66+ of the Best Activities for 6 Year Olds

Six is such a fun, in-between age. They’re not little toddlers anymore, but they’re also not too grown-up yet. They still love to play, create, and explore, but their attention spans are longer, their imaginations are bigger, and they’re ready for more complex challenges. If you’re looking for fresh, engaging, and screen-free activities for 6 year olds that will actually keep your 6-year-old entertained, you’re in the right place!

From hands-on crafts to movement-based games to easy learning activities for 6 year olds, this list is packed with fun ways to keep them busy and engaged. Whether you need something for a lazy weekend, an after-school wind-down, or a boredom buster on a rainy day, these activities for 6 year olds have got you covered.

Why You’ll Love These Activities for 6 Year Olds

Six-year-olds are all about independence, curiosity, and creativity. 6 year olds love activities they can do (mostly) on their own, and they get a kick out of figuring things out. These activities for 6 year olds are designed to support their growing confidence while sneaking in some important learning and motor skill development along the way.

• Encourages independence – Many of these activities let 6 year olds take charge, which helps build confidence.
• Supports creativity – Open-ended play and art projects help them express themselves in new ways.
• Incorporates movement – Because let’s be real, most six-year-olds are a bundle of energy!
• Builds problem-solving skills – Puzzles, STEM projects, and imaginative play all encourage critical thinking.
• Fun for solo play or with friends/siblings – Whether they want some quiet time or a group activity, there’s something for every mood.

How to Keep Play Stress-Free

Six-year-olds have BIG ideas and BIG emotions. One minute they’re happily building a cardboard castle, the next they’re frustrated because the tape won’t stick right. (We’ve all been there.) Here are a few ways to make activities for 6 year olds more enjoyable for everyone:

• Let them experiment. If they want to take an activity in a new direction, let them! That’s part of the fun.
• Give them choices. Offering two or three activity options can make them feel more in control.
• Embrace the mess. Some of the best activities for 6 year olds involve paint, glue, or sensory materials—have a plan for easy cleanup.
• Make it playful. If they’re getting frustrated, turn it into a game or challenge.

What to Expect at This Age

Every 6-year-old is different, but in general, kids at this age are:

• More independent, but still need guidance. They want to do things on their own but may still ask for help.
• Developing stronger fine motor skills. Activities for 6 year olds that involve cutting, gluing, drawing, or threading are great for building hand strength.
• Building social skills. They’re learning to take turns, cooperate, and express their feelings.
• Curious about EVERYTHING. Science experiments, nature walks, and creative storytelling are a hit at this age.

Activities for 6 Year Olds

Six is a magical age where kids are starting to explore the world in new and exciting ways. Whether they’re into crafting, building, moving, or experimenting, there’s something in this list that will spark their curiosity and keep them engaged.

So grab some supplies, follow their lead, and most importantly—have fun! NOTE: for the full tutorial of each activity just move to the full post by clicking on the title of the activity.

1. Fizzy Ice

Introduce your child to science and sensory play with this fizzy ice experiment. Watch as frozen baking soda reacts with vinegar, creating a bubbly, colorful eruption!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Sensory bin
• Ice
• Baking soda
• Small bowls
• Food coloring
• Vinegar
• Eye droppers

How to Set Up:

Pour ice into a sensory bin. Sprinkle it with baking soda. Set up a tray with vinegar, food coloring and droppers—let your child squeeze vinegar onto the ice and observe the fizzy magic!

2. Lemon Playdough Recipe

This bright and zesty playdough not only smells amazing but is also a fun sensory activity that strengthens fine motor skills. It’s an easy, hands-on way to introduce kids to basic kitchen chemistry.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup of salt
• 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1.5 cups of hot water
• Yellow food coloring
• Lemon essential oil or lemon juice

How to Set Up:

Mix flour, salt, lemon juice, and oil to create soft dough, then add yellow food coloring for a vibrant touch. Let your child knead, mold, and explore the lemon-scented dough.

3. DIY Watering Can Craft

Turn a recycled container into a kid-friendly watering can that encourages responsibility and a love for gardening. A simple, eco-friendly way to get kids involved with plant care!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Milk jug
• Permanent markers or Sharpies
• Small screwdriver

How to Set Up:

Poke holes in the lid of a plastic bottle or milk jug, let kids decorate it with permanent markers, and fill it with water. Show them how to gently water plants.

