October 9, 2015 – Tiny Hands Big Ideas

We all know toddlers learn through play, language, and different sensory experiences. Shaving cream shapes is an easy fun way to keep your toddler engaged while also working on shapes or letters. This activity only cost a dollar and for any of your into extreme couponing, you may even have some already in your stockpile! I remember doing this in elementary school at my desk. It was fun as a kid and it’s still fun as an adult!

Babs can identify her shapes and we are working on drawing them. She can draw a circle and tries really hard to draw a triangle but it still needs some work 😉 It doesn’t matter where you child is they can still do this activity! If they already know their shapes, work on letters. If they are working on identify shapes then you draw the shapes and have them “erase the circle” (wipe it away with giant globs of shaving cream) etc. Before I started adding in the shapes to this sensory project I just gave Babs some time to explore and play with the shaving cream. She is curious and if she didn’t get it out of her system then she would never be interested in drawing shapes. You can see in the pictures that in the beginning the shaving cream is on a cookie sheet. I also purchased this from the Dollar Tree. I often use an average size cookie sheet as an art tray. During art projects it keeps the materials from rolling off the table. There are also times when, let’s be honest, I just don’t want the huge mess! We are all human and I know my limitations. Some days I just don’t have time for the mess. Today I didn’t care so I let her shaving cream the counter too! FYI-I hand wash the cookie sheet to keep it from becoming disfigured in the dishwasher. So bust out the Barbasol and have fun!

Materials Needed

shaving cream

cookie sheet (optional)

Flat hard surface such as a counter or table

Rainy days in the summer are great because it’s warm enough to at least play in the rain and splash in the puddles. However, rainy days in the fall really bum me out. 😦 It’s just not warm enough to play in the rain so, we are stuck inside all day. Babs LOVES being outside! I mean she might even be obsessed (which is not a bad thing in my book). Today when she woke up she looked out the window and said, “Oh no! Rainy!”, then she got those big crocodile tears pooling in her eyes. I was determined to make this rainy day one to remember. Didn’t realize I was going to be able to do that by only spending TWO DOLLARS!!!! You will all soon realize that I am a frequent shopper at the Dollar Tree. There are just so many arts and crafts supplies there for….you guessed it…..one whole dollar!

One of the activities I did today is called Balloon Bonanza. It is a great way to get some energy out and work on those gross motor skills. We are extremely fortunate to have a large basement where we have an indoor play area for Babs, however, this activity can also be done in your living room or hallway. We like playing with the balloons in the hallway because then they bounce right back at her when she kicks them. All you need for this great activity is a package of balloons from the Dollar Tree or any dollar store near you. We still have half the bag left for other activities. Find a safe space in your house for your child to run and kick, blow up as many balloons as you want, and have fun! Keep in mind this activity should always be supervised to keep those kiddos safe. One thing Babs really enjoyed was running around to music. We like to”jam out”, as she says, old school to some Chuck Berry, The Mamas and the Papas, Bobby Darin, and many other classic rock ‘n’ roll one hit wonders. Pandora will work just as well!