Boy, do I have fun Halloween water play coming your way!
My four-year-old and I were reading Room on the Broom when it dawned on me. We have everything we need for a witch’s potion from our stash of decorations. It was Halloween water play that saved our afternoon, and we must share it with you!
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There is something magical about a bit of food coloring into water play.
It is simple.
The food coloring is diluted enough not to stain hands and clothes.
It adds a little excitement to a five-star simple sensory bin for water play.
Without any prompting from me, my four-year-old grabbed his hat and got to work. – He must be a well-trained kid activity blogger to know the hat gives this photo life.
RELATED: Need quick ideas on the fly? Check out our activity cards for preschoolers and big kids!
Sensory play is our jam for many reasons.
My four-year-old had a few hours before his older brothers came home. I needed to wrap a few work items. Together, we needed a little redirection to find play.
That is where sensory play comes in. If you are new to sensory play, start with this step-by-step guide on introducing the sensory play.
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Water play allows children to:
- Problem solve
- Be in control of their play
- Explore capacity
- Discover what sinks and floats
- Feel texture wet vs. dry
- Scoop
- Pour and hold a steady hand
- Transfer water from one container to another
And you know it! This sensory bin is the perfect example of children learning through play.
RELATED: Ever wonder what’s behind the play and how children learn? Be sure to check out our online course, WONDER: Playing to Learn.
And then it hit me. We need bubbles!
Ah, yes! Bubbles! Every witch’s potion needs bubbles.
As I filled the sink with bubbles for my older children’s lunch box containers (part of our after-school routine), I scooped some bubbles in a container and brought them out.
Viola! On to the next stage of exploration in water play.
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There is magic in waiting on the bubbles.
Waiting on the bubbles gave me 20 extra minutes of play. It’s a classic case of not playing all your cards at once.
Set up this Halloween water play and when the play comes to a close, add the bubbles! It is the bump that will extend the play without interrupting the earlier play.
I know you are ready to get this Halloween water play set up!
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- Sensory mat – aka my husband’s old indoor cycling mat
- Under the bed storage bin
- Water
- Food coloring
- Plastic eyes
- Bones
- Play cauldron
The best part about this supply list is we can use the items again and again!
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