The leaves are beginning to turn those brilliant shades that make up the background of fall.  We just couldn’t resist bringing some of those colors inside with this simple fall tree craft!   (Related post: Q-Tip Painted Tree)

This particular fall tree craft involves paint, which made both the preschooler and kindergartner happy.  (I really need to do more painting with them…)

To start our autumn tree we used markers to draw the tree trunk.  I chose markers instead of paint because I wanted the trunk to stand out against the brown paint we were planning to use later on the leaves.

To make our colorful leaves we used a small piece of sponge, which we held with a clothes pin.  Just dab in the color paint you want, and then dot on your leaves!

The trees got prettier and prettier with each layer of leaves we added!

We used water colors, which allowed the colors to blend nicely.  A different style of paint would probably allow each leaf to stand out a bit more.

Be sure to check out more of our fall crafts and activities.

The post Simple Fall Tree Craft first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

When my daughter started kindergarten she’d come home tired and cranky.  Sensory bins were the perfect solution.

Sensory play gives kids a way to calm down, regroup and recharge.   

It’s also a great way for older and younger kids to play together.  

One of our favorite fall sensory bin ideas is this super simple rainbow rice set-up.   

If you are looking for more sensory play for fall, try this apple scented bubble dough. 

Fall Sensory Bin

To make your own simple fall bin, fill the bottom of a large, shallow container with orange rainbow rice.   We used a variety of shades, from a red-orange to a yellow-orange, and mixed it all together to look like the fall leaves.

Add in some acorns and small pine cones.

Other items you may want to add (affiliate links are used):

• few small animals (squirrels, deer, or hedgehogs are perfect for fall)
• fall-themed table scatter
• silk sunflowers

The best part of sensory play is watching your child’s imagination soar as they play.  

It wasn’t long before I saw squirrels collecting acorns and hiding them under the big sunflowers.  

You can easily add another level of play with an empty cardboard tube, such as one from a paper towel roll. 

My preschooler spent almost an hour dropping the  pumpkin-shaped table scatter through a paper towel tube.  Watching items drop through the tube is not only fun, but allows young kids to work on hand and eye coordination.  

Simple sensory activities like this one are perfect for older and younger children to use together.  They also provide a safe way for kids to calm down and recharge after a busy school day.

This easy fall sensory bin is perfect for preschoolers and older simblings to play with together. 

You may also like these fall play ideas:

• Q-Tip Fall Tree Painting
• Apple Activities for Kids 
• Googly Eye Slime — Perfect for Halloween

The post Easy Fall Sensory Bin first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.