Water Beads – an AMAZING Activity for Children

What are Water Beads?

Water Beads are colourfast, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly “beads” that are a super absorbent polymer with the capability to absorb 80 – 100 times their dry weigh in water. Water beads can be used as a clean soil alternative for growing plants, decreasing your water time to every 3 – 5 weeks. They can also be used for colour and texture in floral arrangements, and most importantly (in my world), they can be used for activities for children!

Water beads are shipped in a dehydrated, bead-like state. You simply add water and watch them grow, which is an experiment all on its own with young children. There are many sensory activities that you can do with children and water beads, from Halloween Sensory Play to Counting Activities and so much more.

This past summer, my children and I made “Calming Jars” using Sensory beads. Prior to finding the TOP QUALITY Water Beads at Water Beads Canada, we found some at the local Dollar Store. Unfortunately, our first round of Calming Jars didn’t turn out so well due to the poor quality of the beads. Within 24 hours, the beads had disintegrated.
Calming Jars with Water Beads Canada
Thankfully, I found Water Beads Canada and was very impressed that their beads ship dry because the children had so much fun watching them grow one day and creating their Calming Jars the next.

These calming jars are a fun activity for a rainy day, but they also serve a purpose, to help children calm down when they are feeling upset, angry or anxious.
Here are the items required:
plastic jar with a lid
water beads
water
glitter
lego mini fig (optional)
small plastic figurine (optional)
glue gun
Instructions

Put a variety of water beads into the plastic jar.

Fill almost to the top with water.

Add glitter, lego and/or small, plastic figurine.

Glue lid to the jar.

WAIT and WATCH.

We use these Calming Jars when the children are sad, mad or worried. They simply picky up their Calming Jar and turn it upside down over and over again while watching the beads, glitter and their Lego Minifig float to the top. By focussing on the floating objects, they are able to increase their concentration and as a result, calm their emotions to a more manageable state.

How to Order Your Own Water Beads

  1. Visit Water Beads Canada
  2. Select your desired size(s) and colour(s) –there are many to choose from!
  3. Consider ordering a larger volume to receive a discount
    VOLUME DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
    $ 30.00 – $ 49.99 ( 5% Discount)
    $ 50.00 – $ 99.99 (10% Discount)
    $100.00 – $149.99 (15% Discount)
    $150.00 – $199.00 (25% Discount)
    $200.00 – $249.99 (30% Discount)
    $250.00+ (40% Discount)

These water beads would make an excellent activity for preschool or school-aged children in the classroom or at home. They also would make an excellent gift to send in the mail as they can be mailed in a flat envelope and are light weight.

What would you do with Water Beads in your home?

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18 Responses to Water Beads – an AMAZING Activity for Children

  1. Treen Goodwin says:

    so cool i will try this with my grandson when he comes over ! thanks for sharing 🙂

  2. Laurie P says:

    Water beads sound like fun! I think my girl would have a great time using these….for counting (she’s hooked on counting everything lately) and learning colours!

  3. kathy downey says:

    I love water beads,sometimes I add food coloring for an added touch

  4. Cheryl says:

    I would love these for my boys! So much fun to be had.

  5. MrDPrize says:

    that’s pretty awesome

  6. elizamatt says:

    I’ve actually used some of these water beads for my plants – never knew they were called that though 🙂

  7. loriag says:

    So fun, and such a great idea.

  8. Darlene Schuller says:

    Oh I bet these were fun to work with!! Love the idea thank you

  9. Debbie Bashford says:

    These are very neat, did not know I could get them here

  10. Holly says:

    I love this! My nieces would really enjoy making calming jars.

  11. Irene says:

    Fantastic idea! I would have it sitting on the coffee table for all to enjoy.

  12. kathy downey says:

    I will be looking for these real soon,they look very nice

  13. Anna W says:

    This is a great idea for my house plants. I am always forgetting about them so they end up dying.

  14. Pingback: Craft Ideas for Kids

  15. UglyMummy says:

    i remembered seeing water beads on your site so i came back to see where to buy the quality ones..thanks

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