Ice Sensory

Sensory play is one of my favorite activities to do, especially with toddlers. It ignites their senses, enriches play time, and helps little ones practice valuable motor skills (albeit through slightly messy methods). Sensory experiences are a great way to experiment with cause and effect, which provides a lot of learning for the brain. Experimenting with sensory materials can provoke many varieties of play opportunities as the child learns to manipulate these sensory objects. Developing their own knowledge through this experimentation is a key in developing fundamental ideas about the physical world, like liquids, solids, heavy, and light.

Sand, water, and even ice is a fabulous choice for these sensory play opportunities, especially during the hotter months. It cools you off while you have fun! Try out this colorful ice sensory bin the next time your child (and you) need some cooling off.

http://www.learnplayimagine.com/2013/04/colored-ice-in-play-pool.html

 

Simply fill up some ice trays with water. Add some engaging sight senses by using water color paints or if you are concerned with curious hands, eating the ice, just use food coloring for an edible sensory experience. You and your explorer can keep checking on the ice to see how long it takes for them to freeze. Go further and use a variety of vessels. Do the different sized containers make freezing times different?

Now that you have your ice, place them in a container or kiddie pool. Your little one will delight in watching the colors mix and swirl together. Go further by using the ice cubes to paint on the fence, bench, concrete, or really anywhere!  

Want to add even more edible goodness to this ice sensory play? Try this activity with different foods. Place berries, fruits, and even herbs in with the water as it freezes. It will highlight how these beautiful colors are already in nature and it makes for a tasty treat!

https://dolesunshine.com/recipes/frozen-fruit-ice-cubes

Water Painting
Summer is getting sunny and hot. The best way to beat this heat is with some simple, yet fun water play! Being indoors with the A/C blasting maybe helpful, however there is nothing like being out in the fresh air with nature’s finest cooling device. Water is fun and cooling and dries easily, especially on hot days. Water painting can be temporary, creative and just the right amount of messy.  The best part about this activity is that painting with water is completely free! It is only up to your imagination what you can do. The best tools to use for water painting is cemented areas, or large rocks or anything that turns dark when wet. Once you have your canvas, give a paint brush to your little one and let them paint away! Water is the best paint because when it dries it also fades, so you are left with a blank canvas to continue your art and continue the fun.

 

 

 

http://handsonaswegrow.com/water-activity-painting-the-driveway/

 

Do not be afraid to get wet and enjoy the spontaneous moments that come with playing with your child. For more inspiration check out these blogs and see how they got creative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                             

 

 

 

 

 

http://oneperfectdayblog.net/2012/05/17/water-painting-on-a-chalkboard-a-pre-writing-activity/

 

 

 

 

http://www.stillplayingschool.com/2014/04/outside-water-painting-from-e-to-d.html