Dollar Store Dinosaur Table

Materials Needed from the dollar store: Storage bin, fake moss, brown box/basket paper shred, different sized rocks, colored rocks, sand. 

Instructions: Dump materials on table, watch kids have a blast. My kids seemed to really enjoy this table. They made up stories about the dinosaurs, decided the green rocks were either treasure or dinosaur eggs, and made a meeting place for all the elder dinosaurs. Clean up is easy, just sweep it all back into the bin and bring out another day! 

Recycled Crab Craft Activities

Possible Materials needed: Red soda cap, red foam paper, yellow foam balls, glitter, sand, water, jar, foil, googly eyes, green/yellow thread, tape, hot glue, etc.

There are so many things you can do with this cute little guy once you make him. All you have to do is glue two googly eyes to the top or side of a bottle cap and cut out some red claws and legs out of red foam paper. (If you aren't planning on using water, use red construction paper.) However, while you're waiting on this little dude to dry, start creating a home for him. You can be creative. I tried creating a sensory bin for him to live in, jars filled with different items. Submit your crab homes to kiddocrafts@gmail.com to be added to the blog!

Dinosaur Swamp Land! (Not as gross as it looks!)

Swamp Land Sensory Play Bin

Materials Needed: Dark colored sand, water, sticks, rocks, plants, dried up leaves, aqua beads, yellow/green foam balls.

Here is a messy looking swamp land for your child to enjoy and explore. I started by adding a small layer of dark colored sand and adding some water. Once you stir the mixture up, it'll look like dark swampy water. Next walk around outside and find some items to include (Rocks, sticks, plant life, dried leaves etc.) I added in two extra items, that are completely optional. First I dropped a bunch of aqua beads (dollar store) in some blue paint, rolled them around on a paper towel to remove some of the paint, then let them dry outside in the sun for an hour. This creates a mystery egg type object your kids will love. They are squishy, slippery, and almost disappear once they fall into the water. Next I added a couple of foam sticky balls (dollar store) to create an algae effect that will float on the water top. 

Aqua Balls Sensory Bin

This is the cheapest sensory bin I have ever done and the kids love it. I bought a jar of aqua balls from the dollar store. (They're normally used for filling decorative vases, called clear floral hydration beads)

I then added a few cups of water and light green food coloring. Before I added the food coloring the aqua balls were completely invisible in the water. I think that'd be a fun bin to play with, but I wanted some green for St. Patrick's Day, so I'll probably save that for a different day.

I added an ice cube tray for them to place the aqua balls in. They could use the spoon or their hands. These balls are really difficult to pick up because they slip right out of your hand and bounce away. Sometimes I have found that after a few days the aqua balls get a bit of an odor to them. However, for $1 they can be easily replaced for hours of fun.

Pink Sensory Bin

Materials needed: rice, food coloring, pom-poms, heart shaped beads, glitter, pink necklace, wiggle worm, craft sequins.

A little back story to explain why I made this particular bin- I bought one of these magical wiggle worms from the dollar store. It's the kind with the invisible string allowing you to make it do tricks. My kids fell in love, and I am not exaggerating. They made an entire back story for my blue worm (who they named Mike) and love to build him houses. They also decided he doesn't like it when kids are loud so they make sure to be quiet when he is out. Since Valentines Day is coming up, I thought that Mike needed love too. This is Mike's girlfriend, not yet named and her house. I'm interested to see what they will come up with. :)

Ocean Themed Sensory Bin

Materials used: water, food coloring, plastic coins, growing starfish, aqua beads, rocks, small bottle, netting.

I found all of the necessary materials at the dollar store. My favorite part of this bin would definitely have to be the water beads. I am not sure what they are actually called. (Some stores call them hydrating beads, but it depends on the store.) They are usually used to fill decorative vases. They are really fun to hold because they slip out of your hand and bounce.