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There is something about playing with water that is irresistible to young children. In the warmer months it’s easy to incorporate water play into your child’s day. Do it outside and your little one can get as wet as he/she wants.
It’s a different story in the winter, however. Activities involving water (or any other wet materials for that matter) have to be done inside and they require more planning and more clean-up. Enter the bathroom sink!
My son loves standing on his little stool and splashing around in the sink. Recently I took advantage of this and set up a sensory activity there that he really enjoyed.
Lemon Sensory Sink:
- warm water
- yellow food coloring
- lemon juice (for scent and taste)
- plastic toy lemons (or real ones of course!)
- yellow pom poms (to build on the color theme and as an interesting textural element. Also fun to have your little one predict whether they will sink or float).
- a plastic jug or pitcher, a plastic cup, measuring cups or any other tools for scooping and pouring.
- ice cubes. Ours melted fairly quickly so I added some large clear gems from the Dollar Store.
- towels for the floor
Peanut spent his time at the sink making lemonade and pouring it into and out of the cup, pitcher, and ice cube tray. He also enjoyed squeezing the wet pom poms and scooping the real and fake ice cubes. Towards the end of his playtime he decided that the ice cube tray was a ladder for one of the lemons (Mr. Lemon) to climb to reach the top of the sink. I would never have thought to do that! What fun it is to watch his imagination at work.
I set this activity up for Peanut after supper. He was absorbed in it for a half hour and it was a lovely way for him calm down before bed.
How do you do water play in the winter?
Thanks for reading!
-Ann
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Hi, great idea, thank you, we will try it as well!
My son loves water plays too, I think all kids do.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=583530948343300&set=a.580996338596761.141537.580973338599061&type=1&theater
I agree; you can’t go wrong with water play! I hope your son enjoys this as much as my son did.
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Great fun! My kids loooove water play, and I love how you brought it inside. Great theme! I’m featuring this tomorrow on The Sunday Showcase.
Allison recently posted…The ABC’s of Imaginative Play {Fun} F-J
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I love the idea of using the sink as a sensory “bin” — such a easy way to set up indoor play.
Thanks Erica. Yes, it’s definitely easy to set up, which is always a plus!
Fun!! We did that last summer in our back yard! Check it out.
http://graham-and-parker.blogspot.com/2012/04/lemony-exploration.html
and
http://graham-and-parker.blogspot.com/2012/04/scented-experiments.html
Kristen recently posted…fireworks in a dish
Looks like fun, Kristen! I love adding unexpected things to the water table.
Hmm, I don’t think my reply went through so I’ll try this again:
Looks like fun, Kristen! I love adding unexpected things to the water table.
Great idea! My kids were just playing “scientist” in the sinks yesterday with soap and water and a bunch of paper cups. I can’t wait to try this. Great idea!
You can’t go wrong with kids and water!
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what a great idea, love sensory boxes great idea to do it in the sink! Feel free to link up @ Learn and Link! Have a great weekend! http://mamato3blessings.blogspot.com/2013/01/insect-observation-insect-leaf-crafts.html
Nicole (Mama to 4 Blessings) recently posted…INSECT OBSERVATION + INSECT LEAF CRAFTS (LEARN & LINK)
Thanks Nicole! I’ll come link up.
Looks so fun! This would have been a great addition to our color yellow tot school theme. Pinning for a rainy day!
Stephanie recently posted…Finding My Focus, and Sharing it With You!
Yes, it would be fun as a color yellow activity for sure. Good idea!
I love this! We do a lot of water play in the sink. It is one of the ways I keep the girls engaged while I am making dinner. I never thought to add some fun to it though! We’ll have to try this out. I think my oldest would also like to squeeze some of the real lemons and explore the inside. I bet your kitchen smelled great from the lemon scent, too!
Shaunna @ Fantastic Fun and Learning recently posted…Cave Craft for Forest Theme
Thanks Shaunna! What is it with kids and water? You can’t go wrong with it!
Ann recently posted…Lemon Sensory Sink
What a great idea, Ann! My niece has a little one who just loves to play with water any chance he gets and I will totally be sharing this with her – and pinning, of course!
Cindy Eikenberg recently posted…What’s In My Craft Room? Zutter Bind-It-All!
Thanks Cindy! I hope your niece’s little one has a chance to try and enjoy this.
And thanks for your always appreciated pinning!
Nice quite time idea!
I’m up for trying any and all quiet time activities!