Toddler Sensory Bin Busy with Ice so Adults can Talk

Toddler Sensory Bin Busy with Ice so Adults can Talk, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

We were recently at an adult family birthday party with few other kids. It was getting late and nearly baby girls bed time. But you know how it goes... You start talking, get into a great conversation and you just can't leave NOW!?!? So I went into my mommy arsenal and invented a sensory bin on the spot to quiet my cranky girl - the secret ingredient: ICE.

We were all at the kitchen table, and baby girl was sitting at my feet. I asked our hostess for a few supplies and I got together this simple sensory bin. She was busy for 35 happy minutes!

Sensory bin assembly:
- a holding place for the ice cubes, a few of them crushed from the fridge dispenser.
- tools: a small 1/4 measuring spoon, a cork, a tablespoon, a small plastic cup and a flexible whisk.
- stay dry: finally a kitchen towel as her tray, and melting ice / water basin. We didn't want her soaked either!


At the end of the activity, baby girl was tired, and thoroughly washed her hands. I took her downstairs and rocked her to sleep, where I held her while we wrapped up our evening.

Ahhhhhhh...

Make Mistakes. Breathe, Reflect, and Laugh.Out.Loud.

More sensory bags... Some Details on What to Use

Here's some things I've discovered while making our Sensory bags and Learning Trays.

-- Baby oil adds a richer color to the paint or food coloring.

-- Dollar store hair gel dissolves. But it's a nice science lesson on liquids and their forms. 

--Baby Oil will stay intact and floats on top of the water. Olive oil sinks and stays on the bottom because it heavier then water. And gel melts away, leaving only bubbles. All are a nice science lesson on liquids and their forms. 

As we filled our jars we used terms like:

Half

Full

h2o 

--Kids fill their own sensory bags or bottles with their pre selected items.

-- Kids first add "items to their jar, on their own they pour glitter and leftover beads and sequence. Maybe add a funnel for easier clean up. Parents usually have to hold the funnel. 

-- then Fill w 2 squirts of paint (infer paints are nice).

-- Don't add water to bags for walls or widows, it's too heavy and doesn't allow for finger play. Gel works better, alone, as does paint only in the bag. If you will tape a sensory bag to the table, Table bags are okay to add water too. 

-- Baby oil floats on top of water I bags and bottles. Adding a Cool effect and beautiful colors.

--Make a rice "I-spy" bottle without water. All oil. The "flow" of objects is smoother and again teaches about textures in liquids.

Have fun!! There are no mistakes here.

Make mistakes. Breath, reflect. And Laugh.Out.Loud