Foamy Soap Play

When I saw this activity at  http://www.funathomewithkids.com/2013/08/rainbow-soap-foam-bubbles-sensory-play.html?m=1. I knew it would be a hit. We have made foamy soap before but it was with shredded ivory soap. This recipe is much easier!  Just mix 2 tbsp Dawn dish detergent with 1/4 cup water. Turn on the mixer and whip it up. 

My little one adding the food coloring and  started mixing. She loved just stirring it up and spreading it all over her hands. She added some small toys to the mix to hide and find them. This was loads of fun and my three year old preferred it to shaving cream for sure. 

Slime Jack O'Lanterns

Slime jack o'lanterns are a fun project for the Fall.  Using the Borax recipe for slime we made orange slime or flubber.  Basically squeeze 8 ounces of Elmer's glue into a bowl.  Add orange food coloring.  In a separate jar mix 1/2 cup warm water and 1 tsp. of Borax powder.  Let the child shake the jar to mix the Borax.  Pour the Borax mixture into the glue bowl and start mixing.  Take out the slime and put on a tray or plate.

We used cut up fun foam to make different jack o'lanterns with the slime.  We added some green colored dried pasta for the stem.

Lots of Fall fun!

The activity encourages:

• science skills (you can discuss liquids to solids)
• muscle strengthening in the fingers and hands
• creativity
• sensory play

Body Painting

This was a fun outdoor activity we did today - body painting.  First we were painting the bottoms of our feet and making prints.  But then the toddler just wanted to paint other people's feet or her own.  We had a bucket of water close by so anyone could wash up when done.  The toddler loved painting her own feet and cleaning them off.  In toddler fashion, this dirty/clean cycle was repeated many times (anything with water is always a huge hit).  This activity could be done indoors but so much easier outside.

Toddler Time - Water and Rock Sensory Play

 

I am all about keeping it simple with toddlers.  There are so many things to entertain toddlers that do not involve bells and whistles.  We all know water is probably the biggest entertainer of toddlers.  Here I just added a few rocks of different sizes, a small cup and an inch or two of water in a large kitchen container.   We headed outdoors with it and the toddler had lots of fun, motor skill practice and learning - scooping water, dropping rocks, splashing and exploring the weight and texture of the rocks.  

After this initial play phase we added in some small, play toy animals.  I thought she would enjoy this change.  Come to find out she just took all of the animals out and continued to play with the rocks and the cup.   

Tot Time - Water Pouring

Water pouring is absolutely my daughter's favorite past time right now (19 months).   Like most families with young children, our life is very hectic in the late afternoon between homework and preparing dinner.  Water pouring entertains the little one for at least 20 minutes.  She does make a big mess but sometimes I do not have to change her clothes.  But even if I do, my math calculates that 20 minutes of independent play time - 3 minutes to change her clothes = 17 minutes of independent play time!  That is a winning combination for me when it comes to that time of day.

I do attempt to keep down on the mess.  I put down those super absorbent counter drying mats and then a large tray.  It does help that my kitchen floor always need a good washing so over spill only helps me out.
  

 

One time I decided wouldn't it be such fun to put some recycled bottle tops in the water to float.  Then while she pours they will float around.  The picture below indicates that it was a bad idea.  She hit the lids spot on and water splashed everywhere.  Now this was even more fun!

 

 

Addition to Sensory Play

My toddler loves sensory play with beans, rice, oatmeal and more.  We added this nice addition to her sensory play - the milk jug with a tube on it.  I just rolled a piece of cardstock, taped it closed and then duct taped it to the top of the milk jug.  I also cut open the side of the milk jug so she can get all the beans back out.  It just takes pouring one step further - they mystery of not seeing the beans for a moment intrigue her and then the beans make a wonderful noise when they drop into the milk jug. She also puts pom poms down the shoot - they fall quietly to the bottom.

For some reason the older kids always pick up this milk jug, turn it upside down and pretend it is a weed wacker or a leaf blower!  Kids have wonderful imaginations.