If your kid is anything like mine and absolutely loves water, this activity is a must-try!
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I set up this “Mystery Water” sensory bin one afternoon after seeing it constantly all over Pinterest, and it quickly became one of my son’s all-time favorites. It’s simple, messy (in the best way), and kept him busy way longer than I expected.
Honestly it is 10/10 for easy set up. You can’t get much more low prep than water and one needed ingredient.
What You’ll Need:
- A big bin or container (a water table works too)
- Water
- Cornstarch
- Blue food dye (optional, but use it!)
- Some sea animal toys (or any small, waterproof toys you have)
- A scoop, spoon, or ladle (optional, but so fun!)
How to Set It Up
Super easy. Mix some cornstarch in your container of water with a drop of food coloring. Throw in your animals or whatever you want to hide, and you are DONE! If you are out of food coloring you can try 3 tablespoons of tempera paint.
Our Experience:
JJ’s face lit up the second he saw the water bin. If there’s water, he’s all in. At first, he was all about splashing and using the scoop to pour water everywhere (classic toddler move).
But then came the fun part—he realized he could feel around to find the hidden animals. I was honestly surprised at how quickly he figured it out! He also found a sponge I left out there and had a lot of fun with that too.
He got so excited each time he “rescued” a new sea creature and watching him made me realize how much learning was happening in this simple setup.
Why This Activity Rocks
- Sensory Fun: The cloudy water adds that element of surprise.
- Fine Motor Practice: Scooping, grabbing, and finding the animals are great for those tiny hands.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Figuring out how to search and “rescue” the toys? Total win for critical thinking!
Ideas for Older Kids
If you’ve got older kiddos or want to extend the play time, here’s how to level it up:
- Matching Pairs: Hide two of each animal and have them find the matching sets.
- Color Sorting: Use different colored toys and sort them as they’re found.
- Counting Challenge: Count how many animals they rescue or sort by size!
Play inside
This doesn’t just have to be an outdoor activity. Get a waterproof play mat like this one and you can do this during the winter, bad weather etc!
Have you tried mystery water with your kids? Did they love it or did they love it?!