Our thematic, play based preschool curriculum, Mother Goose Time includes some amazing make and play activities.
The kids get to make their very own toys and I get to have all the unique materials delivered to me in a box.
After we are all done or the toys start to fall apart they can be recycled instead of adding to the ever increasing collection of toys in the back closet.
This month’s theme is Alphabet Island.
The kids loved making and playing with this crab shaker and I hope yours do too!
Crab Shaker
Make and Play
Supplies
- sand*
- paper*
- sticker eyes*
- souffle cup with lid*
- glue
- tape
- scissors
*These materials were included with our Mother Goose Time curriculum.
Discuss
What sounds might you hear on the beach?
Explore
Invite children to explore making sounds with various musical instruments.
Create
Encourage each child to decorate and assemble the crab shaker.
Fill the shaker with sand, then tape the lid on.
Play
Play “island music.” Mother Goose Time comes with a thematic CD that featured a song called “Crab Walk.”
Invite children to shake their crabs to the music.
Our Experience
The kids love the beach and were happy to report a wide variety of sounds including waves crashing, lifeguard whistles, bird screeches, and people laughing.
We played for a small amount of time with a variety of instruments, especially our harmonicas and maracas.
Then we headed outside to assemble our crab shakers.
We’ve had bad weather for the past couple days, so the kids were thrilled to get outside and get their hands on some bright, red paint.
Everyone, even our youngest at 18 months (with some hand holding) painted their souffle cups and lids bright red.
My three year old got to work on his scissor skills. He cut out the legs and I cut out his crab claws.
Once the kids finished cutting, we still had some time before the paint was completely dry.
We filled it by reading Eric Carle’s “A House for Hermit Crab,” which we all enjoyed.
Once the paint was dry, my three year old and four year old poured the sand into the souffle cup.
I used a hot glue gun to glue the cup and lid together.
I really didn’t want the sand to fall out later, since these toys have a way of making their way back inside.
I also glued on the claws and legs.
The kids attached the eye stickers. They love getting to choose which to use.
The 18 month old choose ALL of them and was the proud creator of a multi-eyed crab shaker.
The make and play suggested activities included shaking their newly created toys to some music.
The included Mother Goose Time CD had some really great steel drum music on it, which we played.
But my favorite moment from today was when the kids reenacted “A House for Hermit Crab” using items they could find around the yard.
I got my very own puppet show on the end of our porch/deck.
Our family loves sharing our experiences with the Mother Goose Time curriculum in exchange for access to their amazing, play based program. Follow us on Instagram to see even more Mother Goose Time activities!
