Best Toys Sensory Seekers

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Children with sensory processing disorder are constantly in search of ways to regulate their nervous systems and organize input coming from the environment. There are varying levels of processing difficulties for a child with SPD. The holidays can be very difficult with constant stimuli and finding the best toys for sensory seekers can be challenging. Many sensory toys serve as wonderful therapeutic tools for children with special needs.

Based on our home occupational therapy room and therapist recommendations, I’ve created the Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Sensory Seekers. Continue reading →

Paper Mache Dinosaur Cave

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Junior Paleontologists, let’s venture deep into the Mesozoic Era, the ‘Age of Reptiles,’ with ferocious dinosaurs and a rough, rock-like paper mache cave and tunnels. Our dinosaur diorama explores the wild, prehistoric terrain of sensory materials and homemade goopy glue. We’re building a dinosaur cave using recycled jars and lids, coffee cans, and our easy-to-make paper mache glue for kids. Open your reptilian, ‘terrible lizard’ imaginations and join us for dino-mite discoveries. Continue reading →

Alligator Affirmation Box – Showing Kids Love

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All Thing Kids bloggers are teaming up this month to bring you an exciting series on Showing Kids Love. We’re each focusing on one of the 5 Love Languages – Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, Physical Touch, and ours – Words of Affirmation. All Done Monkey shares a wonderful introduction post for our series this month, Showing Kids Love.

Words of affirmations are a language of love. These positive loving affirmations serve as visual reminders to help children (adults too) focus on a particular purpose. Giving children these powerful tools helps them build self-confidence, inner strength, and positive attitudes. As their language develops, they’ll learn to use these affirmations in everyday life. To explore our love language, we’re making an affirmation box. It makes a creative, fun valentine box too. Continue reading →

Jingle Bell Art

11/30/201512/04/20153 Comments

Easy jingle bell painting using bouncy balls for kids

It’s no secret we love to explore painting and movement. My little sensory seeker still talks about our messy bouncy ball art and rhythmic pom-pom drumstick painting activities. For an easy Christmas activity, we’re using our bouncy balls to create Christmas bell art. Continue reading →

Christmas Tree Tissue Paper Craft

11/25/201511/25/201510 Comments

Remember color by number as a kid? It was my go-to activity, so we’ve recreated it using tissue paper and mathematics. In the past, we’ve done turkey tissue paper by number and heart tissue paper by number crafts using simple numbers. For our Christmas tree tissue paper by number craft, we’re making it more challenging by using addition. You can use addition, subtraction, multiplication, or simple numbers, depending on your child’s ability. Continue reading →

10 Kids Books About Bullying

11/24/201511/27/20163 Comments

Incorporating kids books about bullying can help children learn the warning signs of bullying and encourage them to discuss their feelings and experiences with others. The effects of bullying can be serious and affect kids sense of safety and self-worth. Teaching children the simple act of kindness and encouraging others to do the same, goes a long way. Continue reading →

Fall Tree Art

10/27/201511/22/201514 Comments

We love to explore the process of painting using creative techniques. One of our favorite art projects in the past was creating a simple sensory painting using carpet squares. We thought the same process would make beautiful, textured Fall tree art as well. Best of all, carpet squares are free at Home Depot. Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Crafts For Kids

10/07/201510/07/20159 Comments

Thanksgiving is a great time of year for fun, easy kids crafts. Here are 95+ Thanksgiving crafts and activities for kids to enjoy. With the holiday fast approaching, we included kid-made gift ideas too.

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Thanksgiving Books For Kids

10/01/201511/18/20154 Comments

Thanksgiving is a beautiful time of year to celebrate and give thanks with family and friends. This time of year—all year— helps us remember how important it is to give thanks and teach compassion and gratitude to our children. Using books to help teach children is a wonderful, fun way to introduce the history of Thanksgiving and time-honored traditions. Today’s Thanksgiving traditions differ greatly from the original 1621 harvest meal, but still, a feast indeed. Continue reading →

Pine Cone Pumpkin

09/25/201509/29/201511 Comments

Pine cone pumpkins are simple to make for Halloween decor and require few materials. They make great kid-made gifts too. Recycling pine cones for crafts is a great way to reuse beautiful elements found in nature. Continue reading →