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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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

For this invitation, we explored the works of Claude Monet by reading The Magical Garden of Claude Monet and Meet Claude Monet. We also shared an image of his famous Japanese Water Lilies painting to spark curiosity and inspire the children’s building experience. Using STEM as our approach, we transformed the painting into a hands-on learning invitation by setting up our Discount School Supply Tuff Tray with black and white Cosy Direct Ones, Plastic Water Channeling Guttering (6-pack),...

I had the absolute privilege of creating the invitations for my delicate flower bestie Justine’s milestone 40th birthday celebration. She had a vision of elegance, beauty, and blooms everywhere—and she brought it to life so effortlessly. Every detail was thoughtfully curated, making this celebration feel like stepping into a dreamy garden party. From beautiful florals by @bloomandboard_bydanielle to hands-on activities, every moment was designed to make guests feel part of the magic: Flower...