Outsidethetoybox on LTK

I taught preschool for 15 years, and I’d choose hands-on letter learning over worksheets every time. I love that children can trace each letter with their finger as they push it into place, strengthening the muscles needed for writing while building letter recognition. Since each letter only fits one way, they’re also getting practice with letter formation and orientation. We paired it with mystery water (water, a sprinkle of cornstarch, and a few drops of food coloring) and made it even more fun by fishing for the letters with pipe cleaners before matching them to the board. LTKmomlife LTKKids

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My kids went straight for this bin after school!

They were SO into the surprise glow reveal and immediately wanted to build with the glow cubes in the dark. Then they kept going back and forth experimenting to see which objects would glow!

I love when an activity is this fun and engaging but also gives them so much opportunity for hands-on learning. Digging and pushing objects into the sand and ocean slime worked those little finger and hand muscles while they explored and experimented.

This sensory bin was definitely a hit with both of them! And I love how it comes with the bin for play and storage.

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So easy and perfect for fall (we also made Christmas ornaments like this).

Here are the instructions:
Roll out clay to about 1/4”
Cut out pumpkin shape
Push in mosaic tiles
Let dry for about 24 hours
Seal with air dry clay glaze (it also acts as glue for any loose pieces)

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These DIY acrylic magnet frames are such a simple way to turn something meaningful into a gift grandparents, teachers, aunts, uncles, or other family members will actually keep.

You can:
✂️ Cut a favorite piece of artwork to fit
📸 Add a favorite photo
✍️ Use the included precut cardstock for a handwritten note, drawing, or message
🖨️ Make a copy and shrink it down so you can keep the original AND turn it into a magnet

I love that you can make each one personal to the person you’re gifting it to and your kids can help create them, too!

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The hats at the end of the video had us cracking up 😂

How easy is this set up? Just a few farm animals and play dough. I especially love using @schleichusa farm animals because they have realistic details you don’t always find on animal figures, like hoof prints. Those little details gave us so much to notice, talk about, and recreate with the play dough.

My kids were making comparisons between mommy and baby animals, comparing different animals, and noticing their unique features. Plus, they’re sturdy and stand on their own, which makes them so much easier to use in play.

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Simple invitations to play can be some of the most engaging because they give kids just enough of a starting point without telling them exactly what to do. 👻

For this one, the ghosts and blocks turned into a simple math invitation where my kindergartner could practice sorting and counting by ones and tens.

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I came across this Reverse Coloring Book and I’m obsessed with the concept. 😍

Instead of coloring black-and-white drawings, you start with beautiful watercolor backgrounds and add your own lines and designs. It even gives you ideas for different types of lines to try, which helps get the creative juices flowing.

It’s SO calming, and I love that it’s an activity I can actually enjoy alongside my kids. Perfect for after-school downtime, quiet time, or a screen-free reset.

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When your child needs a reset after school, try one of these activities.

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These little Jelly Cakes have my slime-loving kids hooked!

They’ve been playing with them every day after school and are determined to collect all the hidden rings. 💍

Such a fun little surprise for a birthday gift, too!

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My kids have been playing with it every day since we got it and I may or may not have gotten in on the fun too 😂

The @mybtoys Boogie Woogie Balance Board has 4 interactive games that get kids moving, balancing, remembering patterns, reacting to lights, and even making their own music.

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These little pumpkin lanterns ended up being one of our favorite Halloween finds last year 🎃

My kids loved carrying them around, and I loved having an easy way to spot them while we were out trick-or-treating after dark. Plus, they’re just really fun for Halloween play at home!

I’m sharing them early this year because they sold out before October last year. 😳

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These air dry clay ghosts are my favorite new addition to the Halloween mantel. They were so easy to make too!

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We’re getting a little head start on those gloomy fall days ahead! These new Glow Pods make indoor gross motor play SO much more fun!

I love that you get 2 light-up pods + 4 textured pods, and they can be combined with other @mybtoys balance beam sets to create all kinds of obstacle courses. Plus, they stack up neatly for easy storage when playtime is over 🙌

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So much more than counting! 👻

We practiced 1:1 counting, matching numerals to quantities, subitizing, tens + ones, and sorting by color, all while exploring how the colored ghosts looked on the light box.

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I turned some of their Halloween art + fall-colored process art into these adorable little DIY magnets, and it was SO easy.

I grabbed a 10-pack of these 2x2 acrylic magnet frames, used 6 for their artwork, and now I’m saving the other 4 for Christmas art (or maybe a few handmade gifts 👀).

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Before kids can write small, they need lots of practice making BIG movements. That’s why I love using giant craft paper for letter tracing!

I matched colored markers with Glitter Stix so my kids could practice letter formation, color matching, and fine motor skills with a sparkly twist. Best of all, the glitter doesn’t get all over the house.

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Followed my child’s interest in construction to sneak in some letter learning. I dyed the alphabet pasta with food coloring.

