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Color Mixing Sensory Bags for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Color Mixing Sensory Bags for Toddlers and Preschoolers

June 11, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

Sensory bags are great ways for kids to explore textures, colors and different objects, all while being mess-free and baby-safe. We love making themed bags for holidays or to discuss different learning objectives such as shapes and colors. (Check out how we made these 4 different baby-safe sensory bags!) These color

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Filed Under: Babies, Elementary, Learn Through Play, Mess-Free Sensory Play, Preschool Science, Preschoolers, science, Sensory, Toddler Science, Toddlers Tagged With: Preschool Homeschool

Christmas Sensory Bath with Homemade Bath Paint

Christmas Sensory Bath with Homemade Bath Paint

December 6, 2014 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

Sensory play is not only important for kids, but it is also a fantastic way to keep them occupied, especially on cold days spent indoors! One of our favorite seasonal activities to do is a sensory bath. I love to keep foam sheets on hand (from the dollar store) to

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Filed Under: Babies, Christmas, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Mess-Free Sensory Play, Preschoolers, Sensory, Toddlers Tagged With: bath, boredom buster, cheap, christmas, easy, kids activities, sensory play, stay at home mom

Back to School Sensory Bath

August 23, 2014 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

        Continuing our preschool readiness series! My main concern, as you might know by now, is emotional readiness rather than skill-based. I want my son to be comfortable away from me and in a new environment for 2 hours. I’m sure this sounds terrible but I want

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Filed Under: Mess-Free Sensory Play, Sensory Tagged With: back to school, play therapy

Gel Sensory Bags and Sunlight for Young Kids

Gel Sensory Bags and Sunlight for Young Kids

August 7, 2014 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Gel sensory bags are one of my favorite and super easy go-to sensory play ideas. They are extremely useful for babies as well as older children! Gel sensory bags are one of my favorite and super easy go-to sensory play ideas. I love that they are extremely useful for babies as

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Filed Under: Babies, Learn Through Play, Mess-Free Sensory Play, Preschoolers, Sensory, Toddlers, Uncategorized

Easter Sticky Wall

Easter Sticky Wall

April 9, 2014 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

Today’s activity is so simple to set up, inspires creativity and can be used for a variety of lessons, holidays, etc. I love doing the christmas tree and the Valentine’s heart sticky wall. It is one of our favorite activities and are generally pretty mess-free! This project includes an Easter themed sticky wall,

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Babies, Easter, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Mess-Free Sensory Play, Preschoolers, Sensory, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: Easter, easter play, kids activities, moms, sensory play

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Welcome to Views From a Step Stool!

Welcome to Views From a Step Stool!

I am a mom to three little ones and love to create and explore every day with them! We have open minds and messy hands, come join in our adventures!

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What’s New

  • 12 Snowman Crafts for Kids
  • 10 Elf on the Shelf Printables to Download
  • 12 Elf on the Shelf Ideas
  • Candy Corn Sensory Bin
  • Emotions Sensory Bag
  • 10 Thanksgiving Handprint Crafts

What’s New:

  • 12 Snowman Crafts for Kids
  • 10 Elf on the Shelf Printables to Download
  • 12 Elf on the Shelf Ideas
  • Candy Corn Sensory Bin
  • Emotions Sensory Bag
  • 10 Thanksgiving Handprint Crafts
  • Build a Jack-o-Lantern Sensory Craft
  • Breakfast Smoothies for Kids with BlendJet Portable Blender
  • 12 Outdoor Painting Ideas for Kids
  • Educational Sensory Bin Ideas
  • 12 Animal Sensory Bin Ideas for Kids
  • 10 Insect Themed Sensory Bins
  • 12 Bee Crafts for Kids
  • 15 Easter Chick Crafts for Kids
  • 15+ Earth Day Crafts for Kids
  • St. Patrick’s Day Emotion Cut and Paste Printable Activity
  • Valentine’s Day Charades Words
  • Printable Color by Number Valentine’s Day Cards for Kids
  • Valentine’s Day Kindness Countdown Calendar: Free Printable
  • Valentine’s Day Pixel Art Color by Number: Free Printables

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