Dinosaurs in Ice

What's more fun than dinosaurs? Dinosaurs in ice! Not only will this sensory bin allow your child to engage in imaginative play with dinosaurs, but it will also introduce your child to several textures at the same time.

Water beads and ice offer a variety of textures on their own, but have you ever frozen your water beads? The water beads keep some of their gel like texture while still feeling cold like ice. This is also a great opportunity to incorporate a science lesson on hot and cold and how water freezes.

Another fun way to make this sensory bin educational is by talking about the different types of dinosaur figurines and what they might have eaten. Sensory play enhances concentration and attention span and using the different tools helps children to work on their fine motor skills. This sensory bin also helps with problem solving skills by freezing some of the dinosaurs in with the water beads and allowing your child to think of ways to free the dinosaurs!

Materials Needed:

-1 tbsp of water beads

-5 cups of water

-Dinosaur figurines

-Scoops, shovels, cups

-Shallow bin

First, combine the tablespoon of water beads with the 5 cups of water. Allow the beads to grow for 8-12 hours, or overnight. Once the water beads have reached the desired size, place them into a bowl, or a fun shaped container to freeze. Once the water beads have been frozen, sit them out for 2-3 hours. Add the ice blocks and your tools to a shallow bin. If you need additional help to melt the ice, warm water can be poured over the ice to loosen up the beads and free the dinosaurs!

*While children should always be supervised with sensory bins, be sure to never leave your child unattended with water beads!