Do You Use Water Beads?

[youretooloud]

My favorite waterbeads were from Walgreens in the toy dept. They were perfect, and affordable.

I got some from the craft store, but if you get different colors, they eventually all turn brown.

[Countrygal]

Are they large enough that they aren't a choking hazard? Mine are still putting everything in their mouth.

No, they are quite small. Every one I've seen comes with the "not for children under 3" label.

I picked some up in the floral dept. of WalMart for $2 a bag. They are non-toxic as well, but also come with the do not eat caution and not for children under 3 caution. They look like fun. I'm working up a sensory area and this will be part of it, but packed away and used only under direct supervision. I also bought the submersible LED lights to go with them. Has anyone tried them?

[beachgrl]

I got some because I saw Mels Kids post about them on her blog! I ordered multi colored ones off ebay pretty cheap and they havent turned brown yet..had them a while now. I also saw thr ones walmart has in the floral section for $2 and will get my next sets there most likely. Id like to do a fe diff tubs w a certain color ea in them.

The littles will try to put themin their mouths, you just have to be right there and supervise them well. I love to use mine when we are having one of those whiny/grumpy end of the day and make it a special activity that comes out to make that last bit of time before pick up less crazy and more fun some daysmwhen its well needed

[MyAngels]

I picked up some of these over the weekend at Walmart for the kids. I put a few clear plastic cups, some clear spoons and about 20 or so glow sticks in with them for the kids. They've been playing with them for over an hour now and are having a great time.

[small_steps]

I saw this post and had to have some. I to found some at walmart for $2 per pack. I bought the green and my plan is to use them in a sensory table during the month of March and make some golden coins with numbers on them, and have the children find the numbers and then put them in order or something like that. Kind of a modified idea I got from mailbox.

[DaycareMama]

Im glad to hear walmart carries them. I will be picking some up tonight happyface

[melskids]

I picked up some of these over the weekend at Walmart for the kids. I put a few clear plastic cups, some clear spoons and about 20 or so glow sticks in with them for the kids. They've been playing with them for over an hour now and are having a great time.

I saw this post and had to have some. I to found some at walmart for $2 per pack. I bought the green and my plan is to use them in a sensory table during the month of March and make some golden coins with numbers on them, and have the children find the numbers and then put them in order or something like that. Kind of a modified idea I got from mailbox.

They both sound like fun!

Here's our Dr. Suess inspired one for this week...I;ve been looking EVERYWHERE for plastic orange fish, but I can't find them!

[small_steps]

They both sound like fun!

Here's our Dr. Suess inspired one for this week...I;ve been looking EVERYWHERE for plastic orange fish, but I can't find them!

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Very cute! I will have to print that out and do it next year. To be honest I didn't plan much with Dr Seuss this week. I really just didn't think about it until I saw some of the other posts about him. Maybe its' not too late to get a few things in.

[Countrygal]

Well, the kids got to "play" in the beads today! Yesterday we watched them "grow". They LOVED them!!! I had to force them away for lunch! ::::

I definitely think it's a return project!

[Daycare Diva]

How/ where do you store them when they are not in use? Do they mildew? Can they be played with outside in the sun? I would like some for my outside water table

[countrymom]

I bought some at michaels, they cost 4 dollars a bag. but right now I have rice in the table, when the rice becomes boring then I will put them it.

[SD DaycareMOM]

How/ where do you store them when they are not in use? Do they mildew? Can they be played with outside in the sun? I would like some for my outside water table

My "sensory tub" is an under-the-bed rubbermaid storage bin, so I store mine in there with the lid on when we are not using them. I had several tubs of them and the kind I had started to smell a little funny after a couple weeks undisturbed, but I thought that was pretty good. They store very well if you dehydrate them so they shrink back down. I think they would store forever that way. I have also used them outside and they worked just fine there.