

The Best Gingerbread Play Dough Ever: How to Make Homemade Play Dough
In this BLOG post I will teach you how to make the best gingerbread play dough. There’s something magical about the smell of gingerbread during the holiday season. Imagine that cozy, spiced aroma filling your kitchen, but instead of cookies, you’re whipping up the softest, most delightful play dough your kids will ever get their hands on. Our gingerbread play dough is not only fun to make, but it’s also safe, non-toxic, and lasts for months when stored properly. As an educat
Dec 4


Melting Snowman Sensory Play: A Festive STEM Adventure for Kids
In this BLOG post I will teach you how to make a melted snowman and the benefits of STEM play. Looking for a winter activity that’s equal parts fun, festive, and educational? Our melting snowman experiment is a hands-on way to bring science, creativity, and sensory play together. It's fun, its festive and it is 10/10 for strengthening fine motor skills! As kids squeeze and pinch, they are working their fingers and hands and getting them ready to do big tasks such as writing
Dec 4


Christmas-Themed Sensory Play: How to Make Santa Sand
In this BLOG post I will teach you how to make this Christmas-themed sensory bin and share the benefits of sensory play. This recipe is a fun and festive way to incorporate sensory play into your day! The Christmas theme is amazing for the holiday season, but you can also adjust it to meet whatever theme or interests you have. It is soft, squishy, buildable and moldable. It can be used to create sandcastles, to hide gems or presents in or just to scoop and dump and pour. Them
Dec 1


Festive Fine Motor Craft: Pipe Cleaner + Pony Beads Activity
In this BLOG post I will teach you how to make this adorable Christmas tree fine motor activity. The holiday season is the perfect time to blend creativity, play, and skill-building. One of my favorite simple crafts for kids is making pipe cleaner Christmas trees decorated with pony beads. It’s a delightful activity that doubles as both a fine motor exercise and a handmade ornament to treasure. They're cute, they're fun, they strengthen motor skills and double as a sweet orn
Nov 18


Christmas Kids Arts and Crafts: How to Make Homemade Puffy Paint
In this BLOG post I will teach you how to make puffy paint. This is such a fun and engaging holiday craft! Kids of all ages love it (adults too!) and it’s super simple to throw together! Painting is such a fun and relaxing activity for kids (and adults) and it can be differentiated in so many unique ways. Puffy paint takes the joy of creating to the next level! It’s colorful. It’s textured. It’s unlike any craft experience you’ve had before! The best part…you only need THREE
Nov 11


Festive Christmas Tree Fine Motor Activity: Fine Motor Activity for Kids
In this BLOG post I will teach you how to set-up this festive fine motor activity. The holidays sparkle with magic, and what better way to capture that joy than with a hands-on activity that lets kids build their very own twinkle trees ? Using simple Styrofoam cones and colorful plastic lights, children can create festive masterpieces while secretly working on important developmental skills. There is nothing like a fun and festive activity that also works on a TON of skills!
Nov 11


FIVE fun and festive Thanksgiving Crafts using Feathers
In this BLOG post I will teach you five fun and festive activity ideas using craft feathers. We love a simple and fun activity, especially during the holidays! Fall is a perfect time to bust out those craft feathers and create! These activities are not only engaging, but they are 10/10 for strengthening motor skills! Try them today and be sure to tag @aplayfilledlife when you do! Are you looking for turkey craft ideas? Check out our BLOG post- it has 25 different ideas for yo
Nov 9


Puffy Paint Snowman Craft Tutorial: How to Make Snowman Puffy Paint
Winter is the perfect season to bring out cozy crafts and snowman puffy paint is a favorite that combines art, sensory play, and a little bit of science. This simple activity is easy to set up, budget-friendly, and a big hit with kids of all ages. My 3-year-old loves it as much as my 10-year-old! It only requires TWO ingredients, and it is a perfect for recipe for kids to create independently. It can also be differentiated in SO many ways. What is puffy paint? Puffy paint
Nov 7


The Ultimate Guide of Turkey Crafts for Thanksgiving
In this BLOG post I will show you twelve different ways to craft a turkey! Perfect for home, school or the kids table on Thanksgiving Day! What Thanksgiving is complete with a cute turkey craft?! Whether you are looking for something simple, quick or mess-free, we have a little something for everyone. Don't forget to download the FREE printables to help get your crafting off to a stress-free start! Tag us @aplayfilledlife on Instagram or Facebook if you try them, we love to
Nov 6


Halloween Calm Down Bottles Tutorial
In this BLOG post I will teach you how to make calm down bottles and the benefits of using them at home. Head to our Instagram page to see more ways to practice self-regulation strategies at home or in the classroom! We love to see you play & share the joy of hands-on crafts & activities at home. Be sure to tag @aplayfilledlife on Instagram or Facebook if you try any of our ideas!! XO Gina What is a Calm Down Bottle? A calm down bottle is my favorite tool to keep in my t
Oct 20











