Snow Play Sensory Bags (Mess-Free Winter Play)

If you’re looking for a low-mess winter sensory activity that works for babies and toddlers, snow play sensory bags are one of my favorite go-to setups.

These sensory bags are designed for high chair play, floor play, or quiet table time, and they’re perfect for younger children who love sensory exploration but aren’t quite ready for open bins yet.

This free download includes interactive winter-themed printables that slide right under the bag, turning simple sensory play into early learning through play.

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Why Sensory Bags Are Perfect for Younger Toddlers

Sensory bags are ideal for:

• Babies and toddlers who still mouth materials

• Parents who want mess-free sensory play

• Short attention spans and quick setup

• Fine motor development without loose pieces

They also work beautifully taped to:

• High chairs

• Tables

• Windows

• Floor tiles

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What’s Included in the Free Snow Sensory Bag Download

The free printable pack includes multiple winter-themed designs you can rotate under the bag, such as:

• ❄️ Snowball counting mats (perfect for pom pom counting)

• ❄️ Snowflake ABCs backgrounds (for letter tracing exploration)

• ❄️ Winter Ice Skating tracing paths (great for finger tracking)

• ❄️ SNOW Letters & Character (great for reveal and trace)

Each design is created to face the child correctly when placed under a sensory bag and taped down.

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Snow Sensory Bag Recipe (Parent-Friendly & Low Prep)

This setup works like a recipe — simple ingredients, quick assembly, and easy cleanup.

Ingredients

• 1 clear zip-top bag (freezer bags work best)

• Clear school glue

• Clear baby oil

• 1 drop blue food coloring (optional)

• Cotton balls or white pom poms (for snowballs)

• Winter-themed printable

• White painter’s tape

Instructions

1. Add the base

   • Pour a layer of clear glue into the zip-top bag.

   • Add a small amount of clear baby oil to create a slow-moving, slippery texture.

2. Color the snow

   • Add one small drop of blue food coloring.

   • Gently mix inside the bag until it looks like icy snow.

3. Add sensory elements

   • Drop in cotton balls or white pom poms for snowballs.

   • Press out excess air and seal the bag tightly.

4. Secure the bag

   • Place your printable flat on the table or high chair tray.

   • Lay the sealed bag on top, fully covering the design.

   • Tape all four corners with white painter’s tape.

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How to Use the Snow Sensory Bags

Here are a few easy ways to extend play:

• Counting: Push pom poms onto the numbered snowballs

• Fine motor: Squeeze, press, and slide snowballs across the mat

• Visual tracking: Follow tracing paths with fingers

• Language: Talk about snow, cold, winter clothes, and animals

• Storytelling: Make up simple winter scenes using the characters

This activity is intentionally open-ended — perfect for short bursts of play or calm transitions.

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Safety Notes

• Always supervise play

• Double-check the seal before offering to your child

• Tape bags securely and discard if damaged

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Grab the Free Snow Sensory Bag Printables

These snow sensory bag designs are available as a free download, making it easy to try this activity at home with minimal prep.

👉 Download the free snow sensory bag printables here

January Learning Through Play (Winter Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers)

Welcome to your January Learning Through Play Guide — a month of cozy sensory setups, winter STEM, crafts, literacy, and creative exploration designed specifically for toddlers and preschoolers.

January often brings cold weather, shorter days, and a need for meaningful indoor play. That’s why we’ve curated play-based activities that build early learning skills, support fine motor development, and help you create a gentle daily rhythm at home or in your homeschool.

Whether you’re exploring snow & ice themes, arctic animal worlds, or winter crafts, this month’s activities are designed to be hands-on, simple to set up, and full of learning through play joy.

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Week 1 — New Year & Winter Play

Start the month with activities centered on new beginnings, math, sensory exploration, and calm holiday-to-routine transitions.

🧠 Sensory & Science

• New Year Disco Ball & Mirror Bin — a sparkly sensory invitation to explore light & reflection.

• Mindfulness Foam — sensory foam that doubles as calm-down play and texture exploration.

📚 Storytime

• The Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution — a story about setting intentions and routines.

✨ Calm & Craft

• Make a Calming Corner — create a soothing sensory space for still moments.

Build on this week with activity reflections in your homeschool rhythm: sensory morning, storytime mid-day, craft in the afternoon.

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Week 2 — Snow & Ice

Welcome the heart of winter with snow-themed letters, frozen science, and sensory crafts.

🧊 Snow & Science

• Ice Cube Melting Race — speedy sensory science to explore temperature changes.

• Freeze & Melt Experiment — extend the play with droppers and warm water.

