Sharla Kostelyk

I Spy Christmas Sensory Bag

I love to make crafts and activities with the kids based on books. It’s a fun way to help reinforce what they saw in the book. The inspiration for this I Spy Christmas sensory bag is the book I Spy Christmas. Last year, we made a Christmas Counting I Spy Sensory Bottle and the kids really enjoyed discovering what they could see inside it.

This year, after reading I Spy Christmas and finding the hidden things within its pictures, I made this simple I Spy Christmas Sensory Bag.

To make this Christmas sensory bag, all you will need is:

medium sized resealable bag
coconut flakes
bag of small Christmas shaped buttons or small Christmas themed trinkets

We actually found a bag of flaked coconut that was very expired when one of my sons was helping me clean out the pantry so it was perfect to use in this sensory activity rather than wasting it.

Place the coconut and Christmas shapes inside the resealable bag and close. For younger children, you can also add packing tape folded over the top so that they can’t open it.

Ours included shapes like a Christmas tree, gingerbread men, stockings, and most importantly, baby Jesus. After all, it is Him that we celebrate at Christmas and Him that I most want my kids to focus on even in a simple sensory bag. Jesus is the treasure waiting to be discovered in this sensory bag and in our lives.

Join our free 5 part email series Sensory Solutions and Activities and get our Sensory System Behaviours Easy Reference Cards.

This activity is part of a series of activities with children’s Christmas books. Follow along this week to see the fabulous ideas! 10 bloggers, 10 books and 10 days of Christmas Activities inspired by children books that are faith based. Make sure to follow along, you can take a look at the schedule over at Inspired by Familia blog. Here are our fabulous bloggers: Inspired by Family, Meaningful Mama, Teaching Mama, Beautiful Messy Motherhood, Happy Home Fairy, Simple home Blessings, The Chaos and the Clutter, Creative Family Fun, True Aim Education and Sunshine Whispers!

Christmas Counting I-Spy Sensory Bottle

The Best Christmas Sensory Bags

By Sharla Kostelyk

These Christmas sensory bags are wonderful not only for providing sensory input and encouraging exploration and discovery, but for keeping kids busy while you get things done. Around the holidays, the to-do list seems to be so much longer! Some of these sensory bags take only a minute or two to put together. Once they are made, your child can play with them while you bake or wrap gifts or get things tidied up. Of course, as with all sensory activities, adult supervision is required.

Sensory bags are a great way to encourage exploration and can even be used for learning. These festive sensory activities offer a variety of both purposes.

Christmas Sensory Bags:

This I-Spy Christmas Sensory Bag from here on The Chaos and The Clutter is meant to go with the I-Spy Christmas book.

It doesn’t get more simple to make than our Christmas Ornaments Sensory Bag.

Looking for something different? This giant Christmas tree sensory play concept from A Little Pinch of Perfect is a sensory bag on a larger scale.

Christmas Sensory Gel Bags from The Preschool Toolbox

Adorable Christmas Squishy Bags from Parenting Chaos

Toddler Christmas Tree Sensory Bag from My Bored Toddler

Christmas Tree Sensory Bag at Mom Inspired Life

Christmas Tree Sensory Bag from Gift of Curiosity

Starry Night Sensory Bag from Playground Park Bench

Gingerbread Man Sensory Bag from Gift of Curiosity

Winter Sensory Bags:

Arctic Sensory Bag from here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Snowflake Sensory Bag from B-Inspired Mama

Winter in a Bag from A Little Pinch of Perfect

Winter Sensory Bag from Teach Me Mommy

Mess-Free Sensory Snowflake Bag at Crafts on Sea

Jumbled Snowman on Playground Park Bench (this one looks so fun!)

You may also be interested in these other Christmas sensory activities:

Christmas Sensory Bins

Christmas Sensory Activities

Christmas Sensory Bottles

Unique Gift Basket Ideas

By Sharla Kostelyk

Gift baskets are an excellent way to have your present stand out, especially among the sometimes impersonal gift cards and cash. They are a wonderful idea for bridal showers or wedding presents, gifts for clients from your business, raffles or silent auctions, birthdays, or Christmas gifts. These unique gift basket ideas are almost as much fun to put together as they are to receive.

These unique gift basket ideas are a wonderful idea for bridal showers or weddings, raffles or silent auctions, client gifts, or birthday or Christmas presents.

Unique Gift Basket Ideas:

Road Trip Gift Basket from here on The Chaos and The Clutter – This is such a good idea to give a family who you know has an upcoming road trip or move across country.

Sensory Gift Basket from here on The Chaos and The Clutter – For adults or children who need extra input for sensory processing, this is the way to say “I see you.”

Spy Secrets Gift Basket from here on The Chaos and The Clutter – This unique gift basket is based on the book Spy Secrets and a good choice for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list.

