Toddler sensory tubs

[Josiegirl]

With an 18 mo and an incoming 12 mo, I'd like to incorporate more sensory tub options. I'll check pinterest but wondered also what you all deem the toddlers' favorites?
Thanks!!

[Indoorvoice]

Water beads are a big favorite here. I just supervise very closely.http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008W9...-atf_title_1_1

They also like rice, dry beans, homemade cloud dough, soapy water, and shaving cream.

[melilley]

Pasta (the larger kind if it's not cooked), water, paper to rip, cotton balls, flour, oatmeal, pudding, jello, playdoh, corn starch and water, just a few ideas.

No offense to pp, but I don't use shaving cream because it is not non-toxic. Instead, I use food products because no matter how closely you are supervising, they always seem to taste it...

[Blackcat31]

Water beads are a big favorite here. I just supervise very closely.http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008W9...-atf_title_1_1

They also like rice, dry beans, homemade cloud dough, soapy water, and shaving cream.

Please be careful using dried beans, especially kidney beans

Here is a link: http://www.foodreference.com/html/ar...poisoning.html

There are other sites with some really good info, but that one popped up first so...

Pasta (the larger kind if it's not cooked), water, paper to rip, cotton balls, flour, oatmeal, pudding, jello, playdoh, corn starch and water, just a few ideas.

No offense to pp, but I don't use shaving cream because it is not non-toxic. Instead, I use food products because no matter how closely you are supervising, they always seem to taste it...

You can buy (or make) shaving cream that is non-toxic. They are probably a bit more expensive but still affordable if you don't need a case. LOL!


Shaving cream contains other ingredients that many feel are questionable when it comes to the health of the consumer. While not all shaving creams contain each of these ingredients, it's smart to become familiar with the chemicals and then check to see which ones your favorite brand includes.

• Triethaamine: When combined with other chemicals, this has been linked to cancer.
• Triclosan: This chemical is an antibacterial agent and is bad for septic systems and natural water systems.
• Phthalates: This ingredient makes shaving cream smooth, but medical research links it to neurotoxicity and neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as links between it and asthma and allergies.
• Isobutane: In lab tests, this chemical has been linked to cancer.
• Methylparaben: This preservative has been linked to tumor growth.
• Sodium lauryl sulfate: This cleansing agent is considered bad for the environment and is deadly to fish and can cause birth defects in animals.

[Indoorvoice]

No offense to pp, but I don't use shaving cream because it is not non-toxic. Instead, I use food products because no matter how closely you are supervising, they always seem to taste it...

No offense taken! You have to know your group and what they can handle. In my group, the benefits outweigh the chance they might get a tiny bit in their mouth, but I wouldn't do it with certain kids. I've also put shaving cream in ziplock bags with food coloring for them to swirl around. That's also a pretty cool sensory experience without the risk.

[melilley]

No offense taken! You have to know your group and what they can handle. In my group, the benefits outweigh the chance they might get a tiny bit in their mouth, but I wouldn't do it with certain kids. I've also put shaving cream in ziplock bags with food coloring for them to swirl around. That's also a pretty cool sensory experience without the risk.

Ooh, what a great idea!

[melilley]

Please be careful using dried beans, especially kidney beans

Here is a link: http://www.foodreference.com/html/ar...poisoning.html

There are other sites with some really good info, but that one popped up first so...



You can buy (or make) shaving cream that is non-toxic. They are probably a bit more expensive but still affordable if you don't need a case. LOL!


Shaving cream contains other ingredients that many feel are questionable when it comes to the health of the consumer. While not all shaving creams contain each of these ingredients, it's smart to become familiar with the chemicals and then check to see which ones your favorite brand includes.

• Triethaamine: When combined with other chemicals, this has been linked to cancer.
• Triclosan: This chemical is an antibacterial agent and is bad for septic systems and natural water systems.
• Phthalates: This ingredient makes shaving cream smooth, but medical research links it to neurotoxicity and neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as links between it and asthma and allergies.
• Isobutane: In lab tests, this chemical has been linked to cancer.
• Methylparaben: This preservative has been linked to tumor growth.
• Sodium lauryl sulfate: This cleansing agent is considered bad for the environment and is deadly to fish and can cause birth defects in animals.

I'll have to look into this!

As for the beans, my old bosses dd stick one in her ear and had to go to the doctor to have it removed!

[Indoorvoice]

I'll have to look into this!

As for the beans, my old bosses dd stick one in her ear and had to go to the doctor to have it removed!

Lol! I must be really lucky with my group! They haven't been big on sticking things in their mouth or other crevices I'm glad I have this forum to learn about things I wouldn't have ever thought of. I'll definitely be more careful as I get new kids. I'm sad about the beans though. Even I like running my hands through them.

[Josiegirl]

Wow BC Thank you for enlightening us about shaving cream. I use it maybe 4x a year, the kids love it. But now I'll have to rethink that.
My dcks(over 2 yo) love the bans/rice table but I'm not comfortable offering it to a 1 yo. Thanks for all the suggestions! Will be also checking out pinterest later too!