DIY Solar System Craft for Kids: A Fun & Educational Sensory Project

Looking for a hands-on way to introduce your little one to the wonders of space? This DIY Solar System Craft is the perfect blend of creativity and education! Using foam balls, pastel paints, and foam sheets, kids can build their own glowing planets while learning about our solar system. This easy craft encourages fine motor skills, sensory play, and early STEM learning—all in one fun activity.

This craft is a great addition to any space-themed sensory play setup and pairs beautifully with Goodnight Fox’s Planet Flashcards and other solar system learning materials.

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Materials Needed

You can find most of these materials at craft stores like Michael’s, or order them online from Amazon for convenience:

• Large foam balls (different sizes for each planet) – Buy on Amazon

• Clear string for handing - Buy on Amazon

• Glow-in-the-dark acrylic paint – Buy on Amazon

• Pastel acrylic paints – Buy on Amazon

• Small wooden rods (for holding the planets while painting) – Buy on Amazon

• Pastel-colored foam sheets (for rings and sun rays) – Buy on Amazon

• Paintbrushes & sponge brushes – Buy on Amazon

• Craft glue or hot glue gun – Buy on Amazon

• Scissors – Buy on Amazon

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Learning Objectives by Age Group

• 0-6 months Sensory exploration by looking at the planets’ colors and glow-in-the-dark effect. Tummy time while gazing at the planets suspended from above.

• 6-12 months Tactile exploration by touching the foam planets. Early language development by introducing planet names.

• 12 months - 2 years Color recognition by pointing to different planets. Sensory development through glow-in-the-dark play.

• 3-4 years Fine motor skill development through painting and assembling planets. Early STEM learning by identifying planets and their characteristics.

• 4-6 years Science learning through planet facts and order in the solar system. Crafting skills by cutting foam sheet rings and assembling planets.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1:

Preparing the Planets Choose foam balls of different sizes to represent each planet.
Example: The Sun should be the largest, Jupiter & Saturn slightly smaller, and Mercury the smallest. Insert a wooden rod into each foam ball—this will make painting easier without getting paint all over little hands.

Step 2:

Painting the Planets Start painting each foam ball to match its planet. Use pastel colors for a dreamy aesthetic:
• Sun: Pastel yellow with sun rays made from foam sheets.
• Mercury: Gray with a textured surface using sponge brushes.
• Venus: Light yellow with swirls of orange and white.
• Earth: Blue and green swirls for continents and oceans.
• Mars: Soft reddish-pink with white speckles.
• Jupiter: Light brown and pinkish swirls + add its famous Great Red Spot.
• Saturn: Soft golden hues + foam sheet rings.
• Uranus: Light pastel blue-green.
• Neptune: Deep pastel blue with hints of purple.

Pro Tip: Use glow-in-the-dark paint on each planet’s surface to make them shine in the dark for a magical effect!

Step 3:

Creating the Rings & Sun Rays Cut thin rings from pastel-colored foam sheets for Saturn and Jupiter and glue them around each planet. For the Sun, cut small triangle rays from pastel yellow foam and attach them around its surface.

Step 4:

Assembling the Solar System Once dry, display your planets by:
• Attaching them to a mobile hanger for a space-themed nursery decor.
• Gluing them onto a black foam board for an interactive space poster.
• Arranging them inside a sensory bin with black beans or kinetic sand for space play!
• Hang them as room decor with clear fishing line string

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The Benefits of This Solar System Craft

• Encourages hands-on STEM learning for toddlers & preschoolers.

• Boosts fine motor skills through painting & cutting.

• Sparks curiosity about space in young learners.

• Provides a sensory experience with textures, colors, and glow-in-the-dark fun!

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Extend the Learning with Goodnight Fox!

Love space-themed learning? Pair this craft with Goodnight Fox’s Planet Flashcards, featuring beautifully hand-drawn illustrations of each planet!

Explore Solar System Learning Materials:
Planet Flashcards – Fun facts + pastel illustrations! Shop Here
Space-Themed Sensory Bin Printables – Transform your play setup! Shop Here
Astronaut & Rocket Printables – Blast off into learning! Shop Here

This DIY Solar System Craft is a fantastic way to mix art, sensory play, and early STEM learning into one fun activity. Whether you’re creating a hanging solar system, a sensory play tray, or just painting planets for fun, this hands-on experience will leave your little ones excited about space! Tag @GoodnightFox in your creations—we’d love to see your solar system crafts! Would you like a free space-themed memory? Sign up for our newsletter and get instant access to printables & sensory play ideas!

How to Use Recipe Cards for Enhanced Sensory Play

Sensory play is a powerful way to engage toddlers and preschoolers in hands-on learning, helping them develop fine motor skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. But what if you could take sensory play a step further? Recipe cards are the perfect tool to add structure, storytelling, and deeper learning to sensory bins, making playtime even more exciting and educational.

Why Use Recipe Cards for Sensory Play?

Recipe cards add a new dimension to sensory play by incorporating sequencing, imaginative role-play, and practical life skills. Instead of simply scooping and pouring, kids can now follow a “recipe,” measure ingredients, and pretend to cook or bake—just like in a real kitchen.

Using recipe cards in sensory play promotes:

• Fine Motor Development – Scooping rice, pouring beans, and pinching sensory materials improve hand strength and coordination.

• Early Math & Literacy Skills – Reading the recipe, counting ingredients, and following steps build early math and language skills.

• Creative Thinking & Problem Solving – Kids can experiment with different sensory materials to “cook” and customize their recipes.

• Imaginative Play & Social Skills – Role-playing as chefs or bakers fosters cooperation, communication, and storytelling.

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How to Set Up a Sensory Play Recipe Station

Creating a sensory play recipe station is easy and can be customized to fit different themes. Here’s how:

1. Choose a Recipe Theme

Decide on a type of pretend recipe, such as soups, pizzas, pies, smoothies, or hot cocoa. Each theme creates a unique play experience with different textures and materials.

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2. Gather Sensory Fillers & Tools

Select sensory bin fillers that match your theme. Some fun options include:

• Dry ingredients: Rice, beans, oats, pasta, flour, kinetic sand

• Wet ingredients (for messier play): Water, colored ice cubes, shaving cream

• Toppings & Mix-ins: Pom-poms, felt food, wool balls, play dough pieces

• Tools: Scoops, spoons, small bowls, cups, funnels, sifters

For a full list of sensory filler ideas, check out my blog post Sensory Fillers Ultimate Guide

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3. Use Recipe Cards to Guide Play

Give your child a recipe card that matches the theme. The card provides step-by-step instructions for how to “make” the dish, just like in a real recipe.

For example, a Soup Recipe Card might say:

1. Add 3 scoops of rice “broth” to your pot.

2. Choose 5 toppings (felt veggies or dry pasta).

3. Stir with a spoon and serve!

This simple structure keeps children engaged longer and encourages independent play.

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4. Encourage Role-Playing & Storytelling

Let kids pretend to be chefs, bakers, or café owners. They can take orders, prepare meals, and serve their creations. Add play money or a cash register for extra fun.

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Printable Recipe Cards for Sensory Play

Want to make sensory play even easier? Our Printable Sensory Recipe Cards Collection is designed to help you create fun and structured sensory play experiences with easy-to-follow, illustrated recipe cards.

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Shop the full collection:

• Soup Recipe: Make pretend chicken noodle soup, minestrone, tomato soup, and more using dry ingredients like pasta, beans, and rice.

• Pizza Recipe: Let kids “bake” their own pizzas with cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, and other toppings using pom-poms, play dough, or sensory bin fillers.

• Pie Recipe: Perfect for pretend baking, these 10 pie recipes encourage scooping and sprinkling sensory materials like oats, flour, and pom-poms.

• Smoothie Recipe: A refreshing sensory play theme featuring strawberry banana, mango, pineapple coconut, and more—great for pouring and mixing fun.

• Hot Cocoa Recipe: Create cozy pretend drinks like hot cocoa, peppermint mocha, and gingerbread milkshake using cotton balls, cocoa-scented play dough, and more.

• Lemonade Recipe: Perfect for summer play, these cards let kids “squeeze and stir” pretend lemonade, limeade, and fruit-infused drinks.

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Bring More Learning & Fun to Sensory Play

With printable recipe cards, sensory play becomes more than just an activity—it becomes an imaginative learning experience. Whether your child is cooking up soup, baking pies, or blending smoothies, these cards help them build essential skills while having fun.

