Toilet Paper Roll Mermaid Sand Castle Craft (Easy Homeschool Art Project)

Kids Craft Ideas • Easy Sensory Play Setups • Toddler-Friendly DIY Craft

If you’re looking for a magical homeschool arts and crafts activity that feels summer-sweet, encourages creativity, and keeps little hands busy, this Toilet Paper Roll Mermaid Sand Castle Craft is the perfect project. It blends DIY sensory activities for toddlers, fine motor practice, and pretend play into one dreamy under-the-sea setup.

This craft is simple, inexpensive, and uses household items—and the finished castle pairs beautifully with any of your mermaid sensory play setups from GoodnightFox.

⭐ Materials You’ll Need

• Empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls

• Cardboard base

• Craft sand or kinetic sand

• White school glue

• Paintbrush or sponge

• Scissors

• Seashells (real or plastic)

• Small mermaid figurines or dolls

• Hot glue gun (grown-up use only)

• Pastel felt for a flag

• Optional: pastel yarn, starfish embellishments, glitter

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🎨 Age Group Learning Objectives

Age 0–6 months

• Visual stimulation through soft colors and textures

• Tummy-time observation of movement and sound as sand shifts

Age 6–12 months

• Sensory exploration with sand placed in a sealed sensory bag

• Early fine motor practice with supervised touching of smooth shells

Age 12 months–2 years

• Hand-over-hand help gluing sand onto rolls

• Strengthening hand muscles by scooping and sprinkling sand

• Introducing early pretend play with mermaid characters

Age 3–4 years

• Practicing scissor skills by cutting crenels into the towers

• Building simple structures (STEM foundations)

• Expanding storytelling skills with imaginative mermaid play

Age 4–6 years

• Designing a castle layout and planning tower placement

• Creating patterns using shells or yarn

• Learning basic engineering concepts like stability and symmetry

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🏰 Decor & Theme Overview: Under-the-Sea Pastel Castle

This craft uses pastel pinks, peaches, aquas, and lilacs, making the castle feel like it belongs in a picture-book mermaid kingdom. Add seashells, tiny starfish accessories, and a soft felt flag for a gentle, whimsical aesthetic.

Pair it with:

• Mermaid peg dolls

• Ocean sensory bins

• Water beads for “underwater treasure”

• Mermaid sensory play printables

• Mermaid Busy Book

• Mermaid Toilet Paper Roll Dolls

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Sensory Bin 1: Mermaid Castle Construction Bin

Materials:

• Toilet paper roll towers (pre-cut)

• Tray of craft sand

• Small scoops

• Glue

Instructions:

1. Brush glue onto the rolls.

2. Invite your child to sprinkle or roll each tower in sand.

3. Set aside to dry, then stack or glue onto the cardboard base to build the castle.

4. Add seashells and tiny starfish to decorate the entrance.

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Sensory Bin 2: Seashell Treasure Hunt

Materials:

• Shallow bin

• Sand

• Small seashells

• Mermaid figurines

Instructions:

1. Hide shells in the sand.

2. Kids use hands or scoops to uncover “mermaid treasures.”

3. Add the found treasures to the castle for decoration or storytelling.

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Sensory Bin 3: Ocean Small World Play

Materials:

• Blue rice or water beads

• Mermaid figurines

• Mini sea creatures

• Small pebbles

Instructions:

1. Fill a bin with blue rice for easy mess-free sensory play.

2. Add shells and mermaids to create an ocean scene.

3. Encourage imaginative play and vocabulary-building stories.

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🌊 Benefits of This Mermaid Sand Castle Craft

• Fine motor skill development

• Sensory play benefits for toddlers (texture, scooping, pouring)

• Encourages creativity and storytelling

• Introduces basic building + engineering concepts

• Uses affordable sensory play materials

• Keeps toddlers busy at home with simple, low-prep activities

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🗓 Week-Long Mermaid & Pirates Themed Homeschool Lesson Plan

If your little one loved this mermaid sand castle craft, they’ll LOVE the full Homeschool Curriculum. It’s packed with sensory bins, crafts, literacy, math, story time picks, and science invitations—all carefully planned week-by-week so you don’t have to.

