Water sensory play has been my lifeline for the last eight years of parenting. – so, let’s scoop the sea!
What would I do without it? I am honestly not sure. Water sensory bins have helped us get over the late morning hump and the lull after a nap.
And with so many ways to play – it never gets old. Scoop the sea is a fun summer idea you don’t want to miss.
Water tables and water play is the key that unlocks independent and child-led play.
And since repetition is the foundation of building intelligence at any age – let’s keep water sensory play on repeat!
RELATED: Love water play? Here is a printable list of Water Games for Kids.
Boundless benefits to sensory water play
- Sensory input is essential to richer learning possibilities
- Touch is vital to brain development
- Calms overwhelmed children
- Gross motor skills transporting water
- Encourages creativity
- Fine motor development grasping objects in the water
- Coordination
- Self-control
- Strengthening arm muscles filling water buckets
- Communication and inspiring new ideas
- Understanding capacity and measurement
- Hand-eye coordination moving objects from one water container to another
- Increases concentration to remain at one activity (the water play)
What should a sensory bin contain?
I am so happy you asked!
Here are 40 sensory bins for toddlers and preschoolers.
Scoop the Sea is excellent for a water table – or POOL!
Yep, you know it. A great toy has many uses.
We were gifted this treasure chest from my MIL to use on a pool trip. Right after we got home, it swiftly transitioned into the water table. This treasure chest screams summer water play.
We even had a playdate with a two-year-old who scooped and transferred the fish for much longer than anyone anticipated.
RELATED: 30 Summer Activities for Toddlers
Why Scooping and Transporting is Essential for Young Children
What’s the big picture of scooping and transferring objects?
Transporting objects teaches young children about weight, space, making predictions, how things move (or multiple ways. A child can move an object), empty vs. full, problem-solving, and making adjustments to see ideas out.
Scooping objects helps young children with coordination and hand-eye coordination, making predictions to problem-solve.
In a nutshell, scooping and transporting objects is pretty high on the play pyramid.
RELATED: 50+ Outdoor Activities for Kids
Supply List
Let’s get our hands on this Scoop the Sea Water Sensory Play! Here is a supply list of everything you need.
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- Water sensory table
- Treasure chest
- Ladle – from your kitchen or dollar store
Optional Supplies:
Yep. Just a few items will take your children from cranky to creative. – I also have a startup guide that walks you through how to make a predictable routine with kids at home.
Steps to Set Up
- Pour a small amount of water into your sensory bin. (stay close)
- Add items from the treasure chest into the water.
- Put the treasure chest to the right of the water play.
- Add a large ladle.
- Invite your toddler or preschooler to scoop the items from the sea and place them into the treasure chest.
Does the colored water stain children’s hands? Not that I have seen. The dye is so diluted that we have not had a problem.
Children like to take the lead! (and they should!)
Toddlers and preschoolers often move in their direction with the play.
Encourage this!
Repeating play patterns and coming up with their ideas is vital to child development. Here, my four-year-old asked to add yellow to the blue water. Why not? Color mixing is great fun too!
This flexibility allows children to build more confidence in their actions and thinking.
Grab your treasure chest. Let’s get this water play started as soon as it arrives on the Amazon truck.
Outdoor sensory play supplies are our summer staple.
It is time to restock the outdoor sensory supplies and prepare for fun water play!
Ice, colored water, funnels, measuring cups, squirt bottles, rocks, soapy bubbles, race cars, water beads, dirt, large buttons, counting bears, and ladles work great in a water table for sensory play.
We love using an under-the-bed storage bin. This clear container can rest on the floor or grass and is excellent for sensory water play.
