Summer Sensory Sensations

Stimulating Kids' Senses

Summertime is the perfect opportunity for kids to engage in sensory play, which offers numerous developmental benefits. Here are five key benefits of sensory play for children:

1. Enhances Cognitive Development: Sensory play helps children develop critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities. By exploring different textures, colors, and materials, kids learn to make sense of the world around them, enhancing their cognitive processes.

2. Boosts Language Skills: Engaging in sensory activities encourages children to describe their experiences, which helps to expand their vocabulary and improve their language skills. This verbal interaction is crucial for developing effective communication abilities.

3. Promotes Social Interaction: Sensory play often involves group activities, allowing children to interact with their peers. This social engagement helps them learn to share, cooperate, and develop empathy, which are essential social skills.

4. Improves Fine Motor Skills: Handling different materials during sensory play, such as molding play dough or picking up small objects, helps children develop fine motor skills. These activities strengthen hand muscles and improve coordination, which are important for writing and other precise tasks.

5. Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Sensory play provides a calming effect on children, helping them to relax and reduce stress and anxiety. The tactile experience of manipulating materials can be soothing and therapeutic, providing a sense of comfort and security.

Homemade Play Dough Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup salt

• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 2 cups water

• Food coloring (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, combine the flour, salt, and cream of tartar.

2. Add the vegetable oil and water, then mix well.

3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and begins to form a ball.

4. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

5. Knead the dough until smooth. If desired, add food coloring during the kneading process.

6. Store the play dough in an airtight container.

Homemade Slime Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white school glue

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 2 tablespoons contact lens solution (containing boric acid)

• Food coloring (optional)

• Glitter (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the glue and baking soda until well combined.

2. Add food coloring and glitter if desired, then stir in the contact lens solution.

3. Continue to mix until the slime starts to form and pull away from the sides of the bowl.

4. Knead the slime with your hands until it reaches the desired consistency.

5. Store the slime in an airtight container.

Mini Jello Fish Bowls

Ingredients:

• 1 liter flat lemon-lime soda (about 4 1/4 cups), such as Sprite, divided

• 4 (1/4-ounce) envelopes unflavored powdered gelatin

• 8 ounces multi-color Nerds candy

• 1 to 2 drops blue food coloring

• 12 mini fish gummy candies

Instructions:

1. Bloom the Gelatin:

   • Place 1 cup of the flat lemon-lime soda in a medium bowl.

   • Sprinkle the unflavored powdered gelatin over the soda and let it hydrate for 5 minutes.

2. Prepare the Gelatin Mixture:

   • Heat 2 cups of the soda in a small saucepan over medium heat until simmering.

   • Remove from heat and whisk in the bloomed gelatin mixture until fully dissolved.

   • Transfer to a large bowl, add the remaining 1 1/4 cups soda, and stir to combine.

3. Cool the Gelatin:

   • Place the bowl with the gelatin mixture over an ice bath until it just begins to thicken.

   • Measure off 1 cup of the clear gelatin mixture into a small bowl.

   • Add 1 drop of blue food coloring to the large bowl of gelatin and stir to combine.

   • Leave the blue gelatin over the ice bath while you prepare the fish bowl.

4. Create the Nerds Layer:

   • Pour the Nerds candy into the fish bowl and spread them into an even layer.

   • Very carefully pour the clear gelatin over the Nerds to create a thin layer of gelatin over the candy. Do not stir.

   • This clean layer seals the Nerds and keeps them from bleeding into the terrarium.

   • Refrigerate this layer for 20 to 30 minutes while you continue to cool the blue gelatin mixture on the ice bath.

5. Add the Blue Gelatin and Gummy Fish:

   • Stir the blue gelatin over the ice bath until it is quite thick.

   • Spoon the thickened blue gelatin into the prepared fish bowl.

   • Insert the gummy fish at various heights throughout the gelatin.

   • Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

6. To Serve:

   • Use a long serving spoon to scoop down into the bottom of the bowl, grabbing some of the crunchy Nerds, gelatin, and a fish along the way.

Recipe Notes:

• Flatten the Soda: Open the liter of lemon-lime soda and leave it at room temperature to remove the carbonation.

• Make Ahead: The candy fish will soften considerably as they sit in the gelatin. If you plan to make this in advance, leave out the fish and gently add them to the set gelatin the next day.

Sensory play is a wonderful way for children to explore, learn, and grow while having fun. These homemade recipes provide easy and enjoyable activities that will keep kids engaged and entertained all summer long.