Exploring Sensory Play: Ice Skating Adventures for Young Minds

As a mother passionate about nurturing my daughter Sofia's curiosity and development, sensory play has been a cornerstone of our educational journey. Through these engaging experiences, Sofia not only discovers new textures and sensations but also expands her cognitive and motor skills while having an absolute blast.

Why Sensory Play Matters:

Sensory play is crucial for toddlers like Sofia as it stimulates their senses, fostering cognitive, language, and social-emotional development. By engaging in activities like fake snow and chickpea snowballs, shredded coconut snow and snowflakes, and ice skating arctic animals on snowflake-shaped Gatorade ice cubes, Sofia not only explores various textures but also hones her fine motor skills and imaginative thinking.

Sofia adores these sensory setups. Her eyes light up when she dives into the fake snow and chickpea snowballs, reveling in the chilly touch and tactile exploration. The shredded coconut snow and snowflakes evoke giggles and soft sensory pleasure, while the ice skating arctic animals skating on Gatorade ice cubes transport her to an imaginative wintry wonderland.

The Ice Skating Rink Play Decor:

To elevate the ice skating experience, I've designed a thematic decor setup. A vibrant menu and a charming banner adorned with wintry motifs set the scene. Flags flutter around the rink, while cutouts of drinks and snacks add to the ambiance, enhancing Sofia's playtime immersion.

The SENSORY FILLERS:

Sensory play takes many shapes and forms and often depends on the kid’s age. Here are three different snow-play bins for a variety of ages including taste-safe options.

1. Real Ice Snowflake Skating Rink: For this sensory bin, I used real ice. I froze blue gatorade in order to give the ice some color, but you could also use food coloring if you’d like. I used this fun snowflake silicone mold in order to freeze the water and enable the little characters to float around on the ice. I used bath toys from the Target dollar spot and froze them on the top of the ice cubes. I also used a regular square mold and a sphere mold to add more ice to the bin. Sofie loved moving them around the ice and skating them around.

2. Fake Shredded Coconut Snow: For a taste-safe bin, I used a bag of shredded coconut from the local Trader Joe’s. I used this filler because Sofie loves to snack, but I also had a feeling she wouldn’t love the flavor and get too full before lunch. She really loved immersing her hands in the texture and squeezing and mushing it together. She even tried to make little snow balls. I added these wooden snowflakes and wool balls to the bin as well.

3. Fake Snow: For this bin, I used powdered fake snow. You just put the powder in the bin and add a bit of water and the snow instantly puffs up. It was both fun to watch it form and fun to squeeze and play with. We added some chickpea “snow balls” in order to make it even more fun to sift and stir.

4. Chickpeas, rice, and sand: Using our InspireMyPlayTray, we creating 5 different compartments. We used two shades of painted purple chickpeas, blue dyed salt, and white sushi rice. We poured the rice into the middle of the play tray, poured chickpeas around the outer edge, and blue salt in the middle. Then we used our resin pieces from @LittleOctoberHouse to make the Ice Skating Scene. We also used our GoodnightFox Animal Acrylic Charms for character small world play.

Vocabulary Words for Toddlers:

1. Skates

2. Snowflakes

3. Penguin

4. Arctic

5. Ice

6. Glide

7. Frosty

8. Chill

9. Slush

10. Winter

11. Skateboard

12. Snowball

13. Snowman

14. Blizzard

15. Frost

16. Freeze

17. Glacier

18. Icicle

19. Polar

20. Snowplow

21. Mittens

22. Snowfall

23. Snowboard

24. Figure Skating

25. Snowdrift

By incorporating these words into play, toddlers like Sofia not only immerse themselves in the theme but also expand their vocabulary, setting a strong foundation for future learning and communication.

Sensory play isn't just about fun; it's a gateway to holistic development, fostering creativity, cognitive growth, and joyful learning experiences. As Sofia delights in these sensory bins, I revel in witnessing her joy and development, knowing that each setup sparks new discoveries and fuels her imagination.

