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DIY Turkey Bowling Game

November 25, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Looking for a fun, low-prep activity for kids to do during a Thanksgiving get-together or an active play time? This simple and fun DIY turkey bowling game will get everyone moving. The crafted turkey-themed bowling pins blend recycling, creativity, and energetic play – a fantastic combination. Download the free printable in the post to make creating the festive bowling pins a breeze.

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Supplies To Collect

Just a few simple supplies are needed for this Thanksgiving-themed bowling game. Gather the following to make the pins and play the game:

large, clear juice or water bottles
craft foam sheets
markers
scissors
white glue or glue gun
small rubber or plastic balls

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Making the Turkey Bowling Pins

Children will enjoy helping create the colorful bowling pins for the DIY turkey bowling game, as they are simple to make.

To start off, select clean bottles to use for the body of the turkey pins. Large, clear bottles with solid bases work well. I feature juice bottles that hold approximately 1 ½ litres (6 cups) of liquid.

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Next, cut a round face and three or more tail feathers from craft foam colors of your choice. Feel free to use this printable as a pattern for the foam pieces.

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Bottle Turkey Pattern PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

Then draw a turkey face on the round foam cutouts. Include eyes, a beak, and a teardrop-shaped snood.

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To finish off, use white glue or a glue gun to adhere the round face to the lower front of the bottle, and the tail feathers to the lower back.

The pins are now ready to be set up in a “bowling alley” in your home, yard, or classroom. Children can work as a team or individually to knock the pins down with small rubber or plastic balls.

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Benefits of the DIY Turkey Bowling Game

This handcrafted turkey bowling game offers the following benefits:

hand-eye coordination exercise
practice in turn-taking and working as a team
opportunity to participate in an active, fun activity

Questions about this mini bowling game? Leave a comment below.

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More Thanksgiving Activities

Shop these Thanksgiving printable games in my Etsy shop “Skills N Smiles“:

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Paper Plate Turkey Craft

Turkey Sensory Tubes

Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

Coffee Playdough Turkey

Turkey Playdough Tray

[Read more…]

Apple Theme Sensory Tray

October 11, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Fall is apple season, and there are so many apple-themed activities to choose from. This simple, super fun apple theme sensory tray with an oatmeal base is one that I’ve wanted to try for a long time. It is sure to be a hit with little learners.

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Supplies in the Tray

The following are the supplies in this gorgeous apple sensory tray:

apple-shaped strainers
measuring spoons
apple-shaped acrylic gems
gold apple ornaments
metal tins
apple cookie cutters
pompoms
apple ice cube tray molds
spoons

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The Apple Theme Sensory Tray

The base for this eye-catching apple sensory tray is rolled oats. This base fits the theme since it is an ingredient used in tasty fall treats such as apple crisp, apple bread, and apple cookies.

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The round cake pan, loaf pan, apple coolie cutters, and measuring cups encourage dessert baking activities.

Sparkling gold apple ornaments and apple-shaped acrylic gems add a major dose of glam and are baking ingredients along with the rolled oats.

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Bright green, yellow, red, and pink pompoms in various sizes are additional “apples”.

Apple ice cube tray molds encourage sorting activities.

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And apple-shaped strainers add interest to the bin.

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All supplies are set in a large, deep green active world tray, suitable for four to six children to explore. The accessories work equally well in a smaller bin if two to three children are participating in the sensory activity.

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Have you tried an apple theme sensory tray? Share in a comment below.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

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More Apple Theme Activities

Apple Playdough Tray

Watercolor Apples With Markers

Apple Print Art and Activities

Apple Toothpick Sculptures

Apple Fruit Stand

Apple Theme Activities

Scented Playdough Recipe and Activities

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[Read more…]

Lucky Cat Sensory Bin

January 26, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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A smiling cat is popular in Lunar New Year décor. This cheerful cat decoration originated in Japan and is an ornament displayed all year round there. In Japanese it is called “maneki-neko”, meaning “beckoning cat”. The joy-filled cat has become popular in Chinese New Year celebrations, often called “Lucky Cat.” This Lucky Cat sensory bin incorporates the festive feline in a super fun early learning tactile activity.

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Lucky Cat Sensory Bin Supplies

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This playful Lunar New Year sensory bin contains the following supplies:

dyed chickpeas
Lucky Cat stuffed animal
miniature cat figurines
toy cat balls with bells
star-shaped snack cup and spoon
gold coins
gold bells
serving tray

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

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The Lucky Cat Sensory Bin

Many of my Lunar New Year sensory bins have a rice base. Rice fits the theme perfectly as it is a staple ingredient in Chinese cuisine, often eaten at all three meals.

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Chickpea-based sensory bins are also a favorite. Chickpea dishes and snacks have become more popular in China in recent years. Most importantly, chickpeas are easy to dye red, a common Lunar New Year color. This Lucky Cat sensory bin features rows of chickpeas dyed in a few gorgeous colors for added beauty.

Note: To find out how to dye chickpeas view the blog post Unicorn Theme Sensory Play.

The joyful jingly Lucky Cat stuffie is the highlight of the bin. The cute character is the motivation for putting the sensory invitation together.

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Miniature cat figurines give more opportunities for more feline exploration.

Toy cat balls with bells are an unexpected sensory and musical addition.

Gold coins and bells fit the Lunar New Year theme, and are a standard go-to.

A star-shaped snack cup and spoon give opportunities for scooping and pouring.

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All the supplies are showcased in a round serving tray for one or two children to explore.

This Lucky Cat sensory bin is bound to be a hit with your little charges.