4. Bottle Cap Flowers

Repurpose bottle caps into a cute and colorful flower craft that teaches about recycling. This spring-inspired craftencourages creativity while improving fine motor skills.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Bottle caps (each flower need seven bottle caps)
• Glue gun (waterproof glue if you have it)
• Stick or dowel
• Acrylic or outdoor paint and brushes

How to Set Up:

Glue bottle caps  to form a flower, paint them in bright colors, and add a stem using wooden dowel. Let dry before displaying your masterpiece.

5. Sidewalk Chalk Magnetic Tile Puzzles

This outdoor puzzle activity combines the fun of magnetic tiles with sidewalk chalk to create interactive learning. Kids will match shapes, colors, and designs while strengthening problem-solving skills.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Washable Sidewalk Chalk
• Magnetic Tiles

How to Set Up:

Draw puzzle outlines on the sidewalk using chalk, then let kids match magnetic tiles to the designs. Mix up the pieces for a fun challenge!

6. Dinosaur Sensory Bag

his mess-free sensory activity lets kids squish and explore textures while playing with dinosaurs. It’s great for travel or quiet-time play.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Gallon or large size Ziplock bag
• Permanent marker
• Alcohol (for cleaning the bag surface)
• Hair gel
• Green pom poms
• Lima beans
• Clear nail polish (to coat the beans)
• Dry erase marker

How to Set Up:

Fill a ziplock bag with hair gel and Pom Poms, seal it tightly, and tape it to a table. Draw dinosaur and their name on the bag. Let kids squish and move the pom poms around inside the bag to fill the dinosaur outline.

7. DIY Egg Carton Garden

Teach kids about gardening and sustainability by using egg cartons to start seedlings. This hands-on activity encourages responsibility while introducing plant life cycles.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Egg carton
• Soil
• Seeds

How to Set Up:

Fill each egg carton section with soil and seeds, then let your child water them and place them in sunlight. Watch the seeds sprout and transplant them into a garden when they grow!

8. Cloud Dough

This soft, moldable sensory dough is easy to make and offers endless open-ended play. Kids love squishing, shaping, and creating with this silky-textured dough.

• 6 cups of flour
• 1 cup of oil (baby oil for a smoother texture or any type of cooking oil)
• Powder tempera paint for color (optional)
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon
• Sensory bin
• Sand toys and molds
• Shovel
• Cookie cutters

Supplies You’ll Need:

How to Set Up:

Mix flour and baby oil (or vegetable oil) in a bowl until it forms a crumbly, soft texture. Let kids scoop, mold, and explore with their hands or cookie cutters.

9. DIY Nature Weaving Craft

A beautiful way to incorporate nature into crafting, this weaving activity develops fine motor skills and creativity. Kids can experiment with patterns and textures using leaves and flowers.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• 4 sticks of similar size
• Yarn or string
• Long items from nature (like leaves, flowers with stems, long blades of grass)
• Scissors

How to Set Up:

Create a simple stick loom. Let kids collect natural materials like leaves, and flowers to weave through the loom.

10. Construction Site Sensory Bin

Bring a mini construction site to life with this fun sensory play activity. This setup provides hands-on digging, scooping, and building fun for kids who love trucks!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Sensory bin
• Aquarium Pebbles
• Gravel or small rocks
• Black rice (recipe available here)
• Small construction vehicles (like diggers, dump trucks, and loaders)
• Small construction workers, pylons and sign toys

How to Set Up:

Fill a bin with black rice and rocks, and add small construction trucks and tools. Let kids dig, scoop, and build roads for their vehicles.

11. Paper Plate Dinosaur Craft

This easy dinosaur craft turns a paper plate into a prehistoric friend. A fun fine motor and cutting practice activity for dino-loving kids!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• White paper plate
• Cardboard tube (for the legs)
• Green paint (light and dark shades)
• Google eyes
• Black marker
• Paint brushes
• Circle foam brush
• Scissors
• Glue

How to Set Up:

Cut a paper plate in half, paint it in dinosaur colors, and attach paper legs, spikes, and a head. Let kids decorate their dinosaurs with spots or patterns.

