Proprioception Winter Activity Cutting Paper Snowflakes with Kids

This time of year, kids can feel cooped up indoors when the winter weather is too cold to play outside. A proprioception activity that engages children can provide calming or regulating input that is desperately needed.


Cutting paper snowflakes with heavy weight paper like cardstock, cardboard, or several sheets of paper provides proprioceptive input to the hands.  

Practice scissor skills and provide proprioception with this miniature cupcake liner snowflakes craft for kids.

Paper Snowflakes Prorprioception Activity for Kids

This post contains affiliate links.


While it is difficult to cut heavy paper after it’s been folded many times into a paper snowflake, you can use two sheets of paper.  Just the added layer provides a bit more work for the hands.  


Try adding a few layers of tissue paper to your snowflakes.  This is a great warm up activity for kids to complete before handwriting.  


Read more about proprioception and the hands here.


Additional ways to provide proprioceptive input to the hands through making paper snowflakes:


Cut aluminum foil.
Use two (or more) Rainbow colored cupcake liners.
Cut thin white felt.
Make snowflakes with several paper napkins stacked up.
Cut snowflakes from wax paper.
Several coffee filters stacked up.


Practice scissor skills and provide proprioception with this miniature cupcake liner snowflakes craft for kids.

For our proprioception activity, we cut several cupcake liners stacked up.  If you use the miniature sized cupcake liners, like we did, you can really work on scissor skills on a small scale.  Fold only two cupcake liners together in half and in half again.  You will end up with a triangle with a curved outer edge.  Now start snipping triangles out of the cupcake liners.  This activity provides proprioceptive input to the hands and is an exercise in precision in scissor skills


These brightly colored snowflakes will add a pop of color to a dreary winter window.  Simply tape them up with double sided tape.  You can also tape them along a string to make a fun and cheery wintery garland.  Have fun making miniature snowflakes and working on proprioception and scissor skills!

Practice scissor skills and provide proprioception with this miniature cupcake liner snowflakes craft for kids.


This post is part of our January Calendar activities where we’re sharing proprioceptive and vestibular activities for each day.  See all of the posts here

Are you looking for more information on Vestibular or Proprioception (and ALL of the sensory systems) and how they affect functional skills, behavior, and the body’s sensory systems?  This book, Sensory Lifestyle Handbook, will explain it all.  Activities and Resources are included.  Get it today and never struggle to understand or explain Sensory Integration again.

 
Looking for MORE scissor skills or proprioception activities?  These are some of our favorite ways to play: 

Kids Crafts Based on Popular Children’s Books

I would have to say that we really love reading books and creating activities and crafts based on the books.  We’ve re-created books through play, busy bags, snacks, sensory play, but one of my favorite ways to explore a great book is through crafts.  These are a collection of all of our crafts based on great books.  You can see all of our book related activities over here.  For now, grab a piece of paper and and a pencil, because you are going to want to check out all of these books from your library!


Now, there are many who proclaim the benefits of process-related creativity in children.  I am a big believer that both process and product based arts and crafts are hugely beneficial to children in many similar and different ways.  Crafts are a great way to work on developmental skills and are used by Occupational Therapists to develop certain goal areas. 


WHY use crafts to work on skill areas in kids?  These are just a few ways that crafts can help kids:
Scissor skills
Fine motor grasps
Direction following
Problem solving
Expressive design
Weight bearing
Multi-step task organization
Executive functioning
Visual perceptual skills
Handwriting
Sensory integration


So, use those book related crafts to work on skills that kids need in a fun and developmentally appropriate way, while exploring new books!

Crafts for kids based on popular childrens books

Book related crafts for kids based on popular children’s books

 Big Red Barn puppets  
   
  
Crafts for kids based on popular childrens books
 
Looking for MORE book-related activities?  Visit our book page for more creative ideas from book-related snacks, to busy bags, to sensory play, and more.
hands-on activities to explore social emotional development through children's books.

Love exploring books with hands-on play?

Grab our NEW book that explores friendship, acceptance, and empathy through popular (and amazing) children’s books!  It’s 50 hands-on activities that use math, fine motor skills, movement, art, crafts, and creativity to support social emotional development.

Minion Party with Crafts, Snacks, and Decor



There is just something about the minions that make you smile.  I love to watch my kids when they are watching them.  They have big grins and lots of giggles that are irresistible.  This minion party would be perfect for a Minions movie night party, birthday party, or creative play date.  I’ve got tips and ideas to keep it easy with the BEST and the cutest minion crafts, minion themed food, and minion decorations you will find.  


I am all about easy party decorations that make a big statement, and putting this minion party together was no exception.  The crafts became part of the decor and aside from a few examples, they were mainly made at the party. Easy, right?  The other decorations were no-fuss and made a big statement with their simplicity.  Minions mean silly fun and that’s what our party was all about! These minion party ideas are so easy, that you will be able to re-create all of the details at home during your Minions movie night.

Minion movie night party decorations, minion crafts, and minion snacks #MinionsMovieNight ad

Minion Party Ideas

We love having family movie nights in our house.  They are something that my kids really look forward to. 

Minions Party Decorations

Minion movie night party decorations, minion crafts, and minion snacks #MinionsMovieNight ad

When I think minions, I think about their bright yellow and blue colors.  So our party table was covered with a bright yellow and blue covering.  


TIP: Use a blue table cloth draped halfway over the length of the table to create a skirt.  You can tape it to the length of the table about half-way across the width.  THEN, unroll a tube of yellow gift wrap right on top.  The paper gift wrap is a vividly yellow color, just like our minion friends.


