Make a sensory bin this Valentine’s day for your toddler to explore!
Materials:
- Shallow tub (laundry-type one works well)- you could also do this in the bathtub!
- Red, pink & white things from around the house, dollar stores or craft stores; fabric petals, pompoms, feathers, heart cookie cutters, roses, heart shapes to dig for and heart cut outs in different textures and sizes.
- You can use a water table and add red food colouring to the water- let your child play in the water and find heart shaped items, heart cookie cutters, etc.
- You may consider items that make noise or have a light scent- let your child use ALL of their senses!
Directions:
It's all about exploring – show your child the bin, let him or her explore and dig around for the hearts! You can talk about shapes and colours as they play – but it's really all about letting your child take the lead and learn through play.
In any sensory bin, little containers like small cups make for great 'dump and fill' action. Give older children tweezers so they can collect items and practice fine motor skills. Ask your child to collect 'all the red things', or count 'how many white things'. Terrific opportunity to mix and match items, bigger kids can pattern, little ones will group similar objects.
You'll be amazed at what your child comes up with on their own just by exploring!
