I am so excited to be a part of such a fun and creative group of people in a series on sensory play. Sarah of Little Bins for Little Hands has organized 40 Sensory Bin Filler Collaborative Series where you will find OVER 40 different bloggers with OVER 40 different ideas for sensory play! It has been so fascinating reading all the different ways to create new sensory experiences for the munchkins.
We chose Epsom Salt as our filler and it has been such a fun filler to use.
Our theme… A new baby! The munchkins will welcome a new precious bundle into the family any day now.
Epsom Salt is often found in the pharmacy section of the grocery or drug store. It feels like salt, but it’s a little larger and looks more like crystals. Little Miss says “it’s so pretty”. We bought two, 4 pound bags, for our play from Walmart. We only used about 3/4 of the bags for our bin.
We started off by dying the salt pink and blue (as the gender of our new arrival is yet to be determined). Dying Epsom Salt is super easy. Divide the salt into two large ziplock bags and then add 7-10 drops of liquid food coloring. Simply shake the bag around until all the salt looks colored and then lay it out on a cookie sheet to dry for a couple hours. I have found no color transfer onto little hands when playing with the salt.
We added silicone muffin cups and the Safari Ltd Bundles of Babies TOOB to our bin. I also set out a few different tools for the munchkins to explore the salt with; scoops, cups, and funnels.
The munchkins have LOVED playing with this bin. We have used it when talking about the new baby coming home and the changes that will take place. We discussed what the baby will need and ways the munchkins can be of help with the baby. Little Miss exclaimed she was going to be a “great big sister”. I assured her she already was!
Little Miss napped the babies in their “cribs”.
Mr. B pretended he was “hugging” the new baby.
But most of all, the munchkins were so excited that they finally had a sensory filler that worked so well in a funnel. They spent most of their time watching the little crystals pour out into the bin.
With Epsom Salt being similar to sand, it is extremely easy to brush off and vacuum up.
It is NOT to be ingested, so supervision is important with little ones.
We have also used this sensory bin as a present for other future big sisters or brothers.
We have used Epsom Salt for other activities, as well. We have created salt trays to practice letter writing and creating shapes. We also have used it in art activities as a glitter. It is a material we will continue to use in play! We have had so much fun!
ENJOY!
Please link up any activities or sensory play where you have used Epsom Salt!
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