Jun 23, 2026
Waves of Wonder: An Ocean-Inspired Process Art Invitation
Before beginning our ocean-inspired artwork, we shared the beautiful wordless picture book Wave by Suzy Lee. Through stunning illustrations, the story captures a young child's playful interaction with the ocean and served as the perfect inspiration for extending our learning through art. Wordless books encourage children to become storytellers, strengthening comprehension, sequencing, vocabulary, and critical thinking as they use the illustrations to create their own narratives. Inspired by...
Jun 22, 2026
Exploring the Beauty of Seashells Through Process Art
There is something magical about seashells. Their unique shapes, intricate patterns, and connection to the ocean naturally spark curiosity and wonder in children. To continue our exploration of all things ocean, we invited children to transform real seashells into colorful works of art using Colorations® Fluorescent Paint and paintbrushes. As children painted, they explored the unique shapes, patterns, ridges, and textures found on each shell. The vibrant fluorescent colors brought the shells...
Jun 20, 2026
Ocean Potions
We dove into an ocean of creativity with this magical potion-making invitation inspired by all things under the sea. Children are naturally drawn to mixing, pouring, and creating, and this hands-on sensory experience transforms those interests into an imaginative underwater adventure. Filled with shimmering colors, fascinating textures, and ocean treasures, these potion stations invite children to become scientists, storytellers, and explorers as they create their own sea-inspired...
Jun 18, 2026
X Marks the Spot: A Pirate Treasure Sensory Bin Adventure
Ahoy, mateys! What child can resist the excitement of searching for buried treasure? To continue our exploration of all things ocean, we transformed our sensory bin into a pirate treasure excavation site filled with opportunities for discovery, imaginative play, and hands-on learning. To create this invitation, we began with a treasure-filled base of acrylic gems, sparkling rocks, jewelry, gold coins, and other dazzling treasures. The hidden riches were then covered with layers of spectacular...
Jun 15, 2026
Slime on the Light Table: A Sparkling Summer Sensory Invitation
There’s nothing like keeping the summer fun going with slime! This engaging sensory invitation combined the irresistible appeal of stretchy, squishy slime with the captivating glow of a light table, creating an experience filled with creativity, exploration, and open-ended play. To set up this invitation, we used the Sensory Mood Discovery Light Table from Discount School Supply and placed Excellerations® Clear Sorting Trays across the illuminated surface to create a workspaces for mixing,...
Jun 5, 2026
Exploring Summer's Sweetest Treat Through Play
There's no sweeter way to welcome summer than with playful ice cream-themed invitations that inspire creativity, sensory exploration, and imaginative play. From colorful art experiences to hands-on sensory play, these activities will delight little learners while celebrating everyone's favorite frozen treat. 1. Popsicle Watercolor Painting: Invite children to create vibrant popsicle masterpieces. Cut popsicle shapes from poster board and glue Epsom salt onto the surface. Once dry, provide...
Jun 2, 2026
4 Hands-On Ways to Explore Cars Through Play
Children love all things that go! Car play offers endless opportunities for creativity, problem-solving, imaginative play, & early STEM learning. Here are four simple invitations that kept little learners engaged & exploring. 1. Car Wash Two Ways: Create a miniature car wash on a Tuff Tray using storage organizers, mop heads, spray bottles, sponges, towels, dish soap, & toy cars. Then take a ride-on car using buckets and the same cleaning supplies. They loved scrubbing, spraying, & making...
May 29, 2026
Exploring Dinosaurs Through Books, Art, Stickers, & STEM Play
From bestselling author and illustrator Rachel Ignotofsky, Dinosaurs: Exploring Prehistoric Life and Geological Time is an incredible resource for young dinosaur lovers and curious learners alike. Beautifully illustrated and filled with fascinating facts, maps, infographics, and scientific discoveries, the book takes readers on a journey through more than 4.5 billion years of Earth’s history, from the earliest life forms to the age of dinosaurs and beyond. Through engaging visuals and...
May 27, 2026
Invitation to Explore a Flowing River Habitat Through Play
After learning about rivers, river habitats, and the animals that call them home, the children were invited to create their own flowing river world filled with opportunities for imaginative play, engineering, storytelling, and sensory exploration. Using the beautifully designed Explore Nook™ Water Way & Mill Kit and Plastic Water Channeling Guttering from Discount School Supply, children worked together to design winding waterways, build bridges and pathways, and experiment with how water...
May 26, 2026
The Quiet Ocean Small World Play
After reading The Quiet Ocean written by Charlotte Offsay and illustrated by Abi Cushman, we were inspired to explore the beauty, wonder, and interconnectedness of life beneath the sea. This playful and beautifully illustrated story begins with one tiny “pop” from a curious pufferfish that sets off a humorous chain reaction throughout the ocean. As the sea creatures experience an increasingly noisy and chaotic day, the story gently introduces themes of cause and effect, community, and finding...
May 22, 2026
Fizzing Discoveries: Exploring Chemistry Like Marie Curie
Marie Curie is best known for her groundbreaking research on radioactivity and for discovering the elements polonium and radium. A trailblazer in science, she became the first person ever to win two Nobel Prizes, one in Physics and one in Chemistry. Her curiosity, perseverance, and passion for discovery changed the world of science forever and continue to inspire generations of young learners today. After reading a story about her life and achievements, the children were invited to step into...
May 20, 2026
STEM Invitation: Build the Beauty of Golestan Palace
Last week, I created a STEM invitation for my son’s school multicultural event. It became such a meaningful and engaging experience that we’ve continued exploring it at home. Watching children immerse themselves in the beauty, creativity, and architecture of Golestan Palace, while also sharing and celebrating a place special to our culture through hands-on play, made this invitation truly unforgettable. This STEM invitation invites children to design, build, and engineer their own version...
May 18, 2026
When You Find The Right Rock
When You Find the Right Rock by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by @felicita.sala, is a lyrical & heartfelt picture book that celebrates the quiet magic of nature & the special bond children can form with the world around them. Through gentle, poetic storytelling & richly expressive illustrations, the book explores how something as simple as a rock can become a source of comfort, wonder, imagination, & belonging. It encourages young readers to slow down, observe closely, & discover meaning in...
May 6, 2026
Invitation to Explore: How Light Makes a Rainbow
After reading Light Makes a Rainbow by Sharon Coan, we were inspired to look beyond the beauty of a rainbow and uncover the science behind it. This engaging read introduces children to concepts like light waves, energy, and prisms, showing that sunlight, though it appears white, is actually made up of many colors. When sunlight passes through tiny water droplets, it slows down and bends (refraction), spreads into different colors, reflects inside the droplet, and bends again as it exits,...
May 4, 2026
For A Teacher Who Gives Wings
Had the honor of decorating my son’s 1st grade teacher’s door to kick off Teacher Appreciation Week ! During Back-to-School Night at the beginning of the year, I was completely in awe of her classroom library, it was truly one of the most magical spaces I’ve ever seen. Every detail felt intentional, inviting, & filled with a deep love for learning & reading. It instantly left an impression on me. From that moment, I knew I wanted to find a meaningful way to celebrate that magic. The only...
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