Spring is finally here! I love spring and everything it brings from baby birds to flowers and especially Easter candy. This spring sensory tub was a huge hit with my son and we have been chilling outside digging in it, filling the eggs with the birdseed and bugs and not worrying about it spilling on the kitchen floor.
Spring Sensory Tub
- Gather your materials. You will need a plastic tub or large casserole dish, some birdseed, kid garden utensils, some Easter eggs, plastic bugs, and flower sequins.
- Pour your birdseed into the tub.
- Add your bugs, shovels, and sequins to your spring sensory tub.
- Add your little gardener and have fun.
Garden Books
Quiet in the Garden by Alki is a calm book about listening and watching all the bugs, birds and animals going about their day in a not so quiet garden. Starting with a hungry robin, readers watch as all the animals take turns eating and asking others about what they eat. Finally, the little boy, who is watching all the bugs and animals eat, picks some vegetables and fruits from the garden and sits down to have a picnic. I liked how this book showed how all these animals and bugs thrive within a garden. And how you can hear all the noise if you just sit still and listen.
Jack’s Garden by Henry Cole is a garden version of the classic “The House That Jack Built”. We watch as Jack prepares, plants and cares for a garden. I like the detail that the book goes into from the worms in the soil, to the seedlings, birds, flowers, and insects that all work together for a garden to succeed. My son loved that Jack seemed to be a teenager. Not sure where he got the idea, but teenagers are the height of cool for my 3-year-old. I also really appreciated the detailed drawings of things along the edges of each page, from slug eggs to specific insects and different flowers. They all offered more learning while reading.
Song of the Flowers by Takayo Noda is beautiful, bright and the three times I tried reading it with my son, he declared “I don’t like this book!”. The text is very figurative. It reads like a lullaby and for my literal preschooler, it just didn’t hold his attention. The text is actually very repetitive which is normally a huge hit with my son as well as other children his age but it simply didn’t cut it. The illustrations are paper cut-outs and are stunning! Grab this book and have a look for yourself. But I can’t recommend it since it was such a flop at my house.
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Rebecca says
Love this!! And i like the idea to keep it outside too 😉
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..Brianna’s Tot School: Milestones, St. Patrick’s Day And More! =-.
Sara says
Just a warning – definitely keep this one outside! One of the biggest nightmares of my life was getting a pantry moth infestation in my kitchen (those little gray ones that like to live in cardboard boxes and dry goods). While trying to figure out how to get rid of them – which took forever – I learned that they are commonly found in birdseed, but you usually don’t know until it’s too late. Ugh. Just thinking about that again… *shudder* I love a bird feeder as much as the next person, but will never keep birdseed in my living space again! 🙂
SkylarKD says
I love the idea of using birdseed so I’m not wasting food! Any easy clean-up – the birds can have whatever falls on the grass or deck!
.-= SkylarKD´s last blog ..Simple St. Patrick’s Day fun =-.
Beverly says
love this idea! I think the birds around our parts would go crazy and dive for the food? LOL
.-= Beverly´s last blog ..moving =-.
Amanda says
love this idea!!! thanks sooo much! 🙂
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Baby Bear, Baby Bear! =-.
beth says
Cute idea, but I can see my boys playing for a bit and then throwing the seed everywhere!!!
admin says
You would be surprised. I have a 1 strike and you are out policy with my son, if he spills on purpose he gets one extra chance, if it’s regular old spills that just happen I don’t bat an eyelash.
Sarah says
That looks like fun! A word of warning to nut allergic families–birdseed is a HUGE no-no! My son’s preschool typically fills their big huge sensory table up with birdseed at this time of year but had to skip it because of my son’s allergies.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Sewing with Children =-.
admin says
Thanks Sarah for that reminder.
Sarah what is a good alternative? Corn meal/ cracked corn- flax seeds?
Wendy says
I love having no mess inside. Can’t wait to try it with my 3year old.
familyofthree says
Cute! My daughter is still loving the bean sensory tub you posted around V-Day. 🙂 I keep thinking I need to switch out the items inside!
BTW, your son could not be more cute in his little hat!
Alicia says
I love this sensory tub idea but a little worried to use birdseed with my son. He is 21 months and still puts a lot of things in his mouth…
.-= Alicia´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday (3/22/10) =-.
admin says
Alicia – you could do it with oatmeal, rice even sand if that would be less appetizing!
Sarah says
Yes, many food items are okay. My little guy’s preschool opted to do potting soil instead of the birdseed. They have pots and fake flowers and digging tools. Lots of fun!
I was really surprised that birdseed is so cross-contaminated with nuts–it was a surprise to me when I checked into it, so I try to share the word where I can!
~ Sarah
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Sewing with Children =-.
Claire says
What a great suggestion! I can’t wait to get some birdseed and let my daughter dig around.
.-= Claire´s last blog ..Date Night 7: Tapas and Talk =-.
Kristy says
I’ve also seen this done with dry beans. I love the birdseed idea but I’ve had weeds sprout from birdseed around feeders so you could end up with lots of weeds. Anyone know types that don’t sprout?
admin says
Try lentils if you are worried about weeds – they are colorful and very springlike!
Jackie Lee says
This is a great idea. You could even fill the bird feeder when you’re done. 🙂 I also like the dirt idea ~ we planted potatoes last week and had a lot of fun digging and planting. Love your little critters!
.-= Jackie Lee´s last blog ..Grow Potatoes in Straw =-.
Marla says
What a great idea! We have tried the dried beans and rice tub and my 2 and a half year old loves it. Can’t wait to try this one!
.-= Marla´s last blog ..at 2 months. =-.
Adrienne says
What a great idea! We have done beans inside but it can get sooo messy. Loving our Spring weather — thanks for the idea! 🙂
Jen says
What a great sensory tub! I did play with rice and beans when the girls were little, but never thought to put all of the fun extras in there with it.
Jen
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Fairies Galore! =-.
Kim says
Very cute, love the sensory tub. I just can’t get over the stylin’ little dude!! What an ensemble. Tell the little, um I mean big, guy that I love his hat.
Aimee says
Hello again! Thanks once more for inspiring me! I’ll be doing this one with my son tomorrow, and I posted a link from my blog, here: http://web.me.com/redshoearts/Redshoearts/Blog/Entries/2010/3/25_Drawing_tips_for_babes.html
Baby Bath Mat says
Aww, such a cute idea! The photos are lovely and I think I’ll be doing a tub soon 😀
.-= Baby Bath Mat´s last blog ..Baby Bath Mat =-.