Witches Brew Apothecary Shop Sensory Play & Foam Slime Bin Filler Recipe

Creating Magical Moments of Learning Through Play!

The spooky season is here, and it’s time to bring out the cauldrons, potions, and spells! Today, I’m sharing a magical sensory play setup that transforms your little ones into apprentice witches and wizards with a full apothecary shop setup. This setup includes three different sensory bins, each packed with engaging materials to support fine motor skills, sensory exploration, and imaginative play.

And of course, don’t forget to grab the free printable potion kit to add an extra layer of fun to the setup!

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Sensory Bin 1: Quinoa, Dyed Rice, and Black Beans with Beaker Set

For this bin, I used quinoa dyed purple, green rice, and black beans to create a colorful and textured base. The Lovevery beaker set adds an extra science-lab vibe, making it perfect for little witches mixing their potions.

This bin is excellent for scooping, pouring, and sorting activities, which help develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Plus, the combination of quinoa and rice offers a sensory delight, with their different textures providing a tactile experience that keeps little ones engaged for extended play sessions.

What You'll Need:

• - Quinoa (dyed purple)

• - Green rice

• - Black beans

• - Lovevery beaker set or any small containers

Benefits:

• - Fine motor development through scooping and pouring

• - Hand-eye coordination practice

• - Encourages imaginative play as kids pretend to mix potions

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Sensory Bin 2: Purple Slime with Printable Potion Toppings

Our second sensory bin dives into the gooey world of slime! I made purple slime as the base for this bin and paired it with laminated cut-out toppings and mix-ins from the printable potion kit.

This bin offers hours of slimy fun, allowing kids to decorate and experiment with their potions by adding pretend magical ingredients like bat wings, toadstools, or moon dust (all part of the printable kit). Laminating the printables ensures they stay sturdy, even after hours of play.

What You'll Need:

• - Purple slime (store-bought or homemade)

• - Laminated cut-outs from the printable potion kit

• - Mixing tools like spoons or scoops

Benefits:

• - Boosts creativity and storytelling as kids pretend to brew potions

• - Strengthens tactile and sensory exploration

• - Improves fine motor skills through slime manipulation

Foam Slime Recipe:

• 3/4 cup white school glue

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 cup water

• 3-5 drops food coloring

• 3 cups shaving cream

• 2 tablespoons contact lens solution

  Mix the glue, baking soda, water abs food coloring in a large mixing bowl. Then add the shaving cream and fold in. Finally add the contact lens solution — this is the activator which will make the slime less sticky. If it’s too sticky, add more activator. If it falls apart, add more glue.

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Sensory Bin 3: Green Dyed Cooked Spaghetti with Squishy Eyeballs

For the final bin, we’re getting extra spooky! This bin features green-dyed cooked spaghetti, squishy eyeballs, candy bones, and plastic spiders for a creepy-crawly search-and-find activity. The soft texture of the spaghetti makes it irresistible for little hands, while the fun add-ins make this bin a sensory hit.

This setup encourages kids to search for specific items like eyeballs or bones, building their focus and concentration. It’s also great for encouraging conversations about what witches might put into their potions!

What You'll Need:

• - Cooked spaghetti (dyed green)

• - Squishy eyeballs

• - Candy bones

• - Plastic spiders or other Halloween-themed mix-ins

Benefits:

• - Stimulates sensory exploration with slimy, squishy textures

• - Enhances problem-solving skills with a search-and-find activity

• - Supports language development as kids discuss their potions

Add to the Fun!

Don’t forget to grab my Witches Brew Potion Kit! The printables are perfect for adding mix-ins, labels, and potion ingredients to your sensory play. This apothecary shop setup can be used for solo play or group activities, and it’s ideal for keeping little ones entertained while learning through play.

What spooky potions will your little witches brew today? Be sure to share your setups with me by tagging @GoodnightFox! 🎃

I’m so excited to make this setup for Sofie’s Halloween Activities. Here’s the recipe for her Witch’s Potion.

