The Chaos and the Clutter

Crafts and Activities

Pudding Playdough

pink circle cookie cutter next to yellow playdough covered in candy sprinkles

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Having taste safe sensory play recipes creates a wonderful opportunity for toddlers and preschoolers to create. With just 3 ingredients, this pudding playdough is easy to make and it’s completely edible.yellow play dough topped with multicolored sprinklesKids can mould and shape to their heart’s content. It’s such a fun activity.

We love creating taste safe sensory play recipes like our Edible Shark Fluffy Slime, Condensed Milk Edible Paint, or Edible Freezie Painting.

Pudding Playdough Recipe:

Supplies needed:

  • ¼ cup vanilla flavored instant pudding mix (note: if you purchase the 3.4 oz. box, you will have some left over to make a second batch)
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • â…“ cup warm water
  • mixing bowl
  • mixing spoon
  • candy sprinkles (optional)
  • cookie cutters (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Add the pudding mix to the mixing bowl.
  2. Add half of the corn starch to the bowl.
  3. Pour in the water.
  4. Stir to mix the dough.
  5. Add in the other half of the corn starch.
  6. Mix well.
  7. Finish by kneading the dough with your hands until you get the desired consistency. The dough should feel soft to the touch when you start mixing and should not be sticky.
  8. If you find that your dough is sticky, add more corn starch.

If you want, you can add the candy sprinkles to the dough.collage of photos of making playdough out of vanilla pudding

Your child can play with the playdough on the table or on a plastic play mat for easy cleanup.

You can set out cookie cutters to add a fine motor element to the playdough station.

When done playing, store any leftover dough in an airtight container in the fridge.

pink circle cookie cutter next to yellow playdough covered in candy sprinkles

Sensory Benefits:

The dough naturally smells of vanilla because of the vanilla pudding mix, so there are many sensory elements to this playdough. It gives tactile (touch), olfactory (smell), proprioceptive from the squeezing and squishing of the dough, and gustatory (taste) sensory input. 

Why use taste safe playdough?

The high salt content in regular playdough can be dangerous when eaten. For young children who are at that age and stage of putting everything in their mouths or for older kids who have a hard time understanding not to eat the dough, taste safe dough provides a wonderful alternative.collage of photos of yellow playdough topped with edible sprinklesThe ingredients are ones that you may already have in your pantry which is another benefit to choosing to make this edible pudding play dough.

Variations on this pudding playdough recipe:

  • Use lemon pudding mix, chocolate pudding mix, or butterscotch pudding mix to change the flavour and the colour.

Looking for more awesome sensory play recipes for kids? You can grab a free sample chapter of our Sensory Play Recipes eBook here.

Check out some of our other taste-safe play recipes:

Condensed Milk Paintice cube tray with paint while a hand paints a rainbow with a yellow brush

Shark Fluffy Slime

Grab Bag Game

dice that each show a 4 rolled sit among candy and small toys

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Create a simple grab bag game for Christmas or your next party. Try it to change up the way you do party favor bags or gift exchanges at your events. In this game, everyone is a winner! That’s what makes it perfect for all ages.

dice and an assortment of small toys and candyGrowing up, there were always loot bag (also known as treat bags or party favors) at our birthday parties. It’s something that I continued doing for my own kids, but I noticed that over the years, they became more expected and seemingly less appreciated by party guests. 

That’s when I began to think of new ways to incorporate that into the event. Sometimes, that meant having an epic Put Away Scavenger Hunt and having the treat bags be the prize at the end of the hunt. This was usually somewhere like in the dryer when they returned the dryer balls or in the garage when they returned the wrench.

Setting up a homemade prize punch game is another twist to the usual favor bags.

This grab bag game is another idea that keeps the favor bags exciting and memorable.dice that each show a 4 rolled sit among candy and small toysIt also creates another party activity that helps pass the time. And if you’re a parent, you know that that can be a very important thing on those party days!

I’ve also included suggestions below on how to adapt the game for adults and how to create a Christmas grab game game or gift exchange version.

