Do you have a witching hour around 4pm when children are tired and grumpy after a busy day? One thing that works really well at this time of day is some sensory play – play dough, clay, sand, water. Sensory play is really good when you have a mix of different ages involved as everyone can play how they want to. There’s no ‘right’ way to do it, so it avoids children getting frustrated because the activity is too tricky or doesn’t work out how they planned. And the very nature of touchy-feely play has a therapeutic effect.
Last night after school B was playing with sand, water and pebbles and created some Sand Pictures. All her own idea, she was keen to show them off – hope you like them. Here’s the technique she discovered: first draw a design on a pebble or other surface using a little water. She used a teapot of water and a teaspoon but a paintbrush would be good too.
Then sprinkle sand over the wet drawing.
Shake off the excess and watch your masterpiece appear. B liked the temporary nature of the pictures and was happy to keep creating more designs. (We also got to chat about evaporation – never harms to sneak in a little science ;))
You might think getting out some messy play towards the end of the day is too much hassle but try it outside or start with something not too messy and see if it helps with the witching hour.
happily shared with Tot Tuesdays and Childhood 101 and mama smiles’ Learning Laboratory
That does look like fun. I love sensory play for entertaining and calming tired children.
Works for grown ups too Marita!!
Fab idea! I’m going to try this!
Hi GHerkin – will let B know you liked her idea. 🙂
I’ve just come through to this post, one of my littles is looking over my shoulder, and he likes the sand idea so much we’re going to get some from the sandpit and see how we get on. Thank you for the reminder that there are easy but fun things to do together that don’t involve CBeebies!
That’s really made me smile angelsandurchins – hope you had a fun time with it 😀
I love this activity – esp cause my little one LOVES to play in the sand 🙂
That is so pretty, and I love that she came up with it herself 🙂 Such amazing, creative little minds they have 🙂
We love sensory play for witching hour too, especially as it usually the time when I am finishing off dinner preparation.
Same here Christie, I love having the girls sat round the kitchen table pottering while I do the cooking.
What a cool activity! I’ll have to show my kids this, they would love it.
Thanks for linking up!
Great to link-up with you Maryanne.