• 1/2 Cup Elmers Glue

• 3 Cups Foam Shaving Cream

• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda

• Purple Food Coloring

• 1 tbsp Saline Solution

Toppings:

• Purple Water Beads

• Plastic Spiders

• Fake eyeballs

Embark on a Sensory Adventure throughout the 50 States

Greetings, fellow explorers of learning and play! As a devoted mom and small shop owner passionate about crafting immersive experiences for little ones, I recently embarked on a sensory journey through America's 50 states with my daughter, Sofia. Our mission? To dive deep into sensory play and discovery, turning our play space into a colorful tapestry of exploration and learning.

Setup and Decor

Our adventure began with the transformation of our play area into a vibrant landscape teeming with possibilities. Using downloadable decorations—festive banners, fluttering flags, a vivid map of the US, and whimsical state cutouts—all adorned in radiant rainbow hues, we created an atmosphere with excitement and anticipation. We also ordered supplies from some of our favorite small shops for this setup:

• Rainbow Rice by Where Kids Play

• Felt States by Felt Happy Sewing

• Wool Balls by Wonder Years Play

• Sorting Cups by Inspire My Play

• Silicone Tongs by Inspire My Play

Three Engaging Sensory Bins/Activities

1. State Treasure Hunt:

The Flisat IKEA table became our treasure trove as Sofia eagerly embarked on a State Treasure Hunt. Within the sensory bin lay hidden treasures representing each state—miniature landmarks, gleaming "gems," and tactile items. As Sofia unearthed these treasures, she simultaneously discovered the states' locations on the map, sparking joyous exploration and geographical understanding.

2. Capitals Match-Up:

Delving further into sensory immersion, Sofia indulged in the Capitals Match-Up activity. Engaging her senses, Sofia explored the flags' textures and shapes, skillfully pairing each state cutout with its corresponding capitol name. This playful exercise enhanced her grasp of state capitals while stimulating her sensory development.

3. United states puzzle match

For this activity, we cut out all of the 50 states and then reassembled them back into the map using the full map as the background. I laminated this activity and used little velcro sticky dots so that we could do this activity over and over again. It’s such a fun little puzzle and Sofia got a kick out of trying to remember all of the states as we did the activity.

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Benefits of Sensory Play

The magic of sensory play extends beyond mere amusement. Through these activities, Sofia not only reveled in laughter but also engaged her senses, fostering cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Sensory play sparks curiosity, hones problem-solving skills, and refines fine motor abilities, laying a robust foundation for early learning.

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Vocabulary Words for 50 States Play

To enrich your child's vocabulary during this immersive experience, here's a curated list of words along with their meanings:

1. States: Regions within a country.

2. Capitals: Main cities of states or countries.

3. Landmarks: Famous or historically significant structures or places.

4. Flags: Symbolic pieces of cloth representing countries or states.

5. Treasure: Valuable or precious items.

6. Sorting: Organizing things based on specific criteria.

7. Colors: Various shades and tones.

8. Textures: The feel or appearance of a surface.

9. Diversity: Variety or differences within a group.

10. Exploration: Discovering or investigating.

11. Sensory: Relating to the senses (sight, touch, smell, taste, and hearing).

12. Immersive: Fully involving or surrounding oneself.

13. Playground: Area for playing or recreation.

14. Discovery: Finding or learning something new.

15. Anticipation: Excited expectation of something to come.

16. Atmosphere: The mood or feeling of a place.

17. Geographical: Related to the study of Earth's surface and its features.

18. Grasp: Understanding or comprehension.

19. Stimulate: To encourage growth or activity.

20. Palette: Range or variety.

21. Curiosity: Desire to know or learn about something.

22. Hone: Refine or improve.

23. Robust: Strong or sturdy.

24. Foundation: Basis or groundwork.

25. Amusement: Enjoyment or entertainment.

Halloween Memory Game Cards

OMG! It’s spooky season and I’m so excited for all of the amazing Halloween goodies this year! I’m kicking it off with this adorable printable activity set. This set is perfect for a little Flisat table setup or you can use the pieces as decor for your Little Boo’s Halloween Party. I’m doing both this year and I’m teaming up with my favorite @CharsJar_s to bring you a spooky little collaboration.