Ready to start playing? Explore the full collection and download your favorite sensory recipe cards today!

DIY Cardboard Castle Craft for Kids: A Step-by-Step Guide

Looking for an engaging and easy DIY craft activity to enjoy with your kids? This DIY cardboard castle is perfect for children aged 4–8 and uses everyday household items, making it a budget-friendly and fun project. My daughter and I had a blast creating this castle together, and I’m excited to share the step-by-step instructions so you can create your own magical fortress at home.

• Category: Crafts for Kids

• Skill Level: Beginner

• Time to Complete: 30-45 minutes

• Audience: Parents for kids aged 4-8

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What You’ll Need

• 1 medium cardboard box (about the size of a shoe box)

• 1 smaller cardboard box (for the second story)

• 4 toilet paper rolls (for the towers)

• 4 snow cone cups (for the tower roofs)

• Star patches or stickers (for decoration)

• Ribbon (for embellishment and flags)

• Glue gun and glue sticks

• Scissors

• Craft paint and brushes

• Pastel acrylic paint

• Optional: Construction paper, markers, or stickers for extra decoration

Step 1: Prepare the Base

1. Take the medium-sized cardboard box and place it upside down so the open end is at the bottom. This creates a sturdy base for the castle.

2. Paint the outside of the box in your child’s favorite color or a classic stone gray. Let it dry.

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Step 2: Add the Second Story

1. Take the smaller box and center it on top of the larger box.

2. Use a glue gun to secure the smaller box in place.

3. Paint the second story to match the base, or choose a contrasting color for a fun design.

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Step 3: Create the Towers

1. Paint the toilet paper rolls in the same color as the castle walls or in a matching theme.

2. Glue one toilet paper roll to each corner of the base to serve as the castle towers.

3. Paint the snow cone cups in a coordinating color and glue one to the top of each toilet paper roll as a roof.

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Step 4: Decorate the Castle

1. Add star patches or stickers to the walls of the castle for a magical touch.

2. Cut small strips of ribbon to create flags and glue them to the tops of the snow cone cup roofs.

3. Use markers, construction paper, or additional stickers to add windows, doors, or other details

Step 5: Add Final Details

• Use ribbon to create a drawbridge or banners for added flair.

• For extra fun, cut a small door into the front of the castle so kids can peek inside or use it for pretend play with toys or figurines.

Why This Craft Is Perfect for Kids

This DIY cardboard castle is simple enough for kids to actively participate in every step, from painting to gluing and decorating. It encourages creativity and fine motor skill development while giving them a sense of pride in their creation. Plus, the finished castle makes a wonderful prop for imaginative play!

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Tips for Success

• Supervise younger kids when using scissors or a glue gun.

• Don’t worry about perfection—encourage your child to take the lead and make the castle uniquely theirs!

• Save leftover materials for future crafts, like a moat or a royal throne for their castle.

We loved building this castle together, and I hope you and your kids have as much fun as we did. This is a great way to reuse items you already have at home while creating a lasting memory with your little one.

Ready to make your own DIY cardboard castle? Share your creations and tag us with #DIYKidsCrafts—we can’t wait to see your magical kingdoms!

RElated activities

• Unicorn Sensory Play

• Unicorn Sensory Play Printables

• Unicorn & Clouds

Magical Unicorn Sensory Play: Spark Imagination and Learning Through Play

Unicorns bring a magical charm that captivates children of all ages. This unicorn-themed sensory play setup combines colorful, sparkly materials with hands-on activities that develop fine motor skills, creativity, and sensory exploration. With four enchanting bins and whimsical decor, this play setup will transport your little ones into a world of rainbows, clouds, and unicorn fun!

List of Materials Needed

• Poly fiber fill or Cotton balls

• Rainbow cutouts

• Pink and purple star patches

• Cloud and unicorn acrylic charms (GoodnightFox)

• Shaving cream

• Food coloring (pink, purple, blue)

• Sparkly glitter

• Materials for unicorn slime or chickpea foam (optional, for taste-safe play)

• Pom poms or unicorn cookies (for taste-safe play)

• Trofast bin unicorn insert (with feeding hole)

• Unicorn cutout (mane with hole punch)

• Fluffy rainbow yarn

• Scissors

• Printable decor items (castle, rainbows, unicorns, pattern-matching printables)

• Pink/purple awning

Overview of Learning Objectives by Age Group

• Age 0-6mo: Tactile exploration of soft materials like cotton balls and poly fiber fill.

• Age 6mo-12mo: Develop fine motor skills by grabbing pom poms and touching soft textures.

• Age 12mo-2yr: Practice cause-and-effect play, such as feeding the unicorn or swirling shaving cream.

• Age 3yr-4yr: Strengthen motor skills with threading, scissor use, and pattern-matching activities.

• Age 4yr-6yr: Enhance creativity and critical thinking by engaging in imaginary play and themed crafts.

Setting up unicorn land

The magical unicorn setup features a pink and purple awning that sets a whimsical tone. Decorate the space with cutout castles, rainbows, unicorns, and colorful pattern-matching printables. These elements not only create a cohesive theme but also encourage imaginative storytelling and role play.

Sensory Bin 1: Clouds & Rainbows

Materials List:

• Poly fiber fill

• Cotton balls

• Rainbow cutouts

• Pink and purple star patches

• Cloud and unicorn acrylic charms

Activity Instructions:

Create a fluffy cloudscape by spreading poly fiber fill and cotton balls across the bin. Add rainbow cutouts and scatter star patches throughout. Use cloud and unicorn acrylic charms for “rainbow run” imaginative play. Encourage children to create stories about unicorns jumping across rainbows and resting on clouds.

Sensory Bin 2: Swirled Shaving Cream Magic

Materials List:

• Shaving cream

• Food coloring (purple, blue, pink)

• Sparkly glitter

Activity Instructions:

Fill the bin with shaving cream and add drops of food coloring. Let kids swirl the colors to create magical patterns, then sprinkle glitter for a sparkly touch. For an alternative activity, mix unicorn slime or make taste-safe chickpea foam. Kids will love the soft textures and colorful visuals.

Sensory Bin 3: Feed the Unicorn

Materials List:

• Trofast bin unicorn insert

• Pom poms or unicorn cookies

Activity Instructions:

Use the unicorn insert with a hole to mimic a magical unicorn feeding station. Encourage children to “feed” the unicorn with colorful pom poms or taste-safe unicorn cookies. This activity enhances hand-eye coordination and is perfect for pretend play.

Sensory Bin 4: Rainbow Threading and Hair Cutting

Materials List:

• Unicorn cutout with hole-punched mane

• Fluffy rainbow yarn

• Scissors

Activity Instructions:

Thread fluffy rainbow yarn through the holes in the unicorn’s mane to create colorful braids. Once threaded, practice cutting the “hair” to encourage scissor skills. This activity combines creativity with fine motor development.

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Benefits of Sensory Play

1. Encourages imaginative play and storytelling.

2. Develops fine motor skills through threading, cutting, and feeding activities.

3. Enhances sensory processing with tactile, visual, and auditory elements.

4. Provides calming effects through repetitive, hands-on activities.

5. Builds problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

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Week-Long Unicorn Themed Homeschool Lesson Plan

Monday: Unicorn Exploring Colors and Textures

1. Color Sorting Activity: Sort pom poms by color. (Objective: Learn color recognition)

2. Unicorn Art Craft: Paint a unicorn outline using watercolors. (Objective: Explore creativity and fine motor skills)

3. Cloud Sensory Exploration: Use cotton balls and poly fiber fill to create tactile cloud art. (Objective: Develop sensory awareness)

