Warm Water Play for Calming Stress Relief

 The kiddos are stressed. They don’t always show it, or they show it in ways that don’t really express their feelings, but lots of them are stressed. We stumbled upon a relaxing, stress-reducing activity the other day - and wanted to share! 

The kiddos had found some tiny sea creatures to play with and, instead of just pretending to get them wet ...we pulled out some containers and some nice, soothing WARM water to splash around in. Just like in a warm bath, the kiddos relaxed and played ... for a loooong time :)

We’ve played a lot in cool/cold water, but hadn’t thought to try this. It was so nice to watch the children unwind and they did a great job of keeping the water (mostly) in the tubs! 

First, it was just creature play, then they poured and measured and made little waterfalls. After a while, they wanted to make “islands” for their sea creatures out of old plastic tops. One container got filled, then the water was poured into another, sizing the containers as part of the play. 

Later, a few ice cubes were added in, at the kiddos’ requests, to watch the melting. This was followed by more warm water to get back to cozy play :)  * their choice

They looked around for some fish to add to the mix but couldn’t find any. So ... we went to the recyclables stash and found that foam egg cartons can turn into great, floaty fish :) Rocks were added, like a “real aquarium” and we used a few grains of rice for pretend fish food. Pet play included naming the fish and creating tiny whirlpools for them to swim in :)

Fun was definitely had by all!! It was a great escape and a great stress reliever :) Here’s how long we played ...

Hope you can make some fun like this, too!

Social Distancing with Small World Play

Looking for ways to incorporate interactive play in these days of separation and caution? Playing in pairs can still work with some social distancing hacks :) Use plexiglass or other sturdy see-through materials to set up stations to do paired small-world play! 

Kiddos LOVE to build with all sorts of materials and to make “worlds” where small figures or animals can play. Offer interesting materials, like chucks of wood, twigs, shells, small rocks, glass florist stones, etc. and watch as they construct interesting landscapes. Keeping small tubs to house natural elements spurs children to gather and bring in interesting pieces to add to the bins. Using the plexiglass to separate but bump up against each others’ “worlds” will help build excitement, seeing what their partners are adding and constructing with. Conversations and interactions can still occur, with proper social distancing :) 

Don’t feel trapped by tables either! Use your sneeze guard materials on the floor, with some “tummy time” play, using the same ideas. You will be amazed at how focused some friends will be and able to stay within your social distancing guidelines :) No plexiglass? No problem .... Take those old chart stands, or make a stand from some PVC pipes, and securely drape some sheer shower curtains to divide some space. 

One group I had a few years ago “designed” a Winter Olympics setup - I could see something like this applied to a partitioned play area, geared to individual-but-together play. Little friends like to just construct landscapes with no particular end, so let them create :) 

Play is definitely tricky these days, but try ....

And, have fun!