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Shapes Activity for Kids – The Shape Train

Shapes Activity for Kids – The Shape Train

Shapes Activity for Kids – The Shape Train

 

shapes-activity-for-kids-shape-train

This shapes activity for kids is a great way to strengthen shape recognition! Make this puzzle yourself, or download our free printable!

A Shapes Activity for Kids with Over a Dozen Shapes!

This shapes activity is a fun and simple way to help kids understand and learn their shapes. Learning shapes at a young age is excellent for building a strong foundation in math skills and language development. Since everything in the world is made up of shapes, it’s an important topic to help your child grow. 

To play, kids have to match the shapes to the shapes on the train or the caboose. 

The great thing about this activity is you only need few simple supplies to create this fun shapes activity. If you’re running low on art supplies, check out our comprehensive art list for more ideas!

Short on time? We understand grown ups are busy, so we made a free printable version of this activity! Read on to get it!

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

How To Make and Play With This Shapes Train

This shapes activity for kids is a simple way to help them explore various shapes and also learn how to recognize specific shapes when they see them. This activity will also help them understand the correct names for the shapes as well.

Make sure to watch the video first to see how to make this simple Shapes Train. It will show you how easy it is to create and just how much fun the kids will have when playing with it.

How To Make and Play With This Shapes Train

This shapes activity for kids is a simple way to help them explore various shapes and also learn how to recognize specific shapes when they see them. This activity will also help them understand the correct names for the shapes as well.

Make sure to watch the video first to see how to make this simple Shapes Train. It will show you how easy it is to create and just how much fun the kids will have when playing with it.

shapes-activity-for-kids-shape-train

A Train-Themed Way To Help Your Child Learn Shapes

This fun train activity is a great way to help your child learn about their shapes. It’s fun because it can focus on shapes and colors, and all on a fun train!

Older kids can help with this activity as well by helping to cut out the shapes and even draw or make the base of the train.

I set up this activity on a vertical surface. This isn’t necessary, but I often will do this because it has loads of benefits. By making activities eye-level, I’ve noticed how concentration and attention is much more focused, plus it’s great for strengthening arms and shoulder muscles!

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

On a piece of cardboard, line up your shape pieces into train formation. You can use a rectangle and square to form the conductor!

Step 2

Trace them with a pencil (you don’t want to ruin your blocks with marks)!

Step 3

Once traced, use a marker to make it bold and add some train details like wheels!

Step 4

Cover the cardboard with adhesive paper, sticky side up (or clear packing tape if you don’t have any!)

Step 5

On the edges, tape the adhesive paper down.

Step 6

On construction paper, trace and cut out each shape for matching!

Step 1

On a piece of cardboard, line up your shape pieces into train formation. You can use a rectangle and square to form the conductor!

Step 2

Trace them with a pencil (you don’t want to ruin your blocks with marks)!

Step 3

Once traced, use a marker to make it bold and add some train details like wheels!

Step 4

Cover the cardboard with adhesive paper, sticky side up (or clear packing tape if you don’t have any!)

Step 5

On the edges, tape the adhesive paper down.

Step 6

On construction paper, trace and cut out each shape for matching!

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

Printables Shapes Activities for Kids!

Don’t have time to create this DIY game? No problem! I wanted to make things extra easy for busy grown-ups by providing a FREE printable version of this activity!

Just cut out the shapes and match them to the train puzzle!

We also have a printable bundle All About Shapes! This includes over 25 pages that explore a dozen shapes. From tracing the shapes activities, to matching shapes, building a shape robot, and cutting out shapes. That’s just a few of the many ways this printable will have your kiddo exploring shapes!

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

The Educational Benefits of This Shape Train Activity

This educational shape activity for kids is perfect for helping them learn their shapes. Once your child learns the various shapes, this can then be used as a foundation for learning math, colors, and even language development.

The shapes can also be counted to work on math skills, and as your child progresses, you can even add some shapes with sight words on them to help with reading skills as well. This is also a great way to have them work on listening skills and matching various colors.

The sticking of the shapes onto the train is excellent for their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as well.

shapes-activity-for-kids-shape-train

The more your child uses this shape train activity, the more learning activities you can add in for them!

shapes-activity-for-kids-shape-train

The Educational Benefits of This Shape Train Activity

This educational shape activity for kids is perfect for helping them learn their shapes. Once your child learns the various shapes, this can then be used as a foundation for learning math, colors, and even language development.

The shapes can also be counted to work on math skills, and as your child progresses, you can even add some shapes with sight words on them to help with reading skills as well. This is also a great way to have them work on listening skills and matching various colors.

The sticking of the shapes onto the train is excellent for their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as well.

The more your child uses this shape train activity, the more learning activities you can add in for them!

More Ways to Explore Shapes

Here are my top picks shape puzzles and toys!

counting board wooden resources

Wooden Block Shape Train

This wooden stacking train is a fun way to combine block play, shape learning, and building! This set comes with the train car and 15 blocks.

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shape puzzle learning shapes

Nesting Wooden Shapes Puzzle

This puzzle is perfect for kids as young as 2 years old. The shapes match and nest in each other with vibrant colors.

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counting toy for young kids

Wooden Shape Puzzle

This wooden puzzle includes 18 shape pieces a cotton bag. I love that it features so many types of shapes!

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shape sorter toy

Shape Sorting Truck

This versatile shape sorting tooy includes 15 shapes and a laser engraved pull-a-long truck!

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What’s Next?

Pre K Math – Count and Add the Hair Printables

Pre K Math – Count and Add the Hair Printables

Pre K Math – Count and Add the Hair Printables

 

math activity for pre k adding hair

This Pre K math activity is a great hands on and visual way to learn how to count and do simple addition. Learn more about how to easily set this up, how to get the printables, and how this game will get your preschooler on track to understanding some important basic math skills!

A Hands On Pre K Math Activity

This fun and easy-to-create activity for kids is a great way to work on math and counting. Once they start realizing that it’s possible to have fun and learn at the same time, they’re going to love adding on more and more hairs to count.

This is such a visual and tactile experience. Using simple materials you have in the home for hair, like toothpicks, pasta, and pegs – makes this activity budget friendly and hands on! This means that in just a few short minutes, your little one will be having a blast! (and learning!)

Plus, we made it even easier with a printable that does all the hard work for you. Read on to get it!

Skills: Early Math

Ages: 2 Years +

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

One Way to Set Up This Pre K Math Activity

This fun counting game is an excellent way for your child to learn the early math concepts of counting and simple addition. One way to set it up is on a vertical surface. Vertical surfaces will improve should strength, encourage crossing the midline, and benefits extending attention span! However, even on a flat surface, this game is, no doubt, a fun way for them to engage their hands and minds simultaneously.

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

One Way to Set Up This Pre K Math Activity

This fun counting game is an excellent way for your child to learn the early math concepts of counting and simple addition. One way to set it up is on a vertical surface. Vertical surfaces will improve should strength, encourage crossing the midline, and benefits extending attention span! However, even on a flat surface, this game is, no doubt, a fun way for them to engage their hands and minds simultaneously.

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

math activity for pre k adding hair

Encourage Creativity and Imagination

One of the best things about this number activity is that you can easily change it up. This makes it fun for various ages and also keeps kids interested and engaged longer. There are 2 different printables available. For toddlers and young preschoolers, you should begin with the printable that is all about counting and number recognition. Older preschoolers and kindergartners will enjoy the printable all about simple addition.

There are so many different ways you can play with this printable. We experimented with both vertical and horizontal surfaces as well as switching up the materials we used as the hair. Spaghetti noodles could be fun, ribbon might be great, or anything else that your little one brainstorms on and wants to use. Note: pipe cleaners were heavy on the adhesive paper, so either make sure you have really strong sticky paper, or use something lighter like ribbons or toothpicks!

Materials 

  • Tape
  • Loose Parts to use as hair (for example: pasta, ribbon, pegs, pipe cleaners, etc.)

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

On the non-sticky side of a strip of adheisve paper, tape the printable. You can cut out the people or leave it in the printable page. 

Step 2

For a vertical surface, tape the adhesive paper to the wall, sticky side up.

Step 3

Provide loose parts for your children to add as hair to the people. If doing a vertical surface, use something light! Even the pipe cleaners were a bit too heavy and had to be repositioned!

