❤️💚Christmas Magnetic DIY 🌀Water Beads Sensory Bin

Today, we are making DIY red hydrogels and incorporating a science of magnetism into our sensory play.

 Use clear hydrogels (buy in bulk here)

Add food coloring when you add water to hydrate and inflate your hydrogels

20 minutes after adding water
In an hour ~ fully expanded

Next, hot glue your paper clips to recycled pouch caps

Then, make a "fishing rod" from a straw and a pipe cleaner and glue a small magnet to the end

Place your caps into your DIY hydrogels sensory bin and roll the dice! Offer a child to "fish" out as many caps as is the number on the dice. Lastly, offer to make that number from a pipe cleaner.

P.S. To store your hydrogels (water-beads) ~ rinse them after play with cold water and add a few drops of tea-tree oil to prevent mold growth and store in an airtight container in a fridge. They will last you a very long time. We just opened one container stored for two months and they barely shrunk ~ just rinse them before use!

Happy Holiday fishing, counting and learning through play!

For more holiday fun, see here 🎄Christmas Inspired Unit Study.