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How to Make Kids Bath Paint – Colorful Clean Fun

How to Make Kids Bath Paint – Colorful Clean Fun

How to Make Kids Bath Paint – Colorful Clean Fun

kids bath paint recipe

Are you looking for a way to make bath time fun? Making your own kids bath paint is the perfect way to get them clean while letting them channel their inner Picasso during bath time! 

Getting Creative with Homemade Kids Bath Paint

Who says bath time is just for getting clean? It’s also the perfect canvas for creativity! Imagine little hands painting rainbows and underwater scenes right on the bathtub walls.

With washable soap paint, not only can kids tap into their inner artists, but cleanup is a breeze—it’s literally soap, after all! So, let’s dive into the colorful world of bath time art and discover how to make bath paint that’s as safe as it is fun with our easy recipe!

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

Skills: Art, Sensory Play

Ages: 2+

Prep Time: 10 minutes

The Benefits of Playing with Kids Bath Paint

Painting during bath time offers a range of benefits for children:

Creativity and Expression: Bath time painting provides a unique opportunity for children to express their creativity in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. They can explore their imagination and create colorful masterpieces using kids bath paint made out of soap.

Sensory Stimulation: Painting in the bath engages multiple senses, including sight, touch, and even smell. The sensation of the paint on their fingers, the vibrant colors, and the scent of the soap can all enhance sensory stimulation, contributing to a richer sensory experience for the child.

Fine Motor Skills Development: Holding a paintbrush or using fingers to apply paint helps to develop fine motor skills in children. These activities strengthen hand muscles and improve hand-eye coordination, which are crucial for tasks like writing, drawing, and other activities requiring precision.

Overall, bath time painting offers a holistic learning experience that promotes creativity, sensory development, and emotional well-being in children, all while making bath time a fun and enjoyable part of their routine.

The Benefits of Playing with Kids Bath Paint

Painting during bath time offers a range of benefits for children:

Creativity and Expression: Bath time painting provides a unique opportunity for children to express their creativity in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. They can explore their imagination and create colorful masterpieces using kids bath paint made out of soap.

Sensory Stimulation: Painting in the bath engages multiple senses, including sight, touch, and even smell. The sensation of the paint on their fingers, the vibrant colors, and the scent of the soap can all enhance sensory stimulation, contributing to a richer sensory experience for the child.

Fine Motor Skills Development: Holding a paintbrush or using fingers to apply paint helps to develop fine motor skills in children. These activities strengthen hand muscles and improve hand-eye coordination, which are crucial for tasks like writing, drawing, and other activities requiring precision.

Overall, bath time painting offers a holistic learning experience that promotes creativity, sensory development, and emotional well-being in children, all while making bath time a fun and enjoyable part of their routine.

kids bath paint recipe

Tips for Making Kids Bath Paint 

 Tear-Free, Kid-Safe Paint: Opt for tear-free bath soap to ensure the paint is gentle and safe for children’s delicate skin. Look for soap specifically formulated for kids, preferably hypoallergenic and free from harsh chemicals.

Use Washable Liquid Watercolor: Choose washable liquid watercolor instead of food coloring to avoid potential staining, especially on grout and other bathroom surfaces. Liquid watercolor provides vibrant colors that are easy to clean up, ensuring a mess-free bath time experience.Choose a

Pleasantly Scented Soap: Select a bath soap with a pleasant fragrance to enhance the sensory experience during bath time painting. A soap with a subtle, kid-friendly scent can add an extra element of enjoyment to the activity, making bath time more enjoyable for children.

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

In a mixing bowl, combine 1/4 cup of tear-free bath soap with 1 tablespoon of corn starch. Stir well until the corn starch is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth.

Step 2

Slowly add diluted washable liquid watercolor to the soap mixture, a few drops at a time, until you achieve the desired color intensity. Stir thoroughly after each addition to ensure even color distribution. Repeat this steps 1 and 2 for each color you’d like to create.

 

Step 3

With the paint ready to go, invite your little ones to unleash their creativity during bath time! Encourage them to paint on the bathtub walls, create colorful designs, and explore their imagination in a safe and enjoyable environment. (Try to avoid the grout if possible!)

Step 4

After bath time fun is over, simply rinse away the paint with water. The tear-free bath soap base ensures easy cleanup, leaving the bathtub clean and ready for the next adventure.

Step 1

In a mixing bowl, combine 1/4 cup of tear-free bath soap with 1 tablespoon of corn starch. Stir well until the corn starch is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth.

Step 2

Slowly add diluted washable liquid watercolor to the soap mixture, a few drops at a time, until you achieve the desired color intensity. Stir thoroughly after each addition to ensure even color distribution. Repeat this steps 1 and 2 for each color you’d like to create.

Step 3

With the paint ready to go, invite your little ones to unleash their creativity during bath time! Encourage them to paint on the bathtub walls, create colorful designs, and explore their imagination in a safe and enjoyable environment. (Try to avoid the grout if possible!)

Step 4

After bath time fun is over, simply rinse away the paint with water. The tear-free bath soap base ensures easy cleanup, leaving the bathtub clean and ready for the next adventure.

Even More Fun: Explore The Best Bath Toys for Kids!

If you’re looking for more ways to make bath time a blast for your little ones, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide to bath toys for kids HERE!

From bath slime and crayons to interactive games and toys, our guide is packed with fun and creative ideas to keep kids entertained while they splash and play.

Whether you’re seeking sensory experiences or exciting games, our guide has something for every child to enjoy during bath time.

best bath toys for kids guide by 7 days of play
best bath toys for kids guide by 7 days of play

Even More Fun: Explore The Best Bath Toys for Kids!

If you’re looking for more ways to make bath time a blast for your little ones, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide to bath toys for kids HERE!

From bath slime and crayons to interactive games and toys, our guide is packed with fun and creative ideas to keep kids entertained while they splash and play.

Whether you’re seeking sensory experiences or exciting games, our guide has something for every child to enjoy during bath time.

More Bath Art and Sensory Play Supplies!

Here are some more fun bath art and sensory play supplies for little ones to explore while they wash up!

bath crayons

Bath Crayons

bath slime

Slime Soap

bath toy paint sticks

Bath Paint Sticks

best bath toys for kids foam

Foam Soap

What’s Next?

The Best Bath Toys for Kids in 2024

The Best Bath Toys for Kids in 2024

The Best Bath Toys for Kids in 2024

best bath toys for kids guide by 7 days of play

Explore the best bath toys for kids! Discover the ultimate guide to bath time fun with these top picks that will make every splash memorable.

Your Guide to the Best Bath Toys for Kids!

Bath toys aren’t just fun—they’re like secret weapons for parents during bath time battles! They turn splashes into adventures, sparking kids’ imaginations while secretly teaching them about the world. Picture it: your little one giggling as they explore cause and effect or learn about floating and sinking. And here’s the kicker: while they’re busy having a blast, you get a breather! Yep, bath toys are like your backup squad, making bath time a breeze and turning it into quality bonding time. So, pick the right ones, and get ready for some seriously splash-tastic memories!

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

The Best Bath Toys: Art, Sensory, and Science!

 Discover a selection of bath toys designed to stimulate creativity, curiosity, and sensory development in young minds. From colorful bath crayons and science kits to mesmerizing water wheels and interactive water pipes, these toys ignite imaginations and turn ordinary baths into extraordinary adventures.

chemistry bath toy set water science

Science Water Lab Set

best bath toys for kids color tablets

300 Eco-Friendly Fizzy Color Changing Tablets

sensory table small lightweight affordable

Plastic Water and Sand Table

bath toy water run science engineering

Buildable Water Track

cups for bath stacking

Stackable Buckets

bath paint soap

Finger Paint Soap

bath toy science color mix

Color Mixing Water Kit

bath toy chain water reaction

Suction Cups for Water Play

best bath toys for kids foam

Fluffy Foam Soap

bath slime

Bath Slime Soap

bath toy water pipes

Water Pipe Toy

bath toy paint sticks

Bath Paint Sticks

best bath toys for kids crackle

Crackle, Pop, and Fizz Packs

best bath toys for kids whisk

Bubble Making Whisk

bath toy bubble toy

Elephant Blow Bubble Toy

bath crayons

Bath Crayons – 24 Pack

Best Educational Bath Toys

Get ready for some splashy fun and playful learning with our top picks for educational bath toys! From interactive bath books and captivating bath puzzles to versatile foam building blocks, these toys will turn bath time into a joyous educational adventure!

bath toy alphabet

Alphabet and Phonics Floating Star Fish

bath toy building blocks foam

100 Piece Set of Foam Building Blocks

bath toy puzzles

Waterproof Foam Puzzles

the very hungry caterpillar bath book

Vinyl Bath Book – The Very Hungry Caterpillar

bath toy united states puzzle

Bath USA Map Puzzle

bath toys stackable cups and boats

Stackable Cups and Floating Boats

12 book baby bath book set

Set of 12 Baby Bath Books

alphabet and animal foam toys for bath

Alphabet Foam Letters and Animals

Best Bath Toys for Imaginative Play and Beyond!

Get ready for even more fun with our top picks for imaginative bath toys and beyond! From an adorable baby doll bath set to dinosaurs, water-activated boats, and even bath-friendly LEGO Duplo sets, these toys will spark your kid’s creativity and turn bath time into a whole new world!

bath toys baby doll pretend play

Baby Doll and Bath Set

best bath toys for kids shark

Shark Grabber

bath toy ice cream soap maker

Bubble Ice Cream Toy

bath toy moving boats

Robotic Water-Activated Boats

best bath toys for kids penguin slide

Slide and Penguin Squirters

best bath toys for kids mermaids

Pack of 6 Mermaids

best bath toys for kids fishing

Magnetic Fishing

bath toy baby turtles

Swimming Turtles   Pack of 3

bath toy lego

LEGO DUPLO Bathtime Building Set

bath toy fish robots

Water- Activated Swimming Fish

bath baby shower head spout rinser

Elephant Water Pump and Spout Rinser

bath toy cars

Hole Free Mold Free Car Toys

bath toy basketball hoop

Basketball Hoop and Balls

bath toy dinosaur figurines

Mold-Free Dinosaur Toys

bath bubble maker

Bubbling Dinosaur

ferry boat car toy bath

Ferry Boat Toy

Making a Splash: The Best Bath Toys for Kids

So, there you have it—the lowdown on why bath toys are the unsung heroes of bath time! With their ability to entertain, educate, and even provide a moment of peace for parents, it’s no wonder they’re a must-have in every household. Now armed with this guide and a list of top-notch recommendations, you’re all set to transform your child’s bath time into an adventure-filled, laughter-packed experience. So, grab those rubber duckies, submarines, and squishy sea creatures, and dive into the fun! Your little one—and your sanity—will thank you for it.

best bath toys for kids
best bath toys for kids

Making a Splash: The Best Bath Toys for Kids

So, there you have it—the lowdown on why bath toys are the unsung heroes of bath time! With their ability to entertain, educate, and even provide a moment of peace for parents, it’s no wonder they’re a must-have in every household. Now armed with this guide and a list of top-notch recommendations, you’re all set to transform your child’s bath time into an adventure-filled, laughter-packed experience. So, grab those rubber duckies, submarines, and squishy sea creatures, and dive into the fun! Your little one—and your sanity—will thank you for it.

What’s Next?

Flower Activity for Preschoolers with Free Printable!

Flower Activity for Preschoolers with Free Printable!

Flower Activity for Preschoolers with Free Printable!

flower activity spring blooming flower experiment fine motor skills

This flower activity is a fun way to learn about how flowers bloom while also strengthening fine motor skills while using a spray bottle! Get the free printable HERE!

A Twist on the Traditional Blooming Flower Activity!

The classic blooming flower experiment typically involves placing flowers in a dish of water, observing them slowly open over time. However, our new approach offers a unique twist where kids can strengthen even more skills!

First off, I like to set it up vertically, which helps to promote gross motor skills. Additionally, what sets this flower activity apart is the use of a spray water bottle, perfect for fine motor skill strengthening! As kids stand, their bodies will cross the midline as they spray the flowers from one side to the other, enhancing coordination and cognitive abilities.

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:

Strengthening Fine Motor Skills with Spray Bottles in This Flower Activity!

Spray bottles aren’t just for watering real plants—they’re fantastic tools for refining fine motor skills in children. These skills involve coordinating small hand and finger muscles, crucial for tasks like writing and drawing. Here’s how spray bottles aid in this development:

1. Grip and Hand Strength: Squeezing the trigger of a spray bottle strengthens hand muscles and improves grip, essential for precise tasks.

2. Finger Coordination: Manipulating the trigger requires intricate finger movements, refining control and coordination.

3. Bilateral Coordination: Using a spray bottle encourages coordination between both hands, vital for activities like cutting and tying shoelaces.

4. Sensory Stimulation: The tactile feedback and sensory experience of spraying water engage multiple senses, fostering learning and motor development.

Incorporating spray bottles into activities, like our blooming paper flower activity, adds fun while honing essential motor skills in children.

Strengthening Fine Motor Skills with Spray Bottles in This Flower Activity!

Spray bottles aren’t just for watering real plants—they’re fantastic tools for refining fine motor skills in children. These skills involve coordinating small hand and finger muscles, crucial for tasks like writing and drawing. Here’s how spray bottles aid in this development:

1. Grip and Hand Strength: Squeezing the trigger of a spray bottle strengthens hand muscles and improves grip, essential for precise tasks.

2. Finger Coordination: Manipulating the trigger requires intricate finger movements, refining control and coordination.

3. Bilateral Coordination: Using a spray bottle encourages coordination between both hands, vital for activities like cutting and tying shoelaces.

4. Sensory Stimulation: The tactile feedback and sensory experience of spraying water engage multiple senses, fostering learning and motor development.

