solid for a no-carve version.

Step 2

Decorate the glove: Cut out paper eyeballs and a mouth. Glue the eyes to the fingertips of the glove and the mouth to the palm area.

Step 3

Attach the glove: Stretch the open end of the glove over the top of the cup and secure it with tape. Make sure it’s snug so no air escapes.

Step 4

Blow it up: Have your child blow into the straw to inflate the glove! As the glove fills with air, it will reveal the spooky monster with its googly eyes and creepy mouth.

Step 5

Watch the monster pop out: As they blow up the glove, the monster will “pop out” of the cup, creating a fun, interactive element that will have kids giggling and wanting to do it again and again!

Step 1

Prepare the Pumpkin: Cut out a small door and a few windows in your pumpkin using a craft knife or pumpkin carving tool. Scoop out the inside if you plan to light it up, or leave it solid for a no-carve version.

Step 2

Create the Fairy House Details: Use twigs to outline the doors and windows. You can glue them in place or gently press them into the pumpkin’s surface. For an extra cottage feel, layer small sticks horizontally to create “wooden” doors or window frames.

Step 3

Add Natural Decorations: Decorate your fairy house pumpkin with moss, dried flowers, and leaves. You can use craft glue or hot glue (adult use only), or if you prefer a no-glue option, dab a bit of petroleum jelly onto the pumpkin to help the flowers and leaves stick. This method also keeps the pumpkin’s surface hydrated and helps slow down drying.

Step 4

Light It Up: Place a small LED tea light inside to make your fairy house glow at night. The light shining through the doors and windows creates a magical, cozy effect.

Step 5

Display Your Fairy Village: Set your finished pumpkins together to create a little fairy neighborhood. Each one can have its own look — a moss roof, a flower garden, or a tiny twig ladder — making your display extra whimsical and fun.

More Pumpkin Decorating Ideas You’ll Love

If you’re looking for even more creative pumpkin inspiration, check out my post featuring over 50 easy pumpkin decorating ideas — from painted pumpkins and sticker art to nature-inspired designs just like this one. It’s packed with family-friendly projects that skip the mess of carving but still bring all the cozy fall fun.

CHECK THEM OUT HERE!

More Pumpkin Decorating Ideas You’ll Love

If you’re looking for even more creative pumpkin inspiration, check out my post featuring over 50 easy pumpkin decorating ideas — from painted pumpkins and sticker art to nature-inspired designs just like this one. It’s packed with family-friendly projects that skip the mess of carving but still bring all the cozy fall fun.

CHECK THEM OUT HERE!

More Fun Halloween Crafts and Activities to Explore

Looking for more ways to keep the Halloween fun going? Check out these creative activities like our fairy house pumpkin, plus other kid-friendly ideas like pumpkin crafts, a count-the-monster-eyes printable, Q-tip skeleton play dough fun, and a spooky hot glue craft!

Get Crafty this Halloween with Printable Halloween Crafts! Transform bat, spider web, and pumpkin printables into tactile masterpieces. Use hot glue to trace the lines, creating ridges that guide kids' watercoloring for a spooktacular artistic adventure.

Hot Glue Halloween Crafts

40 Pumpkin Craft Ideas

Count the Monster Eyes Printable Activity

GET THE PRINTABLE

q-tip skeleton craft cotton swabs sensory play dough

Q-Tip Skeleton Play Dough

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The Best Gifts for 8 to 12 Year Olds!

Find the best gifts for 8 to 12 year olds with our top picks for boys and girls—perfect for sparking creativity and fun for kids this age!

Best Learning Toys for Kids

Looking for the best learning toys for kids? We’ve got you covered with this list of educational gifts that kids will love and learn from!

DIY Snow for Sensory Play: 4 Easy Kid Recipes

Learn how to make DIY snow for sensory play in minutes! These 4 fake snow recipes for kids are perfect for home, classroom, or sensory bins.

Autumn Activity for Preschool – Easy Pine Cone Pom Pom

autumn activity preschool pine cone fine motor skills

This autumn activity for preschool using pine cones and pom poms is a great way to use ordinary objects for strengthening fine motor skills!

Fine Motor Skills Shine with This Autumn Activity for Preschool

Hiding pom poms inside pine cones and then tasking your preschooler to pick them out, may look easy, but it can be tricky for little hands!

Their hands and fingers will have to coordinate with their eyes to remove each, one at a time. Their pincer grasp will be strengthened as they are removed too!

Plus, tasking them to remove all of the pom poms and then providing other sensory materials like water and some cups is a fun way to turn this fine motor skills activity into a sensory play activity!

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

Skills:

Ages:

Prep Time:

Watch This Autumn Activity for Preschool

Watch this fine motor skills activity in action!

You’ll see how my daughter, at 2 years old, enjoyed picking the pom poms out of the pine cone and then asked for water to turn this set up also into a sensory play activity.

I quickly added faux leaves (use real fall leaves if you have them!) and other fall-themed items along with sensory tools. She enjoyed picking all the pom poms and mixing everything up into a watery soup!

Watch This Autumn Activity for Preschool

Watch this fine motor skills activity in action!

You’ll see how my daughter, at 2 years old, enjoyed picking the pom poms out of the pine cone and then asked for water to turn this set up also into a sensory play activity.