4. Unicorn Matching Worksheet: Match unicorns to their rainbow paths. (Objective: Practice pattern recognition)

5. Rainbow Building with Blocks: Create rainbows using colored blocks. (Objective: Improve spatial awareness)

6. Taste-Safe Slime Making: Make chickpea foam. (Objective: Learn about textures and safe sensory play)

7. Story Time: Read a unicorn-themed book. (Objective: Enhance language and listening skills)

8. Movement Game: Unicorn gallop race around the yard. (Objective: Promote gross motor skills)

Tuesday: Unicorn Numbers and Patterns

1. Counting Clouds: Count cotton balls in groups. (Objective: Practice counting and number recognition)

2. Rainbow Sequencing: Arrange colored strips in rainbow order. (Objective: Understand sequences)

3. Pattern Matching Worksheet: Complete a unicorn-themed pattern sheet. (Objective: Identify and continue patterns)

4. Pom Pom Drop: Drop pom poms into numbered cups. (Objective: Number association)

5. Rainbow Sorting Game: Use rainbow-colored objects to create sets. (Objective: Learn sorting and grouping)

6. Sensory Writing Tray: Use shaving cream to write numbers. (Objective: Reinforce number writing skills)

7. Unicorn Shape Hunt: Search for hidden shape cutouts. (Objective: Recognize basic shapes)

8. Unicorn Cookie Math: Divide cookies into equal groups. (Objective: Learn basic division and sharing concepts)

Wednesday: Language and Storytelling

1. Unicorn Alphabet Game: Match uppercase and lowercase letters. (Objective: Letter recognition)

2. Vocabulary Craft: Create flashcards with unicorn-related words. (Objective: Build vocabulary)

3. Story Writing Activity: Write a short story about a unicorn’s adventure. (Objective: Develop writing skills)

4. Magnetic Letters: Use magnetic letters to spell unicorn-themed words. (Objective: Practice spelling)

5. Unicorn Puppet Play: Use a unicorn cutout to act out a story. (Objective: Foster imagination)

6. Rainbow Word Search: Find unicorn-related words in a custom word search. (Objective: Practice reading skills)

7. Interactive Story: Co-create a unicorn tale with prompts. (Objective: Enhance creative thinking)

8. Phonics Game: Match pictures to their starting sounds. (Objective: Strengthen phonemic awareness)

Thursday: Unicorn Science and Discovery

1. Rainbow Experiment: Use food coloring and water to create a rainbow. (Objective: Learn about color mixing)

2. Unicorn Slime Activity: Create glittery unicorn slime. (Objective: Explore chemical reactions)

3. Cloud in a Jar Experiment: Demonstrate condensation using a jar and hot water. (Objective: Understand weather concepts)

4. Pom Pom Launcher: Build a simple launcher to explore physics. (Objective: Learn about force and motion)

5. Unicorn Habitat Craft: Build a mini unicorn house using craft supplies. (Objective: Encourage design thinking)

6. Nature Walk: Collect items and discuss textures and colors. (Objective: Connect nature to sensory learning)

7. Unicorn Shadow Play: Use cutouts and a flashlight to make unicorn shadows. (Objective: Discover light and shadows)

8. Glitter Globe Craft: Make a mini glitter globe with unicorn charms. (Objective: Explore visual sensory effects)

Friday: Unicorn Fine Arts and Motor Skills

1. Rainbow Yarn Threading: Thread yarn through punched holes in a unicorn mane. (Objective: Develop fine motor skills)

2. Unicorn Hair Salon: Cut and style yarn to “trim” unicorn hair. (Objective: Practice scissor skills)

3. Collage Art: Create a unicorn collage with sequins and glitter. (Objective: Foster creativity)

4. Rainbow Pom Pom Toss: Toss pom poms into cups of matching colors. (Objective: Improve hand-eye coordination)

5. Unicorn Tiara Craft: Make a wearable unicorn crown. (Objective: Encourage creativity and design)

6. Unicorn Dance Party: Dance to music while pretending to be unicorns. (Objective: Build gross motor skills)

7. DIY Unicorn Puzzle: Cut a unicorn picture into pieces for a puzzle. (Objective: Enhance problem-solving skills)

8. Review Day: Discuss the week’s activities and reflect on what was learned. (Objective: Reinforce concepts)

This lesson plan ensures children are engaged in themed, educational activities all week while keeping the weekend open for free play and exploration with the full sensory setup..

25 Unicorn Vocabulary Words

1. Unicorn

2. Rainbow

3. Cloud

4. Glitter

5. Magical

6. Mane

7. Thread

8. Feed

9. Castle

10. Star

11. Charm

12. Yarn

13. Cut

14. Sparkle

15. Soft

16. Swirl

17. Color

18. Foam

19. Slime

20. Cookie

21. Imagination

22. Pretend

23. Story

24. Pattern

25. Explore
    
    
    
    
    

This magical unicorn setup promises hours of fun and learning while sparking your child’s creativity. Ready to dive into the world of sensory play? Share your favorite moments and tag @GoodnightFox for a chance to be featured!

DIY Cardboard Rocket Ship Nightlight Craft Activity for Kids

Blast off into fun and creativity with this glow-in-the-dark craft that doubles as a nightlight and imaginative play prop! Perfect for little astronauts in training.

Materials Needed

• 2 11” x 17” pieces of cardboard

• Metal Ruler

• Scissors or a utility knife

• Hot glue gun and glue sticks

• 2-inch circle template (or any circular object to trace)

• Rocket ship wing and nose cone templates (downloadable on our site)

• Blue and teal ribbon

• Sparkly star patches

• Small LED lights (battery-operated)

• Push-button light (battery-operated)

• Markers, paint, or other decorations (optional)

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Overview of Learning Objectives by Age Group

• Age 0-6mo: Sensory exploration of lights and colors.

• Age 6mo-12mo: Practice fine motor skills by pushing buttons or exploring textures.

• Age 12mo-2yr: Encourage imaginative play by interacting with the glowing rocket ship.

• Age 3yr-4yr: Develop creativity and storytelling skills with space-themed adventures.

• Age 4yr-6yr: Foster problem-solving and engineering skills while building and customizing the rocket.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Cardboard Base:

• Cut out a 12” x 17” rectangular piece of cardboard.

• Using a ruler, score the cardboard every 2 ½ inches lengthwise, leaving a ¼-inch strip at one end. These score lines will make folding easier.

Shape the Rocket Body:

• Carefully fold along the score lines to form a hexagon shape.

• Use the ¼-inch remaining strip to overlap and glue the seam closed. Hold until the glue sets.

Create the Rocket Windows:

• On one side of the hexagon, trace and cut out three 2-inch circular holes. These will be the “windows” for your rocket.

Add the Wings and Nose Cone:

• Using the provided templates, cut out two wings and one nose cone from cardboard.

• Attach the wings to opposite sides of the rocket base using hot glue.

• Roll the nose cone into a pointy shape and secure it with glue. Attach it to the top of the rocket.

Decorate the Rocket:

• Wrap blue and teal ribbon around the body of the rocket for a sleek, space-age look.

• Hot glue sparkly star patches to small LED lights and push the lights through the wings, creating a magical, glowing effect.

Add the Nightlight:

• Inside the rocket, place a push-button light. This will serve as the main nightlight to illuminate the windows.

Personalize (Optional):

• Let your kids paint or decorate the rocket however they like—think space stickers, metallic markers, or even glitter.

Benefits of KIDS CRAFTS

This craft combines hands-on building with imaginative play. Kids develop fine motor skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities as they design, decorate, and play with their rocket ship. The glow-in-the-dark feature also provides a soothing nightlight, fostering independence during bedtime routines.

25 ROCKETSHIP Vocabulary WORDS

1. 1. Rocket

2. 2. Space

3. 3. Astronaut

4. 4. Launch

5. 5. Moon

6. 6. Star

7. 7. Orbit

8. 8. Galaxy

9. 9. Solar system

10. 10. Comet

11. 11. Meteor

12. 12. Gravity

13. 13. Planet

14. 14. Spaceship

15. 15. Light

16. 16. Shine

17. 17. Explore

18. 18. Adventure

19. 19. Constellation

20. 20. Cosmos

21. 21. Satellite

22. 22. Engineer

23. 23. Astronomer

24. 24. Nebula

25. 25. Universe

Uses for the Rocket Ship Nightlight

1. Nightlight: Keep the rocket on a bedside table for a comforting glow at night.

2. Imaginative Play: Fuel your child’s creativity with space-themed pretend play.

3. Room Decor: A fun and functional addition to a space-themed bedroom.

4. Learning Tool: Use the rocket as a prop for teaching about space and STEM concepts.

Blast off into creativity with this fun craft! Whether your little one dreams of being an astronaut or just loves glowing nightlights, this DIY rocket ship is sure to be a hit.

Let us know how your rocket turned out by tagging us on Instagram with #DIYRocketNightlight! Happy crafting!

How to Make a Pipe Cleaner Snowflake Craft: A Frozen-Inspired Activity for Kids

Looking for a magical craft to spark creativity and fine motor skill development? This pipe cleaner snowflake craft is perfect for Frozen-loving toddlers and preschoolers! Simple to create and filled with sparkle, it’s a great way to keep little ones busy while embracing the frosty fun of winter. This activity also provides excellent opportunities to practice fine motor skills, pattern recognition, and creativity.

