Beans - Page 2 of 7

The Floating Island Bean Drop

Steps:

Fill the aluminium foil pan halfway with cool water to create your ‘ocean.’
Place the sponge gently into the water so it floats like a tiny island.
Put a handful of dry beans into a small bowl next to the pan.
Show your toddler how to pick up one bean using their thumb and pointer finger.
Encourage your child to carefully set the bean onto the center of the floating sponge.
Watch as the sponge bobs and tilts with each new bean added!
Challenge them to see how many beans the island can hold before it gets too heavy.
When finished, they can use their fingers to scoop the beans off the sponge.

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: Beans are small and pose a risk. Always supervise your toddler closely and store materials safely after play.

The Paper Cup Secret Sounds

Steps:

Line up six empty paper cups on a table.
Put a small handful of rice into two cups.
Fill two more cups with dry beans and the last two with oats.
Place an index card over the top of each cup and secure it tightly with masking tape.
Use markers to draw a small secret symbol on the bottom of each cup to mark the pairs.
Mix the cups up and ask your child to shake them one by one.
Challenge your child to find the two cups that make the exact same sound!

Safety Tip:
Supervise your child closely when using rice or beans to prevent them from putting items in their mouth.

The Paper Plate Pulley

Steps:

Use the hole puncher to make one hole in the middle of your paper plate.
Tape the paper plate to the top of a stable door frame using masking tape.
Thread your string through the hole you made in the plate.
Use the hole puncher to make two small holes near the rim of your paper cup.
Tie one end of the string through the holes in the cup to make a handle.
Fill the cup with a handful of beans to act as cargo.
Stand below the plate and pull the loose end of the string to lift the cup.
Try to lower the cup slowly to the floor without letting it drop or crash!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required when using long pieces of string to prevent a strangulation hazard.

Air-Power Cup Delivery

Steps:

Blow up a balloon and tie it closed.
Cut a piece of string about two feet long.
Tape one end of the string to the balloon.
Tape the other end of the string to the bottom of a paper cup.
Place five beans inside the cup for weight.
Set the cup on a smooth floor.
Give your child a paper plate to use as a fan.
Challenge your child to fan the balloon with the plate.
They must move the balloon and cup to a target.
Reach the finish line without the cup tipping over!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Beans and broken balloons are choking hazards. Keep uninflated balloons away from children.

Banded Bottle Bean Slider

Steps:

Take the plastic bottle and wrap four pipe cleaners tightly around the middle section.
Use small pieces of masking tape to secure the ends of the pipe cleaners so they do not slide around.
Place one dry bean at the very bottom of the bottle.
Hold the bottle firmly with your helper hand to keep it from moving on the table.
Use your thumb and pointer finger to slide the bean up the bottle, pushing it underneath the first tight pipe cleaner band.
Continue sliding and pushing the bean past every band until it reaches the top of the bottle.
Try to see how fast you can do it without the bean popping out from under your finger!

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Dry beans are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard. Ensure all materials are collected and stored safely after play.