| ACTIVITIES: VERY MESSY |
Messy activities are not
only greatly enjoyed by kids of various ages, but they offer numerous
benefits, such as:
Intellectual
problem solving
creativity
logical thinking
basic math skills (measuring, sorting)
basic science
Physical
fine motor skills
tactile and visual experiences
hand-eye coordination
Emotional and Social
in a new setting, they help children to get
involved and get to know the other kids
messy/creative play provides a positive
outlet for expressing emotions
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SLIME |
| Age: Preschool+ |
| What You Need |
|
1 cup of soap flakes (you can grate a bar of mild soap, such as Ivory)
1/2 gallon (about 8 cups) of warm water
A wide, open container
Cups, sponges, plastic bottles, funnels, etc. |
| What to Do |
|
Mix the grated soap with water
Allow the mixture to stand until it thickens and becomes slimy
Beat the mixture with a fork to make it froth
Pour it in a wide, open container
Give your child the cups, sponges, funnels, etc., and let the fun begin!
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|
OOBLECK |
| Age: Toddler+ |
| Oobleck is a fictional form of green precipitation invented by children's author Dr. Seuss in the book Bartholomew and the Oobleck. The word has since been used to describe a weird substance - it is liquid yet solid. This very messy activity is sure to
fascinate any toddler! |
| What You Need |
|
1 cup cornstarch
1/3 cup water
5 to 7 drops food coloring(optional) |
| What to Do |
| Mix water and food coloring together. Slowly add cornstarch. Do not stir. Let the mixture stand for 1 to 2 minutes. Pick a handful of the oobleck up and squeeze it until it forms a hard ball. Open your hand and the oobleck will turn from a solid back into a liquid. If it gets too dry after awhile, just add a bit more water.
Note that oobleck contains no preservatives and is therefore perishable. |
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| GARDENING |
| Age: Toddler+ |
| What You Need |
|
An edible plant (parsley, dill,
basil, strawberry, etc.)
A small pot
Planting soil (preferably,
organic) |
| What to Do |
|
Take your child to a nursery.
Keep it simple - get just one
plant and one pot (and a bag of potting soil if you need
it) on this trip. The last thing you want to do is spend
an hour running after your toddler in an attempt to stop
him from tipping over yet another $500 ceramic vase,
while trying to decide which plants will make a nice
addition to your garden.
At home (in the backyard), have your
child help you fill the pot with soil - he or she can
use their shovel for this
Put the plant in, and add a little
more soil to cover up the roots
Have your child water it with a
small water can
Your child will love watching the
plant grow, and taking care of it. This activity might
even make the "green stuff" more acceptable on their
dinner plate!
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SPLASH! |
| Age: Baby+ |
| This activity is good for babies who have started eating solid foods and are comfortable in a high chair. Your little one will be having so much fun, you might even have enough time to clean up the dishes! Just make sure to wipe all the wet surfaces with a dry rag afterwards. |
| What You Need |
|
A high chair with a tray |
| What to Do |
|
After your baby finishes eating, rinse off the high chair tray, attach it back to the chair, and fill it with about 1/3 inch of water
Leave the rest up to the baby!
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PUFFY PAINTING |
| Age: 5+ |
The paint used for this activity will puff up when you cook it in the microwave!
Caution: Adult supervision required |
| What You Need |
|
1 tablespoon of self-rising flour
1 tablespoon of salt
Food coloring (3-4 colors)
Small containers
Thick paper or cardboard |
| What to Do |
|
Mix all the ingredients and add water until you get a smooth paste (use one container for each color)
Let your child use these paints to paint something on the cardboard
Microwave the painting for about 10 seconds or until the paint is dry
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