The following are great exploration activities that will be great opportunities for their development and will be fun!

These are great things to do with children beginning at 12 months, although one or two will require a little more supervision than others.  (Bird seed is one that can be replaced with other things for the children who like to stick things in their mouth.)  Most things are safe to eat and while there may be some messes, there will also be a lot of learning!

Edible Play-doh

Materials

8 oz cream cheese

½ c. dry milk

1 T. honey

Instructions

Mix and play

Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated

Froot Loop Sand

Materials

Ziploc bag

Froot loops (or cheerios or crackers)

Tools to smash/bang/roll (such as rolling pin, bottles, toy hammer, etc)

Optional: glue and paper

Instructions

Place froot loops in Ziploc bag and allow children to smash/roll/bang until crushed

Allow them to play with sand as you see fit.

Optional:  Can be used much like glitter if you glue shapes on paper and allow them to pour it on the paper.  Then shake the excess off to see how it sticks to the paper.

Paint with Ice

Materials

Ice cube tray

Water

Food Coloring

Paper

Instructions

Mix food coloring in water and place in ice cube trays.  After frozen, allow the children to use the ice cubes to paint on paper.  It will be cold, but the cold and melting should also be part of the exploration and are a great opportunity for learning.

Lava Bottles

Materials

Equal parts water

To equal parts oil (baby oil, etc.)

Food coloring

Bottle (water/soda/etc.)

Instructions

Pour water into bottle and mix with food coloring.  Then add oil and seal the bottle.

Allow the children to shake and explore the “lava”

Bird Feeder

Materials

Toilet paper roll

Peanut Butter

Bird Seed

Hole Punch

String

Instructions

Punch holes in toilet paper roll.  Spread peanut butter on roll.  Pour bird seed in a tray and let the children roll the peanut butter in the seeds.  Tie the strings through the hole and place outside.  Watch the birds eat the seeds.

Straw Painting

Materials

Straw (Turkey baster or bulb syringe also works)

Thin paint

Thick paper

Instructions

Pour paint onto paper.  Allow the children to blow (or practice blowing) into the straw to spread the paint around on the page.

Paint with Water

Materials

Marker

Paper Towel

Paint Brush

Water

Instructions

Draw shapes on paper towels with markers.  Let the children “paint” the water on the paper towels to watch the colors bleed around the paper towel.

Sponge Printing

Materials

Sponges

Chalk

Water

Paper

Instructions

Soak sponges in water (can be cut into shapes).  Squeeze out excess water and color the wet sponge with chalk.  Allow the children to press the chalk sponge onto paper to make a print.