I quickly added faux leaves (use real fall leaves if you have them!) and other fall-themed items along with sensory tools. She enjoyed picking all the pom poms and mixing everything up into a watery soup!

thanksgiving printable activities worksheets

More Autumn Activities for Preschool

We love all things Fall and have created a bunch of different printable activities that can extend the playful learning!

First off, don’t miss our Thanksgiving bundle of activities – it includes 16 unique activities that will help your kiddo strengthen scissor skills, alphabet recognition, number recognition, fine motor skills, writing, coloring, phonics, matching, and so much more.

We also have a fun Fall Leaf Craft that is a really great way for kids to visualize a leaf transforming from a green leaf into a colorful Autumn leaf!

Plus, our free printables Pin the Peg on the Turkey and Trace the Pumpkins worksheet will continue to strengthen kid’s fine motor skills!

Materials

Acorns
Water
Tongs, Spoon, or other tools

Pine Cones
Pom poms
Fall Leaves
Acorns
Water
Tongs, Spoon, or other tools

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Place pom poms into pine cones. The further you place them inside, the harder it will be for your kiddo to pick out!

Step 2

Provide the pom pom-stuffed pine cones to your kiddo along with other sensory materials to extend the play!

Step 1

Place pom poms into pine cones. The further you place them inside, the harder it will be for your kiddo to pick out!

Step 2

Provide the pom pom-stuffed pine cones to your kiddo along with other sensory materials to extend the play!

Benefits of This Autumn Activity for Toddlers

For all the reasons listed above, the main benefit of this activity is strengthening fine motor skills! Fine motor skills are incredibly important and an essential part of early childhood development.

Additionally, this activity provides a fun sensory experience if you also include water and other textures to explore.

Providing objects that are Autumn-themed can spark conversations all about Fall, leaves, acorns, and the cooler weather which is great for language development!

For more fun fine motor skills activities, check out our comprehensive list!

Benefits of This Autumn Activity for Toddlers

For all the reasons listed above, the main benefit of this activity is strengthening fine motor skills! Fine motor skills are incredibly important and an essential part of early childhood development.

Additionally, this activity provides a fun sensory experience if you also include water and other textures to explore.

Providing objects that are Autumn-themed can spark conversations all about Fall, leaves, acorns, and the cooler weather which is great for language development!

For more fun fine motor skills activities, check out our comprehensive list!

More Ways to Strengthen Fine Motor Skills

Here are some top picks for games and tools that will strengthen motor skills!

fine motor skills buckles and strings toy

Buckle and Threading Pillow

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

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Sensory Bin Tools

This set comes with 7 items including bowls, scoops, and a tong. A great set for learning practical life skills through sensory play.

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color recognition sorting rainbow fine motor skills

Color Sorting Rainbow

Strengthen motor skills while using tongs to color sort this beautifully crafted rainbow! Caution: small parts!

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fine motor skills alphabet recognition maze

Alphabet Maze

This magnetic maze activity is a fun way to strengthen fine motor skills while also building upon letter recognition skills!

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The Best Gifts for 8 to 12 Year Olds!

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Best Learning Toys for Kids

Looking for the best learning toys for kids? We’ve got you covered with this list of educational gifts that kids will love and learn from!

DIY Snow for Sensory Play: 4 Easy Kid Recipes

Learn how to make DIY snow for sensory play in minutes! These 4 fake snow recipes for kids are perfect for home, classroom, or sensory bins.

Make Oobleck with a Pumpkin Autumn Twist

make oobleck with a fall twist pumpkin spice soup sensory play

This fun sensory activity is where you’ll make oobleck and inspire your kiddo to tap into their inner chef to whip up some pumpkin spice goop soup!

This is one of those set ups that will have kids engaged for a long time! Keep on reading to find out all the loose parts we included and how to make orange oobleck!

What is Oobleck and How Do You Make It?

Never heard of oobleck (aka goop)? Don’t wait another day! It’s so easy to make! Plain oobleck has a 2 to 1 ratio of corn starch to water! For this set up, I added a pinch of orange food coloring too. The consistency is the coolest — it’s both a liquid and a solid, depending on how you are playing with it. (Rest your hand on top of it: liquid. Squeeze it in your fist: solid.)

This activity is particular fun in a sensory play table!

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

How to Make and Play with Pumpkin-Themed Oobleck

It takes all of a few minutes to whip up a batch of oobleck! Adding in some orange coloring and providing other fun items likes pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, and rosemary really enhances the sensory experience!

Of course, try to save a pumpkin shell too because it makes for the perfect bowl to hold your kiddo’s pumpkin soup creation!

How to Make and Play with Pumpkin-Themed Oobleck

It takes all of a few minutes to whip up a batch of oobleck! Adding in some orange coloring and providing other fun items likes pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, and rosemary to chop up really enhances the sensory experience!

Of course, try to save a pumpkin shell too because it makes for the perfect bowl to hold your kiddo’s pumpkin soup creation!