Step 1

On the non-sticky side of a strip of adheisve paper, tape the printable. You can cut out the people or leave it in the printable page.

Step 2

For a vertical surface, tape the adhesive paper to the wall, sticky side up.

Step 3

Provide loose parts for your children to add as hair to the people. If doing a vertical surface, use something light! Even the pipe cleaners were a bit too heavy and had to be repositioned!

count the hair add the hair printable for early pre k math

Grab This Pre K Math Printable!

Grown up are busy, and I understand we don’t all have time to draw a bunch of people and create a DIY version of this! So I’ve made it super simple for you with these worksheets for you to print out and use! 

The Count the Hair printable is all about number recognition and is great for toddlers and young preschoolers who are beginning to recognize their numbers and count sequentially!

The Add the Hair printable is great for older preschoolers and kindergarteners who have a stronger ability to recognize numbers and are ready to start adding them together!

Make sure that you don’t miss out on our Number Parking Lot and our Count the Pizza Toppings Game, too!

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

The Educational Benefits of Pre K Math

This activity is excellent for combining hands-on learning with early math skills.

Your child will be able to identify numbers fast for repetition and how to problem solve quickly, too. While this hair activity is quite fun, there are excellent educational benefits as well. It helps your child with number recognition, counting sequentially, one to one correspondence, and simple addition.

This then leads to more math learning, such as asking your child what number comes next or working on even larger addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems.

math activity for pre k adding hair

There is also an excellent benefit for your child of working on their fine motor skills with this fun activity as children pick up small objects and use hand-eye coordination to place them on top of the heads.

math activity for pre k adding hair

The Educational Benefits of Pre K Math

This activity is excellent for combining hands-on learning with early math skills.

Your child will be able to identify numbers fast for repetition and how to problem solve quickly, too. While this hair activity is quite fun, there are excellent educational benefits as well. It helps your child with number recognition, counting sequentially, one to one correspondence, and simple addition.

This then leads to more math learning, such as asking your child what number comes next or working on even larger addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems.

There is also an excellent benefit for your child of working on their fine motor skills with this fun activity as children pick up small objects and use hand-eye coordination to place them on top of the heads.

Store-Bought Early Math Games

Here are my top picks for the best early math games you can buy!

counting board wooden resources

Wooden Number Puzzle 

If you want something really simple, this is perfect! It’s a puzzle made of wooden numbers.

SHOP NOW
counting game with cupcake puzzle

Pom Pom Counting Cupcakes 

This activity uses soft pom poms and wooden cupcakes for early counting. It strengthens fine motor skills too.

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pre k math learning addition game wooden

Wooden Math Board

This handcrafted learning resource is great for learning counting and addition and subtraction of numbers up to 20.

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early math learning for kids wooden blocks

Wooden Number Blocks

These wooden blocks resemble numbers and grow with your child’s advancing math skills. It also includes a math guide and activity cards.

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What’s Next?

Rainbow Science Experiment – Fizzy Frozen Cubes

Rainbow Science Experiment – Fizzy Frozen Cubes

Rainbow Science Experiment – Frozen Fizzy Cubes

rainbow-science-experiment-frozen-baking-soda-vinegar-science-kids-toddlers

This rainbow science experiment is a colorful explosion of kitchen science at it’s best!  All you need are some household items for your kiddo to explore the thrill of chemical reactions. It is so much fun to release white vinegar onto frozen baking soda cubes to discover the fizzy reaction over and over again!

Rainbow Science Experiment for Kids

This rainbow science activity is safe for toddlers, preschoolers, and beyond! It is not only an awesome hands on way to demonstrate what a chemical reactions is, but also a great opportunity to talk about freezing an object and reaching it’s melting point!

Short on time and won’t be able to freeze the mixture? Don’t worry! Try our super simple Easy Experiment to Do at Home – Fizzy Science project that can be set up in minutes!

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

How to Create Frozen Cubes That Fizz

 

Here’s how you can make and play with this simple fizzy rainbow science experiment.

In this video, you’ll find that it’s a simple process that results in a ton of hands on discovery and curiosity. Once the cubes are entirely melted, exploring the colorful tray of leftovers is a great sensory experience!

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 Create Frozen Cubes That Fizz

Here’s how you can make and play with this simple fizzy rainbow science experiment.

In this video, you’ll find that it’s a simple process that results in a ton of hands on discovery and curiosity. Once the cubes are entirely melted, exploring the colorful tray of leftovers is a great sensory experience!

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

rainbow-science-experiment-frozen-baking-soda-vinegar-science-kids-toddlers

How To Set Up This Rainbow Science Experiment

Kitchen science experiments are the best because it usually means you have most if not all the supplies in your pantry! For this experiment, there is definitely no special science supplies required!

The one thing your little one will need for setting up this experiment though is patience! Creating the mixture itself is super simple, but you have to wait several hours for it to freeze into cubes!

I definitely recommend using a tray or deep dish to contain all of the baking soda and vinegar. Once everything has melted your kiddos will likely want to dig their hands in, so this will contain the mess!

Have a toddler? They can enjoy this experiment too! Conducting it in their high chairs is a great way to keep their eyes level. Plus, using the dropper is an added fine motor skills strengthening activity for them too!

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

To make all 6 colors, use 6 separate bowls and in each mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup water and enough liquid watercolor for the desired vibrancy. You could also use food coloring, but I prefer liquid watercolor because it is washable.

Step 2

Add the baking soda mixtures to an ice cube tray;

Step 3

Freeze for several hours;

Step 4

Once frozen, lay out your ice cubes on a tray, and provide a cup of white vinegar with a dropper;

Step 5

To conduct the experiment, have your kiddo drop vinegar onto the baking soda cubes for a fizzy reaction and brilliant display of colors!

Step 1

To make all 6 colors, use 6 separate bowls and in each mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup water and enough liquid watercolor for the desired vibrancy. You could also use food coloring, but I prefer liquid watercolor because it is washable.

Step 2

Add the baking soda mixtures to an ice cube tray;

Step 3

Freeze for several hours;

Step 4

Once frozen, lay out your ice cubes on a tray, and provide a cup of white vinegar with a dropper;

Step 5

To conduct the experiment, have your kiddo drop vinegar onto the baking soda cubes for a fizzy reaction and brilliant display of colors!

Educational Benefits of This Rainbow Science Experiment

There is a tremendous amount of learning and skills being strengthened from this hands on rainbow science experiment!

First off, this is a great intro to chemistry science experiments! It is the perfect time to discuss what a chemical reaction is. Well, you may be thinking, what is the chemical reaction in this experiment?  In short, when the vinegar (an acid) comes into contact with the baking soda (a base), a reaction occurs and gas is released (carbon dioxide) causing the fun fizz. The fact that the cubes are frozen, is another great science observation about freezing temperatures and melting points!

Color recognition is a great skill to strengthen during this rainbow science experiment. This is especially good for toddlers who are learning color vocabulary. Older kids can enjoy exploring color mixing and discusing what primary and secondary colors are.

rainbow-science-experiment-frozen-baking-soda-vinegar-science-kids-toddlers

Fine motor skills are also being strengthened during this activity. Using droppers is one of those common household tools that are great for strengthening fine motor skills. If you are unfamiliar with what fine motor skills are and why the are important, be sure to read more about it!

rainbow-science-experiment-frozen-baking-soda-vinegar-science-kids-toddlers

Educational Benefits of This Rainbow Science Experiment

There is a tremendous amount of learning and skills being strengthened from this hands on rainbow science experiment!

First off, this is a great intro to chemistry science experiments! It is the perfect time to discuss what a chemical reaction is. Well, you may be thinking, what is the chemical reaction in this experiment?  In short, when the vinegar (an acid) comes into contact with the baking soda (a base), a reaction occurs and gas is released (carbon dioxide) causing the fun fizz. The fact that the cubes are frozen, is another great science observation about freezing temperatures and melting points!

Color recognition is a great skill to strengthen during this rainbow science experiment. This is especially good for toddlers who are learning color vocabulary. Older kids can enjoy exploring color mixing and discusing what primary and secondary colors are.

Fine motor skills are also being strengthened during this activity. Using droppers is one of those common household tools that are great for strengthening fine motor skills. If you are unfamiliar with what fine motor skills are and why the are important, be sure to read more about it!

