I bought a tiny packet for the bargain price of 55p (good old ebay) and soaked half of them overnight. I put them in a medium sided bowl with water and came down in the morning to beads all over the worktop and the floor as they had swelled soooo much they had overflowed the bowl, 1/3 of the packet would have been enough, so plenty left for another day.
As it was a sunny day and anticipating some mess, I set the bowl up in the garden with some utensils to encourage the Little ones to scoop, tip and fill (which they love to do at the moment) and maybe play a game of tea parties too.
I then let the Little ones loose and boy didn't they get stuck straight in...
I can only describe it as if you were putting your hand in a bowl of frogspawn, they feel slimy, cold and wet. When I pulled my hand out I expected it to be slimy or smell but it was just damp and there was no odour. There were comments of 'it's wet', 'oh squishy' and 'can I pop them?' We found out they were very bouncy when Little 2 grabbed a handful and dropped them into her bowl.
The Little ones then spent ages spooning and scooping, filling bowls, cups and a teapot. Little 2 was very methodical and concentrating hard on scooping, she played like this for ages.
Little 1 loved plunging her hands into the beads feeling the textures and digging for the various utensils she had hidden in the bowl.
We then had a go at colour sorting and pretending to make dinner and cups of tea.
I did finally give in to Little 1's desire to pop the beads, they were made of some sort of gel that looks like jelly when it is broken up, it was quite hard to pop them as they were very slippy and they tended to jump out of my fingers, she did put a lot of effort in to trying to pop them!
We had a lot of fun with the beads and played for a good hour, both the Little ones enjoyed it and have already asked when we can use the rest. I am glad we did the activity outside as a lot ended up on the floor and got trampled into the grass but they disappeared in a few days. We shall play with them again soon, I wonder what I can use to make the activity different next time? Any ideas?
Looks like your little ones had a lovely time! I have read lots of posts using water beads recently, and didn't realise they were quite that cheap. Might get some soon! Mel
ReplyDeleteI would is it a great activity, and we only used half of ours .
ReplyDeleteThis looks like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI recommend it
ReplyDeleteThese look fantastic and your little ones are clearly having so much fun! Think I may have to get some #binkylinky
ReplyDeleteI've heard so much about water beads. We love messy play and will be trying this for sure! Thanks for linking up to the #binkylinky
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun! Lovely photos :-) think I will get some when my little one's old enough #binkylinky x
ReplyDeleteSo squidgy! Im sure that my son wouldve like that. Esp now that he is so bored of the rain and its half term =) #binkylinky
ReplyDeleteI love aqua beads! We've used them to make sensory play scenes and used them for the sea :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea, i fancy doing a fishy themed one.
ReplyDeleteWe have been trying to keep busy, lots of playdates, baking and outdoor play in between the rain showers!
ReplyDeleteVery cheap and not too messy, I recommend it.
ReplyDeleteit’s great, thank you for hosting binkylinky x
ReplyDeletethey are good fun and relatively mess free, I recommend them x
ReplyDeleteLooks like such a fun activity for just a few pence. I have only just heard of these which is a shame as my youngest is now six so probably too old for this type of play. #BinkyLinky
ReplyDeletethis is such a good idea! My 2 yr old boy and my nearly 3 yr old nephew would love to do this in nannys garden so Im checking out ebay now! Thanks for this idea! Thanks for signing up to the #binkylinky
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading x
ReplyDeleteI bet he would still have a go, weighing or measuring, tipping and filling?? what about using them as a base for a dino stomp crushing them?
ReplyDeletebeads are great, you can grow or kind of grow beans with them as it should be like a soil, it didnt work with me maybe worked with others
ReplyDeleteHadn’t heard of that, thanks for hopping over x
ReplyDeleteYes your right, I'll have to have a look on ebay. Thanks :-)
ReplyDeleteMy son loves the water beads . If you play inside with them, you end up finding them all over the place where they've escaped. He's a scooper too!
ReplyDeleteIf we played with them inside it would have to be in the kitchen after the mess they made on the grass!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like loads of fun, must get ours out again, such good sensory play, love that you got some for 55p, bargainous! xx #letkidsbekids
ReplyDeleteI really must try these, keep meaning to buy some, it looks like a lot of fun :) #LetKidsBeKids
ReplyDeleteThe Little ones loved them x
ReplyDeletegood cheap fun, we still have loads left for another day!
ReplyDeleteWater beads are great for sensory fun play. It looks like you all enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking #LetKidsBeKids
Thank You for the tip about getting them from ebay, bargain!
ReplyDeleteThey are great fun and can be used again, you can buy them in garden centres usually about £3ish too x
ReplyDeleteI usually see a lot of plays involving beads like this! I am looking for some. I dont have en ebay account yet. Maybe I should get one now =) #letkidsbekids
ReplyDelete