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🐚 25 Vocabulary Words for the Theme

Mermaid, ocean, tide, castle, shell, treasure, lagoon, pearl, sparkle, sand, tower, wave, coral, fin, swim, deep, reef, current, flag, palace, kingdom, build, scoop, dig, decorate

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🐚 Mermaid sensory play products

Treat your little mermaid lover to some of these amazing sensory kits and supplies.

Mermaid Memory Game

Mermaid Sensory Kit

Mermaid Play Rounds

Mermaid Acrylic Charms

❄️ Winter Ice Painting Activity for Kids (Homeschool-Friendly & So Easy!)

If you’re looking for a magical winter sensory art activity that keeps preschoolers and homeschool kids engaged for ages, this Winter Ice Painting Activity is a must-try! Using a big play tray, ice blocks, watercolors, and drippers, kids transform frozen cubes into vibrant mini art pieces while exploring color mixing, melting effects, and hands-on sensory play.

This easy, low-prep setup combines STEM + art, and it’s one of the most affordable sensory play ideas for toddlers during the colder months.

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⭐ What You Need

• Large play tray or shallow bin

• Ice cubes or frozen blocks (silicone molds make fun shapes!)

• Liquid watercolors or food coloring

• Ice droppers / pipettes / drippers

• Small cups or bowls

• Optional: warm water for melting experiments

• Towels or a mat for drip-catching

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🎨 Learning Objectives by Age Group

0–6 months

• Visual stimulation from bright colors on ice

• Sensory introduction to cold temperatures (always fully supervised)

6–12 months

• Cause-and-effect: watching color spread and ice melt

• Early language: “cold,” “blue,” “wet,” “melt”

12 months–2 years

• Fine motor strengthening using drippers

• Simple color recognition

• Sensory exploration through touch and visual observation

3–4 years

• Color mixing experimentation

• Early science: observing how warm water changes ice

• Strengthening hand/finger muscles through squeezing and dripping

4–6 years

• Introduction to states of matter (solid → liquid)

• Intentionally creating secondary colors

• Artistic planning and experimentation

• Observing gradients, saturation, and melting timelines

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🎨 Sensory Activity: Winter Ice Painting

A perfect mix of sensory play, art, and science!

Materials

• Ice

• Watercolors

• Drippers

• Tray

• Optional warm water

Instructions

1. Fill your tray with ice cubes or large frozen blocks.

2. Pour watercolors into small cups and set out drippers.

3. Invite kids to squeeze and drip color onto the ice.

4. Watch the colors swirl, blend, and slide across the melting surface.

5. Add warm water for a “melting rainbow” effect.

6. Encourage kids to experiment: layering colors, mixing hues, or creating patterns.

7. Let them paint, melt, and explore freely!

Kids naturally stay engaged for long stretches as they drip, mix, and observe the constantly changing artwork.

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💬 Educational Discussion Prompts for Homeschool Parents

Turn this into a mini winter lesson by asking:

• “What happens when you add warm water to the ice?”

• “Can you tell me how the colors move across the ice?”

• “Which colors mix to make new ones?”

• “What does the ice feel like? Smooth? Rough? Slippery?”

• “Is the ice melting faster when you add more color?”

• “What happens if you drip two colors in the same spot?”

• “Let’s predict: which color will spread the fastest?”

These questions build language, STEM thinking, observation skills, and creative reasoning.