Winter Arctic Animals - Ice Sensory Bin

Winter is such a tough season for Sofie because she loves being outdoors and playing outside. And when it’s rainy and yucky I just hate letter her get soaked, not to mention sick, and muddy. So I’m always in search of and trying to create fun winter-y play that we can do indoors together. And since Sofie loves playing in water and chewing on ice, I thought what better way to have fun that to take our polar animals to the ice for some snowflake and ice cube fun.

5 Steps to an Arctic Adventure:

1. Sensory bin: Make sure you have a sensory bin at the ready because anything with water and ice, well, melts. So you’ll need some towels and a bucket to catch the water.

2. Ice cube tray/mold: I found this awesome Snowflake Mold at the grocery store and it was perfect for this activity. We filled each of the trays with water. And then I let Sofie drop a few drops of blue food coloring. First one drop, then two, and so on. You can see how each snowflake got progressively darker in color. We used this as an opportunity to talk about colors and how they have different shades depending on the water to food coloring ratio.

3. Arctic animals: We gathered our arctic animals collection including our Arctic Animals Memory Game, our Polar Animals Textures Board, and of course Polar Bear Bear Slumberkins which Sofie got this Christmas to join the fun.

We’ve been looking into getting some Polar Animal Figurines so that the next time we do this setup, we can have even more fun!

Rainbow oat dough

Playdoh is a classic and beloved toy that has been used for generations to promote creativity, fine motor skills, and imaginative play. However, many traditional playdoh products contain synthetic ingredients and preservatives that may be harmful to children or have negative environmental impact.

An alternative to traditional playdoh is homemade playdoh made out of oats. Oat playdoh is an all-natural, non-toxic and eco-friendly option that provides many benefits for children and their families.

One of the main benefits of oat playdoh is that it is safe for children to use. Since it is made from all-natural ingredients, there is no risk of harmful chemicals or synthetic materials coming into contact with children's skin or mouths. Additionally, oats are known to be hypoallergenic, making it a great option for children with sensitive skin or allergies.

Another benefit of oat playdoh is that it is easy to make and can be customized to suit individual preferences. Oat playdoh can be made with ingredients found in most kitchens, such as oats, flour, salt, and water. It can also be flavored with natural extracts, such as vanilla or peppermint, to make it more appealing to children.

In addition, oat playdoh is an eco-friendly option, as it is made from sustainable and biodegradable materials. Unlike traditional playdoh, which can end up in landfills after being used, oat playdoh can be composted or even eaten.

Oat playdoh also promotes learning and development in children. Using it can help develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and dexterity, as well as encouraging creativity and imaginative play. Children can use it to create different shapes, models, and patterns, helping to develop their problem-solving and spatial reasoning skills.

In conclusion, oat playdoh is a safe, eco-friendly, and versatile alternative to traditional playdoh. Not only it is easy to make and customize, but it also promotes learning and development in children. It is a great option for families looking for a natural and sustainable play option for their kids.

Lesson Plan: Learning Colors of the Rainbow with Playdoh (For Toddlers)

Monday:

• Introduction to the colors of the rainbow: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet

• Show flashcards of each color and have the children identify them.

• Introduce the playdoh, and have each child take a small piece of the natural playdoh in different colors, and let them explore the texture and color.

Tuesday:

• Review of the colors of the rainbow and their associated names.

• Show a picture of the rainbow and have the children identify the colors in order.

• Small group activity: Have the children work in pairs to create different shapes and patterns using the playdoh in the colors of the rainbow.

Wednesday:

• Review of the colors of the rainbow and their order.

• Introduce the concept of mixing colors to make new colors.

• Have the children mix different colors of playdoh together to create new colors and discuss the results.

Thursday:

• Review of the colors of the rainbow, their order, and the concept of mixing colors.

• Hands-on activity: Have the children create a rainbow using the playdoh in the correct order of colors.

• Encourage the children to use their creativity and imagination to create different designs and patterns within the rainbow.

Friday:

• Review of the week's lesson on the colors of the rainbow.

• Have the children share their rainbow creations with the class.

• End the week with a class discussion on how understanding the colors of the rainbow can help children in their daily lives, such as recognizing different colors of fruits, clothes, and traffic lights.