• Printable Halloween Activity Set

• Resin Halloween Pieces

Lowercase Letters

This set was so much fun to design, but it was even more fun to watch Sofie play with.

• Printable Classroom: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1066224135

• Pencil bows: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SewDaintyBowtique

• Wooden Pencil: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OakAndCoshop

It’s the perfect way to get your kiddo in the mood for back to school or for your preschooler, perhaps a way to introduce them prior to their first day of school! Dramatic play is so important for kids and Sofie had so much fun learning these classroom concepts. Pretending to write on the chalkboard, practicing her ABCs, learning the alphabet, practicing telling time on the clock and practicing the days of the week were such a blast. She was quite distracted by having the apple on the board. We also used the little cards to practice school subjects. Sofie really liked the gym card because it has all of the balls on it. She kept saying, “Milo’s ball!” We played with this little setup for about two weeks and everyday Sofie would be the teacher teaching me a new subject.

Valentine’s Bakery Dramatic Play Kit for Toddler Sensory Table

Valentine's Day is a special occasion that has been celebrated for centuries, and it's a time for showing love and affection to the people you care about. One of the most delightful ways to celebrate this day with toddlers is through dramatic play. Dramatic play is a fun and interactive activity that provides numerous benefits for young children's development.

Benefits of Dramatic Play for Toddlers

1. Language and Communication Skills: Dramatic play provides a platform for toddlers to express themselves, use their imagination, and practice their language skills. Through pretend play, they learn to communicate effectively with others, use new words and sentences, and improve their vocabulary.

2. Cognitive Development: Dramatic play helps to stimulate children's imagination and creativity, which leads to improved cognitive development. By pretending to be someone else, they learn to think critically, problem-solve, and understand different perspectives.

3. Emotional Development: Dramatic play allows toddlers to explore and express their emotions in a safe and controlled environment. This helps to build their emotional intelligence and resilience, and helps them learn how to manage their emotions.

4. Social Development: Dramatic play provides opportunities for children to interact with others and develop their social skills. They learn to cooperate, share, and take turns in a fun and engaging way.

Introducing the Valentine's Bakery Dramatic Play Kit

To help you celebrate Valentine's Day with your toddlers, we've created a special Valentine's Bakery Dramatic Play Kit. This kit includes 9 printable PDF pages of sweet treats, bakery signs, and decor that will transform any play area into a bustling bakery. With this kit, your toddlers will have a blast pretending to be bakers, creating and selling delicious treats to their friends and family. They'll develop their language and communication skills, build their emotional intelligence, and have fun in the process!

1. Heart Shaped Cereal Filler

To create this sensory bin activity, start by finding a shallow container or tray that is large enough to hold the cereal filler. Fill the container with heart-shaped cereal such as O's or puffs. You can enhance the sensory experience by adding other Valentine's themed elements like small plastic hearts or heart-shaped scoops. Preschoolers can explore the heart-shaped cereal filler bin by using their fingers or various tools and utensils to scoop, pour, and manipulate the cereal. They can sort the cereal by color, size, or shape, practice counting, or create imaginative play scenarios using the heart-shaped pieces. Encourage them to engage their senses by feeling the crunchy texture and observing the different colors.

This sensory bin activity promotes fine motor skills development as children strengthen their hand-eye coordination, grasp, and manipulate the small cereal pieces. It also allows for sensory exploration, helping to develop their sense of touch and enhance sensory integration. Additionally, they can practice basic math concepts such as sorting, counting, and patterning while engaging in imaginative play.

For grasping practice we used our silicone tongs from Inspire My Play and for pouring and scooping we used our silicone bowls!