DIY Stationary Gift from The Life of Jennifer Dawn – Such a nice way to give the handmade touch to your offering.

Pasta Dinner Gift Basket from Frugal Mom, Eh! – Perfect for the young couple. Add a bottle of wine for that extra special touch.

DIY Self-Care Kit at Mom Endeavors – For the busy mom on your list. Add in a copy of my book Self-Care for Foster and Adoptive Moms if that would apply.

The Sick Mom Rescue Kit thought up by Teaching Mama – This is the gift that no one wants to need, but every mom will at one time or another and it will be greatly appreciated when they do.

Date Night in a Tin from The DIY Mommy – Such a cute idea to give your spouse or to give to another couple.

New Parents at Home Date Night at The Dating Divas – I think this idea is adorable for a Christmas gift or even a baby shower gift for new or expectant parents.

Ice Cream Sundae in a Box from Smashed Peas and Carrots – What a sweet idea to give to your neighbours or friends that they can enjoy with the whole family!

Coffee Lovers Gift Basket from Life Your Way – For that person on your list who cannot start the morning without a good cuppa joe!

Homegrown Gift Basket at The Craft Train – It doesn’t get more personal than creating something with things you grew yourself.

Welcoming New Neighbours Gift Basket from Good at Everything – This is a lovely way to bring back the tradition of welcoming new people to the neighbourhood with a gift.

Laundry Gift Basket at Celebrate Every Day With Me – This is a cute idea to give newlyweds as a wedding gift or for their first Christmas together.

Gift Basket for the Elderly over at A Mother Far From Home – I love the points she brings up about the benefits of cultivating relationships between children and the elderly and what better way to start than with an offering?!

Family Movie Night in a DIY Popcorn Bowl from We Heart Parties – Who doesn’t love a cozy movie night in?

DIY Knitting Lover’s Gift Basket at Swoodson Says – Put together a collection that the knitter you know would desire.

Sewing Gift Basket from Frugal Mom, Eh! – For the new sewer or the veteran, this is a thoughtful tin to give.

Mexican Cooking Themed Gift Basket from The Life of Spicers – I love their idea of including an apron!

DIY Sangria Gift from Fantabulosity – This gift is sure to stand out and be the talk of the night.

Teacher Appreciation Gift Basket from I Heart Crafty Things – Coming up with unique gift ideas for teachers every year is a struggle all moms can relate to. This is a good idea that can easily be personalized.

Back to School Teacher Survival Kit from Temecula Blogs – This kit could easily be given as a Christmas gift also as it is flu season.

These unique gift basket ideas for kids will help you personalize and wow this birthday or Christmas!

Unique Gift Basket Ideas for Kids:

Anti-Anxiety Kit for Kids from here on The Chaos and The Clutter – For kids who struggle with anxiety, sensory or regulation, this is truly the best gift you could ever give!

DIY Sensory Gift Basket from here on The Chaos and The Clutter – This gift basket is easy to create for specifically each recipient’s sensory needs.

Dollar Store Kids Engineering Kit at Little Bins for Little Hands – If you want to encourage big thinking in your child, something like this is the way to go.

Inventing Kit for Kids from Mama.Papa.Bubba – Bring on the imagination!

Star Wars Kids Movie Gift Basket Idea from Mom Endeavors – This one is for the Star Wars movie fans on your list.

Science Kit for Kids from I Can Teach My Child – This includes easy to find items as well as printables that you can include for the budding scientist.

Mermaid Play Dough Kit from Mama. Papa. Bubba. – This website is full of the most adorable playdough kits! I’ve only included a link to this one, but once you’re over there, it’s easy to find the rest of them. These are an awesome homemade gift basket idea!

Build Your Own Tinker Space at STEAM Powered Family – These items offer such open-ended discovery opportunities.

Engineering Travel Kit from Lemon Lime Adventures – This kit for kids is incredibly easy to put together.

Beginner Sewing Kit for Kids from Childhood 101 – Put together this kit (love the box they chose!) for a child who wants to learn to sew.

Pirate Theme Playdough Kit from Playdough to Plato – The homemade sand playdough in this kit looks so realistic.

Little Red Wagon Gift Basket Idea from DIY Inspired – This is an adorable idea for a baby shower or first birthday party.

Portable Lego Kit for Little Travellers from Mama.Papa.Bubba – Make road trips ~~less painful~~ more fun for parents by giving this to their child.

Make a Craft Kit for Kids from Kids Craft Room – I like how she includes very basic craft supplies that allow for maximum creativity.

Birthday Play Dough Kit from The Kindergarten Connection – This homemade gift would be perfect for a child’s birthday.

