• About
  • Shop
  • Work with Me
    • Guest Post on Views!
    • Policies and Disclosure
    • Sponsored Work
  • Tri-State Family Fun
  • The Mommy View
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Views From a Step Stool

Open Minds & Messy Hands

  • Home
  • Learn Through Play
    • Fine Motor Activities
    • Arts & Crafts
      • Toddler Arts & Crafts
      • Preschool Arts& Crafts
    • Sensory
      • Ultimate Collection of Sensory Bins for Kids
      • Toddler Sensory Play
      • Preschool/Early Elementary Sensory Play
      • Mess-Free Sensory Play
    • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
      • Indoor and Outdoor STEM Challenges for Kids
    • Babies
      • 60+ Awesome Activities for 1 Year Olds! {Tested and Loved}
    • Toddlers
      • Activities for 2 Year Olds
    • Preschoolers
      • Activities for 3 Year Olds
      • 65+ Fun Activities for 4 Year Olds
    • Elementary
      • 55+ Activities for 5 Year Olds
    • Want to Teach Your Kids Through Play?
  • Holidays
    • Valentine’s Day Activities for Kids
      • Valentine’s Day Printables for Kids
      • Free Printable Valentines Cards
    • St. Patrick’s Day Activities for Kids
    • Easter Activities for Kids
    • Memorial Day/4th of July
    • Halloween Activities for Kids
      • Monster Activities for Kids
      • Pumpkin Activities for Kids: Crafts, Science and Sensory Play
    • Thanksgiving Crafts,Sensory Play and Printables for Toddlers and Up
      • Pumpkin Activities for Kids: Crafts, Science and Sensory Play
    • Christmas
      • 30+ Christmas Activities for 1 and 2 Year Olds
      • Christmas Printables for Kids
      • Ornament Crafts for Kids
    • New Years
  • Seasons
    • Spring Activities for Kids
      • March Activities for Kids
      • St. Patrick’s Day Activities for Kids
      • Easter Activities for Kids
    • Summer Activities for Kids
      • 4th of July Activities for Kids
    • Tons of Fall Kids Activities for All Ages
      • Fall Printables for Kids
      • Apple Themed Kids Activities
      • Apple Crafts for Kids
      • Pumpkin Activities for Kids: Crafts, Science and Sensory Play
    • Winter
      • January Activities for Toddlers
      • February Activities for Toddlers
      • Valentine’s Day Activities for Kids
  • Sensory Bins
  • Printables
    • Seasonal Printables for Kids
      • Spring Printables for Kids
      • Summer Printables for Kids
      • Fall Printables for Kids
      • Winter Printables for Kids
    • Holiday Printables for Kids
      • Valentine’s Day Printables for Kids
        • Free Printable Valentines Cards
      • St. Patrick’s Day Printables for Kids
      • Easter Printables for Kids
      • 4th of July Printables for Kids
      • Free Halloween Printables for Kids: Games and More
      • Thanksgiving Printables for Kids
      • Christmas Printables for Kids
    • Free Printable Board Games for Kids
      • Printable Camping Games for Kids
    • Printable Bookmarks for Kids
    • Free Printable Playdough Mats for Kids
    • Book Lists
    • Printable Lego Challenges for Kids
  • Exclusive Content for Subscribers
Candy Corn Sensory Bin

Candy Corn Sensory Bin

October 24, 2024 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

This sensory bin for kids uses candy corn and rice as a base for this fun fall sensory play. Children will love the bright colors, and while it might be discouraged, it’s technically edible for children who might sneak handfuls of their sensory play. This candy corn sensory bin encourages

[ Read More ]

Filed Under: Halloween, Sensory Tagged With: activities, Halloween, kids activities, sensory play, toddlers

Emotions Sensory Bag

Emotions Sensory Bag

October 18, 2024 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Using sensory bags with children encourages fine motor skills and can double as a calming tool. This emotions sensory bag doubles as a calming tool and also helps children learn to label and recognize emotions.         Emotions Sensory Bag This emotions sensory bag is a great hands-on way for

[ Read More ]

Filed Under: Mess-Free Sensory Play, Sensory Tagged With: activities, kids activities, learn through play, Sensory, sensory play, toddlers

Activities for 2 Year Olds

Activities for 2 Year Olds

January 19, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

These activities for 2 year olds include science, sensory and arts & crafts toddler projects that focus on learning through play. 2 year olds reach so many developmental milestones! From gross and fine motor skills such as running and jumping, to scribbling and building; and communication milestones like stringing words

[ Read More ]

Filed Under: Sensory, Toddler Arts & Crafts, Toddler Science, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: 2 year olds, activities, daycare, Homeschool, preschool, toddlers

Christmas Tradition: Spot the Decorations Game with Free Printable!