2. Felt Play Food Fun

For this sensory bin activity, gather a shallow container or tray and fill it with various felt play food items such as donuts, cookies, cupcakes, and icing pieces. Consider adding utensils like a rolling pin, spatula, or mini baking accessories to enhance the pretend play experience. Preschoolers can use their imagination and creativity to engage in pretend play with the felt play food. They can pretend to bake, decorate, and serve delicious Valentine's treats. Encourage them to use the utensils to "mix" ingredients, "cut" the cookies, or "frost" the cakes. They can explore the different textures and shapes of the felt pieces, encouraging tactile exploration and sensory stimulation. Playing with felt play food in a sensory bin offers various educational benefits for preschoolers. It helps enhance their fine motor skills as they manipulate and grasp the different pieces. It also encourages imaginative and pretend play, fostering language development, creativity, and social skills as children engage in cooperative play scenarios. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for them to explore different textures, shapes, and colors, stimulating their sensory perception. We used these adorable felt cookies and macarons from Pockets of Sweetness.

3. Baking pretend Cupcakes (Taste Safe sensory play activity)

For our third activity bin we put our cupcake baking tray into our Trofast bin! It was a great fit! We used brown paper baking cups to line each hole. Then we poured in some fake sprinkles and used our silicone bowls from Inspire My Play to pour and grasp oatmeal and chocolate shops into each cupcake.

4. POPCORN Sensory Seek and Find (5+)

Note: Popcorn is not recommended for children under 5 as it can be a choking hazard. Please use a puff alternative for younger kids.

Create this seek-and-find sensory bin activity by filling a shallow container or tray with a base layer popped popcorn, sweetheart candy or another filler like rice or chickpeas. Then, bury small cupcake-themed toys, trinkets, or pictures beneath the surface. Consider adding themed tools like a small sieve or spoon for children to use in the search process.

Preschoolers can use the provided tools or their hands to search for hidden cupcake-related items in the sensory bin. They can sift the filler material through the sieve or dig through the sand to uncover the treasures. Encourage them to identify and name the items they find or engage in imaginative storytelling based on the items they discover. This sensory seek-and-find activity promotes cognitive development in young children by enhancing their observation skills, attention to detail, and visual discrimination abilities. It also encourages problem-solving as they strategize on how to reveal the hidden cupcake items. By engaging with the different tools and filler materials, children can improve their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Additionally, this activity allows for vocabulary expansion and imaginative play as children name and describe the items they find while creating stories around the cupcake theme.

Vocabulary Words

1. Heart: A symbol representing love or kindness, typically depicted as a red shape with two equal sides and a point at the bottom.
2. Oven: A heated chamber used for baking or cooking food.
3. Cupcake: A small individual cake, often with icing and decorations on top.
4. Baker: A person who prepares and bakes bread, cakes, and pastries.
5. Mixer: A kitchen appliance used for combining ingredients by rotating its blades.
6. Spoon: An eating or cooking utensil with a small shallow bowl at the end.
7. Sprinkle: Small pieces of sugar or decorations that are scattered over a baked item.
8. Rolling Pin: A cylindrical tool used to flatten dough for baking.
9. Whisk: A kitchen utensil with a long handle and wire loops used to blend ingredients smoothly.
10. Counter: A flat, elevated surface used for food preparation or serving.
11. Dough: A mixture of flour, water, and other ingredients used for baking bread or pastries.
12. Cookie: A sweet baked treat usually made from flour, sugar, and butter.
13. Apron: A protective garment worn over clothes to keep them clean while cooking or baking.
14. Menu: A list of all the food items available for purchase in a bakery.
15. Display: A set-up arrangement of baked goods or products for customers to see.
16. Pastry: A sweet often made with flour, sugar, and various flavorings or fillings.
17. Tray: A flat, rectangular or circular platter used for carrying or serving baked items.
18. Muffin: A small, round, and sweet bread often made with fruits or chocolate chips.
19. Tongs: A tool with two arms and grips used for picking up or serving baked goods.
20. Icing: A sweet, decorative topping made from sugar, flavorings, and water.
21. Cookie Cutter: A tool used to cut cookie dough into various shapes before baking.
22. Order: A request made by a customer for a specific baked item.
23. Cashier: A person responsible for handling payments and transactions at a bakery.
24. Menu Board: A board displaying the list of available baked items and prices.
25. Heart-shaped: Something having the form or outline of a heart.
Hope this helps in creating an engaging and educational Valentine's bakery dramatic play setup for toddlers!

