Do your toddlers love to help in the kitchen? Are their hands coated with flour the instant you turn your back to grab a measuring cup? If so, this flour sensory activity is for you!
In our house, breakfast is an event. We love to bake at breakfast time, from pancakes and waffles to blueberry muffins to breakfast burritos to classic eggs and toast.
When mom starts something in the kitchen, the toddlers inevitably show up too. Usually right when the flour bin gets opened. Or the oats, they always love the oats. If I don’t anticipate fast enough, hands are coated and the unplanned sensory craft of the hour has begun. Yikes!
Most days, I have about 5 ingredients ready for them to measure and stir. But that’s not always enough. Some days they just want to get their hands in everything, so rather than fight the inevitable, I created this flour sensory activity. It’s a win win, they get their hands in the flour and I can get breakfast on the table!
I love that this activity is completely customizable. Depending on the size of your space, what tools you have available, or how many kids want to play, you can change this up to whatever works best for you.
How to Set Up Your Flour Sensory Activity
- Collect all the tools you would use to make breakfast (measuring cups/spoons, bowls, whisk, bench scraper, funnel, etc.).
- Plop your kids at a good spot in the kitchen. Lay a tablecloth or sheet on the floor for easier cleanup (I learned this one the hard way lol).
- Give them whatever “ingredients” you choose. Flour and oats are favorites in our house. I’ve also blended up cereal.
- Let the kids “cook”! No limits other than the normal play zone and clean up rules.
- Watch the fun and creativity!
- Go make your family some waffles or other yummy breakfast!
Minimizing the Mess
The flour sensory activity zone will almost assuredly be a mess afterwards. Here’s some ideas to keep the flour mess to a minimum:
- Lay down a tablecloth or sheet on the floor, so it can just be picked up and shaken over a trashcan.
- Start with a small amount of flour. You can always give them more.
- Put a tray under their bowls to catch some of the spills.
- Keep liquids FAR from the kids! We had a liquid spill in the midst of flour fun and it made for a VERY doughy cleanup. Not fun. At all.
- Involve them in cleanup! Dumping flour in trash, vacuuming, wiping tables, etc.
That’s all there is to it! May the kitchen fun begin!
Momma, want to actually make breakfast while your kids are cooking? Check out this waffle recipe for a yummy morning for everyone!
Flour Time
Do your toddlers love to help in the kitchen? Are their hands coated for flour time the instant you turn your back to grab a measuring cup? If so, this easy DIY kitchen sensory activity is for you!
Materials
- Ingredients such as flour, oats, or blended up cereal.
- Curious children
Tools
- Kitchen cooking tools: measuring cups/spoons, bowls, whisk, bench scraper, funnel, etc.
- Flooring (sheet, tablecloth, tray, etc.)
Instructions
- Collect all the tools you would use to make breakfast (measuring cups/spoons, bowls, whisk, bench scraper, funnel, etc.).
- Plop your kids at a good spot in the kitchen. Lay a tablecloth or sheet on the floor for easier cleanup.
- Give them whatever "ingredients" you choose, such as flour, oats, or blended up cereal.
- Let the kids “cook”! No limits other than the normal play zone and clean up rules.
- Watch the fun and creativity!
- Go make your family some waffles or other yummy breakfast!
Notes
Check out the post for ways to minimize the mess 🙂
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