Monday, November 28, 2011

Snow Sensory and Small World Play



I've seen wonderful ideas for sensory play all over blogland, but up until now, I haven't set up a sensory bin for my girls. Last night, I decided it was time to do it, and I set up a small sensory bin for the girls. Instead of filling a large bin, I decided to put the items in a small basket and provide a piece of fabric for them to set up their own snow scene.


Sensory Basket Contents:
Cotton balls
Blue puff balls
Clear white and blue glass marbles (vase fillers from the dollar store)
Cardboard snowmen (made from a cracker box)
Small polar bears (a toy we've had for years)




The girls got busy making a snowy wonderland. They spread it out. They made the snow fall. They stacked snow on the polar bear's head. And, they even made a river from the glass marbles.




That, my friends, is our little river! After playing for awhile, Lizzie found our painter's palette and decided it needed to be a part of our sensory bin. 




I did lay down a couple of rules while playing. I certainly didn't want the little pieces all over the house! I told them they could play with this at any time as long as everything remained on the table and there was no fighting over the pieces. So far so good! Note: I did let my 2-year-old play with the little pieces. I was sitting at the table with them and she doesn't have the tendency to put things in her mouth. Please know your child's limitations and supervise carefully!




The girls had fun and so did the polar bears! I hope they continue to enjoy it for the days to come.


Do you have any examples of sensory play? I enjoyed setting this one up and hope to do more in the future.


Linked up to Monday Madness, Making Magical Christmas Memories, The Play Academy, Fun Sparks, For The Kids Friday, The Sunday Showcase, Link and Learn, Winter Fun Link-Up, and It's Playtime 

14 comments:

maryanne @ mama smiles said...

That is so cute! We have never made a sensory bin, but his makes me want to try =)

JDaniel4's Mom said...

This looks like hours of fun! What wonderful treasures to explore!

Melissa @ The Chocolate Muffin Tree said...

Looks like fun! I had my daughter play in the poly-fil stuffing before and pretend she was on a cloud! She had a lot of fun!

Kate @ Puddles and Gumboots said...

oh so cute! I love the polar bears!

Joyce said...

We have those same polar bears. :) Great job on your first sensory bin! It looks like a lot of fun and was obviously a hit!

CacheyMama said...

Cute idea! As a preschool teacher, we are always doing sensory bins. Thanks for the idea :) You should link up to Thinky Linky Thursday on my blog. Go to my linky party tab to find the link to the most recent one. Its stays open all week.

Kate @ Puddles and Gumboots said...

Terri I'd love you to link this up with my Christmas linky :-) http://www.puddlesandgumboots.com/2011/12/02/making-magical-christmas-memories-features/

Lisa said...

Just stopping by from the Sunday Showcase. What a great way encourage imaginative play! For next month's sensory tub I wanted to do a winter theme...using cotton balls for snow will be perfect! I just set up our Christmas sensory bin which has been a big hit with my tot and preschooler! http://crisscrossapplesaucelearning.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-sensory-tub.html

I just joined your site with GFC!

Lisa

Brooke @ Let Kids Create said...

I think this is so cute, what a fun way to play. Thanks for sharing it on Monday Madness.

cathy @ NurtureStore said...

This looks great - lots of interesting textures. Thanks for joining in with the Play Academy.

The Sunshine Crew said...

Such a fun sensory activity! My boys had those same polar bears when they were little and they loved them!
Saw your linky at the Sunday Showcase, so wanted to pop by to say hello.
Hope that you will come by my blog, Sunrise Learning Lab, and see what we are up to this week.
Colleen:)

Emma @sciencesparks said...

That is beautiful and looks like so much fun!

Thanks for linking to Fun Sparks.

x

Kate @ Puddles and Gumboots said...

Thank you so much for joining in with my linky xx

Abby said...

What a great sensory bin. It's certainly a lot cleaner than our snow one! I'm going to have to keep it in mind for next time. :)

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