Pot of Gold Sensory Bin

Saint Patrick's Day is right around the corner and I have the perfect sensory bin to share with you for the occasion. This Pot of Gold Bin is easy to set up, is loads of fun to play with, and will get kids excited for the holiday!

Sensory bins are so much fun for kids. They combine fine motor work, the engagement of the senses, and imagination into one awesome invitation to play. This Pot of Gold St. Patrick's Day Bin was so easy to set up, and I got everything I needed at the dollar store. This sensory bin is easy to set up, and the kids will want to play with it many times. 

Supplies:

1. A plastic storage bin with a lid.
2. St. Patrick's Day Foam Scatter
3. 4 Leaf Clover Confetti
4. Buttons in assorted colors
5. Small black cauldrons from the party favor section of Dollar Tree

Instructions:

1. Dump the confetti, foam scatter and buttons into the storage bin.
2. Add a few of the cauldrons to the bin.
3. Offer your child tweezers, spoons, or any other tool you like for scooping.
4. Allow your child to fill the buckets with a rainbow of colors (beads) and the gold foam coins.

I encouraged my daughter to tell me what colors she would find in a rainbow and place one bead from each color in the bucket.

We also used this as a counting exercise; how many gold coins could she find? How many big clovers? And so on.

Harper also had fun just digging in the scatter and confetti. She brought a few little action figures into the mix and had a fun small world session later. 

I like to make these bins in shoe box sized plastic containers so we can snap a lid on it and revisit the activity later. The kids always want to play with the bin again!

If you like this idea you can find all of my sensory bins and bags here.
Reader favorites include:
Sensory Party in a Bag
Birthday Cake Sensory Bin
Grab some FREE St. Patick's Day Coloring Pages here
Check out these End of the Rainbow Snacks
Check out these easy 3d Shamrocks

Fine Motor Pattern Activity

Fine motor and pattern making come together with this easy to set u activity for preschoolers and kindergartners. This activity is engaging and educational, and it is so much fun too!

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know that I love both fine motor and sensory play for kids.  I love to create easy hands on play ideas too. This one is perfect for kids, and it is so cheap to create too, which is more important than ever. You might have most of the supplies needed on hand, and if not, no sweat, your local dollar store will have everything you need.

As this activity does have small parts, be sure to carefully observe your kids while they complete this activity.

Supplies needed:

A pipe cleaner

small clothespins 

pearler beads

Directions:

Using the small clothespins, create a pattern. 

As you can see I went with green, yellow, purple.

Offer your child the beads and encourage them to thread the beads onto the pipe cleaner in the same pattern.

This is an awesome and engaging activity for small hands. They will benefit from the fine motor busy work later in their handwriting efforts, and the pattern making skills are also pretty important as it helps them make predictions about what comes next while putting their logic and reasoning skills to use.

Harper is now in the first grade, but she still enjoys pulling this activity out of our busy bags and making some eye catching deigns.

You can find more fine motor activities here.

Reader favorites include:

Fine Motor Counting

Feather Beading Pattern Activity

Winter Boredom Busters for Kids

Winter is here, and it seems like my kids want to do nothing but play fortnite. It is not that I am opposed to video games, but there has to be a limit to screen time! If you are looking for ways to break up the long nights and cold days while pulling your kids attention away from Fortnite you are in luck! I have rounded up some of my favorite toys, products and activities for kids to share with you.

Samples were provided to inspire this list.

Board games are always a fun thing to do with the family. Here are some of the games we recommended as gifts last year. 

Mad Matter is so much fun to play with. It combines sensory delight with imaginative creation, and best of all, this stuff never dries out! It is a lot like play doh, but is different in its own wonderful ways. My kids love to press this stuff into the included molds and serve up a helping of fun. Find it at Walmart, Kohl's and on Amazon starting at about $8 a pack.

A good story is always a good idea, especially on a cold, winter day! This adorable book by Alex Willan is perfect for snuggling up and getting lost in a story. Unicorns are the Worst! Will have your kids laughing and developing a love of reading. Order for about $18 from Simon and Schuster.

It has been almost a year since my girl has been to a birthday party, so I decided to bring the party to her with this really cool jewelry designer kit. This clay charm kit is perfect for making with a friend and wearing with pride. Order a Clay Chic You Unique kit starting at $18. They have a big selection so you can find the perfect kit!

The Bolean Box is awesome for kids of all ages because who wouldn't like to build their own computer with the raspberry system? This isn't just a computer though, it teaches kids to code, and lets them do lots of rad things like modify minecraft! The kits start at $150 and are a lot of fun to assemble. This makes a perfect snow day activity that will entertain the kids long after the snow melts. Order on the site or from Amazon. I know this list is for screen free ideas, but this is such an engaging option I had to include it on this list.

As for my house, we will love any and everything to do with cats. My 7 year old is crazy for our kitties so the 44 Cats Clubhouse Pilou's Place was a natural choice for her. This fun little set will have kids meowing for days with delight. It has all of the little accessories that any cat fantatic would want to play with! Find these at Target, from Amazon and from Walmart.