❄️ Crafts & Fine Motor

• Paper Snowflake Cutting — perfect for scissor practice and creating winter décor.

• Snow Globe Craft — a favorite winter craft with visual sensory appeal.

📚 Winter Reads

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats — a classic story that captures winter wonder.

👉 For even more snow & ice ideas, check our winter sensory play collection and Flisat table setups like Ice Skating & Snow Play and other snowy activities.

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Week 3 — Arctic Animals

Explore polar life as you create arctic sensory bins, build habitats, and watch little learners make connections to the animal world.

🐧 Arctic Sensory Play

• Arctic Animal Counting — combine counting practice with animal figures.

• Penguin Ice Skating Tray — sensory play inspired by ice and movement.

🎨 Crafts & Art

• Polar Bear Paw Painting — sensory art exploring winter textures.

• Paper Roll Penguin & Polar Bear — upcycle toilet paper rolls into winter mascots.

📚 Storytime

• The Bear Snores On — a cozy read aloud that pairs well with arctic activities.

👉 Dive deeper into arctic sensory play with the South Pole Sensory Bin — snow, ice, and animal habitats inspired by polar landscapes. (Goodnight Fox)

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Week 4 — Food, Health & Winter Wellness

Round out the month with winter food, health exploration, and play invitations that support healthy habits and sensory engagement.

🍎 Healthy Food Play

• Fruit & Veggie Counting — math meets nutrition awareness.

• Taste Test Science — try new foods and talk about texture, taste, and preference.

🧼 Health & Hygiene

• Germs Are Not for Sharing — a playful way to reinforce hygiene habits.

• Handwashing Poster & Activity — add sensory foam and glitter to practice handwashing routines.

🧸 Calm Play

• Fruit Stamp Art — creative exploration after sensory and food sorting.

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Extra Winter Play Extensions

Here are a few seasonal activities from around the blog that you can slot in this month — linked and ready to explore:

❄️ Winter Crafts

• Pipe Cleaner Snowflake Craft — simple, sparkly fine motor fun for winter art projects.

🐻 Winter Sensory Play

• Winter Arctic Animals — Ice Sensory Bin — meltable ice, arctic animals, and sensory exploration all in one bin.

⛸️ Ice Skating & Snow Play

• A variety of ice, coconut snow, and sensory bin ideas perfect for January indoor play.

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How This Fits Into a Homeschool Rhythm

January play doesn’t need to feel overwhelming. Try this simple daily rhythm:

• Morning: Sensory or math invitations (e.g., counting, ice play)

• Midday: Storytime + craft

• Afternoon: Independent sensory play or themed extension activity

This gentle rhythm supports skill building without extra stress — perfect for winter months when cozy, engaging play is more important than rigid schedules.

Want a done-for-you way to organize these themes into a full homeschool plan? My GoodnightFox Homeschool Curriculum Planner includes weekly themes, activity suggestions, worksheets, and seasonal structure so you don’t have to reinvent your weekly planning.

👉 Explore the planner here: https://goodnightfox.myshopify.com/products/homeschool-curriculum

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Books to Pair With January Play

Reading aloud strengthens language and builds anticipatory play. Pair sensory bins or crafts with seasonal reads like:

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

• Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner

• If You Were a Penguin (various editions)

These books compliment sensory, art, and animal exploration throughout January.

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Your Turn: Winter Play Checklist

To help you keep track this month, use this simple checklist:

• ❏ Arctic animal sensory bin

• ❏ Ice science or melt experiment

• ❏ Snow globe craft

• ❏ Pipe cleaner snowflakes

• ❏ Healthy food & habits play

• ❏ Storytime with a winter book

Don’t feel like you must do everything — pick a few favorites each week and let play grow from there.

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January Wrap-Up

January is the perfect time to slow down, build rhythms, and connect through play. These activities are designed to support learning, curiosity, and meaningful moments at home.

Start with one activity each day or rotate them through the week. If you ever want help organizing these ideas into a full homeschool rhythm that fits your family’s life, the GoodnightFox Playschool Planner was created with exactly that goal in mind.

👉 Check it out here: https://goodnightfox.myshopify.com/products/homeschool-curriculum

Enhance Toddler Learning and Imagination with Our Grocery Store Printable Play Food Dramatic Play Kit

Are you searching for a fun and educational activity to engage your toddler's imagination? Look no further than our Grocery Store Printable Play Food Dramatic Play Kit. This aesthetically pleasing and affordable play set offers countless benefits for your little one's development. In this blog post, we will explore the advantages of dramatic play for toddlers, discuss the struggles of finding suitable play food sets, and showcase the learning opportunities that arise when children pretend to own a grocery store. Additionally, we will describe three distinct activities that will keep your kiddos entertained and engaged with our versatile play setup.