Using Our Foldable Sensory Table for Convenient Play

Incorporating our foldable sensory table into your kiddo’s playtime not only enhances the experience but also adds practicality to cleanup and storage. Our foldable sensory table, equipped with three collapsible bins, provides a versatile platform for activities like this pumpkin oobleck sensory bin setup. Its easy-to-set-up design makes it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, allowing you to create immersive play environments anywhere your child explores. When playtime is over, simply fold the table and stow it away, keeping your living space tidy and ready for the next adventure!

BUY IT HERE!

Materials

Pumpkin Shell
Pumpkin Seeds
Cinnamon
Rosemary

Sensory Play Table
2 cups Corn Starch
1 cup Water
Food coloring
Pumpkin Shell
Pumpkin Seeds
Cinnamon
Rosemary

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

To make the oobleck, mix in a bowl 2 cups corn starch with 1 cup water plus food coloring. The consistency should allow one to squeeze the oobleck in the hand to make a solid and when released it turns into a liquid and will fall from the hand.

Step 2

For the set up, provide Fall-themed objects like pumpkin shells for bowls, a spoonful of pumpkin seeds, sprigs of rosemary, and some cinnamon. Also provide a bin of water nearby so kids can clean the oobleck off their hands throughout the time playing!

Step 1

To make the oobleck, mix in a bowl 2 cups corn starch with 1 cup water plus food coloring. The consistency should allow one to squeeze the oobleck in the hand to make a solid and when released it turns into a liquid and will fall from the hand.

Step 2

For the set up, provide Fall-themed objects like pumpkin shells for bowls, a spoonful of pumpkin seeds, sprigs of rosemary, and some cinnamon. Also provide a bin of water nearby so kids can clean the oobleck off their hands throughout the time playing!

The Benefits of Sensory Play

Sensory play is not only great for having the kids learn about their senses and how important they are, but it’s also great for working on fine motor skills too.

Every time the kids scoop, pinch, pat, or just squeeze anything in this sensory activity, they’re using their hands, eyes, and other senses to learn.

These are skills that they can quickly grow upon as they get older and will use in their everyday lives.

This activity also helps the kids learn about creativity and shows the importance of using their imagination as well. The more they can play and create, the more their love for learning and play will grow.

For more sensory play ideas, visit our comprehensive list!

The Benefits of Sensory Play

Sensory play is not only great for having the kids learn about their senses and how important they are, but it’s also great for working on fine motor skills too.

Every time the kids scoop, pinch, pat, or just squeeze anything in this sensory activity, they’re using their hands, eyes, and other senses to learn.

These are skills that they can quickly grow upon as they get older and will use in their everyday lives.

This activity also helps the kids learn about creativity and shows the importance of using their imagination as well. The more they can play and create, the more their love for learning and play will grow.

For more sensory play ideas, visit our comprehensive list!

More Sensory Bases to Explore

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

Kinetic Sand

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

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Modelling Dough

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

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Premium Play Dough

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

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The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

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

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The Best Gifts for 8 to 12 Year Olds!

Find the best gifts for 8 to 12 year olds with our top picks for boys and girls—perfect for sparking creativity and fun for kids this age!

Best Learning Toys for Kids

Looking for the best learning toys for kids? We’ve got you covered with this list of educational gifts that kids will love and learn from!

DIY Snow for Sensory Play: 4 Easy Kid Recipes

Learn how to make DIY snow for sensory play in minutes! These 4 fake snow recipes for kids are perfect for home, classroom, or sensory bins.

Fall Leaf Craft – From Green to Beautiful Autumn Colors

This Fall leaf craft is such a fun way to discover the beautiful colors of Autumn! Transform a green leaf into a Fall leaf scratch off style! Keep reading to find out how we did it and to get our free Fall leaf printable!

A Fall Leaf Craft That Magically Transforms

If making a Fall leaf craft wasn’t fun enough, this activity is all about showing the magical transformation of a green leaf as it changes it’s colors to the vibrant red, orange, and yellows of the Autumn season!

Kids love to pick and scratch on various things, so this is what makes this fun reveal activity a huge hit. It really does end up being like magic once they scratch away that top green acrylic coating!

Plus, all that scratching is great for 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 This Fall Leaf Craft How-To Video

What I love about this fun Fall leaf craft is that it’s something the kids can be part of from start to finish. From coloring the deeply reach Fall colors, to painting over it in green paint, only to scratch away and reveal the colors underneath again!

And once they’re done, they can then have the leaves hang up as decoration all around the house! It’s a fun and simple way to showcase their art so that everyone can enjoy seeing it!

Watch This Fall Leaf Craft How-To Video

What I love about this fun Fall leaf craft is that it’s something the kids can be part of from start to finish. From coloring the deeply reach Fall colors, to painting over it in green paint, only to scratch away and reveal the colors underneath again!

And once they’re done, they can then have the leaves hang up as decoration all around the house! It’s a fun and simple way to showcase their art so that everyone can enjoy seeing it!

Get the Free Printable Leaf Template!

We made things extra easy for you to set up this activity with a free printable leaf template! Each printable comes with a set of different leaves in varying sizes.

Have the kiddos color and then cut them out for some extra fine motor skill strengthening!

Read on for the step-by-step instructions on making this fun Fall leaf craft as well as all the supplies we recommend for it.

