Wonder how to entertain
toddlers while outdoors besides the everyday equipment like the swing or slide?
Now that Spring weather is
inviting us to enjoy the outdoors more, engage with your toddler while
exploring with his senses and imagination with outdoor play.
Sensory tables have become popular
for toddlers to explore their senses. I have made my own with PVC piping and storage bins. However, you can order these online through various educational websites like:
Lakeshore @ www.lakeshorelearning.com
Kaplan Early
Learning @ www.kaplanco.com
Discount
School Supply @ www.discountschoolsupply.com
You can search
online under educational materials or catalog for educational toys.
They come in
different sizes. I switch out different items for the toddlers to explore with.
The idea is to provide enough items into the sensory table so they could
explore by scooping, pouring, and digging. I supply a small bucket, a couple of
play shovels, cups, a play rake to add to the fun of exploring. The different sensory
items I have used are:
·
white
rice (the little ones like to call it snow)
·
mixture
of dry beans (kidney/pinto/corn/peas)
·
regular
sand
·
coffee
sand (see recipe below)
Coffee Sand
recipe:
4 c. dried used
coffee grounds
2 c. cornmeal
1 c. flour
1/2 c. salt
I dried the
used coffee grounds by spreading a thin layer on cookie sheets. Once the coffee
grounds are dry, I mix the remaining ingredients together. I keep it in a
covered container when not in use.
CAUTION NOTE: It’s very important to sit
and watch over the sensory table while the little ones are playing. Make sure
they are not putting anything in their mouths, eyes, or flipping the sensory
table items up into the playmate’s faces. This is a good opportunity to teach the little ones about safety, manners and space while sharing. I usually bring out one sensory
table for the day.
Iva is an
author of Precious Years Leaps & Bounds. You can find more information in her book relating to
the topic on activities for outdoors.
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