Article By: Camille Diaz , Creator of Curricubits
We were exhibiting at a conference recently and knowing that there would be many children in attendance, we choose to bring along one of our feely tubes. We had a quick art project going at our booth but, when young children were too shy to participate, we would offer them the feely tube. I thought they might be wary but, to my surprise, none of them could resist. Even the children who had a gorilla grip on their parents’ necks would light up with curiosity at the chance to touch the unknown.
As I reflected on this experience I considered just how much young children enjoy learning through touch. Here is a list of five activities to try the next time you want to do a “hands on” activity.
1. Feely Tubes
To construct a feely tube, cut a length of old stocking and stretch it over the opening of an empty cardboard container such as an oatmeal carton. Put objects of interest in the tube and have children try to guess what they feel. You can also use an empty sack. Just make sure you prevent the children from peeking.
2. Play Dough
Whether you buy a few containers or make your own from scratch, play dough is always a kid favorite and it is reusable. You can purchase a kit of tools or just raid the kitchen. A garlic press makes a great extruder and plastic ware can be used to cut the dough and make patterns. Add scented oils or glitter to make your play dough even more exciting.
3. Blubber Gloves
Teach children how blubber keeps animals warm in the winter and peak their curiosity by making blubber gloves. Fill one plastic sandwich bag half way with shortening. Place a second plastic bag over your hand and insert that hand into the bag with the shortening. Mold the shortening between the bags to make a “glove”. Put out a pan of icy water and have children put one hand in the water with the glove and one hand in the water without it.
4. Shaving Cream
This one is my children’s favorite hands on activity. Cover your work surface with disposable plastic or foil. Cover the children with smocks. Squirt a generous amount of shaving cream (foam, not gel) onto the covered table (or you could use a tray) and let the children do what they do. We like to add the little round baking sprinkles to ours. The color melts off the sprinkles and colors the shaving cream as the kids build towers. To clean up, wipe the kids hands with paper towels and then wash. Fold up the table cover and toss or wipe up the shaving cream and recycle the table cover.
5. Finger Painting
Prep is the same as the Shaving Cream. Use finger paints (not regular paints) and let children use their fingers to create art on paper. Encourage them to try mixing colors to create new colors or to try creating patterns in the paint with their fingers. You can also introduce plastic knives and forks and show them how to make more patterns in the paint.
Young children are always reaching for things and we, as parents and teachers, are continuously saying, “Don’t touch”. Let’s peak their curiosity and really make their day with an activity where they can be hands on!
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For a scripted learning activity using feely tubes check out the Curricubits ocean themed art activity “Discovering Shells”.
Click here to download a free play dough recipe.
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