{30 Days of Simple Toddler Toys} Day 27: Shape Sorters

This is a classic toy that has survived the test of time.

Skills:

• problem solving
• fine motor
• shapes
• colors

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{30 Days of Simple Toddler Toys} Day 26: Shape Roller Coasters

I actually had to look up what the "technical" name for this awesome toy was, which just so happens to be "shape roller coaster" (also seen as a "bead maze").  I lovingly refer to them as the "Waiting Room Shape Thingy", because you can find them in any waiting room that may have children in it.  Amazingly, they aren't just available for doctors' offices to purchase!

Skills:

• shapes
• colors
• fine motor

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{30 Days of Simple Toddler Toys} Day 15: Bathtub Art Supplies

There's lots and lots of learning that can take place in the bathtub, which is why I've included bathtub art supplies on our list.

This is another gift that can be homemade for a more personal touch.  I will caution you, however, that we've tried a few bathtub crayon recipes without luck.  The colors just don't write vibrantly on the tub like we'd hoped, so make sure to test them before giving.  We love using our Easy Bath Tub Paint, but for a different texture paint with more vibrant colors, it's nice to use good old store-bought sometimes!

Skills:

• fine motor
• creativity
• sensory
• color and color mixing
• concept skills

 

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Easy Bath Tub Paint

The bath tub is a great place for children with sensory issues to explore different textures, because if they don't like the feeling of something, they can quickly rinse it off.  We have tried whipped cream on G's high chair tray before, with absolutely no luck at all.  In fact, a tiny dot on his finger made him gag and retch.  We thought the bath tub would be a better setting for him to try this type of texture out, and it was very successful!

Easy Bath Tub Paint

Skills: Sensory, Fine Motor, Art, Colors

Materials:  

-shaving cream

-food coloring

-paintbrushes

-cups

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, huh?

Authors Read One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish on YouTube

To celebrate "Read Across America" and Dr. Seuss' birthday (March 2), we have been reading a Dr. Seuss book each day this week.  Today, we planned a fun Dr. Seuss activity with G to end our fun week.

We don't have all of the Dr. Seuss books yet, but G has asked for some for his birthday.  I really wanted to read him "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish", but don't have it.  We found this wonderful video on YouTube of authors reading the classic Dr. Seuss book aloud, complete with the illustrations!  We put this on while working on our activity.

Our activity.  Let's just say, it worked out, just not how we planned!  Having a kid that doesn't so much enjoy cold, wet textures didn't fare out too well for painted hand prints!

I planned a variation on this "One Fish Two Fish" activity where you trace the child's hand on colored paper to recreate the cover of the book.  I thought it would be fun to do painted hand prints instead!

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, huh?
Skills:  sensory, fine motor, colors

Materials:  
-paper (construction works best, but can be any)
-washable paint (yellow, green, red, blue)
-paint brush
-several wet paper towels