Jul 17 2008
Rainy Day Activities: Exploring with Gelatin
If you are looking for something that is downright gross for your kids to do, then this is a rainy day activity for you. I tried this activity when I was still in college working at my first placement. The teachers looked at me like I was crazy when I wrote up the plan.
If you aren’t familiar with what I am talking about in regards to a plan, it is fairly simple. For the first, second and third placement, students have to write in-depth plans that are taken from observations in the class. I can’t remember what my observation was that led me to believe this was a great activity but in my madness I arrived at a decision on what sensory activity I wanted to do with the kids. My plan had the steps to take, the inferences I gathered and the developmental outcomes that I hoped to see.
Of course, like most well made plans, it didn’t go off perfectly and by the end of the activity I had children painted in a multitude of colors and a big box of brown sludge to clean out. I learned from that, tweaked a few things and found a better way to enjoy gelatin fun without having as much of a fuss over the mess.
*Word of caution: This can still be a messy activity so it isn’t for the faint of heart.*
What you will need:
- A large box of clear gelatin
- A large plastic tub or container
- Food coloring
- Water
- Spray bottles
- (optional: any little animals or items that you want to put in)
Directions:
- Prepare the whole box of gelatin as it says on the box. This will leave you with a lot of gelatin so make sure you have a big enough container and a big enough space in your fridge. If you are adding animals or anything else, add them while the gelatin is still a liquid.
- Once it sets, tip the gelatin over into the bin.
- Fill up the spray bottles with water.
- Add a few drops of food coloring to the spray bottles.
- Give to the kids and allow them to explore.
This is a great activity because the gelatin looks wet. Kids expect it to splash up or for their hands to sink into it. When they feel a cool resistance, it gives them an opportunity to problem solve. Ask questions like, “Why do you think it is like that?”
The spray bottles of color also help children learn about mixing colors. They can spray one color onto the gelatin and then another to create a third color. They can also try different ways to get the colors to sink into the gelatin.
Regardless of what they are learning, the texture of the gelatin is a complete treat and one that most children enjoy.
Sirena Van Schaik
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