Friday, February 20, 2009

Beans, Beans, the magical fruit

Yesterday, I finally got around to a project that I've been meaning to do for months.  Creed loves playing in the sand so we set out to put together an indoor version for him.  My friend Shauna made a bean box for her son to play with in the winter months and it was a great success.  I let Creed pick any dried beans that we wanted at the store and then we went home and poured them out in a cookie sheet and large muffin tins.  Ideally we would be using a shallow tupperware bin with deeper sides so the beans don't spill everywhere and we can just pop the lid on and store it when Creed's done playing.  We'll pick one up soon but we couldn't wait to play.
Creed got out the measuring spoons and cups that he so dearly loves and got busy.  He could have sat there all day if I would have let him.
It was a great way for him to work on his small motor skills and also something to keep him busy while I am cooking and he wants to "help".  Granted they were instantly scattered everywhere, but they are a lot easier to cleanup than sand and Creed liked sweeping with our little hand broom just as much as playing with the beans.
If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't go for the tiny split peas, I would try to convince Creed to pick the biggest beans, which are the easiest to clean up.  I saw someone who only used split peas and know of another friend who uses rice, but the larger beans are a lot easier to deal with and Creed doesn't care either way.





6 comments:

Anonymous said...

How fun for Creed. I bet he would love a sensory table! Maybe you can set one up outside when the weather is nicer, since inside they can be messy (if they're filled with water or sand especially).

Eva / Sycamore Street Press said...

great photos.

Shauna said...

Hooray for the bean box! Although recently Ben asked me to be extra vigilant supervising because beans are bad things to aspirate. So (as with every toddler activity) have fun but be careful. We miss you guys!!

Rachel H said...

Hi! I just linked over from Amy Cochran's blog and your red frames are just gorgeous I love them and wonder where I could get them? They would go great in my nursery! I love the colors! Cute idea with the beans, too!
my email is rachel(dot)halversen(at)gmail(dot)com !!

Kellie said...

Stephanie,

How are you? I don't know if you remember me from Ohio, but I love to spy on you and thought I should comment. Okay so EVERYTHING you touch turns to gold! I'm serious. I love everything you make, take pictures of, decorate etc. What kind of camera do you use? Creed is the lucky-ist boy to have you for a mom! Thanks for all the great ideas. I wished I lived by you (again) so I could see them all in real life. You are amazing!!! Hope all is well.

Lots of love,
Kellie Geyer
kelliealice@hotmail.com

Tenay Jo said...

It looks like Creed had so much fun. I've been wanting to make Kallen an indoor sand box with rice or beans, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Maybe your post will inspire me to get it done. However, the way I go about getting things made, Kallen will be 6 by the time I finish. :)