spring

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…]

Dandelion Sensory Tray

June 3, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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With their cheery, bright color and ability to grow profusely in many different places, dandelions are super noticeable during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. All parts of dandelions are safe for handling and are edible, so the weedy flower is suitable for many educational activities.

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Young children delight in an early spring sighting of a field of dandelions, and the first thing they often excitedly do is make a bouquet of fluffy yellow flowers for their mom or teacher. After the petals fall off, a puffball forms on each plant, which children love to blow. This dandelion sensory tray allows early learners to explore the fast-growing, nutritious plant in another way.

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Supplies to Collect

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Since dandelions grow on lawns, in parks, and in many other environments, collecting them for a flower nature sensory tray is quick and easy. Gather a bunch of dandelion flowers and leaves from an area where no pesticides have been used. Include large plants if available. As shown in many of my other nature sensory bins, the following supplies make suitable accessories:

non-breakable vases or storage jars
pitchers with water
mortar and pestle sets
baking tins
spoons
scissors
small rocks

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Preparing the Dandelion Sensory Tray

Sensory bins are often one of the most effortless play invitations to offer, and this dandelion sensory tray is no exception.

First, set dandelions in small non-breakable vases or storage jars with water added.

Note: Wash the dandelions first if you have children participating who may put them in their mouths.

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Next, add two or more pitchers filled with cool water.

Then arrange place settings with baking tins and spoons.

Add a few mortar and pestle sets, and two or more pairs of scissors.

Lastly, sprinkle small stones and more dandelions around the bin. The tray is now ready for participants to investigate.

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Exploring the Dandelion Sensory Tray

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Children welcome sensory experiences of any kind, and this dandelion play invitation is sure to delight. The flower-filled tray offers the following benefits:

Smelling fresh dandelions exercises the sense of smell.

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Hand and finger muscles are strengthened when children pluck and separate the flower petals.

Using a mortar and pestle to crush and grind dandelions improves eye-hand coordination and strengthens arm and shoulder muscles.

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Cutting dandelions into bits facilitates skill in using scissors.

Exploring the supplies in the bin and including water in the experience is a calming activity that helps children regulate their emotions and focus their attention.

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More Nature-based Sensory Bins

Tea Party Water Play

Teacup and Peony Sensory Tray

Lilac Flower Sensory Trays

Petunia Flower Sensory Tray

Bergenia Flower Sensory Bin

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[Read more…]

Bergenia Flower Sensory Bin

May 31, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Bergenia plants are easy to grow, and the beautiful bell-shaped flowers pop up in early spring. Before the dainty blooms die, consider using them in a sensory bin. The bell-shaped flowers and glossy evergreen leaves offer a unique sensory experience in this Bergenia flower nature bin.

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Before including it in a sensory play activity, it’s always good to check if a plant is toxic. I was happy to learn that NO part of the Bergenia plant is toxic for humans to touch or consume. The plant is also non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

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Supplies To Collect

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Gather the following supplies for this flower-themed sensory bin:

Bergenia flowers, stems, and leaves
small rocks
twigs
mortar and pestle
bowls
spoons
scissors
large sensory tray

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Preparing the Bergenia Flower Nature Bin

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The setup for this bloom-themed sensory bin is super simple. If offering the bin to a group, add place settings with bowls, spoons, mortar and pestles, and scissors to a large sensory bin. Active world trays are a great choice for the bin.

Next, place a non-breakable pitcher or vase with water and Bergenia flowers in the center and spread the large glossy leaves around it.

Then set in twigs and small rocks. The bin is now ready to investigate.

Exploring the Bergenia Flower Sensory Bin

Invite participants to smell, feel, cut, mix, and grind the supplies in the sensory bin.

Explain that the Bergenia plant is also called “elephant ears” (because of the shape of the big, waxy leaves), or “pigsqueak” (because of the sound two leaves make when rubbed together.)

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Encourage children to rub two leathery Bergenia leaves together to make pigsqueak sounds.

Don’t be surprised if your little charges describe the leaves as being lettuce, and call the stems rhubarb, as this plant bears a resemblance to both.

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[Read more…]

Spring Bunny Sensory Bin

April 19, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This spring bunny sensory bin is so easy to set up, making it a great last-minute activity. Just a few supplies are needed to make the colorful bin a hit with little learners.

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Supplies To Collect

The following supplies are in this oh-so-fun sensory bin, perfect for an Easter or Spring theme:

small storage tub
green Easter grass
ice cream cone-shaped treat holders
fillable eggs
wooden beads
stuffed bunny

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The Spring Bunny Sensory Bin

A small, clear storage tub holds the supplies in this bin. This size is ideal for taking sensory activities on the road.

A package of bright green paper Easter grass is the base. Fluffed up, it spreads over the bottom of the bin nicely.

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Ice cream cone-shaped treat holders, a new find this year, provide fine motor control opportunities. They would also be fantastic in an ice cream stand center, extending their value as a play accessory.

Cotton balls are a reminder of bunny tails, and can be reimagined as ice cream.

Pastel-hued small wooden beads give participants a chance to practice eye-hand coordination.

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A white and green long-legged stuffed bunny is the star of the spring sensory bin.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

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Variation of the Spring Bunny Sensory Bin

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When this sensory bin is set out for a few days, small changes add interest. This second bin features large bunny and chick treat holders instead of the stuffed bunny.

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[Read more…]

Tin Foil Egg Printing

April 17, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This tin foil egg printing art project is easy to set up and oh-so-much fun. Just a few basic supplies are needed for this creative spring activity.

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Tin Foil Egg Printing Supplies

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Gather the following supplies for this egg-themed art project:

tin foil roll (also called aluminum foil)
water-based marker
spray bottle
8 ½ x 11-inch paper
scissors
tray

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

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Tin Foil Egg Printing Instructions

For this printing art project, first cut eggs from tin foil (commonly called aluminum foil). Select strong tin foil if you have it available. Feel free to download this printable to use as a pattern.

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Egg PrintableDownload

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Next, color a foil egg (a unique, unexpected canvas) with water-based markers. Set out a few decorated eggs to offer inspiration.

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Then place the egg in a low-edged, flat tray and spray it with a small bottle filled with water. Give each area of the egg a little squirt. (Young children will love this step.)

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Afterward, lay an 8 ½ x 11-inch sheet of paper over the wet foil egg and firmly rub over the egg. The marker colors will transfer over to the paper.

Tips: Sturdy paper works best for this activity. Watercolor paper or cardstock is a good choice. In addition, the foil eggs are reusable as a printmaking base if dried with a cloth or paper towel after each use.