The back wall of our party table was just rolls of yellow and blue crepe paper taped in swooping waves.  My preschooler helped me twist and tape the two colors together to quickly decorate the wall.


We then rolled the crepe paper across the length of the table a few times.  This task brought out the giggles from my daughter.  Who knew that unrolling crepe paper could be so much fun??


To finish up our minion decorations, I grabbed a bag of yellow shredded paper from the store’s craft section.  It was used around the movie and our snacks. Scatter the shredded paper to fill in gaps on your table and to add texture.  


And besides the crafts and craft supplies on the table, that’s all we did for our decor.

Minions Party Crafts

My kids helped me make the craft examples for our party.  We decided to make minion book marks, minion hand print art, and minion snack cups.

Minion Bookmark Craft

Minion bookmark craft

To make the bookmarks, you’ll need a few materials:
2 inch x 6 inch rectangle of yellow card stock
2 inch x 3-4 inch rectangle of blue card stock
Black yarn
White paper cut into small circles for the eyes
Black marker
Glue stick
Scissors
Hole punch


Glue the blue rectangle on the yellow rectangle.  Glue the white circles near the top of the bookmark and trace to make the minion’s goggles.  Add straps by drawing black lines to each edge of the bookmark.  Use the hole punch to punch a hole at the top of they bookmark.  Fold the length of black yarn in half.  Push the folded middle of the yarn through the hole.  Pull the ends through the loop to create the minion’s hair and the top of the bookmark.


Place all of the materials you need for the minion bookmark into a sectioned platter and place it on the party table, along with a few examples.  Party go-ers will love to create this fun minion craft during the party.

Minion Hand Print Art

Minion movie night party decorations, minion crafts, and minion snacks #MinionsMovieNight ad

Another craft we made were this minion hand print craft. You’ll need a few materials for this craft:
Yellow Paint
Blue Paint
White Paper
Black Marker
Paintbrushes
White paper cut into small circles for the eyes.

Minion movie night party decorations, minion crafts, and minion snacks #MinionsMovieNight ad

Paint the child’s hand yellow on the top and blue on the bottom.  Enjoy the giggles from tickle-y paintbrushes on hands.  Show the child how to keep their fingers together and how to press straight down on the white paper.   Allow the paint to dry.  Glue on the white circles to make the minion’s eyes. Add the minion’s goggles and smile with the black marker.

Minion movie night party decorations, minion crafts, and minion snacks #MinionsMovieNight ad

Minion Snack Cups Craft

Minion movie night party decorations, minion crafts, and minion snacks #MinionsMovieNight ad

The last craft we made were these snack cups that we used to enjoy our minion themed snacks.  Simply tape a rectangle of blue card stock onto yellow paper cups.  Glue on white circles for the minion’s eyes.  Draw the goggles and mouth on with the black marker.  Set these snack cups out on the party table for snacking.

Kids will love to create all of these crafts before watching the movie at your minion party.

Minion movie night party decorations, minion crafts, and minion snacks #MinionsMovieNight ad

Minion Themed Snacks

Everyone needs snacks while watching a movie! These minion themed snacks will fill hungry bellies after all that crafting.

Minion movie night party decorations, minion crafts, and minion snacks #MinionsMovieNight ad

Minion Puppy Chow Recipe

You’ll need a few ingredients to make the puppy chow for your minion party:
1 cup Yellow chocolate melts
6 cups Square rice cereal
1 cup Confectioners sugar
Yellow and Blue chocolate candies


Melt the chocolate melts in the microwave or over the stove top.  Stir in the cereal and gently stir until coated.  Pour the chocolate covered cereal into a gallon sized plastic bag.  Pour the confectioner sugar over the cereal 1/2 cup at a time and shake gently until coated.  Pour onto a wax paper covered surface and separate the cereal with a fork.  Allow the candies to dry and sprinkle in blue and yellow chocolate candies.   

Minion Rice Cereal Treats

You’ll need a few ingredients to make these marshmallow cereal treats:
1 bag (10 ounces) marshmallows
3 Tablespoons butter
6 cups rice cereal
1 cup blue chocolate melts
Lollipop sticks
Candy eyes
Black icing


Melt the marshmallows and butter in a large pan.  Stir in the cereal.  Using wax paper, press the mixture into a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish.  Allow the treats to harden.  Cut into rectangles.  Melt the blue chocolate melts on the stove top or in the microwave.  Dip the bottom of the rectangles into the blue chocolate.  Gently lay the cereal treats on wax paper and allow the chocolate to harden.  Use a bit of the melted chocolate to stick the candy eyes to each minion treat.  When the chocolate has hardened, press a lollipop stick into the bottom of each treat.  Use the back icing to draw goggles on the minion treats.  (NOTE: With all of the minion fun that we had going on at our party, I FORGOT to add goggles to our minion treats.  Ack! They still tasted great, though and brought out smiles on the faces of my kids and their friends!)

Minion movie night party decorations, minion crafts, and minion snacks #MinionsMovieNight ad

Press the lollipop sticks into a piece of hard foam to stand up on the party table. Cover the foam with the shredded yellow paper. 


Add the minion snacks to your snack table and serve them in the minion snack cups at your Minions movie night. They are fun snacks that go along with fun crafts and will make your movie night memorable!




Let me know if you try any of these minion ideas at your party.  You can find more creative and fun minion ideas here.




