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Sensory Play – A Tub of Bubbles

Posted on September 20, 2011 6 Comments

Sensory play doesn’t have to be a hugely messy activity, even if you set it up inside!

Today we set up a little tub of bubbles, just for one, or maybe two!

Super easy sensory play - A tub of bubbles

Sensory play is great for kids of all ages. It is one of those great ‘holistic’ play activities, which is just a fancy way of saying it can provide practice and exposure to so many different developmental skills and needs.

This simple tub of bubbles sensory play activity offers opportunities for practicing scientific thinking, hand-eye co-ordination, social skills and lots more. Plus it is a great calming activity and the perfect quick and easy option to engage a frazzled kiddo any time.

Find lots more easy sensory play ideas here.

How to Set up a Tub of Bubbles for Sensory Play

To make your own tub of bubbles you’ll need:

  • a small tub
  • some scoops, spoons, or containers
  • some small sponges
  • an old towel to cover your work surface to catch any drips
  • a small amount of water
  • some dish washing detergent, shampoo or liquid soap

sesnory play - bubbles

We used an Ikea trofast tub for this activity as it’s the perfect size for one child to play at a table. And we used scoops saved from the laundry detergent and measuring cups saved from medication, but you can use any plastic containers, scoops or spoons. You can also use any kind of sponges for this, just cut them to a size that is small enough for little hands to squish.

To keep the mess under control I covered the table with an old towel to catch any drips and made sure I had a cloth handy for any wayward bubbles or water and for wiping hands.

I only added a really small amount of water to the tub, just barely enough to cover the bottom. Less water means less mess!

Then I squirted quite a bit of detergent into the tub, threw in the sponges and suggested that my big boy wet the sponges and squeeze them and see what happens…

sesnory play - tub of bubbles

He was delighted to see white foamy bubbles explode between his fingers! He squeezed and smooshed, and squashed the sponges until the whole tub was full of white foam.

sesnory play - tub of bubbles

We had a lovely time scooping and pouring and mixing the foam and because there was hardly any actual water involved there was no spills and not even much damp clothing.

sesnory play - tub of bubbles

Do your kids enjoy sensory play?

If you loved this simple sensory play activity you might like these ideas too:

Easy sensory play ideas - easy sand play
Sand Tray Play
Twenty fun things to freeze into ice blocks for cool sensory play!
Fun things to freeze in ice blocks.
12 Easy Water Play idas for kids
Easy Water Play Ideas


 

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Filed Under: Activities for kids, Preschooler Fun, Toddler Fun Tagged With: activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, sensory play

Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

  1. Laney @ Crash Test Mummy says

    What a brilliant (and clean) idea Kate. I’m going to give this a go with CrashBoy next time it’s just the two of us. Usually his play ends up the opposite of clean! It will be a nice change ;)

    Reply
  2. Belinda says

    Great idea for keeping little ones entertained. Going to give this a go outside with the warmer weather now!

    Reply
  3. jackie says

    What a great idea Kate! We’re doing this one. :)

    Reply
  4. Christie-Childhood 101 says

    We do something similar with a mixing bowl and a whisk :) Fun times!

    Reply
    • katef says

      Oh a whisk would be fun! I’ve been trying to find old fashioned egg beaters at the op shop, but so far no luck.

      Reply
  5. Lisa Jay says

    we do this one too!

    Reply

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