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In conclusion, dramatic play is a fantastic activity for toddlers, providing numerous benefits for their development. The Valentine's Bakery Dramatic Play Kit is a perfect way to celebrate this special day while encouraging your children's growth and development. So, don't wait any longer, order your kit today! Remember to always supervise children during sensory bin activities and ensure that small items are age-appropriate and safe for them to handle.

Phonics for Toddlers: Simple Guide + Free Letter Sounds Cheat Sheet

Teaching your toddler letter sounds shouldn’t feel overwhelming… but for many parents, it does.
If you’ve ever sat down to teach the alphabet and thought:

• “Why does letter A make so many sounds?”

• “What do I actually teach first?”

• “Am I doing this right?”

You’re not alone — and that’s exactly why I created a super simple Phonics Cheat Sheet that breaks everything down in a clear, visual way.

Before you dive in, grab the FREE printable phonics cheat sheet below — it’s the perfect quick-reference guide for teaching letter sounds the stress-free way.

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Why Phonics Matters for Toddlers

Phonics is the foundation of early reading. When toddlers learn letter sounds, they’re building:

• Early decoding skills

• Sound awareness (phonemic awareness)

• Confidence with letters

• The ability to blend sounds later

This is one of the biggest predictors of future reading success — and starting early (in a playful, low-pressure way!) makes all the difference.

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The Problem Most Parents Run Into

Letters don’t just make one sound.
For example:

• A → /a/ /ā/ /ah/

• C → /k/ /s/

• G → /g/ /j/

It’s no wonder parents feel unsure about teaching phonics at home.

That’s why I designed the Phonics Cheat Sheet — it lists every common letter sound in a toddler-friendly format that matches how you’ll teach them in preschool and kindergarten.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep the cheat sheet on your fridge or in your homeschool binder for quick reference during activities.

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How to Teach Letter Sounds (The Easy Way)

1. Start with the most common sound
Each letter has multiple sounds, but toddlers should begin with the one they’ll use most often. The free cheat sheet highlights these clearly.

2. Use real objects and sensory play
Examples:

• Hide objects that begin with /b/ in a sensory bin

• Make letter-sound “scooping” stations

• Use playdough to form letters while saying the sound

3. Keep practice short and playful
Think: 3–5 minutes of focused phonics paired with hands-on fun.

4. Repeat sounds often and casually
Point out letter sounds while cooking, driving, reading — the more repeated exposure, the better.

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Free Phonics Cheat Sheet (Must-Have for Toddler Learning!)

This printable includes:

• The most common sound for every letter

• Secondary sounds parents often forget

• A toddler-friendly layout that builds confidence

• Beautiful pastel illustrations that make learning feel fun

• A quick-reference tool you can use with ANY activity

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Want to Take Phonics Further? Try the Letter Sounds Flashcards

If your toddler loves hands-on learning, my Letter Sounds Flashcards are the perfect companion to the cheat sheet. They help toddlers:

• Practice sounds through play

• Match objects to beginning sounds

• Build fine motor skills through sorting, matching, and sensory play

• Gain confidence before preschool or kindergarten

Parents tell me all the time how these cards completely transformed their reading routine — making it something their child asks to do.

✨ After downloading the cheat sheet, keep an eye on your inbox.
I’ll send you a few playful phonics activities + an exclusive discount on the physical flashcards.

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Playful Ways to Practice Phonics at Home

Here are easy, low-prep ideas that work with the cheat sheet and flashcards:

• Sensory sound hunt — hide cards or objects that begin with the same sound in a sensory bin

• Letter sorting tray — match picture cards to their beginning letter

• Sound hop — place letters on the floor and let your toddler hop to the sound you call

• Mini sound stations — set up 3 baskets labeled with letters and let your toddler sort objects

These are the kinds of activities that make learning feel like PLAY — and get those little neurons firing.

