science

Fall Forest Sensory Bin

November 30, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This fall forest sensory bin is inspired by a tiny mouse that snuck indoors. The unexpected discovery led to the question: “Can mice survive outdoors in the fall as the weather turns colder?” The answer is “yes”!

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Although mice will happily seek shelter indoors when the weather cools, they are perfectly capable of surviving outside during the fall and winter months. In the forest, they build nests in sheltered spots such as logs, under tree roots, and underground burrows. They also dig elaborate condo-like tunnels underground, with a pantry, bedroom, living room, and latrine.

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In autumn, the quick little rodents get very busy finding nuts, seeds, and berries to store for winter. This involves many trips to and from food sources. Along with growing thicker fur, the focused, energetic activity helps keep them warm.

This leafy sensory bin with soft late fall hues features a bunch of scurrying mice in a forest environment.

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Fall Forest Sensory Bin

The following supplies are in this autumn natural material-filled sensory bin:

mouse figurines
leaves
twigs
pieces of wood and bark
hydrangea flowers
small stones
cardboard tubes
scarecrow figurine
plush pumpkin

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The Fall Forest Sensory Bin

The bin for this autumn sensory activity is a generously-sized active world tray.

Large and small leaves make excellent materials for mice to build nests with.

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Twigs. wood pieces and bark are readily found in the forest.

Paper rolls represent the tunnels the energetic little critters create to live in and cache food to survive late fall and winter.

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Large, light green hydrangea flowers add beauty.

Little mouse figurines scurry around everywhere.

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The plush harvest-themed pumpkin is a focal point. Mice happily nibble on the large orange fruits they discover outdoors.

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And the small scarecrow figurine with a mouse on its hat adds a touch of cuteness to the bin.

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Related: This Snowy Owl Sensory Bin is very popular on the blog. It also features plenty of cute little mouse figurines

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More Fall Activities

Colors of Fall Sensory Bin

Fall Leaf Crown Paper Crafts

Fall Pom Pom Tree Craft

Light Table Leaf Exploration

Fall Scissor Skill Activities

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Fall Leaf Salad Spinner Art

Fall Drip Ice Cake

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[Read more…]

Chalk Paint Cave Art

August 16, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Chalk paint is easy to make and oh so fun to use. It is a superb choice for a chalk paint cave art project, as it dries with a powdery finish that looks a lot like the natural pigments used in real caves.

Cave art was created by people who lived long ago. Deep inside caves on walls and ceilings, our ancestors made pictographs and etchings of wild animals such as deer, horses, bears, mammoths, and rhinos. They also created symbols, geometric patterns, handprints, and people.

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Creating Cave Drawings

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Before introducing the chalk paint cave art project, an optional activity is to show children pictures of ancient cave art and explain that people long ago made pigments from natural materials like minerals, charcoal, and finely ground clay. Then set out pastels and chunky crayons along with a sheet of brown Kraft paper, and invite participants to create cave drawings.

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Introducing Chalk Paint

After children are familiar with cave art and have participated in the drawing activity, mix chalk paint colors in paint pots or a tempera cake tray. Since cave artists often used the hues black, white, yellow, red, and brown, these are paint colors in my tray.

Find the chalk paint recipe here: Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint

Then place a large sheet of brown cardboard on the ground, along with the chalk paints and brushes. Or position the large cardboard sheet against an outside wall or fence to simulate cave painting. Invite children to do a collaborative art project using the paints.

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With these bold colors, the chalk paint looks super bright at first. As the paint dries, it transforms into earth tones with a soft, matte finish. The chalk-like look resembles some of the materials used by Earth’s earliest artists.

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Chalk Paint Cave Art Follow-up Activity

Our ancestors did not have the paints and paintbrushes we have access to today. Aside from creating paints from natural materials, they used sticks, leaves, feathers, and animal hair to apply the paints. As a next activity, invite children to design paintbrushes from these materials and use them with the chalk paint.

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Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint

August 12, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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For quite some time now, it has been on my list to make homemade sidewalk chalk paint. I’ve seen people rave about it online, so I was eager to give it a try. My version is slightly different from recipes I’ve seen, but it has equally stunning results.

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Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint Supplies

For this bright sidewalk chalk paint, gather the following supplies:

tempera paint in a variety of colors
cornstarch
water
paint pots
tempera cake trays (optional)
paintbrushes
paper towel sheets

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Making the Sidewalk Chalk

There are only two ingredients, in addition to water, needed for this simple sidewalk chalk paint. So easy!

To start, pour a layer of tempera paint in different colors into paint pots. My paints are black, white, orange, yellow, red, and brown. I chose the bold hues so I could also use them in a cave art activity.

Note: Food coloring or liquid watercolors are typically used in chalk paint recipes. Tempera paint is a fine substitute and was perfect for my color choices.

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Next, add water to fill the pots about half full and mix well.

Then spoon a few tablespoons of cornstarch into the colored liquid and stir well again. Aim for a thickened liquid that doesn’t turn into oobleck. Add a little more cornstarch or water if needed to make the proper consistency.

Invite children to help make the paints…they’ll love the opportunity to participate.

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The Sidewalk Chalk Paint Art Process

When the paints are mixed, add paintbrushes to the paint pots. Or pour the paints into tempera cake trays for an attractive presentation.