Cookie Decorating Party and Nutter Butter Cookie Dip Recipe

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GiftDeliciously #CollectiveBias


Are you planning a holiday get-together with family or friends this Christmas season?  Maybe a December play date with kids?  This Cookie Decorating party was pretty much the best thing my kids have had the chance to do recently.  They are still talking about recreating this party.  Start planning a cookie decorating party to spend time with loved ones while creating a cardboard gingerbread village craft.


Throw a Cookie Decorating Party or play date this Christmas season.  I love the cookie box gingerbread village at this kid-friendly party!

Throw a Cookie Decorating Party or play date this Christmas season.  I love the cookie box gingerbread village at this kid-friendly party!


Cookie Decorating Christmas Party

When we started planning for our cookie decorating party, we knew we had to create a gingerbread cookie village tablescape.  

Every year, our family visits a huge gingerbread village in the downtown city buildings of our city.  It is so much fun to inspect all the details of hundreds of gingerbread homes while we create memories as a family.  It’s a family event that we look forward to every year.  So, when we created our very own cardboard box gingerbread village, we had to add little details of our own. 



With our gingerbread village theme in mind, we set out to grab everything we would need for our party.  I took my 18 month old to Walmart and grabbed snack size boxes of Chips Ahoy!, Nutter Butter, OREO Cookies, and RITZ Crackers.  The small size of these boxes would be perfect for our mini gingerbread homes.  I even grabbed a few extras to stuff into my kids’ stockings.  (I don’t think the 18 month old will tell her big sisters and brother, but I did the old hide them under the other things in the cart trick that Moms do when they are out shopping with the kids this time of year.)  The snack size boxes are priced so affordably that you can buy a bunch for last minute gift ideas for everyone from teachers to the school bus driver.  I found the snack boxes in a big bin right in the middle of the store aisle. 


Throw a Cookie Decorating Party or play date this Christmas season.  I love the cookie box gingerbread village at this kid-friendly party!


Cookie Box Gingerbread Village

We used the cookie boxes to make our gingerbread village.  My daughter helped me paint the boxes with brown paint.  Once they dried, I cut windows and doors with a sharp knife.  This is a job for an adult, and when you create this table at home, you’ll want to have the gingerbread homes painted and windows cut out ahead of time.  

We decorated the gingerbread homes with pipe cleaners, ribbon, beads, and paint. Kids can decorate the gingerbread houses at the party for a craft activity. TIP: Use a hot glue gun to allow some craft items to stick more easily during crafting.  Be sure to keep the hot glue gun away from kids. 


Throw a Cookie Decorating Party or play date this Christmas season.  I love the cookie box gingerbread village at this kid-friendly party!

Set the gingerbread village crafts out on the table before cookie decorating. LED tea lights fit right inside the gingerbread homes and gave them a nice glow on our cookie decorating party table.  


Cookie Decorating Party decor

For our party, I put out a silver table cloth, cotton batting, glittery green Christmas trees, and silvery snowflakes.  The table had all of our cookie decorating supplies like cookies, sprinkles, icing, and lollipop sticks.

Throw a Cookie Decorating Party or play date this Christmas season.  I love the cookie box gingerbread village at this kid-friendly party!
Throw a Cookie Decorating Party or play date this Christmas season.  I love the cookie box gingerbread village at this kid-friendly party!

Cookie Decorating Fun

Now for the fun part!  There is just something about adding icing and sprinkles to cookies that make a child’s eyes shine.  I think it might be the sugar 😉 

I separated cake icing into small bowls to give each child their own bowl.  They used a plastic butter knife to spread the icing on the  Chips Ahoy!, Nutter Butter cookies, and OREO Cookies.  They then added Christmas sprinkles.  Some cookies were a little more decorated than others.  There was a lot of sneaking of sprinkles, but it was a good, sweet time.  


Throw a Cookie Decorating Party or play date this Christmas season.  I love the cookie box gingerbread village at this kid-friendly party!
Throw a Cookie Decorating Party or play date this Christmas season.  I love the cookie box gingerbread village at this kid-friendly party!
Throw a Cookie Decorating Party or play date this Christmas season.  I love the cookie box gingerbread village at this kid-friendly party!
Throw a Cookie Decorating Party or play date this Christmas season.  I love the cookie box gingerbread village at this kid-friendly party!
We made a few OREO pops.  Twist the cookie apart, dip a lollipop stick into the icing and then gently press the top back on the cookie.  The kids then decorated the OREO cookie pops with icing and sprinkles.  These would be a fun addition to Christmas cookie trays.  I totally am wrapping a few of these pops in plastic wrap and gifting them to neighbors, too!

Cookie Decorating Party Food

I used some of our Nutter Butter cookies to make this cookie dip.  This is a dip you HAVE to make and share with all of your family and friends. Take it to holiday parties or anywhere you need to bring a dish.  It will be a hit and you will love creating a dish that is not only easy, it is SO good.

Nutter Butter Cookie Dip Recipe


Nutter Butter Cookie Dip Recipe

1 cup confectioners sugar
8 ounces cream cheese
1/3 cup peanut butter
1 Tablespoon milk
1 cup chopped Nutter Butter cookies

Combine the cream cheese and peanut butter in a mixer until smooth.  Add in the confectioners sugar and milk.  Mix until fluffy.  Stir in the chopped Nutter Butter cookies.

Chill until ready to serve.  Serve with graham crackers or pretzels.  

Another snack we had out to fill hungry cookie decorating tummies was a tray of Ritz crackers and sliced cheese.  We used the cheese to make a snowflake shape for added winter fun.

   

We might have to do an impromptu after school cookie decorating session.  This set-up was so easy and brought so many smiles!  Let us know if you throw a cookie decorating party!  I would love to see your party set-up.