Other Unique Gift Basket Ideas:

One of the nicest things about giving a gift basket is how easy it is to personalize. You can choose a theme basket based on the interests of the person you will be giving it to. If they love bacon, you can fill a skillet with bacon, tongs and bacon themed merchandise. If they are huge Harry Potter fans, put together a collection of fun memorabilia including a cool Harry Potter style wand.

You can get creative when it comes to choosing a container to put the gift in. You can use tins, a classic wicker basket, a laundry basket, a giant popcorn bowl, a wooden crate, a metal tub, a cardboard box, a plastic container, or a glass jar. Here are some other unique gift basket ideas to inspire you:

Cat Lovers – Fill a litter box with gifts for their cat such as treats, a collar and food as well as a Texts from Mittens the Cat calendar, cat socks, a crazy cat lady Christmas sweater, a Cat Lover colouring book, a cat throw pillow, Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover’s Soul book, the Cat-opoly game, a funny cat mug, these measuring bowls, and a fashionable scarf.

Board Game Night Gift for Families – Include a deck of playing cards, some snacks, Dutch Blitz, some dice, a pad of paper and a few pens, and your favourite board games. Our family’s current obsession is Splendor but we also enjoy Ticket to Ride and Settlers of Catan.

Instant Pot Gift Basket – Fill an Instant Pot with a ladle, tea towel and an Instant Pot Freezer Meal Plan.

Book Lover Gift Basket – Put together a few of your favourite books with reading socks, a bookmark, a cozy blanket, library scented candle, some tea (this one has literary quotes on the tea bags) or coffee, and this library card mug. You could put all of it in a library card tote bag or a book bag.

Gift Basket for the Stephen King Fan – Assemble a Constant Reader mug, a Stephen King book and bookmark, a DVD of one of the movies based off of his books, Stephen King quotes, The Dark Tower clock, Go Float Yourself mug, this money clip, this notebook and a pen, and a shirt like this one and put it all in a Stephen King themed bag.

Chocolate Martini – We have friends that gave us the alcohol needed to make a Chocolate Martini along with 2 martini glasses, Hershey’s kisses to put at the bottom of the glasses, and chocolate sprinkles. It was a memorable gift.

Hot Cocoa – Fill a mug with a package of hot chocolate mix, a mixing spoon and some mini marshmallows. This is a simple and inexpensive gift to give anyone from kids to grandparents.

The possibilities for creating your own unique gift basket are endless. And they are so much fun to put together.

No Rise Cinnamon Buns with Cream Cheese Drizzle

By Sharla Kostelyk

These no rise cinnamon buns are quick to make. This makes them the perfect thing to make for last minute visitors. They go well with tea or coffee. They also make a great Christmas morning breakfast since they require so little time to make.

Cinnamon buns are one of the first things that I learned to bake. They seemed like a big undertaking so I used to make the dough in my bread maker but over the years as my confidence has grown, I have tried many versions of cinnamon buns and haven’t found any yet that I don’t like because it’s hard to go wrong with delicious dough, cinnamon and sugar! What I like about this particular recipe is that they can be made much faster than my other recipes because you don’t need to leave time for them to rise and there is no yeast to contend with.

This recipe is based on one from my friend Jennifer’s mom who created it based on the dough in tea biscuits. I think that’s a pretty smart way to create a no-rise cinnamon bun for those times you’re in a hurry.

No Rise Cinnamon Buns Recipe:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
½ cup cold butter, cut into Tablespoons
¾ cup cold buttermilk

For the filling:

1/2 cup softened butter
1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
2 1/2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp. cornstarch

Preheat oven to 375°.

In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

Cut in the butter with a pastry blender until there are pea sized pieces.

Add the cold buttermilk all at once and mix until the dough forms a ball.

Roll the dough onto a lightly floured surface, shaping into a large rectangle.

In a separate bowl, mix together the ingredients for the cinnamon filling.

Spread the filling evenly on top of the cinnamon bun dough, then roll the shortest ends toward each other.

Cut the cinnamon bun log into 2-3″ pieces and place them in a buttered casserole dish. I like to slice mine with a piece of string or dental floss as I find this saves time and makes less mess.

Bake for 18-22 minutes until golden brown.

Cream Cheese Drizzle Recipe:

2 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup softened butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 Tbsp. corn syrup
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 1/4 cups icing sugar (also called powdered sugar)

While the cinnamon buns are cooling, whip together the cream cheese drizzle, adding more sugar if desired for a thicker drizzle or more corn syrup for a lighter drizzle.

These no rise cinnamon rolls are of course best served warm, but even if they are served once they have cooled, you won’t be hearing any complaints!

