Splish Splash!

The format of our program is set up as follows:
45 minutes of exploring at their own pace the 8-10 activities which are spread out in a park or large activity room. Being outside works best. These activities are followed by 15 minutes of group time which includes a theme snack, and story, fingerplays or songs. Our class size is limited to 10 child- adult teams when inside and 15 teams outside.

Dumping, Filling, and Pouring

Simply sit with the toddler and play with the water next to them, modeling different things to do with water. Use milk jugs with holes punched in the bottom for sprinklers, funnels, cups and containers of all sizes.

Alphabet Sand

Draw the tot’s name, lines, shapes, letters, numbers, or pictures in the sand. Have the toddler trace it. Can they duplicate it? Show them how to make handprints or footprints. What if you use a stick? a rock? a leaf?

Sand Combs

Cut combs out of cardboard. Use different shapes for the “teeth” of the comb. Rake them through the sand.

Baster (or eye droppers) Play

Fill one bowl with water and add a few drops of food coloring if you like. Show your tot how to place the meat baster (or eye dropper) in a bowl full of water and squeeze the bulb. Watch the tube fill up with water. Show your tot how to hold the meat baster over an empty container and release the water.

Floating Objects

Fill a shallow pan with water. Pick an item that floats. Say, “This floats.” Place the item in the water. Do the same with an item that sinks. Now, ask your tot to pick an item and guess whether it will float or sink. Sort objects as to whether they float or sink.

Why do you think some objects float and others don’t? Talk about what the objects are made of.