Messes to Memories

Creating a Strong & Happy Family

COOL WATER SENSORY BIN

by

I’ve been working a lot lately on a number of projects from home trying to make a little extra money to supplement our monthly income! Having a family while supporting your husband through school can be rough… Anyone else in the same boat???

This means, the kids have had a little more independent play than usual. I’ve had to let some things go here and there… instead of getting upset every time the kids get into my closet and take all of my shoes off the shelf and spread them all over the house, I’ve been relieved. Seriously, I’m like, Oh good, they found my shoes again, that’s another 20 minutes I have to finish this project up! Yeah. That’s pretty bad, I know! Things have gotta change.

This week, I decided its time for me to let something go. My kids need me! I wanted to put together something fun that both my kids would enjoy. I remembered that I had these really cool Vanishing Marbles from Steve Spangler Science. I knew that the kids would be entertained by these cool jelly marbles for a while!

 

I’ve noticed that my parenting style/strategy has definitely changed from Lanae to Owen. With Lanae I was eager to try out new crafts and projects. The other day Lanae asked me if we could paint and I said, “No way, Owen is awake.” Then I thought, wait a sec, why don’t I want to paint with Owen? I totally tried it with Lanae when she was his age and she had a blast. I know Owen would love it, too! I guess I’m just scared of the mess…

But that’s why this project is so great. It’s an outdoor one if you don’t want to clean up a mess, but you could easily do it indoors, too. You’ll just need a big towel to clean up any spills. I also love that kids can be a part of the whole process with sensory bins. I love having them help put it together!

I decided to use the water beads that we got from our Steve Spangler Science kit to create a cool water sensory bin. We stopped by a dollar store and grabbed a couple of water toys and then found some other fun textured things to add to the bin. And don’t forget, simple cups are the best tools for a water sensory bin.

The kids were thrilled and entertained for almost an hour. Lanae was so excited about it that she mentioned her sensory bin in her night time prayers… Thank you for my cool sensory bin. 

It’s definitely become one of their favorite things to play with and I’m kind of annoyed at myself that I didn’t get it put together sooner. They have now spent several afternoons out playing with their sensory bin while I make dinner or clean up the kitchen in a calm, peaceful environment!