Materials Needed

• White or silver pipe cleaners

• Pony beads in blue, white, and silver (or other Frozen-themed colors)

• Scissors

• Optional: Glitter glue or snowflake stickers for decoration

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Overview of Learning Objectives by Age Group

• Age 0-6mo: Observe colors and textures as caregivers model the craft.

• Age 6mo-12mo: Explore sensory aspects of pony beads and pipe cleaners with supervision.

• Age 12mo-2yr: Begin stringing pony beads onto pipe cleaners to develop hand-eye coordination.

• Age 3yr-4yr: Create patterns with beads and twist pipe cleaners into a basic snowflake shape.

• Age 4yr-6yr: Assemble a complete snowflake independently, incorporating advanced patterns and designs.

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WINTER ACTIVITY Theme

Inspired by Frozen’s frosty aesthetic, this activity uses icy blues, sparkling silvers, and snowy whites to mimic the magical landscapes of Arendelle. It’s a winter wonderland craft perfect for Frozen fans.

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Pipe Cleaner Snowflake Craft Instructions

Snowflake 1: Basic Pipe Cleaner Snowflake

Materials Needed:

• 3 pipe cleaners (white or silver)

• Pony beads (blue, white, silver)

Activity Instructions:

1. Cut three pipe cleaners in half.

2. Cross two halves to form a “+” shape, then twist the center together. Add a third piece diagonally and twist until secure.

3. String pony beads onto each pipe cleaner arm, leaving ½ inch at the ends.

4. Bend the ends to secure beads.

Snowflake 2: Glitter Snowflake

Materials Needed:

• Pipe cleaners

• Pony beads

• Glitter glue

Activity Instructions:

1. Follow the instructions for the basic snowflake.

2. Add glitter glue to the arms of the snowflake for a shimmering effect.

Snowflake 3: Hanging Snowflake Ornament

Materials Needed:

• Pipe cleaners

• Pony beads

• String or ribbon

Activity Instructions:

1. Follow the basic snowflake instructions.

2. Tie a string or ribbon at the top for hanging.

3. Use these as tree ornaments or window decorations.

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Benefits of Sensory Play

• Fine Motor Skills: Stringing beads strengthens hand-eye coordination and pincer grip.

• Pattern Recognition: Creating bead designs promotes early math skills.

• Creativity: Designing snowflakes encourages imaginative thinking.

• Calming Activity: Repetitive bead-stringing fosters mindfulness.

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Week-Long Frozen-Themed Lesson Plan

Monday:

• Watch clips from Frozen and learn about snowflake shapes.

• Color Frozen-themed printable snowflakes.

Tuesday:

• Create a basic pipe cleaner snowflake.

• Play Frozen soundtrack and dance like Elsa.

Wednesday:

• Make glitter snowflakes.

• Practice counting with pony beads.

Thursday:

• Assemble hanging snowflake ornaments.

• Learn about symmetry using snowflake examples.

Friday:

• Paint a winter landscape with watercolors.

• Engage in sensory play with fake snow and Frozen character figurines.

Saturday-Sunday:

• Enjoy the full sensory play setup with all three snowflake crafts.

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25 Vocabulary Words for the Frozen Theme

1. 1. Snowflake

2. 2. Ice

3. 3. Elsa

4. 4. Anna

5. 5. Olaf

6. 6. Arendelle

7. 7. Frost

8. 8. Winter

9. 9. Snow

10. 10. Beads

11. 11. Glitter

12. 12. Craft

13. 13. Ornament

14. 14. Frozen

15. 15. Sparkle

16. 16. Magic

17. 17. Pipe cleaner

18. 18. Pony beads

19. 19. Symmetry

20. 20. Chill

21. 21. Icy

22. 22. Kingdom

23. 23. Creativity

24. 24. Design

25. 25. Twist

With this craft, kids can step into the magical world of Frozen while enjoying hours of creative fun. Let it snow, and let the crafting magic begin!

New Year's Sprinkle of Pink Dramatic Play

As we ring in the New Year, let’s celebrate with an engaging sensory play setup designed to inspire creativity, reflection, and fun! Our Happy New Year 2025 Sensory Play Printable Kit features a pink and gold theme perfect for little ones to explore and enjoy while learning. With thoughtful accessories and easy-to-assemble printables, this setup brings sparkle and joy to your sensory play station.

What’s Included in the Printable Kit?

• Pink and Gold Awning: Create a festive backdrop with this elegant awning that sets the scene for the New Year’s celebration.
• Pink Disco Ball Printable: Add a touch of glam to your setup with this fun and stylish printable piece.
• Clock with a Working Hand: A clock designed to teach kids how to tell time, featuring movable hands for interactive play.
• New Year Banner (Letters: New Year & 2025): String together this celebratory banner to add a personal touch to your sensory play area.
• Printable Flag: A fun accessory to wave while counting down to the New Year.

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Target Dollar Spot Finds:

Perfect Accessories for the Setup to enhance the sensory play experience, I found some amazing accessories at the Target Dollar Spot that pair perfectly with this kit:
• Disco Ball-Shaped Sippy Cups: Kids can sip their favorite drinks in style.
• Happy New Year Headband: A fun wearable to make every child feel like the life of the party.
• Beaded Necklaces with Mini Disco Balls: Great for tactile play and dressing up.
• Light-Up Neon Star Sign: Adds a magical glow to the sensory station.

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What’s in the Sensory Bins?

The full setup features the pink and gold awning as a dramatic centerpiece, complemented by the light-up neon star and New Year banner. The sensory bins are placed neatly below, encouraging exploration. A designated reflection station with goal cards and pens adds an educational component, blending dramatic and sensory play seamlessly.

Bin 1: Reflect and Plan

• Kids can write down their goals for the New Year using small papers and pens. This activity encourages reflection and planning skills.
• Accessories: Mini goal cards and colorful pens.

Bin 2: Sensory Exploration

• Filled with tapioca balls (for a unique texture) and beaded necklaces, this bin engages fine motor skills as kids explore, string necklaces, or sort beads.

Bin 3: Festive Fun

• Fluffy pompoms and mini disco ball ornaments bring a playful element. Children can sort by color, size, or texture or simply enjoy the sensory stimulation.

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Benefits of Dramatic and Sensory Play

1. Encourages Creativity: Pretend play inspires kids to think outside the box and imagine new possibilities.

2. Builds Fine Motor Skills: Handling beads, pompoms, and other small objects develops precision and hand-eye coordination.

3. Promotes Emotional Growth: Reflecting on goals teaches kids to process emotions and look forward with optimism.

4. Boosts Vocabulary: The themed play introduces new words in a natural and engaging way.

5. Supports Cognitive Development: Activities like sorting, planning, and reflecting foster critical thinking.

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25 Vocabulary Words for the Activity

1. Countdown

2. Celebrate

3. Goal

4. Resolution

5. Reflection

6. Glitter

7. Disco ball

8. Banner

9. Streamer

10. Awning

11. Clock

12. Time

13. Plan

14. Party

15. Ornament

16. Necklace

17. Star

18. Sippy cup

19. Festive

20. New Year

21. Balloons

22. Pompoms

23. Light-up

24. Texture

25. Sparkle

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Get Your Printable Kit Today!

Make this New Year memorable with our Happy New Year 2025 Sensory Play Printable Kit. It’s perfect for toddlers and young children, blending fun, learning, and creativity into one festive setup. Download your kit and start celebrating today!

By sharing this festive sensory play setup, you’re encouraging kids to explore, reflect, and learn while enjoying the holiday season.

Sensory Play Calendar 2025

We’re back for a another year of fun-filled play! This year’s sensory play calendar is completely digital. But it’s packed full of amazing sensory play setup ideas. As a reminder, each sensory play setup includes 3 sensory bins with ideas for all age groups. Each setup includes a taste safe option for younger kids. And of course, to make non-taste safe fillers baby friendly, I highly recommend the ziploc bag method.

Before you begin, and if you’re new to sensory play, check out this Beginner’s Guide to Flisat Table Sensory Play.

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January SENSORY PLAY

We’ll kick the year off right by setting up our goals for the year, reflecting on the last year, and grounding ourselves in mindfulness practices. We’ll further our knowledge of the alphabet, build a grocery store, and create a travel agency!

New Year's Day:

Kick off the year off with the Happy New Year play setup. Use mirrors to discuss the importance of reflection and plan ahead for the goals your kiddo wants to accomplish for the year. Use the clock to discuss time and countdown on New Year’s Even.