Incorporating spray bottles into activities, like our blooming paper flower activity, adds fun while honing essential motor skills in children.

blooming paper flower free printable

Download and Print the Blooming Paper Flower Activity

We’ve made it easy for you to get started with our blooming paper flower experiment by providing a free printable stem template. Simply click here to download it and keep on reading below for step-by-step directions on how to set up the experiment and watch the magic unfold as you spray water and see the flowers bloom!

Choosing the Right Spray Bottle

When selecting a spray bottle for this flower activity, it’s essential to choose one that is easy for little hands to use. Some spray bottles may be challenging for young children to operate, leading to frustration and difficulty in participating fully. To ensure a successful and enjoyable experience, opt for a spray bottle with a trigger that is easy to squeeze and requires minimal effort to release the water. Click here to see the spray bottle set my two year old is able to use confidently.

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

Download and print the template.

Step 2

Laminate the cover sheet for added durability.

Step 3

Cut out the flowers and fold the petals into the center of the flower.

 

Step 4

Attach the flowers to the stems using double sided tape. 

Step 5

Fill a spray bottle up with water and encourage children to spray water onto the paper flowers and observe as they slowly open and “bloom” before your eyes!

Step 1

Download and print the template.

Step 2

Laminate the cover sheet for added durability.

Step 3

Cut out the flowers and fold the petals into the center of the flower.

Step 4

Attach the flowers to the stems using double sided tape. 

Step 5

Fill a spray bottle up with water and encourage children to spray water onto the paper flowers and observe as they slowly open and “bloom” before your eyes!

 

What is the Classic Blooming Flowers Experiment?

If you enjoyed the blooming paper flower activity using the spray bottle method, consider exploring the traditional method as well. We have a different printable you can use for it – click HERE! Traditionally, paper flowers are placed in a dish of water, where they slowly open over time—a fun process to observe and learn from. This is a great option for children who may not be ready to use spray bottles yet and yet the activity still provides a hands-on experience for young learners to engage with the concept of blooming flowers. Whether you prefer the interactive spray bottle method or the traditional approach, there’s plenty of fun to be had with our blooming paper flower experiments!

The Science Behind The Blooming Flower Experiments!

The blooming paper flower experiment offers a fascinating glimpse into the science of osmosis and capillary action. 

blooming paper flowers experiment

As the paper flowers absorb water from the spray bottle, they undergo a process similar to that of real flowers drawing water through their stems. This absorption causes the paper fibers to swell and unfold, resulting in the mesmerizing blooming effect observed during the experiment. It’s a hands-on way for children to explore concepts of hydration and plant biology while having fun with art and creativity!

blooming paper flowers experiment

What is the Classic Blooming Flowers Experiment?

If you enjoyed the blooming paper flower activity using the spray bottle method, consider exploring the traditional method as well. We have a different printable you can use for it – click HERE! Traditionally, paper flowers are placed in a dish of water, where they slowly open over time—a fun process to observe and learn from. This is a great option for children who may not be ready to use spray bottles yet and yet the activity still provides a hands-on experience for young learners to engage with the concept of blooming flowers. Whether you prefer the interactive spray bottle method or the traditional approach, there’s plenty of fun to be had with our blooming paper flower experiments!

The Science Behind The Blooming Flower Experiments!

The blooming paper flower experiment offers a fascinating glimpse into the science of osmosis and capillary action. As the paper flowers absorb water from the spray bottle, they undergo a process similar to that of real flowers drawing water through their stems. This absorption causes the paper fibers to swell and unfold, resulting in the mesmerizing blooming effect observed during the experiment. It’s a hands-on way for children to explore concepts of hydration and plant biology while having fun with art and creativity!

More Ways to Explore Plants!

Below you’ll find some of our top picks for gardening toys for kids!

nature earth activity day month gift toy

Regrow Science Kit

nature earth activity day month gift toy

Window Growing Kit

nature earth activity day month gift toy

Gardening Set

nature earth activity day month gift toy

Paint and Plant Kit

What’s Next?

How to Make Edible Play Dough with 12 Easy Recipes!

How to Make Edible Play Dough with 12 Easy Recipes!

How to Make Edible Play Dough with 12 Easy Recipes!

edible play dough

Discover 12 edible play dough recipes! Perfect for little ones who love putting everything in their mouths!

Edible Play Dough Fun for Babies and Toddlers

Are you constantly on the lookout for safe and engaging activities to entertain your little ones, who seem to have an insatiable curiosity for putting everything in their mouths? Look no further! We understand the daily struggle of keeping curious hands and mouths occupied without compromising on safety. That’s why we’ve compiled a collection of edible play dough recipes specifically designed for our youngest sensory lovers. These creations not only offer endless sensory stimulation but also provide a worry-free playtime experience for babies and toddlers alike.

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

12 Edible Play Dough Recipes

Explore an array of sensory-safe play dough options with our collection of 12 creative edible play dough recipes, perfect for hands-on exploration and imaginative play.

edible play dough pudding mix

PUDDING PLAY DOUGH RECIPE

Mix together until smooth:

  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 1 (3.4 oz) package instant pudding mix
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

peanut butter play dough

PEANUT BUTTER PLAY DOUGH RECIPE

Mix together until smooth:

  • 1 cup creamy nut or seed butter
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup honey 
  • 1 cup powdered milk (optional, for a smoother texture)

If the dough is too sticky, add more powdered sugar.

chocolate play dough

CHOCOLATE PLAY DOUGH RECIPE

Mix together until smooth:

  • 1 cup Nutella or chocolate hazelnut spread (heated for 30 seconds)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
marshmallow play dough

MARSHMALLOW PLAY DOUGH RECIPE

  • In a microwave-safe bowl, heat 3 cups marshmallows and 2-3 tablespoons coconut oil (or butter) in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.
  • Mix in 3 cups powdered sugar and food coloring (optional)
coconut oil play dough

COCONUT OIL PLAY DOUGH RECIPE

  • In a microwave safe bowl, melt 1 cup coconut oil until it becomes liquid.
  • Gradually add 2 cups cornstarch.
  • Add food coloring if you’d like!
cake mix play dough

CAKE MIX PLAY DOUGH RECIPE

  • In a mixing bowl, combine the 1 box (15.25 oz) cake mix and 1 cup powdered sugar.
  • Gradually add 1/4 cup vegetable oil.
  • Slowly add water as need until the dough forms and is no longer sticky.

frosting play dough

FROSTING PLAY DOUGH RECIPE

Mix together until smooth:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup creamy frosting (any flavor)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Food coloring (optional)

cream cheese play dough

CREAM CHEESE PLAY DOUGH RECIPE

Mix together until smooth:

  • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 cups powdered milk

condensed milk play dough

CONDENSED MILK PLAY DOUGH RECIPE

Mix together until smooth:

  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • Food coloring (optional)

yogurt play dough

YOGURT PLAY DOUGH RECIPE

Mix together until smooth:

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt (any flavor)
  • 2 cups cornstarch
  • Food coloring (optional)

apple sauce play dough

APPLE SAUCE PLAY DOUGH RECIPE

Mix together until smooth:

  • 1 cup applesauce
  • 2 cups cornstarch
  • Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice (optional, for scent)

    oatmeal play dough

    OATMEAL PLAY DOUGH RECIPE

    In a food processor or blender, pulse 1 cups rolled oats until finely ground to a flour-like consistency. And mix it together with:

    • 1/2 cup flour
    • 1/4 cup boiling water
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • Food coloring (optional)

    8 Ways to Pair with Your Play Dough!

    Discover essential accessories and tools to elevate your edible play dough adventures with our selection of eight versatile products, including tools, mats, and storage solutions.

    wooden play dough tool set

    Play Dough Tool Set

    play dough extruder

    Play Dough Extruders

    play dough roller texture

    Play Dough Texture Rollers

    play dough gift princess kit

    Play Dough Kits

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

    Play Dough Mats (Alphabet, Numbers, and Shapes)

    play dough people accessories parts

    Play Dough People Builders

    play dough stamps

    Play Dough Stamps

    play dough storage hack ice cube tray with cover

    Play Dough Storage Hack

    Understanding the Difference: Taste-Safe vs. Edible Play Dough Recipes

    When it comes to sensory play, understanding the distinction between taste-safe and edible play dough recipes is essential for providing a safe and engaging experience for children.

    Taste-safe play dough refers to recipes that are formulated with non-toxic ingredients and are safe for children to explore with their hands and even taste in small quantities, but they are not intended for consumption in large amounts. On the other hand, edible play dough recipes are made from food-grade ingredients and are entirely safe for ingestion.

    However, it’s crucial to note that even with edible play dough, it’s not advisable to encourage children to eat it. Sensory play, including play dough exploration, serves as an opportunity to teach children about safe sensory experiences and boundaries.

    By introducing edible materials first, children learn what sensory materials are and not to put them in their mouths. This approach helps foster a healthy understanding of sensory boundaries and prepares children for more complex sensory experiences as they grow.

    Understanding the Difference: Taste-Safe vs. Edible Play Dough Recipes

    When it comes to sensory play, understanding the distinction between taste-safe and edible play dough recipes is essential for providing a safe and engaging experience for children.

    Taste-safe play dough refers to recipes that are formulated with non-toxic ingredients and are safe for children to explore with their hands and even taste in small quantities, but they are not intended for consumption in large amounts. On the other hand, edible play dough recipes are made from food-grade ingredients and are entirely safe for ingestion.

    However, it’s crucial to note that even with edible play dough, it’s not advisable to encourage children to eat it. Sensory play, including play dough exploration, serves as an opportunity to teach children about safe sensory experiences and boundaries.

    By introducing edible materials first, children learn what sensory materials are and not to put them in their mouths. This approach helps foster a healthy understanding of sensory boundaries and prepares children for more complex sensory experiences as they grow.

    What’s Next?

    Earth Activities – How to Celebrate Earth Day and Earth Month

    Earth Activities – How to Celebrate Earth Day and Earth Month

    Earth Activities – How to Celebrate Earth Day and Earth Month

    earth activities earth day earth month

    Looking for Earth activities for Earth Day, Earth month, and beyond?! Keep reading to find over 20 ideas including free coloring pages and crafts to gardening and sensory play for eco-friendly fun!

    Why Earth Day is Awesome: Let’s Celebrate Our Planet!

    Kids celebrating Earth Day and Earth month is crucial because they are the future caretakers of our planet. By involving children in Earth Day activities, we instill in them a sense of responsibility and stewardship for the environment from a young age. Through hands-on experiences like all the ideas you’ll read about below, children develop a deep connection to nature and understand the importance of preserving it for generations to come. 

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

    Earth Activities

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

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

    Free Earth Day Coloring Pages!

    Easter Bunny Coloring Craft - How to Make a Personalized Card

    Paper Earth Collage

    food scrap science experiment

    Regrow Food Scraps!

    earth-day-free-printable-for-kids-worksheet-sorting-trash

    Free Printable: Sort the Trash

    earth activity day month

    Melting Ice Caps and Polar Bears. All you need is shaving cream, ice cubes, a little blue food coloring in the water, and polar bear figurines!

    earth activity day month

    Painting the Earth on Ice!

    Just freeze water in a shallow dish and provide green and blue tempera paint. 

    earth activity day month

    Seedlings in Egg Shells

    Save your egg shells, fill with soil and seeds. Place by a window and water regularly. In a week your egg carton will be full of seedlings!

    earth activity day month

    Garbage Slime Recipe

    • Mix 1 cup clear glue and 1 cup water
    • Add 1 tsp baking soda
    • Add about 1 cup of fake mini food
    • Mix in 2 tbsp contact solution and knead
    earth activity day month

    Colors of Leaves Experiment

    earth activity day month

    Clean Up the Earth and Sort the Trash

    dot the animals printable activity learn counting 1 to 10

    Dot the Animals Printable

    ocean sensory bin for toddlers and preschool sensory play marine creatures sea animals

    Ocean Life Sensory Play

    Nature Themed Activities!

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

    blooming paper flowers experiment

    Blooming Paper Flower Experiment with Printable Flowers!

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

    Count the Flower Petal Activity!

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

    Printable Version of the Count the Flower Petal Activity!

    butterfly wings printable spring craft

    Butterfly Wing Craft Decorated with Nature!

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

    Count the Worm Sensory Activity

    four seasons printable bundle

    Printable Activities all about seasons!

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

    Nature Walk Color Scavenger Hunt!

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

    Rainbow Nature Craft

    Earth Science Kits, Toys, and Puzzles!

    Below you’ll find some of our top picks for Earth-related puzzles, toys, and games. If you want to see a full list of product and gift ideas for Earth month, check out this LINK!

    nature earth activity day month gift toy

    3D Puzzle Globe

    nature earth activity day month gift toy

    Orbit Building Set

    easter gift basket ideas for kids

    Earth Puzzle

    nature earth activity day month gift toy

    Trash Sorting Game

    nature earth activity day month gift toy

    Regrow Science Kit

    nature earth activity day month gift toy

    Window Growing Kit

    nature earth activity day month gift toy

    Gardening Set

    nature earth activity day month gift toy

    Paint and Plant Kit

    5 Things to Talk to Your Kids About on Earth Day / Month!

    Recycling: Teach children about the importance of recycling and how to properly sort recyclable materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum. Encourage them to create recycling bins at home and school to reduce waste and conserve resources.

    Conservation: Educate children about the importance of conserving water, energy, and natural habitats. Discuss simple ways to conserve resources, such as turning off lights when leaving a room, taking shorter showers, and using reusable bags instead of plastic ones.

    Gardening: Engage children in hands-on gardening activities to teach them about plant growth, soil health, and the benefits of growing their own food. Help them plant seeds, tend to garden beds, and observe the natural cycles of plants as they grow.

