PLAY WITH YOUR PASTA
Why play this way?
We love a super-sized sensory play adventure, and this fine motor one’s no exception! This irresistibly silly hunt for peas hidden in pasta not only brings your book to life tangibly, but is also a great opportunity for sensory play and food exposure. When hands and fingers are deep in this fine motor play, children will begin to associate food with joy while also expanding their threshold for different tactile sensory experiences.
SET THE STAGE FOR PLAY: 15 Minutes
Ready
Dried spaghetti
3-4 tablespoons of cooking oil
Frozen or cooked peas
A large bin, tray, or deep-dish pan
A few small and medium bowls
Tongs/Chopsticks
Set
Put a few strands of uncooked spaghetti to the side.
Cook, strain, and cool the rest of the spaghetti.
Transfer the cooked spaghetti to your container and add oil.
Mix the peas into the spaghetti.
Play!
Roll up your sleeves and play freely.
Use your fingers to pluck out all the little peas hiding amidst the pasta!
- For a challenge, use tongs or chopsticks for your pea extraction.
Use your bowls to hold the peas that you extract, or, as vessels to separate your large pile of noodles.
Break your dry spaghetti into pieces and add them to your peas & noodles for a contrasting sensory experience.
For the sensory-sensitive child, wear gloves, or, add other tools that make this play feel right for you.
*Please consider reboiling & eating your pasta when you are done playing.