12. Cotton Pad Butterfly Craft

Create colorful butterflies using cotton pads and markers. This craft is simple, engaging, and perfect for spring.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Cardboard
• Glue
• Marker (for tracing the butterfly outline)
• Cotton pads
• Pom Poms (two large, medium, and smaller ones for the butterfly body)
• Bowls or cups
• Water
• Food coloring
• Eye droppers

How to Set Up:

Color cotton pads with markers, spray them lightly with water to create a tie-dye effect, and attach them to a clothespin body with pipe cleaner antennae.

13. Crayon Resist Dinosaur

This simple art activity lets kids explore resist painting techniques while creating their own dinosaurs. The wax crayons repel watercolors, revealing a hidden design!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Watercolor paper
• Dinosaur templates (printable)
• White crayon
• Watercolor paint
• Paintbrush

How to Set Up:

Cut out dinosaur from cardstock. Draw dinosaur bones with a white crayon on paper, then let kids paint over it with watercolors to reveal their hidden dino.

14. Fizzy Dinosaur Eggs

A baking soda and vinegar reaction makes these fizzy eggs a science experiment meets sensory fun!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Large mixing bowl
• Spoons
• Cornstarch
• Baking soda
• Water
• Reusable water balloons
• Plastic Tupperware containers (x4 for four colors)
• Food coloring
• Small dinosaur toys
• Eye droppers
• Vinegar
• Sensory bin
• Container to hold vinegar
• Bowls

How to Set Up:

Mix baking soda and water to form a moldable dough, shape it around small dinosaurs, and freeze. Give kids vinegar droppers to melt the eggs and free the dinosaurs.

15. Spaghetti Sensory Bin

Cooked spaghetti turns into a squishy, colorful sensory play experience! It’s great for fine motor practice and sensory exploration.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Sensory bin
• Yellow, white, or cream yarn
• Brown, tan, or red pom-poms (for meatballs or sauce)
• Tongs
• Toy pot, plates, and forks
• Scissors
• Wooden spoon
• Bowl

How to Set Up:

Cut yellow yarn to look like spaghetti, add brown Pom Poms, and place it in a bin. Let kids explore, scoop, and tangle it with their hands or tongs.

16. Color Reveal Rainbow Activity

This magic rainbow craft lets kids paint with water to reveal hidden colors. It’s an exciting way to explore color blending and fine motor skills.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Paper towel
• Dot markers (various colors)
• Black Sharpie
• Bowl
• Water
• Paint brush spray bottle with water
• Tray

How to Set Up:

Draw rainbow shapes with black permanent marker on paper towel add colors using washable markers on another sheet of paper towel, then let kids paint over them with water to reveal the colors underneath.

17. Flower Counting Wands

A hands-on counting game that encourages early math skills through play. Kids match and count flowers to their numbered wands.Supplies You’ll Need:A hands-on counting game that encourages early math skills through play. Kids match and count flowers to their numbered wands.

• Colorful foam sheets
• Scissors
• Tape
• Green pipe cleaners
• Pony beads
• Bowl for beads
• Black Sharpie

How to Set Up:

Glue small felt flowers onto pipe cleaners, write numbers on them, and let kids thread bead to the correct number of flowers.

18. Rainbow Sensory Bin

This colorful sensory bin is perfect for hands-on sorting, scooping, and pretend play! It’s an exciting way to explore colors and textures.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Colored rice
• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Glue gun
• Colored bowls (in the colors of the rainbow)
• Scoopers, spoons

How to Set Up:

Create rainbow from cardboard. Fill with colored rice in a rainbow pattern. Add scoops, cups, and small toys for sorting and transferring.

19. Caterpillar Name Craft

A fun name recognition activity that turns letters into a cute caterpillar. Perfect for preschoolers learning to spell their names!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Red construction paper
• Two shades of green construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• White or blue card stock
• Googly eyes
• Black construction paper
• Single hole punch
• Black marker

How to Set Up:

Cut out paper circles, write one letter on each, and let kids glue them together in order. Add googly eyes and antennae!