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More Lunar New Year Activities

Chinese New Year Dragon Craft

Chinese New Year DIY Decorating

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Dragon Necklace Craft

Chinese New Year Sensory Play

Chinese Money Tree Activities

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Chinese New Year Pretend Play

Orange-scented Playdough Invitation

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Chinese New Year Dragon Craft

Chinese Zodiac Sensory Bins

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[Read more…]

Cozy Gingerbread Sensory Bin

December 18, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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One of the most popular themes to offer at Christmas is a Gingerbread theme. Delightfully entertaining variations of the gingerbread boy story set the stage for endless hands-on gingerbread thematic activities for early learners. This cozy gingerbread sensory bin is a festive and fun tactile play invitation to include.

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Cozy Gingerbread Sensory Bin Supplies

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The following simple supplies are in this sweet cookie-themed sensory bin:

white rice or pinto beans
gingerbread storage container
fillable gingerbread man ornament
gingerbread cookie cutters
gingerbread baker ornaments
pony beads
pom poms
feathers
buttons
gingerbread-themed erasers
gingerbread man measuring scoop
paper snack sups
measuring spoon

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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The Cozy Gingerbread Sensory Bin

This gingerbread sensory bin is inspired by a soft and fluffy winter sock spotted in a cozy clothing store.

As with many of my sensory invitations, the bin to hold all the supplies is a white bus tub. It is economical to buy, transportable, and large enough for two to three little learners to explore together.

Spotted, light brown dried pinto beans are the base. The neutral-toned beans provide all the color needed for the bin’s gingerbread cookie theme.

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A gingerbread treat tin and clear, fillable gingerbread ornament with the top removed are accessories to fill using the themed measuring scoop and spoon.

A trio of gingerbread baker ornaments with hooks for hanging removed serve as cookies, and gingerbread man erasers are reimagined as additional treats.

Pink, green, red, and white beads and buttons allow cookie cutters to be decorated.

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Similarly colored pom poms, feathers, and twisted pipe cleaner bits contribute a soft feel to the bin and are additional supplies for decorating.

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Benefits of the Cozy Gingerbread Sensory Bin

Sensory bin exploration offers early learners many benefits. They include

Practice using the senses of sight, hearing, and touch to explore the contents in the bin.
Developing hand-eye coordination and strengthening hand muscles by scooping, pouring, picking up, and arranging the supplies.
Expanding vocabulary by discussing colors, textures, and actions used to investigate the supplies.
Enhancing math skills by counting and sorting supplies.
Practicing social skills such as sharing and turn-taking.
Exercising creativity and engaging in imaginative play.

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Soft-Hued Gingerbread Sensory Bins

The cozy winter sock I mentioned serving as inspiration for the sensory play was designed in a white and soft pink color scheme. I added more colors in the bin above to match the gingerbread-themed accessories. But I couldn’t resist trying a few bins with a paired down pink and white color scheme. Below is a dried bean-based bin and two rice-based bins featuring accessories with these two colors. Gingerbread man lights add ambiance to the third bin.

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Aren’t the soft pink, white, and brown gingerbread-themed sensory bins oh-so-pretty?

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Related: Gingerbread Theme Pretend Play

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December Kindness Activities Printable Set

A December Kindness Calendar and Kindness Jar are two activities to teach empathy and kindness at home or in the classroom. Download this gorgeous pastel holiday printable set of kindness activities in my Skills N Smiles Etsy Shop for a low-low price. You’ll have the December kindness activities ready in minutes!

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More Gingerbread Theme Activities

Click on the pictures below to access more gingerbread activities.

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[Read more…]

Gingerbread Theme Pretend Play

December 7, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Including a gingerbread theme in holiday festivities is super popular this time of year, and a large array of gingerbread-themed tableware and party supplies are available. That makes a gingerbread theme pretend play tablescape a perfect activity to introduce to early learners to help celebrate the season.

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Gingerbread Pretend Play Supplies

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Collecting supplies for gingerbread theme pretend play is easy and so much fun. Dollar stores are one of the best places to find them. The following items, many of which are gingerbread-themed were gathered for the festive baking-themed dramatic play setup.

ice cube tray
counters and erasers
flat ornaments
tins and spatula
cookie jar
cookie cutters
serving plate and cups
oven mitt and pot holder
disposable plates
artificial poinsettia sprig
metallic bead necklaces
jingle bells
large red and white pom poms
cookie pan
white tablecloth

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The Gingerbread Theme Pretend Play Tablescape

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This whimsical gingerbread theme pretend play setup inspires meaningful social interaction and loads of hands-on fun.

Non-breakable, themed ornaments such as gingerbread people, a gingerbread house, and candy canes make tasty play cookies.

Safety Tip: It is important to remove any hooks to hang the ornaments before using them as play cookies. Only ornaments with smooth surfaces and edges should be included as play food.

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Gingerbread counters and erasers make spicy candies or tiny cookies.

Cut metallic bead necklaces in gold, silver, and red are festive spaghetti noodles.

Green jingle bells are the juicy meatballs, offering a fun musical component to the dramatic play invitation.

Large red and white pom poms in colors that match the decor are additional creative loose parts to imagine with.

Gingerbread cookie cutters suggest more spicy snacks.

Festive cups and disposable plates complement the accessories.

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A gingerbread-themed ice cube tray, spatula, cookie jar, oven mitt, pot holder, serving plate, and dessert tin round out the center.

Exuding holiday charm, the gingerbread-themed supplies spice up dramatic play activities.

Would you include more supplies in the gingerbread pretend play tablescape? Share in a comment below.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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More Gingerbread Theme Activities

Click on the photos below to access the blog posts featuring more gingerbread theme activities.

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[Read more…]