More Ways to Explore Chemical Reactions

Here are my top picks for science experiment kits!

science experiment chemical reactions for kids

Science Kit for Kids

This science kit for kids includes 30 scientific experiments plus fun gear like a lab coat, goggles, and other scientific equipment!

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rainbow science experiment chemical reactions for kids

Rainbow Science Kit

This kit is specifically about exploring color-related science experiments! It includes 12 fun experiments and a lab book!

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chemistry set for kids chemical reactions

Chemistry Kits

This 3-Pack Chemistry Kits will ignite a passion for science. Including an electrochemistry lab, fire lab, and vortex lab.

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science experiment set for kids

Earth Science Kit 

This kit lets your children learn hands-on about geology and chemical reactions in volcanoes.

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What’s Next?

Counting Numbers for Kids – Count the Petals

Counting Numbers for Kids – Count the Petals

Counting Numbers for Kids: Count the Petals

 

Have some Spring-themed early math fun with this DIY game of “Count the Petals.”  This is such a great way to learn counting numbers for kids!

Paper Flowers That Teach Early Math

This fun and easy-to-make game of counting petals on a flower brings the color and spirit of Spring inside while teaching kids early math. 

To play, kids count the petals on the paper flowers and “plant” each one in the pot with the corresponding number. 

All you need to create this project are some basic craft supplies and glue. If you are in need of craft supplies, be sure to check out our Comprehensive Arts and Crafts Supply List.

Plus, we made things extra easy for busy grown ups with a free printable version of this counting numbers with kids activity. Read on to get it!

Skills: Early Math

Ages: 2 Years +

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

How to Make and Play This Counting Numbers for Kids Game!

This counting numbers for kids game is a fun way to explore early math, using the digits one through eight. Watch the video to first see how to make this game yourself, and then watch to see how a child will engage with this DIY game. 

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 This Counting Numbers for Kids Game!

This counting numbers for kids game is a fun way to explore early math, using the digits one through eight. Watch the video to first see how to make this game yourself, and then watch to see how a child will engage with this DIY game. 

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

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

A Spring-Themed Way to do Counting with Kids and More!

One of the  great things about this game is that you can adapt it to your child’s age and abilities.

For the very young, it is a perfect way to introduce basic counting and number recognition.  

Older kids can help make the game, cutting out shapes (with safe scissors, of course), and work on fine motor skills. Or, have some creative fun and draw some faces on those flowers.

This is also a great way to talk about the anatomy of a flower, weather or the four seasons.

Bonus: you can use the pots and soil to plant some easy-to-grow seeds!

Materials 

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

Use a knife to cut circles in your cardboard box, making sure your cups will fit in them. 

Step 2

Assign a number to each cup. I used removable dot stickers, but you could also write the number on top of the cardboard for a permanent set up.

Step 3

Fill your planters up with a sensory material. We used potting soil, but you could use sand, rocks, rice, etc.

Step 4

For a final cute touch, use glue to secure a “Count the Petals” sign on your box!

Step 1

Use a knife to cut circles in your cardboard box, making sure your cups will fit in them.

Step 2

Assign a number to each cup. I used removable dot stickers, but you could also write the number on top of the cardboard for a permanent set up.

Step 3

Fill your planters up with a sensory material. We used potting soil, but you could use sand, rocks, rice, etc.

Step 4

For a final cute touch, use glue to secure a “Count the Petals” sign on your box!

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

Free Printable of This Count the Petals Game

Don’t have time to create this DIY game? No problem! I wanted to make things extra easy for busy grown ups by providing a FREE printable version of this activity!

Just print the pages, cut out the flowers and match the blooms to the corresponding flower pot!

And if you like this, don’t miss our free Number Parking Lot printable and Count the Pizza Topping printable! Counting numbers for kids can be tricky, but this is a fun way to do it!

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

The Educational Benefits of The Count the Petals Game

This educational counting for kids game with flower petals isn’t just a fun and pretty activity, it familiarizes your child with basic math concepts, too. 

The first, is rote counting, or counting numbers in sequential order. Depending on your child’s age, you can help with this or not.

Next, is one-to-one correspondence, the idea that every item counted gets a number.

The game can also develop subitizing, or the ability to recognize how many items are in a small set, such as instantly recognizing a group of four.

For little ones, ask them what number comes next as they play; for older kids, you could work in some basic addition.

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

Sticking the flowers into the individual pots will also help develop fine motor skills, too.

For more ways to explore early math be sure to visit our comprehensive list of activities!

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

This educational counting for kids game with flower petals isn’t just a fun and pretty activity, it familiarizes your child with basic math concepts, too. 

The first, is rote counting, or counting numbers in sequential order. Depending on your child’s age, you can help with this or not.

Next, is one-to-one correspondence, the idea that every item counted gets a number.

The game can also develop subitizing, or the ability to recognize how many items are in a small set, such as instantly recognizing a group of four.

For little ones, ask them what number comes next as they play; for older kids, you could work in some basic addition.

Store-Bought Early Math Games

Here are my top picks for the best early math games you can buy!

counting board wooden resources

Wooden Number Puzzle 

If you want something really simple, this is perfect! It’s a puzzle made of wooden numbers.

SHOP NOW
counting game with cupcake puzzle

Pom Pom Counting Cupcakes 

This activity uses soft pom poms and wooden cupcakes for early counting. It strengthens fine motor skills too.

SHOP NOW
counting toy for young kids

Math Shapes Puzzle 

This wooden puzzle lets your toddler match both the number with the correct amount of shapes.

SHOP NOW
count the chocolate chip cookie game

Count the Cookies

This count the cookie chips game is a fun way to learn numbers! The game comes with a cute cookie jar too!

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What’s Next?

Dinosaur Activity – Fun Peg-osaurus!

Dinosaur Activity – Fun Peg-osaurus!

Dinosaur Activity – Peg-osaurus!

dinosaur activity with clothespins pegs for fine motor skills color matching and number learning

Kids just love this “Peg-osaurus” dinosaur fine motor skills activity! Giving the dinosaurs their spikes back is so much fun! Not only does this teach them their colors and counting, but it also helps to work on their fine motor skills too.

Plus, we made things extra easy for the grown ups with our free printable dinosaurs. Keep reading to get them!

Dinosaur Fine Motor Activity For Kids

The great thing about this activity is that it’s fun and full of learning. Add this to your list of dinosaur educational activities that you want to try! Hands-on learning is the perfect way for early learners to be able to use their hands and their minds at the same time.

You can make a DIY version out of cardboard, or save time with our free printable!

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

How to Make This Dinosaur Activity

Here’s how you can make and play with this fun and easy dinosaur activity. In this video, you’ll find that it’s a fast and easy activity to set up, and the kids can use it to start learning right away. This is the perfect dinosaur activity idea for kids.

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 This Dinosaur Activity

Here’s how you can make and play with this fun and easy dinosaur activity. In this video, you’ll find that it’s a fast and easy activity to set up, and the kids can use it to start learning right away. This is the perfect dinosaur activity idea for kids.

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

dinosaur activity printable fine motor skills color recognition counting

Printable Dinosaur Activity

We understand that grown ups are busy and might not have the time to make hand drawn dinosaurs on cardboard! We got you covered with a set of printable dinosaurs! The set includes 6 different dinosaurs that have a range of 1-6 peg spikes that need to be added.

To make this printable dinosaur fine motor activities last, be sure to laminate it first! If you are looking for a laminator, visit our comprehensive Arts and Crafts Supplies List for what we use!

Is using pegs still too tricky for your toddler? Then, make sure you download our free Poke the Animal printable where younger kids can strengthen fine motor skills while giving 3 spikey animals their spikes back using objects that are easier to handle like straws!

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

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

On a piece of cardboard, draw your dinosaur and stick on a googly eye. You can create this yourself or get the kiddos involved! Alternatively, use our free printable dinosaurs!

Step 2

Use a sharp scissor to cut out the dinosaur shapes.

Step 3

Put colorful stickers on the dinosaur’s back.

Step 4

Tape a craft stick to the back for a fun handle!

Step 5

Provide colorful pegs/clothespins to match while strengthening fine motor skills!

Step 1

On a piece of cardboard, draw your dinosaur and stick on a googly eye. You can create this yourself or get the kiddos involved! Alternatively, use our free printable dinosaurs!

