Bubble snakes

I have seen these on many blogs and wanted to try it with my toddlers! What I found was they really enjoyed playing with the bubbles, but had a really difficult time blowing them - most sucked in instead of blowing out - LOL. So the teachers assisted in the play by blowing the bubble snakes for them to play with - what made it even more fun was the fact that it was a bit windy and the snakes flew into the air!

The contraption to make the bubbles is made by cutting the bottom off of a plastic drink bottle and placing a facecloth over the opening and securing it with an elastic. Dip the end in bubble soaps and blow in the mouth end of the bottle!

Baby it was hot outside!

Well today the heat was getting to us - so what better way than to toss the clothing and snack in the shade - then get creative!

We finally got to our canvas!

 

Good thing it was clothing optional, because bodies also became the canvas!

 Layer after layer the painting took on a different look!

                                                                            Just a little more!

The finishing touches ..... well there is always tomorrow!

Stay tuned! :) 

Water Play

Often the best moments are the times when we have an impromptu, relaxing, do nothing day! Since today was Friday, and our senior classes were having their graduation, we decided to head outside with our sensory tubs and waterplay toys. We put them out on the middle of the playground and filled them up with the hose. So for an hour and a half the children had a very joyful morning!

The water bins were like magnets for the tots to play in.

There were a variety of items in there to play with. Sponges, funnels, fish, shovels, plant pots with holes..... you name it, we put it in.

I also made these sponge balls which the kids said looked like spiders. :)

The balls are made by cutting rectangular sponges into 1/2 inch strips - gathering about 8 strips in the centre and securing them together with an elastic band. That's it - easy and fun!

I wish I had bigger bins and more of them. I have to remember to bring my kiddie pools next week!

Um isn't this what we do with the funnels? :)

I spy with my little eye....

Some of my friends needed to get a little more wet!

As you can see most of the tots clothes ended up on the fence to dry!

Aw refreshing!

Playground Equipment

Playground Equipment - like classroom materials - do not have to cost a lot of money to be enjoyable and educational for children. If you have been following my blog you know I am a garage sale junkie - so it goes without saying that I have also found things to play with for our playground. A few weeks ago I went to a guys home who was a wholesale sales man for sporting goods - I got a bunch of balls and a pair of soccer nets for $25 bucks - all new. Then this past weekend I got 4 tires for FREE, from a guy who was initially selling them for $15 - but when I asked if he would donate them for kids to play on, he said YES and even loaded them into the car for me to take! So on our way home my Husband and I dropped them off for the children to find on Monday morning.
They really seem to enjoy them!

Simple Pleasures - Bubbles

Joy comes in many forms - today joy was in the form of a bubble! Chasing bubbles on a bright sunny morning puts a smile on our face! Activities for toddlers do not need be complicated - relying on the simple pleasures make the best fun!

Another added benefit - the children were all really sleepy at nap time! :)

Chasing Shadows

As an extension of discovering things about ourselves the children were made aware of their shadows. Today was bright and sunny  - perfect for chasing shadows.

Identifying their own shadows.

Can we touch it or pick it up?

Hey it's disappearing!

It's going away!

Stomping on shadows.

Chasing our shadows!



Children's Lands - Part two

Each week we see our gardens developing and growing - the entire school has joined in and we are hoping to see the results of our labours soon!

Today the toddlers added more plants and we hope to see our seeds pop up soon!

Each class has their own space to create their garden. Some are layed out in a pattern.

Some are small!

Some are bigger!

All together they create one huge garden!

This once dull brown space is now turning into a very colourful garden. We can't wait to see it fully grown in.