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Ready to Make Phonics Simple?

Download your free cheat sheet below and start feeling confident teaching letter sounds — in minutes.

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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.

🎀 The Ultimate Pinkmas Hot Cocoa Stand: A Glam Holiday Activity for Kids!

Move over, traditional red and green! This year, we're decking the halls in shades of blush, rose gold, and bubblegum with the most adorable holiday trend: Pinkmas! And what better way to celebrate the sparkle of the season than by hosting a truly viral-worthy Pink Hot Cocoa Stand?

This isn’t just a fun activity; it’s an opportunity for hands-on learning, a fabulous photo backdrop, and an unforgettable Christmas activity for kids—perfect for raising money for charity or simply spreading cheer!

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💖 Step 1: The Pinkmas Aesthetic—It’s All About the Decor!

To make your stand truly stand out for the Pinkmas trend, the decor is everything. This is where you grab the attention of passersby and all those influencers looking for fresh holiday content!

• The Stand: Start with a simple lemonade stand, bar cart, or a small folding table. Drape it with pink fringe curtains or a blush sequin tablecloth to create an instant pop of glam.

• Lights & Sparkle: Swap white lights for pink fairy lights or iridescent, colorful Christmas lights. Add pink bottle brush trees and miniature flocked Christmas trees to the display.

• Signage: A cute, chalkboard-style sign reading "Pink Cocoa" or "Merry Pinkmas" is a must! You can easily find or DIY printable signs to elevate the look.

• Containers: Use clear jars and bowls to show off your dazzling pink toppings. Tie big pink velvet bows around the jars for that extra coquette aesthetic.

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☕ Step 2: Crafting the Signature Pink Hot Cocoa for Kids

You need a drink that lives up to the aesthetic! Our signature recipe is rich, sweet, and naturally pink. It’s a delicious, easy-to-make hot cocoa for kids that everyone will love.

The Pink Cocoa Recipe

Ingredients

• White Chocolate Chips - 1 cup High quality melts smoothly

• Whole Milk - 4 cups For a rich, creamy texture

• Vanilla Extract - 1 tsp Enhances the sweetness

• Pink Food Coloring - 2-3 drops Use gel coloring for vibrant color

• Sweetener To taste Powdered sugar or condensed milk.

Instructions:

1. Gently heat the milk on the stove (or in a slow cooker to keep it warm for serving).

2. Stir in the white chocolate chips until completely melted and smooth.

3. Add vanilla and sweetener to taste.

4. Remove from heat and stir in the pink gel food coloring until you achieve a beautiful, bright pink hue.

The Pink Toppings Bar (The Best Part!)

Encourage creativity by offering a decadent spread of color-coordinated toppings:

• Marshmallows: Pink and white mini-marshmallows.

• Sprinkles: Edible glitter, pink sanding sugar, or fun heart/star sprinkles.

• Candy: Crushed up peppermint sticks or pink-wrapped chocolates.

• Whipped Cream: A dollop of fresh whipped cream is mandatory!

🧠 Step 3: Integrating Sensory Play & Learning

A hot cocoa stand offers wonderful opportunities for sensory play for kids and hands-on learning, especially for younger entrepreneurs!

Fine Motor & Pretend Play

• Scooping & Pouring: Allow children to manage the toppings (using small tongs, scoops, and spoons) to build fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

• Role-Playing: Setting up the stand is a classic dramatic play activity. Kids can take turns being the cashier, the barista, and the customer, which develops language and social skills.

Math & Money Skills

• Entrepreneurship: A hot cocoa stand is an amazing, practical business lesson. Kids can learn how to set prices, make change, and track sales—great for developing real-world math skills.

• Donations: Decide to donate the proceeds to a local charity. This teaches valuable lessons about giving back and community involvement, making it a truly meaningful Christmas activity.

📸 Step 4: Making it Viral-Worthy (Influencer Ideas!)