Step 2

Use a sharp scissor to cut out the dinosaur shapes.

Step 3

Put colorful stickers on the dinosaur’s back.

Step 4

Tape a craft stick to the back for a fun handle!

Step 5

Provide colorful pegs/clothespins to match while strengthening fine motor skills!

Educational Benefits for This Fun Dinosaur Activity

This simple dinosaur activity is excellent for teaching kids to learn and match colors. You can also use this activity for learning numbers. Once a child has matched all the pegs, have them count how many there are!

One of the most important skills being strengthened in this activity is fine motor skills. Clothespins or pegs are perfect for targeting the small muscles in hands and fingers. As both ends are being squeezed to the open position, those fingers are getting a great workout!

This type of activity is a fantastic stepping stone to preparing kid’s hands for important practical life skill tasks like writing, buttoning, and zipping to name a few! For more fine motor activities be sure to visit our comprehensive Fine Motor Skills List!

dinosaur fine motor activities with clothespins pegs for fine motor skills color matching and number learning free printable
dinosaur activity with clothespins pegs for fine motor skills color matching and number learning free printable

Educational Benefits for This Fun Dinosaur Activity

This simple dinosaur activity is excellent for teaching kids to learn and match colors. You can also use this activity for learning numbers. Once a child has matched all the pegs, have them count how many there are!

One of the most important skills being strengthened in this activity is fine motor skills. Clothespins or pegs are perfect for targeting the small muscles in hands and fingers. As both ends are being squeezed to the open position, those fingers are getting a great workout!

This type of activity is a fantastic stepping stone to preparing kid’s hands for important practical life skill tasks like writing, buttoning, and zipping to name a few! For more fine motor activities be sure to visit our comprehensive Fine Motor Skills List!

Store-Bought Dinosaur Learning Activities

Here are my top picks for educational toys and games for the dino-fan!

dinosaur dig game fossil gift archaelogy science stem

Dinosaur Egg Discovery Kit

Discover 12 unique dinosaurs while strengthening fine motor skills while excavating them from eggs. The kit comes with 12 matching cards.

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dinosaur alphabet puzzle wooden

Alphabet Dinosaur Puzzle

This puzzle includes 26 easy-to-grasp pieces, one for each letter of the alphabet. A great way to encourage fine motor and letter recognition skills!

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dinosaur building engineering toy

Build a Dinosaur Toy

This set includes 3 dinosaurs that can be taken apart and assembled. It includes a low-speed motor drill with 2 kinds of drill bits. Great item for STEM and fine motor skills.

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dinosaur book for little kids

Big Book About Dinosaurs

This book is the Ultimate Dinopedia for kids! It includes stunning illustrations with fun facts that are age appropriate for ages 4 to 8 years old. 

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What’s Next?

Pre-Writing Activity – DIY Tracing Board

Pre-Writing Activity – DIY Tracing Board

Pre-Writing Activity – DIY Tracing Board

pre writing activity with a diy tracing board

This DIY pre-writing activity board is a budget friendly way for kids to enjoy strengthening their pencil grip while practicing drawing lines! It is the perfect stepping stone to writing letters and numbers! Using simple materials, this pre-writing activity is easy to construct, customizable, and reusable!

A Pre-Writing Activity Kids and Growns Up Will Love

Preschool-aged children love this fun pre-writing activity because it keeps them busy and requires them to show their independence to complete it. Grown ups love this DIY tracing board because it’s a simple way to create an activity that doesn’t require a ton of time and effort.

For more ways to practice pre-writing tracing, read on to get our free printable pre-writing tracing cards and alphabet writing booklet!

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

How to Make a Pre-Writing Activity Tracing Board

Here’s how you can make and play with this creative DIY tracing board. In this video, you’ll see how fast and easy it is to create a dedicated area for the kids to trace and create. This can easily be altered and used over and over again.

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 a Pre-Writing Activity Tracing Board

Here’s how you can make and play with this creative DIY tracing board. In this video, you’ll see how fast and easy it is to create a dedicated area for the kids to trace and create. This can easily be altered and used over and over again.

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

pre-writing tracing cards printable

Printable Pre-Writing Activity

Not only is this DIY activity super fun and easy to make (step by step instructions below!), but don’t miss our printable pre-writing tracing cards. They are a great way to practice tracing lines and patterns. The set of cards not only includes simple lines and shapes, but also real-life images with lines that need to be completed.

Is your kiddo great at tracing lines? Preschoolers can enjoy our printable uppercase letter writing bundle and lowercase letter writing bundle where they will not only learn letter formation,  but have the opportunity to trace and write letters independently.

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

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

Put the adhesive paper on top of a piece of cardboard to make the workspace erasable and reusable!

Step 2

Hot glue the toothpicks to the cardboard in various patterns to encourage lines and curve making.

Step 1

Put the adhesive paper on top of a piece of cardboard to make the workspace erasable and reusable!

Step 2

Hot glue the toothpicks to the cardboard in various patterns to encourage lines and curve making.

What else can you use to create lines and curves on the cardboard?

I’ve used string and yarn as well as popsicle sticks too. Anything that you can use as a border so that the kids can push up against it to trace it is perfect. Keep in mind, you’ll want to use items that you don’t mind gluing to cardboard! 

Educational Benefits for this Pre-Writing Activity

This pre-writing activity is the perfect stepping stone to writing letters and numbers. The fine motor skills required to write letters and numbers need to be strengthened first.

Pre-writing activities like this DIY pre-writing board, and tracing activities like our printable cards are great ways for kids to get comfortable holding a pencil to achieve proper grip and stability.

Plus, it is a great way to encourage hand-eye coordination and become familiar with shapes and patterns. 

pre-writing activity erasable reusable
pre-writing activity erasable reusable

Educational Benefits for this Pre-Writing Activity

This pre-writing activity is the perfect stepping stone to writing letters and numbers. The fine motor skills required to write letters and numbers need to be strengthened first.

Pre-writing activities like this DIY pre-writing board, and tracing activities like our printable cards are great ways for kids to get comfortable holding a pencil to achieve proper grip and stability.

Plus, it is a great way to encourage hand-eye coordination and learn become familiar with shapes and patterns. 

Store-Bought Pre-Writing Activities

Here are my top picks for toys and games that will strengthening hand muscles and improve pencil grip!

magnetic alphabet learning game pre writing

Magnetic Alphabet Game

This magnetic alphabet game is not only a great way to reinforce letter recognition, but it is so great for strengtheing pencil grip!

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wooden writing board alphabet reversible

Wooden Alphabet Board

This beautifully crafted wooden board is all about tracing the alphabet. Plus, it is reversible featuring both uppercase and lowercase letters!

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magnetic letter boards pre writing

Magnetic Letter Writing

This 2 sided board is a great tool for teaching writing. Children use the stylus pen to help them stay on the stroke.

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wooden stencil writing set lines

Wooden Stencil Pattern Set

This wooden resource for pre-writing is a great stencil tracing set. It is a simulator for writing.

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What’s Next?

Fine Motor Activity for Toddlers – Poke the Porcupine

Fine Motor Activity for Toddlers – Poke the Porcupine

Fine Motor Activity for Toddlers – Poke the Porcupine

child plays game to strengthen pincer grasp

This fine motor activity for toddlers is a fun way to strengthen pincer grasp, hand eye coordination, and more!

Setting it up is simple, but we made it even easier with a free printable porcupine that you can just tape to a box! Read on to get it!

A Fun Fine Motor Activity for Toddlers 

If you are looking for a way to help your toddler strengthen their fingers and pincer graps, then this the perfect activity!

Picking up toothpicks takes some serious concentration for toddlers. Sticking them into the porcupine will give them satisfaction and encourage them to keep going! For safety, use toothpicks that have a blunt tip, I link to one below! 

Don’t miss our full list of fine motor activities for more fun ideas! 

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

Watch the Video to See This Fine Motor Activity for Toddlers in Action!

 

Here’s a quick video of my toddler pushing the toothpicks into the cardboard porcupine. As you can see, she loves adding all the sticky quills to the cute little porcupine. Remember, it is always important to supervise an activity like this!

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

Watch the Video to See This Fine Motor Activity for Toddlers in Action!