Benefits of Dramatic Play for Toddlers

Dramatic play, also known as pretend play or imaginative play, plays a crucial role in the early development of toddlers. By engaging in dramatic play, children are able to explore and make sense of the world around them. Here are some key benefits your toddler can experience through this form of play:
1. Language and Communication Skills: Pretend play encourages toddlers to engage in conversations and helps them develop their vocabulary. As they pretend to shop for groceries, they may communicate their preferences, ask questions, and interact with imaginary customers, enhancing their verbal skills.
2. Imagination and Creativity: Through imaginative play, toddlers are free to think outside the box, create unique scenarios, and develop problem-solving skills. Pretending to own a grocery store allows them to unleash their creativity as they take on roles such as shopkeepers, cashiers, or customers.
3. Social and Emotional Development: Dramatic play promotes social interaction and cooperative play. It provides opportunities for children to understand different perspectives, practice empathy, share, negotiate, and resolve conflicts. These skills are essential for their emotional intelligence and future relationships.

Frustrations in Finding Suitable Play Food Sets

When searching for play food sets, many parents encounter a common dilemma. Wooden sets are often visually appealing, but they can be prohibitively expensive. On the other hand, cheap plastic sets may lack durability and fail to stimulate a child's imagination. With our grocery store printable play food dramatic play kit, we understand these concerns and have strived to create an ideal solution that combines affordability, aesthetics, and functionality.

Learning TOPICS with Our Grocery Store Printable Play Food Dramatic Play Kit

Owning a grocery store, even in pretend play, provides numerous learning opportunities for toddlers. Here are some of the skills and concepts your child can develop using our play setup:
1. Numeracy Skills: Through role-playing as shopkeepers, children can practice counting, sorting, and recognizing numbers as they manage the products in their grocery store. They can engage in tasks such as pricing items, calculating totals, and making change, fostering early numeracy skills.
2. Healthy Food Choices: Our play food collection contains a variety of items, including toothpaste, orange juice, cheese, milk, butter, dog food, cat food, beans, spaghetti, cereal, laundry soap, and more. As toddlers explore these pretend groceries, they can learn about different food groups, healthy eating habits, and make-believe meal preparations.
3. Social Skills and Problem Solving: Interacting with others during dramatic play helps children develop essential social skills. While engaging with family members or playmates, toddlers can practice turn-taking, sharing, and cooperating. They can also address challenges that arise, such as resolving conflicts between customers or finding creative solutions to restock empty shelves.

Three Activities with Our Play Setup

1. Grocery Store Pretend Play:

Set up a designated area as a grocery store using our printable play food. Your child can take turns being the shopkeeper and the customer, creating a realistic shopping experience. They can learn about pricing, scanning items, using a cash register, and even bagging groceries.

2. Mealtime Preparation:

Encourage your toddler to choose ingredients from our printable food collection and create their own imaginative recipes. Through role-play cooking activities, they can practice basic kitchen skills, make-believe meal planning, and explore different food combinations.

We used our amazing pan, egg, and waffle 🧇 set from @t.c.play — Sofia loved practicing flipping the eggs!

3. Cleaning Up the Grocery Store:

Teach responsibility and organization through cleaning up the grocery store after playtime. Toddlers can practice counting, sorting, and categorizing items, enhancing their cleaning skills while reinforcing concepts of orderliness and tidiness.

Vocabulary Words for Toddlers in a Grocery Store Dramatic Play Setup

1. Apple
2. Banana
3. Orange
4. Strawberry
5. Grapes
6. Carrot
7. Tomato
8. Broccoli
9. Potato
10. Milk
11. Juice
12. Bread
13. Cheese
14. Yogurt
15. Egg
16. Chicken
17. Fish
18. Cereal
19. Pasta
20. Rice
21. Jelly
22. Peanut butter
23. Honey
24. Butter
25. Chocolate

These vocabulary words are perfect for toddlers to learn while playing in a grocery store dramatic play setup. By engaging in pretend play, they can familiarize themselves with various food items and learn their names. This activity not only enhances their language skills but also introduces them to healthy and balanced eating habits.

Conclusion

The Grocery Store Printable Play Food Dramatic Play Kit offers an affordable and visually appealing solution for toddlers to engage in imaginative play. This play set provides vital learning moments, developing language, creativity, social skills, and problem-solving abilities. With a variety of activities, including grocery shopping, meal preparation, and clean-up, your little one's development will be supported in a fun and interactive way. Invest in our printable play food kit, and watch your child's imagination thrive!

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