Water Bead Transfer Bin

Objective: Transfer water beads from bin to strainer or the reverse!

Benefits:

This very simple bin offers a high level of engagement and concentration, as well as fine motor, and lots of hand-eye coordination practice! Lifting and tilting the strainer to dump out the water beads provides an opportunity to implement balancing skills and strengthen those larger muscles as well!

Basic Materials:

This bin contains about one inch of water, a colander or strainer, a towel, and a third cup of water beads (soaked in water overnight to let expand to their full size). That’s it! The water beads I purchased on Amazon.com, also available in most major craft stores!

A note on safety: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) water beads are safe to play with and are non-toxic and biodegradable. However, they cannot be eaten! These are best used with older children who aren't mouthing objects, and even then be sure to watch your little one attentively. I would discourage the use of the larger “jumbo” water beads for children under the age of four. As they do grow to up to 200 times their initial size once fully expanded!

How I Interact:

No demonstration needed with this one as Yumi is very into transferring at the moment and got right to moving the beads from the bin into the strainer. Very minimal on the interaction scale, other than to try and keep the beads that get away from her on the mat. I did attempt to show her how to scoop them with the strainer as opposed to grabbing just a few with her hands, and she tried and failed and tried and tried. She really enjoyed this bin! As with all water bins lately, she dipped her face right in! Any bin that will occupy her for more than fifteen minutes I count as a win!