Here’s a quick video of my toddler pushing the toothpicks into the cardboard porcupine. As you can see, she loves adding all the sticky quills to the cute little porcupine. Remember, it is always important to supervise an activity like this!

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

printable fine motor skills activity with animals

Make Your Own Cardboard Porcupine Activity or Grab Our Free Printable!

The prep work and set-up could not be easier! You don’t have to spend a lot of time buying lots of supplies either. And since we know grown ups are busy, we also have a free printable with spikey animals that you can just pop on a box instead of drawing one!

For more activities you can easily print visit our Printable Shop.

The pointy ends of the toothpicks make this a fantastic sensory activity for toddlers. Be careful though – use blunt toothpicks and always supervise. If you can’t find blunt toothpicks, use cotton swabs, paper straws, or pipe cleaners instead!

Read on for the step by step instructions and the educational benefits of this fine motor activity for toddlers!

Materials

  • Toothpicks (or pipe cleaners)

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

Draw a porcupine on a small box or tape our free printable porcupine instead!

Step 2

Use a small screwdriver or sharp knife to create the holes. Remember to keep them small because they will expand as your kiddo pokes the toothpick through.  

Step 3

Stick toothpicks or pipe cleaners through the holes you made in the porcupine. 

Step 4

Younger toddlers can pull the spikes out of the porcupine or push them through the holes. Older toddlers and preschoolers can enjoy putting the toothpicks in the holes themselves!

Step 1

Draw a porcupine on a small box or tape our free printable porcupine instead!

Step 2

Use a small screwdriver or sharp knife to create the holes. Remember to keep them small because they will expand as your kiddo pokes the toothpick through. 

Step 3

Stick toothpicks or pipe cleaners through the holes you made in the porcupine. 

Step 4

Younger toddlers can pull the spikes out of the porcupine or push them through the holes. Older toddlers and preschoolers can enjoy putting the toothpicks in the holes themselves!

Educational Benefits of the Porcupine Activity

You are going to love how many early childhood education benefits there are of this simple little activity. 

Picking up or pushing down on the toothpicks is sensory play. Not only do they see the toothpicks, but they feel the edges too. When toddlers feel different textures, it creates new connections in their minds. 

Not only does it engage their mind, but it strengthens their fine motor skills. That movement of trying to pinch the toothpicks with their thumb and fingers is called the pincer grasp. It’s important for other skills like tying their shoes and holding a pencil. 

child playing game to strengthen fine motor skills by poking toothpicks or cotton swabs into a box shaped like a porcupine

Add some letters and numbers to the porcupine for older kids. Then, ask them to poke the toothpicks through each letter and number. This is a fun activity that can grow with your child!  

child playing game to strengthen fine motor skills by poking toothpicks or cotton swabs into a box shaped like a porcupine

Educational Benefits of the Porcupine Activity

You are going to love how many early childhood education benefits there are of this simple little activity. 

Picking up or pushing down on the toothpicks is sensory play. Not only do they see the toothpicks, but they feel the edges too. When toddlers feel different textures, it creates new connections in their minds. 

Not only does it engage their mind, but it strengthens their fine motor skills. That movement of trying to pinch the toothpicks with their thumb and fingers is called the pincer grasp. It’s important for other skills like tying their shoes and holding a pencil. 

Add some letters and numbers to the porcupine for older kids. Then, ask them to poke the toothpicks through each letter and number. This is a fun activity that can grow with your child!

Store-Bought Fine Motor Activities For Toddlers

Here are my top picks for toys you can buy that strengthen toddler fine motor skills!

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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Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog 

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

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Big Lacing Beads 

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

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Pull and Play Tissue Box

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

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What’s Next?

Color Mixing Green – Make the Leaf Activity

Color Mixing Green – Make the Leaf Activity

Color Mixing Green – Make the Leaf Activity

color mixing green activity blue and yellow colors make

This color mixing green activity is a fun way to explore how primary colors make a secondary color.

Best part for the grown ups? It is a mess free! I’ll show you how easy it is to set up this simple project that teaches children the basics of primary and secondary colors!

Explore What Color Blue and Yellow Create, and More! 

For the super color mixing fan, we have an awesome (and FREE) printable that allows kids to explore colors, mixing, shades, and tints! Keep reading to get it!

This activity is super adaptable. Celebrating Easter? Combine yellow and red to make a carrot! Is it Valentine’s Day? Combine white and red to make a pink heart! Is Spring in the air? Combine blue and red to make a purple flower. The options are endless!

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

How to Make This Color Mixing Green Leaf Activity

This is quick to set up from materials you likely already have at home!  You don’t need any special art skills either – it’s so easy! Such a visual way to understand color mixing green.

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 This Color Mixing Green Leaf Activity

This is quick to set up from materials you likely already have at home!  You don’t need any special art skills either – it’s so easy! Such a visual way to understand color mixing green.

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

What Are Primary and Secondary Colors?

The primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. When primary colors combine, they create secondary colors. To make orange – combine yellow and red. To make purple – combine blue and red. And finally, to make green – combine yellow and blue!

Understanding primary and secondary colors is half the fun! Next comes the concept of shades and tints. When black is added to a color it becomes a darker shade. When white is added to a color it becomes a lighter tint!

We love this color mixing green leaf activity because it provides a real life object to better understand colors and how they combine to resemble something tangible!

Materials 

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

On a piece of cardboard, trace the outline of a leaf and then use a sharp knife to cut out the shape.

Step 2

To remove the white label on the plastic bag all you need to do is rub it off with an alcohol swab or a cotton swab soaked in nail polish.

Step 3

Put the yellow and blue paints inside separate parts of the bag to avoid mixing.

Step 4

Close the bag while removing the air bubbles.

Step 5

Tape the top of the bag to ensure it doesn’t leak.

Step 6

Tape the plastic bag down to the table and then tape the cardboard down to the table as well (to avoid it moving around while your child is mixing the colors).

Step 1

On a piece of cardboard, trace the outline of a heart and then use a sharp knife to cut out the shape.

Step 2

To remove the white label on the plastic bag all you need to do is rub it off with an alcohol swab or a cotton swab soaked in nail polish.

Step 3

Put the red and white paints inside separate parts of the bag to avoid mixing.

Step 4

Close the bag while removing the air bubbles.

Step 5

Tape the top of the bag to ensure it doesn’t leak.

Step 6

Tape the plastic bag down to the table and then tape the cardboard down to the table as well (to avoid it moving around while your child is mixing the colors).

FREE Printable Activity for Exploring Color Mixing

If your kiddo asking questions like – yellow and blue make what color? You can’t miss our printable Hands on Color Mixing Activities. This printable set has 5 unique activities for exploring color mixing!

Enjoy coloring and distinguishing each of the colors in the rainbow! Then, learn all about what happens when primary colors mix to form secondary colors. Next, learn about shades (making colors darker) and tints (making colors lighter). And finally, go over all those concepts in a final round up review!

FREE Printable Activity for Exploring Color Mixing

If your kiddo asking questions like – red and white make what color? You can’t miss our printable Hands on Color Mixing Activities. This printable set has 5 unique activities for exploring color mixing!

Enjoy coloring and distinguishing each of the colors in the rainbow! Then, learn all about what happens when primary colors mix to form secondary colors. Next, learn about shades (making colors darker) and tints (making colors lighter). And finally, go over all those concepts in a final round up review!

St. Patrick’s Day Printable Activities

If you are learning about color mixing green during St. Patrick’s Day (like we did, hence the clover and shamrock!), don’t miss our St. Patrick’s Day printable activities.

It includes 20 activities for practicing early childhood education skills, including alphabet recognition, number recognition, comparisons, tracing, writing, coloring, counting, color recognition, shapes, patterning, and so much more.

The trim the leprechaun’s beard activity was one of my kid’s favorites!

Store-Bought Color Mixing Toys

Here are my top picks for store-bought items that teach color mixing for kids!

Color Mixing Glasses

Layer colored lenses in the plastic glasses to see different shades of colors all around you!

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Steve Spangler Science Color Fizzers

This set of 100 tablets comes in primary colors. You can mix the colored water to create different colors.

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Splash of Color Kit

This great kit includes a mini mixing tray, color mixing tablets, and pipettes for creating an amazing splash of colors!

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Watercolor Set

This set includes paint, brushes, and paper. Watercolors are a classic way to watch colors mix and create new shades.

