Shredded paper

One of my favourite sensory play activities when I worked at a Children's Centre was a tray filled with shredded paper! The babies & toddlers loved it! So, here I am at the end of exams with lots of paper to recycle so I thought we could create our own shredded paper box, Monnie wasn't that interested in ripping the paper but I was and I must say it was very satisfying ripping those study notes up! 

Green Smoothie

At 20 months I have finally been able to drop Monnie's breastfeed before her lunchtime nap so now we make a green smoothie to share before I pop her down as she prefers lunch afterwards. Today's creation is spinach, peaches and banana. As you can see it gets the smile of approval! 

Foam!

A friend suggested this so thought I'd give it a try, making foam! 

I popped 1/4 cup of dishwashing liquid and 1/2 cup of water into my mixer (could use a food processor) and whizzed it up until foam was created. Monnie loved watching the bubbles form! I then transferred the foam into pans, added spoons, small toys, cup cake holders (basically what I had around me in kitchen) for Monnie to play with while exploring the foam. 

She even took to finger-painting with it on the dishwasher and then attempted to wipe it clean! 

This is a messy play winner as it also makes things clean unless you decide to make it even more fun and add a drop of food colouring! 

Baking is Messy Play!

Today we made Chelsea Winter's Crazy Italian Chocolate Cake. This little toddler gets so excited when her baking apron comes out, she gets to help measure the ingredients and pour them into the bowl, mix the ingredients up using both her hands and a spoon, watch the ingredients get mixed together to form a batter and the best part -  lick the mixing spoon at the end! It's messier in the kitchen with a toddler in tow but so much learning is occurring (basic maths, science, cooking skills to name a few), it is worth it! 

Recipe credit: http://chelseawinter.co.nz/egg-free-chocolate-cake/

Paint & Glitter

I have always said to parents, "if you don't like the mess of paint and glitter, then leave this activity to when your child is at daycare or playgroup!" But after visiting a friend I was inspired to try this at home myself, I have been a bit reluctant until now as was waiting for Monnie's need to taste everything to pass (which lessens from around 15 months). 

This morning we had a great time with paint and glitter and I must admit the clean up wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! Bottom right photo is Monnie using baby sign to ask for more! She loved it!

Recycle Cards

Today we practiced sticking so I cut pictures out of old birthday cards and Monnie tried to use the glue and stick the picture to her paper!

I used the hand over hand teaching approach to help her put the glue on the picture, she loves to pat the picture down to make her masterpiece! 

Ice Balls

Further on from yesterday's post I made ice balls. I filled balloons with water and froze overnight. They worked great! Little hands explored the cold ice and we we added water and watched them melt. They enjoyed trying to pick up the treasure inside. 

Highly recommend for these warm weather days to cool down!