• Bin 1: Disco Mirror Balls

• Bin 2: Mirrors & Reflection

• Bin 3: Shiny Silver Tinsel

Download the Printables | Activity Details

SNOW CONE:

Let’s enjoy the cold weather and make snow cones! If you live in the snow this should be easy, but if not, we have the best snow cone machine ready for you!

• Bin 1: Snow cone cup stacking

• Bin 2: Snow cone color mixing

• Bin 3: Snow cone making

Download the Printables | Activity Details

BAKERY

What better way to celebrate the winter season than to stay home and bake! We’ll create the cutest little bakery for your smart cookie.

• Activity 1: Real cookie dough play (taste safe)

• Activity 2: Cookie baking

• Activity 3: Bakery pretend play

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Grocery Store:

Pretend play with common household chores, like grocery shopping, instills a great sense of responsibility and contribution. In this activity, we’ll venture to the grocery store, shop for regular household supplies, and use the cash register & pretend play money to check out.

• Activity 1: Grocery Store Owner

• Activity 2: Cooking a Meal

• Activity 3: Cleaning up the shop

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Travel Agency:

We’ll wrap January with a fun adventure around the world. We’ll setup a Travel Agency where your little learner can pretend to help customers book their next trip. Then they can take the plane tickets and travel to Paris and London to see popular sights.

• Activity 1: Wool ball continent color matching

• Activity 2: Rubber band stretch & play

• Activity 3: Travel agency shop owner dramatic play

Download the Printables | Activity Details

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February SENSORY PLAY

February is shaping up to be fabulous starting with a yummy Valentine’s Day Bakery. We’ll make a pit stop to learn about shapes and colors, then on to learning about the 50 states, and wrapping the month with Super Hero play.

Valentine's Day:

In this activity, we’ll practice interactive skills while your little one gets to pretend to own their own bakery. At the bakery, they’ll get to take orders, serve customers, bake cookies, and take money or make change.

• Activity 1: Heart-shaped cereal scooping

• Activity 2: Bakery dramatic play with felt donuts & cookies

• Activity 3: Sweetheart search and find with popcorn

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Bee KEEPER

Let’s buzz into fun with this bumblebee sensory play setup for kids!

• Activity 1: Bee wooden sorting trays

• Activity 2: Bee hive slots

• Activity 3: Taste safe panda puffs scooping

Download the Printables | Activity Details

50 States:

Discover the USA through a printable United States map. Practice learning each of the 50 states and their capitols with a fun matching game. Cut out individual states and practice matching them to the map! We’ll use colorful wool/felt balls to practice color matching.

• Activity 1: State Treasure Hunt

• Activity 2: Capitals Match up

• Activity 3: United States Puzzle

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Super Hero Play:

In this activity, we’ll put on super hero masks and fly around the city fighting crime with our super hero powers like invisibility and telekinesis. This dramatic play is not only fun, but a great way to practice concepts like crime and public service. We’ll use a colorful chickpea sensory filler to hide and uncover super powers.

• Activity 1: Chickpea scoop and uncover super powers

• Activity 2: Role play super hero missions

• Activity 3: Pattern matching activity

Download the Printables | Activity Details

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March SENSORY PLAY

March is going to be the best yet! We’ll start by learning about time and clocks, dive into the backyard to inspect some bugs, make a leprechaun trap for St. Patty’s Day, build a construction site, and of course celebrate Easter with a mini egg hunt.

VET CLINIC

In this activity, we’ll practice learning how to tell time, use a timer, or read a clock. Learning the concept of time and sequencing is essential to toddler learning and this lesson will help kiddos conceptualize time.

• Activity 1: Resin dogs

• Activity 2: Adoption Certificate

• Activity 3: Vet treatment & intake form

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Bugs:

Explore the world of insects with a sensory bug hunt in 3 fabulous sensory materials: Pluffle, Chickpeas, and a pretend play dirt. A great way to practice insect names and explore natural habitats of some of the smallest creatures.

• Activity 1: Pinch bugs in grass

• Activity 2: Bugs in dirt search and find

• Activity 3: Bee alphabet, ladybug counting, & pattern worksheets

Download the Printables | Activity Details

St. Patty's Day:

Craft a sensory rainbow and pot of gold for St. Patrick's Day. This fun leprechaun trap setup includes a rainbow bridge, ladder, hat, pot of gold and rainbow and a foldable leprechaun cottage. Setup on the Flisat table along with sensory fillers like rainbow chickpeas and magnetic sand.

• Activity 1: Leprechaun Trap

• Activity 2: Color sorting Chickpeas (or cereal)

• Activity 3: Learning money/coins

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Construction:

Building, bulldozing, digging and excavating are great ways to explore sensory play materials like kinetic sand, play doh, rocks, and sensory play mud. This activity kit includes everything you need to create the perfect construction zone for your little one to enjoy.

• Activity 1: Construction Water Play or Large Rocks

• Activity 2: Taste Safe Construction with Cheerio Sand and Cocoa Dirt

• Activity 3: Magnetic Sand & Chickpeas

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Easter:

Easter is the perfect opportunity to celebrate spring flowers and baby animals. This printable activity kit includes everything you need to make a sensory bin egg-hunt. Paired with a green rock-grass bin full of bunnies and carrots is the perfect small world play setup.

• Activity 1: Foam egg chutes w/ Fidget tubes

• Activity 2: Small world bunny play

• Activity 3: Miniature Easter egg hunt

• Activity 4: Jello Easter Eggs

Download the Printables | Activity Details

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April SENSORY PLAY

Let’s celebrate spring with some amazing new activity setups. We’ll start with a trip to the post office, we’ll learn about the various lifecycles of animals and plants, travel to the farm to meet some chicks and cows, and wrap up with an Earth Day celebration.

Post Office

Head to the post office for this practical real world dramatic play. Take packages at the check out counter, sell boxes and stamps. Discuss the concept of the mail and post office and teach basic concepts of shipping and packaging.

• Activity 1: Weighing & Measuring Boxes

• Activity 2: Packing Boxes with Foam Balls

• Activity 3: Stamping & Mailing Letters

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Animal Lifecycles:

Animal & plant lifecycles are a great way to explore how things grow and change over time. Using our circular lifecycle cards, we’ll use lifecycle of chicken, lifecycle of a flower, and lifecycle of a butterfly to explore how animals change over the course of time.

• Activity 1: Tapioca rainbow lily pads (taste safe)

• Activity 2: Lifecycle wooden rounds

• Activity 3: Insect cutters & snow play doh

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Farm Animals

In this activity, we’ll explore the farm with sensory bins filled with toy farm animals, oatmeal and corn kernels. This activity kit comes with writing exercises, matching activities, along with a foldable barn and animals to play with.

• Bin 1: Peas & Steel Cut Oatmeal Corn Field

• Bin 2: Chocolate pudding & Rolled Oatmeal Pig Pen

• Bin 3: Scooping & Feeding Corn Kernels

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Earth Day:

We’ll use Earth Day to practice sorting recyclable materials into their appropriate bins. We’ll discuss how the Earth is our precious home and we have to take care of it by using renewable energy, cleaning up trash, and using sustainable practices.

• Activity 1: Trash Sorting

• Activity 2: Ocean Clean Up

• Activity 3: Land Form Identification

Download the Printables | Activity Details

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May SENSORY PLAY

There’s so much to celebrate in May from Cinco De Mayo to Mother’s Day and with spring in full season, it’s time for our senses to bloom.

Cinco de Mayo: (Coming SOON)

Celebrate with a sensory fiesta and build a taco truck play setup to learn Mexican cuisine. We’ll use black beans and rice as our sensory fillers for this fun play setup. You can even add chips for an extra tasty snack!

• Activity 1: Building Tacos

• Activity 2: Scooping Chips (taste safe)

• Activity 3: Taco Stand

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Flower Garden:

For our Flower Garden & Flower Market activity, we’ll bring to life the beautiful colors and scents of the nature around us. We’ll use brown chickpeas as our sensory filler and scoop and fill pots with play dirt while we plant printable flowers. We’ll do a petal counting activity along with pretend seed packets, checkout counter, and more!

• Activity 1: Scooping Cereal Dirt (Taste safe)

• Activity 2: Planting and Watering Seedlings

• Activity 3: Flower Petal Puzzle

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Fruits & SMOOTHIE SHOP:

For this activity, we’ll use fruit scented doh, fruit cards and build a smoothie shop to learn mixing flavors and fruits. For a taste-safe alternative, you can use real fruits to mix and mash together!