Some of our other popular recipes:

Zesty Zucchini Bread

No Rise Cinnamon Buns Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
½ cup cold butter cut into Tablespoons
¾ cup cold buttermilk

For the filling:

1/2 cup softened butter
1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
2 1/2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp. cornstarch

Cream Cheese Drizzle Recipe:

2 oz. cream cheese softened to room temperature
1/4 cup softened butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 Tbsp. corn syrup
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 1/4 cups icing sugar also called powdered sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°.
In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
Cut in the butter with a pastry blender until there are pea sized pieces.
Add the cold buttermilk all at once and mix until the dough forms a ball.
Roll the dough onto a lightly floured surface, shaping into a large rectangle.
In a separate bowl, mix together the ingredients for the cinnamon filling.
Spread the filling evenly on top of the cinnamon bun dough, then roll the shortest ends toward each other.
Cut the cinnamon bun log into 2-3" pieces and place them in a buttered casserole dish. I like to slice mine with a piece of string or dental floss as I find this saves time and makes less mess.
Bake for 18-22 minutes until golden brown.

Cream Cheese Drizzle Recipe:

While the cinnamon buns are cooling, whip together the cream cheese drizzle, adding more sugar if desired for a thicker drizzle or more corn syrup for a lighter drizzle.

Melted Snowman Sensory Bottle

By Sharla Kostelyk

In the words of my kids, this is the “cutest sensory bottle ever”! I came up with the idea to make a melted snowman sensory bottle when I was at the craft store and saw an adorable snowman making kit. I imagine what would be left of a melted snowman and found a way to represent it in a discovery bottle.

When I set out this year to create a new sensory bottle every month, I worried that I would run out of ideas, but they always come from some inspiration or another.

It’s the middle of November and where I live in Canada, there’s usually enough snow to have built a snowman family in the yard by now but as of today, there isn’t any snow on the ground so this melted snowman sensory bottle really got the kids’ imaginations going.

Melted Snowman Sensory Bottle:

Materials needed:

large empty water bottle (I used a Voss water bottle because I like the shape of them)
5 dry black beans
3 black or grey buttons
2 colourful larger buttons
orange sponge, cut into the shape of a carrot
2 twigs
small piece of fabric, cut in a rectangle
2x 5 oz. bottles of clear glue
scissors

Empty the water from the water bottle and squirt the clear glue in. Add warm water to almost fill the bottle and add the lid back on and then shake the glue and water together for a bit to combine. Little ones are often very helpful with this task!

VOSS Water Plastic Bottles Clear Glue Orange Sponge

Add the other items into the bottle. The twigs are for the arms, the black beans for the mouth, the fabric strip for the scarf, the dark buttons for buttons, the colourful larger buttons for the eyes, and the carrot shaped sponge for the nose.

Add the lid back on and your melted snowman sensory bottle is ready to use for play. If you have younger children, you may want to hot glue the lid in place so they can’t open it. As with all sensory and exploration activities for kids, adult supervision is of course recommended.

Join me for a free 5 part email series Sensory Solutions and Activities (just pop your email into the box below) and get a printable list of 175 Great Sensory Ideas.

Christmas Counting I-Spy Sensory Bottle

Snowflake Sensory Bottle

Sky Sensory Bottle

By Sharla Kostelyk

We have been enjoying our sensory bottle creations and it is always fun to come up with new themes and ideas for them. I was inspired to make this sky sensory bottle after making our sky sensory bin and wanting to use the adorable parachute glider that was in the In the Sky toob I used to make that sensory bin.

After I made this sensory bottle, I was trying to take pictures of it inside where I normally take photos and my daughter Granola Girl insisted that Sky sensory bottles needed to be played with (and therefore photographed) outside! Granola Girl loves to be barefoot, loves to be outside and feel the grass between her toes. I never think to bring our sensory activities outdoors so it’s nice to have her to remind me to expand my way of thinking.

She was absolutely right about the sky sensory bottle belonging in the great outdoors! She practised her hand modelling skills while I took the pictures and then she ran off to explore with the sensory bottle, holding it up to the sky to see what it looked like with the sun shining through it. I’m so glad she has such a free spirit and reminds me of the beauty in simple things.

Sky Sensory Bottle:

Materials needed:

empty water bottle (I used a Voss water bottle)
350 mL (12 oz.) bottle of blue hair gel
In the Sky Toob

VOSS Water Plastic Bottles Safari Ltd In The Sky TOOB by Safari

Empty the water from the water bottle and then squirt some gel into the bottle and add an item from the In the Sky Toob. Continue to layer gel and items from the tube so that the items suspend in the blue “sky”.

Add the lid and your sky sensory bottle is ready to use for play. If you have younger children, you may want to hot glue the lid in place so that they can’t open it. As with all sensory and exploration activities for kids, adult supervision is recommended.

Join me for a free 5 part email series Sensory Solutions and Activities (just pop your email into the box below) and get a printable list of 175 Great Sensory Ideas.

Take Flight with a Sky Sensory Bin