You can find more stocking stuffer ideas here.

Card Making Party and Cute Christmas Cards

My kids love to make crafts.  My oldest will spend her days off from school asking to make crafts together, and I love the time we spend together.  There is something about sitting together, snipping paper, and creating as we chat and snack, that builds memories.  And when we craft together, we love to have a little snack, too. So, when I put together a Chocolate Card Making Party, she was ecstatic! 
 
I told my daughter about our Card Making Party and how it would be crafting with chocolate and she wanted to invite all of her friends.  This crafting party would be the perfect way to spend time with friends and family before the holidays, while creating cards that are perfect for gift-giving.


 
Check out these Christmas Fine Motor Activities for more creative ways to work on fine motor skills and address development of skills this Christmas season. 
Host a Christmas card making party with family and friends this holiday season with handmade cards, good food and chocolate!

Card Making Party

 
During the hectic winter months, it can be hard to get everything crossed off the to-do list.  This party is a great way to get-together with friends in a play date atmosphere while creating cards for loved ones.  Each year, we create Christmas cards for Grandparents, neighbors, teachers, coaches, bus drivers, and other helpers in our lives. Get your friends together to craft holiday cards while sharing a meal with this Card Making Party idea.
 
When a holiday get-together involves food and snacks that you can feel good about serving your family, it is such a relief.  The items we used at our card making party make it easy to throw together a party with quality favorites that will please any crowd.  
Host a Christmas card making party with family and friends this holiday season with handmade cards, good food and chocolate!
 
 
Host a Christmas card making party with family and friends this holiday season with handmade cards, good food and chocolate!
Host a Christmas card making party with family and friends this holiday season with handmade cards, good food and chocolate!
I kind of love decorating for parties.  This Card Making Party was no exception!  I used a shiny red tablecloth, and all of the items needed to create holiday cards.  I wanted the card making station to be central in our party so all of the paper, tape, glue, scissors, and card embellishments were right on the table.   .
 
We had Christmas decor like poinsettias, a fun fleece garland, glittery snowflakes, and glittery Christmas trees.  
Host a Christmas card making party with family and friends this holiday season with handmade cards, good food and chocolate!
DIY Simple Fleece Garland Directions
I have to tell you how easy that simple, yet stunning felt garland was to make: Simply cut a long strand fleece about 3 inches wide and 9 feet long.  Then, snip into one edge of the fleece strip, leaving a 1/2 inch border.  A no-sew party decoration like this makes holiday decorating easy.  And holiday extravaganzas require easy steps!
 
Card Making Party Supplies
For your card making party, you’ll need card making supplies.  In the craft section, grab red, green, and white card stock, and other colors like beige and brown for accents.  We used a handful of white crafting pom poms, too.  Other items you’ll need are clear tape, glue, markers, stamps, ribbons, and glitter.  
 
Handmade Christmas cards using chocolate bell candies are fun and creative. Kids can make them at a card making holiday party!

How to make Holiday Chocolate Bell Cards:

Before your party, make examples of the Christmas cards.  You can prop them up on the party table for added decoration and to use as a model for card makers.  Of course, party-goers are welcome to create any festive cards they like, but we thought these ideas were fun and wanted to share them with you!
Kids will love to make and give this handmade Santa Christmas card using chocolate bell candy!

Santa Christmas Card craft

Cut out pieces to make this Santa Claus card: 
  • 1 beige circle for Santa’s face, 
  • 1 beard shape from white card stock, 
  • 1 red rectangle for Santa’s body
  • 4 red thin rectangles for Santa’s arms and legs.  
Build the Santa on a green card stock rectangle. Simply make a “doughnut” of tape and stick the chocolate bell to the card stock above Santa’s face.  Glue on a white crafting pom pom.  You will need an extra tape “doughnut” at the top of the chocolate to keep it propped up strait and to help the chocolate stick.  Glue the rectangle onto white card stock.
 
Kids will love to make and give this handmade Reindeer Christmas card using chocolate bell candy.

Reindeer Christmas Card craft

Cut out the following pieces to make the Reindeer card: 
  • 2 brown antlers, 
  • 1 small red circle for the reindeer’s nose, 
  • 2 small circles for the reindeer’s eyes.  
Glue these pieces around a on a piece of beige card stock.  You will need an extra tape “doughnut” at the top of the chocolate to keep it propped up strait and to help the chocolate stick. Glue the rectangle to red card stock, folded into a card shape.
 
Kids will love to make and give this handmade elf card with chocolate bells.

Christmas Elf Card craft

Cut out the following pieces to make the elf card: 
  • 1 beige circle for the elf’s face
  • 2 beige elf ear shapes
  • 1 green rectangle for the elf’s body
  • 4 thin green rectangles for the elf’s arms and legs
  • 2 red triangles for the elf’s feet
  • 1 red thin rectangle for the elf’s belt
Glue these pieces to build the elf.  Add a chocolate bell to make the elf’s hat. Make a “doughnut” of tape and stick the chocolate bell to the card stock above elf’s face.  Glue on a white crafting pom pom.  You will need an extra tape “doughnut” at the top of the chocolate to keep it propped up strait and to help the chocolate stick.  We made our elf right on white card stock folded into a card shape.
 
Kids will love to make and give this handmade Christmas Tree card using chocolate bells.