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What’s Next?

Color Sorting – Paper Clip Sticky Wall

Color Sorting – Paper Clip Sticky Wall

Color Sorting – Paper Clip Sticky Wall

Where color sorting meets fine motor skills! Turn a part of your wall into a place for your toddler to stick and sort colorful paper clips. 

This fun activity will keep your small kiddos entertained – all while learning about their colors in an engaging way.

Strengthen Little Fingers with this Toddler Fine Motor Activity

This fun activity will strengthen your toddler’s fingers muscles and help them develop the important pincer grasp. Plus, older kids can enjoy the challenge of sticking paper clips to the wall themselves!

Paper clips are small parts and can be a choking hazard. Parental supervision required at all times!

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

Watch the Video to See the Color Sorting Activity in Action

Here’s a quick video of my toddler and preschooler enjoying this DIY color sorting activity. My toddler enjoys picking up the paper clips and sticking them to the wall. Then her brother comes in and as an older toddler / early preschooler is able to distinguish each color and sort!

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

Watch the Video to See the Color Sorting Activity in Action

Here’s a quick video of my toddler and preschooler enjoying this DIY color sorting activity. My toddler enjoys picking up the paper clips and sticking them to the wall. Then her brother comes in and as an older toddler / early preschooler is able to distinguish each color and sort!

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 Your Own Color Sorting Activity

This activity is super simple to set up. We popped the activity up on the wall to encourage gross motor skills and shoulder strength! 

To make it more educational, I suggest using large colorful paper clips and then coloring the inside of the egg carton so they can sort the colors when they are done. 

I’ll share more ways that you can teach your child about colors and even early math skills, further in this post. For a comprehensive list of arts and craft supplies don’t miss our checklist!

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

Attach the adhesive paper to the wall sticky-side out, using tape to hold it in place. 

Step 2

Use a dot sticker or color the inside of an egg carton. You can sanitize a cardboard egg carton by heating it in an oven for 10 minutes at 200F.

Step 3

Attach the egg carton to the wall with tape beneath the sticky paper. 

Step 4

Ask your child to stick the paper clips to the sticky paper and then sort them in the egg carton!

Step 1

Attach the adhesive paper to the wall sticky-side out, using tape to hold it in place. 

Step 2

Use a dot sticker or color the inside of an egg carton. You can sanitize a cardboard egg carton by heating it in an oven for 10 minutes at 200F.

Step 3

Attach the egg carton to the wall with tape beneath the sticky paper. 

Step 4

Ask your child to stick the paper clips to the sticky paper and then sort them in the egg carton!

Educational Benefits of This Color Sorting Game

Don’t miss our full list of color recognition activities!

This activity is full of mind-engaging sensory play. When your toddler feels different textures, they interact with their environment and their mind creates new connections that help it grow. This activity not only has the contrasting textures of the firm paper clips and the sticky paper, but it has bright colors too!

It also helps your toddler strengthen their pincer grasp. In order to pick up the paper clips, they have to pinch them with their index finger and thumb. This movement is the foundation for important practical life skills like buttoning, unzipping, and holding a pencil! 

As they grab each paper clip, teach your toddler the names of the colors. This will teach them color recognition and early communication skills too. As they develop an understanding of colors, they will then be able to sort each color!

Educational Benefits of This Color Sorting Game

Don’t miss our full list of color recognition activities!

This activity is full of mind-engaging sensory play. When your toddler feels different textures, they interact with their environment and their mind creates new connections that help it grow. This activity not only has the contrasting textures of the firm paper clips and the sticky paper, but it has bright colors too!

It also helps your toddler strengthen their pincer grasp. In order to pick up the paper clips, they have to pinch them with their index finger and thumb. This movement is the foundation for important practical life skills like buttoning, unzipping, and holding a pencil! 

As they grab each paper clip, teach your toddler the names of the colors. This will teach them color recognition and early communication skills too. As they develop an understanding of colors, they will then be able to sort each color!

Store-Bought Color Sorting Activities

Here are my top picks for toys you can buy that strengthen color recognition skills!

wooden color sorting toy

Color Sorting Rainbow

Transfer pom poms or balls to color sort this rainbow! If you use tongs it is great for fine motor skills too! (Caution: small parts!)

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rainbow wooden stacking toy for color recognition

Wooden Rainbow Stacker

This wooden rainbow stacker is  not only great for color sorting, it is also a fantastic open-ended play toy!

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Color Sorting Maze

This wooden board has a magnetic wand and beads that can be sorted based on color! Great for fine motor skills too!

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Color Sort the Objects

This game is a great way to learn color recognition while strengthening language development.

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What’s Next?

DIY Alphabet Matching Puzzle

DIY Alphabet Matching Puzzle

DIY Alphabet Matching Puzzle

Make your own alphabet matching puzzle with just some cardboard, markers, and velcro. This is a great letter recognition activity for preschoolers.

Plus, this is super budget friendly, and you can do with kids of a variety ages – from toddlers that are barely walking to the ones that are getting ready for school. That’s the beauty of a simple activity.

And if you are looking for more playful alphabet learning ideas, be sure to check out our ABC Parking Lot Activity, Alphabet Paint Activity and our Alphabet Spoon Matching Activity!

Keep reading and discover how easy it is to make your very own puzzle out of some cardboard, velcro, markers, and sticky paper. 

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 Video to See How to Make this Alphabet Matching Puzzle!

In this video you’ll see how easy it is to make this puzzle yourself. From start to finish, this only takes about 15 minutes. 

If you want to save even more time, download our free Alphabet Matching Puzzle printable inspired by this activity!

For written step-by-step instructions, read on below for more information!

Watch the Video to See How to Make this Alphabet Matching Puzzle!

In this video you’ll see how easy it is to make this puzzle yourself. From start to finish, this only takes about 15 minutes. 

If you want to save even more time, download our free Alphabet Matching Puzzle printable inspired by this activity!

For written step-by-step instructions, read on below for more information!

Teach The Alphabet with a DIY Puzzle

This is another one of my favorite sensory activities. Not only are they looking at the letters and identifying them, but they are actually picking them up and moving them around.

When you lead this activity with them, it can teach them a lot more than just how to match uppercase and lowercase letters. You can encourage listening and speaking too. 

Ask your child, “where is the lowecase a?” When they find it, exclaim, “there it is!” 

Here’s how to make a DIY counting puzzle for your kiddos. This is a basic tutorial, please change things up and make it fit your child’s needs.

Materials 

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

Use a sharp craft knife or scissor to cut out 26 rectangles from one of the pieces of cardboard. Retain these as they will be your 26 lowercase letter puzzle pieces.

Step 2

On the other large piece of cardboard, write each uppercase letter in the alphabet, leaving room next to each letter for the lowercase letter to be attached next to it.

Step 2

On the small rectangle pieces, write each lowercase letter from the alphabet.

Step 4

Attach a hook and loop adhesive pad to the pack of each lowercase letter piece. Place the other half of the hook and loop pad next to each uppercase letter.

Step 5

For vertical play, use painter’s tape to attach clear contact paper to the wall, sticky-side facing up. 

Step 6

Hang up the large uppercase letters board to the wall above the contact paper and let your child match the lowercase letters with the uppercase ones.  

Step 1

Use a sharp craft knife or scissor to cut out 26 rectangles from one of the pieces of cardboard. Retain these as they will be your 26 lowercase letter puzzle pieces.

Step 2

On the other large piece of cardboard, write each uppercase letter in the alphabet, leaving room next to each letter for the lowercase letter to be attached next to it.

Step 3

On the small rectangle pieces, write each lowercase letter from the alphabet.

Step 4

Attach a hook and loop adhesive pad to the pack of each lowercase letter piece. Place the other half of the hook and loop pad next to each uppercase letter.

Step 5

For vertical play, use painter’s tape to attach clear contact paper to the wall, sticky-side facing up.

Step 6

Hang up the large uppercase letters board to the wall above the contact paper and let your child match the lowercase letters with the uppercase ones.  

Free Printable Version of This DIY Alphabet Matching Puzzle

Even though this DIY alphabet matching puzzle is super easy to make, I understand that it is often hard to find the time to create your own learning resources!

That’s why we created this FREE printable alphabet matching puzzle.

Just print, cut out the lowercase letters, and have your kiddo match. For more durability, use a laminator, and attach the adhesive stickers!