How to Play the Grab Bag Game:

Supplies needed:

  • Brown paper bags
  • Permanent marker
  • Candy
  • Small treats or toys (see list of suggestions for bag fillers below)
  • Dice

Instructions:

  1. Put a pile of treats on the floor or in a tray on the table.
  2. Write names on brown paper bags in black marker and put the bags in a circle around the pile down so that names are showing.
  3. Have each person sit in front of their bag.
  4. Take turns rolling the dice.
  5. When you roll doubles, you get to pick a treat from the pile and add it to the bag with your name on it.
  6. When all the treats are gone, the game is over.
  7. Everyone gets to keep their bag filled with treats.

collage of photos of small treats and the treats in a brown paper bag

Variations of the game:

  • For teens and adults, you can play so that on your turn if you don’t roll doubles, the dice pass to the next person. When playing with younger kids, it’s usually best to let everyone continue rolling until they get doubles and then continue on.
  • Tailor the prizes to the theme of the party. For instance if you’re hosting a dinosaur themed birthday party, you can choose dinosaur shaped candy, dino figurines, dino crayons, dino temporary tattoos, etc. You can also use coloured paper bags that coordinate with the party’s colours to go along with the theme and decorations.

Grab Bag Gift Exchange Game:

To play this as a gift exchange game, have each party guest bring one or two items to add to the pile. You can give them a suggested dollar limit or even request that all the gifts be along the same lines such as all gift cards or all books, socks, or holiday ornaments.

The first person to roll doubles will get first dibs on what they most want in the treat pile. The game continues until all the gifts have been taken.

This may of course result in some guests walking away with multiple gifts while others get none. For this reason, this version of the game is best played with adults. It creates a frantic race to roll doubles and lots of hilarious ribbing back and forth!

box of small treats sits on the floor next to three paper bags with names on it

Christmas Grab Bag Game:

It’s easy to create a Christmas version of this game. At your holiday party, you can play either the gift exchange version of this game or the regular version. Make it more festive by using Christmas candy or Christmas themed gifts. 

You can decorate brown paper bags with Christmas drawings or stickers or you can use red and green paper bags to add even more of a holiday feel. 

The great thing about this game is that you can include anyone from preschoolers to grandparents. 

List of suggested favors for kids:

brown paper bag filled with candy and small toys

List of suggested favors for teens and adults:

Suggested favors for Christmas:

Get your free printable Christmas Gift Exchange Dice Game. 

Check out some of our other party games:

Pretend Cotton Candy for Sensory Play

fluffy yarn in pastel colours

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Pretend play meets sensory play with this DIY play cotton candy. It’s easy to make, so, so soft, and offers hours of fun. You only need two items to make this!

My girls discovered this a few years ago. Once they stumbled upon how to make it, they made it in multiple colours and it was perfect for all kinds of play opportunities.

fluffy yarn in pastel colours on a black backgroundHow to make fake cotton candy for sensory play:

Materials needed:

Instructions:

  1. Comb out the yarn with the dog brush until it becomes fluffy and very soft.
  2. Play!

Yes, it’s really that simple.

Making it themselves is part of the fun, so be sure to allow your child the chance to comb the yarn themselves. Adult supervision is recommended for this and all other sensory play. The wire bristles are sharp so use your best judgment when it comes to your child’s age and skill level.

This fake cotton candy looks like the real thing. It is so soft. I wish you could reach through the screen and give it a feel. It has a silky feeling that kids love.

Cotton candy is sometimes also called fairy floss.

It’s perfect for using in sensory bins or pretend play. You could also include it in a play kitchen.This sensory cotton candy would be so cute in a carnival or circus themed sensory bin!

It would also make a unique party favour or cute decoration for a circus or carnival themed birthday or party. 

fluffy yarn in pastel colours

Pretend Cotton Candy Variations:

  • Use different colour combinations.
  • Wind some of the “fairy floss” around a paper straw to give it the look of cotton candy on a stick.
  • Place a ball of the cotton candy in a paper cone.
  • Make a large amount and attach it to clothing and a hat to create a cotton candy costume. 

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Check out some of our other sensory play ideas:

Fall Bucket List

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Fall is by far my favourite season. The beautiful colours, the crisp air, and anticipation of change to come.