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❄️ Benefits of Winter Ice Painting

• Strengthens fine motor control

• Encourages creative exploration

• Teaches color theory naturally

• Builds early science understanding

• Boosts independent play

• Great for toddlers and preschoolers stuck indoors

• Mess-free when contained to a tray

• Uses simple household materials

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🧠 Vocabulary Words (Winter + Art)

1. Freeze

2. Melt

3. Drip

4. Color

5. Mix

6. Shade

7. Ice

8. Water

9. Cold

10. Liquid

11. Solid

12. Paint

13. Blend

14. Observe

15. Experiment

16. Create

17. Transform

18. Squeeze

19. Drop

20. Spread

21. Pattern

22. Texture

23. Surface

24. Temperature

25. Change

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.

Pretend Play Vet Clinic: A Fun Sensory Play Setup for Kids

Creating a pretend play vet clinic is a fantastic way to spark imaginative play while teaching kids about animal care, empathy, and fine motor skills. Whether your child dreams of being a veterinarian or simply loves animals, this vibrant sensory bin setup will keep them engaged in hands-on learning.

This DIY vet clinic is designed with teal and coral pink pastel decor, making it an inviting space for little animal doctors. With an interactive patient intake form, a cozy waiting area, and fun “X-ray” printables, kids will feel like real veterinarians caring for their furry patients!

Materials Needed for a DIY Vet Clinic Play Setup

To create this immersive play experience, you’ll need:

✔️ Sensory bin containers (IKEA Flisat table works great!)

✔️ Teal and coral pink printable vet clinic signs (awning, flag, banner, X-ray board, waiting room sign)

✔️ Printable patient intake forms

✔️ Stuffed animal dogs and cats OR resin pet figurines

✔️ Wooden dramatic play vet tools (stethoscope, syringe, thermometer, bandages, clipboard, and medicine bottles)

✔️ Themed sensory fillers (see ideas below!)

Learning Objectives by Age Group

0-6 months: Sensory exploration with textures and colors.

6-12 months: Fine motor play with soft animals and textured fillers.

12 months-2 years: Engaging in pretend play by “caring” for pets.

3-4 years: Role-playing a vet visit, practicing simple problem-solving.

4-6 years: Using pretend tools, writing on patient intake forms, and sorting animals by type or “injury.”

Vet Clinic Dramatic Play Decor & Setup

This pretend vet clinic feels realistic with these fun printables and props:

• Teal and coral pink striped awning: Sets the scene for a welcoming animal hospital.

• Hanging flag with a paw print logo: A fun way to mark the clinic entrance!

• Waiting Room Sign: Encourages kids to “check-in” their pets before their appointment.

• Patient Intake Form: Includes spots for pet names, symptoms, and treatment plans.

• X-ray Board: Printables showing different animal bones for an interactive learning experience.

• Vet Clinic Banner: Ties everything together with a professional-looking sign.

This printable decor makes it easy to transform any playroom into a vet clinic in minutes!

Sensory Bin 1: Animal Check-Up Station

Materials:

✔️ Filler: Cotton balls or white rice (to mimic a vet exam table)

✔️ Tools: Wooden stethoscope, syringe, thermometer

✔️ Animals: Resin dog and cat figurines OR stuffed animals

✔️ Printables: Patient intake forms

Activity Instructions:

1. Have kids “check-in” their pet by filling out a patient intake form.

2. Use the wooden stethoscope to “listen” to the pet’s heartbeat.

3. Give shots and take temperatures using the pretend play tools.

4. Discuss how vets care for pets and why check-ups are important.

🔎 Activity Extender: Add toy X-ray sheets and have kids “scan” their pet for broken bones!

Sensory Bin 2: Pet Grooming & Care

Materials:

✔️ Filler: Kinetic sand or oatmeal (to mimic fur)

✔️ Tools: Small brush, comb, sponge, spray bottle

✔️ Animals: Stuffed animal dogs and cats

✔️ Accessories: Mini bows, bandanas, or pet collars

Activity Instructions:

1. Pretend that some pets need a bath and grooming before their vet appointment.

2. Brush and “trim” their fur using safe pretend tools.

3. Dress them up with tiny bandanas or bows!

💡 Activity Extender: Give kids a spray bottle of water + a drop of essential oil for a fun “pet spa” experience.