And if you have a car fan, you have to try our free Alphabet Car and Parking Lot printable puzzle!

Educational Benefits of This DIY Alphabet Matching Puzzle

There are so many wonderful things that this simple puzzle can teach your child!

Letter Recognition: Every single time they pick up a letter and match the lowercase to the uppercase, they are putting the letters into their memory.

This is one of the earliest reading skills that children need before they start to put sounds together. Even children as young as toddlers can learn this part. 

Early Phonics: When children are ready for it, they can begin adding the sounds to the letters they pick up. 

Ask them, “Which letter makes the “sss sound?” and watch them reach for and match the S.

You can even modify this to teach your child how to read cursive. Print out the uppercase and lowercase letters in cursive. 

Then, ask them to match the letters together. Even if you aren’t going to teach them how to write the letters in cursive, being able read script fonts is an important skill they will need in life. 

Educational Benefits of This DIY Matching Alphabet Puzzle

There are so many wonderful things that this simple puzzle can teach your child!

Letter Recognition: Every single time they pick up a letter and match the lowercase to the uppercase, they are putting the letters into their memory.

This is one of the earliest reading skills that children need before they start to put sounds together. Even children as young as toddlers can learn this part. 

Early Phonics: When children are ready for it, they can begin adding the sounds to the letters they pick up. 

Ask them, “Which letter makes the “sss sound?” and watch them reach for and match the S.

You can even modify this to teach your child how to read cursive. Print out the uppercase and lowercase letters in cursive. 

Then, ask them to match the letters together. Even if you aren’t going to teach them how to write the letters in cursive, being able read script fonts is an important skill they will need in life. 

 

Store-Bought Alphabet Puzzles

Here are my top picks for the best alphabet puzzles you can buy!

Wooden Uppercase and Lowercase Matching Puzzle

This beautifully crafted interlocking wooden puzzle is a great way to explore uppercase and lowercase letters. 

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ABC Picture Puzzles

This picture puzzle not only encourages letter recognition, but can be used for word creation, color recognition, memory, and fine motor skills!

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Alphabet Popsicle Match

This hands on alphabet recognition game is a fun way to match uppercase and lowercase letters!

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Alphabet Worm Puzzle

This fun puzzle is shaped like a worm. By including both lowercase and uppercase letters, this is a fun way for kids to be able to match the alphabet!

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What’s Next?

Uppercase and Lowercase Letters: ABC Parking Lot

Uppercase and Lowercase Letters: ABC Parking Lot

Uppercase & Lowercase Letters: ABC Parking Lot

Use toy cars to match the lowercase letters with the uppercase letters. This DIY game requires minimal setup and is a playful hands on way to engage with alphabet recognition.

Toy Cars That Teach Letter Recognition

How many of us have extra cardboard just laying around the house (or in the garage)? I know I do! This game uses a leftover cardboard box and turns it into an alphabet parking lot puzzle.

The goal of this game is for your child to match the uppercase letters on the cars with the lowercase letters in the parking spots. Of course, after they match all the cars, the fun really begins – free play!

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 Video to See The Lowercase and Uppercase Letters Game In Action

This is a really fun game that’s portable – so you can take it camping or in the car during long road trips. You can customize this board and make it any size that you want. If you have kids that are going to play with it together you could even add each letter twice, doubling the size of the parking lot.

Watch the video to see how a child will engage with this DIY puzzle. I love how this game not only teaches the alphabet, but also encourages independent play. Even after they match everything kids can play with the cars and roll them around on the board. 

Watch the Video to See The Lowercase and Uppercase Letters Game In Action

This is a really fun game that’s portable – so you can take it camping or in the car during long road trips. You can customize this board and make it any size that you want. If you have kids that are going to play with it together you could even add each letter twice, doubling the size of the parking lot.

Watch the video to see how a child will engage with this DIY puzzle. I love how this game not only teaches the alphabet, but also encourages independent play. Even after they match everything kids can play with the cars and roll them around on the board. 

How to Make This DIY Alphabet Parking Lot Puzzle 

The best thing about this game is that since it doesn’t have any strict rules, kids can play it as long as they want to. Even if they stop matching the cars to the correct letters, they are still seeing and interacting with the letters. 

When your children are ready to learn the sounds the letters make, ask them to park the “M” car in the spot that goes “Mmmm.” It’s a fun way to mix things up and challenge them.

Here’s a video that shows you how easy it is to make this DIY ABC Parking lot puzzle. It’s so simple to do and uses materials from around your house, which I’ve listed below with step-by step instructions.

Materials 

 

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

On a piece of cardboard create a parking lot with parking spaces for the number of letters in your alphabet!

Step 2

Write the lowercase within each parking space.

 

Step 3

On dot stickers, write one uppercase letter on each sticker.

Step 4

Place the dot stickers on each car.

 

Step 1

On a piece of cardboard create a parking lot with parking spaces for the number of letters in your alphabet.

Step 2

Write the lowercase within each parking space.

Step 3

On dot stickers, write one uppercase letter on each sticker.

Step 4

Place the dot stickers on each car.

Free Printable of This ABC Parking Lot Puzzle

Don’t have time to create this DIY puzzle? No problem! I wanted to make things extra easy for busy parents and teachers by providing a FREE printable version of this activity!

You can also combine scissor skills with alphabet learning by allowing the child to cut out each of the car puzzle pieces!

Just print the pages, cut out the cars and match them to the corresponding lowercase letter in the parking lot!

And if you like this, don’t miss our FREE Number Parking Lot printable too!

Educational Benefits of The Alphabet Parking Lot Game

This educational game with toy cars isn’t just lots of fun, it teaches your child lots of important skills too.

The most obvious skill it teaches is print awareness. This is the very first step in teaching children that writing in English follows basic rules, such as “big” and “little” letters.

That leads directly to letter knowledge. As they match the uppercase and lowercase letters, they are identifying their names. This is also called letter recognition. It’s the first thing they learn when they get ready to read.

If you want to teach your children the sounds the letters make at the same time, just play along with them. When they park the d in the D spot, ask, “what sound does D make?” It’s one more way to prepare them for those reading skills they are going to need soon.

Another way to challenge older children with this game: Write out easy words on paper (like CAT). Ask them to drive to the parking spots and sound out and read the word.

Driving the cars into the parking spots also helps them develop hand-eye coordination too.

Educational Benefits of The Alphabet Parking Lot Game

This educational game with toy cars isn’t just lots of fun, it teaches your child lots of important skills too.

The most obvious skill it teaches is print awareness. This is the very first step in teaching children that writing in English follows basic rules, such as “big” and “little” letters.

That leads directly to letter knowledge. As they match the uppercase and lowercase letters, they are identifying their names. This is also called letter recognition. It’s the first thing they learn when they get ready to read.

If you want to teach your children the sounds the letters make at the same time, just play along with them. When they park the d in the D spot, ask, “what sound does D make?” It’s one more way to prepare them for those reading skills they are going to need soon.

Another way to challenge older children with this game: Write out easy words on paper (like CAT). Ask them to drive to the parking spots and sound out and read the word.

Driving the cars into the parking spots also helps them develop hand-eye coordination too.

Store-Bought Alphabet Games

Here are my top picks for the best alphabet games you can buy!

Wooden Uppercase and Lowercase Matching Puzzle

This beautifully crafted interlocking wooden puzzle is a great way to explore uppercase and lowercase letters. 

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Alphabet Popsicles

Fantastic for the ice cream lover! This fun matching game is played with interlocking popsicles. Great for recognizing lowercase and uppercase letters!

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Parking Lot Board Game

Here is a board game version of our DIY alphabet parking game! Match the lowercase letter labeled cars to the uppercase labeled parking spots!

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ABC Picture Puzzles

This picture puzzle not only encourages uppercase and lowercase letter recognition, but can be used for word creation, color recognition, memory, and fine motor skills!

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What’s Next?

DIY Egg Carton Number Matching Game

DIY Egg Carton Number Matching Game

DIY Egg Carton Number Matching Game

number matching game made from egg cartons

This number matching game is super easy and cheap to make. It will help your child recognize numbers and learn how to count faster.

You probably already have all the supplies you need for this game in your house. It’s such an easy game to set up and your kids will enjoy playing it.  