Note: Each day's activities should be adjusted based on the children's age and development level. Also, activities should be adapted to include different modalities such as visual, kinesthetic, auditory, and tactile to make it more engaging for kids. Use of natural playdoh is recommended as it is non-toxic, safe and easy to clean up.

Arctic Animal Winter Sensory Bin

This year I’m so excited to be teaming up with the fabulous Little October House to bring you this amazing Arctic Polar Animal Winter Themed Sensory bin. Check out all of the amazing possibilities with these polar animal goodies:

• Resin Pieces by Little October House

• Arctic Memory Game by GoodnightFox

• Arctic Acrylic Animals by GoodnightFox

• Printable South Pole

• Inspire My Play Tray

• IKEA Flisat & Skadis

Haunted House Halloween Sensory Play: A Spooky Adventure for Little Ones

Are you looking for a thrilling and educational Halloween activity for your little ghouls and goblins? Look no further than our Haunted House Halloween Sensory Play! This interactive sensory experience will not only captivate their imaginations but also stimulate their senses and boost their vocabulary. Read on to discover the spooky decor, engaging activities, and a list of 25 vocabulary words perfect for ages 3-6.

Spooky Decor that Sets the Stage

The Haunted House Halloween Sensory Play is all about creating an immersive experience for your child. Start by printing a haunted house template, complete with spooky details, and place it as the centerpiece of your play space. Hang a ghostly sign and a flag with eerie symbols to add an extra touch of spookiness. Don't forget to scatter cutouts of bats, spiders, eyeballs, candy corn, and witches hats throughout the area. These decorations will create an engaging and visually stimulating atmosphere for your little ones.

Sensory Bins Filled with Thrills

To heighten the sensory experience, prepare two sensory bins filled with black and orange dyed quinoa. The contrasting colors will create an exciting visual effect, making the play session even more captivating. The quinoa's texture enhances fine motor skills and encourages exploration. Hide the cutouts within the filler and provide pinchers for your child to dig them out. This activity promotes hand-eye coordination and the development of fine motor control.

Matching Games and Flashcards for Skill Building

In addition to the sensory bins, incorporate matching games using flashcards into the play session. Create flashcards featuring the same spooky cutouts found within the sensory bins. Encourage your child to search for the corresponding flashcard once they've uncovered a cutout. This engaging activity helps develop cognitive abilities like memory, attention to detail, and pattern recognition.

Benefits of Sensory Play

Sensory play offers numerous developmental benefits for young children. It stimulates their five senses - sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste - as they explore different textures, colors, and shapes. This type of play enhances cognitive skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. Moreover, sensory play engages children's fine motor skills, promoting their hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

Vocabulary Enrichment with 25 Spooky Words

As your child revels in the Haunted House Halloween Sensory Play, they will also build their vocabulary. Here is a list of 25 spooky words, perfect for ages 3-6, to enrich their language skills through this activity theme setup:
1. Ghost
2. Skeleton
3. Vampire
4. Witch
5. Bat
6. Spider
7. Mummy
8. Haunted
9. Candy
10. Pumpkin
11. Cackle
12. Cauldron
13. Broomstick
14. Trick-or-treat
15. Boo
16. Costume
17. Cobweb
18. Jack-o'-lantern
19. Potion
20. Moon
21. Monster
22. Fangs
23. Ghoulish
24. Eerie
25. Spooky
Introduce these words during play, associating them with the corresponding cutouts and flashcards. By incorporating vocabulary into this Halloween-themed sensory play, you can foster a love for learning and expand your child's language skills.
This Halloween, make learning spooktacularly fun with the Haunted House Halloween Sensory Play! Engage your child's senses, promote cognitive development, and expand their vocabulary with this thrilling activity. Get ready for a hauntingly good time!