20. Rainbow Matching Activity

This color-matching game strengthens fine motor skills and helps with color recognition.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Rainbow colors of construction paper (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet)
• Scissors
• Dot stickers in rainbow colors
• White cardstock
• Black marker
• Glue
• Cotton balls
• Light blue cardstock
• White construction paper

How to Set Up:

Cut strips pf paper in rainbow colors and clouds. stick dot stickers on each cloud. Match the rainbow to the correct dot sticker. Addd cotton balls for clouds.

21. Ocean Sensory Bin

Dive into ocean-themed sensory play with this hands-on bin full of water fun!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• White rice
• Blue food coloring
• White vinegar
• Assorted ocean animal figures (sharks, dolphins, crabs, seahorses, etc.)
• Sea shells
• Plain chickpeas
• Bowl
• Small scoopers
• Aquarium plants
• Greenery to mimic beach vegetation
• Sensory bin

How to Set Up:

Fill a bin with blue rice and chickpeas, shells, and sea animal toys. Let kids scoop, pour, and play with the sea creatures.

22. Painting Ice Cubes

A fun way to explore painting and melting at the same time. The ice melts as kids paint, creating unique designs.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Tray or sensory bin
• Lots of ice cubes
• Watercolor paint or washable kids’ paint
• Paintbrushes
• Bowls
• Water

How to Set Up:

Freeze water in ice cube trays, then let kids paint the ice with watercolors or food coloring mixed with water.

23. Cloud Dough Playdough

This soft and fluffy homemade dough is perfect for sensory play and molding fun. It’s easy to make and provides hours of squishing and shaping fun!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Conditioner (any brand will do!)
• Corn starch
• Food coloring (any color you like!)
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon

How to Set Up:

Mix flour, cornstarch and baby oil (or coconut oil) until a moldable consistency is formed. Give kids cookie cutters, rollers, and scoops to explore different textures.

24. LEGO CVC Word Activity

A hands-on way to help kids learn consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words using LEGO bricks! Perfect for early literacy and spelling fun.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• LEGO DUPLO train car
• LEGO single blocks
• A sharpie
• Sensory Bin or basket

How to Set Up:

Write single letters on LEGO bricks, then challenge kids to build simple words by stacking them on LEGO trains in the correct order.

25. Mushroom Math

A playful way to introduce counting and number recognition with adorable mushroom cutouts.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Large piece of cardboard
• Sharpie
• White Paint Markers
• Red playdough (you can make it using a simple recipe found here)
• Yellow split peas or yellow pony beads
• Packing tape

How to Set Up:

Draw mushrooms with numbers on cardboard. Make or buy red playdough. Use playdough to create the mushrooms. Count out yellow split peas or pony beads into the playdough mushrooms.

26. Line Art

A creative fine motor activity that encourages kids to explore patterns and designs.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Watercolor paper or thick paper suitable for watercolors
• Fine-tipped black Sharpie or permanent marker or oil pastels
• Watercolor paints and brushes
• Water and paper towels for cleaning brushes
• Palette for mixing colors

How to Set Up:

Give kids white paper and a black marker to draw lines. Then, let them color in each section with bright colors.

27. Pointillism Painting

This dot-based art technique is a fun way to explore colors and patterns.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Washable kids’ paint (assorted colors)
• Q-tips (cotton swabs)
• Paper or canvas (for painting surface)
• Palette or paper plate (for paint mixing)
• Water and paper towels (for cleaning q-tips)
• Smock or apron (to protect clothing)
• Imagination and creativity!

How to Set Up:

Give kids cotton swabs or sponge-tipped brushes and let them create a painting using only dots.

28. Bug Hotel Craft

Encourage a love for nature and insects by creating a mini bug hotel using natural materials.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Toilet paper rolls
• Milk Carton
• Acrylic paint
• Large straws or rolled up piece of paper
• Moss
• Dried grass
• Pinecones
• Twigs
• Leaves 
• Fishing net
• Stones
• Rolled paper
• Craft knife
• Black dot stickers

How to Set Up:

Use a small box or milk carton and toilet paper rolls and fill them with twigs, leaves, and pinecones. Place it outside and observe the tiny visitors!

