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Sea Foam Sensory Bin

Lesson plan developed by Ms. Erika Geelhoed, BA Ed
Activity:  
Sea Foam Sensory Bin
Age Group:
Toddlers
* Lesson plan objective and assessment can be adapted to use this activity with preschoolers.
Objectives:  
  • Child will new vocabulary that was introduced during the activity
  • Child will develop sensory motor skills
  • Child will develop sense of touch by experiencing new textures
CDA Competency Standard:   
II.6.5a
  • Candidate promotes children’s vocabulary development
a) Intentionally provides opportunities for children to learn new words
Online Courses
Early Literacy 
(1 hour / .1 CEU)
Tuition: $10.50 

Stages of Physical Growth and Development in Toddlers 
(1 hour / .1 CEU)
Tuition: $10.50
Materials: 
  • water
  • dish soap
  • cornstarch
  • blue food coloring
  • large plastic
  • mixer
  • shells
Procedure: 
Prepare for activity by creating the foam. In a large bowl, combine 1/3 cup water, 1/3 cup dish soap, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and a few drops of food coloring. Using your mixer on high to blend the ingredients together until a foam is created. Put the foam in the plastic bin and repeat process until you have the desired amount. Add a few shells for the child to scoop with and place the bin in an appropriate area for exploration. While the child is playing, introduce new vocabulary such as the terms “foam”, “shells”, “beach”, and “bubbles” (the complexity of the sentences and words will vary with age and child). 
Note:  Please provide appropriate supervision to the children in your care when completing all activities. You will need to decide what types of activities are safe for the children in your care.  Appropriate and reasonable caution should be used when providing art and sensory experiences for children.  Toddlers require special caution, only use non-toxic materials, and do not allow toddlers to put things in their mouths that are a choking hazard. ​​​  
Assessment: 
  • Take observational notes during the activity. Did they child attempt to use the new vocabulary words or phrases? You can take pictures and put them, along with the notes in the child’s portfolio for future reference. 
Click on the photos to enlarge.

Deep Blue Sea Snacks

Ocean Waves
Tint white frosting with blue food coloring and spread it onto cupcakes. Place gummy fish or other gummy sea creatures on top of the blue “ocean waves”.

Sea in a Cup
Make blueberry jello in clear cups. When jello is just partially set add gummy fish.

Beach Cups
Using a see-thru plastic cups, layer with vanilla pudding w/ a few drops of blue food color, enough to make it a light sky blue. Mix in some gummy fish/ sharks. Next layer is the "sand", made of crushed Nilla wafers. Layer pudding again and follow with another layer of "sand", top off with an umbrella stick.

Book Suggestions

Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea
by Jan Peck is about a little boy swimming in the “deep” looking for treasure.
Touch and Feel – Under the Sea
by Beck Ward