Babies and Water Beads
*UPDATE* Water Balz should not be used with young children ever. I have never used Water Balz, but the water beads I use do contain the same polymer found in Water Balz. Water beads are not made to expand as large as Water Balz, but they still are not safe to be ingested and can cause choking or possibly even a blockage. For this reason I am not comfortable allowing my toddlers to play with water beads. They were 12 months when I posted this and not very quick back then. I was able to keep them from eating any of the water beads. Now at 24 months they are quick and determined and could probably get one in their mouths before I could stop them. Use your best judgment when choosing which supplies to expose your babies and toddlers to.
.jpg)
In the past month I've exposed the babies to water beads
little by little. Water beads are non toxic but should not be ingested. They could be a choking hazard. For this reason I play with them one on one while exploring water beads. I set the stage to avoid distractions that would pull me away from being on the spot. Yesterday I shared how the big boys have been enjoying water beads in their pool. After playing with J and J one afternoon last week, I was inspired to put the water beads in the babies' pool.
little by little. Water beads are non toxic but should not be ingested. They could be a choking hazard. For this reason I play with them one on one while exploring water beads. I set the stage to avoid distractions that would pull me away from being on the spot. Yesterday I shared how the big boys have been enjoying water beads in their pool. After playing with J and J one afternoon last week, I was inspired to put the water beads in the babies' pool..jpg)
Trying to catch water beads in moving water is great for tracking, hand eye coordination, and working the pincher grasp.
.jpg)
Tank, of course, tried several times to bring a bead to his mouth. He yelled, "Stop!" at me after the fourth or fifth time I moved his hand from his mouth, LOL. Even still, he loved catching the water beads, squishing them in his hands, and splashing in the water.
.jpg)
Peanut preferred to sit outside the pool and reach inside to grab at the beads. He watched wide eyed as I made whirlpools in the water causing the beads to spin around the pool.
.jpg)
Both boys loved finding stray beads in the grass that had flown out of the water.
.jpg)
I realize this isn't for everyone. You may prefer waiting until your baby or toddler is past the oral stage to introduce water beads. For other ways to engage your little one in sensory play click HERE.
We haven't tried them yet, but I think my guy would love them.
ReplyDeleteYou really should! They are a favorite around here.
DeleteWhat a fun activity. Where do you buy your water beads? Are they very expensive?
ReplyDeleteI get mine from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004UCUH2A/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004UCUH2A&linkCode=as2&tag=trupach-20
DeleteThey are also available at Wal Mart and Michaels in the flower section. They are very cheap! You can make them last quite awhile by storing them in water. We've used the same batch for months on end.
Do you put anything in the water to keep it from getting mildewy?
DeleteDid they not squish into a mess when they squeezed them? Maybe I got the wrong kind of waterbeads...
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get yours? It's so odd, sometimes they squish into mush easily, and other times they last for a very long time. I've tried many brands, and I can't find a rhyme nor reason to why this happens. Thankfully this batch was not that way. I would test them first before presenting to babies or young toddlers.
DeleteWonderful! I bet they were hard to grab in the pool! Great practice.
ReplyDeleteI really need to get in on the water bead action they look so fun!
ReplyDeleteSaw this on fb page, loved it! FSPDT
ReplyDeleteWater beads are lovely,I am sure they loved playing with them.x
ReplyDeleteYes, I have no idea why sometimes my waterbeads are more durable and other times squish so easily! Oh well. I'd also need to get better ones for baby to play with I think... haven't been game yet. Judging by your son though I imagine he'll love them :)
ReplyDeleteWaterbeads are great for all ages aren't they. My son was playing with them in water today too and he is nearly 3.
ReplyDeleteYes, my little babe loves them too! Great photos Allison!
ReplyDeleteThis would be so much fun in the pool - lots of giggles I bet as you try to catch them!
ReplyDeleteRight after reading your article, I discovered an article on *edible* "water" beads - boba pearls (tapioca balls). :) Same sort of fun, without quite as much hazard (although, in the later photos, the pearls still looked like a choking hazard for little ones -- parent must monitor play). http://www.blogmemom.com/sensory-activities-edible-water-beads/
ReplyDelete