    Nature exploration: Take children on outdoor excursions to explore local parks, nature reserves, or hiking trails. Encourage them to observe and appreciate the beauty of nature, identify different plant and animal species, and learn about the ecosystems that sustain life on Earth.

    Environmental activism: Empower children to become environmental advocates by teaching them about pressing environmental issues and ways to take action. Discuss topics such as climate change, pollution, and wildlife conservation, and encourage children to participate in community clean-up events, tree planting initiatives, or letter-writing campaigns to elected officials.

     

    5 Things to Talk to Your Kids About on Earth Day / Month!

    Recycling: Teach children about the importance of recycling and how to properly sort recyclable materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum. Encourage them to create recycling bins at home and school to reduce waste and conserve resources.

    Conservation: Educate children about the importance of conserving water, energy, and natural habitats. Discuss simple ways to conserve resources, such as turning off lights when leaving a room, taking shorter showers, and using reusable bags instead of plastic ones.

    Gardening: Engage children in hands-on gardening activities to teach them about plant growth, soil health, and the benefits of growing their own food. Help them plant seeds, tend to garden beds, and observe the natural cycles of plants as they grow.

    Nature exploration: Take children on outdoor excursions to explore local parks, nature reserves, or hiking trails. Encourage them to observe and appreciate the beauty of nature, identify different plant and animal species, and learn about the ecosystems that sustain life on Earth.

    Environmental activism: Empower children to become environmental advocates by teaching them about pressing environmental issues and ways to take action. Discuss topics such as climate change, pollution, and wildlife conservation, and encourage children to participate in community clean-up events, tree planting initiatives, or letter-writing campaigns to elected officials.

    What’s Next?

    How to Decorate Easter Eggs with Rice and Food Coloring

    How to Decorate Easter Eggs with Rice and Food Coloring

    How to Decorate Easter Eggs with Rice and Food Coloring

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

    Decorating Easter eggs is a timeless tradition, but have you ever tried it with rice and food coloring? It’s simple, mess-free, and yields stunning results.

    How to Decorate Easter Eggs with This Hassle Free Method!

    Traditional methods of Easter egg decorating often involve messy dyes and intricate designs. However, the rice and food coloring method offers a simple yet effective alternative. By shaking hard-boiled eggs inside sealable containers filled with rice and food coloring, you can achieve beautifully marbled and vibrant eggs with minimal effort. This technique eliminates the need for dipping or painting eggs individually, making it perfect for both children and adults alike. Plus, the added bonus of creating rainbow rice for sensory play adds another layer of enjoyment to the Easter egg decorating experience. 

    Skills: Arts and Crafts, Sensory Play

    Ages: 3+ 

    Prep Time: 15 min

    Watch How to Decorate Easter Eggs with Rice and Food Coloring

    Watch as we cover eggs in various colors by shaking them inside containers filled with food coloring and rice. The result? Beautifully colored eggs and an array of containers of sensory rice ready for play!

    For a comprehensive guide for all things related to Easter including more activity ideas, gift suggestions, as well as Spring-related play ideas visit this LINK.

    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 Decorate Easter Eggs with Rice and Food Coloring

    Watch as we cover eggs in various colors by shaking them inside containers filled with food coloring and rice. The result? Beautifully colored eggs and an array of containers of sensory rice ready for play!

    For a comprehensive guide for all things related to Easter including more activity ideas, gift suggestions, as well as Spring-related play ideas visit this LINK.

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

    Tips for Decorating Easter Eggs with Rice and Food Coloring

    Color Mixing Simplified: Experiment with different food coloring combinations for vibrant and unique egg designs. Try mixing primary colors to create a diverse palette of shades.

    Optimal Coverage Ratio: Adjust the amount of rice and food coloring in containers to control the intensity of color on your eggs. Remember, less rice and more coloring yield bolder results.

    Thorough Shaking Technique: Ensure uniform egg coverage by shaking containers vigorously. This distributes the coloring and rice evenly, resulting in beautifully marbled eggs.

    Layering for Depth: Experiment with layering different colors to add depth to your eggs. Start with a base color and add layers of contrasting or complementary hues for a striking finish.

      Materials

      • Sealable containers (such as jars or plastic containers)
      • Gloves (optional, to keep hands clean)
      • Paper towels or drying rack (for drying the eggs after decorating)
      • Hard-boiled eggs
      • Food coloring (liquid or gel-based)
      • White rice (uncooked)
      • Sealable containers (such as jars or plastic containers)
      • Gloves (optional, to keep hands clean)
      • Paper towels or drying rack (for drying the eggs after decorating)

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      Prepare your hard-boiled eggs.

      Step 2

      Fill sealable containers with rice and add a few drops of food coloring.

      Step 3

      Place eggs in the containers and shake gently until fully coated.

      Step 4

      Remove eggs and let them dry and enjoy your beautifully decorated Easter eggs!

      Step 5

      Spread the colored rice out on a tray or in a shallow container, and let your child explore its texture and vibrant colors. You can also add small toys or tools for imaginative play, or use the rice to create writing trays for practicing letters and shapes. Store any leftover colored rice in an airtight container for future sensory play sessions.

      Step 1

      Prepare your hard-boiled eggs.

      Step 2

      Fill sealable containers with rice and add a few drops of food coloring.

      Step 3

      Place eggs in the containers and shake gently until fully coated.

      Step 4

      Remove eggs and let them dry and enjoy your beautifully decorated Easter eggs!

      Step 5

      Spread the colored rice out on a tray or in a shallow container, and let your child explore its texture and vibrant colors. You can also add small toys or tools for imaginative play, or use the rice to create writing trays for practicing letters and shapes. Store any leftover colored rice in an airtight container for future sensory play sessions.

      Beyond Decorating Easter Eggs with This Method!

      One of the standout benefits of decorating Easter eggs with rice and food coloring is the opportunity to create vibrant sensory play rice as a fun byproduct. Sensory rice, with its colorful and textured nature, offers numerous developmental benefits for children.

      Through tactile stimulation, it aids in fine motor skills development and hand-eye coordination. Moreover, it encourages creativity and imaginative play, serving as a versatile medium for various scenarios. Additionally, the calming and relaxing nature of sensory rice promotes stress reduction and relaxation. Lastly, engaging with sensory rice aids in sensory integration, facilitating the processing of sensory information and fostering self-regulation.

      rainbow rice sensory play tray
      rainbow rice sensory play tray

      Beyond Decorating Easter Eggs with This Method!

      One of the standout benefits of decorating Easter eggs with rice and food coloring is the opportunity to create vibrant sensory play rice as a fun byproduct. Sensory rice, with its colorful and textured nature, offers numerous developmental benefits for children.

      Through tactile stimulation, it aids in fine motor skills development and hand-eye coordination. Moreover, it encourages creativity and imaginative play, serving as a versatile medium for various scenarios. Additionally, the calming and relaxing nature of sensory rice promotes stress reduction and relaxation. Lastly, engaging with sensory rice aids in sensory integration, facilitating the processing of sensory information and fostering self-regulation.

      More Easter Themed Activities!

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

      feed the bunny activity for toddlers fine motor skills

      Feed the Bunny Activity!

      easter egg activity eggmazing egg decorator mess free decorating

      Hatch the Egg Printable!

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

      Bunny Math – Learn Addition Printable!

      easter and spring themed worksheets printables

      20+ Easter Printable Activities!

      What’s Next?

      Easter Activity Ideas – So Many Eggciting Ways to Celebrate!

      Easter Activity Ideas – So Many Eggciting Ways to Celebrate!

      Easter Activity Ideas – So Many Eggciting Ways to Celebrate!

      easter activity ideas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      Decorate Eggs with Rice and Food Coloring

      Easter Bunny Coloring Craft - How to Make a Personalized Card

      Easter Egg Popsicles!

      easter activity idea bunny glove blowing experiment

      Bunny Glove Activity

      easter printable activity bundle

      Printable Easter Bundle of Activities!

      glow in the dark egg hunt mini glow sticks easter basket

      Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt!

      easter egg popsicle

      Easter Egg Popsicles!

      golden egg maker egg spinner easter

      Golden Egg Maker!

      emptying out an egg cascarones tip hack easter

      Emptying Egg Hack!

      feed the bunny activity for toddlers fine motor skills

      Feed the Bunny Activity

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

      Printable Version: Feed the Bunny Activity

      diy easter card handprint bunny keepsake paper

      Handprint Bunny Card

      easter egg activity eggmazing egg decorator mess free decorating

      Spinning Egg Decorater

      paper mache egg decorating

      Paper Mache Egg Kit

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

      Fun Printable for Learning Addition

      travel activity sensory hair pull

      Free Easter Coloring Pages

      easter activity idea bunny glove blowing experiment

      Bunny Science Experiment

      make the carrot orange color mixing activity

      Carrot Color Mix

      easter bunny bags diy adorable treat bags

      Easter Bunny Bags

      egg slime sensory play taste safe slime

      Taste Safe Egg Slime

      hand eye coordination game for toddlers hatch the egg chick

      Hatch the Egg Printable

      Easter Basket Gift Ideas!

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

      easter gift basket ideas for kids

      LEGO Bunny!

      easter gift basket ideas for kids

      Gardening Kit

      easter gift basket ideas for kids

      Carrot Shaped Teether

      easter gift basket ideas for kids

      Egg Shaped Chalk

      easter gift basket ideas for kids

      Easter Puzzles

      easter gift basket ideas for kids

      Bunny Bubble Machines

      easter gift basket ideas for kids

      Interactive Bunny Stuffy

      easter gift basket ideas for kids

      Egg Sorting Toy

      easter gift basket ideas for kids

      Bunny Slippers

      easter gift basket ideas for kids

      Bunny Pop It Toy

      easter gift basket ideas for kids

      Easter Stuffy Set

      easter gift basket ideas for kids

      Bunny Jack-in-the-Box

      Beyond Easter: Spring Themed Activities!

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

      blooming paper flowers experiment

      Blooming Paper Flower Experiment with Printable Flowers!

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

      Count the Flower Petal Activity!

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

      Printable Version of the Count the Flower Petal Activity!

      butterfly wings printable spring craft

      Butterfly Wing Craft Decorated with Nature!

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

      Count the Worm Sensory Activity

      four seasons printable bundle

      Printable Activities all about seasons!

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

      Nature Walk Color Scavenger Hunt!

      food scrap science experiment scallion celery romaine

      Regrowing Food Scraps Science Project!

      The Immense Benefits of Easter and Spring Themed Activities

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

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

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

      The Immense Benefits of Easter and Spring Themed Activities

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

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

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

      What’s Next?

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

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

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

      play dough storage hack ice cube tray with cover

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

      Play Dough Storage with Stackable Ice Cube Trays

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

      Benefits of Storing Play Dough in This Ice Cube Tray!

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

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

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

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

      Benefits of Storing Play Dough in This Ice Cube Tray!

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

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

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

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

      play dough storage hack ice cube tray with cover

      Where Can I Get This Ice Cube Tray?

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

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

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

      How to Make Homemade Play Dough

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

      Find the full step by step instructions HERE.

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

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

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

      How to Make Homemade Play Dough

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

      Find the full step by step instructions HERE.

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

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

      The Benefits of Playing with Play Dough

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

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

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

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

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

      The Benefits of Playing with Play Dough

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

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

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

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

      More Ways to Play with Play Dough

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

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

      Printable Play Dough Mats to Learn Letters

      Play Dough Mats: Numbers

      Printable Play Dough Mats to Learn Numbers

      Play Dough Mats: Shapes

      Printable Play Dough Mats to Learn Shapes

      making play dough into rainbow swirls

      How to Make Rainbow Swirl Play Dough!

      What’s Next?

      Scissor Cutting Practice – Free the Cars Activity

      Scissor Cutting Practice – Free the Cars Activity

      Scissor Cutting Practice – Free The Toys Activity

      magnetic slime recipe science project for kids

      Task your kiddos to “free the toys” and they will have so much fun! Not only will they get to work on scissor cutting practice independently, but they’re going to be working hard and having a great time trying to free their toys! 

      The Importance of Scissor Cutting Practice 

      Scissor skills is such an important skill for them to learn. It’s one of the best ways to strengthen fine motor skills. It can be a bit intimidating at first to learn how to cut with scissors, but this is why it’s important to make the process fun. 

      Wrapping your kiddo’s toys up with paper to be “freed” is a super simple solution to make cutting skills fun! They’ve asked to do it time and time again. This repetition is great – the more that they can work on their cutting skills, the better! This is a great way for them to build their confidence fast so that they can still work on cutting and having fun at the same time.

       

      Skills: Fine Motor Skills

      Ages: 3+

      Prep Time: 10 min

      Watch This Scissor Cutting Practice in Action!

      Creating this activity is easy to do and so much fun for young kids who are just starting to do scissor cutting practice.

      You can wrap any type of small toy in paper to be “freed.” I originally wrapped 6 cars in paper for each of my kids, but once they finished freeing all of their cars, they immediately wanted to cut more! So keep in mind that you may want to wrap even more cars in paper than you originally planned to! 

      Other items you could use instead of toy cars include: mini figurines like animals, dinosaurs, superheroes, wooden dolls, action figures, or toy soldiers.

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

       

      Watch This Scissor Cutting Practice in Action!

      Creating this activity is easy to do and so much fun for young kids who are just starting to do scissor cutting practice.

      You can wrap any type of small toy in paper to be “freed.” I originally wrapped 6 cars in paper for each of my kids, but once they finished freeing all of their cars, they immediately wanted to cut more! So keep in mind that you may want to wrap even more cars in paper than you originally planned to! 

      Other items you could use instead of toy cars include: mini figurines like animals, dinosaurs, superheroes, wooden dolls, action figures, or toy soldiers.

