Fit Kids Clubhouse: Clubhouse Plunge... into Water Beads (and a Giveaway)!!

"These are just little tiny dots!"

...and thus began our newest Clubhouse sensory/science adventure.

Reading all over the internet about these little "water beads" I have started to feel like if I didn't get them into our sensory table soon, I would be denying the Clubhouse Kids a magical sensory experience like no other. Then the other day while in the floral section of a local department store I spotted them. Tiny little beads, in tiny little bags. Immediately I decided it was time to take the plunge, and see what all the fuss was about.

We got out our Clubhouse Science Journal and started by recording our observations of the beads before they had a chance to soak in the water. We also discussed what we thought would happen to them after being in water.

"They're so tiny."

"They are dark."

"They are hard!"

"I bet they will sink in the water!"

I decided to take this sensory adventure to the outside table simply because it was a beautiful day, and our inside table was still covered in exploded Ivory soap ;)

They scooped and poured, watching a very s-l-o-w process. This particular sensory/science project was definitely not going to give us results in 2 minutes, but the always optimistic Clubhouse Kids were already excited.

"Look, they are getting bigger.. for sure!"

Did I ever mention they were going to get bigger? I'm positive I had not. I never give away surprise endings! These are just keen little observers we've got here, and observe they did.

As they played, the beads continued to grow. As they grew, the kids continued to play. This was a nice little cycle.

"Look, I have green dots on my hands!"

During lunch and classroom activities, one question remained consistent.

"Can we go outside and check on our beads?"

Since the beads were still submerged in water, they decided to start sifting them out using the strainer/colander. After draining all of the water, they poured them back into the big white bowl and started to really explore the beads. This is when I got our science journal out again, to record our observations after the beads had been in water for almost 3 hours.

"These are HUGE!"

"They are light green now!"

"They're soft and squishy!"

By looking at our journal entry from earlier that day, I noticed that this was a perfect time to talk about opposites! Tiny/Huge, Dark/Light, Hard/Soft. After discussing opposites, one little sensory Scientist declared,

"The water made it opposite what it was!"

Keen observers, yes indeed.

"When we put them in the red bowl they turn purple!"

"These are AWESOME!"

"HOLY COW!!" (I heard that one a lot!)

I added marbles since at this point they were the same size yet, of course, felt completely different. They immediately started their marble searching.

"It's right there, you can get it!"

"I got it!!"

"I got TWO!"

"The ones in the water on the table look like shadows!!"

On and on they went, moving the beads from one container to another. Having a variety of different size and different color containers definitely added to the experience. Allowing them to explore the beads through the entire process also added to the magic of these little sensory wonders. I think now I should have added marbles at the beginning when the beads were still tiny, so the comparisons between the two could have been made from the start.

Not to worry though, we are definitely not done with water beads at the Clubhouse. At the end of our day we added more water and left the beads out all night.. this morning, "THEY'RE EVEN HUGER, They keep GROWING!!.

Today we measured the "huger" beads and then set them aside to dry out in the Sunshine. Tomorrow we will measure them again and see if they shrink. Then, we will put them back in water to see if they grow again!

We also put an ice cube tray full of them into the freezer, along with one full of plain water. Will they freeze? Will freezing them cause them to shrink? We will find out tomorrow. We will also see how long it takes them to melt. Do they melt faster/slower than the regular ice cubes?

All of our questions, answers, and observations will be recorded in our science journal, of course!

I have already ordered, in bulk, a variety of water beads for the month of April. So I guess you can officially say we are on the water bead bandwagon! :)

Next month, we will start some gardening experiments with them.

We will also soak them in a variety of different liquids and observe/record their growth, or lack thereof.

Not just for observation, we do also plan on some "squishing science". Our toes.. purple grapes, purple beads.. will they feel the same?

Last, but not least, we will soak the clear ones in tonic water and then have some fun with a blacklight!

Can you tell how excited I am? The only thing that makes me even more excited is that you should all join us!! Let me start the fun with a giveaway...

How about a dozen packets of water beads in fabulous Spring colors? That's over 1,400 beads varying from Light Purple, Aqua Blue, Bright Yellow and, for tonic water purposes, Clear!

The giveaway is simple:

If you go ahead and "like" our Fit Kids Clubhouse Facebook page, you receive one entry. (If you have already done that, you already have one entry!)
Comment on our Facebook page. On our wall, a photo, a post, anything... and receive another entry! (One entry no matter how comments you leave. We love comments, but we have to be fair here!)
Leave a comment on this blog post telling us what you plan on doing with the water beads, there's another entry!
PIN IT! Pin this post, another entry.
If you choose to, or already, "like" the Facebook page.. you will see a different way to enter posted tomorrow ;)

That's a lot of ways to enter! Do one, or do them all, it's up to you.

All entries will be compiled and our winner will be randomly selected and announced on Thursday, April 5th.

Looking forward to lots of fun, exploration and observation

with these little round wonders.