If you are building your craft supply kit or needing to refreshen it, don’t miss our comprehensive list of arts and craft supplies!

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Print and cut out our Fall Leaf template.

Step 2

Color the leaf in Fall colors – red, orange, yellows, and browns!

Step 3

Use green acrylic paint to cover the oil pastels.

Step 4

Once dried, use something (like a coin!) to scrape away at the green paint and reveal the fall leaf!

Step 1

Print and cut out our Fall Leaf template.

Step 2

Color the leaf in Fall colors – red, orange, yellows, and browns!

Step 3

Use green acrylic paint to cover the oil pastels.

Step 4

Once dried, use something (like a coin!) to scrape away at the green paint and reveal the fall leaf!

The Science Behind This Fall Leaf Craft: Why Do Leaves Change Color?

This fun Fall leaf craft is the perfect activity to do during the changing seasons to talk about what it means to transition from summer to winter – the weather cools and it’s a time when we may celebrate holidays and special occasions like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanzaa. And of course it is the time when the leaves change and fall!

But why do leaves change colors?

Chlorophyll makes leaves a green color. Chlorophyll is located in the cells of leaves and helps to make the nutrients for the tree (process is called photosynthesis). When the sun is strong and the weather is hot, the leaves stay green as they make food for the tree.

However, when the weather gets colder the chlorophyll breaks down and the green color disappears revealing varying shades of colors from yellow to orange to red and purple.

The Science Behind This Fall Leaf Craft: Why Do Leaves Change Color?

This fun Fall leaf craft is the perfect activity to do during the changing seasons to talk about what it means to transition from summer to winter – the weather cools and it’s a time when we may celebrate holidays and special occasions like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanzaa. And of course it is the time when the leaves change and fall!

But why do leaves change colors?

Chlorophyll makes leaves a green color. Chlorophyll is located in the cells of leaves and helps to make the nutrients for the tree (process is called photosynthesis). When the sun is strong and the weather is hot, the leaves stay green as they make food for the tree. However, when the weather gets colder the chlorophyll breaks down and the green color disappears revealing varying shades of colors from yellow to orange to red and purple.

More Arts and Crafts Projects to Explore

Here are my top picks for arts and crafts kits that encourage hands on creations!

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!

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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.

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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!

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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!

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What’s Next?

The Best Gifts for 8 to 12 Year Olds!

Find the best gifts for 8 to 12 year olds with our top picks for boys and girls—perfect for sparking creativity and fun for kids this age!

Best Learning Toys for Kids

Looking for the best learning toys for kids? We’ve got you covered with this list of educational gifts that kids will love and learn from!

DIY Snow for Sensory Play: 4 Easy Kid Recipes

Learn how to make DIY snow for sensory play in minutes! These 4 fake snow recipes for kids are perfect for home, classroom, or sensory bins.

Fall Sensory Bin – How to Make Taste-Safe Foam

fall sensory bin taste safe toddler baby foam

This fall sensory bin includes a taste safe foam that even babies and toddlers can enjoy! Throw in some colorful leaves, pine cones, and apples, and you’ve got a fun autumn-themed set-up that will hit all the senses! Read on for the easy, taste-safe foam recipe!

A Taste-Safe Fall Sensory Bin!

Fall is full of so many fun sights, scents and feelings, it is so fun to combine everything in a bin to play with. This sensory bin does the perfect job of integrating all those senses. And it’s safe for little hands to play with and enjoy!

Like most of our messy play, we set this up outside, but you can easily make it work indoors with a towel or mat underneath the bins!

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

Skills:

Ages:

Prep Time:

How to Make a Taste-Safe Fall Sensory Bin!

This set up is super adaptable! Grab some nature right beside your feet like pine cones and fallen leaves! Try and mix up the different textures, which is why we included a foam!

If you have little ones who still put things in their mouth, making a taste-safe foam will give grown ups lots of comfort compared to playing with the soap-foam alternative! In the video, you’ll see the secret ingredient to making the coolest taste-safe foam consistency – bean water!

How to Make a Taste-Safe Fall Sensory Bin!

This set up is super adaptable! Grab some nature right beside your feet like pine cones and fallen leaves! Try and mix up the different textures, which is why we included a foam!

If you have little ones who still put things in their mouth, making a taste-safe foam will give grown ups lots of comfort compared to playing with the soap-foam alternative! In the video, you’ll see the secret ingredient to making the coolest taste-safe foam consistency – bean water!

What is Aquafaba, aka Taste-Safe Foam?

It’s a fluffy foam created from whipped up bean water. The translation is literally, “bean water.” People who are allergic to eggs use this as an egg replacement in food recipes.

And like you see here, with our fall-themed sensory bin, aquafaba is also used to replace shaving cream and dish soap in sensory bins so that toddlers can dig right in without any worries of toxicity.

Whenever I’m cooking chickpeas in the kitchen, I always save the water for sensory play. We’ve used it in lots of fun sensory bins, and even made the foam in every color of the rainbow!

Technically, aquafaba can be made with lots of different types of bean water. However, I have tested it with black beans and it did not have the same fluffy and thick results that the chickpea water had!