Christmas Tree Card craft

Cut out the following pieces to make the Christmas tree card:
  • 1 small brown square for the tree’s trunk
  • 1 small yellow star
Use tape “doughnuts” to position three  chocolate bells into a tree shape onto a rectangle of card stock.  You may need extra tape to keep the chocolate bells in place.  Glue the star at the top of the tree shape and glue the brown trunk at the bottom.  Glue the tree and card stock onto a piece of green card stock folded into a card shape.
 
For all of the cards, crafters can add messages to the inside of the cards with markers and pens.
Chocolate Bell card making crafts for Christmas card giving and DIY gift idea that kids can make.
Stock up on the Nestle chocolates because these cards are so cute that you won’t want to stop making them!
Party Food:
After your party guests have created cards for all of their family and friends, they will want to fill their bellies with a yummy meal. 
 
I had a special treat for our party goers after they ate their lasagna…a delicious Dessert Lasagna!  
 
This Chocolate Fudge Dessert Lasagna is perfect for holiday get togethers and parties.

Chocolate Fudge Dessert Lasagna Recipe

NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Famous Fudge Kit
12 ounces of whipped cream topping
2 cups NESTLÉ® CRUNCH® Jingles, sliced in half
chocolate sauce (for drizzling)
 
This Chocolate Fudge Dessert Lasagna is perfect for holiday get togethers and parties.
 
This Chocolate Fudge Dessert Lasagna is perfect for holiday get togethers and parties.
 
Make the fudge from the NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Famous Fudge Kit as directed on the box, on a 12½ x 17½ by 1 inch Jelly Roll Pan covered in aluminum foil. 
 
You want the fudge to be as thin as possible, and using a large jelly roll pan will allow you to do this.
 
Once the fudge has set, turn it over onto a large cutting board.  Peel off the aluminum foil and cut into large strips (lasagna noodle sized).
 
In a 9×9 square pan, layer the fudge, whipped topping, NESTLÉ® CRUNCH® Jingles, and drizzled chocolate sauce.  Finish the lasagna with whipped cream topping , halved jingle bells, and chocolate sauce.  Chill until ready to serve.
This Chocolate Fudge Dessert Lasagna is perfect for holiday get togethers and parties.
 
Have fun preparing your holiday card making party this year.  Whatever holiday get-together this Christmas season brings, fill them with crowd pleasing and easy meals that fit right into your busy life!

Away In A Manger Christmas Carol Sensory Bin (with Egg Cartons!)

This time of year, we love our Christmas carols. (Actually, we seem to sing them year-round.  During the Christmas season, though, they are on re-play!)  We joined bloggers from all over in creating a sensory bin based on Christmas carols.  You can see all of the bloggers and their Christmas carol-related sensory bins here. This is a Christmas sensory bin that kids love to use in holiday play activities. You can check out all of our Winter sensory bins as well.

 
We decided to create a sensory bin around one of our favorite Christmas carols, “Away in a Manger”.  It’s a song that my kids love to sing and one that brings memories of Christmas sing-a-longs and church pageants. This nativity sensory bin used something that we love to craft with: egg cartons!




Check out these Christmas Fine Motor Activities for more creative ways to work on fine motor skills and address development of skills this Christmas season. 

Away in a Manger Christmas Carol sensory bin. With egg cartons!

Egg Carton Nativity Sensory Bin

This post contains affiliate links.  
 
This sensory bin was easy to put together.  Pull out your paint
and glue and a few recycled egg cartons, because this was fun to make AND play with.


Away in a Manger Christmas Carol sensory bin. With egg cartons!
 
  Away in a Manger Christmas Carol sensory bin. With egg cartons!
My daughter helped me paint egg carton sections with different colored paints (I love these
for their bright colors.) and I added the face details.  We glued on parts to the people. like adding a gold pipe cleaner
halo to the angel, white crafting pom poms
to the lamb, and sparkly spangles to the three kings. 


Away in a Manger Christmas Carol sensory bin. With egg cartons!
 
Use a permanent marker
to add facial features.


Away in a Manger Christmas Carol sensory bin. With egg cartons!
 
We used another egg carton to build the stable, and a recycled paper tube to make the manger.

Away in a Manger Christmas Carol sensory bin. With egg cartons!
And it was time to play. (Turn on “Away in a Manger” while you play!)

Away in a Manger Christmas Carol Sensory Bin

We used corn and black beans to create a sensory bin filler.  It was a cool medium because we could create hills and mounds like the landscape that Mary and Joseph may have crossed to get to the stable.  

Away in a Manger Christmas Carol sensory bin. With egg cartons!
Away in a Manger Christmas Carol sensory bin. With egg cartons!
Away in a Manger Christmas Carol sensory bin. With egg cartons!
We scooped and smoothed the corn as we pretended our nativity scene (and sang Away in a Manger).  

Away in a Manger Christmas Carol sensory bin. With egg cartons!
 
This donkey looks a little more like a monkey…But it worked for us!  He was pals with the pig and the overly fluffy sheep.
We had so much fun playing with this Manger sensory bin.  It will be out for the rest of our Christmas season…and probably a bit longer after that!
 
Want to see more sensory bins based on Christmas Carols?  Check out what these bloggers have created! 

 
Away in a Manger Christmas Carol sensory bin. With egg cartons!
Away in a Manger Christmas Carol sensory bin. With egg cartons!
 

Christmas Handwriting Activities

Writing out that Christmas wish list is a difficult task that brings out tears instead of holiday excitement.  I’ve got a solution for your kiddo with handwriting difficulties: a packet of modified paper for all of the Christmas handwriting tasks that come up each year.  Use this handwriting pack to help kids who struggle with handwriting to participate in holiday traditions while even working on and developing their handwriting skills!