Sensory Bin 3: Pet Surgery & Recovery Room

Materials:

✔️ Filler: Blue dyed chickpeas (represent medicine pills)

✔️ Tools: Tweezers, mini cups, small bandages

✔️ Animals: Resin pets with pretend “injuries” (a paw wrapped in gauze, etc.)

Activity Instructions:

1. Use tweezers to sort “medicine” (blue chickpeas) into tiny cups.

2. Wrap “injured” pets in soft fabric or bandages.

3. Create a recovery area with small beds and blankets.

🩺 Activity Extender: Let kids “write prescriptions” for their pets on mini notepads!

Why Sensory Play is Important

This vet clinic sensory play setup encourages:

✔️ Fine motor skills (using tweezers, stethoscope, and bandages)

✔️ Cognitive development (problem-solving while diagnosing pets)

✔️ Social-emotional learning (practicing empathy and care for animals)

✔️ Early writing skills (filling out intake forms and prescriptions)

Week-Long Lesson Plan for a Pet-Themed Learning Week

📅 Monday: Read a book about visiting the vet (e.g., Biscuit Visits the Vet).

📅 Tuesday: Pretend play with the Vet Clinic Sensory Bins.

📅 Wednesday: Practice sorting pets by size, color, or breed.

📅 Thursday: Make a DIY collar tag craft for stuffed animals.

📅 Friday: Watch an educational video about real veterinarians.

📅 Saturday: Go on a field trip to a pet store or visit an animal shelter.

📅 Sunday: Review new words and role-play a vet clinic visit with a friend or sibling.

25 Vocabulary Words for a Vet-Themed Sensory Play Setup

1. Vet

2. Patient

3. Stethoscope

4. Syringe

5. Bandage

6. X-ray

7. Check-up

8. Grooming

9. Medicine

10. Thermometer

11. Diagnosis

12. Treatment

13. Surgery

14. Recovery

15. Paw

16. Tail

17. Fur

18. Rescue

19. Hospital

20. Vaccine

21. Waiting room

22. Collar

23. Adoption

24. Nurse

25. Care

This pretend play vet clinic setup provides hours of educational fun, fostering creativity and problem-solving while engaging kids in meaningful play. Whether you’re using resin figurines or stuffed animals, printable vet forms, or wooden doctor tools, this interactive sensory experience is a perfect indoor activity for toddlers and preschoolers.

Ready to set up your own vet clinic play station? Grab my printable vet clinic dramatic play set to make it easy!

📌 Save this post for later and share it with a friend who loves sensory play!

✔️ Sensory play ideas for toddlers

✔️ DIY sensory activities for toddlers

✔️ Toddler sensory bin ideas

✔️ Easy sensory play setups

✔️ Educational sensory play for toddlers

✔️ Themed sensory play ideas for toddlers (e.g., vet clinic)

✔️ Pretend play vet clinic for kids

✔️ Dramatic play vet clinic setup

✔️ Indoor sensory activities for toddlers

✔️ Creative sensory play for toddlers

🐶 Pet Kits are coming Dec 12 🐶

I’m so excited to share that I’ve teamed up with @_busy_littles and @curiouswren to bring you three amazing pet theme dramatic play kits bundle into one!

Kits will include:

🐩 Dog breed flashcards from @goodnightfox

🐕 Dog breed resin pieces from @_busy_littles

🦴 Colorful matching bones from @_busy_littles

🐾 Three color jars of playdoh from @curiouswren

👩🏻‍⚕️Printable Vet Kit by @goodnightfox

🐕‍🦺 Printable Pet Adoption Kit by @goodnightfox

🛁 Printable Dog Wash Kit by @goodnightfox

All of this goodness is dropping on December 12th and shipping in time for the holidays! So for you last minute shoppers here’s your chance to sneak one more amazing gift under the tree for your little animal lovers. There will only be 10 kits available on drop day.