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January 19, 2010 | 26 Comments

Valentine’s Sensory Tub – Important Safety Update!!

 Valentine's Sensory Tub

I wasn’t going to post this for another week but my little man loves this Valentine’s sensory tub so much that I couldn’t help but be excited to share.  Sensory tubs are a fun way to include holiday themes in your house without putting up a million decorations. I like using natural things in sensory tubs if possible and the combination of the two beans is perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Edited to add: I just discovered that there have been issues with dried kidney beans being toxic. As few as 4-5 beans ingested could cause stomach upset and more. Therefore, it is important to replace the red kidney beans in this sensory tub with red lentils.

As always, watch your children carefully. Even older kids you think may be past the “mouthing” stage may still put things in their mouths.

Valentine’s Sensory Tub

  1. Gather your materials. You will need a large pan, plastic tub, or Tupperware (FYI I bought a cute red one from Walmart for $1.43 but liked how the beans looked in this better so I returned it but had to share how low cost it can be!). You will also need some dried red lentils, dried navy beans, some heart glitter, and foam hearts.Valentine's Sensory Tub
  2. Add the beans and lentils to the pan. Next, let your little one play for a bit. Then ask if they want to make it even cooler?! Valentine's Sensory Tub
  3. Next, add the sparkly hearts and foam to make it a true Valentine’s sensory tub. Valentine's Sensory Tub
  4. Finally, dig in and play! Valentine's Sensory Tub

Remember that sensory tables and tubs are messy when you use them. Of course, using the dustbuster or broom a lot is typical. Our rule is that ooops spills are accidents (and we have a lot of those!)  and you don’t get in trouble for accidents. If you spill on purpose, you get one warning then the Valentine’s sensory tub is put away until tomorrow when we will try again.  It’s worked for us and kept both of us from getting too hung up on messes and focusing instead on the activity at hand.

Books!

Check out these reader favorites, sent in last year. Do you have a favorite Valentine book? Be sure to leave the title in the comments when you’re finished!

Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane deGroat. This book was one of my favorite stories to read for Valentine’s Day when I was an elementary librarian. In deGroat’s story, a class of assorted animals write Valentine poems for all of their classmates. One student, previously picked on by some of his classmates, uses the Valentine card-exchange to send rude messages to the bullies. Ultimately, the classmates apologize and then rewrite their poems, reminding readers of the value of kind expression.

Sent in by Amber @ Librarianism Chronicles

Dinosaur Valentine by Liza Donnelly is a hit every year. It is a very delightful story about a little dinosaur enthusiast who makes dinosaur valentines with his dog. They deliver their valentines and as they are walking through the woods, they receive a mysterious valentine with an invitation to a party. Things take a turn from realist fiction as they spot an Othnielia in the dog catchers truck! The race is on to save her. They save her after a few close calls and find out she is the one who invited them to a party – a dinosaur party!

Sent in by Amanda@ Going Green In Gainsville

 


Gossie by Olivier Dunrea. This a wonderful story about a sweet little gosling and her favorite red boots. Simple, You and your little one will enjoy following Gossie on her adventures. She shares with you all the ways she loves to wear her red boots until one day she can’t find them. Gossie’s experiences along the way with her boots will help teach your toddler about the notions of backward, forward, uphill, downhill, etc. As if that isn’t enough, this little gem ends with a terrific example of sharing and friendship when she finds them on her friend Gertie. My almost two-year-old daughter loves it and I love it as well. Sent in by Chris @ Momtonic

I Love You This Much by Lynn Hodges. This story between parent and child is about how the parent loves the child throughout the day. The same way God loves his children throughout the day. The lullaby tells just how much the parent loves the child. It makes me cry every time I read the book to my girls.

Sent in by Andi @ Memories Are The Scraps Of Life

A Circle Is Not a Valentine by H. Werner Zimmerman. It is a humorous little story about Alphonse, who wants to paint a valentine for his mouse friend. It is a great story that promotes participation from the kids, and then helps them to identify different shapes. My girls love to read it over and over again!

Sent in by Karen @ Growing With The Girls

Filed Under: Age Preschool, Age: Toddlers, Sensory Activities, Sensory Tubs, Valentine's Day | 26 Comments

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26 Comments

  1. Sela says

    January 19, 2010 at 7:42 am

    Thanks! I was struggling with what to put in my sensory bin next. We just finished playing with two boxes of noodles that I made rainbow-colored using food coloring and vinegar, but we’ve had those since the beginning of December in our bin and need something different. Off to the dollar store to see what hearts I can find there!
    .-= Sela´s last blog ..Mommy Monday – Teething =-.

    to Sela" aria-label='reply to this comment to Sela'>reply to this comment
  2. Sandi says

    January 19, 2010 at 7:43 am

    Just curious – will you be able to get all the glitter out of the beans to cook them later?

    to Sandi" aria-label='reply to this comment to Sandi'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      January 19, 2010 at 9:55 am

      Yeah I think so- the glitter is big, not even really glitter so much as confetti. I should edit it and say that! We plan on using some of the beans for another craft!

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  3. kristi says

    January 19, 2010 at 8:12 am

    I love the sensory box:D
    .-= kristi´s last blog ..Can Barbie still wear white? =-.

    to kristi" aria-label='reply to this comment to kristi'>reply to this comment
  4. My Boaz's Ruth says

    January 19, 2010 at 10:58 am

    How big is the bin you use for this? is it left out all the time, or only when in use?

