Life Cycle of a Frog Sensory Bin for Kids
We made this project for the kids that attended the Autism Society of Southern Illinois Conference. Everyone enjoyed learning about the life cycle of a frog with this fun water bead sensory bin!
We added essential oils to the water in the bin to add another dimension to the sensory experience. Choose essential oils that are calming and relaxing! My favorites for calming playtime are Lavender, Citrus Fresh, Stress Away or Peace & Calming.
From the “Views From a Step-Stool” website:
Sensory bins are excellent for early learning, and great for children with sensory-seeking behaviors. They provide opportunities for rich learning for kids as children are engaged and using many of their senses during play. This life cycle of a frog for kids bin uses water beads (which resemble frog eggs!) and frog life cycle figures.
Plus, check out how even bigger kids can read and sort the life cycle!
Life Cycle of a Frog for Kids Sensory Bin
The water beads in this sensory bin look like frog eggs! What a fun way to explore what they would feel like, without needing the real ones.
I like to use different trays and pans for sensory play depending on what we are doing, but a clear scrapbook paper container like this one with a lid is a sure favorite. When the kids are done playing, I can close it up and save it for another day easily.
WHAT YOU NEED:
- Safari LTD Frog Life Cycle Toys
- Clear Scrapbook Paper Bin
- Clear or Blue Water Beads
- Green paper or felt to put under the bin (optional – but makes it look like a pond, while still using the clear water bead ‘frog eggs’)
WHAT TO DO:
Pour the water beads to the bin. Add sufficient water according to the package directions. As a heads up, these take a few hours to plump up so you are going to want to do this step ahead of time.
Add the frog life cycle toys and let kids play!
The frogs and tadpoles can swim around in the water beads, providing a satisfying sensory experience for all.
To Use this Frog Life Cycle Sensory Bin with Toddlers:
Toddlers love water beads, they are squishy and satisfying, however, they do need to be used with kids who are out of the ‘put everything in their mouths’ phase. This will depend on each child.
Take this opportunity to practice some basic vocabulary such as eggs, tadpole, and frog with toddlers. You might even go as far as teaching that a tadpole turns into a frog! They will love helping these frogs swim and jump through the sensory bin!
To Use this Frog Life Cycle Sensory Bin with Preschoolers:
Preschool is such a great time to talk about life cycles! Kids are mesmerized by the magic of transformation that occurs in the animal world, and a swimming tadpole turned jumping frog is no exception.
Make some lily pads out of green craft foam (paper won’t work with the water in the water beads) for the frogs to jump on when they become adults! Explain the different stages of the life cycle, going from egg to tadpole, then to frog! What fun!
Additionally, they can work on ordering the life cycle on their own with the toys.
To Use this Frog Life Cycle Sensory Bin with Elementary Ages:
On the craft foam lily pads, write the number order and names of each part of the life cycle: eggs, tadpole, tadpole without gills, tadpole with legs, and adult frog!
Add the lily pads to the life cycle sensory bin and allow the kids the chance to explore, read, and sort!
