Monday, January 23, 2012

Valentine's Day Sensory Tub

As Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, I thought it was time to change up our "theme" and go for something new.  We may still do some more winter activities, especially if we ever get any real snow, but for now, the kids are ready for something new.


Materials
shiny red shredded foil (just a very small portion of the bag)
clear heart container filled with giant red pompoms
white felt hearts (3 pack Christmas ornaments on clearance for $0.10 at Target)
2 treat boxes--one filled with heart erasers and one with pompoms
more pompoms in red/white/pink/purple
foam hearts also in red/white/pink/purple
rose petals
red ribbon scraps
small bag of table scatter "jewels"
Valentine's word blocks that can spell various words
2 pair of clear tongs
stirring sticks in red and white
2 gift bows


Their first objective was to open all of the containers....



...and dump them out!


Elliott liked filling the treat boxes with Valentine's surprises for me.  I set out the heart shaped ice cube tray and Emory went straight to transferring the heart erasers.  He really likes those tongs.


I'm glad we had a big blanket...because this was probably the most wide-spread mess we've had with a sensory tub.

I challenged them to clean everything up with their tongs!

Next time I may also offer some structured activities for them such as patterning or sorting with the pompoms or foam hearts, and spelling with the letter blocks for Elliott.


Have you made your Valentine's Sensory tub yet?  I'd love to see it!



Linking Up:  Monday Madness, Teach me Tuesday, Show and Tell, What's on the Tray Wednesday, Thrifty Thursday, Sensory Tub Ideas and also the Sensory Bin collection at Living Life Intentionally, Fun Frugal Friday, Fun Stuff Fridays
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23 comments:

  1. Great tub! I'm pinning right now! You are way ahead of me! I haven't even thought about our February sensory bin yet!

    Lisa

    Criss-Cross Applesauce

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  2. Hi Brittney! Great tub! I agree with Lisa! You are ahead of me. I have thought of my Feb sensory bin and have gathered a few things, but not there yet. Yours looks awesome!!

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  3. I make lots of sensory bins, but haven't done with containers filled with other neat stuff. Thanks for enlightening me to something new. I love it.

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    1. The little cardboard treat boxes were a big hit. My older son liked filling them with surprises for me...everything from rotten tomatoes and clown noses (the large red pompoms) to roses and jewels!!

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  4. what a fun sensory bucket! love the idea of putting things in containers! thanks for stopping by today!

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  5. Beautiful sensory bin! Lots of different textures to explore too!

    I've got a few things for mine. Trying to do better than packing peanuts this time, but yours is a masterpiece. :)

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    1. Masterpiece? Haha you just made my day!!

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    2. Oh, and I loved your packing peanuts...you guys came up with so many creative play ideas! I loved the bubble bath!

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  6. I was just thinking I also needed to switch up my sensory bin--these are great ideas! I love the Valentines theme! Thanks so much for sharing at Teach Me Tuesday!

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  7. Hey there! I am new to the idea of sensory tubs. I am inspired to get us a sensory tub going. I'm sure that will add to our favorite things list! Thanks for posting!

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    1. Cynthia, I just started these recently, but my kids like them. The first time I introduce a sensory tub, I let them explore and do whatever they want with it, then after that I offer them ideas (making patterns, sorting by color, etc) when they need inspiration. That way they get to use their imagination, and I am involved with them too!

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  8. You definitely are an artist with these, Brittney! This is just as pretty as your winter one! Where did you get the blocks? Boogie likes talking about letters and building. Hope you will share it at WOTT :) And I think I already pinned it but if I didn't, I am going to right now!

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    1. Thanks Sierra! The blocks were $2.50 in Target's $ section.

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    2. Stinking Target! Or actually probably stinking Target customers buying all the good stuff before I make our sensory bin :P I am featuring this at WOTT this week :)

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  9. oh! Love all the great stuff in the tub! So much opportunity for different experiences all in one. Love it.

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  10. I love your sensory tub. We are still using our snow tub, but I may have to make a valentines tub soon. Thanks for sharing. I am also hosting a frugal friday blog hop where people can share their frugal kid activities. Please consider linking up thanks. www.funfrugalmommy.blogspot.com

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  11. This is fantastic! I have actually NEVER done a sensory bin! I should do one someday!

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    1. Katie, I just started doing the sensory tubs recently, but I have found they are a great rainy day distraction when I don't have anything else planned. There's a lot of imaginative play the first time I introduce it, and it's always fun to see where their minds go with it.

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  12. Looks like fun! We love sensory bins around here, and I'm always on the look out for new ideas!

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  13. Great sensory tub, lots to explore. We love sensory bins! I am your newest follower.
    ~Emily
    (http://puppydogtails.blogspot.com)

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  14. fun! Makes a winter day not so bad. Thanks for linking it to Monday Madness.

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  15. This is a very fun Valentines Bin. thanks for sharing it!
    Patty

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  16. great ideas. we have just put together our sensory box for Valentines too. great fun xx

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