Materials

Fall items (leaves, sticks, apple, pine cones)
Sensory Bowl and Tool Set

1 Can Chickpeas
Orange food coloring
Cinnamon (optional)
Fall items (leaves, sticks, apple, pine cones)
Sensory Bowl and Tool Set

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

To make the taste-safe foam, pour the chickpea water into a bowl and save the chickpeas for a yummy lunch or dinner!

Step 2

Whip the chickpea water for 5 minutes until it forms a thick, creamy foam.

Step 3

Then, add in orange food coloring and cinnamon for a fall-themed scent and look!

Step 4

Add some bowls and spoons for scooping and transferring fall-themed items like leaves, sticks, apples, and pine cones.

Step 1

To make the taste-safe foam, pour the chickpea water into a bowl and save the chickpeas for a yummy lunch or dinner!

Step 2

Whip the chickpea water for 5 minutes until it forms a thick, creamy foam.

Step 3

Then, add in orange food coloring and cinnamon for a fall-themed scent and look!

Step 4

Add some bowls and spoons for scooping and transferring fall-themed items like leaves, sticks, apples, and pine cones.

The Benefits of Sensory Play

Sensory play is so educational for toddlers. When they feel different textures, they are actively interacting with their environment. This causes their mind to create new connections and grow. Making it taste-safe allows even the youngest to participate and explore, so anytime you want to set up sensory play for your little one, don’t forget about the power of bean water!

This sensory bin activity is great for fine motor skills as well as creative thinking. Messy play is a fun way for early learners to really dive in and get to explore. The more that they can play and explore with their hands, the better. This will give them the chance to feel and see different textures, smell different scents, and use their minds in new and exciting ways.

For more sensory play ideas, visit our comprehensive list!

The Benefits of Sensory Play

Sensory play is so educational for toddlers. When they feel different textures, they are actively interacting with their environment. This causes their mind to create new connections and grow. Making it taste-safe allows even the youngest to participate and explore, so anytime you want to set up sensory play for your little one, don’t forget about the power of bean water!

This sensory bin activity is great for fine motor skills as well as creative thinking. Messy play is a fun way for early learners to really dive in and get to explore. The more that they can play and explore with their hands, the better. This will give them the chance to feel and see different textures, smell different scents, and use their minds in new and exciting ways.

For more sensory play ideas, visit our comprehensive list!

More Sensory Bins to Explore

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

Build Your Own Sensory Bin Bundle

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

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Pre-Made Sensory Bins

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

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Monster Truck Arena

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

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Sensory-Based Book

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

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What’s Next?

The Best Gifts for 8 to 12 Year Olds!

Find the best gifts for 8 to 12 year olds with our top picks for boys and girls—perfect for sparking creativity and fun for kids this age!

Best Learning Toys for Kids

Looking for the best learning toys for kids? We’ve got you covered with this list of educational gifts that kids will love and learn from!

DIY Snow for Sensory Play: 4 Easy Kid Recipes

Learn how to make DIY snow for sensory play in minutes! These 4 fake snow recipes for kids are perfect for home, classroom, or sensory bins.

Fall Activity for Toddlers – Easy Autumn Sensory Bin

This Fall activity for toddlers is a fun way to enjoy all things Autumn! The set up is super easy, and it’s so great for for sensory play and fine motor skills!

An Adaptable Fall Activity for Toddlers

The great thing about sensory bins is that there really isn’t any set “rules” on how to make one. Since this is a fall theme, you can plan on everything being all about fall!

Do you have fallen leaves, pine cones, or acorns?! Use them! Yup, it’s that simple! Throw in some fake apples and pumpkins too to talk about some typical produce of the season. We included corn kernels as well, but be sure to omit this if your kiddo is too young and likely to try to eat these.

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

Skills:

Ages:

Prep Time:

Having Fun with this Fall Activity for Toddlers

Watch this video to see how super engaged toddlers can be with such simple materials! Providing bowls, spoons, and tongs will allow young kids to use real world objects that will help them strengthen fine motor and practical life skills!

No doubt, their imaginations will spark as they have fun concocting unique bowls of Autumn soup with all the loose parts!

Having Fun with this Fall Activity for Toddlers

Watch this video to see how super engaged toddlers can be with such simple materials! Providing bowls, spoons, and tongs will allow young kids to use real world objects that will help them strengthen fine motor and practical life skills!

No doubt, their imaginations will spark as they have fun concocting unique bowls of Autumn soup with all the loose parts!

Tips for Setting Up This Fall Activity for Toddlers

Use What You’ve Got! As I mentioned earlier, don’t underestimate the magic of natural objects that may have fallen right near your feet! Think: acorns, vibrantly colored Autumn leaves, and pine cones!

Dealing with the Mess. When toddlers first use sensory bins it may be difficult for them to keep the items from falling all over the floor. After all, they are likely working on a very important skill of scooping and pouring. And you don’t learn how not to spill unless you make that mistake a few times! Place some towels on the ground or set this up outside to help with the clean up!

Provide Bowls and Tools. Bowls and tools will not only help your kiddo develop fine motor skills, but they will spark their imaginations by finding new ways to use the loose parts in front of them!