• Bin 1: Fill the cups

• Bin 2: Mix fruit flavored playdohs

• Bin 3: Counting fruit erasers/felt fruit

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Weather:

For our weather station activity, we’ll be learning about weather patterns, temperature, and how weather changes during the seasons.

• Bin 1: Weather Sensory Bottles

• Bin 2: Cloud Shaped Packing Peanuts

• Bin 3: Rainbow Playdoh

Download the Printables | Activity Details

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June SENSORY PLAY

I’m so excited for June because we’ll be playing with pets! We’ll do a sports sensory play setup to celebrate Father’s Day, and learn about the continents and forms of transportation. We’ll wrap up our June sensory play ideas with a fun little Farmer’s Market.

Pets:

We’ll use our adoption clinic to explore the world of pets and pet care. We’ll use peanut butter cocoa puff balls cereal as our sensory filler to practice scooping and counting as we feed our pups out of their bone-shaped bowl.

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Laundry:

For this activity, we’ll enjoy a sensory sports day with textured balls and sports-themed play. We’ll use our sports flashcards and matching erasers to do a matching activity.

• Bin 1: Wool Ball Sorting & Matching

• Bin 2: Clothes pins sorting

• Bin 3: Cheerios

Purchase Flashcards | Activity Details

Donut Shop

For this activity, we’ll explore the world, all 7 continents, as well as passports for global travel.

• Bin 1:

• Bin 2:

• Bin 3:

Purchase Flaschards | Activity Details

Farmer's Market:

We’ll set up a sensory farmer's market with felt play fruits and vegetables to sell. Complete with play money and signage, we’ll bring to life the world’s cutest little farmer’s market.

• Bin 1: Silicone Fruits & Veggies

• Bin 2: Pasta & Grains Bin

• Bin 3: Cash Register & Play Money

Download the Printables | Activity Details

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July SENSORY PLAY

Summer is the perfect seasons for sensory play. We’ll celebrate Independence Day with a bbq cookout, build an ice cream truck, sip some cool summer coffee, visit our desert animal friends in the sweltering heat, and make a trek out to the safari to learn about some new animals.

4th of July:

In this activity we’ll have a pretend cook out, celebrate the stars & stripes of the American flag, and we’ll practice learning our 50 states on a map of the United States.

• Bin 1: American Flag Fruit Bin (Taste safe)

• Bin 2: Red, White, and Blue Sushi Rice

• Bin 3: Pretend Play BBQ Setup

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Ice Cream Play:

In this activity, we’ll make a taste-safe ice cream sensory play doh. Each colored scoop will bring joy to tiny faces while we’re practice owning an ice cream shop and putting smiles on customer’s faces. We’ll use this opportunity to practice all kinds of flavors!

• Bin 1: Taste safe ice cream play doh recipe

• Bin 2: Regular playdoh ice cream cone building

• Bin 3: Ice cream pattern matching

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Lemonade stand:

Enjoy the summer with a refreshing lemonade stand. Nothing brings me back to childhood like this fun sensory play activity.

• Bin 1: Taste safe lemons in water bin

• Bin 2: Yellow and pink wool ball sorting

• Bin 3: Money & cash register stand owner play

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Desert Animals:

Discover desert life with sensory sand and toy animals. We’ll create a small world desert animal play scene, learn new vocabulary words, a search and find matching activity and letter discovery.

• Activity 1: Desert Animal Pattern Completion

• Activity 2: Pasta Noodle Cactus Building

• Activity 3: Kinetic sand hide & seek

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Safari Animals:

For this activity we’ll go on a safari adventure to learn about safari animals and their natural habitats. We’ll even make a pair of toilet paper roll binoculars!

• Activity 1: Toilet paper roll binoculars

• Activity 2: Kinetic sand hide & seek safari animals

• Activity 3: Safari animal masks play and match

Download the Printables | Activity Details

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August SENSORY PLAY

Let’s dive into summer with ocean themed sensory play that’ll have you wanting a trip to the beach! We’ll celebrate back to school season with a science lab setup, go camping, and dig for treasure.

Ocean Play:

For this activity, we’ll explore ocean life with a few sensory explorations. We’ll create a magnetic sand base coral reef to explore the ocean floor. We’ll create a jello-based ocean water to float our sensory fish in.

• Activity 1: Kinetic Sand Beach & Blue Chickpeas

• Activity 2: Painted Pasta Coral reef ocean floor

• Activity 3: Swimming fish in water

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Science Lab:

We’ll bring to life the science laboratory with our science themed printable play setup. We’ll use the Lovevery Beaker set to practice pouring and mixing various colors to practice learning about primary and secondary colors.

• Activity 1: Primary Color Mixing

• Activity 2: Water, Baby Oil, & Alkaseltzer Lava Lamps

• Activity 3: Pouring & Mixing with Bath Salts

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Camping Play:

We’ll use one of my all time favorite sensory fillers — S’mores Granola — to build a forrest floor for our woodland animals to go camping. We’ll use a camp site map, camper, badges, and s’mores to explore the great outdoors.

• Activity 1: Build a Campfire

• Activity 2: S’mores Granola search & find woodland animals (taste safe)

• Activity 3: Pretend Camping w/ Lovevery Camper Van

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Fire Station

Get ready for some fun filled play putting out fire with our fire station sensory play setup.

• Activity 1: Kinetic sand

• Activity 2: Blue and orange/red chickpeas

• Activity 3: Printable fire put out activity

Purchase the Flashcards | Activity Details

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September SENSORY PLAY

Septemeber has some of my all time favorite sensory play setups. From the amazing space station to woodland animals and everything in between, your kiddos will have a blast as the seasons change from summer to fall.

Space Station:

In this activity, we’ll explore the cosmos with 3 different space-themed sensory play bins. With our dramatic play, we’ll create a space station, command control board, and windows into outer space. Then we’ll make a moon landing bin, a galaxy bin, and a galaxy sensory bottle.

• Activity 1: Moon landing taste-safe icing playdoh

• Activity 2: Black bean & glow in the dark stars night sky

• Activity 3: Space-themed bath bomb color explosion

• Activity 4: Planet play doh balls

• Bonus: Galaxy Sensory Jars

Download the Printables | See Activity Details

Ramen Shop

To celebrate the changing of the seasons, we’ll create a ramen shop setup!

• Activity 1: Ramen shop dramatic play

• Activity 2: Cooking pretend play

• Activity 3: Taste safe cooked noodles, corn, hard boiled eggs

Purchase Woodland Flashcards | See Activity Details

Doctor Play:

With our doctor play kit, we’ll encourage nurturing skills — pretending to be a doctor and taking care of patients in need. We’ll take X-Rays, apply bandages, fill out prescriptions cards and more!

• Activity 1: Human body tray w/ frozen jello (taste safe)

• Activity 2: Swaps, cotton balls, tongue depressor bin

• Activity 3: Cooked egg noodles w/ red food dye (taste safe)

Download the Printables | See Activity Details

Spa Day Play

Pamper and play with our spa day sensory setup!

• Activity 1: Laminate hands/toes for nail painting

• Activity 2: Cucumbers in water (taste safe)

• Activity 3: Parafin wax dip

Purchase the Flashcards | See Activity Details

Pumpkin Patch:

Let’s explore the pumpkin patch! From hay rides on tractors to sunflower patches. From scarecrows and wagons to pumpkins and pie. We’ll use our pumpkin patch dramatic play to create a world of fall. We’ll build a scarecrow, pick sunflowers and measure pumpkins!

• Bin 1: Taste safe granola clusters

• Bin 2: Build a scarecrow

• Bin 3: Build a jack-o-lantern

Download the Printables | See Activity Details

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OctobeR SENSORY PLAY

The perfect way to kick off fall with vegetable, dinosaur, and fun Halloween-themed activities.

Coffee Shop:

Create a world of coffee, tea, and pastries with this beautiful coffee shop cafe setup. We’ll practice social skills like greeting new customers as well as customer service, counting change and more!

• Bin 1: Coffee beans

• Bin 2:

• Bin 3:

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Dinosaur Dig:

Join us on a paleontology adventure with our dinosaur dig! We’ll use 3 different sensory play activities together to explore dinosaurs including fossils, bone digging site, and a ice dinosaur eggs.