Halloween Pumpkin Patch

The Benefits of Dramatic Play for Toddlers: Creating a Festive Pumpkin Patch Experience

Are you looking for an engaging and educational activity to captivate your toddler's imagination? Look no further than our pumpkin patch themed dramatic play kit! This immersive experience is not only fun for little ones but also offers a multitude of developmental benefits. In this blog post, we'll explore the advantages of dramatic play and delve into the delightful Flisat play table decor, showcasing a vibrant awning, banner, flag, rows of sunflowers, cut-out pumpkins, and a build-a-scarecrow activity. Additionally, we'll share three sensory play bins suitable for different age groups (0-1.5, 1.5-2.5, and 2.5+) and discuss our middle age group's favorite sensory bin filler - granola, which not only adds texture but also doubles as a tasty snack. Lastly, we'll unveil how my daughter adored this activity, pretending to scoop and sell granola at her very own pumpkin patch. Let's dive in!

The Benefits of Dramatic Play for Toddlers

Dramatic play, also known as pretend play or imaginative play, is a crucial aspect of a child's development. It allows toddlers to explore the world around them, express their thoughts and emotions, develop social and cognitive skills, and enhance their creativity. Engaging in imaginative play helps promote:
1. Language and Communication Skills: Through role-playing, children learn to use words to express their thoughts, communicate with others, and practice conversational skills.
2. Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: When children engage in dramatic play, they encounter various scenarios that require problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking. They learn to adapt and make choices while developing their cognitive skills.
3. Social and Emotional Development: Dramatic play encourages children to interact with their peers, promoting cooperation, empathy, and understanding. It allows them to explore different roles, perspectives, and emotions, developing their sense of self.

Captivating Flisat Play Table Decor

Our pumpkin patch dramatic play kit features a stunning Flisat play table decor arrangement that will transport your toddler to a magical fall wonderland. With an awning, banner, flag, rows of sunflowers, cut-out pumpkins, and a build-a-scarecrow activity, this setup sets the stage for an immersive and authentic pumpkin patch experience. The vibrant colors and charming design elements will ignite your child's imagination and bring the pumpkin patch to life in your very own home.

Sensory Play Bins for Different Age Groups

1. Ages 0-1.5: For our youngest pumpkin patch enthusiasts, we recommend a sensory play bin filled with soft fabric squares of different textures. This tactile experience enhances sensory exploration, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination.
2. Ages 1.5-2.5: Toddlers in this age group will delight in a sensory play bin filled with colorful play dough, small plastic pumpkins, and natural materials like leaves and twigs. This sensory bin encourages imaginative play, sensory exploration, and fine motor skill development.
3. Ages 2.5+: For older toddlers, a sensory play bin filled with dried corn kernels, mini plastic shovels, artificial sunflowers, and small containers promotes sensory exploration, fine motor skills, and imaginative play.

The Perfect Sensory Bin Filler: Granola

In our pumpkin patch themed dramatic play kit, we've introduced a sensory bin filler that not only adds texture but is also a delicious snack - granola! This wholesome choice appeals to the senses, providing a unique tactile experience while allowing children to satisfy their hunger during the activity. As they scoop and sell granola at their pumpkin patch, toddlers develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, numerical awareness, and entrepreneurial spirit.

My Daughter's Love for the Pumpkin Patch Activity

Watching my daughter engage with the pumpkin patch themed dramatic play kit was an absolute joy. She loved pretending to scoop and sell granola at her very own pumpkin patch, donning a smile that radiated her excitement. Her little hands skillfully picked pumpkins while sifting through the sensory delight of the granola-filled bin. It was a truly unforgettable experience that not only entertained her but also contributed to her development in numerous ways.
In conclusion, our pumpkin patch themed dramatic play kit offers a fantastic opportunity for toddlers to engage in imaginative play, fostering their language, cognitive, social, and emotional development. The vibrant Flisat play table decor, combined with the various sensory play bins suitable for different age groups, creates an immersive and educational experience. And the inclusion of granola as a sensory bin filler adds an element of taste and texture to the activity. So, why wait? Unleash your child's imagination and let them embark on a whimsical journey

Today we played pretend Pumpkin Patch and we had an absolute blast making up all of the things that we did at the real pumpkin patch this year. We used our Flisat table and filled the sensory tub full of granola and buried some pumpkins underneath to dig them out. We pretended to buy slices of pumpkin pie and eat them. And we of course built our own scarecrow and our own jack-o-lanterns with the printable kit.