29. Cupcake Sensory Bin

Turn sensory play into a pretend bakery experience with this fun bin.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Flour
• Oil (vegetable or baby oil works great)
• Sensory bin or large container
• Colored rice (for instructions, visit this link) or rainbow sprinkles
• Toy baking items (think mini rolling pins, cookie cutters)
• Whisks, candles, bowls, spoons
• Silicone cupcake liners
• Buttons or pom poms for decoration

How to Set Up:

Fill a bin with cloud ought (mix oil and flour), add cupcake liners, scoops, and small spoons for kids to create pretend cupcakes.

30. DIY Jet Pack Craft

This super fun pretend play craft turns kids into space explorers!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• 2 large plastic bottles
• aluminium kitchen foil
• cardboard
• red and orange felt
• gold coloured paper
• black webbing or black ribbon
• Silver duct tape
• coloured masking tape
• a ruler
• a marker
• superglue
• scissors
• Gray or silver paper

How to Set Up:

Use two empty plastic bottles, cover them with aluminum foil, and attach paper flames at the bottom to create a wearable jetpack.

31. Giant Paper Bag Snowflakes

Create huge paper snowflakes using simple brown paper bags!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• 9 white or brown lunch paper bags
• Glue stick
• Watercolours
• Paints
• Brushes
• Paint sticks
• Hole punch
• String 
• Beads 
• Straws

How to Set Up:

Stack 8-10 paper bags, glue them together in a fan shape, and cut out designs before unfolding into a 3D snowflake.

32. Snail Sticky Board Craft

A fun, sticky craft that helps develop fine motor skills.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Cardboard (large enough for the snail body)
• Contact paper (self-adhesive or sticky-back)
• Scissors and box cutters (adult supervision required for using box cutters)
• Markers (for drawing the snail’s body)
• Decorative items (small Pom Poms, beads, construction paper, gem stones, etc.)

How to Set Up:

Draw a snail shell on contact paper, then let kids stick tissue paper or pom-poms onto the shell.

33. Baking Sheet Printing

This printmaking activity is perfect for process art exploration.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Baking sheet (preferably one with a shallow rim)
• Non-toxic washable paints (various colors for a splash of fun)
• White paper (cut into suitable printing sizes)
• Soft-bristled paint brushes or sponge brushes
• Optional: Markers or crayons for adding details after printing

How to Set Up:

Let kids paint a baking sheet, press paper onto it, then peel it off to reveal a unique print!

34. Paper Bag Zebra Puppet Craft

Turn a simple paper bag into a striped zebra puppet for pretend play.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• White paper bag (lunch-size or small gift bag)
• Paper Plate
• Black acrylic or tempera paint
• A small sponge
• Paintbrushes
• Googly eyes or black markers
• Black, white and pink construction paper
• Glue
• Scissors

How to Set Up:

On a white paper bag use a sponge to make black stripes, and add eyes and a mane.

35. Tabletop Bubbles

A simple, low-mess bubble-blowing activity perfect for indoor play!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Dish soap
• water
• shallow container or tray (optional)
• straw

How to Set Up:

Fill a shallow tray with water and dish soap, then let kids use straws to blow bubbles directly on the table.

36. Air Dry Clay

Encourage creativity with homemade or store-bought air-dry clay.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 3/4 cup water
• Optional: food coloring or acrylic paint for coloring

How to Set Up:

Give kids combine baking soda, cornstarch and water in sauce pan and heat. Let it cool and create sculptures, then let them dry and paint them.

37. Ice Painting

A cool twist on painting that introduces temperature play!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Kids’ paint (assorted colors)
• Ice cube tray
• Popsicle sticks
• Aluminum foil
• Water
• Paper or canvas for painting

How to Set Up:

Freeze water and paint in ice cube trays, give kids white paper, and let them create.

38. DIY Stress Balls

A sensory tool that helps kids manage emotions and stress.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Balloons (preferably latex)
• Water beads, beans, rice, flour, or other filling materials
• Funnel or spoon (to fill the stress balls)
• Scissors (optional)
• Permanet Markers

How to Set Up:

Fill a balloon with flour, cornstarch, or rice, tie it off, and let kids squeeze and squish their stress ball.