• Activity 1: Plaster Volcano and Dinosaur Pasta Filler

• Activity 2: Salt Dough Fossils

• Activity 3: Paleontologist Plaster Dig Site

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Potion Play:

In celebration of Halloween season, we’ll pretend to be witches making magical potions and brews. We’ll use our potion mixing play setup to make combinations of various Halloween ghouls.

• Activity 1: Black bean and dyed quinoa bin

• Activity 2: Potion play

Download the Printables | Activity Details

Halloween:

We’ll create spooky sensory Halloween decorations to build our haunted house and graveyard digging adventure with black & orange dyed quinoa.

• Activity 1: Black bean and dyed quinoa bin

• Activity 2: Potion play

Download the Printables | Activity Details

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November SENSORY PLAY

It’s time to give thanks for all we’ve been given this year and celebrate the fall harvest season.

Thanksgiving:

Practice fun skills and textures with this Thanksgiving meal, glue the feathers to the turkey, and writing down what we’re thankful for.

• Activity 1: Build a Turkey Dinner

• Activity 2: Bake a pie

• Activity 3: Add feathers (tissue paper) to a turkey

Download the Printables | See Activity Details

Apple Orchard:

Learn all about apples with this apple picking, bobbing, leaf gluing, cider making activity. Pretend to own your own orchard and practice selling your goods.

• Activity 1: Apple Seed Counting

• Activity 2: Candy Apple Making (Taste safe)

• Activity 3: Apple Pie Building

Download the Printables | See Activity Details

Pizza Shop

Let’s get messy with pizza sauce as we enjoy this fun-filled pizza play!

• Bin 1: Pizza cut outs and assembly

• Bin 2: Pizza owner cash register

• Bin 3: Cooked noodles & taste-safe toppings

Get the Flashcards | See Activity Details

Dog Wash

This week we’ll be getting our hands wet giving a good shampoo to our furry friends. Join us for dog wash play!

• Bin 1: Dog Food (taste safe cocoa puffs)

• Bin 2: Soap/Bubble bath and sponges

• Bin 3: Drying station w/ towels

Get the Flashcards | See Activity Details

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December SENSORY PLAY

With the winter season upon us, it’s the perfect time to stay indoors and cuddle up with some cozy sensory play. Nothing could be more fun that celebrating the cold weather in the polar arctic in stark contrast with the cozy warm hot chocolate by the fire and baking in the oven.

Christmas Tree

Decorate a Christmas Tree, build a snowman, feed the reindeer and hang stockings over the fireplace with this fun play setup.

• Bin 1: Hot cocoa

• Bin 2: Build-a-snowman

• Bin 3: Peppermint crush

Plus more great activities like feed the reindeer, decorate the Christmas tree, hang the stockings, and play gingerbread house.

Download the Printables | See Activity Details

Polar Animals:

Learn about the arctic with sensory ice and polar animal figures. As we hop from bin to bin, we’ll enjoy blue pluffle and teal chickpeas, practicing scooping and playing in different textures.

• Activity 1: Snowflake Ice Cube Tray with Bath Toys

• Activity 2: Blue Pluffle and Snowflake Dig

• Activity 3: Acrylic Polar Animal Charms and Teal Chickpeas

Download the Printables | See Activity Details

Nutcracker Land of Sweets:

Make hot chocolate set up with edible cocoa puff cereal perfect for scooping and pouring. Practice counting with marshmallow and sprinkle toppings.

• Activity 1: Painting wooden nutcrackers

• Activity 2: Playing with play doh & trees

• Activity 3: Gingerbread house building (taste safe)

Download the Printables | See Activity Details

Ice Skating:

This winter holiday inspired Ice Skating Rink will be a playful way to celebrate the season and wrap up our year of sensory play. Filled with wooden snow flakes, arctic animals, and colorful chickpeas, this setup is sure to delight the senses.

• Activity 1: Frozen snowflake ice skating (taste safe)

• Activity 2: Shredded coconut snow search and find (taste safe)

• Activity 3: Fake snow scooping and molding bin

Download the Printables | See Activity Details

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Even more year round play activities

Year Round PLAY TOPICS:

• Alphabet: Use Letters flashcards and a bin of resin letters or a magnetic letter board to match the letters.

• Letter Sounds: Use Letter Sounds flashcards and felt letters to practice the sounds each letter makes.

• 5 Senses: Create jars of foods and objects that invigorate the senses and practice smell, taste, sound, sight and touch.

• Sight Words: Practice common words, phonics, and basic short sentences for pre-reading fun.

• Color Matching: Use color cards and a bin of different colored objects and toys and practice matching and sorting.

• Counting: Pair counting cards with wool balls to gather the number of balls in one bin to match the number on the card.

• Pattern Matching: Using a 12 frame or color ball insert, build the patterns from each of the cards.

• Addition & Subtraction: Practice basic addition and subtraction with 10 math problems

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Anytime Play TOPICS:

• Sign Language: Choose the cards for each letter in the child’s name and practice building the signs for each letter.

• Emotions: Learn to identify emotions and build calming habits around big feelings

• Rhyming Words: Practice word sounds and rhyming

• Routines: Learn about healthy morning and evening routines and self care

• Chores: Practice contributing to the household with toddler friendly chores

• Shapes: Learn basic and advanced shapes

• Money: Practice identifying coins and bills and adding multiple coin types together

• Tangrams: Stretch your brain by building images with tangram shapes

Promote communication, emotional intelligence, and life skills through sensory experiences.

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With our Sensory Play Calendar, you can provide your child with a year full of enriching, imaginative, and educational sensory experiences. Each activity is carefully designed to engage their senses and inspire creativity. To get started, explore our sensory play products at GoodnightFox.myshopify.com and let the sensory adventures begin! Happy playing, moms!

Printing Recommendations

If you’ve decided to purchase the download and print kit, here are a few recommendations on how to make the most of your printables.

1. Print on 80lb cardstock: I recommend printing on a thicker card stock paper for durability. If you have a printer at home you can purchase 80lb cardstock on Amazon. If you’re printing at a store I recommend FedEx Kinkos.

2. Print on regular paper and laminate: If you don’t want to print on cardstock, laminating regular paper is a great alternative and keeps your prints water proof in case there are spills. You can get a laminator from Amazon and lamination sheets like these.

3. Print Flashcards 2 per page: When printing flashcards I recommend changing your printer setting to 2 per page so that they’re a reasonable size. You can laminate these as well or use cardstock for durability.

4. Tools on hand: if you’re doing all of the setups, it can take time to do the cutouts. If you have a Cricut you can use the print & cut feature. If you’re doing it by hand I recommend having a paper cutter like this on hand and a corner rounder. You’ll also need a hole punch for the banner. And if you want to create the pennant flags, having wooden dowels and ribbon on hand is a must!

5. Awning setup: To create the look of the awning, simply fold the paper 1 inch from the straight end. Fold the rounded edge near where the rounds meet. Then use packing tape to secure the straight edge over the back of the pegboard.

6. Securing things: I use packing tape to secure most decorative elements to the pegboard. It’s also helpful to have on hand a roll of regular tape. I also like to use the IKEA phot frame stand for open/closed signs.

FILLER Recommendations & Shopping List

Here’s the complete list of all of the sensory fillers you might want to have on hand and many of the alternatives available to swap for taste safe options. Keep in mind that I did 3 bins each week to demonstrate multiple options, but you can choose 1 or 2 or just play with the decor!

• January Shopping List

  • Week 1: Disco balls, mirrors, shiny tinsel (taste safe alternative: sprinkles)

  • Week 2: Play foam, sand, oil/water/sensory bottles (taste safe alternatives: tapioca balls, chia seeds, salt)

  • Week 3: Resin/wool letters, letter clips, letter cookies (taste safe alternatives: pasta letters)

  • Week 4: Felt play food, playdoh, rags/spray bottle (taste safe alternative: real cereal, fruits, veggies, juice box)

  • Week 5: Wool balls, rubber bands (taste safe alternative: fruit loops)

• February Shopping List

  • Week 6: Heart cereal, felt bakery food, sweethearts candy (taste safe alternative: popcorn)

  • Week 7: Color balls/blocks, silicone cupcake wrappers (taste safe alternative: rainbow cereal)

  • Week 8: Wool balls (taste safe alternative: rainbow cereal)

  • Week 9: Colored chickpeas (taste safe alternative: food colored oatmeal)

• March Shopping List

  • Week 10: Funnel, play sand, water, chia seeds (taste safe alternative: blended cheerio sand)

  • Week 11: Crushed oreo dirt, green pluffle, green chickpeas (taste safe alternative: dried green peas)

  • Week 12: Kinetic sand, rainbow colored chickpeas (taste safe alternative: lucky charms cereal)

  • Week 13: Kinetic sand, rocks/gravel, nuts & bolts erasers (taste safe alternatives: cheerios, chex mix, icing playdoh)

  • Week 14: Green vase filler, foam eggs, coffee beans (taste safe alternatives: dried green peas, malted egg candy, cocoa puffs cereal)

5 Fun and Educational Sensory Play Ideas for Bathtime

Bath time doesn’t have to be a struggle—it can be the highlight of your toddler’s day! By turning the tub into a sensory playground, you not only encourage learning and creativity but also make bath time a joyful experience for both you and your child. Here are 5 sensory play ideas to make bath time fun, educational, and mess-free!