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My kids love a treasure hunt sensory bin and this one sneaks in letter learning!

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Working on the alphabet in a fun, hands-on way!

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One of my kids’ favorite games is building Hot Wheels City. They listen to the Toniebox and the cars become characters. If you have a Hot Wheels fan, here are some of our favorites.

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I know it’s still blazing hot outside, but I couldn’t resist these rainbow ghost loose parts. There are 120 acrylic ghosts in 10 different colors, and they even glow in the dark! They’re adorable for sensory bins, color sorting, patterns, counting, and all kinds of early math activities. I already know these are going to be one of our favorite Halloween learning tools.

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I know it’s only August… but I couldn’t pass up this Halloween find for just $7! 👻 It comes with a UV flashlight so kids can search each page for hidden ghosts, making storytime feel like a game.

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The after-school transition can be a lot, so I’ve been looking for activities that help my kids slow down without reaching for a screen.

These STEM Bins are ready to use with picture labels, challenge cards, and built-in card storage, making independent play so easy.

They’re the perfect quiet activity while I start dinner or everyone settles in after school.

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When it comes to teaching letters, I always start with something that matters most to kids…their name!

Learning sticks when it’s personal. A child’s name is often the very first word they recognize, and it’s exactly where I start as a preschool teacher when introducing letters.

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I’ve tried so many different ways to organize our arts and crafts supplies over the years, and this setup is my favorite by far.

Not only did it clear the clutter from our craft table, but my kids can actually see and reach the supplies they want to use. That means less digging through bins, more independence, and more room to create together.

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If your kids are in their squishy era… this is going to be a hit!

We had so much fun making our own Gel-Y Buddies. My kids loved choosing their colors and designs, then watching them magically transform into squishy creations they could actually play with. That transformation was definitely everyone’s favorite part!

I love activities like this because they combine creativity with hands-on play. Instead of just opening a toy, kids get to imagine, mix, customize, and create something that’s uniquely their own.

It also turned into such a fun family activity, we were all excited to compare our creations, laugh at our designs, and see whose Gel-Y Buddy turned out the coolest. I can already see this being a great activity for playdates, afterschool wind down activity, or even as a unique gift.

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Tools for bathroom independence and potty training

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Hands-on learning for lowercase letters. These are so neat!

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The school readiness skill that’s more important than knowing letters…🧼

We often focus on ABCs and 123s, but in a busy classroom, being able to wash hands properly (and independently!) is a game-changer.

I always pull this pepper experiment from my teacher toolbox because it gives kids a visual way to see exactly why we don’t just ‘rinse and go.’ When that soap touches the water, the ‘germs’ really do jump away!

To help the lesson stick, we love pairing this with our favorite book about germs: “Do Not Lick This Book.” It’s silly, informative, and perfect for this age.

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Summer fun with a little math practice and school readiness snuck in!

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We’ve set up some version of this color mixing station more times than I can count… and somehow it never gets old.

It takes just a couple of minutes to put together, but the learning (and fun!) lasts so much longer. Watching kids experiment, make predictions, discover new colors, and test their ideas never gets old…for them or for me.

I also love that it’s one of those activities that keeps little hands and minds busy long enough for me to actually sip my coffee without having to break up a battle.

If you’re looking for simple sensory play ideas that don’t require a huge setup, this is always my first recommendation.

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This one feels like a game, but it’s secretly working those little hand muscles the whole time.

All you need are a couple of containers, water, and a sponge. Set a timer for one minute and see how much water your child can squeeze from one container to the other. Then challenge them to beat their own score!

I love activities like this because they’re simple to set up, keep kids engaged, and build fine motor strength that’s important for everyday skills like writing, cutting, and dressing.

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I love activities that don’t have a “right” way to play because kids always surprise me with their ideas.

I planned to use our silicone rainbow stacker to make paths for the robo boats, but my son had an even better idea… he stood the arches upright to create tunnels! From there, he kept rearranging, testing, and experimenting to see what worked (and didn’t work).

Simple setups like this often lead to the most creativity, problem-solving, and imaginative play.

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This RC shark has been the surprise favorite at my mom’s pool!

The kids love chasing it, the adults keep stealing the controller, and it’s been the perfect way to switch things up when everyone wants a break from diving but isn’t ready to get out of the pool.

If you’re looking for something fun to add to your next pool day, this has been a huge hit.

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Combine 1 part shaving cream, 1 part school glue, a couple drops of food coloring to make DIY puffy paint. Applying the paint liberally with a spoon helps it stay puffy even after it’s dry.

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When I set this activity up, I pictured my daughter pressing the pattern blocks flat into the play dough to make designs.

Instead, she stuck them upright and created a beautiful sculpture.

It was such a good reminder that children often have ideas we would never think of ourselves.

That’s why I’ve come to love simple, open-ended invitations to play. When we leave room for their ideas, creativity has space to grow.

Sometimes the most meaningful play happens when we step back and let them lead.

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