Materials

Apples
Pumpkins
Corn Kernals (unless toddler will try to eat)

Sensory Bowl and Tool Set
Autumn Leaves
Acorns
Pine Cones
Apples
Pumpkins
Corn Kernals (unless toddler will try to eat)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Add all your favorite fall items to a bin.

Step 2

Let the kids dig in with their hands or kid-friendly tools.

Step 1

Add all your favorite fall items to a bin.

Step 2

Let the kids dig in with their hands or kid-friendly tools.

The Benefits of This Fall Activity for Toddlers

Sensory Play. Have you heard that sensory play helps to build nerve connections in the brain? Yes, that’s right! Including different textures and sights in this bin will allow kiddos to think and explore using their hands in new ways.

You could even add some scents, like cinnamon for your kiddo to smell and explore!

Fine Motor Skills. And if you throw in some fine motor tools like tongs along with bowls and spoons they will have the opportunity to strengthen their fine motor skills.

Pouring sensory bases from one bowl to the other, or scooping up the materials with a spoon are also all wonderful practical life skills they will use for the rest of their life.

Language Development. Sensory play is a great time to build vocabulary! Talk about the items, explain what Autumn is, and have your kiddo repeat and explain these new words to you!

For more sensory play fun, visit our comprehensive list!

The Benefits of This Fall Toddler Activity

Sensory Play. Have you heard that sensory play helps to build nerve connections in the brain? Yes, that’s right! Including different textures and sights in this bin will allow kiddos to think and explore using their hands in new ways. You could even add some scents, like cinnamon for your kiddo to smell and explore!

Fine Motor Skills. And if you throw in some fine motor tools like tongs along with bowls and spoons they will have the opportunity to strengthen their fine motor skills.

Pouring sensory bases from one bowl to the other, or scooping up the materials with a spoon are also all wonderful practical life skills they will use for the rest of their life.

Language Development. Sensory play is a great time to build vocabulary! Talk about the items, explain what Autumn is, and have your kiddo repeat and explain these new words to you!

More Sensory Bins to Explore

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

Build Your Own Sensory Bin Bundle

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

SHOP NOW

Pre-Made Sensory Bins

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

SHOP NOW

Monster Truck Arena

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

SHOP NOW

Sensory-Based Book

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

SHOP NOW

What’s Next?

The Best Gifts for 8 to 12 Year Olds!

Find the best gifts for 8 to 12 year olds with our top picks for boys and girls—perfect for sparking creativity and fun for kids this age!

Best Learning Toys for Kids

Looking for the best learning toys for kids? We’ve got you covered with this list of educational gifts that kids will love and learn from!

DIY Snow for Sensory Play: 4 Easy Kid Recipes

Learn how to make DIY snow for sensory play in minutes! These 4 fake snow recipes for kids are perfect for home, classroom, or sensory bins.

How to Make Handprint Shrinky Dink Keepsakes: Fun Craft for Kids

Create handprint shrinky dink keepsakes with our complete guide! Learn how to make them and explore fun seasonal designs!

DIY Shrinky Dink Keepsakes: Fun Handprint Ideas for All Seasons

If you’re looking for a fun, creative way to capture your child’s handprint and turn it into a lasting memory, Shrinky Dink keepsakes are the perfect craft! These cute, colorful handprints shrink down into sturdy little keepsakes that make great gifts or decorations. Plus, they’re easy to personalize for every season—think pumpkins for Halloween or turkeys for Thanksgiving! In this guide, we’ll walk you through the supplies you’ll need, how to make them, and offer seasonal ideas to keep this craft fresh all year long.

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

What is Shrinky Dink Paper and Where Can I Get it?

Before we dive in, you’ll need some special shrinking paper. Click here to get your Shrinky Dink sheets and have them ready for crafting some shrinky dink keepsakes!

What is Shrinky Dink Paper? It is a type of polystyrene plastic that has been designed for craft purposes. When heated, it undergoes a process of shrinking and thickening, allowing fåor the creation of smaller, more durable versions of the original design.

Should I follow safety guidelines when using Shrinky Dink Paper? When heating the paper in the oven, it should be done by an adult and it’s recommended to use Shrinky Dink paper in a well-ventilated area. The heating process may release some fumes, and good ventilation helps dissipate any potential odors.

What is Shrinky Dink Paper and Where Can I Get it?

Before we dive in, you’ll need some special shrinking paper. Click here to get your Shrinky Dink sheets and have them ready for crafting some shrinky dink keepsakes!

What is Shrinky Dink Paper? It is a type of polystyrene plastic that has been designed for craft purposes. When heated, it undergoes a process of shrinking and thickening, allowing fåor the creation of smaller, more durable versions of the original design.

Should I follow safety guidelines when using Shrinky Dink Paper? When heating the paper in the oven, it should be done by an adult and it’s recommended to use Shrinky Dink paper in a well-ventilated area. The heating process may release some fumes, and good ventilation helps dissipate any potential odors.

Materials

Hole Punch
Keychain or Ribbon (if making keychains)
Oven or toaster oven
Baking sheet
Foil or parchment paper

Shrinky Dink paper
Acrylic paint
Paintbrush
Permanent markers
Scissors
Hole Punch
Keychain or Ribbon (if making keychains)
Oven or toaster oven
Baking sheet
Foil or parchment paper

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Start by either painting your child’s hand with acrylic paint or you can trace their hand with a permanent marker, both acrylic paints and permanent markers are the most commonly used art tools used on Shrinky Dink paper, but read the next section for some more compatible options to experiment with. If outline the handprint, consider letting your child fill in the handprint with vibrant colors, or leave it as a simple outlined design for a more minimalist look.

