Storytime Sunday: Valentine's Sensory Tub

Here are the books I chose for my son to go along with our Valentine's sensory tub since we are so busy at school working on our All Around the World study. 

I mostly chose books about love or friendship that I had around the house. It was so cute tonight, after 2 days of playing with his sensory tub, he pointed to the picture of a heart in his bedtime prayer book tonight!

Here are some photos of how I put it together: (Keep in mind this is for a 1yo, so I tried to use larger items to cut down on choking hazard although the tinsel could be potentially harmful, but I am right there with him when he plays)

Plastic placemat in the bottom. (It doesn't really serve a purpose, I just decided to stick it in)

Tinsel next.

Then hearts, there are 3 different kinds each with a different texture: rough (glitter), smooth and shiny, and soft (velvet).

I added the heart-shaped measuring cups and spoons.

Silicone heart-shaped ice cube trays and cupcake tray (?)

Other random things I had: red boa, pink heart wire, a harmonica, silicone cupcake wrappers, and a frog.

Then the containers were added. He LOVES to put things in containers and the pour them out again. I used a mailbox and a lips-shaped plastic container.

Then added a heart-shaped box and a ruler.

Put a letter (made with Cricut) in the mailbox.

Next, to apply the scratch and sniff stickers for ultimate sensory experience. Chocolate flavor of course!

I wanted L to help me, but he wasn't too interested, so I did it myself.

Here is the final product.

I also purchased this small box (for .09!) because I know how much he loves opening and closing containers.

I painted that red and here's how it turned out. I also placed this into my sensory bin.

And, last but certainly not least, L's favorites: The Valentine's duckies! He can make the sound of a duck, so cute!!!

Oh, and I got most of the materials from Deals, Target, and Michael's.

CLICK HERE TO SEE WHERE I LINK UP

Storytime Sunday: Snow

Here is my selection of snow/winter books for this week. These are only few of the MANY great children's books about winter. They were just a few I happened to have in my personal collection that I have been using with my son this weekend as we have begun exploring snow. The Snowy Day is an older book that I'm sure most of you have read. I like it because it describes actions that children can replicate in the snow. While not particularly about snow, the book On the Night You Were Born is a wonderful book and there are some really awesome outdoor pictures including the polar bears in the snow.

Here are some photos of my sensory bin I used with my 1 year old. I actually left the blue lights in here from the light box I had made and covered it with a white towel then lined it with cotton balls. The blue lights shine through a little bit, just enough to give it that glow that ice sometimes gets when it's really thick. 

CAUTION: DO NOT TRY THIS WITH THE LIGHTS! I had to take my lights out today because they got nearly hot enough to melt the toys inside. Just use some tissue paper or foam under the towel or no towel at all. Just to eliminate the fire hazard completely. Sorry.

The snowflakes are cut out of wrapping paper. There is metallic wrapping paper for a frozen pond with a small snowman figure.

After L played awhile, I decided to give him another empty bin to transfer the cotton balls into since he mostly wanted to take them out of the bin. Also, we added some measuring cups for scooping and pouring.

 At school, we brought some snow inside as it was too cold to go outside. The kids had a blast with it and wanted some art materials to help them build their snowman. I also brought snow in for L to play with at home this weekend and some ice from our newly working ice maker, but as soon as I went to take the photo, L began to fuss. Figures!

We also made sparkly snowflakes with glitter. We used the printable pattern from here. I was going to let the kids cut them out, but once folded, it was too thick for their little scissors to cut through, so I did it for them.

What books have you been reading about winter?

CLICK HERE TO SEE WHERE I LINK UP