Creating Magical Moments of Learning Through Play!
The spooky season is here, and it’s time to bring out the cauldrons, potions, and spells! Today, I’m sharing a magical sensory play setup that transforms your little ones into apprentice witches and wizards with a full apothecary shop setup. This setup includes three different sensory bins, each packed with engaging materials to support fine motor skills, sensory exploration, and imaginative play.
And of course, don’t forget to grab the free printable potion kit to add an extra layer of fun to the setup!
Sensory Bin 1: Quinoa, Dyed Rice, and Black Beans with Beaker Set
For this bin, I used quinoa dyed purple, green rice, and black beans to create a colorful and textured base. The Lovevery beaker set adds an extra science-lab vibe, making it perfect for little witches mixing their potions.
This bin is excellent for scooping, pouring, and sorting activities, which help develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Plus, the combination of quinoa and rice offers a sensory delight, with their different textures providing a tactile experience that keeps little ones engaged for extended play sessions.
What You'll Need:
- Quinoa (dyed purple)
- Green rice
- Black beans
- Lovevery beaker set or any small containers
Benefits:
- Fine motor development through scooping and pouring
- Hand-eye coordination practice
- Encourages imaginative play as kids pretend to mix potions
Sensory Bin 2: Purple Slime with Printable Potion Toppings
Our second sensory bin dives into the gooey world of slime! I made purple slime as the base for this bin and paired it with laminated cut-out toppings and mix-ins from the printable potion kit.
This bin offers hours of slimy fun, allowing kids to decorate and experiment with their potions by adding pretend magical ingredients like bat wings, toadstools, or moon dust (all part of the printable kit). Laminating the printables ensures they stay sturdy, even after hours of play.
What You'll Need:
- Purple slime (store-bought or homemade)
- Laminated cut-outs from the printable potion kit
- Mixing tools like spoons or scoops
Benefits:
- Boosts creativity and storytelling as kids pretend to brew potions
- Strengthens tactile and sensory exploration
- Improves fine motor skills through slime manipulation
Sensory Bin 3: Green Dyed Cooked Spaghetti with Squishy Eyeballs
For the final bin, we’re getting extra spooky! This bin features green-dyed cooked spaghetti, squishy eyeballs, candy bones, and plastic spiders for a creepy-crawly search-and-find activity. The soft texture of the spaghetti makes it irresistible for little hands, while the fun add-ins make this bin a sensory hit.
This setup encourages kids to search for specific items like eyeballs or bones, building their focus and concentration. It’s also great for encouraging conversations about what witches might put into their potions!
What You'll Need:
- Cooked spaghetti (dyed green)
- Squishy eyeballs
- Candy bones
- Plastic spiders or other Halloween-themed mix-ins
Benefits:
- Stimulates sensory exploration with slimy, squishy textures
- Enhances problem-solving skills with a search-and-find activity
- Supports language development as kids discuss their potions
Add to the Fun!
Don’t forget to grab my Witches Brew Potion Kit! The printables are perfect for adding mix-ins, labels, and potion ingredients to your sensory play. This apothecary shop setup can be used for solo play or group activities, and it’s ideal for keeping little ones entertained while learning through play.
What spooky potions will your little witches brew today? Be sure to share your setups with me by tagging @GoodnightFox! 🎃
I’m so excited to make this setup for Sofie’s Halloween Activities. Here’s the recipe for her Witch’s Potion.
1/2 Cup Elmers Glue
3 Cups Foam Shaving Cream
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
Purple Food Coloring
1 tbsp Saline Solution
Toppings:
