Baby Play Friday(on Thursday): Sensory tub challenge

I am putting my Baby Play Friday Post up just a bit early. I hope no one minds. I was just so excited about this sensory tub challenge and didn't want to wait to post our fun.

When I recieved my e-mail informing me of this challenge, my first thought was, "Oh, well this should be easy, I already have one made." You see, I make sensory tubs all the time for Birdy and CC. This month I made a fall themed sensory tub with colored bird seed as the base. I added silk leaves, craft apples, acorns and little peg people.

 But the more I looked at the lovely sensory tub I had put together for the girls, the more something began to nag me. This was just not geared for Bug. The tub wasn't large enough, the materials weren't appropriate. I would have to spend less time playing with him and more time policing him. I decided to make another tub just for him.

 For Bug's sensory tub, I began with a large shallow under the bed storage bin. I then placed a smaller shoebox sized bin inside. My thought on this was that it would contain the mess. It didn't work, but it did allow Bug room to really get up close to all the sensory tub elements. I filled the shoe box with beans and pom poms. I then gave him lots of cups and scoops to play with.

The passie police may get mad at me for this, but I find it is easier to do these sort of messy activities with Bug if I give him a passie first. That way he isn't tempted to eat all the beans. I still have to stay close and pay attention. As any preschool teacher can tell you, beans can wind up more places that just a mouth. And they have a tendency to swell when they are placed in a warm dark moist place, like a nostril. But the passie helps me relax a bit.

At first Bug played happily on the floor with his tub and the girls played at the table with their tub, but after a few minutes they were all down on the floor playing in the baby's tub.

Birdy used the pom poms to build a wall in the egg carton. CC helped Bug fill containers then line them up in little rows. They had so much fun playing and scooping and pouring.

Bug even wanted me to drag it all back out again when he woke up from his nap. I love that he is getting old enough to really begin to participate in these kinds of activities. If I had put this out two months ago, it would have been received much differently. That just goes to show with kids. If an activity doesn't work the first time around. Bring it back out a few months later. They may be ready for it by that time.