If you're creating this post for your audience or looking for ways to capture the attention of influencers and the media, focus on the visual WOW factor.

1. High-Contrast Photos: Get close-up shots of the pink cocoa being poured and topped with sprinkles. The pink drink against a snowy or dark backdrop is instantly eye-catching.

2. Branded Hashtags: Use a specific, fun hashtag like #PinkmasCocoa or #GoodnightFoxPinkmas to track user-generated content and make your idea searchable.

3. Behind-the-Scenes: Share the "DIY" process—mixing the pink cocoa, setting up the stand, and the kids getting excited. This humanizes the content and drives engagement.

Ready to make this the most memorable (and cutest!) winter yet? Get the full list of supplies, more decor tips, and printable signs on our blog!

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Need More Winter Activities?

• Check out our super easy Hot Cocoa Sensory Bin for toddlers!

• Download our Printable Winter Sensory Play for more ideas!

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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!

Positive Parenting: How To Raise A Child Who Enjoys Chores

Five tips for getting toddlers interested in Family Contributions.

tip one:

Create a checklist. I honestly had no idea this was going to be such a game changer in our house. I always assumed that since Sofie can’t really read or write, she’d never take to a checklist, not least of all a list of “chores”. But after creating a physical list and attaching it to a clipboard with a pen, Sofia took to checking off items like they were going out of style. She got so much gratification out of checking them off that it was super simple to encourage her to do the next thing on the list. I designed this Routines Checklist one just for two year olds and you can find it in my Etsy shop!

For more great tips on how to create the best morning routine check out this Genius Mom Hacks article about Creating Effective Morning Routines.

tip two:

take time for training. This may sound super obvious, but I will admit I totally missed this step. I never really took the time to explain to Sofie how to do the steps of each task let alone why we do them, what outcome we’re expecting, and how it benefits our family. So no wonder the weekends always felt like me following Sofie around Playing while trying to get as many chores done as I could. This too is all about breaking what we know down into super easy step by step instructions.

Tip three:

visualize the outcome. It’s hard for toddlers to know what you mean when you say things like “go clean your room” if they haven’t already grasped the concept of clean. To you their room looks like a giant mess but to them it just looks like all of their toys are out and ready to play. So practicing in advance with visual cues can really help. This was big for us when it came to bed time and morning routines as well. Once we started using the Routine Cards, Sofie had a visual reference for what we were asking her to do and it made it much easier to move through the flow.

Tip four:

make them toddler sized.
I learned pretty early on that if Sofia couldn’t be involved in what we were doing, tantrums would abound. This was especially true in the kitchen — we would be cooking at the countertop and she would climb on draw handles, hang on the counter ledges, whatever she could do to see what was going on any be in the action. So this tip is all about making things accessible to tiny humans who will do whatever they can to feel big.

• Buy a kitchen helper stool: This was a game changer for us in the kitchen. Suddenly not only was Sofie able to see what we were doing but she could participate in it. She could help take the stickers off of fruit as we put away the groceries. She could pull grapes off the stems and put them in a bowl.

• Cleaning toys: Sofie was naturally drawn to the vacuum early on and would always want to help but it was so hard and awkward to try and walk around with her clinging to it. But the moment she got her own child sized cleaning set for her birthday, she was able to do all of her own cleaning tasks. From dusting shelves to sweeping up little messes and pretending to mop the kitchen, having her own set that she can easily manipulate made it much more fun for her to get involved.

• child-sized Sink: Knowing what I knew about Sofie, I had a feeling the Lovevery Playkit sink was going to be a hit. But I had no idea how much she would love it! It instantly become her favorite activity and she requests it all of the time. We used to have to distract Sofie after dinner with a dance party or coloring so that we could clean up the dishes and kitchen. But since getting her own sink, she stands right next to me washing her dishes while I was the rest. She looks forward to “doing the dishes” every night after dinner. So much so that throughout the day she’ll ask me if she can wash dishes and I’m usually the one that doesn’t want to!