Sensory Activites

Cozy calming space for kids with a fabric teepee, pillows, stuffed bear, art supplies, and a small chalkboard in a playroom.

Behavior Sensory Activities Sensory Processing Sep 30, 2025

How to Create Calming Spaces for Kids at Home and School

Calming spaces for kids are one of the most important things I teach parents and educators about as a pediatric occupational therapist, because children cannot learn, connect, or problem-solve when their nervous system is overwhelmed. When big emotions take...

Adriana Stapella, MS, OTR/L

Child expressing string emotions with eyes closed and mouth open.

Behavior Sensory Activities Sensory Processing May 12, 2025

How Calming Cards Can Empower Kids to Navigate Big Emotions with Confidence

Calming cards can be powerful tools for children learning to manage big emotions. As a pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience, I've seen firsthand how overwhelming big feelings can be for children. Whether it's a meltdown in the grocery...

Adriana Stapella, MS, OTR/L

Fine Motor Activities Sensory Activities Jan 22, 2024

Enjoy 11 Cute and Easy Snowman Crafts With Preschoolers

Cute and easy snowman crafts are excellent activities for preschoolers to enjoy during wintertime. These crafts can help preschoolers appreciate the winter season and aid in developing fine motor skills, following directions, and expressing creativity. Here are...

Adriana Stapella, MS, OTR/L

Fine Motor Activities Fine Motor Skills Play Sensory Activities Sensory Processing Sep 1, 2023

Playdough Obsession, Fun and Easy Activities for Kids

Playdough is one of the most fun and accessible tactile mediums in preschool settings. In my over twenty years of working with children, I have not met a child who turned down the opportunity to play with playdough. Undeniably, children enjoy exploring and...

Adriana Stapella, MS, OTR/L

A child with colorful finger paint on both hands sitting at table, engaged in messy play, while holding paint brush and pencil.

Fine Motor Skills Sensory Activities Sensory Processing Jan 10, 2023

Discover Why Messy Play Is Important

Many parents cringe at the thought of giving their kids messy play activities to do. Playing with slime or clay sounds fun to the kids, but who cleans up the mess? Scooping and mixing means spilling and sweeping. A painting project sounds like a recipe for...

Adriana Stapella, MS, OTR/L

Fine Motor Activities Fine Motor Skills Sensory Activities Sensory Processing Feb 7, 2021

Fun and Easy Valentines for Children

Let's make some fun and easy Valentines! Valentine's Day is a lovely holiday to create beautiful arts and crafts with children. Making thoughtful valentines for friends and family is sweet and kind. Children are motivated and excited to make their original...

Adriana Stapella, MS, OTR/L

Fine Motor Skills Sensory Activities Feb 4, 2021

4 Fun Snow Recipes

We enjoyed trying 4 fun snow recipes today. Children in Arizona miss snow in the winter. Therefore, we need to use alternative ways to create our snow fun. We made four different snow recipes. We played, we made a big mess, and we voted on the best fake snow...

Adriana Stapella, MS, OTR/L

Fine Motor Activities Fine Motor Skills Sensory Activities Jan 24, 2021

Fun and Easy Igloo Art for Children

Wintertime is a perfect time to create fun arts and crafts with children. How about some fun and easy igloo art ideas to keep children entertained and happy. Learn about igloos, support creativity, and practice fine motor skills. Most of the supplies you will find...

Adriana Stapella, MS, OTR/L

Fine Motor Activities Fine Motor Skills Sensory Activities Jan 13, 2021

10 Fun Snowflakes for Children

Snowflakes are rare where we live in Arizona. Thus, we make sure to educate our young students on how winters look in states with four seasons and other places worldwide. Wintertime is a perfect time to create beautiful and unique snowflakes arts and crafts with...

Adriana Stapella, MS, OTR/L

Fine Motor Skills Gross Motor Gross Motor Activities Sensory Activities Sensory Processing Jan 10, 2021

Fun Animal Walk Exercises for Children

Explore the benefits of Animal Walk Exercises Animal walk exercises are fun and motivating movement activities for young children. They offer many benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. Children enjoy using their imagination to act like animals. It is an engaging...

Adriana Stapella, MS, OTR/L