    I’ve been thinking about putting something together like this, but not as an “all the time” but as a “Put everything in to use tonight and maybe tomorrow, then clean it up” again. And obviously, for this, it’s kind of kept me from using it!
    .-= My Boaz’s Ruth´s last blog ..Toys I really played with: Dollhouse =-.

    to My Boaz's Ruth" aria-label='reply to this comment to My Boaz's Ruth'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      January 19, 2010 at 1:09 pm

      I have it on the kitchen counter and when he wants it he asks for it. I will put all the insides into a zip lock bag in a few days and then probably bring it back out for a few days in a few weeks. So sorta both 🙂

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  5. Belinda says

    January 19, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    I love the idea of using a sensory bin. I made the winter one and it was a big hit. My younger kids loved it! We will definitely be doing this one…Thanks for sharing 🙂
    .-= Belinda´s last blog ..U2- Pride(In the Name of Love)… A Tribute to MLK =-.

    to Belinda" aria-label='reply to this comment to Belinda'>reply to this comment
  6. Trixie B says

    January 19, 2010 at 12:43 pm

    What did you do with the contents of the last sensory bin? Do you trash it or save it for another rainy day? I love the idea, as does my 2 year old. I am leaning toward saving the contents in a ziploc for another day, but just wonder what you do.

    to Trixie B" aria-label='reply to this comment to Trixie B'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      January 19, 2010 at 1:11 pm

      Ziplock and it gets put away – I will switch it out for variety / save it for next year. I still have our Halloween one in a tub ( covered and put in a cupboard) and he pulls it out all the time .

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  7. nikki says

    January 19, 2010 at 12:53 pm

    What an awesome idea! I have never done one of these but will this time. I’m thinking I might also hide red or pink letters in it to that we are studying about. Thanks for the great idea!!!

    to nikki" aria-label='reply to this comment to nikki'>reply to this comment
  8. Beverly says

    January 19, 2010 at 5:22 pm

    love love this. I think we will be making one just like this. thanks
    .-= Beverly´s last blog ..Hair Cut =-.

    to Beverly" aria-label='reply to this comment to Beverly'>reply to this comment
  9. Deborah Stewart says

    January 19, 2010 at 5:54 pm

    I just love all of your ideas. You can really adapt this idea to many ages!

    to Deborah Stewart" aria-label='reply to this comment to Deborah Stewart'>reply to this comment
  10. The Activity Mom says

    January 19, 2010 at 6:09 pm

    This turned out great. I tend to get hung up on messes but this looks too fun not to try! =)

    to The Activity Mom" aria-label='reply to this comment to The Activity Mom'>reply to this comment
  11. katherinemarie says

    January 19, 2010 at 6:40 pm

    Adore this!!!!!! Our sensory table needs a little HEART and LOVE!
    .-= katherinemarie´s last blog ..Kiddie Laundry Mat =-.

    to katherinemarie" aria-label='reply to this comment to katherinemarie'>reply to this comment
  12. nicki says

    January 19, 2010 at 6:54 pm

    thank you for sharing this idea. I can’t wait to explore this sensory.
    thanks again.

    to nicki" aria-label='reply to this comment to nicki'>reply to this comment
  13. maryanne @ mama smiles says

    January 19, 2010 at 7:46 pm

    Great idea! I haven’t dared try a sensory tub with my kids, but it would probably work with your rules…
    .-= maryanne @ mama smiles´s last blog ..Charts for preschoolers =-.

    to maryanne @ mama smiles" aria-label='reply to this comment to maryanne @ mama smiles'>reply to this comment
  14. Fairion says

    January 20, 2010 at 4:31 am

    We have never done a sensory box here but this one is awfully tempting. How old is too old for such play?
    .-= Fairion´s last blog ..Laptop Lunchbox =-.

    to Fairion" aria-label='reply to this comment to Fairion'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      January 20, 2010 at 8:02 am

      My 5 year olds in PreK loved sensory tables. I don’t think I’d put an age limit on it , I would just add more challenging things to it. Tweezers to pick things up, scales to weigh cups of contents etc… but still allow it to be free play.

      Great Question!

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  15. Kirstine says

    January 21, 2010 at 6:50 am

    I did this with my 2 1/2 year old son. I am always looking for new ideas, have oatmeal and colored rice that we use quite a bit. This is a great addition to the collection. I also had us sorting the white ones from the red ones. This bin keeps his attention for a very long time. We even added his dump truck and backhoe to the mix.

    to Kirstine" aria-label='reply to this comment to Kirstine'>reply to this comment
  16. Bre says

    January 23, 2010 at 8:21 pm

    Cute,cute,cute. As usual! I totally didnt know that about the Kidney Beans!
    .-= Bre´s last blog ..Save The Construction Paper! =-.

    to Bre" aria-label='reply to this comment to Bre'>reply to this comment
  17. Vi Scheeler says

    March 13, 2010 at 9:40 am

    I attempted a subscription to all your rss feed, but had a difficulty adding it to google reader. Could you please look at this webpage.

    to Vi Scheeler" aria-label='reply to this comment to Vi Scheeler'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      March 13, 2010 at 10:21 am

      Off to see what’s up- thanks for letting me know!

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment

Trackbacks

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