39. Painted Canvas Bag Craft

A functional art project kids can use every day!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Canvas tote bag
• Painter’s tape
• Cardboard 
• Acrylic paint
• Sponge Paint brushes
• Paper plate or bowls

How to Set Up:

Give kids a plain canvas bag and fabric paints, then let them design and decorate their own personalized tote.

40. DIY Lava Lamp

A cool science experiment that teaches about density and chemical reactions.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Mason jar
• Baby oil
• Water
• Food coloring
• Alka-Seltzer tablets
• Spoon

How to Set Up:

Fill a clear jar with oil and water, add food coloring, and drop in an alka-seltzer tablet to watch the bubbles rise.

41. Bee Hotel

Help pollinators find a home with this easy DIY bee hotel.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Tin can
• Acrylic paint and paint brush
• Pencil
• Construction paper
• Twigs
• Yarn, string or twine
• Scissors
• Tape
• Glue

How to Set Up:

Fill a  tin can with bamboo sticks or paper tubes, then place it outside for bees to nest in.

42. Seed Bombs

A fun gardening activity that helps kids plant flowers easily.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Food processor
• Small bowls
• water
• Seeds

How to Set Up:

Mix mulched pape, and seeds, roll into balls, and let them dry before tossing them into a garden.

43. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Sensory Bin

Bring a favorite book to life with this hands-on sensory play setup.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Dried pasta (any shape)
• Green food coloring or liquid watercolor
• White vinegar
• Ziplock bag
• Tray and parchment paper or wax paper
• A tin can
• Red, green, and yellow construction paper
• Pretend food (fruits, veggies, etc.)
• Tongs or scooper
• Sensory bin
• Masking tape

How to Set Up:

Fill a bin with dyed green pasta, toy food, and caterpillar made from tin can and construction paper, then let kids explore and play.

44. LEGO Marble Run

Turn LEGO bricks into a DIY marble run maze.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• LEGO DUPLO

How to Set Up:

Build a maze using LEGO bricks, then let kids race marbles through their custom design.

45. LEGO Cardboard Robot

A fun STEAM activity that combines LEGO and cardboard.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• LEGO DUPLO
• Cardboard boxes
• Craft knife
• Packing or duct tape
• Pencil

How to Set Up:

Cut a cardboard robot shape, attach LEGO pieces for moving parts, and decorate with markers.

46. Jumping Frog Craft

Make an adorable bouncy frog using simple supplies.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Two paper cups
• Green and red and black construction paper 
• Glue
• Googley eyes (or black and white construction paper)
• Elastic band
• Scissors
• Dot stickers or dot markers

How to Set Up:

Use two paper cups and a rubber band to create a frog that jumps when pressed down.

47. Cardboard Box Castle Craft

Turn a plain cardboard box into a castle for pretend play.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Cardboard box
• Cardboard tubes
• Paint
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Brushes
• Cotton fluff
• Glue or duct tape
• Straws

How to Set Up:

Cut castle shapes into a large box, decorate it with paint, and add towers with toilet paper rolls.

48. Animal Planters

This eco-friendly craft turns recycled containers into adorable animal-themed planters. Kids will love caring for their plants while showing off their creativity!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Empty Plastic Bottle (any size)
• Masking Tape
• Dry erase markers
• Googly Eyes
• Recycled Buttons 
• Craft Glue 
• Plant and Soil
• Aquarium Gravel to assist with drainage
• Acrylic Paint 
• Foam Paint Brush
• Utility Knife 
• Scissors

How to Set Up:

Use empty pop bottle, paint them to look like animals, and add googly eyes and ears. Fill them with soil and small plants or grass seeds for a fun growing experience.

49. Sock Caterpillar Craft

A soft and squishy caterpillar made from a simple sock! This is a great fine motor activity and a perfect craft to go along with The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Long white sock
• Yarn
• Embroidery needle
• Pipe Cleaners
• Cotton Stuffing
• Elastic band
• Watercolor Paint
• Paint brush
• Gooley eyes
• Toothpicks

How to Set Up:

Fill a sock with cotton stuffing, tie it off in sections to create a caterpillar shape, and add googly eyes and pipe cleaner antennae. Decorate with paint.

