Still Playing School: play

Polar Themed Process Art for Kids

Process art not only opens doors for kids' creativity but it really allows me the chance to step back and relinquish control as an adult, too. This art project took a totally different turn than what I had expected once the kids had a say in the process which is exactly the beauty in process art invitations. They saw a polar animal setting in their work so that's what it became. 

Polar animal themed process art activity for kids

read more " Polar Themed Process Art for Kids "

Big Red Barn Sensory Small World

We created a fun farm themed sensory small world that would be perfect for a preschool farm unit theme. It includes animals as well as several interesting textures to explore during play.

Farm themed sensory small world play for kids to go with the book Big Red Barn

read more " Big Red Barn Sensory Small World "

Felt Apple Pie Making Toy Kit

Fall is in the air! Can you smell the apple pies baking? That was the inspiration for our latest autumn themed busy bag for kids! We made a toy felt apple pie kit.

This felt apple pie busy bag inspires autumn themed pretend play on the go!

read more " Felt Apple Pie Making Toy Kit "

Small Worlds from A to Z

Small worlds are one of our favorite ways to play! From dinosaur land to construction zones to a small world beach vacation, you can tailor the play to any theme your child is interested in! We've created this small world pretend play series to inspire you with play ideas for each letter of the alphabet!

Small World Pretend Play from A to Z Series has TONS of miniature play ideas for kids!
read more " Small Worlds from A to Z "

Water Play: Sorting Land and Water Animals

We worked math and science into our water play by sorting animals into their habitats. Our kids love this simple invitation to explore through hands on learning!

Sorting water and land animals with water play for kids

read more " Water Play: Sorting Land and Water Animals "

Ideas for Using Inside Out to Discuss Emotions with Kids

This post has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. As always, all opinions and enthusiasm are 100% ours! #PlayNGrow #CollectiveBias

Have you seen the movie Inside Out yet? We did and loved it! We used the characters and themes to discuss an important early childhood (and lifelong) concept with our kids. Here are our ideas for how to use this popular movie to talk about emotions with your children.

read more " Ideas for Using Inside Out to Discuss Emotions with Kids "

The Importance of Everyday Dress Up Play

Dress up as a part of imaginative play is an vital part of early childhood education. Every preschool classroom and child's home should be well stocked with quality costumes and props for pretend play


read more " The Importance of Everyday Dress Up Play "

Chalk Shadow Drawings

Sidewalk chalk is one of our favorite materials for playful learning! On a sunny day you can take it outside and experiment with shadows while teaching young kids about emotions, spatial relationships, social cues, body language, role playing, and more!


read more " Chalk Shadow Drawings "

Top Ten Ways to Play & Learn at the Beach

We love to continue playful learning activities no matter where we go including our annual beach vacation. If you are visiting the shore this year, keep these top ten ideas for ways to play and learn at near the ocean in mind!
10 Ways for Kids to Play & Learn at the Beach

read more " Top Ten Ways to Play & Learn at the Beach "

Math with KORXX: Sorting Cork Blocks by Attributes

We've loved KORXX blocks since we first played with the natural cork toys! These sensory toys are durable, quiet, inspiring, and aesthetically pleasing! We've told you how they are different than typical cork. Now we're back to share a whole series of posts about how to play and learn with KORXX!



read more " Math with KORXX: Sorting Cork Blocks by Attributes "

Snow Fairy Small World with Snow Sensory Dough

Our preschooler loves fairies! When we learned that Tinker Bell has a sister Periwinkle who is a frost fairy we had to create a winter small world for them to explore complete with snow dough!

read more " Snow Fairy Small World with Snow Sensory Dough "

Toothpaste Slime for Dental Health Month

We created slime that looks just like toothpaste for Dental Health Month. It is the perfect material to invite kids to explore for fine motor, sensory, and pretend play!

read more " Toothpaste Slime for Dental Health Month "

Polar Bear Crafts & Activities for Kids

Polar bears are fascinating arctic animals! We've gathered the best polar bear themed crafts, games, and activities for kids for you to have all the ideas you need in one place.


read more " Polar Bear Crafts & Activities for Kids "

Elsa Gloves for Frozen Inspired Pretend Play

The Frozen obsession continues at our house so we created DIY Elsa gloves for Frozen inspired gross motor and fine motor pretend play!

read more " Elsa Gloves for Frozen Inspired Pretend Play "

Fine Motor Rainbow Ball Game

We love playful ways for our preschoolers to learn colors! Scarves in a ball create an irresistible fine motor game for kids! We made it even more interesting by adding all the colors of the rainbow into our play.

read more " Fine Motor Rainbow Ball Game "

Color Gross Motor Games for Kids

We incorporate colors into most of our gross motor and active play ideas. We'd love to share our colorful ways to get kids moving as they learn!

A ton of gross motor active play games for kids to learn colors! This is perfect for toddlers and preschool inside and outside!

read more " Color Gross Motor Games for Kids "

Active Games for Kids: Fun Gross Motor Ideas from A to Z

We all need active play ideas for kids! Whether it's to burn energy during cold or rainy days or to work on gross motor skills for indoor recess, we have a collection of activities and games to get children moving.

read more " Active Games for Kids: Fun Gross Motor Ideas from A to Z "

Christmas Sensory Bin

'Tis the season for a Christmas themed sensory bin! We played a search and find game to add extra fine motor practice to our holiday sensory play.


read more " Christmas Sensory Bin "

Building with Marshmallows

Our preschooler has a renewed interest in building and construction. I point all the credit for her new passion to Korxx blocks for giving her the confidence she needed about her engineering skills! For this invitation I presented her with every size and shape of marshmallow we could find and let her imagination do the rest.

read more " Building with Marshmallows "