How to organize your sensory play in 3 easy and affordable steps

If you’re like me, you’ve accumulated a lot of sensory play materials over the years and you struggle to keep up with storing and organizing all of it. Well, I finally got the time to get it all organized and here are some of my favorite tips and tricks to keep your playroom tidy while enjoying lots of fun (and sometimes messy) sensory play. In this room, I store over 200 sensory play activities along side a multitude of other toys and books.

1. Closed storage units

Okay okay. I know Montessori moms love the open and accessible shelving units for kids to have play items accessible and visual. And of course they’re great for toy rotations. But I find they just aren’t practical. Not all of your child’s toys need to be out and available and if we’re talking aesthetics, not all of them are pretty toys. So have a mix of open and closed shelving so that toys are at the ready but also there are some drawers to tuck away items not in use. We love our Aspect Modular shelves from Crate and Barrel. You can make a custom configuration that suits your room.

2. Peg Board Organizers

The Skadis pegboard from IKEA has been a lifesaver for us. I can easily store and display small parts and accessories for sensory play. We have our resin letters from @busylittles, we have our emotions pieces from @thesensoryexperience, and our resin pieces from @busylittles all stored neatly in these little containers. Plus we have our wool balls from @wonderyearsshop and our memory games from @bannortoys. Everything is sorted yet accessible so that we can pull them out at a moments notice.

This is a great way to store the sensory fillers that you’re going to use pretty regularly. Wool balls, kinetic sand, grapat and mandala toys, buttons, washi tape, and more. We also use the mesh wire bins to hold our GoodnightFox flashcards — the sets that we pull out most are Letter Sounds, Letters, High Frequency Words, and Emotions.

• Resin Letters & Gems by Busy Littles

• Emotions pieces by The Sensory Experience

• Wool balls by The Wonder Years Shop

• Dinosaur Bones by Creating Adventures Co

• Rainbow Wooden Crayons by Oak & Co

• Rainbow Chickpeas by Curious Wren

• Alphabet Clips, Nuts & Bolts Erasers, Letter Erasers from Target Dollar Spot

• Grapat & Mandala pieces from Amazon

• Silicon Silly String from Amazon

• Acrylic Characters by GoodnightFox

• Flashcards by GoodnightFox

• Playsilks by Sarah’s Silks

• Peg Occupations Dolls by TinyMountainMovers

• Resin pieces from Little October House

3. Sterilite Storage Bins & Containers

Most of our storage is in our closet. We store by theme in our Sterilite 15qt bins and our 4qt bins. We put toys, printables, flashcards, materials / fillers in these bins by theme. And our favorite hack is using our GoodnightFox flashcards at the front of each bin so that we can remember what the theme of each bin is.

4. BULK Food STORAGE containers FOR FILLERS

These work great for larger items and then for fillers and smaller materials, we use these free containers from the bulk foods section at WholeFoods. It’s so great because they’re free and come in two sizes so that we can easily store multiple colors of rice, chick peas, and other fillers. And they work great for keeping snacks and cereal from going stale!

5. Photo Storage Bins for small parts

Creating organized, themed storage solutions for small sensory play items is a game-changer in toy organization and playroom storage. I discovered an amazing hack using clear plastic photo storage boxes for this purpose. These 4x6 boxes are perfect for keeping tiny parts together and sorted by theme, allowing for quick and easy access to specific sensory play items.

What makes these storage boxes even more incredible is how 16 of them neatly fit into a portable case. This feature is a lifesaver for on-the-go activities, as you can easily keep them in your car for spontaneous play sessions. Whether it's a long road trip or a quick visit to a friend's house, having these boxes at hand ensures endless fun without worrying about missing pieces.

You can snag these on Amazon or wait for them to go on sale at Michaels!

6. Candy Jar clear containers

I found these in the target dollar spot one day and absolutely couldn’t resist. I have so many legos and I wanted to organize them all by color and essentially turn them into decor for the room instead of loose parts to hide and shove somewhere. You can store these containers on a shelf or use command strips to fix them to the wall. You can even use them for other things like sensory fillers (I use them to store chickpeas) but you can also store fillers like sand, corn, peas, beans, foam and more!

