Earlier this week, I posted my Four Seasons Sensory Bin based on Kevin Henkes book Old Bear. Today, I would like to share my extension activity to the sensory bin, Four Seasons Sensory Bottles.
In Old Bear, a bear hibernates for the winter and dreams that he is young again. His dream takes him on a colorful journey through the seasons full of poetic imagery such as a summer storm of blueberries and a rainbow starred sky overshadowing snow in the winter. When the bear wakes up, he rubs his eyes thinking that maybe he is still dreaming in the real beauty of spring. Henkes’ colorful, imaginative illustrations fit beautifully with his vivid text. (If you don’t already own this book, HarperCollins is giving a copy to one lucky reader of my blog so be sure to enter!)
After making my sensory bin, I struggled trying to figure out what to do with the materials I used. I really didn’t want to dump all that work into one bag, but I knew that trying to keep four season separate was about as futile as trying to have different colors of play dough in our home. Finally, I had an idea . . . sensory bottles. (If you have seen my Fireworks in a Bottle craft, you already know that we love making sensory bottles.) So, while the baby was sleeping one morning, I let my preschooler make the bottles himself with a funnel, the four bins, and four empty clean plastic bottles.
Making the bottles was a great chance to work on his fine-motor skills (using the funnel and dumping the rice) and his ability to concentrate on a task (keeping all four seasons separate in their own bottles). While we filled the bottles, we talked about the different seasons of the year and all the great memories we have from each one.
In case you are wondering, no, we did not use real blueberries in the sensory bottles. I had bought a cute blue beaded necklace inexpensively for myself that I donated to the cause. {sigh}
Note: We did not add water to these sensory bottles, and with the rice they make a nice rattle sound. If your kids are young, I would recommended hot gluing the tops on and checking them routinely to be sure lids are still secure.
If you love Kevin Henkes, you might want to stop by the Virtual Book Club Blog Hop and see all the Henkes’ themed activities that have been linked up. The link-up will be up for a couple weeks more, so if you blog you still have time to post and link-up your own Henkes’ themed activities.
Do you like making sensory bottles?
I love these sensory bottles. I think my three year old would have fun helping me make them. Thanks for two great ideas!
Thanks, Kim! I would love to see a photo if you end up making them. : )
They are fantastic! I really want to make some. x
Thank you. They were very easy to make!
This such a wonderful idea! JDaniel would love looking through them to find seasonal items.
Thank you. I had also thought about mixing the seasons to make a look and find bottle.
I am going to feature this post tomorrow on Read.Explore.Learn.
So cute. Totally adorable way to explore the seasons!
Thank you!
These are so fun and I want to get this book we haven’t read it yet.
Thank you. You will love the book. : )
This is such a great idea! I love the way you colored the rice to represent the different seasons.
Thanks, Maryanne.
Such a lovely book and your sensory bottles at gorgeous.
Thanks for linking to the Sunday showcase.
Thanks, Rebecca.
The sensory bottles representing the seasons is a great idea. Please stop by and link this (and any other arts, crafts and play posts) to Artsy Play Wednesday on Capri + 3. The linky is currently open. I hope to see you there.
: 0 ) Theresa