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

      magnetic slime recipe science project for kids

      Tips for Helping Your Child Learn to Cut with Scissors 

      The biggest tip to remember when working on scissor skills is that you need to use scissors that work for your child. Left-handed scissors or right-handed scissors are different, and it’s important to find a pair of scissors that will help your child cut as simple and easy as possible. 

      Also, encourage them to take their time and have fun in the process. Since this cutting activity is having them work on freeing their car, they’re going to want to be careful and precise to get it free!

      Make sure they are holding the scissors in the correct position: thumb pointed up in one hole with middle finger and index finger in the other hole.

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      Cut some strips into the construction paper.

      Step 2

      Place a small toy in the middle of the strips and wrap them around the toy, securing with tape so that it is “stuck”.

      Step 3

      Have the kids work on their cutting skills by freeing the toy from the paper! 

      Step 1

      Cut some strips into the construction paper.

      Step 2

      Place a small toy in the middle of the strips and wrap them around the toy, securing with tape so that it is “stuck”.

      Step 3

      Have the kids work on their cutting skills by freeing the toy from the paper! 

      Printable Activity for Cutting Practice

      Scissor skills are so important to do! The kids will love being able to pick up a pair of scissors and know that they can handle them like pros. 

      This is also great for boosting their confidence that they’ll be able to cut out in straight lines, curves, and more. The more that you can encourage them to work on their cutting skills, the better they’re going to get. 

      We have a lot of printable resources specifically designed for scissor cutting practice like including this Car Scissor Skills printable where you can glue a car shape to the scissor to help kids keep the scissors in the right position (thumbs up!). As kids cut through the road, it will be as if the car is traveling from end of the street to the other!

      scissor cutting skill activity using cars and roads

      Check out all of our fun, hands on printable activities here!

      scissor cutting skill activity using cars and roads

      Even More Scissor Cutting Practice

      Scissor skills are so important to do! The kids will love being able to pick up a pair of scissors and know that they can handle them like pros. 

      This is also great for boosting their confidence that they’ll be able to cut out in straight lines, curves, and more. The more that you can encourage them to work on their cutting skills, the better they’re going to get. 

      We have a lot of printable resources specifically designed for scissor cutting practice like including this Car Scissor Skills printable where you can glue a car shape to the scissor to help kids keep the scissors in the right position (thumbs up!). As kids cut through the road, it will be as if the car is traveling from end of the street to the other!

      Check out all of our fun, hands on printable activities here!

      More Scissor Cutting Practice Activities!

      Here are some more fun, hands-on scissor cutting practice activities! 

      Make cutting practice for preschoolers fun with this activity! Kids will cut away the top layer of paper to reveal a picture underneath! Check out the printable version!

      Cut the Rain to Reveal the Rainbow Activity!

      pet salon cutting skills for kids strengthen hand muscles

      DIY Pet Salon Activity Using yarn!

      scissor skill activity for preschoolers cutting patterns vertical set up

      Cut the Patterns Activity!

      scissor skills activity spoon salon

      Silly Spoon People Salon Activity!

      What’s Next?

      Scented Play Dough – How to Make Rose Swirls

      Scented Play Dough – How to Make Rose Swirls

      Scented Play Dough – How to Make Rose Swirls 

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

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

      Give A Scented Play Dough Gift!  

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

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

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

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      How to Make Swirl Rose Scented Play Dough!

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

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

      How to Make Swirl Rose Scented Play Dough!

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

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

      Easy to Make Play Dough – Tips and Tricks!

      Mix while hot, but use caution! 

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

      Why is my batch too sticky?

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

      Why is my batch too dry?

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

      Do I need to add oil?

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

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

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

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

      How can I store and how long does it last?

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

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

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

      Step 2

      Add the rose extract and coconut oil.

      Step 3

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

      Step 4

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

      Step 5

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

       

      Step 6

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

      Step 7

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

      Step 8

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

      Step 9

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

      Step 10

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

      Step 11

      Cut into individual portions and enjoy!

      Step 1

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

      Step 2

      Add the rose extract and coconut oil.

      Step 3

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

      Step 4

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

      Step 5

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

      Step 6

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

      Step 7

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

      Step 8

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

      Step 9

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

      Step 10

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

      Step 11

      Cut into individual portions and enjoy!

      The Importance of Playing with Play Dough

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

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

      For more sensory play activities visit our comprehensive list!

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

      The Importance of Playing with Play Dough

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

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

      For more sensory play activities visit our comprehensive list!

       

      More Sensory Bases to Explore

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

      sensory sand play for kids

      Sensory Sand

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

      mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

      Modelling Dough

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

      play dough wild dough sensory

      Premium Play Dough

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

      slime kit sensory play for kids

      The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

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

      What’s Next?

      Red and White Make What Color: Mix the Heart

      Red and White Make What Color: Mix the Heart

      Red and White Make What Color? Mix the Heart

      This mix the heart activity is a perfect way to answer the question: red and white make what color?

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

      Explore, Red and White Make What Color, and More! 

      Plus, 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? Make a carrot! Is Spring in the air? Combine blue and red to make a purple flower. The options are endless!

      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 Answer the Question – Red and White Make What Color?

      Your child is going to really enjoy this activity! If your kiddo is asking questions about color mixing, like red and white make what color, then this is something fun to create together!

      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!

      Watch the Video to Answer the Question – Red and White Make What Color?

      Your child is going to really enjoy this activity! If your kiddo is asking questions about color mixing, like red and white make what color, then this is something fun to create together!

      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!

      What Are Shades and Tints?

      In addition to asking the question – red and white make what color? –  this activity is a great opportunity to discuss what shades and tints are.

      First off, let’s make sure your kiddos have a basic understanding of primary and secondary colors. Primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. Secondary colors are created after mixing primary colors together. They are green, orange, and purple.

      Understanding shades and tints takes color mixing to the next level! Shades are when black is added to a color to give it a darker tone. And you can change the tint of a color by adding white to make it a lighter tone.

      By adding white to the color red, you are making the tint lighter to become pink!

      Materials 

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      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

      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).

      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

      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 – 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!

      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!

      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!

      Steve Spangler Science Color Fizzers

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

      Splash of Color Kit

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

      Watercolor Set

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

      What’s Next?

      Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments – How to Make This Adorable Keepsake

      Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments – How to Make This Adorable Keepsake

      Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments – How to Make This Adorable Keepsake

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

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

      A Classic Keepsake – Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments! 

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

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

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

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      Watch How to Make Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments 

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

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

      Watch How to Make Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments 

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

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

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

      Tips for Making Salt Dough Ornaments

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

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

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

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

       

       

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions

      Step 1

      Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.

      Step 2

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

      Step 3

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

      Step 4

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

      Step 5

      Once cool, use acrylic paint to decorate.

      Step 6

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

      Step 1

      Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.

      Step 2

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

      Step 3

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

      Step 4

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

      Step 5

      Once cool, use acrylic paint to decorate.

      Step 6

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

      More Holiday Themed Activities!  

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

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

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

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

      More Holiday Themed Activities!  

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

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

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

      More Holiday Crafts to Explore 

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

      sensory bin build you own bin michaels

      Paper Mache Ornament Kit

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

      sensory bin marine creatures

      Spinning Ornament Decorator

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

      christmas ornament crafting kits

      Bead Elf Ornaments

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

      christmas crafting kits

      Gingerbread House

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

      What’s Next?

      Color Mixing for Kids – Hands on Learning

      Color Mixing for Kids – Hands on Learning

      Color Mixing for Kids – Hands on Learning!

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

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

      Oobleck Color Mixing Station Sensory Play

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

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

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

      Skills: 

      Ages: 

      Prep Time: 

      Watch This Color Mixing for Kids Activity in Action!

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

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

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

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

      Watch This Color Mixing for Kids Activity in Action!

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

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

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

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

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

      How to Make Oobleck

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

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

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

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

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

      Step 2

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

      Step 1

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

      Step 2

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

      Cultivating STEM Enthusiasm Through Color Mixing for Kids

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

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

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

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

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

      Cultivating STEM Enthusiasm Through Color Mixing for Kids

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

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

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

       

      More Sensory Bases to Explore

      Here are some more sensory bases to explore!

      slime kit sensory play for kids

      The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

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

      sensory sand play for kids

      Sensory Sand

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

      mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

      Modelling Dough

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

      play dough wild dough sensory

      Premium Play Dough

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

      What’s Next?

      Sensory Bags for Babies – Helpful Tummy Time Distractions

      Sensory Bags for Babies – Helpful Tummy Time Distractions

      Sensory Bags for Babies – Helpful Tummy Time Distractions!

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

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

      Benefits of Sensory Bags for Babies

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

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

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

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

       

       

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      Watch How to Make Sensory Bags for Babies

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

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

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

      Watch How to Make Sensory Bags for Babies

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

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

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

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

      Tips for Setting Up This Activity

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

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

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

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      Remove the label on plastic bags using nail polish remover.

      Step 2

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

       

      Step 3

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

      Step 4

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

      Step 1

      Remove the label on plastic bags using nail polish remover.

      Step 2

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

      Step 3

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

      Step 4

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

      Get FREE Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

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

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

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

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

      Get FREE Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

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

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

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

      Top Baby Toy Picks

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

      black and white baby activities

      Play Gym

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

      black and white baby activities

      Crinkle Activity Book

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

      sensory play for babies

      Tummy Time Splash-Free Mat

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

      baby toy ball

      Baby’s 1st Ball

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

      What’s Next?

      DIY Baby Toy – How to Make Sensory Wrist Bands

      DIY Baby Toy – How to Make Sensory Wrist Bands

      DIY Baby Toy – How to Make Sensory Wrist Rattles

      diy baby toy how to make black and white wrist rattles

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

      Benefits of this DIY Baby Toy

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

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

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

       

       

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      Watch How to Make This DIY Baby Toy

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

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

      For more baby activities, visit our comprehensive list of ideas

      Watch How to Make This DIY Baby Toy

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

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

      For more baby activities, visit our comprehensive list of ideas

      diy baby toy how to make black and white wrist rattles

      Tips for Setting Up This Activity

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

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

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

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      Firmly secure bells onto a strip of felt.

      Step 2

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

       

      Step 3

      Glue extra large pom poms onto the felt band.

      Step 4

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

      Step 1

      Firmly secure bells onto a strip of felt.

      Step 2

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

      Step 3

      Glue extra large pom poms onto the felt band.

      Step 4

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

      Get FREE Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

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

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

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

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

      Get FREE Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

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

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

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

      More High Contrast Activities

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

      black and white baby activities

      Play Gym

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

      black and white baby activities

      Crinkle Activity Book

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

      black and white baby activities

      Take Along Mobile

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

      black and white baby activities

      Rattles

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

      What’s Next?

      Baby Activity at 3 months – Fun with Balloons

      Baby Activity at 3 months – Fun with Balloons

      Baby Activity at 3 Months – Fun with Balloons

      baby activity at 3 months balloon kicking

      Tying balloons to the hands and feet is a great baby activity at 3 months. Keep on reading to find out all the benefits of this activity for babies!

      Benefits of This Balloon Activity for Babies

      During the first three months of a babies life, they sleep quite often, but there are some precious wake windows where babies can start to have fun and begin to strengthen important skills!

      This is a great baby activity at 3 months because it’s an important time for babies to improve their visual tracking skills, and stay on the back before they begin rolling over from stomach to back.

      It’s also a great way to keep baby busy, engaged, and strengthening gross motor skills with every kick and punch! As each arm and leg raise and move the balloons around, babies will also be developing an understanding of cause and effect!

       

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      How to Set Up This Baby Activity at 3 Months

      This activity is as easy as grabbing some balloons, using helium to blow them up, and tying 2-4 of them with string to baby’s hands and feet.

      In this video you’ll see how my 3 month old enjoyed kicking, moving her arms, and tracking the balloons as they moved up, down, and side to side.

      For more baby activities, visit our comprehensive list of ideas

      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 Set Up This Baby Activity at 3 Months

      This activity is as easy as grabbing some balloons, using helium to blow them up, and tying 2-4 of them with string to baby’s hands and feet.

      In this video you’ll see how my 3 month old enjoyed kicking, moving her arms, and tracking the balloons as they moved up, down, and side to side.

      For more baby activities, visit our comprehensive list of ideas

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

      baby activity at 3 months balloon kicking

      Tips for Setting Up This Activity

      Ballon Type. While you can use any color balloon, the younger the baby, the more useful black and white balloons are due to their ability to see high contrast images better. Also be sure to grab some helium to keep the balloons up high!

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

      Supervision. It goes without saying that supervision is key! This is not an activity for babies to be left alone doing. Once you finish playing, safely dispose of the strings and balloons in the trash.

      Get FREE Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

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

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

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

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

      Get FREE Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

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

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

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

      More High Contrast Activities

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

      black and white baby activities

      Play Gym

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

      black and white baby activities

      Crinkle Activity Book

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

      black and white baby activities

      Take Along Mobile

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

      black and white baby activities

      Rattles

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

      What’s Next?

      Black and White Patterns for Babies – Printable Cards

      Black and White Patterns for Babies – Printable Cards

      Black and White Patterns for Babies – Printable Cards

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

      There are a ton of benefits to providing black and white patterns for babies. Keep on reading to find out what they are and to get your printable set of 12 dozen cards here. 

      Why Black and White Patterns for Babies Are Important!

      Did you know that for the first months of a baby’s life their vision is super blurry! In fact, they can only see about 12 inches in front of them. Plus it isn’t until around 3 months when they can start to see colors. Before that, all they can see is black, white, and grays.

