Build a homemade hourglass with mom!
When you’re a mom, time goes by so quickly. I am always trying to remember to stop what I’m doing and tune in to my kids when they are trying to share stories with me. Admittedly, when things get busy, I am terrible at this. I decided to create a “talking timer” with my kids that stays on the counter in the kitchen. When they want my attention, they grab the timer and bring it to me to let me know that they need just a little bit of my time. Simple fine motor activities like this one can be a fun way to spend time with your little one, but this one has made all the difference in slowing me down so I can focus on what really matters. We always end up talking way past when the sand runs out – I hope you take the time to make one too!
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: 2 empty 8oz water bottles, duct tape, band aid, sand, decorative craft items
WHAT TO DO: Let your child help with pouring sand into one of the empty water bottles to fill it ¾ of the way. We used a funnel to limit the mess! Next, cut a 1-2cm hole in the middle of your band aid (gauze section). Center your band aid hole over the opening of your sand-filled water bottle and secure it to the bottle. This will slow the sand down as it moves from one water bottle to the other. Place the second water bottle upside down on top of the sand-filled water bottle so the holes are lined up and secure them together by wrapping tape around the place where the two water bottles are connected. Last, allow your child to decorate their “talking timer” any way they wish! We used adhesive glitter tape and letter stickers to spell their names!
Here’s sweet little Ella to show us how it works:
HOW TO CHANGE IT UP:
-Try a different kind of timer! Simply fill one bottle with glitter ¼ of he way, again using the funnel to prevent a mess. Add water to fill the bottle and replace the bottle cap. Instead of flipping like the timer, let your little one shake his timer and then chatter away until the glitter settles!
-To make it more difficult, allow your child to fill the bottle with multiple colors of sand. Starting and stopping the bilateral challenge of setting up the funnel and pouring while stabilizing the bottle is excellent practice!
SKILL AREAS ADDRESSED: Bilateral coordination, fine motor skills, grasp, social skills, visual motor integration
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