This one’s for the moms out there. Unless you’re child-free but really into playing with beans. :)
Have you tried this?
Basically it’s an indoor sandbox, except easier to clean up. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not EASY to clean up…there are beans all over the kitchen. But, it is so good for hours of entertainment. It amazes me how long they’ll keep busy just pouring and dumping etc.
I’m not exaggerating. Aurora literally filled the front of her dress with beans and then dumped it out again for an entire hour straight…
This is the first time we’ve taken them out with Theo. I don’t recommend using them with really little kids. Or for that matter, if your child is prone to eating everything, dumping stuff all over the place, or sticking things in various orifices, stay away.
If not, enjoy!
JT
Oh yeah! The little dude is big on playing with his beanz. I'm not so keen on picking them up, but the bigger kids are good at that :-)
Posted by: Viv | January 15, 2009 at 02:41 AM
I filled a big rubbermaid container with beans and rice etc. I put cups and cars and whatever else in it. Hours of fun!
Posted by: Olivia | January 15, 2009 at 09:47 AM
I love playing with beans--and rice is fantastic, too. Oh, and my kids seem to like it!
Posted by: Alexis | January 15, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Beans are fun. We sometimes put in little trucks to push around the beans.
Have you tried oatmeal, it is loads of fun and the more they play with it the softer more ground up it becomes. =)
Posted by: The Zoo Keeper | January 15, 2009 at 12:57 PM
I love the bean box. This and the art supplies next to the kitchen table are the only reason I get to cook anything. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Kristi | January 15, 2009 at 01:42 PM
It reminds me when my son (5 at the time) stuck a popcorn kernel in his ear. I actually had to schedule "surgery" to have it removed because he wouldn't let the doctor come near him while he was awake. I SOOO get the orifices thing. :o)
Posted by: Elena | January 15, 2009 at 08:19 PM
Dry oatmeal, rice, grits... they're smaller and messier, but just as much fun!
Posted by: Sarah | January 16, 2009 at 03:27 PM
I have to remember ideas like this after we sat in the house all week looking at each other.
Posted by: Anne | January 17, 2009 at 05:48 PM
Oh, what a couple sweeties you have there! Beans are good for gluing on paper, too. Sometimes I draw letters for my 3-year-old and have her glue beans onto the lines. She also likes to "cook" with cornmeal, flour oats, and lots of measuring cups and utensils. Good times!
Posted by: Paige | January 17, 2009 at 07:26 PM
great idea!
Posted by: Jules | January 17, 2009 at 09:55 PM
Thanks for the idea!!! We've used this activity twice and so far it has kept her attention for 1/2 hour to an hour both times. Not bad for a 19 month old! Thanks again for the reminder on this type of activity!
Posted by: Rebecca | January 17, 2009 at 11:10 PM
My cousin stuck a bean up her nose so far one time they had to take her to the doctors to have it removed...she was about the same age :)
Posted by: kelly | January 18, 2009 at 09:41 AM
Definitely one of our favorite things, though my girls tend to like rice a bit better. Clean up is a pain but so worth it for all the fun.
Posted by: Andrea | January 19, 2009 at 12:44 AM
Oh yeah, kids and orifices....
the memories are great!
:):)
Posted by: Scott at BlueNickelStudios | January 19, 2009 at 10:17 PM
It's a great idea. I'll try this out, I think they'll like it.
Posted by: baby hair bows | August 11, 2009 at 11:22 PM