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Views From a Step Stool

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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

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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

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

Printable Gingerbread Playdough Mat for Christmas Sensory Play

Printable Gingerbread Playdough Mat for Christmas Sensory Play

November 18, 2019 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

This gingerbread playdough mat is so much fun for the holidays. You’ll love this creative and festive learning opportunity for your toddler. This gingerbread playdough mat will bring out the creative side for your child. If you’re looking for the perfect holiday activity, this is the one for your household. 

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Filed Under: Printables, Sensory, Winter Tagged With: playdough mat, sensory play

Summer Bucket List: Sensory Play for the Summer

Summer Bucket List: Sensory Play for the Summer

May 7, 2018 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

This is a summer bucket list of 10 ways to engage in sensory play this summer. Have you wanted to test out a slime recipe? Heard of oobleck? Give it a go!   I love sensory play. Seriously. I LOVE it. I’m cool with the mess (most days) and even

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Filed Under: Outdoors, Sensory, Summer Tagged With: kids activities, outsideplay, sensory play, summer bucket list

35+ Rice Bins for Sensory Play with Kids

35+ Rice Bins for Sensory Play with Kids

March 23, 2018 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

These rice bins are excellent for sensory play with kids. From scented rice and colored rice to seasonal sensory bins, these are great for play & learning.   Sensory bins provide so much learning and fun for kids of all ages! Toddlers can play with this and practice their scooping and

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Filed Under: Learn Through Play, Sensory Tagged With: colored rice, rainbow rice, rice bins, sensory play

17 Activities Scented with Essential Oils for Kids

17 Activities Scented with Essential Oils for Kids

December 26, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Activities that are scented with essential oils for kids. Perfect for play or sensory integration. Add scent and an extra sensory component for play! *This post contains affiliate links.    Essential oils can be incredibly helpful for kids, especially for those with Sensory Processing Disorder or sensory-seeking behaviors. There are

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Filed Under: Babies, Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Sensory, Toddlers Tagged With: essential oils for kids, scented kids activities, sensory play

10 Christmas Sensory Bottles and Bags for Babies

10 Christmas Sensory Bottles and Bags for Babies

November 8, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Sensory play is my favorite way to engage kids in learning. By engaging all of the senses, we process and remember information better. There are many Christmas sensory play ideas for kids, but often sensory play can be messy or contain small parts not suitable for babies and toddlers.  But,

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: christmas, sensory activities for 1 year olds, sensory play

Colored Pumpkin Seeds: Fall Sensory Play and Art for Kids

Colored Pumpkin Seeds: Fall Sensory Play and Art for Kids

October 9, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

My kids always enjoy gutting the pumpkin, it’s like an ultimate form of sensory play!  But we aren’t always sure what to do with all of the pumpkin seeds, there are only so many we can cook and eat. This process of making colored pumpkin seeds was a fun experiment,

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Filed Under: Fall, Halloween, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Toddlers Tagged With: fall art, process art, sensory play, toddler art

Gift Guide for Sensory Seekers: Impact Behavior While Kids Have FUN!

Gift Guide for Sensory Seekers: Impact Behavior While Kids Have FUN!

October 3, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Sensory input is so important for kids. We learn best when all senses are engaged and kids who are able to engage in sensory play can receive calming effects almost immediately. For sensory seekers, it can feel nearly impossible to keep up with their demands (just yesterday, my daughter dumped

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Filed Under: Gift Guides, Sponsored Work, Uncategorized Tagged With: gift guide, occupational therapy, sensory play, sensory seeker

Simple Moana Slime for Ocean Sensory Play

Simple Moana Slime for Ocean Sensory Play

June 29, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

This Moana slime has the perfect texture for sensory play and is made with contact solution as a borax alternative. Add some Moana toys and shells and play! The slime craze is real. My 4 year old is obsessed with Moana-anything right now, so naturally when she saw the glitter

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Sensory Tagged With: disney, kids activities, moana, moana ocean slime, ocean play, pretend play, 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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