Halloween Moon Sand - Sensory Play Activity For Pre Schoolers
For those of you who have been following my series of Halloween-themed science experiments and activities, you will have noticed that most of the lessons are best suited for kids 6 years and older. Today I thought I would share an activity for those who work with younger kids, toddlers too. The activity adheres to the Halloween theme, is easy to set up and is sure to keep the little ones busy while they ignite their senses and learn through play.
Before I jump in to today's "lesson", I'd like to list some of my previous entries, I hope you can find some use in them for your lesson planning:
- Learn About Bacteria With This Edible Halloween Treat
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Plant pumpkins in a pumpkin!
- "Blood' Liquid Density - Halloween Science Experiment
- "Brain Surgery" - Halloween Experiment (Learn About Polymer Chains)
- Oozing Jack o' Lantern Experiment And Halloween Effect
Today's addition:
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Halloween Moon Sand - Sensory Play Activity For Pre Schoolers
Being a mom to a very busy toddler, I am ALWAYS looking for ideas to keep my little one's mind and hands busy (and out of trouble). I have used this recipe for moon sand myself and while we didn't use any coloring, my son still hand so much fun pottering about with the sand, feeling it and touching it and making all sorts of imaginative constructions.
This activity can be done at home, or in the class room as a group play activity. It is also a great idea for parties, you can even package the sand to send home as a party favor!
What you will need:
*You can adjust the recipe for the quantity you need.
- 4 cups of washed sand (you can purchase play sand from most toy stores)
- 2 cups of corn starch
- 1 to 3 cups water
- Cinnamon
- Orange food coloring
- A bucket, basin or container
Instructions:
*Kids can help make the moon sand to, it's all part of the fun!
- Add all the dry ingredients to your basin/container, including a table spoon of cinnamon.
- Add in a few drops off orange food coloring (to stick to a Halloween theme).
- Mix in the water bit by bit, until you have your preferred consistency.
- Use your and to mix in the food coloring until the sand is completely orange.
LET'S PLAY!
The result is a soft and silky textured sand that molds easily, and because of the added cinnamon, it smells delicious! This simple invention has the potential to stimulate and develop a child's senses through touch, smell, sight and errm, if your kid's anything like mine, taste too!
Why is sensory play important?
Sensory activities facilitate exploration and naturally encourage children to use scientific processes while they play, create, investigate and explore. The sensory activities allow children to refine their thresholds for different sensory information helping their brain to create stronger connections to process and respond to sensory information. - https://www.goodstart.org.au/news-and-advice/october-2016/exploring-the-benefits-of-sensory-play
Apart from sensory play, this activity also allows children to use their imaginations, which more complicated toys don't often do. My two and a half year old son loves to roll balls, "snakes", build mountains, pour the sand from one container to another, and more!
Please keep a look out for more Halloween themed lesson plans, science experiments and fun learning activities which I will continue to post throughout the month of October. Looking forward to your feedback, enjoy!
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Thanks for Upvote me dear, I hope we always like this. Following u
thank you for share.
nice post.
This is so cool, where were you when I was a toddler ;)
Nice sensory play for kids. I make mine a little different. I use pumpkin pie spice instead of the cinnamon.
That looks like some fun to be had with the little ones, we played in mud building houses using bricks from quite young.