Egypt Themed Sensory Play

Last week I read 2 fun books from our collection with Roo and Harper {Where's My Mummy and 10 Little Mummies} when inspiration hit for a fun play session.

The kids liked the stories, especially Where's My Mummy. We talked about what the mummies are. I reminded Roo about our trips to the Ohio Historical Society where saw a real mummy. We talked about pyramids and how they look like triangles.

Then I captured his attention on the subject of mummies and Egypt for days with a new sensory bin.

For about 6 weeks I held onto the Egyptian Toob from Safari LTD. I knew I wanted to involve these figures in a sensory play session, but I was stumped on what to use on the base. I knew I could use real sand, but I wanted to take it a step further and avoid a sand mess.


It dawned on me to use granulated brown sugar, Roo could touch it, smell it and taste it.

I poured about 3/4 of a bag of Domino Brownulated Light Brown Sugar in a plastic bin.

Next I added assorted Egyptian figures from our Toob.

And a few plastic palm trees.

When it was time to play I gave Rolf a spoon, a fork and a small measuring spoon so that he could dig around in the "sand". He was really interested in digging. Then he smelled the sand and said "yummy!" I told him to taste it, he was hooked... things got a little out of hand from there, he was licking his hand, sticking it in the "sand" and licking it off! Ha! He didn't make it to playing with the Egyptians...


While this sensory play session resulted in a sugared up, sticky little mess of a boy, it was fun. Rolf used his sense of touch, smell and taste... He got to dig in the sugar sand and he says he had fun... MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

What is Sensory Play?

Sensory play is any activity that engages a child's senses, such as sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. It is a vital part of early childhood development, as it helps children learn about the world around them and develop important skills.

There are many benefits to sensory play, including:

• Improved cognitive development: Sensory play helps children develop their problem-solving skills, memory, and attention span.
• Enhanced language skills: Sensory play helps children learn new vocabulary words and develop their communication skills.
• Improved fine and gross motor skills: Sensory play helps children develop their coordination and dexterity.
• Increased social and emotional skills: Sensory play helps children learn to interact with others and express their emotions.
• Reduced stress and anxiety: Sensory play can be a calming and relaxing activity that can help children cope with stress and anxiety.

There are many different ways to incorporate sensory play into your child's day.

Do your kids enjoy sensory play? I would love to hear about your favorite sensory activities in a comment.

You can find more favorite sensory play ideas here.
Sensory Party in a Bag
Rainbow Disc Sensory Bag

Banana Crunch Parfait

Does your family love parfaits? Mine does. I think the pineapple and banana in this parfait sounds amazing. This makes an amazing start to the day or a sweet treat without the guilt after dinner.


Banana Crunch Parfait

Ingredients
1 cup Great Grains Banana Nut Crunch cereal
1 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt
1 cup honey
1 medium banana, sliced
1 can (20 oz.) pineapple chunks, drained

Directions
Spoon half of the yogurt evenly into six parfait glasses; top with layers of half each of the bananas, pineapple, cereal and remaining whipped topping. Repeat layers. Drizzle honey over final layer.

Makes 6 servings.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Thanks to my friends at Post for sharing with me and inspiring me to share with you.

Giraffe Button Art

This baby and mama Giraffe craft is easy to create and it adds an adorable handmade touch to any room in your home. I think it is especially cute in a child's bedroom!

This came together so easily, you guys! Within moments, I had created something fantastic for Harper's room and it helped me pass time constructively while I watched hours and hours of the Mama Giraffe in labor live feed.

All you need to make this cute art project is:

Cardstock; 2 sheets. 1 yellow or orange, 1 color of your choice

Assorted Ribbons

Glue

Craft Eyes

Buttons 

Instructions:

From the yellow or orange cardstock:

Cut 2 circles for the heads; 1 smaller than the other

Cut 2 tear drop shapes for the ears; 1 smaller than the other

Cut 2 long strips for the necks; 1 shorter than the other

Glue the neck, head and ear on for each giraffe. I think making them face each other is a cute idea!

Next, give your giraffes an eye each, and a button for a nose.

Then glue a few buttons on for the spots.

Finish by adding strips of ribbon for the mane.

7 Must Try Corn on the Cob Recipes

Corn on the cob is one of the best things about summer! 

The days of simply boiling a corn of cob and calling it a side are over! The evolution of corn on the cob is here, and there are so many yummy ways to enjoy it!

After scouting out these options, I am itching to get to the farmers market and stock up on fresh corn! I literally had no idea you could cook corn like this!

These recipes are perfect for a family dinner or to add a touch of wow to any gathering or BBQ!