1. Sea Animal Match Game Foam Cards & Squirt Toys

Transform your bathtub into an underwater adventure with our Bath Bundle! This set features sea animal foam cards that stick to wet tub walls and matching squirt toys to enhance your little one’s fine motor skills and memory.

How to Play:

• Stick the foam cards around the tub and have your child match each card to its squirt toy counterpart.

• Turn it into a memory game by flipping the cards face down and letting your child guess where each animal is hiding.

• For an added layer of fun, narrate an undersea story about the animals they find!

This activity improves matching, memory, and hand-eye coordination while making bath time an exciting learning experience.

2. Pom Poms in the Tub

Who says pom poms are just for crafting? Toss some waterproof pom poms into the tub and watch the magic unfold!

How to Play:

• Provide a small strainer, spoon, or plastic cup and challenge your child to “scoop” and transfer pom poms.

• Sort by colors or sizes to build early math skills.

• Use them as pretend “ingredients” for cooking play.

This activity encourages fine motor skill development, color recognition, and imaginative play—all while keeping your toddler entertained.

3. Light-Up Toys for Sensory Exploration

Make the bath a glowing oasis with water-safe light-up toys. These are perfect for dimmed or nighttime baths when the soft glow creates a calming environment.

How to Play:

• Hide light-up toys under bubbles and have your toddler search for them.

• Incorporate early science concepts by discussing how water refracts light.

• Let your little one create “light shows” by swirling the glowing toys in the water.

This activity provides a unique way to explore cause and effect, light and shadow, and sensory calmness—great for winding down before bedtime.

4. Foam Alphabet Letters

Foam alphabet letters are a bath time classic—and for good reason! These floating letters stick to wet surfaces, making them ideal for playful learning in the tub.

How to Play:

• Practice spelling simple words by sticking letters to the tub wall.

• Call out letters or sounds and let your child “fish” them out of the water.

• Sort vowels and consonants for a fun phonics activity.

This simple yet effective activity introduces letter recognition, early literacy skills, and even spelling in a hands-on way.

5. Potion-Making Sensory Fun

Let your child become a bathtub scientist by creating fizzy “potions” in the water!

How to Play:

• Provide plastic cups, spoons, and child-safe bath fizzers or food coloring drops.

• Add small amounts of baking soda and vinegar for a safe fizzy reaction (be sure to supervise closely).

• Incorporate sensory elements like glitter, foam shapes, or pom poms for imaginative play.

This activity fosters problem-solving skills, creativity, and early STEM learning—plus, it’s a blast to watch their “experiments” come to life!

6. Building with Bath-Friendly Legos

Bath time gets extra creative with water-safe Legos that float and stack.

How to Play:

• Challenge your toddler to build boats or towers that float on the water.

• Test the stability of their structures by gently adding water or squirt toys for “waves.”

• Use the opportunity to talk about concepts like buoyancy and balance.

This activity promotes fine motor skills, problem-solving, and early engineering concepts, making it a fantastic way to sneak in learning during play.

Addressing Bath Time Struggles

Many parents face challenges like resistance to getting in the tub, fear of water, or boredom during bath time. These sensory play ideas help overcome those struggles by:

1.   Making bath time exciting with engaging activities.

2. Providing focus and purpose, which helps distract from fears or discomfort.

3. Building a routine that kids look forward to.

For parents dealing with water aversion, introducing one or two toys at a time can help ease the transition. Over time, your child will associate the bath with fun, relaxing moments.

Why Sensory Play in the Bath Works

•  Multi-sensory stimulation: Engages sight, touch, and sometimes sound.

• Mess-free learning: All the water stays in the tub!

• Promotes independence: Encourages self-directed exploration.

Bath time doesn’t have to be a battle. With these sensory play ideas for toddlers, you can turn everyday routines into cherished learning experiences that both you and your little one will love!

Discover more sensory play ideas on GoodnightFox.com and shop our sensory kits designed to make learning through play effortless.

And finally, as promised, my favorite trick for getting my daughter out of the tub without having to nag or have a debate, or listen to lots of whining. About a year ago I started a trick of seeing if she could hop out before I spell a word — and I’ll come up with a silly word like “Popsicle” or “Frozen” and she always jumps out before I even get to the second letter. Try it out and see if it might work for you too! It’s definitely made bath time a lot more enjoyable and less stressful in my house.

DIY Pipe Cleaner Dragonfly Craft for Kids: A Fun and Easy Activity

Looking for a fun, simple craft to keep your little ones entertained while promoting creativity and fine motor skills? This Pipe Cleaner Dragonfly Bead Activity is a perfect choice! With just a few materials and easy-to-follow steps, your child can create adorable dragonfly crafts they’ll be proud to display in their room.

In this post, we’ll walk you through how to make these whimsical dragonflies using pastel colors for a soft, playful look. Plus, we’ll share tips on how to create crafts that beautifully complement your child’s room decor!

Materials Needed

Here’s everything you’ll need to get started:

• Pipe cleaners (we used pastel yellow, pastel pink, and pastel orange)

• Assorted beads (choose colors that match your child’s room or favorite palette)

• Scissors

• A bulletin board or display space (optional, but great for showing off the finished creations!)

• Googly eyes

You can find these materials at your local craft store or on Amazon.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your own beaded dragonfly:

    1.    Shape the Body

•  Take one pastel pipe cleaner and fold it in half. This will form the dragonfly’s body.

•  Thread colorful beads onto the pipe cleaner, stopping a few inches before the end.

    2.    Create the Wings

• Take another pastel pipe cleaner and twist it into a bow shape to form the dragonfly’s wings. Adjust the size to your liking.

•  Attach the wings by twisting them securely around the beaded body.

    3.    Add Finishing Touches

•  Fold the ends of the pipe cleaner to keep the beads in place.

•  Adjust the wings for symmetry, and voilà—you have a beautiful dragonfly!

    4.    Display Your Work

•  Pin the finished dragonflies to a bulletin board or hang them from string to create a whimsical display.

Why We Love This Craft

Not only is this activity fun, but it also encourages:

• Fine Motor Skill Development: Threading beads helps strengthen little fingers.

• Creative Expression: Your child can mix and match colors to make their dragonfly unique.

• Room Decor Personalization: By choosing colors that match your child’s room, these crafts become display-worthy keepsakes!

Crafting Tip: Display-Worthy Creations

Want to create crafts you’ll love showing off? Choose colors that match your child’s room or play area theme. For example, we used pastel yellow, pink, and orange to complement Sofia’s room. These soft tones look lovely when pinned to her bulletin board, adding a playful yet cohesive touch to her decor.

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Learning Benefits of This Craft

This activity isn’t just about fun—it’s educational too!

• Problem-Solving: Designing the wings and threading beads require careful thought and planning.

• Hand-Eye Coordination: Precision threading helps improve coordination.

• Focus and Patience: Completing the dragonfly requires concentration, making it a calming activity.

FAQ: How Can I Display Craft Projects?

Q: What’s the best way to display my child’s creations?

A: Use a corkboard, magnetic strips, or string with clothespins for an easy and beautiful display. Rotate crafts seasonally or by theme to keep the space fresh and inspiring!

We’d love to see your little one’s dragonflies! Share a photo of their creations on Instagram and tag us @GoodnightFox. Don’t forget to check out our DIY Craft Kits for more fun activities to do together!

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Related Posts You’ll Love

    •    DIY Snow Globe Favors: A Fun Craft for Kids

    •    How to Make a Beekeeper Sensory Play Setup

    •    Affordable Indoor Sensory Activities for Toddlers

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