I am already trying to implement some of the suggestions you have made in the Reader Survey ( take it now if you haven’t yet!) , one being a desire to see more activities for younger children. This one stretches from the very youngest well into preschoolers. It also opens a dialog and curiosity into the sense of smell! If you are looking for more activities for those under 2, we have a ton! Check out the Beginners tab on the Crafts drop down menu or the ” Age Under 2 Years” category in the categories side bar.
- Gather your materials. You will need some paints ( we are using finger paints but any liquid paint will do), imitation flavors ( we are using strawberry, banana and cherry), a bowl, brushes and paper. I am using imitation flavors because they had a lower alcohol content and just smelled better to me than the real stuff which all had much higher alcohol content and smell.
- Pour the paint in the dish. We made “purple” by mixing blue and red… sorta . It was more like black but my son didn’t mind one bit.
- Add one drop of flavor – a little goes a long way.
- Mix the flavors in.
- Paint.
- He painted 2 pages while I unpacked groceries and made lunch. All the while saying ” Yumm I am pretending it’s strawberry jam, and banana smoothies!” If you are doing this with really little guys watch them more carefully and talk a lot about smell, how we smell the paint not eat it!
Books
My Five Senses Big Book by Aliki is a great non fiction book about the 5 senses for toddlers and preschoolers. It’s simple but informative with clear pictures to help support the text . The author uses common things to help teach about the 5 senses like ice cream for taste, feeling a soft bunny for touch and hearing sirens. I like that is explains that sense can be used alone or all together and that the gift senses give us is awareness about the world around us.
Green Start: The Five Senses by IKids is a sweet book that focuses on the senses we use throughout our day as we explore our home and nature. Although the text covers all 5 senses it is not discussed overtly as ” And when you smell this you are using your sense of smell…” it’s a great little book to share with a toddler or young preschooler not ready for the more fact based non fiction books.
Sniff, Sniff: A Book About Smell (Amazing Body) by Dana Meachen Rau is another step up in non fiction than the rest of these books. It starts with a little girl waking up to the yummy smell of breakfast and dives into some not so pleasant smells and how the sense of smell works. Â My 3 year old likes it but I could feel his attention slipping near the end. This book is devoted to smell and the unlike so many non fiction books, it’s illustrations are fresh and funky! It’s packed with information too, and includes fun facts, a glossary and even links for more learning!
Contest Reminder!
Gratitude is not one of the 5 senses but it is an important value we as parents and caregivers can teach our children. My dear friend Lee from My Sentiment ExactLee is hosting a fun and worthy giveaway that benefits our troops while teaching our children gratitude! Click her for details!
Elissa says
What a neat idea!
.-= Elissa´s last blog ..Ahhh fall =-.
Trisha says
This is a fantstic idea! My guy loves to mix all the paints together and make a muddy brown. Maybe he’d settle for mixing lots of flavors together. I think I’ll look for extracts at the dollar store.
That’s funny about the comments. I’ve been thinking that I like how the crafts are getting older as your son gets older. Sorry I didn’t say that in the survey! It is generous of you to share all your ideas, and we appreciate how you try to make the activities work for a variety of ages.
Ashley says
What a great activity! Thanks for linking the books – I love incorporating books into our learning activities!
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..All About My Body =-.
Sian says
I love this idea! I am going to try it next fall with my new round of ESL students when we are learning colours and five senses.
admin says
Hey Sian!!
Zoe @ Playing by the book says
Really love this activity and the books you’ve selected to go with it!
.-= Zoe @ Playing by the book´s last blog ..Finding our way – Nonfiction Monday =-.
Rebecca says
What a great idea!!
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..MTM~ Opposites =-.
Brenna says
This is a great idea! My 3yo has sensory issues and I would love to get him more into finger painting. Maybe the scents would help with that!
.-= Brenna´s last blog ..Love and stuff.. =-.
Polly says
I really want to do this with my little sensory seeking guy. He already loves to paint, and this will only add to his joy.
Thanks!!
.-= Polly´s last blog ..Ancient Reality Shows =-.
Polly says
Okay, we tried it today, and since I only had a tray of those little water colors that come with the painting books, we “flavored” the water with vanilla.
My little guy painted for a good hour, at least. And my kitchen smelled so good, even with that little bit of scent.
He kept saying, “Mmm, yummy” as he was painting.
Thanks, again!
.-= Polly´s last blog ..Ancient Reality Shows =-.
erin zackey says
We tried it today! Q had a great time and got really into his painting. I had him guess the scents and he got them all right (even with a cold!). We added cinnamon to the mix cause it was a smell I knew he’s recognize. Thanks!
admin says
Erin, I am so happy you had fun doing it!
Inumidun says
I love the paint idea that incorporates the sense of smell! Very cool! We paint all the time and I never even thought to scent the paint. I think I have some vanilla in the cupboard.
.-= Inumidun´s last blog ..Numbers & Doodles Memory Game =-.
tiff says
i am definitely going to use this idea for painting paper socks…we are reading Robert Munsch Smelly Socks….and i am always looking for good ideas to use to make the socks smell…of course they will smell good, but still would be fun! 🙂
admin says
Cool idea! I love that book, my son laughs hysterically when I read it.
Stacy @Stacy Makes Cents says
We did this today as part of our 5 senses unit study. My 5 year old loved it! It smelled pretty awesome. 🙂 Didn’t let my 2 year old participate because I was afraid he would eat it. Ha!
Allison McDonald says
Glad he had fun – you could always do it with edible “paint” like yogurt!