      But during the time between birth and 6 months, a baby’s eyesight is developing at super speed! And allowing for your baby to look at black and white, high contrast images and toys provides them a great opportunity to stimulate their vision, strengthen optic nerves, and help their brains and eyes to coordinate.

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      How to Use the Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

      This activity can be set up in no time! Since it is a printable, all you have to do is grab the printable from the link below, print it, and tape it together to have it stand alone (if you so choose!). In the video, you will see that I also laminated the cards before taping them to make them more durable and long lasting.

      My baby at one and a half months old was mesmerized by the patterns and enjoyed looking at them during tummy time, when her diaper was changed, and in the car!

      How to Use the Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

      This activity can be set up in no time! Since it is a printable, all you have to do is grab the printable from the link below, print it, and tape it together to have it stand alone (if you so choose!). In the video, you will see that I also laminated the cards before taping them to make them more durable and long lasting.

      My baby at one and a half months old was mesmerized by the patterns and enjoyed looking at them during tummy time, when her diaper was changed, and in the car!

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

      Get the Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

      This printable set of black and white cards for babies includes 12 different high contrast images. Plus, tape them together to make them stand up on their own.

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

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

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

      Where to Use the Black and White Cards

      There are so many great opportunities to use these black and white cards, here are just a few ideas! 

      Tummy Time. These cards definitely help to hold and lengthen attention span during tummy time!

      Diaper Changing. Prop some up on the side of your table to make diaper changing a little easier!

      Car Seat. Safely tape some images to the seat in front of the baby to give them some car ride entertainment!

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

      Where to Use the Black and White Cards

      There are so many great opportunities to use these black and white cards, here are just a few ideas! 

      Tummy Time. These cards definitely help to hold and lengthen attention span during tummy time!

      Diaper Changing. Prop some up on the side of your table to make diaper changing a little easier!

      Car Seat. Safely tape some images to the seat in front of the baby to give them some car ride entertainment!

      More High Contrast Activities

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

      black and white baby activities

      Play Gym

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

      black and white baby activities

      Crinkle Activity Book

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

      black and white baby activities

      Take Along Mobile

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

      black and white baby activities

      Rattles

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

      What’s Next?

      Shaving Cream Art – A Vibrant and Sensory-Packed Activity

      Shaving Cream Art – A Vibrant and Sensory-Packed Activity

      Shaving Cream Art – A Vibrant and Sensory-Packed Activity

      shaving cream art for kids marbled craft

      This vibrantly colored activity is all about making shaving cream art! It is easy to set up and such a rich sensory experience for kids!

      Shaving Cream Art, Sensory Play and Fine Motor Skills Collide!

      So many fun skills collide with this shaving cream art activity. Using droppers to transfer liquid watercolor on top of the shaving cream is great for fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Plus, after using paper and a squeegee to make marbled artwork, kids are left with a brilliantly colored shaving cream mixture they can use for sensory and imaginative play! My son enjoyed making “ice cream cones” out of it!

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

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      Watch How to Make Shaving Cream Art!

      Setting this up takes all of a few minutes, and the rest is all for your kiddos to do! Well, except squeezing out shaving cream can be tricky, so kids may need a grown up to help! But once the shaving cream is out, that will be their canvas for creating some super fun and sensory packed artwork! And once the art has been made, definitely don’t toss the shaving cream mixture away! Use it for some fun sensory play!

      Watch How to Make Shaving Cream Art!

      Setting this up takes all of a few minutes, and the rest is all for your kiddos to do! Well, except squeezing out shaving cream can be tricky, so kids may need a grown up to help! But once the shaving cream is out, that will be their canvas for creating some super fun and sensory packed artwork! And once the art has been made, definitely don’t toss the shaving cream mixture away! Use it for some fun sensory play!

       

      shaving cream art for kids marbled craft

      Tips for Making Shaving Cream Art

      Prepare for the Mess. Just remember that this is going to get messy – that’s all part of the fun! Try to do this outdoors so everything can be hosed down, but if that’s not possible, place a waterproof mat underneath the workspace and have a bucket of water nearby to wash off hands.

      Colors. You can use either food coloring or liquid watercolor for this activity. We prefer liquid watercolor because, once diluted, it is washable!

      Large Droppers. Using large droppers is a great tool to strengthen fine motor skills. We like these extra large droppers because they are not too tricky to use!

      For more sensory-packed activities, visit our comprehensive list!

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions

      Step 1

      Fill up a tub with shaving cream.

      Step 2

      Use a dropper and liquid watercolors to create a design on top of the shaving cream. Swirl the colors around if you want!

      Step 3

      Place a piece of paper on top of the shaving cream color design.

      Step 4

      Use a squeegee to remove the excess shaving cream in top of the paper to reveal a fun marbled-design artwork!

      Step 5

      Use the leftover shaving cream mixture for sensory and imaginative play!

      Step 1

      Fill up a tub with shaving cream.

      Step 2

      Use a dropper and liquid watercolors to create a design on top of the shaving cream. Swirl the colors around if you want!

      Step 3

      Place a piece of paper on top of the shaving cream color design.

      Step 4

      Use a squeegee to remove the excess shaving cream to reveal a fun marbled-design artwork!

      Step 5

      Use the leftover shaving cream mixture for sensory and imaginative play!

      Beyond Shaving Cream Art 

      Process art is one of the biggest benefits of this rainbow activity. It’s a great way for the kids to see the entire process from start to finish on how art can be easy and simple to create. 

      They can then use that to understand the artistic impression and see if they can recreate or create a rainbow (or something else) all on their very own.

      Plus, as mentioned above, this activity isn’t just about art! It’s a fun way to strengthen fine motor skills, explore sensory play, and tap into their imaginations! 

      shaving cream art for kids marbled craft
      shaving cream art for kids marbled craft

      Beyond Shaving Cream Art 

      Process art is one of the biggest benefits of this rainbow activity. It’s a great way for the kids to see the entire process from start to finish on how art can be easy and simple to create. 

      They can then use that to understand the artistic impression and see if they can recreate or create a rainbow (or something else) all on their very own.

      Plus, as mentioned above, this activity isn’t just about art! It’s a fun way to strengthen fine motor skills, explore sensory play, and tap into their imaginations! 

      More fun for the ice cream lover!

      Here are my top picks for ice cream themed play items you can buy.

      Scoop and Serve

      This wooden set is perfect for the ice cream lover! It comes with 28 pieces including ice cream flavors, toppings, cones, a cup, a menu, and the counter!

      Life-Size Food Cart

      This large scale imaginative play food cart is adorable! Plus it has two different food cart themes: sweets like ice cream, and snacks like pretzels and hot dogs!

      Ice Cream Truck Walker

      This adorable walker is a great gift for toddlers! Removing and placing the ice creams back into the holder is great for fine motor skills! 

      Paint Your Own Ice Cream Cone 

      Such a great arts and crafts set! Your ice cream lover will love decorating these magnetic scoops that stick together! 

      What’s Next?

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

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

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

      aladdin party idea play dough kit sensory play

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

      Unique Activity Makes a Great Aladdin Party Idea

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

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

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

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      How To Make Play Dough

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

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

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

      How To Make Play Dough

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

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

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

      aladdin party idea play dough kit sensory play

      How to Assemble This Aladdin Party Idea

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

       

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

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

      Step 2

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

      Step 3

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

       

      Step 1

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

      Step 2

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

      Step 3

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

      Benefits of Creating a Play Dough Kit

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

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

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

      aladdin party idea play dough kit sensory play

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

      aladdin party idea play dough kit sensory play

      Benefits of Creating a Play Dough Kit

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

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

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

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

      More Sensory Bases to Explore

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

      sensory sand play for kids

      Sensory Sand

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

      mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

      Modelling Dough

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

      play dough wild dough sensory

      Premium Play Dough

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

      slime kit sensory play for kids

      The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

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

      What’s Next?

      Activity for Toddlers – Colorful Taste Safe Sensory Play With Cereal

      Activity for Toddlers – Colorful Taste Safe Sensory Play With Cereal

      Activity for Toddlers – Colorful Taste Safe Sensory Play With Cereal

      activity for toddlers colorful taste safe cereal sensory bin

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

      A Taste Safe Activity for Toddlers

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

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

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

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      How to Make This Activity for Toddlers

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

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

      How to Make This Activity for Toddlers

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

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

      activity for toddlers colorful taste safe cereal sensory bin

      Tips for Setting Up This Activity for Toddlers

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

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

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

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

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

      Step 2

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

      Step 1

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

      Step 2

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

      .

      The Importance of Sensory Play 

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

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

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

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

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

      The Importance of Sensory Play 

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

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

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

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

       

      More Sensory Bases to Explore

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

      slime kit sensory play for kids

      The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

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

      sensory sand play for kids

      Sensory Sand

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

      mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

      Modelling Dough

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

      play dough wild dough sensory

      Premium Play Dough

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

      What’s Next?

      Peppa Pig Activity – Make This Adorable Play Dough Kit

      Peppa Pig Activity – Make This Adorable Play Dough Kit

      Peppa Pig Activity – Make This Adorable Play Dough Kit

      peppa pig activity for kids play dough kit sensory

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

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

      Endless Hours of Imagination with Play Dough Kits

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

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

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      How To Make a Homemade Play Dough 

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

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

      How To Make a Homemade Play Dough 

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

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

      peppa pig activity for kids play dough kit sensory

      How to Assemble This Peppa Pig Activity Kit 

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

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

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

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

      Step 2

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

      Step 3

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

       

      Step 1

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

      Step 2

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

      Step 3

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

      Beyond Just a Peppa Pig Activity

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

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

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

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

      Beyond Just a Peppa Pig Activity

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

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

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

      More Sensory Bases to Explore

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

      sensory sand play for kids

      Sensory Sand

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

      mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

      Modelling Dough

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

      play dough wild dough sensory

      Premium Play Dough

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

      slime kit sensory play for kids

      The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

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

      What’s Next?

      Toddler Fun – Cut Paper Tubes to Strengthen Hand Eye Coordination

      Toddler Fun – Cut Paper Tubes to Strengthen Hand Eye Coordination

      Toddler Fun – Cut Paper Tubes to Strengthen Hand Eye Coordination

      toddler fun activity paper tube recycled hand eye coordination stacker

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

      Lots of Toddler Fun with This Paper Tube Stacker

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

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

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

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      Toddler Fun in Action!

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

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

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

      Toddler Fun in Action!

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

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

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

      toddler fun activity paper tube recycled hand eye coordination stacker

      Tips for This Toddler Fun DIY Stacking Toy

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

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

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

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

       

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      Cut up recycled paper towel tubes.

      Step 2

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

      Step 3

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

      Step 1

      Cut up recycled paper towel tubes.

      Step 2

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

      Step 3

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

      Toddler Fun For Learning

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

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

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

      printable fine motor skills activity

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

      printable fine motor skills activity

      Toddler Fun For Learning

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

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

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

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

      More Fine Motor Activities to Explore

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

      fine motor skills buckles and strings toy

      Buckle and Threading Pillow

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

      fine motor skills pike the hedge hog toy

      Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog 

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

      fine motor skills threading toy with beads

      Big Lacing Beads 

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

      fine motor skills tissue box baby toy

      Pull and Play Tissue Box

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

      What’s Next?

      Christmas Sensory Activity – How to Make Candy Cane Oobleck

      Christmas Sensory Activity – How to Make Candy Cane Oobleck

      Christmas Sensory Activity – How to Make Candy Cane Oobleck

      christmas sensory activity candy can oobleck

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

      Sensory Play During Holiday Time!

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

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

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

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

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      Watch How to Make and Play With This Christmas Sensory Activity

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

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

      Watch How to Make and Play With This Christmas Sensory Activity

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

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

      christmas sensory activity candy can oobleck

      Tips to Make the Most of This Christmas Sensory Activity

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

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

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

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

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions

      Step 1

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

      Step 2

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

      Step 3

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

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

      Step 1

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

      Step 2

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

      Step 3

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

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

      More Holiday Themed Activities!  

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

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

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

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

      More Holiday Themed Activities!  

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

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

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

      More Sensory Bins to Explore 

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

      sensory bin build you own bin michaels

      Build Your Own Sensory Bin Bundle

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

      sensory bin marine creatures

      Pre-Made Sensory Bins

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

      sensory play monster truck bin

      Monster Truck Arena

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

      fabric busy book

      Sensory-Based Book

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

      What’s Next?

      Fun Winter Activity – Make Your Own Snowman Puzzle

      Fun Winter Activity – Make Your Own Snowman Puzzle

      Fun Winter Activity – Make Your Own Snowman Puzzle

      fun winter activity counting number recognition snow man winter theme

      Do you want to build a snowman? Make your own snowman puzzle using rocks! It is a budget-friendly and fun winter activity for learning numbers and counting! 

      Make Your Own Puzzles Out of Rocks!

      We are all about DIY toys and games, and rocks make excellent puzzle pieces! We had a great time making this fun winter activity, but this technique can be used with so many different themes! 

      So don’t underestimate the pocket full of rocks your kiddo may have collected on your last walk! They can be repurposed in such fun ways for hands on learning – like this DIY snowman counting puzzle!

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

       

      Skills: Early Math

      Ages: 2 Years +

      Prep Time: 20 Minutes

      Watch This Fun Winter Activity in Action

      As mentioned above, you can adapt DIY rock puzzles in so many ways. We focused on learning numbers 1-5, but if your kiddo is more advanced than that, adjust accordingly! Or you could even do this with lowercase and uppercase letter matching!

      In this video, you’ll see how my kiddo counts the dots and matches the rocks to the correct position to build a snowman. I love how tactile the experience is, allowing him to stay engaged longer!

      Watch This Fun Winter Activity in Action

      As mentioned above, you can adapt DIY rock puzzles in so many ways. We focused on learning numbers 1-5, but if your kiddo is more advanced than that, adjust accordingly! Or you could even do this with lowercase and uppercase letter matching!

