Light Toy

this wonderful light toy that is designed for under water e.g. in the bath, but works equally well outside. It can be used for exploration of for themes e.g. light, stars etc.

It projects well onto ceiling and walls but even better onto close surfaces e.g. an umbrella or chiffon or indeed both as in one of the photos. I placed it in a large shiny Ikea fruit dish that reflected well.

It can be purchased from specialist SEN retailers or ebay and Amazon, search around under the heading "under water light show"  the vary in price from £5-£50 (depending on size/ amount of light sequences/ or just difference)

Here is a link to the one featured here (possibly not the same retailer) 

Tennis Ball Money Pouches

We needed a cheap money box craft for a lot of children but they were all soooo expensive! In the end came up with this great craft of using tennis balls with a slit cut in for putting money in and then decorating. As it looked like a mouth most choose to make people and eyes were an option in collage materials. (This is a small selection from the 130 that were decorated, by various ages and abilities a very very successful craft!!)

The collage materials to support were:

• Googly eyes
• Wool 
• Feathers 
• Small pom poms
• Pipe cleaners (small lengths)
• Glitter glue

When cutting do with sharp knife away from children and over a sink/ container all our balls had like a paraffin oil type substance inside that stank (we did cut a week or so in advance and washed out balls with hot water to reduce smell)

Rock Pool in the Garden

After a discussion about how we wished we lived closer to the beach, to explore rock pools thought it was a great idea to make a rock pool in the garden (we'd just been on holiday and been to an aquarium and so had bought these sea creatures)

Cardboard Play House, with lights

 There was a spare big empty box, so..... A little house making project for 14 month old.

Inside battery operated lights poked in and a christmas light. Initially not a hit as she was rather scared of going inside (but after cutting another door so she see all the way through cue lots of crawling through!! And flap in the door become a great letter box for posting favourite lotto cards through!

Water and Sand Play Set Up

An example of set up for water and sand play, to enable choice, mixing sand and water but play separately also.

More Sensory Play Doughs

In search of ideas for cool "snake" sensory play recipes I remembered this recipe with cornflour (cornstarch) and liquid soap, I used a cheap hand wash but  I'm pretty sure shampoo or bubble bath will work too and you could use scent to relate to theme etc.

It's an amazing consistency a lot more solid than cornflour and water but can also go more liquid when you warm in hands and hold like bottom right picture or pull between two hands (kind of bubble gum ish)

I then posted this on a Facebook group "Parent Toddler Groups Together" and Nicci Eyles told me of another great cornflour dough "Ice Cream" dough and WOW!!! It actually looks like real ice-cream when you scoop! This one is made with cornflour and hair conditioner.

 As with the above dough I'd suggest just keep adding the liquid until it's an appropriate texture. 

Post Christmas Challenge

Ok so rather late, but just went through photos.

Week after Christmas lull, cue a play challenge! And the results

Duplo Dragon Design for Box

Stickers to be added once made (scales, fire, eyes)

 The finished dragon!