Working on handwriting with kids this Christmas season? Grab your copy of the Christmas Modified Handwriting Packet. It’s got three types of adapted paper that kids can use to write letters to Santa, Thank You notes, holiday bucket lists and much more…all while working on handwriting skills in a motivating and fun way! Read more about the adapted Christmas Paper here

Try these Christmas crafts and activities: 

Winter Crafts for Kids

 
 

Fingerprint Christmas Tree Ornament Based on ee cummings’ Book Little Tree

You know we are big on sneaking in the fine motor skill development around here, right?  We are also a bit of book fans, so when we decided to make a book-inspired Christmas tree ornament, we went with the book, “little tree” by e.e. cummings and made a little fingerprint Christmas tree. 
 
Check out these Christmas Fine Motor Activities for more creative ways to work on fine motor skills and address development of skills this Christmas season. 
Little fingerprint Christmas tree ornament memento based on the book, little tree by e.e. cummings.  This kid-made Christmas ornament is a fine motor workout for intrinsic muscle strength, arch development, and finger isolation.

 
Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
 
We read the book, little tree by e.e. cummings (Illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray).  This book is a poem that describes a little tree that children chose and carried home to decorate in their city apartment.  They are very loving and proud of their little tree.  The warm pencil drawings that illustrate the book make you feel the love the kids have for their Christmas tree.  This book and poem make you realize that it’s the little things and not flashy decorations that really matter this season.  
 
We made our ornament with a little fingerprint tree that can be looked back on each year.  We added to the fingerprint tree, simple and small layers that aren’t flashy or bright, but just warm and comfortable.
We love to create handmade Christmas ornaments each year with fingerprints or handprints.  I love to see their little fingerprints each year when we pull out the Christmas decorations each year.
You might have seen a recent post sharing the importance of fingerprint art in fine motor development, specifically finger isolation.  This fingerprint Christmas tree ornament is a fine motor workout! 
 


Fingerprint Fine Motor Skills

Little fingerprint Christmas tree ornament memento based on the book, little tree by e.e. cummings.  This kid-made Christmas ornament is a fine motor workout for intrinsic muscle strength, arch development, and finger isolation.
Cut small oval shapes from white cardstock.
Little fingerprint Christmas tree ornament memento based on the book, little tree by e.e. cummings.  This kid-made Christmas ornament is a fine motor workout for intrinsic muscle strength, arch development, and finger isolation.
 
Next, have your kids make fingerprints with green paint on the ovals.


Fine Motor Arch Development

Little fingerprint Christmas tree ornament memento based on the book, little tree by e.e. cummings.  This kid-made Christmas ornament is a fine motor workout for intrinsic muscle strength, arch development, and finger isolation.
To make our fingerprint tree ornaments, we grabbed some corrugated cardboard.  Ok.  If you are looking for a fine motor activity for the kids, grab the nearest cardboard box.  This time of year, you might be receiving packages in the mail.  Save those cardboard boxes!  
 
Peeling the top layer from corrugated cardboard really works on arch development of the hands and intrinsic muscle strength.  This is an activity that I love to recommend as an Occupational Therapist.
Little fingerprint Christmas tree ornament memento based on the book, little tree by e.e. cummings.  This kid-made Christmas ornament is a fine motor workout for intrinsic muscle strength, arch development, and finger isolation.
Cut the peeled cardboard into circles.
Little fingerprint Christmas tree ornament memento based on the book, little tree by e.e. cummings.  This kid-made Christmas ornament is a fine motor workout for intrinsic muscle strength, arch development, and finger isolation.
Draw a Christmas tree shape onto the fingerprint.  Add a small piece of  burlap with glue.  Tape a length of  baker’s twine to the back of the ornament. 
 
thumbprint little tree Christmas ornament
 
fingerprint-christmas-tree-ornament-for-kids
 
Hang the little trees in your Christmas tree and  notice how little your child’s fingerprints are! This is an ornament I will cherish as my babies’ (and their fingerprints grow!
This ornament is based on a Christmas book and part of the 10 Days of Kid-Made Christmas series.  
 
Check out the other bloggers who are sharing book related ornaments today:
Rainbow Fish Salt Dough from Artsy Momma
Clay Ornament from Heart of Deborah
Felt Robin Ornament from Mum in the Mad House
Santa Ornament from Inspired by Familia
Elf Peg Dolls from Rhythms of Play
Little fingerprint Christmas tree ornament memento based on the book, little tree by e.e. cummings.  This kid-made Christmas ornament is a fine motor workout for intrinsic muscle strength, arch development, and finger isolation.
 
Try this at home! Pin it here.
Little fingerprint Christmas tree ornament memento based on the book, little tree by e.e. cummings.  This kid-made Christmas ornament is a fine motor workout for intrinsic muscle strength, arch development, and finger isolation.
 
 
More Christmas ornaments you will love:
   

Llama Llama Red Pajama Proprioception Sensory Activity

Use these proprioception heavy work activities for calming sensory integration Try these Proprioception activities for sensory integration and calming heavy work input based on the book, Llama Llama Red Pajama with your little llamas!





Did you ever read Llama Llama Red Pajama and think, “That Mama Llama. Oh, I FEEL for that mama!” 


She just wants to put the baby down to sleep so she can finally wash those crusty breakfast dishes.  Then she has to take a call from a friend (which was probably scheduled with the intention to cross another three items from her to-do list, and totally not a call of the friendship-soul-building type).  Then all she wants to do is finally… finally…put up her llama feet and sigh a deep, exhausted, mama breath. 


