KTMA: Mommy and Me Craft

So I may be stretching the term "craft" just a little bit on this one. H and B are still at the age where everything goes in their mouth, so doing traditional mommy am me crafts don't really work yet. Although, I'm hoping to get some good ideas from the other moms that are joining the link up with Erinn at Strawberry Swing and Other Things.  

We do a lot of sensory activities which are kind of craftesque. It usually involves me making something and us playing with it together.  We've done colored ice cubes, sensory bottles, oil, water and glitter bags, pom boards, glow in the dark bath time. I have found lots of great sensory activities, mostly on Pinterst, that we still have to try in future months. 

For today's craft I decided to do sensory balloons with the babies.  This is a great way for them to explore different textures and scents. Since Rob was home, we let the kids get involved in the prep work as well as exploring the finished product.  Being able to double team the twins was definitely a plus.

I purchased all of the products used at the Dollar Store or Target.  The Dollar Spot at Target has lots of great finds for fun sensory projects and the Dollar Store is pretty much an explosion of sensory ideas.  We have a bin full of items to use for sensory play. With the cold weather closing in on us, having fun activities for indoors is a must.  

What you'll need: Balloons, a funnel and any items you want to fill them with.  We used hair gel, shaving cream, rice, baby powder, coffee beans, lotion, water, beads and gum drops. Anything with a different/unique texture or scent.  

Step 1. I recommend making a funnel from an empty water bottle.  Cut the water bottle in half and keep the end with the opening. 

Step 2. Blow up a balloon enough to stretch out the latex. Let the air out and then attach the balloon to the bottle.  

Step 3. Pour ingredients through funnel into balloon. Stretch balloon by hand of fill with air to make room for more filling.  

Step 4. Let any excess air out of balloon and tie closed.  

Coffee - Shaving Cream - Rice

Step 5. Let kids explore the filled balloons. 

This was our first time doing sensory balloons so it was a learning experience. We wound up with baby powder everywhere because I added extra air and tried to let it out slowly. Lesson learned: don't blow any air into a balloon filled with baby powder, flour or any similar substance. I purchased regular balloons which worked out well enough, but jumbo balloons would probably be better. If you have kids that still put everything in their mouth, watch them closely. We lost two balloons to biting. Then we played with rice on the carpet. Just as much fun.

The rice, gel and water balloons were the kids' favorites.  We had to make a second rice balloon, even before they popped one. Sand, Cheerios, vegetable oil, Vaseline and dirt are a few other substances that would probably work well for texture or scent.  We will be holding onto all of the surviving balloons and revisit them again soon.

Make sure to follow the link up and check out the other mommy and me craft ideas. I'm really excited for next Tuesday's link up where we'll be discussing family friendly meals. Make sure to stop back for the usual Tasty Tuesday post and follow the link for even more recipe ideas.