Christmas water beads play

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I have been wanting to try an activity with water beads for a very long time. I have heard so much about the wonderful sensory play experience they provide, so I was thrilled to finally have a chance to try them out for some Christmas water bead play.

To prepare the activity, I had purchased a 1 pound bag of clear water beads. Following the directions, I put 1 tablespoon of water beads into a plastic bin along with 10 cups of water. The next day I looked inside and I couldn’t see a thing! They were so clear in color that they completely blended in with the water, and I literally thought the water beads had melted away! Wondering what had happened, I stuck my hand into the water. Then I felt them, and the movement of the water also made them visible. It was such a cool sensation and a treat for both my visual and tactile systems.  I knew the kids would love it!

I decided to toss some beads shaped like colored Christmas lights into the bin and present it to the kids. And thus was born our Christmas water beads play activity.

Note: You can find more Christmas activity ideas on my Christmas activities for kids page.

* Please note that water beads are not safe for kids who put things in their mouths, as water beads should not be swallowed. Kids should be supervised at all times when playing with water beads.

Because this activity clearly had the potential of getting wet and messy, I laid a dollar store shower curtain on our living room rug, then put two towels over it to soak up as much of the spillage as possible. I put the bin down and invited the kids over. I asked them what they saw, to which they responded “water” and “Christmas lights.”

Then I invited them to reach inside to “collect the Christmas lights.” Immediately, they noticed the water beads and were enthralled.

They scooped them up by the handful and felt how squishy they were.

I gave them some small bowls to help them scoop and store their water beads.

Eventually, they decided to scoop up the Christmas lights as well.

We noticed how the water beads appeared to be colorful when placed over the Christmas lights.

This was so much fun. I can’t wait to find other ways to use water beads for sensory play.

More Christmas resources

More Christmas posts from Gift of Curiosity:

• Grow a Christmas tree sponge
• Christmas Montessori activities
• Q-tip painted Christmas tree
• Paper plate reindeer craft
• Christmas sensory bin
• Cinnamon Christmas ornaments
• Candy cane experiment
• Christmas game: What’s in the bag?
• Christmas Printables Pack
• Christmas Bingo
• Christmas do-a-dot printables
• Christmas gingerbread man templates

For more Christmas activities your kids will love, see my Christmas Activities for Kids page and my Christmas Activities for Kids Pinterest board. 

Follow Katie @ Gift of Curiosity’s board Christmas Activities for Kids on Pinterest.

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