Bandai brings back a taste of my childhood with these awesome Tamagotchi Pets! The Hello Kitty Tamagotchi is perfect for portable fun and gives kids something to tinker with at anytime or any place. I love the small size of these and how they fit on a key chain or backpack. Find this Hello Kitty Pet for $20 at Walmart, Target, Game Stop and Amazon.

A classic toy gets a make over with these Charaction CUBE's from Bandai. These are fun little puzzles that challenge kids while engaging them with favorite characters like Gudetama and favorites from Dragon Ball Z. These are about $15 and can be found at Target or from Amazon.

We live in Ohio and we have already had several days with snow on the ground. My kids will happily head out to play in it, anytime, anywhere. These Gosili cups are awesome for warming them up with cocoa after some snow lay. They are durable, portable, and best of all unbreakable! These cups are about $15 and will help you reduce your carbon footprint.

I hope these ideas help you keep your kids entertained without relying on the screen this winter!

Flying High In the Sky

This easy to set up sensory bin is perfect for little hands. It is fun to sort thru and play in, and it has a really fun feature for night time play; this Flying High in The Sky Sensory Bin Glows in the DARK!

We have been making sensory bins for about 8 years now.Even though Rolf is a tween and is generally too cool for my projects, even he wanted to get his hands into this one. I used things we had in our craft supplies, but for your convenience I added affiliate links to help you find some of these items that you may not have.

Supplies:

A Storage Bin with a lid

Neon Blue Food Color

Glow in the Dark Paint

A zipper seal baggie

White Rice, Uncooked (2 cups)

Rainbow Ribbon

Toobs - In the sky

Tongs

Glow in the Dark Stars

Cotton Balls

To dye the rice

Place 2 cups of white rice into a zipper seal baggie.

Add 2 tablespoons of non toxic glow in the dark paint (I used art deco brand) and 10 drops of neon blue food color to the baggie.

Seal and shake well.

Pour the rice on a paper towel, paper plate, or something like an old cookie sheet and allow to dry for about 4 hours. You may need to stir halfway through the drying time.

To assemble the bin:

Cut several sections of rainbow ribbon in various lengths from 1 to 3 inches.

Gently "fluff" several cotton balls to resemble clouds.

Pour the dry, dyed rice into the storage bin.

Bury several sections of rainbow ribbon in the rice bin.

Place the remaining rainbow ribbon on the top of the bin.

Bury several plastic glow in the dark stars in the rice bin.

Sprinkle the remaining stars on top of the bin. 

Add fluffy cotton clouds to the bin.

Add the planes and helicopters from the tube of Toobs 

Add a pair of tongs to the bin and invite your child to explore.

The tongs add a challenge to the bin, which is excellent for practicing fine motor skills.

I like to make sensory bins in a container with a lid,so we can snap the lid on it when play time is over and revisit the activity later.  For bins like this that are fun to play with anytime, that comes in handy because my kids want to dig around in this one all the time!

Here is the bin after dark. We LOVE glow in the dark activities! 

Some of our favorite glow in the dark activities include:

No Electric Night Lights

Galaxy Glow in the Dark Slime

Find more sensory ideas here:

Sensory Play

Best Gifts for Boys

The holidays are near, and I have been looking for great gift ideas for boys. I have found some unique options that work for all budgets, and cover a variety of interests. I know you will find a gift or two on this list that would delight the boys on your shopping list.

Samples have been provided for inclusion.

Boys that like to build will be into this tool set from Stanley Jr. This set has safety glasses, a hammer, a functional tape measure and screwdrivers to get little ones started. Order from Amazon.

Laser Pegs are awesome for holiday gifting. They take a favorite activity for boys, like building and combine lights for a really fun experience. Laser Peg kits start at $8 so this is a gift that works for even the tightest budget. They offer a variety of kits so you are bound to find one that matches the boy on your lists interest.

The Mega Cyborg Hand from Thames & Kosmos is an awesome stem kit that kids will want to get a grip on! They can build this hydraulic hand and then wear it for a giant dose of fun. Order it online for about $40.

Clixo offers an open-ended play system that combines the magic of paper origami, the ease of classic building blocks, and the power of magnets. This unique toy brings building to a modern level. Order a pack or two for curious boys on your list starting at about $24.

Snap Ships are awesome gifts because it combines building and battling which are two things that most boys dig. Parents will love that this creative building toy  adds dramatic play to the table and that all parts are interchangeable, so that the building fun continues into new creations. Check out the line of options from Play Monster, or find some of the exclusive kits at Target. Kits start at $12,

Molotow Mini Subwayz are unique and fun. These little train cars fold and are ready to graffiti for a fun activity. Boys will love to collect these, and in some way fulfill a fantasy of what it would be like to be a graffiti artist, in a safe way. Order the cars starting at about $13.