Teach Number Recognition With This Number Matching Game

One of the most important skills kids need before they learn how to add and subtract is how to identify numbers. That’s what this game teaches them! For kiddos already adding, check out our easy to make DIY Addition Game.

There are so many different math skills you are building and establishing when you play this number matching game with them. 

Keep reading and discover all the skills it teaches and how to make your own game.

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

How to Make this Number Matching Game in Action

Here’s a quick video of how to make and play this number matching game! You can see how easy it is to make and how much fun my kiddo has while he matches the sticks with the correct number.

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 this Number Matching Game in Action

Here’s a quick video of how to make and play this number matching game! You can see how easy it is to make and how much fun my kiddo has while he matches the sticks with the correct number.

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

diy number matching game

How to Make Your Own Number Matching Game

Did you know that math is one of the least-favorite subjects of kids in school? When we make numbers fun and interactive, they will be able to grasp more difficult concepts a lot easier later on.

The good news for you is that this number matching activity takes almost no time to set up. You’ll be able to spend more time playing this game with your child. 

Plus, as they poke the sticks through the egg carton, they are strengthening their fine motor skills and hand muscles. 

Materials

  • Egg Carton with the lid removed 
  • Markers 

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

Draw dots on jumbo craft sticks, starting with 1 dot and all the way up to 12 dots. 

Step 2

Use markers or paint to write numbers 1-12 on each egg carton cup. 

Step 3

Pre-cut each egg cup so that the sticks go through easier. 

 

Step 4

Ask your child to count the dots on the jumbo craft stick.

Step 5

Then, they will match the dots they counted to the cup number on the carton. 

 

Step 1

Draw dots on jumbo craft sticks, starting with 1 dot and all the way up to 12 dots. 

Step 2

Use markers or paint to write numbers 1-12 on each egg carton cup. 

Step 3

Pre-cut each egg cup so that the sticks go through easier. 

Step 4

Ask your child to count the dots on the jumbo craft stick.

Step 5

Then, they will match the dots they counted to the cup number on the carton. 

 

Educational Benefits of this Number Matching Game

This number matching game is such a fun way to spend time with your child. It’s amazing to watch their little minds work. This simple activity teaches them so many math skills! 

Cardinality – This means the last number counted represents the total number of items in a set (how many dots are on the stick).

Number Sense – This is the ability to accurately count forwards and backwards. Challenge your child to count the dots backwards too.

Representation – When they match the dots to the number on the carton they are understanding that what they counted has a corresponding number.

 

hand made number matching game from egg carton

As a bonus, it also strengthens their fine motor skills. They will exercise their hand and fingers as they pick up the sticks and push them through the egg carton. 

Is your kiddo a pizza lover? We created a number recognition game with cardboard pizza!

Educational Benefits of this Number Matching Game

This number matching game is such a fun way to spend time with your child. It’s amazing to watch their little minds work. This simple activity teaches them so many math skills! 

Cardinality – This means the last number counted represents the total number of items in a set (how many dots are on the stick).

Number Sense – This is the ability to accurately count forwards and backwards. Challenge your child to count the dots backwards too.

Representation – When they match the dots to the number on the carton they are understanding that what they counted has a corresponding number.

As a bonus, it also strengthens their fine motor skills. They will exercise their hand and fingers as they pick up the sticks and push them through the egg carton. 

Is your kiddo a pizza lover? We created a number recognition game with cardboard pizza!

 

Store-Bought Counting Games For Kids

Here are my top picks for toys you can buy that strengthen your child’s math skills.

Reversible Number Board

This double-sided wooden number learning resource is all about counting on one side and the other side is all about number recognition.

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Popsicle Counting

This popiscle number game is perfect for the ice cream lover! Count the dots and match them to the numbers for a fun early math game!

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Number Sticker Activity Book

This reusable sticker book comes with 100 stickers. It is all about learning counting and numbers as kids find stickers to complete the puzzles.

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Number Peg Boards

These wooden peg boards are for numbers 1-10 and zero. Great for counting and number recognition as well as fine motor skills!

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What’s Next?

How To Make Taste-Safe Foam For Sensory Play

How To Make Taste-Safe Foam For Sensory Play

How To Make Taste-Safe Foam For Sensory Play  

Use this recipe to make taste-safe foam for toddlers and preschoolers. It is so easy to make and is truly the perfect sensory base for young kids who put everything in their mouth! 

If you want to do sensory-based activities with your little one, but worry that he or she puts everything in their mouth, then this recipe is for you! I had the same worry! Making foam out of dish soap or shaving cream simply isn’t safe, but everything changed when I discovered that you could make a foam using bean water (you read that right!)!

The Magic of Aquafaba  

What is aquafaba? 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. 

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. 

Skills:
Ages: 
Prep Time:

Watch the Video to See the Foam in Action

Once I made the foam (see the how-to below!), I added it to one bin, and then added water to the other bin. My little girl enjoyed playing with it – scooping, splashing, and squeezing. Having the water nearby allowed her to wash her hands if they felt too icky! 

Watch the video and you’ll see how much this foam looks like soap foam or shaving cream! Best part, of course, is she can stick her fingers in her mouth without me worrying!.

Watch the Video to See the Foam in Action

Once I made the taste-safe foam (see the how-to below!), I added it to one bin, and then added water to the other bin. My little girl enjoyed playing with it – scooping, splashing, and squeezing. Having the water nearby allowed her to wash her hands if they felt too icky! 

Watch the video and you’ll see how much this foam looks like soap foam or shaving cream! Best part, of course, is she can stick her fingers in her mouth without me worrying!.

How to Make Your Own Taste-Safe Foam

This is going to be something you use for lots of other sensory-based activities, so bookmark it! 

All you need to make this foam is a can of beans. If you only have dried beans, then soak 1 cup of dried beans in 2.5 cups of water overnight and use the liquid the beans soaked in.  I have found the can of water works best though.

One thing I love about this foam is how safe it is for the environment. I don’t feel bad dumping it out in the yard or letting it go down the drain – it’s just water from beans.

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

Materials

  • Water from 1 can of beans, I’ve found chickpeas work best!
  • Electric Mixer

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

Place the water from the can of beans in a bowl. 

Step 2

Whip up the water with an electric mixer. 

Step 3

Keep whipping for 3-6 minutes or until stiff peaks form in the water. 

 

Step 4

If you want a firmer texture, add a dash of cream of tartar.

Step 5

Color the foam with food coloring for some vibrancy!

Step 1

Place the water from the can of beans in a bowl. 

Step 2

Whip up the water with an electric mixer. 

Step 3

Keep whipping for 3-6 minutes or until stiff peaks form in the water. 

Step 4

If you want a firmer texture, add a dash of cream of tarter.

Step 5

Color the foam with food coloring for some vibrancy!

 

Educational Benefits of Sensory Play

What I love about this taste-safe foam is that it allows my toddler to engage safely in sensory play, while learning that sensory materials aren’t to put in her mouth. In other words, adults do not have to worry if a child does put the foam in their mouth, but they should use this as an opportunity to teach the child that sensory materials aren’t for the mouth.

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. Anytime you want to set up sensory play for your little one, don’t forget about the power of bean water! 

It is also the very first steps of scientific curiosity. They begin to wonder, “what is this” and explore it. Toddlers use all 5 senses to understand what it is. That’s why it’s so important to give them a safe way to explore when they play.  

Educational Benefits of Sensory Play

What I love about this taste-safe foam is that it allows my toddler to engage safely in sensory play, while learning that sensory materials aren’t to put in her mouth. In other words, adults do not have to worry if a child does put the foam in their mouth, but they should use this as an opportunity to teach the child that sensory materials aren’t for the mouth.

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. Anytime you wan to set up sensory play for your little one, don’t forget about the power of bean water! 

It is also the very first steps of scientific curiosity. They begin to wonder, “what is this” and explore it. Toddlers use all 5 senses to understand what it is. That’s why it’s so important to give them a safe way to explore when they play.  

More Sensory Activities For Young Kids

Here are my top picks for sensory play items for toddlers and babies!

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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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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Ultimate Play Sink

This battery powered sink recirculates water for a fun sensory play that will hold your toddler’s attention span!

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Colorful Spaghetti

This is another super simple way to create a taste safe sensory play for your little one! All the links and info you need for this below!

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What’s Next?

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