“Wouldn't the cornmeal attract ants?” · TL
Author No trouble with ants so far. TurkeyMom keeps the cornmeal in a sealed Ziploc bag.
The story behind it
By TurkeyMom · November 2012
Ages1–4 yrs
Prep10 min
Activity30 min
Leveleasy
MessMedium
Works for1:1 · Small group · Class
Fill a bin with cornmeal and add letters, scoops, cups and foam blocks for a toddler sensory bin. Use it for counting scoops, making letter-topped 'cupcakes', hunting for hidden letters and simple small-world stories.
⚠️ Safety first
- Supervise sensory play at all times. Toddlers may try to taste the cornmeal. It is a play base, not a snack.
- Small letters, small figures and other small props can be a choking hazard for young toddlers. Choose large pieces and watch closely.
- Keep cornmeal away from eyes, and wash hands after play.
- Store the cornmeal sealed between uses and smell-test it before every play session. Throw it out if it smells off or shows signs of insects.
- Not suitable for children with a corn allergy.
Before the kids arrive
- Smell-test stored cornmeal before setting it out for play.
- For peek-a-boo letters, hide a few letters under the cornmeal before the child arrives.
Steps
Pour the corn meal into the bin and add just a few letters.
Let the child explore the corn meal on its own first: pour it, scoop it and run hands through it.
Add the scoops and cups. Scoop and pour, and count out loud each time a cup is filled.
Make corn meal cupcakes: fill the cups, call out a letter, then add it on top as a 'topping'.
Build simple structures with foam blocks and hide letters behind them.
Play peek-a-boo letters: the adult hides letters under the corn meal and the child finds and names them.
Pour corn meal through the hole of the letter 'O'.
Set up a simple small world with toy people and bring the letters into the story.
When play is over, remove the props and empty the corn meal into a sealed, airtight bag for next time.
Tips
- Start off with just a few letters. Let your toddler have her share of pouring and scooping the base before you throw in the letters and scoops.from the author
- Pouring corn meal through the hole of the letter 'O' never got old. After several play sessions she learnt the letter 'o'. All that pouring paid off.from the author
- We haven't had any trouble with ants or insects. Once the kids finish, I remove the props and keep the cornmeal in a sealed Ziploc.from the author
- I always do a 'smell test' before setting it out for play. Our first batch is still going strong!from the author
- With these simple activities we hit several areas of learning: math, early literacy and story-telling.from the author
Make it your own
- Count each scoop or cup you fill for early math.
- Swap in seasonal props and fillers. The author also made a Fall Sensory Bin and a Halloween sensory bin.
Questions readers asked
Won't the cornmeal attract ants or other insects?
The author hasn't had any trouble. She removes the props after play and stores the cornmeal in a sealed, airtight plastic bag such as a Ziploc.
How often can you reuse the cornmeal before throwing it away?
The author gives no set number. She keeps it sealed between uses and smell-tests it before every session, and her first batch was still going strong after months of play.
What readers say
💬 4 comments ✍️ 2 answered by the author
Answered by the author
“How do you keep insects out, and how often can you reuse it before throwing it away?” · Janet
Author Remove the props after play and store the cornmeal in a sealed, airtight bag. Do a smell test before each use. Her first batch is still going strong.
🛠️ Troubleshooting
Seal the cornmeal to avoid ants
A reader worried cornmeal would attract ants. TurkeyMom hasn't had trouble, because she stores the cornmeal in a sealed Ziploc between play sessions.
“We haven't had any troubles with ants till now. I keep the cornmeal in a sealed Ziploc.”
🛠️ Troubleshooting
Do a smell test before play
After play, TurkeyMom removes the props and seals the cornmeal in an airtight bag, then smell-tests it before setting it out again.
“I always do a "smell test" before setting it out for play.”
🎉 Worked for us
One batch lasts many sessions
Stored sealed and airtight, the cornmeal can be reused for many play sessions. TurkeyMom's first batch was still in use.
“Our first batch is still going strong!”
Read all 4 comments
TurkeyMomAuthor · Feb 2014 · replying to Janet
Hi Janet, once the kids are finished playing in the bin, I remove the props and empty the cornmeal in a sealed/air-tight plastic ( Ziploc if you are from the US) I haven't had trouble with insects if I keep the cornmeal sealed. I always do a "smell test" before setting it out for play. Our first batch is still going strong! Thanks for reading :)
Janet · Feb 2014
Great activity, how would you keep insects out? How often could you use before throwing away?
TL · Mar 2013
Wouldn't the cornmeal attract ants?
TurkeyMomAuthor · Mar 2013 · replying to TL
We haven't had any troubles with ants till now. I keep the cornmeal in a sealed Ziploc.