K'nex is always a great gift idea. These kits are challenging to build and absolutely impressive to admire! The Eiffel Tower Kit stands over 29 inches high and is the perfect way to spend a snowy afternoon. Order this awesome option from the Basic Fun amazon store for about $50.

Boys will love this table tennis set from Pro Spin. It will give them a chance to get some active play in, anytime, anywhere. The set contains a retractable net, balls, 2 paddles and a carry case. Order for about $35.

Blinks by Move38 is a incredibly unique gift option for game loving boys. Each Blink is a game cartridge and a game tile. Blinks connect to other Blinks. Together they become an interactive board game. You can get the three pack which has 18 games for about $300.

Tifosi Optics makes stylish and useful sunglasses that will protect their eyes this winter. We usually equate sunglasses with summer, but make no mistake, kids need eye protection in the winter too, as it can be so bright when it snows.  Check out the assortment of swanky styles and find styles starting around $25.

Boys will love Flipover Frog the game. This strategy game is loads of fun for kids and only takes about 15 minutes to play, for a quick game anytime boys need a dose of fun! Order this option from Hub Games for about $13.

Boys who love trains will want to play with the Action Tunnel Circle Set by Brio all day long. This train set is perfect for the youngest conductors to explore. This set is comparable with all of the Brio train gear, so that the set can grow with your child. Order from amazon for about $100.

Smarty Pad is one of my favorite gifts for preschool and kindergarten aged boys because it combines play, education, technology and sensory all in one portable, engaging package. Order one for a boy who loves to learn from Amazon for about $35.

City Spies makes a great gift for boys who love to read. This book has excitement, suspense and a chance at redemption. It makes for an enjoyable read for elementary aged kids. Order from Amazon starting at $11.

Little Justice Leaders is a monthly subscription for kids that will inspire them to make changes to the social justice system while empowering! This subscription includes goodies like books and colored pencils, among other fun items that kids will get excited about receiving monthly. Prices start at $45 a month.

My kids love Little Learning Hands boxes, because they are fun! I love them because while we are not traveling this year, we can still explore the world while learning from home. These 3d Puzzles are awesome for a snow day activity, or a chance to make learning hands on. Check out the puzzles on amazon where they start at about $17. Check out the subscription boxes on the Little Learning Hands site.

If your kids love Ryan on Youtube, then run to Walmart to get this epic Vending Surprise! This has 16 surprises inside and makes such fun sounds! You even get to build your own Ryan from this vending surprise machine, which is bound to be a lot of fun for kids. Get this offering from Just Play Toys at Walmart for about $40.

Relay makes for a great gift for kids who want a little independence, and parents who want a little peace of mind. This device keeps tabs on where the kids are, and gives them a way to call for help if needed. Order a Relay device for a boy on your shopping list for about $35. 

Upbrainery Technologies offers kids a hands on chance to learn! These kits include everything kids need to build something epic, like a digital photo frame, or a bluetooth speaker to name a few. Check out the site to find something epic for your kids to create.

Brushing teeth doesn't have to be a bore. This year gift an awesome boy a way to turn brushing his teeth into a fun game with Brite Brush. Find this interactive toothbrush at Walmart or Amazon for about $20. Chances are you won't need to argue about brushing anymore!

Learn together how to solve the Rubik’s in a fun and interactive way, play games and battle online with other cubers around the world. This is the perfect STEM toy, it is educating and fun and adds tons of value to screen time. Order Go Cube Edge for about $80.

A great sports watch never goes out of style, and this Fila watch is handsome and durable making it a perfect watch for a school aged boy. They have a ton of options so finding the perfect watch is fuss free. Plus you can find some awesome options for about $30.

Give boys ages 3 to 9 a hands on lesson in coding with Osmo. The starter pack breaks down coding into a fun play session so that kids can start learning something super useful in a very kid friendly way. Order the Osmo Coding Starter Kit for about $80.

The Powerup Paper Airplane Kit is awesome for boys this holiday season! This unique idea takes the art of folding paper planes to a whole new level, powered up, of course! Build 10 awesome planes and give them a boost of flying power thanks to technology! This kit costs about $115.

Boys who love space will love building the Mars Space Base from Goju Adventures Toys. This kit has everything needed to build a space station, including some astronauts! This creative building set costs about $45 and can be found on Amazon.

If you are shopping for a dinosaur loving boy this year, look no further than the Egg Mazing Dinomazing Egg Decorator. Find this really fun art kit on Amazon for about $28 for a roaring good time!

Pizza Party Throwdown is an awesome game for boys who like pizza and fun! This game has you tossing and hopefully landing toppings to create pizzas! Order it for about $20 from Amazon or find it at Target.

 Go Noodle offers mindful videos for kids and they have a shop filled with fun! I love the Cookie Decorating Class which includes cookie cutters, an apron and the online lesson on how to make the cookies! Order for about $75 or check out the other goodies in their shop.

I hope these gift ideas help you find some epic gifts for the boys in your life.

While you are here why not check out all of my gift guides?