      In this video, you’ll see how my kiddo counts the dots and matches the rocks to the correct position. I love how tactile the experience is, allowing him to stay engaged longer!

       

      fun winter activity counting number recognition snow man winter theme

      Tips for Making This Snowman Counting Activity 

      Find some rocks! Add an extra step to this activity, and explore the great outdoors! Collecting rocks is such a fun thing to do with kids. Once you wash them up, you can organize all the different shapes for repurposing them and creating your own DIY puzzle! If you don’t have access to collecting rocks, you can always pick up a bag of decorative rocks from places like Dollar Tree.

      Paint the RocksIf washing up the rocks isn’t enough to make them look clean, paint them! Adults can quickly apply a layer of spray paint over them, or kids can enjoy painting them with acrylic paint.

      Decorate with Permanent MarkersUsing permanent markers will ensure that the color is vibrant and that the color stays on the rock and doesn’t rub off the way a washable marker would!

      Materials 

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      I grabbed some white rocks from the backyard and used a permanent marker to turn them into a snowman. If you don’t have white rocks, grab any rock and paint them white (spray paint works well!).

      Step 2

      I then traced the rocks onto some old cardboard (use a pencil first and then a pen so as to not get black marks on those precious white rocks!)

      Step 3

      I wrote numbers on the back of the rocks for reading and recognition, and on the cardboard, I wrote numbers represented by dots for matching.

      Let the kids help with the collecting of the rocks and the painting and creating the snowman. This keeps them invested and involved in the process. 

      Step 1

      I grabbed some white rocks from the backyard and used a permanent marker to turn them into a snowman. If you don’t have white rocks, grab any rock and paint them white (spray paint works well!).

      Step 2

      I then traced the rocks onto some old cardboard (use a pencil first and then a pen so as to not get black marks on those precious white rocks!)

      Step 3

      I wrote numbers on the back of the rocks for reading and recognition, and on the cardboard, I wrote numbers represented by dots for matching.

      Let the kids help with the collecting of the rocks and the painting and creating the snowman. This keeps them invested and involved in the process. 

      learning counting printable worksheet snowman holiday christmas winter theme

      Free Printable of This Snow Man Counting Puzzle

      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 snowballs and have the kiddos count and match!

      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 This Fun Winter Activity 

      Learning and reinforcing number recognition and counting is the primary objective with this activity! 

      Using the stones as a manipulative and sensory tool, is a great way to keep them active and engaged! 

      Don’t be scared to branch out and try new things with this fun activity. As mentioned above, you can use rocks for so many fun DIY puzzle themes, like the alphabet and sight words!

      fun winter activity counting number recognition snow man winter theme
      fun winter activity counting number recognition snow man winter theme

      The Educational Benefits of This Fun Winter Activity 

      Learning and reinforcing number recognition and counting is the primary objective with this activity! 

      Using the stones as a manipulative and sensory tool, is a great way to keep them active and engaged! 

      Don’t be scared to branch out and try new things with this fun activity. As mentioned above, you can use rocks for so many fun DIY puzzle themes, like the alphabet and sight words!

      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.

      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.

      counting toy for young kids

      Math Shapes Puzzle 

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

      counting game early math number recognition

      Count the Popsicles

      This count the popsicles game is a fun way to learn numbers! Great for counting and number recognition for numbers 1 to 10.

      What’s Next?

      Lacing Activity – How to Make a Toy for Preschoolers

      Lacing Activity – How to Make a Toy for Preschoolers

      Lacing Activity – How to Make a Toy for Preschoolers

      lacing activity preschool threading apple diy

      This lacing activity is great for strengthening fine motor skills and hand eye coordination. A super easy to make DIY toy! All you need are a few simple supplies to create this too! 

      A Budget Friendly Lacing Activity

      This lacing activity is the perfect example of making something yourself instead of spending money on buying a toy! Of course, there are very similar products for sale that could definitely be purchased if your kiddo absolutely loves this lacing activity.

      But making one out of cardboard and using very few supplies is a great way to test the toy out before making a bigger investment!

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

       

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      The Lacing Activity in Action 

      Here’s a snippet of my kiddo, 4 years old at the time, playing with this lacing activity. 

      He got such a kick out of seeing the “worm” go in and out of the apple that it just brings a whole new element of imagination and fun. 

      It’s a great way to have them excited about an activity that is working on their hand-eye coordination at the same time.

      The Lacing Activity in Action 

      Here’s a snippet of my kiddo, 4 years old at the time, playing with this lacing activity. 

      He got such a kick out of seeing the “worm” go in and out of the apple that it just brings a whole new element of imagination and fun. 

      It’s a great way to have them excited about an activity that is working on their hand-eye coordination at the same time.

      lacing activity preschool threading apple diy

      Tips for Creating this DIY Lacing Activity

      Have fun with this activity! The kids can be a part of the process from start to finish! Let them draw the apple on cardboard, then cut it out! Great for scissor skills and confidence as well. 

      Use cardboard! If you get a lot of packages (like me!), it is a free crafting resource that has a super strong and durable texture!

      Use tempera paint sticks! For coloring the apple and worm, we used tempera paint sticks. They come out super vibrant on cardboard which is not always the case with paint!

      If you don’t have an extra long hole punch, use a sharp knife to create the holes!

       

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      Cut out an apple and worm shape on the cardboard. Involve the kids if you’d like and have them color.

      Step 2

      Use a hole punch and cut out the holes. You don’t have to do very many, but I would say 8-10 are great. Make sure to put them all over. 

      Step 3

      Tie a piece of twine or yarn to the apple with the worm attached to the other end.

      Step 4

      Have the kids take the yarn and go through all the holes.

      Step 1

      Cut out an apple and worm shape on the cardboard. Involve the kids if you’d like and have them color.

      Step 2

      Use a hole punch and cut out the holes. You don’t have to do very many, but I would say 8-10 are great. Make sure to put them all over. 

      Step 3

      Tie a piece of twine or yarn to the apple with the worm attached to the other end.

      Step 4

      Have the kids take the yarn and go through all the holes. 

      isThe Benefits of Lacing and Threading

      Threading yarn through holes is a fun way to have kids concentrate and work their finger muscles. Lots of control and hand-eye coordination is required to get that yarn in the hole, but with a little patience, they can do it! 

      Another everyday item to strengthen fine motor skills are using clothespins/pegs! This dinosaur-themed activity, is a free printable you should definitely check out! Kids use pegs to give dinosaurs their “spikes” back!

      For more fine motor skills activities, be sure to check out our comprehensive list!

      dinosaur activity printable fine motor skills color recognition counting
      dinosaur activity printable fine motor skills color recognition counting

      isThe Benefits of Lacing and Threading

      Threading yarn through holes is a fun way to have kids concentrate and work their finger muscles. Lots of control and hand-eye coordination is required to get that yarn in the hole, but with a little patience, they can do it! 

      Another everyday item to strengthen fine motor skills are using clothespins/pegs! This dinosaur-themed activity, is a free printable you should definitely check out! Kids use pegs to give dinosaurs their “spikes” back!

      For more fine motor skills activities, be sure to 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!

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

      Sensory Bin Tools

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

      color recognition sorting rainbow fine motor skills

      Color Sorting Rainbow

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

      fine motor skills 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!

      What’s Next?

      Play Dough Gift – Easily Assemble a Fun Princess Kit

      Play Dough Gift – Easily Assemble a Fun Princess Kit

      Play Dough Gift – Easily Assemble a Fun Princess Kit

      play dough gift princess kit

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

      A Play Dough Gift and More

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

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

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

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      How to Make Play Dough for Your Gift!

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

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

      How to Make Play Dough for Your Gift!

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

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

      play dough gift princess kit

      Building the Perfect Play Dough Gift Kit

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

       

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

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

      Step 2

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

      Step 3

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

      Step 4

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

      Step 1

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

      Step 2

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

      Step 3

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

      Step 4

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

      The Importance of Playing with This Play Dough Gift

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

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

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

      play dough gift princess kit

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

      play dough gift princess kit

      The Importance of Playing with This Play Dough Gift

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

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

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

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

      More Sensory Bases to Explore

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

      sensory sand play for kids

      Sensory Sand

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

      mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

      Modelling Dough

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

      play dough wild dough sensory

      Premium Play Dough

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

      slime kit sensory play for kids

      The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

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

      What’s Next?

      Animal Themed Party, Everything You Need to Know

      Animal Themed Party, Everything You Need to Know

      Animal Themed Party, Everything You Need to Know

      animal themed party table decor photo dessert table

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

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

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

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

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      The Party in Action!

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

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

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

      The Party in Action!

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

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

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

      animal themed party table decor

      Animal Themed Party: Activities!

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

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

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

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

      animal themed party activities painting

      Animal Lego Building

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

      animal themed party table decor

      Animal Paint Station

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

      animal themed party activities play dough

      Play Dough Tray

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

      animal themed party wildlife show

      Wildlife Show

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

      What to Eat at an Animal Themed Party!

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

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

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

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

      Animal Themed Cake!

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

      animal themed party table decor photo dessert table cake cake pops

      Cake Pops

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

      animal themed party food

      Snack Center

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

      animal themed party food

      Mobile Pizza Maker

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

      animal themed party table decor photo dessert table cake cake pops

      What to Eat at an Animal Themed Party!

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

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

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

      animal themed party cake desserts

      Animal Themed Cake!

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

      animal themed party table decor photo dessert table cake cake pops

      Cake Pops

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

      animal themed party food

      Snack Center

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

      animal themed party food

      Mobile Pizza Maker

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

      animal themed party table decor photo dessert table

      Animal Party Decor

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

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

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

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

       

      animal themed party activities lego

      Wood Slice Cake Platters

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

      animal themed party table decor photo dessert table

      Animal Shaped Planter

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

      burlap decor dinosaur party

      Burlap Runner

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

      animal themed party table cloth set

      Animal and Leaf Print Table Cloth Pack

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

      animal themed party cheetah balloon

      Animal Themed Balloons

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

      animal themed party pool floats

      Animal Pool Floats

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

      animal themed party greenery vines

      Greenery Vines

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

      animal themed party plates and napkins

      Animal and Leaf Themed Plates and Napkins

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

      More Party Ideas!

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

      animal themed party party favors

      Party Favors

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

      animal themed party outfits shirts dress

      Animal-Themed Outfit

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

      animal themed party costume

      Animal Costume

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

      animal themed party pinata

      Parrot Piñata

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

      animal themed party number balloon

      Number Balloons

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

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Happy Birthday Garland

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

      dinosaur party theme for kids ideas and inspiration

      Garland

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

      animal themed party vest dress up

      Explorer Vest

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

      What’s Next?

      Beads Activity – Fun with Play Dough and Spaghetti

      Beads Activity – Fun with Play Dough and Spaghetti

      Beads Activity – Fun with Play Dough and Spaghetti

      bead activity fine motor skills with spaghetti and play dough toddlers and preschool

      The kids are going to love this beads activity! Thread the beads onto spaghetti stuck inside play dough to help strengthen fine motor skills and hand eye coordination!

      Beyond Just a Beads Activity! 

      Strengthening fine motor skills and hand eye coordination is critical for toddlers and preschoolers. These are skills we aren’t born with, but are so important for completing daily tasks like writing, buttoning, zipping, unlocking, twisting things open, and tying shoes to name a few!

      The good news is there are lots of fun and simple-to-set-up ways to help kiddos strengthen these skills and threading the small holes of beads onto spaghetti strands does just that! 

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      How to Create This 
      Spaghetti and Beads Activity

      You’ll need just minutes to set up this fun sensory activity for the kids. It’s an easy way to let them be strategic with their hands while also working their minds, too!

      If you need a homemade play dough recipe, check out ours! It results in the most silky and smooth texture that can last up to months! 

      How to Create This 
      Spaghetti and Beads Activity

      You’ll need just minutes to set up this fun sensory activity for the kids. It’s an easy way to let them be strategic with their hands while also working their minds, too!

      If you need a homemade play dough recipe, check out ours! It results in the most silky and smooth texture that can last up to months!

      bead activity fine motor skills with spaghetti and play dough toddlers and preschool

      Tips for Setting Up This Beads Activity

      Save some spaghetti strands! They are strong enough, yet small enough in diameter to fit beads! Pasta makes such a great craft and sensory supply in general. Dye them to make them colorful and use them in arts and crafts projects

      Use Age Appropriate Beads. If you are doing this activity with toddlers under the age of 3 or that still put small items in their mouths, be sure to use beads that are large enough to not be choking hazards. Alternatively, you could use cereal like Cherrios which are taste safe!

      Make Your Own Play Dough! It may seem difficult, but making your own play dough is actually so easy to do! So if you are out of the store-bought stuff, definitely try whipping up a batch of your own one of these days! 

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      Put play dough in a bowl.

      Step 2

      Add in the noodles!

       

      Step 3

      Provide beads for threading.

      Step 1

      Put play dough in a bowl.

      Step 2

      Add in the noodles!

      Step 3

      Provide beads for threading.

      More Ways to Strengthen Fine Motor Skills!

      We have lots of printables that are specifically designed to help kiddos strengthen fine motor skills and hand eye coordination, like this Feed the Animals activity! Kiddos can choose between feeding a bunny, cat, and dog and will be able to see the food travel from the mouth to the belly!

      Be sure to visit our full collection of printables as well as our comprehensive list of fine motor activities for kids!

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

      More Ways to Strengthen Fine Motor Skills!

      We have lots of printables that are specifically designed to help kiddos strengthen fine motor skills and hand eye coordination, like this Feed the Animals activity! Kiddos can choose between feeding a bunny, cat, and dog and will be able to see the food travel from the mouth to the belly!