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” ~ LM Mongomery from the book Anne of Green Gables

For years, I’ve created Summer Bucket Lists for the kids, but only recently realized I should create a fall one too. There are so many seasonal activities that can be done in these gorgeous months.

icons of fall activitiesI chose activities for this list that were a good mix of things you can do at home and things to do in your community. I also tried to incorporate the use of as many of the senses as I could. 

This fall, get the whole family engaged in the season!

Fall Bucket List Ideas:

  1. Visit a local farm.
  2. Go apple picking.
  3. Smell pumpkin spice.
  4. Jump in the leaves.
  5. Drink apple cider.
  6. Roast pumpkin seeds.
  7. Make leaf rubbings.
  8. Bake something with apples.
  9. Have a family board game night.
  10. Go for an outdoor scavenger hunt.
  11. Challenge a corn maze.
  12. Visit a fall festival.
  13. Make fall leaves slime.
  14. Go for a crisp walk outside.
  15. Make a toilet paper bird feeder.
  16. Carve pumpkins.
  17. Eat candy corn.
  18. Bake a homemade pie.
  19. Watch a football game.
  20. Go on a fall picnic.
  21. Eat a candy apple.
  22. Paint with pumpkin puffy paint.
  23. Cuddle under a blanket.
  24. Play with a sensory bin.
  25. Explore pumpkin pie scented moon dough.
  26. Bake pumpkin muffins.
  27. Bake sugar cookies with maple icing.
  28. Go on a hayride.
  29. Host an apple bobbing.
  30. Create a fall sensory bag.

Download your free fall bucket list today simply by entering your email address below. 
Our other seasonal bucket lists:

Homemade Prize Punch Game

cups covered with bright tissue paper and tied with curly ribbon

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Add some fun and excitement to a birthday party with this homemade prize punch game. This activity is easy to make yourself. It uses inexpensive items that can be purchased at the dollar store.bright colours of paper covers cups secured by ribbon

This DIY punch a prize party game is a welcome addition to any event. It’s a great idea for birthday parties, family game nights, or school or community fairs or carnivals.

This game is based on an old Price is Right game called Punch-a-Bunch. In that game, contestants would punch through for higher ticket prizes, but the concept and fun is the same.cups covered in party tissue paper and fastened with coloured curly ribbon

Homemade Prize Punch Game

How to Make a Prize Punch Game:

Supplies needed:

  • paper or plastic cups
  • tissue paper
  • ribbon
  • tape
  • scissors
  • poster board
  • poster board stickers
  • prizes 

blue party cups, coloured tissue paper, scissors, and ribbon

Directions:

  1. Fill each plastic cup with small items such as toys or candy. (see our list of ideas below)
  2. Cut the tissue paper into squares, large enough to fit and fold over the top of the cups.
  3. Cover each cup with a tissue square. Tie a ribbon around the tissue paper and tie in a knot.
  4. Curl the ribbon ends.
  5. Repeat this process for the desired number of cups.
  6. Decorate a poster board with stickers. Set the cups on top of the poster board.

cups with money and candy in them then covered with tissue paper

How to Play the Prize Punch Game:

There are several ways to play this game. You can choose which one would work best depending on the type of event you’re planning.

  1. Have the birthday child punch the cups for prizes. You can decide how many cups you would like them to punch, either all cups, or as many as the age they are turning. (For example, when my son turned 6, we made 12 cups and he was able to keep the prizes from 6 cups. My daughter is turning 14, so we created about 25 cups and she’ll keep the prizes from 14 of the 25 cups.)
  2. One at a time, have each child at the party punch one cup. They are then able to keep the prize from the cup they chose to punch. This method works very well for classroom parties as well. 

cups with money and candy in them

What Should I Use as Prizes?

Anything small enough to fit inside your cups will work as a prize. It can be fun to use things that go along with your party theme such as candy necklaces and rings and costume jewelry for a princess party or matchbox cars for a car themed party. This doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. I’ve even included some things on the list that are free!

