Since I forgot didn't get a chance to make a sensory tub for June, I've created two for the month of July - our 4th of July tub is used only indoors and this beach tub is for outdoors only. (I'll have two tubs -indoor/outdoor- to share with you in August as well!)
James can't get enough of the ocean and beach! We're there every chance we get. So you can imagine how thrilled he was about having a bit of the beach at home!
Beachy Sensory TubJames can't get enough of the ocean and beach! We're there every chance we get. So you can imagine how thrilled he was about having a bit of the beach at home!
Quick little fun fact: did you know Bermuda beaches are known for their pink sand? Click here to learn more.What's inside:
:: Sand from one of our favorite beaches. We plan on returning it to the beach when we're finished with this tub.
:: Shells - most of these are from our stash, but I bought a few at our local tourist shop.
:: A family of three wooden peg people :)
:: Sea glass and bits of coral
:: Leaves (fallen) from one of the trees that lines the pathway to the beach.
:: Shovel and pail
Sandy Playdough
I love this dough! As always, I used my favorite play dough recipe and kept it a plain color and added some sand to give it an interesting texture. It look just like the sand on our beaches! I found some beach/ocean themed cutters and put out a little basket of shells.
James had SO much fun with this activity and played with it for nearly an hour. He scooped "sand" in and out of the bucket, hid the shells and even made a sand castle!
Here he is making "sand balls". See that furry thing sleeping on the shelf in the background? Nope, it's not a radical new Practical Life work, it's just our kitty taking advantage of the open space. :)
~I'm linking this post up to some of my favorite blog parties: Montessori Monday, The Preschool Corner, Tot Tuesdays, We Play and Sharing Time. Join in and share your ideas!~
:: Sand from one of our favorite beaches. We plan on returning it to the beach when we're finished with this tub.
:: Shells - most of these are from our stash, but I bought a few at our local tourist shop.
:: A family of three wooden peg people :)
:: Sea glass and bits of coral
:: Leaves (fallen) from one of the trees that lines the pathway to the beach.
:: Shovel and pail
Sandy Playdough
I love this dough! As always, I used my favorite play dough recipe and kept it a plain color and added some sand to give it an interesting texture. It look just like the sand on our beaches! I found some beach/ocean themed cutters and put out a little basket of shells.
James had SO much fun with this activity and played with it for nearly an hour. He scooped "sand" in and out of the bucket, hid the shells and even made a sand castle!
Here he is making "sand balls". See that furry thing sleeping on the shelf in the background? Nope, it's not a radical new Practical Life work, it's just our kitty taking advantage of the open space. :)~I'm linking this post up to some of my favorite blog parties: Montessori Monday, The Preschool Corner, Tot Tuesdays, We Play and Sharing Time. Join in and share your ideas!~
Now that is just darling!
ReplyDeletelove it! how did you make the play dough?
ReplyDeleteSensory tubs are really fun!!!Thanks for sharing your great ideas.
ReplyDeleteI think this might be my favorite sensory tub yet! They're all so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAwhile back on your blog I saw a small needle felted blackberry necklace--- do you have a tutorial for that? I've been wanting to make some!
Thanks,
Ariella
oo love both of these! I love the idea of having 2 bins as well!
ReplyDeleteI love the sand doh, I was inspired to try it after the Childhood Magic post, and now you've inspired me too!
ReplyDeleteHappy Mommy: I used my favorite playdough recipe - see the link in my post or on my sidebar. :)
ReplyDeleteRainbowmummy: I think Ariella's was clay, which hardens (I think!) - this dough is stays soft.
Ariella: I don't have a tutorial, but I'd be happy to create one. :)
Hi Mari-Ann,
ReplyDeleteOh yes please!! I would love a tutorial. Been wanting to make one of those forever, and it seems so simple, but somehow I just can't figure out where to start!
Thank you, Mari-Ann!! I am currently collecting fun sensory activities to try out with my son. This is too cute!
ReplyDeleteCute, cute, cute!!! Your sensory tubs are the best, and I'm going to have to try your play dough recipe!
