Things we use in our home for “grown-up” play, in the kitchen and some other parts of home, can be easily transferred to toys with a little creativity and a different view. Today we share 5 activity ideas for one such item: colander play!
It doesn’t take long for the toys to pile up high and more often than not interest is quickly lost when children are overwhelmed with so many toys.
Sometimes everyday items that we have around the home can bring that much fun and entertainment, we can make our own toys.
Today I am sharing with you the adventures you can have with a kitchen colander.
1. Water Play with Colander
Whether you are using it as an addition to water tables in the garden on a hot summers day or using it in the bath. Colanders are great fun to fill and empty. The water pours out of the holes, creating fountains.
We always have our Colander out for water play, you can buy plastic toys that create the same effects, but why buy even more toys when you can utilise what you already have?
2. Colander Pom Pom Drop
Using kebab skewers (or dry spaghetti), post them through the holes in the Colander. Older children can have a go at doing this themselves. Little N is 2 years old so was too young to post the skewers through independently. Make sure you use enough to make this an effective activity.
Drop your pom poms and watch them bounce through the skewers before landing at the bottom. You can buy different sized pom poms. We used two different sizes for this activity.
3. Fine Motor Pipe Cleaner Fun
This is a great activity for developing fine motor control. Threading pipe cleaners through the holes on the Colander. This also provides opportunity to talk about the different coloured pipe cleaners, along with how they feel – some are silky smooth, others are prickly.
4. Colander as Story Props
Whatever Next is a loved story in our household. It is a child’s classic and what does bear wear when he zooms off to the moon?? Yup, Colander! It makes a great space helmet!
5. Sensory Play with Colander
Whether you are exploring Custard, playing with sensory beads, dried coloured rice or experimenting with sensory soups; Colander offer a great addition to sensory play, filling and emptying and watching the liquids ooze out of the holes.
So next time you are looking for some activities that are quick to set up, fun and help develop skills grab your kitchen Colander!
Hello, I am Amy, after several years of working in education I am now a stay at home Mom to my little girl. I blog over at Learning and Exploring Through Play and would love you to come and visit us!
We share lots of arts, crafts and sensory play for children. We are really passionate about children Learning Through their Play and that is the driving force behind our Blog.
In Less Toys. More Play. article series we share ideas how to reduce toy consumerism, unclutter child’s rooms and bring more engaged play to our children.
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Love all these points! Especially the pom pom play and how cute and fun to read together whatever next! Just need a box for him to blast off! : )