Slow Cooker Corn
Chipotle Lime Corn on the Cob
Popped Corn on the Cob
Parmesan Herb Corn
Crock Pot Corn on the Cob
Mexican Grilled Corn
Chili Butter Grilled Corn

If you love to eat corn on the cob, you are going to love these tips to make it like a pro!

1. Adding a cup of milk and a stick of butter to the boiling water before adding your corn on the cob makes it incredibly good!
2. You can add sugar and lemon juice to boiling water for an incredible sweet corn experience.
3. If you are cooking a big batch of corn on the cob for a party or BBQ, you can cook it in a cooler! Just add corn and boiling water to the cooler, close the lid and let the corn cook itself.

This post contains affiliate links.

Which of these recipes do you want to try first? I think the Mexican Grilled Corn sounds fantastic, but my kids would LOVE to popcorn on the cob! Popcorn is their favorite snack ever!

Most Scenic Campsites in New Zealand

Most Scenic Campsites in New Zealand

What is something that you’ll need if you’re traveling around in a campervan hire New Zealand? Other than petrol and personal belongings, you’ll want to make sure that you have safe and legal places to park for the night.

While there are locations where you can freedom camp, it can be challenging to find them on your route and can bring up many other challenges, as well. Freedom camping is a tricky thing to do, as you have to be absolutely sure that you are parking in the right areas. If you end up in a place where it’s illegal, you can say goodbye to spending any extras on your trip.

Save that fine money for staying at nice campsites, where you can be comfortable with all the hookups that you may need. If you don’t mind spending a bit of extra cash and want to have a leisurely trip, consider staying at the most beautiful campsites in the country:

Matauri Bay Holiday Park

Bay of Islands is a gorgeous area of New Zealand, so while there, it may be a good idea to stay at a place where you get beauty and views as well. A good place where you can expect good amenities and gorgeous landscapes is Matauri Bay Holiday Park. With water views and a reasonably priced site, it’s hard to go wrong with this campsite if you’re a water lover who wants to see gorgeous sunrises and sunsets over the bay every single day.

Matai Bay, Karikari Peninsula

If you’re in town to enjoy the beach, then what you want to do is stay right near the beach. Fortunately, when you’re visiting the Karikari Peninsula, you will have the opportunity to do so at the Matai Bay camp site. You can enjoy the beach nearby which is within walking distance, observe the local wildlife (mainly birds), and appreciate the amenities found in this paradisiacal destination.

Te Araroa Holiday Park

It may not be as pretty as some of the other campsites per se, but it’s a great location for arriving to beautiful remote beaches. If being as close to the beach as possible while in this area of New Zealand is your priority, this location is the best spot for you—especially because it’s the only campsite for miles. Just make sure that you go prepared for a basic experience and you’ll be just fine.

Poukaraka Flats Campground

If you’re road tripping with your kids, this is the ideal campground for you. Located near a beautiful child-friendly bay, where you can all enjoy the sun and sand, it’s ideal for a beach vacation while being able to enjoy the comfort of motorhome living. While it doesn’t have as many amenities as some fancier locations, it’s waterfront location makes it ideal for those who want to spend some time in the sun with gorgeous views to enjoy whenever you feel like it. Who needs a bunch of luxuries when you have beautiful nature in front of you to enjoy every single day?

Opoutere Coastal Camping

If you’re visiting Coromandel, this is the site for you. Located on the beach, you’ll be able to enjoy an easy beach vacation. While there is some bush that divides your parking space to the ocean views, being able to walk right down to the seashore every morning is something that you won’t be able to find just anywhere. You’ll have plenty of space on the beach for you and yours to relax and sunbathe, as this location isn’t as busy as other destinations in New Zealand.

Urupukapuka Island

You’ll have to reach this campsite by boat or ferry, so make sure to pack your tent. It’s worth it. This island campsite has beautiful views of the ocean, with plenty of activities to  

do while staying in this gorgeous Urupukapuka Bay area. You’ll need to make sure that you book in advance, but if you get lucky enough to be able to spend the night, know that it will be worth sleeping under the stars and enjoying the Oceanside views at any time of the day.

While many luxury travellers sleep in five-star hotels, what they don’t know, is how much they are missing out on. For travelers who are road tripping around the country in a motorhome, you have some of the best options for beachfront views and beauty and at a much lower price than any hotel would ever be.

Traveling around in a campervan hire New Zealand is the best way to see the island and you’re lucky if you’ve made the decision to travel this way. There are great options for you to spend nights in some of the best locations in the country. From beachfront views to beautiful campsites with great amenities, you won’t be disappointed with campsite options.