6 Hands-on, Play-based activities for Kids
A Tray Full of Play: 6 Hands-On Learning Activities for Kids Grab this week’s A Tray Full of Play printable pack for $4 HERE. A little prep. A whole lot of play! Welcome to A Tray Full of Play, a weekly series with six hands-on activities to help your little one explore phonics, math, and motor skills through play. Think scooping, squeezing, counting, matching, building, and making marks. Simple materials, playful invitations, and plenty of opportunities for little hands to g
Oct 3
11 Playful Name Writing Activities for Preschoolers
Looking for name writing activities for preschoolers that feel like play? Start with materials your child can touch, move, build, and explore. A cotton swab, a few blocks, or a ball of play dough can turn name practice into a meaningful invitation to learn. There is something pretty special about learning to write your own name. Those letters belong to YOU! But getting there takes practice, and there are so many playful ways to begin. Bring out the blocks, grab the dot sticke
Oct 2
DIY Outdoor Mud Kitchen for Kids
A Simple Backyard Sensory Play Setup There is something magical about outdoor sensory play. A DIY mud kitchen gives toddlers and preschoolers the chance to scoop, pour, mix, pretend, explore, and create using simple materials you probably already have at home. The best part? It does not need to be fancy or expensive to become a favorite outdoor play space. Mud kitchens encourage imaginative play, fine motor development, creativity, problem-solving, and sensory exploration — a
May 27
30 Simple Summer Activities for Toddlers + Kids (Your BINGO Guide to Easy Fun + Connection over the Summer)
Summer with kids doesn’t need to be complicated to be meaningful. In fact, the most powerful moments are often the smallest ones, those quick, playful bursts of connection woven into your day. This Summer Activity BINGO Card was designed to give you exactly that: simple summer activities for toddlers and kids that are easy to set up, low pressure, and rooted in what young kids actually need: movement, sensory play, and connection. Because here’s the truth: when toddlers feel
May 26
Chalk-It-Up: DIY Colored Salt Chalk Art for Preschoolers and Toddlers
Looking for an easy sensory art activity for toddlers and preschoolers? This colorful salt chalk art activity is simple, inexpensive, and incredibly fun for young children. Using just sidewalk chalk and salt, kids can create beautiful, layered art while strengthening fine motor skills and exploring colors through hands-on play. This activity is perfect for preschool art, toddler sensory play, or a simple afternoon craft at home. Why Chalk Salt Art Is Great for Young Children
May 25
Multi-Sensory Writing Activities for Preschoolers and Toddlers
Learning to write begins long before a child can form perfect letters on paper. For toddlers and preschoolers, writing is a full-body learning experience! When children can see, touch, move, and explore letters in playful ways, they build stronger connections in the brain and develop the fine motor skills needed for future handwriting success. That is why multi-sensory writing activities are so powerful. Instead of only practicing with a pencil and worksheet, children use the
May 25
DIY Sensory Balloons: How to Make Sensory Balloons for Self-Regulation at Home and at School
In this post, you’ll learn what emotion balloons are, how to make them, how to use them, and why they are such a powerful regulation tool for toddlers and kids of all ages. What Are Sensory Balloons? Sensory balloons are DIY sensory tools made by filling balloons with soft materials like flour or play dough and drawing simple emotion faces on them. Each balloon represents a different feeling, like mad, sad, calm, excited, or worried. They are part of a growing movement in ear
Apr 24
Gross Motor Play for Baby
This is such a fun & effective way to offer play opportunities for baby! Sometimes the simplest setups invite so much discovery. A few plastic balls, a little painter’s tape, and a clear space to play—that’s all you need for this easy baby activity! A ball on the wall gives your baby something interesting to notice, reach toward, and explore. They might stretch out a hand, give it a little swat, or try again and again to pull it free. Each attempt creates an opportunity to pr
Nov 4, 2022
