Dino Rescue Mission: A Tangle of Treasures!

Description

We set up an exciting sensory invitation for our curious little explorers! Dinosaurs were “trapped” inside aluminum foil and hidden beneath a delightful mix of dry pasta, shredded paper, and textured odds and ends. With tongs, cups, and their own little hands nearby, the toddlers were ready to rescue the dinos and save the day!

Age Group

Toddlers (18 months – 3 years)

Materials Needed

• Small plastic dinosaurs

• Aluminum foil

• Dry pasta (any shape and of different colors)

• Shredded paper

• Sensory bin or tray

• Tongs, cups, scoops, and spoons

Observations

The moment they saw the scattered textures, the toddlers dove right in! Some squished the foil curiously before discovering a hidden dinosaur inside. Others used tongs to pinch and lift—though some preferred using their fingers! A few teamed up to “dig” and giggled every time a dino peeked out. The joy and wonder were undeniable!

Skills Addressed/Improved:

• Fine motor skills: gripping tongs, unwrapping foil

• Problem-solving: figuring out how to “rescue” the dinos

• Sensory exploration: feeling a mix of textures

• Social interaction: working side-by-side and sharing tools

• Language development: excitedly naming dinosaurs or calling for help!