Browsing Tag

sensory play

2 In DIY/ kids

How to make a DIY Mud Kitchen

DIY mud kitchen

This mud kitchen has been in the making since the beginning of summer and I’m so excited it’s finally complete! (If you’ve been following along on my Instagram Stories then you know what I mean). When I think back on childhood, I have so many memories of making mudpies and little creations outside in the dirt. I wanted to create those same memories and experiences for the boys but keep the mess contained. A mud kitchen seemed like the perfect idea but rather than buy one (which costs easily over $100), decided we could make one of our own.

Using an old desk, some stuff we had around in the garage and a few details from the dollar store, I’m showing you how to make your own DIY mud kitchen.

DIY mud kitchen

You will need:

1.) The first thing we did was we picked up a used desk that someone was giving away on the side of the road.

DIY mud kitchen

2.) We brought it home, first removed the hardware and then applied paint stripper as I wanted to take the original black paint off.

3.) Once the paint stripper is completely dry, we sanded the piece using an orbital sander and 60 grit/150grit/220 grit paper.

4.) Using some extra 2×4’s we had laying around the garage Rick built a hanging rack for the back. We added some S hooks for the kids to hang their spoons, buckets and kitchen utensils.

5.) Next we stained using exterior stain.

6.) I got a few containers from the Dollar Store to act as like a sink and bowls. Trace the containers where you want them and then using a jig saw, cut out the spots for the containers.

DIY mud kitchen

Then you can add some fun details like measuring spoons, buckets, pails, etc. We put it back by their sandbox so it’s all in one spot.

DIY mud kitchen

It’s nothing fancy, but it does the job and the kids have fun! They like to pick various leaves and flowers and fill buckets of water to make “soup”.

 

DIY mud kitchen

diy mud kitchen

For more sensory play ideas check out my edible sensory dough

And this homemade bubbles solution

Also be sure to check out my Earth Day Seed Bombs

I hope you found this post inspiring! Feel free to pin on Pinterest for later. Happy creating!

 

DIY Mud kitchen

0 In Baby/ kids/ Motherhood

Benefits of sensory play

sensory play ideas- baby einstein

This post is sponsored by Baby Einstein™, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

 

Giving your child opportunities for sensory play encourages them to learn about their surroundings.  From babies through children, they learn about the world around them through their senses.

What is sensory play?

Sensory play is any activity that encourages children to use their senses – sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, balance and motion. Sensory play has been shown to enhance brain development and neuroplasticity.

Benefits of sensory play:

  • Promotes fine motor skill development
  • Promotes language development
  • Stress reduction
  • Promotes independent play and imagination
  • Aids in developing and enhancing memory
  • Invoke curiosity

Some of my favorite sensory play ideas:

Baby Einstein Strum Along Songs™ Magic Touch™ GuitarThis guitar is made with magic touch technology and plays sounds to respond to your baby’s touch. The guitar helps introduce colors and music while also encouraging the development of motor skills. It responds to baby’s strumming patterns to encourage self-expression and creativity. You can switch between 2 guitar sounds: acoustic and banjo. You can find the BabyEinstein guitar available at BuyBuyBABY now!

sensory play ideas - baby einstein

Sensory bins – I like to make various ones for the change of the seasons. It usually involves either cloud dough or water beads and an array of seasonal items for the kids to dig through and find.

Homemade play dough – My boys love this edible dough made up of frosting, confectioner’s sugar and sprinkles! And it’s super easy to make.

homemade edible sensory dough

 

 

 

2 In DIY/ kids/ Uncategorized

How to make homemade edible playdough

How to make homemade edible playdough

This morning I was looking for a fun sensory activity that would occupy both a baby and a toddler. Let me first of all preface this by saying that not every day of quarantine has been like this morning. Some days we get crafty and have little projects but mostly I’ve been perfectly ok with the kids having screen time. (Hey whatever works right?) This morning though I was feeling all “pinteresty” and we made homemade edible playdough.

I’m sharing my recipe below on how to make homemade edible playdough using ingredients we already had on hand.

How to make homemade edible playdough

How to make homemade edible playdough

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of canned frosting
  • 2 3/4 cups of confectioners sugar
  • Sprinkles (optional)

Directions

  1. In a mixing bowl mix together the frosting and confectioners sugar until dough becomes crumbly and slightly lumpy. (This is how the dough will look)How to make homemade edible playdough
  2. Add in sprinkles if you want to make it a little more colorful
  3. Roll into balls and play!

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days.

For more ideas on how to occupy your little ones at home check out

15 things to do with your kids while you’re social distancing

 

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how to make homemade edible playdough