You know that end-of-the-day mama sigh, right? A Mama can finally breathe at the end of the day, knowing that her babies are safe in their beds and quiet, at peace, and not dumping toys all over the floor.  It’s the biggest sigh and is so satisfying.  Maybe it was a ROUGH day. A day filled with yelling and not happy giggles.  A day loaded with siblings pulling hair and not playing like nice little brothers and sisters.  A day of sensory overload. 


That Mama Llama.  She starts in on her nightly to-dos and hears the “Maaaaammmaaaa!” from upstairs.  


Ugh.  


A long day just got longer. 


But that “Mama!” yelling llama is scared. Nervous.  Alone.  Questioning. Upset.  


And a mama, be it a mama llama or a tired, frizzy, overworked mama of the people variety just help.


Baby Llama’s routines have changed. The normal nightly get-a-drink-one-last-kiss-tuck-me-in norm has been a little diverted.  And then, you can’t help but feel for that little llama baby who NEEDS his mama. Her KNOWS he needs her.  
He needs deep pressure, sensory, proprioceptive input, calming relaxation before he can snuggle up and go to sleep.  Routines have changed, a sensation triggered a thought process of what-ifs, and there is no turning back from the sensory integration that only mama can give.  

Try these proprioception activities for heavy work input based on the book, Llama Llama Red Pajama
 

And Mama Llama does just that.  She drops everything, does the tuck-snuggle-one-last-kiss thing and baby llama is finally able to settle.  


And that Mama Llama.  She can finally take that last big sigh of the day and know that she helped her little one in every way that she could.

Proprioception Needs and Llama Llama Red Pajama book

{This post contains affiliate links.  See our full disclosure here.}


SO, When we read Llama Llama, Red Pajama, I couldn’t help but notice the proprioceptive needs that are being yelled for.  Screamed for, even.  Baby Llama needs to feel calmed after his routine is thrown.  And it doesn’t take much.  That one last drink that mama brings every night, or even some nights, is a known to Baby Llama.  He knows his mama is going to help him and keep him safe.  When that normal thing is gone because Mama is on the phone, his little llama world is thrown.


I had to put together these Llama Llama Red Pajama
Proprioception cards.  They are a fun way to get a little proprioceptive input in when sensory needs are thrown and a child needs to calm, relax, and center themselves.



This sensory activity is very simple.  Read Llama Llama Red Pajama.  Notice how Baby Llama jumps, twists, stomps, and cries.  He’s gotten so upset that there is NO way he can settle down on his own.  Sometimes all it takes is a snuggle and a reassuring hug from mama, but for other kids, they need proprioception to re-group and organize themselves.

Try these proprioception activities for heavy work input based on the book, Llama Llama Red Pajama



We cut out red pajama shirt shapes from red paper.  After printing the free printable with the Llama proprioception activities, we cut them out and attached them to the pajama shirts.


Try these proprioception activities for heavy work input based on the book, Llama Llama Red Pajama


Cut a small strip of paper to create a sleeve on the back of the pajama shapes.  Slip the paper strips into the sleeve to hold the proprioception activity ideas.

Use these cards along with the book or as needed.  Keep them together in a pile on a window sill or in an envelope and pull them out when calming proprioception needs are high.

Llama Llama Red Pajama Proprioception Activity

These activities provide heavy work input and can be calming for some kids.  Other kids might get overly excited by the same activities.  It is SO important to speak to an Occupational Therapist to find the perfect fit for your child’s individual needs.  Know that no tow kids are alike and a general list will not work for every child.  This list is meant to be a resource.
 
Try these proprioception activities based on the book, Llama Llama Red Pajama
 
 
Proprioception activities based on the book Llama Llama Red Pajama:
  • Wrap up tight in a blanket.
  • Squish between pillows.
  • Jump in a pile of pillows.
  • Play tug-of-war with a blanket.
  • Squeeze a pillow with one hands.  Then use two hands.
  • Hug a body pillow. Use all of your muscles!
  • Fold a heavy blanket (or two or three blankets laid on top of one another. Lift and carry the folded, heavy blanket square.
  • Use a sheet like a parachute.
  • Do the Llama Walk (aka crab walks). Kick your hooves up high like a llama.

You’ll be directed to a link with all of our free printables in one place.  It’s a jackpot of freebies. And the bonus is that you’ll receive occasional emails from me with more fun and creative ideas.


 

Try these proprioception activities for heavy work input based on the book, Llama Llama Red Pajama

 

Stop by and see what the other bloggers in our Book Club Play Dates series have come up with based on the book, Llama Llama Red Pajama:

  • Create a snack based on the book, Llama Llama Red Pajama! Find snack ideas for the book on Fun-a-Day.
  • Create and play with a Llama Llama busy bag!  Still Playing School has a fun idea.
  • Craftulate has a great idea for a Llama Llama Red Pajama game.
  • Make a Llama print craft like House of Burke.
Try these proprioception activities for heavy work input based on the book, Llama Llama Red Pajama

 

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The Sensory Lifestyle Handbook
 
Are you looking for more information on Sensory Processing and Proprioception (or any of the sensory systems and how they affect functional skills, behavior, and the body’s sensory systems?  This book, Sensory Lifestyle Handbook, will explain it all.  Activities and Resources are included.  Get it today and never struggle to understand or explain Sensory Integration again.  Shop HERE.
                       
Looking for more proprioception activities?  Try these: 
 
 
hands-on activities to explore social emotional development through children's books.

Love exploring books with hands-on play?  