Here are some prize ideas:

  • candy
  • money (coins or bills)
  • confetti
  • small figurines
  • matchbox cars
  • bubbles
  • costume jewelry
  • crayons
  • small containers of playdough (homemade or store bought)
  • beads
  • small plastic toys
  • trading cards
  • gift cards
  • stickers
  • erasers
  • socks
  • hair accessories
  • makeup or nail polish (think teen girl party!)
  • pieces of paper with affirmations on them
  • homemade coupons for things like a later bedtime or special time with mom or dad

money and various types of candy

Variations on the Punch a Prize Game:

  • Advent Calendar. Use it as an advent or countdown calendar. Number each cup and every day, your child can punch through and take their prize of the day as they count down towards Christmas or another event. Each cup could contain a chocolate, a small prize, or a paper with a holiday activity written on it.
  • Christmas Punch a Prize. Make this a Christmas Punch Prize Game by using holiday tissue paper and filling the cups with holiday themed surprises. Wonderful for all ages!
  • Punch Prize Board. Use hot glue to secure the bottoms of the cups to a foam board. Once dry, prop the board up or hang it.
  • Pair with Another Game. Use the punch prizes to reward the winners of another game such as the winning team in a Minute to Win It challenge.
  • Customize. Depending on the theme of the party or time of year, you can customize your game by changing the colour or design of the tissue paper on the cups, the colour of the cups themselves, the decorations on the poster board, and the prizes inside the cups. 
  • Incentivize it. Set up the punch prize board and use it as a reward for chores being done, goals reached, books read, potty prizes, etc.

cups covered with bright tissue paper and tied with curly ribbon

Check out some of our other awesome party games:

Sensory Hand Soap with Unicorns and Fairies

beads, little toys, and ribbon in clear liquid soap

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We all know how important it is for your kids to wash their hands. But getting your kids to take the time to properly wash their hands isn’t always easy. My favourite way to make hand washing a little more fun is by creating fun hand soaps for kids. And if you have a little one at home who loves magical creatures, like unicorns and fairies, this adorable sensory hand soap is the perfect way to help them have fun while practicing hand washing.liquid soap bottle with little toys in it

We also have made a Simple Bugs Fun Hand Soap for Kids that’s fun too, especially for kids who like insects.

Sensory Hand Soap

Supplies needed:

  • Soap container with push dispenser
  • Liquid hand soap
  • Toy unicorns and fairy
  • Beads
  • Curled blue, purple, white, and pink ribbon

Instructions:

  1. Remove the lid from the hand soap container and set it aside.
  2. Place the toy unicorns, fairy, beads, and curled ribbon into the bottle.
  3. Replace the lid and lightly shake the bottle to move the pieces around.

collage of adding plastic toys and beads to liquid soap in a bottle

Unicorn and Fairy Soap Ideas

There are so many fun ways you can decorate the inside of your soap bottle to create a fairy wonderland! In addition to the elements we added to our soap bottles, there are a few other supplies you could mix into your own soap to create a magical sensory bottle for your kids to use in the bathroom, like:

  • Sequins
  • Gemstones
  • Pom poms
  • Small flowers

What is Sensory Hand Soap?

Educating toddlers and preschoolers is all about learning while playing. And one popular way to keep those young kids engaged is with the help of sensory bottles. Turning a plain soap dispenser into a sensory experience is a great way to help make hand washing a little more fun for little ones. Sensory hand soap takes the concept of a sensory bottle and moves it into the bathroom to help your little ones stay engaged while they learn a practical life skill – hand washing.beads, little toys, and ribbon in clear liquid soap

How Do You Use Sensory Hand Soap?

Your kids can use this DIY hand soap for kids just like traditional hand soap. Just help your kids wet their hands, then pump a small amount of soap onto their hands. While they’re lathering the soap, they can examine the soap bottle to find the different elements inside.

To get rid of dirt and germs, kids should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds. Using the hand soap as a distraction is a great way to ensure your kids spend the proper amount of time lathering and washing their hands. As your kids scrub their hands, they could:

  • Identify each of the different characters inside the soap
  • Count the pieces floating inside the bottle
  • Name the colours of each toy, ribbon, and bead in the soap

soap dispenser with clear soap and blue and green plastic bugs in itBugs Hand Soap