Kidamerinks Activity: Bath Time Fun

When it comes to Bath Time in our house, I realized that I'm sort of grumpy about it. 

I don't know why, but Bath Time is generally not fun for us (me)...

I typically make my Kidamerink shower in the morning when I am getting ready because it is easier, faster and more convenient for me. 

And, I HATE -- hate is a very harsh word -- I mean dislike Bath Toys. 

They get all slimy and grow things on them after a while, it is just gross. 

About a year ago I threw out all of my Kidamerinks' bath toys because I had just had it. I know, I'm a mean Mom. I would bleach them and clean them, but there were still things growing inside those rubber duckies, those little boats and those darn squirting whales.

I replaced the bath toys with the Rubber Alphabet that sticks to the walls simply because they wipe off clean and there is less growth of "who knows what" on them! :)

My Kidamerink occasionally asks me where his submarine and boat went... and I don't have the heart to tell him that I threw them away!

Poor Kid.

Anyways, so I'm not a fun Mom when it comes to Bath Time. Maybe your bath toys don't grow things on them... so this may not be a problem you encounter, but our bath toys do!

Well, I was on Pinterest the other day (love it!) and saw this Frugal Bathtime Fun idea from

MommySavers.

You just put food coloring in ice cubes and let them have fun chasing them around the bathtub before they melt. Then, the water changes colors!!

We made some in fun shapes. I got these ice cube trays at Ikea for $1.99 a while ago. I've also seen fun shaped ice cube trays in the dollar spot at Target and at the Dollar Store. In fact, I saw some Halloween Themed ice cube trays at the Dollar Store today. Wouldn't that be fun?

You simply fill up the trays with water, then add 1 drop of food coloring in each "cube." I used a Q-Tip to mix them a little, then put them in the freezer.

My Kidamerink had a blast with these!! He thought it was so cool. The water turned green from mixing yellow and blue and he thought that was the most amazing thing ever. 

**Rest Assured: I was nervous about it leaving a "green" ring on my bathtub that I had just cleaned, but it went down the drain and didn't leave any residue! 

I'm glad I didn't feel guilty enough (since realizing I'm a bad Bath Time Mom) to go out and buy those fancy water changing tablets or bath crayons etc. This was just as much fun, and a much cheaper alternative!!

Gravity Grab Bag

WHAT YOU'LL NEED: A variety of soft everyday items, an unbreakable container.

• Gather an assortment of soft objects of different weights: A scarf, a ball, socks, diaper, or a small colorful stuffed animal etc.
• Place your baby on the floor.
  
• Put an unbreakable container on the floor next to where baby is sitting.
  
• One at a time, hold the objects up in the air just in front of baby. In a high-pitched voice, say, "So HIGH!"
• Drop the object so that it falls into the container. In a low voice, say, "So LOW!"
• See if baby can fish the object out and drop it in again.
  

BENEFIT: Further enhances visual tracking skills, understanding of cause and effect, and eye-coordination.

**SING-A-LONG FUN**

A TISKET, A TASKET

A-tisket, a-tasket
A green and yellow basket.
I wrote a letter to my love
And on the way I dropped it.

I dropped it; I dropped it
And on the way I dropped it.
A little boy (girl) picked it up
An put it in his (her) pocket.

Playing with your Baby
Fisher-Price, Inc.
East Aurora, NY 14052
2006, pg. 44