Little Scientists...Colour Mixing!

I know you've all seen it. Water, food colouring, colour mixing, blah blah blah. But don't underestimate the allure AND the benefits that this simple science experiment holds for children of all ages. The fine motor skills, the cause and effect, the predicting, the observing...oh the may wonders of colour and water!! So what are you waiting for??

Day #5
LITTLE SCIENTIST...COLOUR MIXING

Supplies needed:
1. Food colouring
2. Jars or glasses, or see thru cups
3. Medicine droppers...I use these instead of turkey basters because it helps them master the prewriting "pencil grip".
4. Empty clear egg cartons. The clear ones help the children see their mixed colours better.

Fill your jars with coloured water...make the colours quite strong so they will mix in all kinds of pretty ways.

Let the children start mixing!

They get very serious about creating JUST the right colour. Abby wanted to make "medicine" colour, and she worked and worked at it until she was happy with her result.

Busy scientists!

Even the toddlers love to get involved!!

Have fun, and happy mixing!

Thanks for stopping by!

Bubbly Babies...

Good morning! We have reached day 3 of our water week already! This activity was geared toward the toddlers in my group. They love water. They love baby dolls. They love bubbles. So what could be better than a morning of bathing their dollies?

DAY #3

BUBBLY BABY DOLL BATH...

Supplies needed:

1. Wash tub, rubbermaid, or water table

2. Bubble bath or baby shampoo to make the water bubbly

3. Washable baby dolls

4. Washcloths, sponges, or scrubbies

5. Pretend shampoo (empty old ones, or doll size play ones)

6. Food coloring...we used it to make our bath pink. I just adds to the whole sensory experience!

7. A few rubber ducks if you have them, because what's a bath without a rubber duck?

Now...you might want to remove the socks for playtime, as the floor WILL get wet! Water play is so much more fun if you don't have to worry about wet socks, wouldn't you agree?

Smocks or aprons might be a good idea too...

We just used bibs, as they are waterproof, and the toddlers weren't tall enough to need any "tummy covering"

Your toddlers will take great care in bathing their babies...

And everyone will be so squeaky clean when you're all finished!

Happy, happy kids!

And some really sweet bubbly toes!

Enjoy your bath!

Thanks for stopping by!

Making a Big Splash...

 I can't think of anything that makes my children and myself happier than playing in water...I mean, take a look!

What is more fun than a good splash? 

So why don't we do it more often? Because it's cold outside? It's not summer anymore? Ha! Bring it inside! Because it's messy? Boo! There is nothing cleaner than water! Because it's too much work? Phooey! Since when was fun too much work?

There is no other medium out there that is more beneficial to play in, than water.

It's an all-sensory experience...feeling, tasting, smelling, seeing, and hearing, Fine motor skills are honed by pouring, squeezing, and swirling. Cognitive skill are developing as they measure, mix, and imagine. And don't forget the emotional side of water play. How often are your raw nerves soothed by an evening bubble bath? How often are you refreshed and energized by a morning shower? Being in, and playing in the water can change a child's emotional state in just a few minutes. So, no more excuses! Get playing! It doesn't have to be complicated. A simple bin full of water, measuring cups, funnels, and tub toys would do the trick!

For those of you who want more ideas for playing in water, the next few posts will be just the thing for you! I am going to divide this post into 6 parts, so it's not so overwhelming. One activity per day. And I'm not saying you have to DO the activities 6 days in a row! I'm just going to give you a new idea each day so it's not all piled up in one giant post!

That's 6 days worth of water play time coming up...are you ready to get wet??

DAY #1
BUILD YOUR OWN OCEAN...

Supplies needed:
1. A plastic washtub, bin, or water table.
2. Salt. (makes the sensory experience even better!)
3. Seashells (pet store, craft store, dollar store, or the REAL beach, if you can!)
4. Blue and green food coloring..we mixed a bit of both to give it a mediterranean feel.
5. Plastic ocean critters.
6. You can also put sand on the bottom of your bin if you want it really authentic.

Color your water, add the salt and critters, and you are ready for some great imaginative ocean play.

An oyster shell water fall...

A rainstorm at sea for the lonely fisherman...

A deep sea rescue mission...

A peaceful playground for the orcas...

I know many adults who long to see the ocean and be near it every day. Children are no different. The ocean holds a special magic that soothes and delights. Why not bring it into your own kitchen for a day or two? And if you have a cd or itunes track with whale or ocean sounds...put that on in the background to create an even better, all-round sensory experience.

 I'll see you tomorrow for another water play idea!

Thanks for stopping by!