Christmas Tradition: Spot the Decorations Game with Free Printable!

December 12, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

My favorite family Christmas tradition as a child was going on a drive to look at Christmas lights. We would pile into the car, put on the Christmas tunes and go for a nice drive. My siblings and I always liked to point out the most decorated houses and spot

[ Read More ]

Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays Tagged With: activities, christmas, fine motor, Games, Holidays, Homeschool, kids activities, preschool

The Basics of Baby Safe Play: Babies Can Play Too!

The Basics of Baby Safe Play: Babies Can Play Too!

June 6, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

One of the comments I get the most when talking about sensory play, arts & crafts and science for kids, is “but my baby still puts everything in his/her mouth“. As our babies get older, but aren’t quite ‘big’ kids yet, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep them occupied, finding activities

[ Read More ]

Filed Under: Babies, Learn Through Play, Sensory, Toddler Arts & Crafts, Uncategorized Tagged With: activities, babies, baby-safe, edible, Homemade, kids, play dough, Sensory, toddler

Summer Camp at Home: Themed Crafts, Science, Snacks, Sensory and more!

Summer Camp at Home: Themed Crafts, Science, Snacks, Sensory and more!

April 26, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

It’s almost summer! Let’s be honest…are you wondering how you are going to keep your kids busy, off of electronics, and learning throughout the entire summer! It’s a bit daunting I agree…so let’s do it together! Check out this 6 week summer camp at home that you can easily accomplish with your own

[ Read More ]

Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Outdoors, Preschoolers, Summer, Toddlers Tagged With: activities, Arts and Crafts, elementary, preschool, science, Sensory, summer camp at home

4 Simple Sensory Bags that Kids Will LOVE

4 Simple Sensory Bags that Kids Will LOVE

February 12, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 2 Comments

These baby-friendly sensory bags are baby, toddler & preschooler approved! 4 different ways to make simple sensory bags for all kids. Sensory bags are one of my favorite baby-friendly activities. They provide so much opportunity for exploration and can keep a baby occupied for quite a while! They are great

[ Read More ]

Filed Under: Babies, Learn Through Play, Mess-Free Sensory Play, Preschoolers, Sensory, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: activities, babies, education, kids activities, play, preschoolers, sensory play, stay at home mom, toddlers

25+ Simple Indoor Kids Activities for Rainy Day Fun

25+ Simple Indoor Kids Activities for Rainy Day Fun

January 26, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 9 Comments

I am all for getting outside in pretty much ANY weather….with that said, we have some REALLY cold days here on the East Coast and definitely need to find some fun (and easy) ways to stay busy indoors. These indoor kids activities use simple household materials and a bit of imagination

[ Read More ]

Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Babies, Elementary, Learn Through Play, Mess-Free Sensory Play, Preschool Arts& Crafts, Preschool Science, Preschoolers, science, Sensory, Toddler Arts & Crafts, Toddler Science, Toddlers Tagged With: activities, indoor activities, indoors, kids, learn through play, preschoolers, rainy day, stay at home mom, toddlers

6 Creative Uses for Conversation Hearts

6 Creative Uses for Conversation Hearts

January 14, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 4 Comments

One of the first things that come to mind when I hear ‘Valentine’s Day’ is conversation hearts. When I was little, I loved getting these, reading the messages, and handing them out to people in my family when a saying reminded me of them. My kids love it when we

[ Read More ]

Filed Under: Holidays, Uncategorized, Valentine's Day Tagged With: activities, candy, conversation hearts, creative, educational, fun, kids, learning, valentines, valentines day

A Month of Gratitude with Kids: Teach Kindness, Love, and Thanks

A Month of Gratitude with Kids: Teach Kindness, Love, and Thanks

November 1, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone 15 Comments

These gratitude activities are great for celebrating a month of gratitude with kids. Grab the free printable included to mark off as you go. I want to give my kids the world, but I also want to help them appreciate what they have, and the people in their lives. We

[ Read More ]

Filed Under: Fall, Gentle Parenting, Holidays, Parenting, Printables, Thanksgiving Tagged With: activities, gentle parenting, gratitude, kids activities, kindness, love, november, thanksgiving

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!

Search the Site

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

Copyright © 2025 · Hello Sweets by Hello You Designs

Copyright © 2025 · Hello Sweets Theme On Genesis Framework