Homemade Halloween Slime Recipes: 4 Homemade Slime Recipes
There is nothing better than homemade slime. It's soft and squishy and stretchy and you get to pick the colors, the texture and the glitter!! If you are thinking of trying a spooky sensory slime recipe this Halloween, you are in luck! Here are our four favorites, they never disappoint! Head to our Instagram page to see more ways to learn & play 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 @aplayf
Oct 17
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
ShamROCKS: A Fizzy St. Patrick’s Day Sensory Activity for Toddlers
If you’re looking for a simple St. Patrick’s Day sensory activity for toddlers , this one is pure gold. Meet ShamROCKS — fizzy green “rocks” with a hidden plastic coin inside that your toddler gets to discover by making them bubble and fizz with white vinegar. I LOVE creating fun names for activities, it brings the fun all together! It’s hands-on. It’s exciting. It supports early learning. And yes… it’s easy to set up. Plus, I created a FREE printable poem to go along wit
Feb 28
What Is Sensory Play? Benefits of Sensory Play for Kids
If you’ve ever watched your toddler squish play dough, pour water back and forth, dig in the dirt, or finger-paint with pure joy, you’ve already seen sensory play in action. Sensory play isn’t just messy fun, it’s a powerful way young children learn about the world around them. In this post, we’ll break down what sensory play is , why it’s so important for toddlers , and how it supports learning, development, and everyday life skills . What Is Sensory Play? Sensory play inc
Feb 7
“I Love You SNOW Much” Sensory Bin: A Winter‑Themed Snow Dough Activity for Fine‑Motor Skills, Creativity, and Hands‑On Learning
Winter is the perfect season to slow down, cozy up, and bring a little magic into your play space. This “I Love You SNOW Much” Sensory Bin is a dreamy, hands‑on invitation that blends sensory exploration, creativity, and early learning in the sweetest way. With just shaving cream, baking soda, and a touch of food coloring, you can create soft, moldable snow dough that feels cool, fluffy, and irresistible to little hands. Whether you’re a mom looking for a simple afternoon ac
Jan 12
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, 2025
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, 2025
