.JPG)
We put them in a translucent bin on the light table.....
We put them directly on the light table.... (this reminded me of a light brite!)
It was fun to try to rearrange the colors, but the balls weren't quite cooperating to stay in place for any kind of design! They are round, and bounce, and roll, but so much fun to play with!
We tried a small bin, which made the layer of gems/beads deep.....
We tried a bigger bin, which didn't provide nearly as deep a layer of beads... BUT it was much easier for everyone to play at the same time.....
AND.... the big bin was perfect for adding our feet! After all, these beads/gems are so much fun, you can't just play with them with your hands.... Requests have been made to fill a pool with them :).
Needless to say, we are now a part of the BUZZ!!!!
If you haven't tried out these great sensory materials.... they are so worth it!
I found our colored beads at Walmart near the artificial flowers. They were in packages that needed to be hydrated, individual colors sold for $2 per package. The clear beads were found at the Dollar Tree, fully hydrated for $1. What I noticed about the beads.... IF you over hydrate them, they get gooey and squish easily. The package tells you to drain the beads after 4-6 hours to remove the excess water. By doing this, they will not over hydrate and they will last longer. Some of the other blogs I read mentioned that the beads lost their color after hydrating. I didn't notice that with ours. Yes, the colors faded, but as the beads absorb water, the color is not nearly as concentrated but the color still remains. They all will squish under pressure, they all bounce... and they are definitely soothing to play with. (I had trouble walking by them without stopping to play!)
Comments
Are these what you're talking about? http://www.dollartree.com/teachers-supplies/Arts-Crafts-Projects/Decorative-Accents-Clear-Floral-Hydration-Beads-8-5-oz-Jars/208c447c447p310620/index.pro?method=search
Lacey- those are exactly what they are. (Well, the clear ones).
The ones we left in water have been falling apart, the ones we strained after the 6 hours are still going strong.
One of my co-workers had fun with her children with these this summer with her 4 year olds this summer.
I may have to try them, you make them sound like so much fun.
Although, I will check the labels first, to make sure I do purchase the non-toxice kind.
I enjoyed your photos, and stepping in them does look like wonderful fun.
Brenda
-Sianna
http://fitkidsclub.blogspot.com/2012/03/clubhouse-science-art-of-melting.html
...and thanks for always sharing such awesome ideas!
I teach 2 1/2 to 3 year olds