      Be sure to visit our full collection of printables as well as our comprehensive list of fine motor activities for kids!

       

      Gifts to Strengthen Fine Motor Skills 

      Just like this beads activity, here are my top picks for toys and games to strengthen fine motor skills and hand eye coordination!

      basketball hoop for hand-eye coordination game

      Basketball Hoop

      This indoor and outdoor basketball hoop adjusts to six heights from 2.5 to 4 feet. Great for motor skills!

      wooden shape threading for hand-eye coordination game

      Wooden Threading

      These chunky wooden shapes are great for little hands to thread. It includes 8 different shaped beads and a stylus with a thread.

      peg toy for hand-eye coordination game

      Pounding Toy

      This classic pounding toy includes a wooden mallet. Great for strengthening fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

      practical life skills busy board book fine motor skills

      Activity Board

      This fabric activity board has a ton of great opportunities for strengthening fine motor skills. Plus, it folds into an easy to carry book!

      What’s Next?

      Frozen Play Doh – Make Your Own Kit

      Frozen Play Doh – Make Your Own Kit

      Frozen Play Doh – Make Your Own Kit

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

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

      A Frozen Play Doh Kit Saves the Day on a Rainy or Snowy Day!

      Not only does this Frozen play doh kit make a great homemade gift for any Frozen fan, but play dough kits can also come to the rescue when you are in a pinch and need to set up something quickly for the kids to do!

      It definitely is our go-to rainy day activity that I can easily pull from the shelf and have set up in no time. The kids get to explore all the loose parts and play independently making them happy and freeing up some time for the grown ups!

      We love making play dough kits, check out some of our other themes like our Birthday Play Dough Kit, Ocean Play Dough Kit, and Insect Play Dough Kit!

       

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      How to Make Play Dough

      If you’ve never made play dough, you may think it is difficult to do, but it is anything but that! With our no-cook recipe, you can make play dough in minutes!

      This video shows you exactly what to do!

      Also watch to see how you can add food coloring to make play dough in every color of the rainbow, but for this Frozen play doh kit, be sure to keep at least one of the colors plain white like snow!

      How to Make Play Dough

      If you’ve never made play dough, you may think it is difficult to do, but it is anything but that! With our no-cook recipe, you can make play dough in minutes!

      This video shows you exactly what to do!

      Also watch to see how you can add food coloring to make play dough in every color of the rainbow, but for this Frozen play doh kit, be sure to keep at least one of the colors plain white like snow!

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

      Building the Perfect Frozen Play Doh Kit

      Below are the basics for the general types of items I look for to fill up a box:

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

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      Start by making homemade play dough. You can add glitter to it or used food coloring to make different colors based on your theme. In this Frozen play doh kit, I kept it white, but you could definitely add other colors!

      Step 2

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

      Step 3

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

      Step 4

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

      Step 1

      Start by making homemade play dough. You can add glitter to it or used food coloring to make different colors based on your theme. In this Frozen play doh kit, I kept it white, but you could definitely add other colors!

      Step 2

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

      Step 3

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

      Step 4

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

      The Benefits of This Frozen Play Doh Kit

      We love playing with play dough in our house because it’s great for fine motor skills and sensory learning. The kids can stretch, pull, wrap, bend, and mold the play dough – all great actions for building muscle strength in the hands and fingers! 

      When assembled in a kit like this, kids will also have the opportunity to experience imaginative play. They can have fun building a world with the loose parts around the figurines.

      Plus, as mentioned above it is such a fun homemade gift to make for someone special!

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

      The Benefits of This Frozen Play Doh Kit

      We love playing with play dough in our house because it’s great for fine motor skills and sensory learning. The kids can stretch, pull, wrap, bend, and mold the play dough – all great actions for building muscle strength in the hands and fingers! 

      When assembled in a kit like this, kids will also have the opportunity to experience imaginative play. They can have fun building a world with the loose parts around the figurines.

      Plus, as mentioned above it is such a fun homemade gift to make for someone special!

      More Sensory Bases to Explore

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

      sensory sand play for kids

      Sensory Sand

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

      mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

      Modelling Dough

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

      play dough wild dough sensory

      Premium Play Dough

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

      slime kit sensory play for kids

      The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

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

      What’s Next?

      Autumn Activity for Preschool – Easy Pine Cone Pom Pom

      Autumn Activity for Preschool – Easy Pine Cone Pom Pom

      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

      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!

      autumn activity preschool pine cone fine motor skills

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

      autumn activity preschool pine cone fine motor skills

      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!

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

      Sensory Bin Tools

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

      color recognition sorting rainbow fine motor skills

      Color Sorting Rainbow

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

      fine motor skills 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!

      What’s Next?

      Jelly Sensory Play – Make a Zombie Brain with Bugs

      Jelly Sensory Play – Make a Zombie Brain with Bugs

      Jelly Sensory Play – How to Make a Zombie Brain with Bugs

      jelly sensory play spooky halloween fine motor skills bugs brain zombie with oobleck

      This jelly sensory play is all about making an ooey gooey zombie brain that is full of creepy critters! Keep on reading to find out how to make it, as well as an alternative version with frozen oobleck!

      A Spooky Jelly Sensory Play

      Kiddos will channel their inner surgeon with this spooky jelly sensory play set-up! Creating a jelly brain is anything but complicated – it takes all of a few minutes to mix up and then just pop it in the fridge to set!

      Once set, the texture is so fun to explore and poke syringes full of colored water! Plus, including bugs inside the brain is a fun way to work on fine motor skills using tongs and a knife as a tool!

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

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      How to Make This Jelly Sensory Play Activity

      Watch the video to see how easy this jelly brain is to make, and how fun it is to play with!

      You’ll see how my daughter, age 3, enjoyed injecting the brain with colored water, using the tongs to pick out each bug and wash them! These tools are so great for fine motor skills!

      Once she removed all the bugs she explored the sensory properties of the leftover jelly!

      How to Make This Jelly Sensory Play Activity

      Watch the video to see how easy this jelly brain is to make, and how fun it is to play with!

      You’ll see how my daughter, age 3, enjoyed injecting the brain with colored water, using the tongs to pick out each bug and wash them! These tools are so great for fine motor skills!

      Once she removed all the bugs she explored the sensory properties of the leftover jelly!

      jelly sensory play spooky halloween fine motor skills bugs brain zombie

      Tips for Making This Ooey Gooey Sensory Activity!

      Whether you want a spooky, creepy activity for Halloween, or you simply have a bug fan who will love digging for bugs, this will be a fun activity for you!

      Keep in mind that gelatin takes time to set, so be sure to look at the directions on your packaging and plan accordingly!

      There is no need for sugary gelatin! We used the most simple, non-flavored gelatin. After all, sensory play is not about eating sensory bases, so we wouldn’t want to encourage that with presenting a yummy jello! Instead, we opted for a flavorless brand. The good news for young toddlers and older babies is that if they do happen to put the jelly in their mouth, it is harmless and taste-safe!

      If your kiddo absolutely loves all things bugs, we have a few activities you won’t want to miss! Like our DIY Mud Bug Activity, a spider handprint craft, and our printable all about insects!

       

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      If using Gelatine brand of gelatin, pour 1 cup water into the brain mold and sprinkle one packet of gelatin on top. (a box of Gelatine comes with 4 packets and you will use them all!).

      Step 2

      Arrange the insects into the mold.

      Step 3

      Mix 3 cups water and the remaining 3 packets of Gelatine into a saucepan or microwave safe container and bring to a boil. We used the microwave method.

      Step 4

      Pour the gelatin mixture into the mold.

      Step 5

      Pop it in the refrigerator for several hours until the gelatin is set.

      Step 6

      Once set, use a spatula to carefully remove the gelatin brain from the mold. If necessary, place the mold in warm water to loosen. Set up the activity with a few surgical tools and colored water, and it’s time to dissect!

      Step 1

      If using Gelatine brand of gelatin, pour 1 cup water into the brain mold and sprinkle one packet of gelatin on top. (a box of Gelatine comes with 4 packets and you will use them all!).

      Step 2

      Arrange the insects into the mold.

      Step 3

      Mix 3 cups water and the remaining 3 packets of Gelatine into a saucepan or microwave safe container and bring to a boil. We used the microwave method.

      Step 4

      Pour the gelatin mixture into the mold.

      Step 5

      Pop it in the refrigerator for several hours until the gelatin is set.

      Step 6

      Once set, use a spatula to carefully remove the gelatin brain from the mold. If necessary, place the mold in warm water to loosen. Set up the activity with a few surgical tools and colored water, and it’s time to dissect!

      Frozen Oobleck Brain Alternative

      This jelly sensory play isn’t the only way to explore the brain! We’ve also hidden bugs inside a frozen oobleck brain!

      This activity great for learning about the states of matter and viscosity. In other words, playing with oobleck can teach kids about how solids and liquids can change states, as well as learn about the thickness of the oobleck.

      Here’s how you can make this version!

      Step 1

      Combine 2 cups corn starch with 1 cup water.

      Step 2

      Add a few drops of food coloring if you’d like.

      Step 3

      Add creepy critters to a mold.

      jelly sensory play spooky halloween fine motor skills bugs brain zombie with oobleck

      Step 4

      Pour the oobleck mixture into the mold.

      Step 5

      Pop it in the freezer for an hour.

      Step 6

      Once frozen, set it up with a few surgical tools and it’s time to dissect!

      jelly sensory play spooky halloween fine motor skills bugs brain zombie with oobleck

      Frozen Oobleck Brain Alternative

      This jelly sensory play isn’t the only way to explore the brain! We’ve also hidden bugs inside a frozen oobleck brain!

      This activity great for learning about the states of matter and viscosity. In other words, playing with oobleck can teach kids about how solids and liquids can change states, as well as learn about the thickness of the oobleck.

      Here’s how you can make this version!

      Step 1

      Combine 2 cups corn starch with 1 cup water.

      Step 2

      Add a few drops of food coloring if you’d like.

      Step 3

      Add creepy critters to a mold.

      Step 4

      Pour the oobleck mixture into the mold.

      Step 5

      Pop it in the freezer for an hour.

      Step 6

      Once frozen, set it up with a few surgical tools and it’s time to dissect!

       

      More Sensory Bases to Explore

      Beyond this creepy jelly sensory play. Here are some more sensory bases to explore!

      slime kit sensory play for kids

      The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

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

      sensory sand play for kids

      Sensory Sand

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

      mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

      Modelling Dough

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

      play dough wild dough sensory

      Premium Play Dough

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

      What’s Next?

      Make Oobleck with a Pumpkin Autumn Twist

      Make Oobleck with a Pumpkin Autumn Twist

      Make Oobleck with a Pumpkin Autumn Twist

      make oobleck with a fall twist pumpkin spice soup sensory play

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

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

      What is Oobleck and How Do You Make It?

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

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

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      How to Make and Play with Pumpkin-Themed Oobleck 

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

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

      How to Make and Play with Pumpkin-Themed Oobleck 

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

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

      make oobleck with a fall twist pumpkin spice soup sensory play

      Tips on Embracing the Mess!

      Oobleck can definitely make a mess, but heres’ the good news – it’s relatively easy to clean up!

      If you can, do it outside, like us. This will allow you to likely be able to spray down the play table with a hose and have everything cleaned up in minutes.

      If doing it inside is the only option, lay down some towels to catch anything that falls from the table. Then, make sure you either dispose of the oobleck in the trash can or thoroughly dilute it with water so that it is no longer bound together. I have heard that if you dump it in the sink before diluting oobleck, it can clog pipes!

      When oobleck dries, what you are left with is powdery corn starch which can also be easily cleaned up off the floor with a vacuum or broom!

      Materials

      • Pumpkin Seeds
      • Cinnamon
      • Rosemary

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

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

      Step 2

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

      Step 1

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

      Step 2

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

      The Benefits of Sensory Play

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

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

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

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

      make oobleck with a fall twist pumpkin spice soup sensory play

      For more sensory play ideas, visit our comprehensive list!

      make oobleck with a fall twist pumpkin spice soup sensory play

      The Benefits of Sensory Play

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

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

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

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

      For more sensory play ideas, visit our comprehensive list!

      More Sensory Bases to Explore

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

      sensory sand play for kids

      Kinetic Sand

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

      mad mattr sensory dough modeling dough

      Modelling Dough

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

      play dough wild dough sensory

      Premium Play Dough

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

      slime kit sensory play for kids

      The Ultimate Slime and Putty Kit

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

      What’s Next?

      Q-Tip Skeleton Craft with Easy Play Dough Recipe

      Q-Tip Skeleton Craft with Easy Play Dough Recipe

      Q-Tip Skeleton Craft with Easy Play Dough Recipe

      q-tip skeleton craft cotton swabs sensory play dough

      This Q-Tip skeleton craft is where sensory play and anatomy collide! Cotton swab bones and DIY black play dough combine to look like x-rays! Keep on reading for the simple recipe!

      Where Sensory Play Meets Q-Tip Skeleton Craft

      Making and playing with play dough is such a fun sensory activity in and of itself! Adding cookie cutters shaped like people or animals along with Q-Tips as bones is a fun way to make mini x-rays and spark conversations all about skeletal systems!

      It is never too early to start learning about our bodies and bones, and this is a fun hands on way to do it! Plus, definitely download our free printable worksheets all about the Systems of the Human Body. It has a skeletal system page that will allow kids to discover and better visualize how the bones look inside our bodies!  

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      How to Make Black Play Dough for This Q-Tip Skeleton Craft 

      In this video you’ll see how to make this easy play dough. It takes all of 10 minutes to make and pairs perfectly with this Q-Tip skeleton craft!

      You can easily use this recipe to make play dough in any color you like!

