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Dandelions aren’t just annoying weeds. They can be a great “toy” for small children.
Use dandelions to decorate sandcastles, as boats that float in water tables, as a tool for tickling or even a tool to help kids learn counting.
Don’t want dandelions all over your yard? When the blossoms are yellow, pick them (and resist the impulse to blow or beat them when they are white!)
These dandelion activities are generally ones that can be used to collect yellow dandelions. Although there are some amusing ones once they’ve been transformed into white “parachutes!”
Dandelion Activities Kids Will Love
Make A Sensory Bin
Sensory bins are frequently one of my go-because to’s they are not only incredibly easy to put together, but they also give infinite fun for little children.
Simply collect a huge amount of dandelion seeds from your yard and place them in a container to make a sensory bin. It’s as simple as that.
By smelling and inspecting the dandelions, your youngster can activate their senses. They can touch them and work to separate or connect them. Yes, kids can even munch on a small sample, as everything from the bloom to the root is edible.
Make Dandelion Lemonade
Begin by making your favourite lemonade mix. Starting with a quart or two of water and squeezing on lemon juice and honey to taste is an easy DIY way. Once ready, put in some pre-rinsed dandelions and leave them for an hour or two. Serve refrigerated or at room temperature. It’s a delicious and joyful summer treat.
Dandelion Clay
In our house, we enjoy making our own play dough and matching it to the season. Real foods, spices, and essential oils are frequently used to provide color and aroma. I love using this natural recipe as the foundation for our play dough.
To add some dandelion color and flair, boil the water first, then pull the tops off a nice solid handful of dandelions you’ve harvested, blend the tops in your heated water, and use as stated in the recipe. Set out some extra dandelions, sticks, grass, and other materials for your youngster to make their own play dough play yard.
Make Imagination Soup
There are two methods to go about this. The first option is to get out the water table or a bowl of water and let your toddler have at it. My youngster enjoys making up his own pretend meals, and I bet dandelion soup will become a new favorite of his. The other alternative is to get your youngster into the kitchen with you and prepare the genuine thing.
Use As A Paintbrush
Anything can be used as a paintbrush. We’ve already utilized broccoli, carrots, daisies, fingers, and other ingredients, so why not add dandelions to the list? Your youngster can paint with it by dabbing it into their favorite paint. Encourage them to investigate the dandelion’s natural color by laying it on their page and pressing down firmly with a rock or other object to transfer it to their paper.
Enjoy Dandelion Salad
Didn’t I say that every part of the dandelion is edible? So, do yourself and your family a favor and pack a lunch. Use the greens as a basis, then top with your favorite salad fixings and a few petals for good measure.
Talk About The Plant Parts
Even the youngest students can begin to identify and investigate plant parts. While they are busy collecting, use this as an opportunity to teach them about the many parts of the dandelion and their functions. You could even disassemble a few and have your toddler sort the parts.
Bake
In your yard, set up a muffin tin, a mixing dish full of dirt, utensils, and a watering can, and encourage your youngster to make some mud muffins. Once they’ve completed their base, send them out to find dandelions to decorate them. Do you want to bring your activities inside? In the kitchen, make your favorite batch of muffins and use the dandelions to decorate the real thing!
When you’ve perfected topping muffins with dandelions, it’s time to include them into your dough!
Dye Eggs with Dandelion Flowers
Take a long walk and collect as many dandelion blooms as you can. In a pot of water, bring them to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes. For each cup of water, I recommend at least three dozen flowers. After that, add the eggs and continue to cook for another 15 minutes. If you want the color to be more strong, add a pinch of turmeric to the pot before adding the eggs.
Bottom Line
Dandelions are a very significant component of the planet’s biodiversity! Bees and other pollinating insects, such as butterflies, feed on dandelions. Dandelions also add a splash of golden color to the landscape in the early spring.
The white puff balls generated by the dandelion plant are both visually appealing and enjoyable to play with! Make a wish and blow the dandelion! Let’s honor this lovely flower by crafting a dandelion project for kids.