Despite it being a solid week into April in an area where spring is generally warm, we had the pleasure of experiencing some snow this week. We are even expecting some significant accumulation tomorrow. So even though I was expecting more "April Showers" type weather for theme, we were able to experience some winter weather too!
In addition to the weather mother nature gifted us, we did some of our own exploration as well. The activities we did today to explore winter weather were some of my toddler's favorites this week.
In addition to the weather mother nature gifted us, we did some of our own exploration as well. The activities we did today to explore winter weather were some of my toddler's favorites this week.
ICE CUBE SENSORY PLAY IN THE BATH
This activity was an easy one to prepare but it was, hands down, my toddler's favorite thing we did this week.
All this required on my part was freezing some colored water (I chose blue and purple) in an ice cube tray earlier in the day, putting the resulting cubes in a bowl, and letting him have at it during bath time!
T loved watching the cubes float and exploring their density by pushing them underwater and watching them pop back up. He could also visualize the process of melting as the colored water was released into the tub.
His favorite part, however, was an activity he discovered all on his own (that is the goal, after all). He used his toy submarine, which has a top that opens, to "collect" all of the ice cubes. It was really incredible seeing him figure out that, unless he closed the top to the submarine after putting a cube inside, it would float back out! He also was very surprised and curious when he opened the submarine at the end of his bath to find they had all disappeared!
All this required on my part was freezing some colored water (I chose blue and purple) in an ice cube tray earlier in the day, putting the resulting cubes in a bowl, and letting him have at it during bath time!
T loved watching the cubes float and exploring their density by pushing them underwater and watching them pop back up. He could also visualize the process of melting as the colored water was released into the tub.
His favorite part, however, was an activity he discovered all on his own (that is the goal, after all). He used his toy submarine, which has a top that opens, to "collect" all of the ice cubes. It was really incredible seeing him figure out that, unless he closed the top to the submarine after putting a cube inside, it would float back out! He also was very surprised and curious when he opened the submarine at the end of his bath to find they had all disappeared!
More Snow and Ice Sensory Play
Earlier in the day we explored ice and "snow" with additional hands on activities. The night before, we froze a large block of ice. I had actually intended to shave it to create a snow like texture, but it really didn't work out. Since that "snow" was a little bit of a flop, I created some really thick bubbles to serve as a fluffy snow-like substance. I did this by grating up a bar of Ivory soap (I had to find another use for the soap I purchased for the Ivory Soap Cloud!), mixing it with 3 cups of warm water, and blending it with a hand mixer. The result was really thick bubbles that could be molded and formed and spread around. The best part was that his hands were super clean afterwards! I plopped the "snow" and ice on a water resistant cloth and let T have at it. He enjoyed playing and exploring the textures and temperatures while we put words to what he was feeling such as "cold," "smooth," and "fluffy."
Paper SnowFlakes
The quintessential winter/snow craft - the paper snowflake.
My toddler was, obviously, not capable of operating the scissors for this craft. But we have been trying to work on scribbling with crayons lately. Instead of just scribbling on a paper, I thought it was a good opportunity to make something fun. I just let T color on a white paper with blue and gray crayons, and then followed the easy instructions from Instructables to turn his drawing into a snowflake. Some older kids participated in this activity as well (their snowflakes are pictured below...my 16 month old is not nearly that good at coloring!).
My toddler was, obviously, not capable of operating the scissors for this craft. But we have been trying to work on scribbling with crayons lately. Instead of just scribbling on a paper, I thought it was a good opportunity to make something fun. I just let T color on a white paper with blue and gray crayons, and then followed the easy instructions from Instructables to turn his drawing into a snowflake. Some older kids participated in this activity as well (their snowflakes are pictured below...my 16 month old is not nearly that good at coloring!).
The process of cutting and unfolding the snowflakes was a good chance for the older kids to talk about how the patterns of snow flakes acre complex and unique. Once the snowflakes were created, the toddlers enjoyed throwing them up (or dropping them) and watching them float through the air.
Winter Accessory Mystery Box
We are lucky to have access to a "mystery box," like this one sold by Lakeshore. We did this with some winter accessories today, since we had quite a few laying around in a variety of textures/fabrics. We used mittens with a fuzzy wool interior, knit gloves, a flannel scarf, and a hat with a polyester exterior and faux fur interior.
For the older kids, it was fun to use problem solving skills to guess what the objects were and we practiced using descriptive language to explain what they felt. While my toddler isn't quite ready for the skill of guessing, he really enjoys putting things in and taking them back out. For this activity, he particularly enjoyed feeling the fabrics, trying on the accessories, and naming what each one was.
For the older kids, it was fun to use problem solving skills to guess what the objects were and we practiced using descriptive language to explain what they felt. While my toddler isn't quite ready for the skill of guessing, he really enjoys putting things in and taking them back out. For this activity, he particularly enjoyed feeling the fabrics, trying on the accessories, and naming what each one was.