      Stretch it, mold it, pull it, push it – play dough is an amazing tool to strengthen fine motor skills at the youngest of ages! 

      How to Make Black Play Dough for This Q-Tip Skeleton Craft 

      In this video you’ll see how to make this easy play dough. It takes all of 10 minutes to make and pairs perfectly with this Q-Tip skeleton craft!

      You can easily use this recipe to make play dough in any color you like!

      Stretch it, mold it, pull it, push it – play dough is an amazing tool to strengthen fine motor skills at the youngest of ages! 

      Invitation to Create a Skeleton

      We love setting up trays that organize all the materials in different sections! This truly invites them to participate without getting overwhelmed and to explore with full understanding of what items they have to work with.

      You can grab a tray like the one pictured sometimes at Dollar Tree, or one of our favorites has removable sections!

      Make sure to cut up the Q-Tips into varying lengths – small, medium, large, and just the cotton ends too! Just like the bones inside bodies, there should be a lot of variety! Plus, throw in some googly eyes to make your mini skeletons come to life!

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

      q-tip skeleton craft cotton swabs sensory play dough
      q-tip skeleton craft cotton swabs sensory play dough

      Invitation to Create a Skeleton

      We love setting up trays that organize all the materials in different sections! This truly invites them to participate without getting overwhelmed and to explore with full understanding of what items they have to work with.

      You can grab a tray like the one pictured sometimes at Dollar Tree, or one of our favorites has removable sections!

      Make sure to cut up the Q-Tips into varying lengths – small, medium, large, and just the cotton ends too! Just like the bones inside bodies, there should be a lot of variety! Plus, throw in some googly eyes to make your mini skeletons come to life!

      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

      Mix together all of the ingredients into a bowl except the water and food coloring.

      Step 2

      Add black food coloring to water and boil.

       

      Step 3

      Wear gloves and mix the *very hot* water into the play dough mixture by hand to make sure that the dough is kneaded thoroughly.

      Step 4

      Provide Q-Tips, cookie cutters, and googley eyes to complete the invitation to create skeletons!

      Step 1

      Mix together all of the ingredients into a bowl but don’t add in the water.

      Step 2

      Add black food coloring to water and boil.

      Step 3

      Wear gloves and mix the *very hot* water into the play dough mixture by hand to make sure that the dough is kneaded thoroughly.

      Step 4

      Provide Q-Tips, cookie cutters, and googley eyes to complete the invitation to create skeletons!

      More Ways to Explore Skeletons with Q-Tips!

      If your kiddo is interested in the skeletal system, you have to try our free printable cotton swab skeleton puzzles!

      This printable skeleton activity includes 6 different skeleton puzzles that use cotton swabs for the puzzle pieces! From a human skeleton, to a fish, dog, cat, bird, and snake – this is a great way to introduce skeleton systems! Plus, it’s definitely a fun one for Halloween time!

      Speaking of Halloween, don’t miss our printable bundle of Halloween-themed activities which is full of Halloween activities for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartens to learn early childhood education skills!

      skeleton printable cotton swab activity for kids halloween anatomy
      skeleton printable cotton swab activity for kids halloween anatomy

      More Ways to Explore Skeletons with Q-Tips!

      If your kiddo is interested in the skeletal system, you have to try our free printable cotton swab skeleton puzzles!

      This printable skeleton activity includes 6 different skeleton puzzles that use cotton swabs for the puzzle pieces! From a human skeleton, to a fish, dog, cat, bird, and snake – this is a great way to introduce skeleton systems! Plus, it’s definitely a fun one for Halloween time!

      Speaking of Halloween, don’t miss our printable bundle of Halloween-themed activities which is full of Halloween activities for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartens to learn early childhood education skills!

      More Ways to Learn About the Human Body

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

      anatomy science organs skeleton

      Organ Apron

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

      anatomy science organs skeleton

      Human Body System Set

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

      anatomy science organs skeleton

      3D Human Model

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

      anatomy science organs skeleton

      Anatomy Doll

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

      What’s Next?

      Messy Play for Toddlers – Make a Pudding Sensory Bin

      Messy Play for Toddlers – Make a Pudding Sensory Bin

      Messy Play for Toddlers – Make a Pudding Sensory Bin

      messy play for toddlers pumpkin patch pudding sensory play

      Messy play for toddlers is the ultimate sensory experience. This pumpkin patch pudding activity is a great way to explore all of the 5 senses! 

      Food in Play, the Pros and Cons

      There are lots of benefits for incorporating food into play – it heightens the sensory experience by including both smell and taste and it helps children with sensory processing disorders get more comfortable with textures and tastes, to name a few.

      But including food in play is not for everyone. Whether related to cultural preferences, school rules prohibiting it, allergies, or personal concerns related to food cost and waste, there are lots of reasons grown ups do not set up activities that include foods.

      Our personal philosophy is to weigh the cost and benefits of including food in play. I have a son who is very selective with food and textures, so activities like this help him get more comfortable with the goal of expanding his palate. Weighing this benefit with the cost of a packet of pudding (less than $1.50), makes me comfortable to set this activity up for him. So for us, it is worth it! But, of course, we understand this analysis is not a one-size fits all scenario! 

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      Messy Play for Toddlers in Action!

      Setting up this activity is super simple. It is a fun activity to do before it gets too cold outside, so that your kiddo can really dig in, make a mess, and then have it easily cleaned up with a hose!

      In the video, you’ll see how my kids went from picking the pumpkins, to washing them up, transferring them to utility vehicles, that then delivered them to a tiny hole in one of their bins (great for fine motor skills too!).

      Messy Play for Toddlers in Action!

      Setting up this activity is super simple. It is a fun activity to do before it gets too cold outside, so that your kiddo can really dig in, make a mess, and then have it easily cleaned up with a hose!

      In the video, you’ll see how my kids went from picking the pumpkins, to washing them up, transferring them to utility vehicles, that then delivered them to a tiny hole in one of their bins (great for fine motor skills too!).

      messy play for toddlers pumpkin patch pudding sensory play

      How to Create a Messy Play for Toddlers

      Don’t forget that creating a sensory bin is all about letting the kids have fun and explore. Whatever pretty scene you have set up will likely get mixed up in minutes! Because of this, don’t make it complicated, and use what you’ve got to save time and resources.

      In our bin, we used pumpkin pasta from Trader Joe’s that we tried and didn’t like! (Sorry, TJ, we love you but not your pumpkin pasta!). We also had some wheat cereal that looked exactly like hay bales, so I decided to throw those in as well! Of course, there are toy versions of both pumpkins and hay bales (linked below!).

      For the soil, we had a packet of pudding, but you could also make your own DIY mud

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

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions

      Step 1

      Follow the directions on your box of pudding or our DIY mud recipe.

      Step 2

      Place items like pumpkins and hay bales on top of the “soil” and provide some tractors to inspire pretend play!

      Step 1

      Follow the directions on your box of pudding or our DIY mud recipe.

      Step 2

      Place items like pumpkins and hay bales on top of the “soil” and provide some tractors to inspire pretend play!

      6 Reasons Why Messy Play is Important 

      1. Language Development. Giving your children rich, textural experiences allows them to better communicate. If they can never touch something that is sticky, how will they know what to call and describe it?!

      2. Physical Development. It takes time for children to develop the practical life skills to NOT be messy, and in order to figure that out they need to have opportunities to explore and strengthen their movements. If you always pour water for your child in a cup with a lid, how will they learn to pour correctly and not spill? To that end, fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination are often strengthened through messy play.

      3. Sensory Development. Before a child can talk, they discover the world through their senses, and messy play allows them an incredible opportunity to explore through a sense or combination of senses.

      4. Fosters Independent Play. The goal of messy play should be decided by the child. Messy play is such an immersive experience children often engage in the activity independently.

      messy play for toddlers pumpkin patch pudding sensory play

      5. Social Development. In a setting where multiple children are playing, sensory play also fosters social development where sharing and cooperation are often experienced.

      6. Sparks Imaginations. Sensory materials are often open-ended materials allowing a child to use their imagination in the best possible ways. Dirt can become a mud pie, sand a construction site, and a bowl of water the ocean.

      messy play for toddlers pumpkin patch pudding sensory play

      6 Reasons Why Messy Play is Important 

      1. Language Development. Giving your children rich, textural experiences allows them to better communicate. If they can never touch something that is sticky, how will they know what to call and describe it?!

      2. Physical Development. It takes time for children to develop the practical life skills to NOT be messy, and in order to figure that out they need to have opportunities to explore and strengthen their movements. If you always pour water for your child in a cup with a lid, how will they learn to pour correctly and not spill? To that end, fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination are often strengthened through messy play.

      3. Sensory Development. Before a child can talk, they discover the world through their senses, and messy play allows them an incredible opportunity to explore through a sense or combination of senses.

      4. Fosters Independent Play. The goal of messy play should be decided by the child. Messy play is such an immersive experience children often engage in the activity independently.

      5. Social Development. In a setting where multiple children are playing, sensory play also fosters social development where sharing and cooperation are often experienced.

      6. Sparks Imaginations. Sensory materials are often open-ended materials allowing a child to use their imagination in the best possible ways. Dirt can become a mud pie, sand a construction site, and a bowl of water the ocean.

      More Sensory Bins to Explore 

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

      sensory bin build you own bin michaels

      Build Your Own Sensory Bin Bundle

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

      sensory bin marine creatures

      Pre-Made Sensory Bins

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

      sensory play monster truck bin

      Monster Truck Arena

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

      fabric busy book

      Sensory-Based Book

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

      What’s Next?

      Skeleton Printable Activity – Unique Puzzle Using Cotton Swabs

      Skeleton Printable Activity – Unique Puzzle Using Cotton Swabs

      Skeleton Printable Activity – Unique Puzzle Using Cotton Swabs

      skeleton printable puzzle using cotton swabs sensory bag

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

      Many Ways to Play with This Skeleton Printable

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

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

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

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

      Watch the Skeleton Printable as a Sensory Bag Activity

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

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

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

      Watch the Skeleton Printable as a Sensory Bag Activity

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

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

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

      skeleton printable puzzle using cotton swabs sensory bag

      Get the FREE Set of Skeleton Printables!

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

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

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

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

       

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      Step 1

      Grab our free printable skeletons!

      Step 2

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

      Step 3

      Add clear hair gel into the plastic bag.

      Step 4

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

      Step 5

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

      Step 6

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

      Step 1

      Grab our free printable skeletons!

      Step 2

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

      Step 3

      Add clear hair gel into the plastic bag.

      Step 4

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

      Step 5

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

      Step 6

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

      More Halloween Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

      This printable bundle of Halloween-themed activities is full of Halloween activities for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartens to learn early childhood education skills!

      It has 2 dozen unique activities that will be sure to keep the kids busy and learning the whole month of October!

      Activities include shape recognition, matching, phonics, letter recognition, counting, number recognition, coloring, writing practice, scissor skills, emotions, measurements, and patterns to name a few!

      halloween worksheets printable early childhood education skills

      For more printable activities, visit our full collection

      halloween worksheets printable early childhood education skills

      More Halloween Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

      This printable bundle of Halloween-themed activities is full of Halloween activities for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartens to learn early childhood education skills!

      It has 2 dozen unique activities that will be sure to keep the kids busy and learning the whole month of October!

      Activities include shape recognition, matching, phonics, letter recognition, counting, number recognition, coloring, writing practice, scissor skills, emotions, measurements, and patterns to name a few!

      For more printable activities, visit our full collection

      More Ways to Learn About the Human Body

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

      anatomy science organs skeleton

      Organ Apron

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

      anatomy science organs skeleton

      Human Body System Set

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

      anatomy science organs skeleton

      3D Human Model

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

      anatomy science organs skeleton

      Anatomy Doll

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

      What’s Next?

      Pumpkin Activities – Being Creative with a Real Pumpkin

      Pumpkin Activities – Being Creative with a Real Pumpkin

      Pumpkin Activities – Being Creative with a Real Pumpkin

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

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

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

      Pumpkin Activities Double As Fall Decor

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

      Skills:
      Ages: 
      Prep Time:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      Materials

      Step-by-Step Instructions 

      To Make the “Hairy Pumpkin”

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

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

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

      To Use the Pumpkin as Pot for Plants

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

      To Use the Pumpkin as a Vase

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

      To Make the “Hairy Pumpkin”

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

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

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

      To Use the Pumpkin as Pot for Plants

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

      To Use the Pumpkin as a Vase

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

       

       

      Don’t Miss Our Halloween Printable Activities!

      This printable bundle of Halloween-themed activities is full of Halloween activities for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartens to learn early childhood education skills!

      It has 2 dozen unique activities that will be sure to keep the kids busy and learning the whole month of October!

      Activities include shape recognition, matching, phonics, letter recognition, counting, number recognition, coloring, writing practice, scissor skills, emotions, measurements, and patterns to name a few!

      halloween worksheets printable early childhood education skills
      halloween worksheets printable early childhood education skills

      Don’t Miss Our Halloween Printable Activities!

      This printable bundle of Halloween-themed activities is full of Halloween activities for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartens to learn early childhood education skills!

      It has 2 dozen unique activities that will be sure to keep the kids busy and learning the whole month of October!

      Activities include shape recognition, matching, phonics, letter recognition, counting, number recognition, coloring, writing practice, scissor skills, emotions, measurements, and patterns to name a few!

      More Ways to Explore Gardening with Kids

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

      science-experiment-food-earth-day-activity

      Plant Growth Kit

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

      science-experiment-food-growing-planting-kids

      Kid’s Workbench

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

      science-experiment-food-growing-planting-kids

      Veggie Garden Kit

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

      science-experiment-food-growing-gardening-kids

      Wooden Gardening Pretend Play Toy

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

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