We’re taking the bears on a winter sensory activity adventure! That’s right! These little bears ice-skated thier way up and down the blue water in a storage bin for an entire afternoon. You can prep this activity weeks before and pull it out for your preschooler when the clock begins to tick backward.
RELATED: Have a toddler? Read how to introduce sensory play.
Sensory bins help with kids at home.
Sensory play calls to many ages and invites them to collaborate, play, and work together. The time spent playing seems enough for me to sip my coffee (hot), catch my breath, and maybe even check a few emails. It is the reason why I keep a bean sensory bin in my workspace. – You will have to trust this lady on the internet to set you up for success, but I’ve got you.
But what’s all the hype? Why are bean sprouts growing in between my decking a good thing, you ask? Here are all the reasons why sensory play is important for young children. You’ll find that if beans aren’t your thing, we’ve got plenty of other mess-free ways to play. There are a few secrets to sensory play that can keep sensory bins more manageable.
RELATED: Convinced, but need some ideas? Here are 40 sensory bins for toddlers and preschoolers.
Craving a calmer morning?
Breakfast Invitations are simple learning games that begin the day with play.
Let’s get this set up!
Before we begin, let me share with you the star of this show. Did you notice that the bears stand upright? Not the same effect as them laying in the water they are in this winter bear rescue. This variation calls for a little prep in advance, but it is a simple technique.
- Pour water 3/4 the way into the muffin pan.
- Freeze. – Just like a frozen dinner, your future self will thank you.
- Once 3/4 of the water is frozen, add the bears upright. Place them to stand on the frozen circles.
- Add cold water to fill the remaining pod.
- Freeze again.
Leave this in the freezer for as long as you’d like. When you need something to pass the time, whoop! There it is. Happy dance in the kitchen is on.
RELATED: What supplies are needed for sensory activities? I’ve got everything listed in this sensory supply list. Spoiler, it’s basically your kitchen supplies that need an upgrade.
Supply list
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Most supplies will be already in your home. We use blue food coloring, a muffin tin, and an under-the-bed storage bin to play in.
Counting Bears
You know we love these counting bears! For under three, stay close because they are small, or save for your child’s age. Use these counting bears for imaginary play, color sorting, counting, patterns, and more. These were necessary for my classroom and continue to be so at home. These counting bears make a terrific addition to open-ended play!
When it is time to play, I add some blue food coloring to the water bin and invite my toddler to play. Keeping kid activities at home simple is the best way to play. And once you have the muffin tin, you can also try to rescue the bears using similar supplies.
From the AAP, here are four ways play can help boost your child’s mood. Play can be difficult to get started, but once it does, it feels so good.
What happens as my preschooler plays
I have to chuckle as the boys play with their winter sensory bin. This open-ended play has no direct start or finish. It was up to my toddler and preschooler to let the imaginary play unfold.
The bears skated. They twirled, chatted, and sang. The bears literally danced until the final melt. It is amazing how a bucket of water, ice pods, and a measuring cup will help make it to dinnertime.
When the boys finish, what is left is freed bears ready to take on the next round of play. And believe me, there are dozens of ways to play with these little counting bears. Almost every one of these ideas can be made in an instant!
More winter ideas for kids
The winter days can feel so long, and we certainly don’t need to play the activity coordinator. Here are some of our favorite ways to spend cold days inside:
FAQ
Freezing water for sensory play activities takes overnight. Go do this now so your future self will thank you on the next snow day.
I made this winter activity list for kids to include outdoor snow play, winter art activities, indoor winter play ideas, and a winter book list. The winter days are long, which will help your toddler and preschooler stay entertained as you try to stay warm.
From my experience, the water is so diluted that it does not stay on my child’s clothing or hands after play. Use your best judgment on how much food coloring to add so you are not all left with blue fingertips.