Step 2

Cut out the handprint shape, leaving a small border around the edges.

Step 3

If making a keychain or ornament, punch a hole at the top of the handprint.

Step 4

Preheat your oven to the recommended temperature (usually around 325°F), and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.

Step 5

Place your handprint on the parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 1-3 minutes. The handprint will curl up and then flatten as it shrinks.

Step 6

Let it cool for a few minutes before handling, and once cool, attach your keychain loop or string.

Step 1

Start by either painting your child’s hand with acrylic paint or you can trace their hand with a permanent marker, both acrylic paints and permanent markers are the most commonly used art tools used on Shrinky Dink paper, but read the next section for some more compatible options to experiment with. If outline the handprint, consider letting your child fill in the handprint with vibrant colors, or leave it as a simple outlined design for a more minimalist look.

Step 2

Cut out the handprint shape, leaving a small border around the edges.

Step 3

If making a keychain or ornament, punch a hole at the top of the handprint.

Step 4

Preheat your oven to the recommended temperature (usually around 325°F), and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.

Step 5

Place your handprint on the parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 1-3 minutes. The handprint will curl up and then flatten as it shrinks.

Step 6

Let it cool for a few minutes before handling, and once cool, attach your keychain loop or string.

What Art Tools Can Be Used on Shrinky Dink Paper?

Acrylic paint and permanent markers are two of the most commonly used, but there are several other art tools compatible with Shrinky Dink paper to bring your designs to life. Colored pencils work well on frosted Shrinky Dink sheets, giving a softer, more muted look. For bold, textured designs, oil pastels are another option, though they can smudge before shrinking. Sharpie paint pens offer vibrant colors with precise control, making them ideal for detailed designs. Gel pens add fun metallic or glittery effects, while chalk markers can give a soft, pastel-like finish. For a more dimensional look, you can use deco pens or fabric paint after shrinking to create raised designs or add detailed outlines.

What Art Tools Can Be Used on Shrinky Dink Paper?

Acrylic paint and permanent markers are two of the most commonly used, but there are several other art tools compatible with Shrinky Dink paper to bring your designs to life. Colored pencils work well on frosted Shrinky Dink sheets, giving a softer, more muted look. For bold, textured designs, oil pastels are another option, though they can smudge before shrinking. Sharpie paint pens offer vibrant colors with precise control, making them ideal for detailed designs. Gel pens add fun metallic or glittery effects, while chalk markers can give a soft, pastel-like finish. For a more dimensional look, you can use deco pens or fabric paint after shrinking to create raised designs or add detailed outlines.

Shrinky Dink Handprint Ideas

Shrinky Dink keepsakes are super versatile and can be customized for different holidays and seasons. Here are some fun ideas to get you started:

Shrinky Dink Handprint Turkey

Classic turkey handprint, with each finger acting as a colorful feather and the palm as the turkey’s body.

Shrinky Dink Handprint Fall Leaf

Color the handprint with autumn shades like orange, red, and yellow to represent a leaf.

Shrinky Dink Handprint Pumpkin

Use the handprint as a base for a pumpkin design. Add jack o lantern features to make it Halloween themed

Shrinky Dink Handprint Fall Tree

Use the hand and part of the arm as the tree trunk, and create colorful fall leaves with fingerprints in autumn shades.

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

Shrinky Dink Handprint for Valentine’s Day

Read the step by step directions here:

Shrinky Dink Handprint Ghost

Use white acrylic paint and black facial features to make a spooky keepsake!

Shrinky Dink Handprint Easter Bunny

Use the palm for the bunny’s face and the fingers for bunny ears. Add details like whiskers and a little nose.

Shrinky Dink Handprint Christmas Lights Garland

Use different color paint to make handprints and paint a gray bulb end at the base of the palm.

What’s Next?

The Best Gifts for 8 to 12 Year Olds!

Find the best gifts for 8 to 12 year olds with our top picks for boys and girls—perfect for sparking creativity and fun for kids this age!

Best Learning Toys for Kids

Looking for the best learning toys for kids? We’ve got you covered with this list of educational gifts that kids will love and learn from!

DIY Snow for Sensory Play: 4 Easy Kid Recipes

Learn how to make DIY snow for sensory play in minutes! These 4 fake snow recipes for kids are perfect for home, classroom, or sensory bins.

Gross Motor Skills: Fun Movement Games for Active Kids

This is your ultimate guide to understanding gross motor skills including activity ideas, milestone timeline, and product suggestions!

Understanding Gross Motor Skills: Building Blocks for Physical Development

Gross motor skills encompass the coordination of large muscle groups to perform activities like walking, running, jumping, and throwing. In the preschool years, these fundamental abilities form the cornerstone of physical development, laying the groundwork for more refined movements later in life. From navigating playground equipment to participating in group games, gross motor skills enable children to explore their surroundings, interact with peers, and build confidence in their physical abilities. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the significance of gross motor skills and offer a wealth of engaging activities and product recommendations to foster their growth and enjoyment.