Grab our NEW book that explores friendship, acceptance, and empathy through popular (and amazing) children’s books!  It’s 50 hands-on activities that use math, fine motor skills, movement, art, crafts, and creativity to support social emotional development.
 
 

 

Develop Fine Motor Skills with a Homemade Christmas Card!

Fine motor Christmas card craft

This fine motor Christmas card is a great activity for therapy sessions during the holidays. Use this holiday fine motor task to build hand strength, coordination, and dexterity skills. Here’s the thing: Kids love to create gifts they can give to family and friends. One easy way to get the kids involved in holiday gifting (with minimal mess) is to have them make holiday cards.  These Christmas cards were kid made and have a fine motor component, too.

Making Christmas Cards to Strengthen Fine Motor Skills

Making Christmas cards with kids is a GREAT way to develop fine motor skills, and kids take ownership of their craft. They love to see the response on the recipient’s face when they make a card on their own. When there are fine motor skills being addressed, too…it’s a win-win situation!

So many kids struggle with fine motor skills, hand strength, coordination, and precision of grasp. However, when they are making a card for a loved one, there is motivation involved.

When kids are motivated by a task (like seeing their loved one smile!) there is intrinsic meaningfulness happening. Kids will LOVE to create cards that actually work on the skills they need to develop (fine motor skills).

So, let’s add Christmas card making to your therapy line-up this holiday season!


Homemade Christmas Card Fine Motor Skills




You might have seen our Christmas Tree hole punch activity.  It’s a fine motor and proprioception powerhouse and very fun to make these hole punch Christmas trees.  We can’t get enough of these easy Christmas decorations and used them to make Christmas cards.


This is a fun craft that addresses a variety of fine motor skills, including open thumb web space.

Kids can make this 3D Christmas Tree card while working on so many fine motor skills like hand strength, open thumb web space, intrinsic muscle strength, arch development, with proprioceptive input, too.  The Occupational Therapist in me loves this!

Kid Made Christmas Card with Christmas Trees

You’ll need just a few materials for this craft. (Affiliate links are included in this post.)




Make the scissor skills Christmas trees.  The only difference is that you’ll want your child to punch holes through two Christmas Trees at a time, so the holes line up.  Mark one side of each tree so your kiddo knows which side to apply glue.  The pencil sides will be the inside of a Christmas Tree “sandwich” where the trees are the bread.

Kids can make this 3D Christmas Tree card while working on so many fine motor skills like hand strength, open thumb web space, intrinsic muscle strength, arch development, with proprioceptive input, too.  The Occupational Therapist in me loves this!

How to Make this Fine Motor Christmas Card

Tear the tissue paper into small pieces.  Tearing tissue paper is a great way to practice fine motor skills and intrinsic muscle strength, as well as building arch development and an open thumb web space.  You’ll only need very small pieces of tissue paper, and tearing such small pieces of tissue paper really works the muscles of little hands.


Spread glue on the marked side of a Christmas tree.  Stick the small tissue paper pieces on the holes.  Be sure tissue paper does not overlap other holes.


Fold the white cardstock in half, lengthwise.  Place the tree on the paper and draw a rectangle-ish shape around the tree.  Cut out the rectangle to make a large window on the front of the card.

Kids can make this 3D Christmas Tree card while working on so many fine motor skills like hand strength, open thumb web space, intrinsic muscle strength, arch development, with proprioceptive input, too.  The Occupational Therapist in me loves this!

Cut two pieces of embroidery thread and twist them together.  Tape one end of the twisted thread to the top of the card on the inside of the window.  Place the thread along the length of the Christmas Tree and place another Christmas Tree on top, lining up the holes.  Tape the other end of the embroidery thread at the bottom of the card window, inside the card.


The twisted thread will allow the Christmas Tree to spin when the card is opened, giving it a 3D look.  

Kids can make this 3D Christmas Tree card while working on so many fine motor skills like hand strength, open thumb web space, intrinsic muscle strength, arch development, with proprioceptive input, too.  The Occupational Therapist in me loves this!



Write on the inside of the card for a peekaboo effect.  I love the cute kid writing you can see through from the front of the card! 


Who can you make these cards for this Christmas?
 

Kids can make this 3D Christmas Tree card while working on so many fine motor skills like hand strength, open thumb web space, intrinsic muscle strength, arch development, with proprioceptive input, too.  The Occupational Therapist in me loves this!

  MORE Christmas Crafts you will love:

 

What if you had themed, NO-PREP activities designed to collect data and can help kids build essential fine motor skills?

Take back your time and start the year off with a bang with these done-for-you fine motor plans to help kids form stronger hands with our Winter Fine Motor Kit. This print-and-go winter fine motor kit includes no-prep fine motor activities to help kids develop functional grasp, dexterity, strength, and endurance. Use fun, winter-themed, fine motor activities so you can help children develop strong fine motor skills in a digital world. 

The Winter Fine Motor Kit includes reproducible activity pages include: pencil control strips, scissor skills strips, simple and complex cutting shapes, lacing cards, toothpick precision art, crumble hand strengthening crafts, memory cards, coloring activities, and so much more.

Colleen Beck, OTR/L has been an occupational therapist since 2000, working in school-based, hand therapy, outpatient peds, EI, and SNF. Colleen created The OT Toolbox to inspire therapists, teachers, and parents with easy and fun tools to help children thrive. Read her story about going from an OT making $3/hour (after paying for kids’ childcare) to a full-time OT resource creator for millions of readers. Want to collaborate? Send an email to contact@theottoolbox.com.