This sensory play activity is a great way to extend learning and make it magical!

Aren’t vacations incredible? The sun, the sand, the ocean, and time to just relax? Vacations are the best…

…particularly when you have a 4-year-old boy who is constantly running and jumping and moving in need of something to entertain him at all times or else he starts entertaining himself which usually ends with something broken or someone crying…

No?

Well, this was the situation I found myself in at grandma’s house on day 12 of our vacation. We had already exhausted all of the special activities grandma had purchased for the trip, and he was starting to roam the house looking for something – anything – he could destroy.

So, I had to quickly throw on my SuperMom cape and figure out something. FAST!

Muffin Tin Magic Sensory Play Activity

My son’s current obsession was Harry Potter, so I started thinking about the books and looking around the house for something Harry Potter-related that I could use to entertain him. I was digging through my mom’s kitchen cabinets when I saw a muffin tin and it hit me…MAGIC MUFFIN TIN!

Here’s how it worked and how you can replicate it!!

It’s perfect for those kiddos who love sensory play, dramatic play, and science! Plus, it works those fine motor muscles too!

Ingredients
First, throw open the kitchen cabinets and pantry. Grab everything you can find that might be fun to use in a potion. This could include:

Flour
Baking Soda
Colored Sugar
Tiny Candies and other small edibles
Seeds
Small amounts of food coloring mixed with water (in small squirt bottles or droppers)
Corn Starch
Powdered Sugar
Oatmeal
Small Pasta

Note – my son is 4, so while I generally trust him to not put things in his mouth, I still only chose items that were edible and non-toxic. Use your own discretion and wisdom with your own kids or classroom!

Directions

Dump these things into the various muffin tin compartments.

Next, provide some places to create the magic! I used large plastic bowls and filled them with:

Water
Ice
Vinegar
And also left some empty

I also had a few large spoons.

Then once you’re all set up let them create!! You can play up the introduction as much as you want. I definitely built it up with my son, letting him know that I’d gone to the “Magic Store” to get a bunch of Ingredients for his own Magic Potion.

Let me tell you! Some days, you just win at Mom-ing. This was one of those days!! He was SO EXCITED. His eyes lit up!!

He immediately started adding ingredients and stirring and watching what happened! He discovered ingredients that caused the water to change color, some that made the water feel slimy, and others that made it feel gritty or look cloudy. He explored what ingredients worked together, and what it looked like to add too much of one thing. It was a blast!!

The best part? Grandma’s house stayed intact. If that’s not a successful vacation, I don’t know what is!

This post and idea was created by Sarah, one of our wonderful readers. Get to know Sarah more over on Instagram.