I have used a lot of things in sensory tables and tubs before, but I had never had a coffee grounds sensory exploration until today. To say it was a big hit is a big understatement. At first, he did the standard scooping but soon our patio turned a coffee shop, and the sensory play turned into dramatic play! Also, the grounds are great for your garden so don’t forget to add them to your dirt after you are done.
- Gather your materials. I saved up three days worth of used coffee grounds from my trusty and much-used coffee maker. You will also need a tub, some coffee scoops ( any thing will do) and some mugs. I believe the cups were the trick to connect the coffee grinds to the dramatic play that came about 10 minutes into the exploration. I am so glad I grabbed them.
- Explore! There is no wrong way to do this. My son did a lot of filling and dumping to start with.
- Explore how the grounds feel, my son exclaimed ” cold and softy Mama!”
- Next, we played coffee shop, this was completely directed by my son, and here he is handing me my “banana coffee” not my usual soy cappuccino, but I happily took it!
- After our exploration, we fed our garden with the coffee grounds.
Jane Blogs says
Wish we had a coffee machine now, even though I’m more a tea-type gal. 😉
Jen says
What a great way to use your coffee grinds!! Fun dramatic play there, too!
Jen
Creative and Curious Kids!
MamaD. says
We can get free coffee grounds already packaged up at Starbucks. I think lots of coffee shops will give them to you if you ask.
jumbleberryjam says
Brilliant! We usually dump ours into the garden, but I’ll be letting DS play with it first now ;-). Thanks!
Rebecca says
Another fantastic Idea – sometimes I just need some fun activities to keep him busy while outside, this is perfect.
Thank you!!
the 6 o'clock stitch says
I just stumbled upon your blog entirely by accident, but I’m so glad I did! I love all of your book recommendations, and would love for you to participate in the Children’s Spring Book Parade that I’m hosting at
http://the6oclockstitch.blogspot.com
Allie says
Yeah the really amazing and significant thing was how it turned into dramatic play. He was very particular about how he served me coffee , and asked me for my money!
Also the clean up was not bad at all- it shook right off him,we washed out hands and were ready for dinner.
I am heading over to 6’oclock stich now 🙂
Valerie says
I love how one activity leads to another like that. Kuddos to you for letting your son take the lead!
Valerie
http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com
Allie says
I actually just read a study about how to make the block center in a classroom into dramatic play, using books during story time. Anyway it was still fresh when I got to witness first hand many of the same things with my son, very exciting to me.
Zoo Mommy says
What a great idea!! I love new sensory suggestions.
. tiny twist creative . says
mmm, banana coffee! What a great activity in reuse. Coffee grounds are perfect for your garden, which helps me feel a little better about all we drink in this house. 😉
.-= . tiny twist creative . ´s last blog ..this moment | planting seeds =-.
Becki says
I love this idea!
minda says
Love your blog! And your Balmers coffee mug! I live in Interlaken!
admin says
No way you are so lucky I love Interlaken. I have fond memories of Balmers in my 20’s I stayed there 3 different times. Once for a week . Oh it takes me back.
yussie says
can we ground the coffee with the grinder/bottle to make dough? will it be the same?
admin says
It won’t be the smae but you could grind it into dough if you want.
Gad says
I’m giggling because I really do order banana syrup in my coffee.
Allison McDonald says
Should I try it ? I am intrigued now.
Sarah says
If you combine 2/3 coffee grounds with 1/3 cornmeal it absorbs some of the messiness, keeps it from staining, makes the grounds go further (like in a preschool setting) but doesn’t impact the texture, look, or coffee smell! Win!
Allison McDonald says
What a great tip ! Thanks for sharing.
Andrea says
Starbucks gives away free large bags of used coffee grounds!
Allison McDonald says
Thanks for the tip!