Messy Boats

What you will need:
●	Storage containers
●	Berry Blue Gelatin (about 4 boxes)
●	Little boats
●	Paper towels
●	Dishwashing soap

Directions:
1.	Follow directions on gelatin boxes to make the “water”, let it sit overnight.	
a.	Do this step for your child since it involves boiling water
2.	Place it in a large container and add the little boats
3.	Fill a second (smaller) container with dish soap and water, and set the paper towels nearby
4.	Allow your child to have some messy fun with the boats in the gelatin
a.	It is a good idea to do this activity outdoors to avoid a mess in your home
5.	Have your child transfer each boat to the soap container one by one, to help shine them after their ‘journey at sea’
6.	Soak the boats and wipe them dry with the paper towels once they are clean

**If you are short on time or do not have gelatin you can put the boats in sand, orbeez, or tapioca pearls.

How to increase difficulty:
-	Have your child place the boats inside the gelatin container by lining them up neatly and counting them
-	Pinching the boats with their thumb and index finger, your child can steer the boats on a windy path
-	Ask your child to help you clean your hands with the paper towels in addition to theirs

How to decrease difficulty:
-	Clean your child’s hands for them when they are finished playing
-	Provide less boats in the gelatin so there are fewer items to clean at the end

Activity retrieved from:  https://busytoddler.com/messy-boats-sensory-bin/