When the homemade sidewalk chalk paint colors are mixed, add paintbrushes to the paint pots. Or pour the paints into tempera cake trays for an attractive presentation.

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Invite participants to paint a section of a sidewalk. If using tempera cake trays, have them wipe their brush on a section of paper towel between colors to keep the hues bright.

The paint goes on thick and bright, offering a satisfying result. The paint colors look chalky when they dry.

When the painting activity is complete, simply spray down the decorated sidewalk areas with a garden hose. Or leave the artwork as is to fade away over time.

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More Process Art Activities

Recycled Cardboard Process Art

Pump Bottle Watercolor Art

String Painting Snake Art

Pumpkin Painting Process Art

Valentine’s Day Process Art

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Flower Treasure Blocks

June 21, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Flowers can be delicate and fierce simultaneously, making it hard for children to get up close to study them. The Alberta Wild Rose, with its fragile rosy-pink flowers and thick thorny stems, is one such flower. Rather than having children handle the prickly-stemmed blooms, flower treasure blocks are a good way to introduce the prickly rose.

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The Alberta Wild Rose is a hardy, bushy shrub that grows in sunny spots in the wild all over temperate regions in Canada. It is a low-maintenance plant that is drought-tolerant and fire-resistant. The plant is non-toxic, and the leaves and fruits are edible. The beautiful, five-petaled flowers with yellow stamens are easy to spot at this time of year.

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Supplies to Collect

Gather the following supplies for this flower-themed science and sensory activity:

fillable treasure blocks
flowers, petals, leaves, and stems

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Introducing Flower Treasure Blocks

Fillable treasure blocks, also called window blocks, generally have wooden frames and clear panels. One side of each block is removable, so loose parts like buttons, beads, gems, or natural items such as flowers, leaves, pine cones, and twigs can be placed inside. The see-through blocks are a valuable resource for the home or classroom.

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Unscrew one side of each block and add flowers such as the Alberta Wild Rose or your favorite flowers to the blocks. Include the blooms, buds, leaves, and stems. Then screw the panels back on.

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Set the flower-filled blocks in a display corner or on a light table for children to observe. Or place them in a block corner with a variety of other blocks. Your little charges will be delighted to handle the see-through blocks and study what’s inside.

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Another Way to Display Flower Parts

Instead of using treasure blocks to display flowers, gently place their parts between two clear magnetic tiles.

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The Alberta Wild Rose showcases brilliantly between the tiles, and the flowers look gorgeous. I skipped adding the spiky stems since the magnetic tiles are easy to take apart.

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Skeleton Treasure Blocks

Christmas Treasure Blocks

Winter Treasure Blocks

Valentine’s Day Treasure Blocks

St. Patrick’s Day Treasure Blocks

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[Read more…]

Salt Painting Sensory Bin

June 15, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This gigantic salt painting sensory tray is inspired by the many eye-catching salt trays I’ve seen online over the years. In this activity, children are invited to color salt in a huge sensory tray and draw, design, and sculpt with the wet salt.

Salt is inexpensive and has a sand-like texture. It is taste-safe, non-perishable, and easy to color in many beautiful hues.

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Supplies to Collect

Gather the following supplies for this silky salt-based sensory bin:

4 boxes of salt
food coloring
paint pots
eye droppers or pipettes
small bowls
clear storage containers
tablespoons
toothed scraping tools

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Setting Up the Salt Painting Sensory Tray

This low-cost sensory activity is effortless to set up and works splendidly indoors or outdoors.

If doing the activity indoors, set a large, low-edged sensory tray on a table or stand made for the tray. This light, transportable active world tray, also called a tuff tray, is up to the task. Outside, if a table isn’t available, it rests on four stackable stools or patio end tables. So easy!

Tip: Outside, I recommend placing the sensory tray away from plants and grass since salt harms them.

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Next, add food coloring in a few hues to paint pots filled with water. Thinned tempera paints also work fine. Add eye droppers to the pots.

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Then add bowls and tablespoons for scooping and mixing, and toothed scrapers for creating designs.

Lastly, pour three boxes of salt into the tray. Reserve one box to sprinkle in more doses of salt periodically to add interest to the sensory invitation as children are playing.

The salt tray is ready to explore.

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Exploring the Salt Painting Sensory Tray

This salt painting sensory tray is suitable for a group of children to explore. Invite participants to drip paint onto the salt and mix it in. They will love the coloring process and delight in mixing colors in the bowls and clear containers.

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They’ll naturally pick up the tools to make designs in the salt.

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Periodically add more salt to the bin so they can continue mixing and changing the colors.

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As the salt gets wetter, children may mold cakes and other items from the salt. When this happens, the scrapers make excellent slicers!

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When children are finished investigating the salty tray, have a water source nearby so they can wash up easily.

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Benefits of the Salt Painting Sensory Tray

Exploring a salt tray and mixing colors is a relaxing and satisfying science and sensory activity. Salt trays are also popular as prewriting invitations. Children experience a novel way to practice tracing and writing lines, letters, numbers, and shapes, using at least two of their senses. They develop eye-hand coordination and refine fine motor skills.

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More Sensory Activities

Salt and Glue Moon Art

Salt and Ice Science Experiment

Salt Painting Planet Art

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