Child Care Provider Tip of The Month Page
Tip For February/March 2000: Activity Tables
Have you seen those sand tables or activity table in the school supply catalogs?
They are expensive and when you have a limited daycare budget, who can afford one?
It would be nice to have though, wouldn't it?
Here are some ideas on how to make one yourself and some ideas for it's use.
Search local garage sales and thrift stores for an all wood coffee table. Try to get one as cheep as possible since we will be cutting it up. Get some square plastic wash tubs at the local dollar store. Depending on the size of your table, you will be able to fit from one to three of them in the top of the table. Turn the wash tub upside down on the table top and trace around it with a pencil. Drill holes about 1/4 inch in from each corner to allow access for the saw and cut the holes for the wash tubs slightly smaller than the top. You want the lip of the wash tup to over hang the table top. This will prevent it falling through when filled. If you get a large enough table you can fit three tubs. Fill one with sand, the other with water and the last with ice. Or, fill one with packing peanuts, one with confetti and the other with yarn scraps. The idea is to give toddlers different textures to experiment with and enjoy. If you get real brave and don't mind the mess try pudding, ice and jello.The kids will love that and it's edible.