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

Fun Activities to Develop Gross Motor Skills

Engaging in playful and interactive activities is an excellent way to support your child’s gross motor skill development. Here are some enjoyable activities that promote movement and coordination:

AIM, ROLL, AND STICK!

Tape construction paper on the ground. Put another strip of tape across the papers, but sticky side up. Aim, throw/roll colorful balls at the corresponding paper. The tape will catch it, stopping the ball in its tracks!

HAND AND FEED COORDINATE

Get the free printable hands and feet HERE to practice coordinating hand and feet movements. Pictured above, I created a set up where you have to hop while alternating the position of your hands and feet.

HOP AND COLOR MATCH

Just use X marks of colorful tape scattered across a small hallway. Place colorful balls at the starting point, and the tape rolls at the ending point. Task your kiddo to hop from on X mark to another while matching the ball to the corresponding colored tape roll.

WALK IN A STRAIGHT LINE!

Use tape to make a straight line for young kids to balance themselves as they walk. I created 6 different colored lines ending with an X mark. I tasked my kiddo to walk in a straight line and match a colorful toy to it’s corresponding X.

Child lying on stomach using a paper towel roll to push a plush ball forward

BALL BLASTER

Lie on your stomach and use your arms to push a ball away like Superman—this builds back and shoulder strength.

Child standing on a cardboard box balancing while holding a second box to block incoming plush balls

BALL BLOCK AND BALANCE

Stand on a cardboard box and use another box to block incoming balls—this playful challenge builds balance, core strength, and quick reflexes.

Child sitting and using feet to pass plush balls over a pink tape line on the floor

BALL LINE TRANSFER

Sit on the floor and use your feet to pass a ball over a tape line—this strengthens the core and improves coordination.

Child lying on back lifting a plush ball with feet and dropping it into a cardboard box

LEG LIFT AND DROP

Use your feet to lift a ball over your head and drop it into a box behind you—this targets lower abs and motor planning.

Child bouncing a plush ball off a table while an adult catches it in a cardboard box

BALL BOUNCE + CATCH

Bounce a ball off a table and catch it in a box (or have someone catch it)—this builds hand-eye coordination and timing.

OBSTACLE COURSE

Create a mini obstacle course using cushions, hula hoops, cones, and tunnels. Encourage your child to climb over, crawl under, and weave through the obstacles to enhance their balance, agility, and spatial awareness.

YOGA FOR KIDS

Introduce simple yoga poses tailored for children with a free printable dice game! Poses like downward dog, tree pose, and butterfly pose improve balance, strength, and flexibility while promoting mindfulness and body awareness.

NATURE SCAVENGER HUNT

Take a nature walk with your child and create a scavenger hunt list of items to find such as leaves, rocks, flowers, or sticks. Encourage your child to walk, run, climb, and reach to collect the items, promoting balance, coordination, and spatial awareness. Combine it with a fun art project like this!

BALL BOUNCE + CATCH

Bounce a ball off a table and catch it in a box (or have someone catch it)—this builds hand-eye coordination and timing.

OBSTACLE COURSE

Create a mini obstacle course using cushions, hula hoops, cones, and tunnels. Encourage your child to climb over, crawl under, and weave through the obstacles to enhance their balance, agility, and spatial awareness.

YOGA FOR KIDS

Introduce simple yoga poses tailored for children with a free printable dice game! Poses like downward dog, tree pose, and butterfly pose improve balance, strength, and flexibility while promoting mindfulness and body awareness.

NATURE SCAVENGER HUNT

Take a nature walk with your child and create a scavenger hunt list of items to find such as leaves, rocks, flowers, or sticks. Encourage your child to walk, run, climb, and reach to collect the items, promoting balance, coordination, and spatial awareness. Combine it with a fun art project like this!

Key Gross Motor Milestones

Gross motor skills are essential for kids as they navigate the world around them. It’s important to remember that every child develops at their own pace, and these milestones are just general guidelines:

(1) Walking Independently: Most children begin walking between 12 and 18 months. Initially, they may be unsteady on their feet but gradually gain confidence and stability.

(2) Running and Jumping: Around the age of 2, children start to run with more coordination and may attempt to jump off low surfaces. By age 3, they can typically jump forward and possibly even hop on one foot briefly.

(3) Climbing: Climbing skills improve throughout the preschool yers. Kids may start by climbing stairs with support and progress to climbing playground structures and trees.

(4) Balancing: By age 4, children can often balance on one foot for a few seconds and walk in a straight line heel-to-toe, demonstrating improved balance and coordination

(5) Throwing and Catching: Around age 4 or 5, children develop the ability to throw a ball overhand with some accuracy and may begin to experiment with catching objects.

(6) Skipping: By age 5 or 6, children may start to experiment with skipping and galloping, demonstrating more advanced coordination and rhythm.

(7) Pedaling and Bike Riding: Pedaling a tricycle typically becomes achievable around age 3 or 4, signaling improved leg strength and coordination. While some children may learn to ride a bike as early as age 3 with practice, mastering this skill often occurs later in childhood, around ages 5 to 7.