50. Aluminum Foil River

Create a mini river for toy boats right in your backyard or living room! This STEM-inspired sensory play is perfect for imaginative water fun.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Aluminum foil
• Toy boats
• Rocks
• Blue stones (optional)

How to Set Up:

Lay out a long strip of aluminum foil, shaping the edges to hold water. Add small toy boats, floating objects, or natural materials like leaves for an engaging water play experience.

51. Cardboard Marble Run Craft

A DIY marble run made entirely from cardboard tubes and recycled materials! This is a fun engineering challenge that helps kids problem-solve and build creatively.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Cardboard tubes
• Paper plate
• Card stock
• Washi tape, paint sticks, crayons or marker
• Scissors
• Masking tape
• Craft glue or glue gun
• Duct tape
• Large jar lids 
• Small bottle lids
• Marbles
• Cardboard

How to Set Up:

Cut paper towel or toilet paper rolls into different lengths, tape or glue them onto a large piece of cardboard in a maze-like pattern, and drop marbles in to watch them roll.

52. Water Gun Resist Art

A fun outdoor painting activity using water guns or spray bottles to create abstract art! Perfect for a warm day and process-based creativity.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Contact paper
• Large white canvases
• Washable kids paint
• Water guns
• Scissors 
• Sharpie

How to Set Up:

Place canvas outside, use contact paper to create designs, and let kids spray diluted paint over it. Peel off the stickers to reveal cool patterns!

53. Sand Slime

This sensory-rich slime brings the beach indoors with a fun, moldable texture. It’s perfect for kids who love messy play!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• 6 oz Bottle of Elmer’s Clear Glue
• 1/2 cup of Water
• 1/2 tsp of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon of contact lens solution (contact lens solution must contain boric acid and sodium borate your slime will NOT work without it) 
• Sand (you can use play sand in different colors or sandbox sand)
• Seashell, starfish and other under the sea creatures

How to Set Up:

Mix clear glue, water and baking soda and contact lens solution, and play sand to create a stretchy, moldable slime. Add small seashells or plastic ocean animals for extra fun.

54. Cardboard Bicycle Craft

Turn a simple cardboard box into a fun pretend play bicycle! Kids can decorate it and “ride” around the house.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Cardboard
• paper plates
• paper straws
• scissors
• star stickers
• yarn
• glue
• paint sticks

How to Set Up:

Glue two large paper plates for wheels, to a rectangular cardboard base. Let kids paint and decorate it however they like!

55. Bubble Wrap Jellyfish Craft

This adorable ocean-themed craft uses bubble wrap to create a textured jellyfish that kids will love.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Bubble wrap
• Paper Plate
• Brushes or sponge brush
• Acrylic paint
• Scissors
• Googley eyes

How to Set Up:

Cut a jellyfish body shape from paper plate, and attach bubble wrap for tentacles, paint it with bright colors. Hang it up for an ocean-themed display!

56. Taste-Safe Kinetic Sand

A mess-free sensory play material that’s completely safe for little ones who still explore with their mouths. This DIY kinetic sand is soft, moldable, and fun for scooping and shaping.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• 1 cup of Baking Soda
• 1/2 cup Corn Starch
• 1/2 cup Sugar
• 1 tbsp of Cream of Tartar
• 1/4 cup of Water
• Food Colouring
• Mixing Bowl
• Whisk or fork

How to Set Up:

Mix mix ingredients to create a sandy texture. Add measuring cups, small toys, and cookie cutters for endless play possibilities.

57. Fizzy Ice Cream Shop Sensory Bin

This baking soda and vinegar science bin turns into a pretend ice cream shop with colorful fizzy reactions!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• 1 cup of baking soda
• 2 tablespoons of water
• 1 tablespoon of dish soap
• Food colouring
• Sensory Bin
• Ice cream shop toys 
• Scooper (real or fake)
• Ice cream cones (real or fake)
• Squeeze bottles
• Vinegar
• Water

How to Set Up:

Fill a sensory bin with baking soda and water mixture, scoop it into bowls to resemble ice cream, and let kids drizzle colored vinegar on top to make it fizz. Add small spoons and pretend cones for extra fun.