If you have room on your walls and you’re looking for a creative storage solution, you can easily use command strips to stick these to your walls damage free while making it easy for kiddos to reach in and grab what they’re looking for. Since I have so many rainbow colored legos, it was a no brainer to use these as both decor and storage.

More great tips and tricks

For even more great storage solutions follow some of my favorite accounts:

• Follow Teaching by the Mountains for tips like this Maple & Lark zipper pouch organizer

• Follow The Home Edit for great tips like arranging your books by rainbow color

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Welcome to the Wonderful World of Boba Bubble Team Themed Dramatic Play Setup for Kids!

🧋 Bubble Tea Party 🧋 Are you ready to unleash your child's imagination and create a magical boba shop experience right at home? Look no further than our stunning pastel colored pink, purple, and teal kit designed to transform your Flisat table into a boba lover's dream! This immersive kit includes everything you need to bring the boba shop experience to life, from an adorable awning to a delightful menu, a charming flag, a vibrant banner, a boba truck, and even tea cups - the list goes on!

At Goodnight Fox, we believe in providing your little ones with the most authentic and engaging play experiences. That's why we've gone the extra mile by including a variety of additional props - like the felt dumplings from @pockets.of.sweetness - to truly enhance the sensory aspect of this dramatic play setup. But we didn't stop there! We've also added real boba toppings such as tapioca pearls, aloe vera chunks, and almond pudding, ensuring that your child's sensory tub will be filled with a thrilling range of textures and fun.
One of the highlights of this boba bubble team themed play setup is the opportunity for your kids to become master boba tea creators. They'll be able to scoop their favorite toppings and pour the tea, experimenting with different combinations to create their own unique concoctions. This not only encourages creativity, but also promotes fine motor skills and sensory exploration.

But it's not just about the play - our boba bubble team themed play setup offers a wealth of benefits for your child's development. Through open-ended dramatic play, kids can explore social skills, problem-solving, language development, and cooperation as they take on roles and interact with others in their boba shop. Moreover, this immersive play experience can help foster imagination and creativity in young minds, enabling them to think outside the box and embrace their natural curiosity.
In the age of technology and screens, our boba bubble team themed play setup provides a wonderful opportunity for children to unplug, engage in hands-on play, and let their imaginations soar. Each element of our kit has been thoughtfully crafted to ignite their senses and transport them to a world of playful exploration, all while having a blast.

So, why wait? Turn your Flisat table into a vibrant boba shop today with our remarkable pastel colored pink, purple, and teal kit. Watch as your child's eyes light up with excitement and see their creativity flourish as they embark on their boba adventure. With every scoop, pour, and sip, their imaginations will be ignited, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Get ready to create a boba bubble team themed dramatic play setup that will enchant your child and provide endless hours of playtime fun. Order your kit today and let the boba shop magic begin!

Outer space sensory play

This outer space sensory play setup was so perfect for our weekend play time. I used Galaxy Cereal from whole foods which was basically cheerios plus moons and star marshmallows to make a taste safe snack bin — Sofie loves having snacks when she wakes up from her nap! Paired with some basic black beans and some fun play doh planets, moons, stars, etc. Plus we had this awesome space themed play doh kit that I found at target and it was so great use it for little molds. Also, I just absolutely love these simple white cookie cutters from Holly Fox on Etsy!

Also pictured here is our favorite Ikea Flisat Table and Skadis Peg Board set up!

Farm Animal Sensory Bin

Today I set up this Farm Animal sensory bin which I’ve been meaning to do for a long time now! I used lentils and corn for the filler along with some pumpkin seeds and peanut butter pretzels for the hay bales. I had some extra pasta shells from another activity so I tossed those in too!

Here’s a full list of supplies:

• GoodnightFox Farm Animal Flashcards

• Goodnightfox Vegetable Flashcards

• Lovevery Animal Figurines

• Oak and Co Chicken and Carrot

• TouchThinkLearn Farm Book

• Lifecycle of a Chicken Cards

• Lifecycle Learning Board