We have been enjoying this fall weather so much! I swear this is my favorite time of year. I love the cooler weather, the smell in the air, getting to layer up, sleeping with the windows open, all the beautiful new colors, and of course pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING! Every weekend, and some week day evenings, we can be found hiking, walking, or playing at one of the local playgrounds. The fall season is so short, I feel like we need to soak up every ounce of it before its gone.
Unfortunately not every day can be beautiful (if you find a place that is....I'm moving). You are inevitably left with cloudy days, humid and sticky days, and the worst....rainy days. These days with a toddler can be trying. Just like mommy and daddy, Colton loves to be outside. He understands that we can't play outside when its gross or rainy (thank goodness), but trying to find indoor activities to entertain him can be difficult. He doesn't really like to watch tv or movies (which is a good thing), he's a very active child. However, active doesn't mean hyper, he is very content sitting quietly with an activity that is mentally engaging....enter "squishy sand".
My mother-in-law, bless her heart, loves to come over on the weekends to play with Colton. Occasionally she will also bring something for him, and outfit, a toy, some fruit, etc. A few weeks ago she brought over this Kinetic Sand for him to play with. I had never heard of it before, but he loves his sand box, and he loves Play-Do, so this sounded like it could be cool.
I am so grateful that she brought this wonderfully weird stuff into our house, its one of his favorite rainy day activities! Apparently this sand is magnetized, it acts like a mix between Play-Do and regular sand.
A few of the things I really love about this stuff is that Colton can play with it independently. If he's playing with the Play-Do, he needs help. He has trouble with it because it harder to work with, and he likes to cut shapes but the Play-Do has to be flat for them to work. This sand came with a few molds that are very easy to work with. It's also a breeze to clean up! Because its slightly magnetized you just get a little bit and use it to pick up the rest. The box it came in seconds as a play area and we try to keep the sand in the box.
This stuff can entertain him for almost an hour. And I'm talking an hour of me sitting on the couch checking Facebook while he plays nicely at his table....score! (no, seriously, I usually play with him....this stuff is pretty cool)
Anyhoo...my MIL said she got the Kinetic Sand at Jo-Ann's, but I imagine they probably also have it on Amazon, and maybe at Toys-R-Us. Seriously, its great! My sister-in-law works with children with special needs and she said they use this sand for sensory breaks. It feels really weird at first, but its neat to play with, and holds the molds incredibly well.
I just thought I'd share, I know we are always looking for new rainy day activities.
What do you like to do with your children on rainy days?
<3 xoxo