58. Super STEAM Activity Book

Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more. 

Find out more and grab your copy here.

59. Dandelion Snail Threading Board

This nature-inspired fine motor activity lets kids practice threading while creating a cute snail-themed design. It’s a great way to engage with nature and build hand-eye coordination.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Cardboard
• Paint Sticks
• Pencil
• Large googley eyes
• Glue
• Small screwdriver

How to Set Up:

Cut a snail shape from cardboard and punch holes along its shell. Have kids collect dandelion stems and weave them through the holes to create a textured shell.

60. Coffee Filter Butterfly Craft

This colorful butterfly craft is a classic process art activity that lets kids explore how colors mix and blend.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Coffee filter
• Clothes Pin
• Washable Marker (Mr Sketch work best)
• Pipe cleaner
• Washable paint and brush
• Scissors
• Spray bottle 
• Water
• Dish

How to Set Up:

Flatten coffee filters and have kids color them with washable markers. Use a spray bottle to mist them with water and watch the colors spread. Once dry, pinch the middle and clip it with a clothespin to form a butterfly body.

61. Frozen Pom Poms

A cool sensory experience where kids explore texture and temperature with frozen, colorful pom-poms!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Pom Poms
• 41 Qt, Clear Sensory Bin (Large) or a IKEA FLISAT Children’s Sensory Table
• Ikea Trofast Toy Storage Box White, Medium
• Large plastic container
• Squeeze Bottle
• Paint Brush
• Colourful Bowls
• Towel

How to Set Up:

Soak pom poms in water, then freeze them in a tray overnight. Once frozen, place them in a bin and let kids scoop, sort, and explore as they melt.

62. Melted Crayon Picture Frame

A DIY picture frame using melted crayons for a colorful, textured effect—perfect for a homemade gift!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• White canvas
• Painter’s tape
• A picture of someone special
• Crayons in every color of the rainbow
• Tacky glue (or crafting glue you can find this at any craft store)
• Blow drier
• Newspaper or cardboard to protect surface

How to Set Up:

Peel and break old crayons into small pieces, arrange them on a wooden or cardboard frame, and use a hairdryer to melt them into a unique design. Once cooled, place a favorite photo inside.

63. Cardboard Laptop Craft

Let kids create their own pretend laptop for imaginative play, using just cardboard and a little creativity!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Cardboard
• White paint stick
• Scissors
• White paper
• Markers, crayons
• Aluminium foil
• Glue stick

How to Set Up:

Cut two rectangles of cardboard, one for the screen and one for the base. Draw a keyboard with a marker or color cut and glue on cardboard square keys or use stickers or buttons for keys. Kids can decorate the screen with drawings or glue on printed images.

64. Dot Sticker Match

This low-prep fine motor activity strengthens color recognition and hand-eye coordination using simple dot stickers.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Dot Stickers
• Sharpie
• White paper roll

How to Set Up:

Write sight words on a sheet of paper and give kids matching dot stickers to place over the circles.

65. Oobleck

A science experiment and sensory play activity all in one! Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid that acts like both a solid and a liquid.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Corn Starch
• Water

How to Set Up:

Mix cornstarch and water in a 2:1 ratio to create a gooey, moldable, yet runny substance. Let kids explore!

66. Dot Sticker Coding

A beginner coding activity that helps kids understand patterns and sequences using simple stickers.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• pom poms
• LEGO DUPLO
• Ball pit balls
• magnetic tiles
• toys
• pony beads
• play fruit
• giant water beads

How to Set Up:

Create code on paper with dot stickers. Use Pom Poms and muffin tin to recreate “code”.

67. Blow Painting with Straws

This fun art technique uses air instead of brushes, creating wild and unpredictable designs!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Landscape printable (download below)
• Cardstock paper
• Paint- liquid watercolor paint or tempura (watered down)
• Syringe or eye dropper or pipettes
• Straws
• Small cups or bowls
• Construction paper 
• Glue
• Tray

How to Set Up:

Place drops of liquid paint or food coloring mixed with water onto a sheet of paper. Give kids a straw to gently blow the paint, making colorful streaks and splatters.