30 Days to Hands on Play: Sensory Tub

Although I'm a bit behind blogging wise, our family has been having a great time with the 30 Days to Hands on Play Challenge.  Day 9 was Sensory Tub Play which was convenient for me because that was my plan for the day anyway (they say great minds think alike!)     

Our sensory tub included feed corn, acorns (we gathered on a hike), fake fall leaves, and spiky balls (sweetgum seed pods).  After throwing the "ingredients" into our sensory bowl, I provided the kids with a variety of tools and containers for play.  

 Michael enjoyed experimenting with different sized containers and making a mess on the table.  When I asked him to be careful he said, "I'm making a mess because I'm a little boy!"

Ariel loved the glass jar.  She played with layering the different objects to create "candles".  Here she is explaining her "around the world scents of fall" candle (which I later discovered decorating our bathroom).

 Michael offers me a taste.  

 Michael learns it's more difficult to pour corn using a big bowl then a small scoop.  

 Then he discovered this scoop fits into the container...

 and this scoop made a great drum stick for the table.

 Michael also found the hole at the bottom of one of the scoops was the perfect size for the feed corn.

Ariel arranged everything in the bowl so perfectly, then declared, "I'm making gumbo...it's a type of soup." 

 

It's Playtime: Playing with Seeds

Fall is a fantastic time to play with seeds and seed pods.  They can be found everywhere: on the ground, in the food we eat, and at the store.  They are great for sensory play, painting, counting, graphing, eating, etc.  This week on It's Playtime, I've featured some fun, messy, and creative ideas for exploring seeds (or seed pods).  Enjoy, and remember, sometimes it is OK to play with your food!

Playful Learners shared Pumpkin the Hedgehog.  How cute is he?!  

How about some outside exploration, messy fun, and fall decorations all wrapped up in one blog post?  Then check out Paint & Pine Cones from Sun Hat & Wellie Boots.  They had a grand time gathering pine cones, painting them, and creating wonderful displays.  

It's OK if you've lost your marbles, there are acorns laying on the ground!  Marla's Motherhood Musings created Acorn Art.  It didn't quite go as planned...

Indian corn isn't just for decorating the Thanksgiving table, it's a great material for artistic expression.  Just ask Child Central Station who made a wonderful mess while they did some Indian Corn Printing/Painting.

If you were featured this week, don't forget to grab your special "featured button."

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Now, on to this weeks play date! 

It's Playtime is a community and Thursday link-up hosted by:

* Rachele : Messy Kids (That's me!)
* Anna : The Imagination Tree
* Rachel : Quirky Momma
* Jamie : hands on : as we grow
* Jenny : Let the Children Play

How to Play :

* Link up a post about a playful learning experience enjoyed by kids.

* Give us love and pop a button into your post/blog. Invite your readers to the weekly play date!

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* Stop by one of our blogs every Thursday and add your link about play. Your link will show up on each of the blogs in the It's Playtime community.

* Each week the playtime hosts will choose favorite posts to feature. (By linking you are giving us permission to use an image and link to you, if featured.)

* Be sure to visit some of the links that catch your eye. Commenting on posts that you find interesting or inspiring is a wonderful way to develop your own playful community.