Magnetic Flower Garden (and science experiment!)

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Magnets, manipulatives, and colors...what more could a preschooler want?  This game takes a little bit of prep time, but it is so worth it!  When you are done, your child uses magnets to move colorful bits of pipecleaners around to color in a flower garden (or any other picture you feel like using)!  It can be used with a lesson on magnets or metals, or just as a fun sensory experience!  Also, it strengthens fine muscles coordination!

Supplies You Need Include:

• a freezer bag that zips closed (It's important to use a freezer bag because pipecleaners are sharp and will poke through thinner bags easier...they may even poke through a freezer bag!)
• pipecleaners cut into tiny pieces (about 1/2-1 cm long)
• duct tape
• cardboard a little bigger than your bag (I cut down the sides of a diaper box.)
• magnet
• permanent marker

The Simple Assembly:

1. Draw a flower garden or other picture on the plastic bag with a permanent marker.
2. Tape the plastic bag down on the cardboard.  Make sure the bag is loose enough that your hand easily fits inside after it is taped to the cardboard.  Only tape three sides--leave the opening/zipper side untaped. 
3. Put a handful of pipecleaner pieces inside and zip up the bag.
4. Let your child use a magnet to "color!"

While you have the magnets out, let your child enjoy this classic science experiment:  What toys have metal in them?  Magnets will stick to metal.  Let your child test which of their toys (or parts of toys) are made from metal!  Does she notice any patterns?  Can he predict where the metal is?  Have fun--it's a metal scavenger hunt!

I may share at any of these parties!