An Amusing Book & Sensory Ice Cream Shop!
After reading Jacob Grant’s “Scaredy Kate” we decided to create a Sensory Ice Cream Shop. My daughter had a blast making 2-ingredient baking soda “ice cream” and gathering all her stuffed animal friends to be the customers. I’m excited to walk you through it, so let’s get started…
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Summary of “Scaredy Kate”
“Scaredy Kate” by Jacob Grant is a amusing book about a girl who is afraid of her aunt’s dog who she thinks is a monster. When a package is delivered to their doorstep by mistake Kate encounters a myriad of interesting monsters on the elevator. Each floor she encounters more and more which adds a bit of mathematical fun to this read. The ending is very happy and inspired our sensory bookish play!
Sensory Ice Cream Shop?
You might be wondering… “What do you do with it?” or “How is this not just going to be a sensory mess?” There are many ways to answer these two common questions…
First, the most basic answer to “What you could do with a Sensory Ice Cream Shop?” is… have Fun. Sensory play at its finest is not about “doing” something specific. It is about exploring, feeling, listening, watching, problem solving, creating, etc… This is an open-ended activity. Just as each child has their own unique personality, experience, and preference in play, the outcome of this activity is just as special.
As for the second question, Yes, this can definitely be a messy one! But, I hear you. I’ve been asked that question many times. Therefore, a detailed answer, along with strategies for successful messy sensory play, can be found by reading, “What about the Sensory Mess?”
What We Did with a Sensory Ice Cream Shop…
We tend to keep the activities as simple as possible around here. We’re not interested in complicated or costly. We are also all about fostering independence. For this activity my daughter mixed a box of baking soda with some colored water to create the “ice cream” for her shop. She decided to make cotton candy, vanilla and strawberry flavors. Next she added lots of sprinkles to all of them.
Then she set up her shop. She gathered and lined up a bunch of her stuffed animal friends and placed the ice cream, scooper, bowls, spoons and even gloves on an ottoman. Then called out letting everyone know she was open for business. She engaged in this play for quite some time before I joined in being the voices for some of her customers which brought about much laughter.
I would suggest Ice Cream Shop sensory play if you’re looking for an Easy Recipe & Captivating activity to connect with your child.
Materials We Used
- “Scaredy Kate” book (from the library or you can buy one here)
- Baking Soda
- Food coloring
- Water
- Sprinkles
- Small bowls
- Spoons
- Ice cream scooper
- Reusable containers
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How to Make a Sensory Ice Cream Shop?
- Measure 1/2 cup of water.
- Squeeze a couple of drops of food coloring into the water.
- Open the box of baking soda.
- Pour the entire box into a large bowl.
- Pour the colored water into the bowl.
- Whisk thoroughly.
- It should be moldable but crumbly (similar to moon sand but more of a wet feeling).
NOTE: If its not moldable add a tiny bit of water, little by little, until it is. If its soupy add more baking soda until its correct. - Pour into a container.
- To set up your ice cream shop, consider adding an ice cream scoop, sprinkles, bowls, spoons, etc…
Click HERE for Free Printable copy (Email Subscribers Only)
Wait, There’s More…
I believe you can easily strengthen communication skills and foster independence all while playing and connecting with your child. To help you do this; I’ve created a FREE printable for each activity called, “Communicating & Connecting”.
It will give you a list of suggestions I’ve found very helpful as a Mom & as a special education teacher; to help you build lifelong skills. Please don’t feel obligated to do everything on the list (but if you do, you’re a rockstar 😉 ).
As a Thank You for subscribing; this is a special FREEBIE for our Email Subscribers Only. 🙂 Click here if you’ve already subscribed. Otherwise, Sign Up below to get the password & access to our entire FREE Printables Library today! 😉
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