winter | A Play Filled Life

Salt Painting Craft Tutorial: Snowflake Craft for Kids

In this BLOG post I will teach you how to make this fun and festive winter craft. If you’re looking for a winter craft that’s equal parts magical, low-prep, and toddler-approved… salt painting Snowflakes is one of the easiest wins of the season. It blends art + sensory play, works for mixed-age groups, and creates those gorgeous, textured paintings you’ll actually want to display through the winter months. Don’t want to make a snowflake? That’s OK! Make a heart, your name or

Jan 4

Snowflake Crayon‑Resist Watercolor Painting: A Magical Winter Craft for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Winter crafts have a special kind of magic—especially the ones that feel like a surprise unfolding right on the page. Snowflake crayon‑resist watercolor painting is one of those activities that delights toddlers, preschoolers, big kids, and even adults. With just a white crayon and watercolor paint, children create hidden snowflakes that appear like magic when the color washes over the page. Close‑up of snowflake crayon resist art created by a toddler. Magical Snowflake Cray

Jan 2

Three "Must-Try" Snow Sensory Activities: Sensory Play Tutorials

In this BLOG post I will teach you how to make three different snow sensory set-ups and share free printable activity cards. There’s something magical about bringing “snow” indoors, especially when it’s soft, squishy and super engaging! Whether you’re planning a cozy snow‑day activity, a winter‑themed sensory party, or just looking to spark a little seasonal wonder, these three simple set‑ups deliver big engagement with minimal prep. Each one uses easy pantry or household ing

Jan 1

Gelatin Iceberg Sensory Play: How to Make Taste-Safe Sensory Play

In this BLOG post I will teach you how to make gelatin icebergs for sensory play. There’s something magical about watching toddlers discover the world through their senses. When their hands sink into something cool, wiggly, and unexpected, you can almost see the learning happening. They explore and find answers to questions such as: How does it feel? What happens when I squeeze it? Is it hot or cold? Soft or hard? Big or small? Sensory play offers an incredible number of Ch

Jan 1

Winter Snowflake Tape Art: A Reusable Loose‑Parts Invitation That Builds Fine‑Motor Skills, Spatial Awareness, and Creativity

Winter brings a special kind of magic—sparkly mornings, frosty windows, and the irresistible urge to create. If you’re looking for a simple, low‑prep activity that blends creativity, motor‑skill development, and open‑ended exploration, this Painter’s Tape Snowflake Loose‑Parts Invitation is the perfect winter‑themed setup for toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary learners. This activity transforms your floor into a giant snowflake using painter’s tape, then invites ch

Dec 31, 2025

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

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, 2025