ReplyDeleteI love this and I think it might be my absolute favourite so far! I SO need to find some sand, my kiddo's would love it!
ReplyDeleteStephanie
Hi Mari Ann!!!!! So happy of visit you and find this beautiful Sensory tub!!!! So lovely!! and fun....did you ever try the beach grape?? Delicious right??!!!
ReplyDeletePlease receive a biiigg Hug from the other island!!!
Karen
You have the most AMAZING ideas.
ReplyDeleteWe live in the midwest. No beaches anywhere close. I think I'm going to have to make this so we can just pretend!
ReplyDeleteI just spent the last 15-20 minutes browsing through all of your sensory tubs and I am feeling so inspired. They look so fun.
ReplyDeleteBut, I just wanted to ask, what do you do with your tubs at the end of the month?
I have a child with special needs. This activity is right up my alley.
ReplyDeleteCathy,
ReplyDeleteI've had others ask me this same question so I thought I'd post the answer here. At the end of each month I return all the items from the tub back to where I found them because I can usually use them in other activities throughout the year and because I use the same tub for then next theme. In the case of my Christmas or Halloween tubs I simply put all the items in a ziploc bag and store them in my "seasonal only" bin. I'm a little OCD like that. ;D
love the textured play dough, and your kitty taking a catnap while James creates his masterpieces! :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE the sandy playdough idea. My daughter loves playdough and it has never occurred to me to put natural objects like shells into for her to play with before. Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for making a sensory tub! I love the way you’re using Montessori principles and activities with your son at home. That’s why I gave you an award today at http://livingmontessorinow.com/2010/07/15/outstanding-blogger-award/.
ReplyDeleteI love it - I still think that it's so neat that James has a chance to go to a real beach every day!
ReplyDeleteI gave you a blog award.
ReplyDeleteSee it here: http://givinguponacleanhouse.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-first-blog-award.html
Thanks for your blog! I just love it.
Did this today with a little twist! Definitely gave you the credit and some link love over at my blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the inspiration.
That sensory tub looks so tranquil and serene.
ReplyDeleteSandy playdough is such a great idea - one I'm sure my cherubs would enjoy.
Such special things for James to explore and enjoy.
LOVE the sand playdough!!!!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and I love the way it is set up!! I love the way you can use pictures instead of titles to view your post! You have very beautiful materials for your James...my son is a James too! Keep up the great work, I look forward to following you! Come visit me at
ReplyDeleteearthfriendlymama@blogspot.com
Kerry
I've never been to your site, but I just LOVE it! Sensory tubs look so cool! I'm going to have to spend some time searching your site for new ideas! LOVE IT!!!!
ReplyDeleteOne of these days I am really going to have to try the sensory tub play, it just looks like so much fun :)
ReplyDeleteanother brilliant idea!!!!
ReplyDeletexox maureen
Pink sand would be so cool, my girls would think that utterly brilliant :D
ReplyDeleteI love the sandy playdough idea, and the little bucket and spade are adorable.
Love everything about your summer sensory play, gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up to We Play :)
How wonderful and totally fun!!!
ReplyDeleteThat has got to be the prettiest beach themed sensory tub that I've ever seen!
ReplyDeleteWow!! I really like that! Thanks for sharing that wonderful idea!
ReplyDeleteJessica
Hi Mari-Ann,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know I made your beach sensory tub yesterday (using rice instead of sand since it's all I had and didn't want to wait ;) and my kids LOVED it! I blogged about it and linked back to you of course. I think these are so great, everyone should try them. I can't believe we had never made one before, but it wont be our last!
Thanks for sharing all these great ideas with us, I really appreciate it~and my kids too :)
Stephanie
I love the "sandy" playdough tie-in! Thanks for linking up. :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the beach sensory tub and featured it as the Activity of the Week at http://LivingMontessoriNow.com!
ReplyDeleteI always love revisiting your posts, Mari-Ann! Today I featured your Sandy Playdough post and photo in my Montessori-Inspired Summer Playdough Activities post at http://livingmontessorinow.com/2013/06/10/montessori-monday-montessori-inspired-summer-playdough-activities/
ReplyDelete