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You are here: Home / Spring Activities / Toddler Spring Sensory Play with 10 Rubber Ducks

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Toddler Spring Sensory Play with 10 Rubber Ducks

March 26, 2016 by Sheryl Cooper

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Inside: This toddler spring sensory play activity is inspired by Eric Carle’s Book, 10 Rubber Ducks. It’s a soothing water activity that also builds fine motor skills while using sponges and transporting the ducks in their containers.

Rubber ducks in a bubble bath? In the sensory bin? Oh yes, that’s exactly what our toddlers and preschoolers enjoyed with our 10 rubber ducks sensory play.

Sounds perfect for spring, right?

But this water activity also connected to one of our favorite books, 10 Rubber Ducks by Eric Carle.

While listening to the story, we see how rubber ducks are made in a factory and loaded onto a freighter. Stormy weather causes 10 of the rubber ducks to fall overboard. The ducks separate and we follow one duck’s journey to find his mother.

And so, when we put together our water activity, we made sure we had 10 rubber ducks, pretending they were separating in the sea. “Ducks overboard!”

We aren’t the only ones who’ve had fun with this book. Scroll down to see what others have done!

toddler spring sensory play

 

Toddler Spring Sensory Play with 10 Rubber Ducks

What you will need for this toddler spring sensory play activity:

  • 10 Little Rubber Ducks by Eric Carle
  • Rubber ducks
  • Water bin
  • Sponges
  • Soapy water
  • And any small pouring containers

Introducing this water activity:

During our morning meeting, we read 10 Little Rubber Ducks. We counted the ducks, we talked about how it would feel to be in the water, lost. Truly, this book connects to many concepts!

 

Water Activity for Kids

 

We then invited the children to enjoy playing with the ducks in our sensory table.

 

Water Activity for Kids

 

As with our lavender salt activity, there are so many soothing ideas for the sensory table. Warm water is always popular with our toddlers and preschoolers. They are drawn to its soft touch, to the gentle sounds of water pouring.

 

Water Activity for Kids

 

 

And if you know me from my other posts, I just love to add materials that get those hands ready for writing!

Wringing water from sponges is an excellent way to do just that. You can see in the photos how hard the hands are working.

 

Water Activity for Kids

Water Activity for Kids

 

Because we had just read the book, I could hear some of the children reciting the book, moving the water like the ocean.

 

Water Activity for Kids

Water Activity for Kids

 

 

And then, the ducks were safely collected, pulled from the water, and dried.

 

Water Activity for Kids

 

10 Little Ducks Eric Carle

 

Ways you can expand this toddler spring sensory play activity:

At the art table we had duck-shaped yellow paper, orange-tinted glue, and feathers.

One year we placed the ducks in the block area and the children built a boat from blocks.

For circle time, sing the song “Five Little Ducks”. (We have a printable prop in this packet.)

More ideas for “10 Little Rubber Ducks”:

  • Rubber Duck Math Game (Fantastic Fun and Learning)
  • Duck Counting Game (Covered in Modge Podge)
  • 10 Little Rubber Ducks Felt Board Story (Felt Board Ideas)
  • Rubber Duck Art (A Mommy’s Adventure)
  • Duck Pond Playdough (Fantastic Fun and Learning)
  • Duck Theme Letter Recognition (Books and Giggles)
  • Paper Plate Duck (Glued to My Crafts)


toddler spring sensory play

 

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Literacy, preschool, Preschool Literacy, Sensory Bins, Spring Activities, Toddler Literacy, Toddlers Tagged With: literacy, preschool, sensory, spring, toddlers

About Sheryl Cooper

Sheryl Cooper is the founder of Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds, a website full of activities for toddlers and preschoolers. She has been teaching this age group for over 20 years and loves to share her passion with teachers, parents, grandparents, and anyone with young children in their lives.

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