Bubble wrap is the best kind of fun!! We got a new washing machine delivered and what else would you do with the wrappings than use it!

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You need: 

• Bubble wrap
• Fingerpaints
• Something to put under and on the sides of the plastic sheet of bubble wrap 
• Washing station

We managed to get three good sized pieces of the bubblewrap, so we split the group of 19 children into three. We put the bubblewrap on the floor surrounded by tablecloths and a washing station in the end.

Most of the group were playing in the next room. We invited one group of 6 kids at a time to the room with the bubble wrap, asked them to take off their socks and shoes and pull up their pant sleeves. We then asked the kids to stand all around the plastic and then asked them to choose a colour one at a time. I took the fingerpaint of their chosen colour with a spoon and dropped two splodges on the bubble wrap, one for each foot. Then I advised the children to step on the paint; ‘one and two’. Oh their little faces when they stepped on the paint! Such fun!  

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This activity is so giving, it’s wonderful to do. The kids are so focused to begin with, just feeling the paint and the bubble wrap under their feet getting lots of sensory experience. They get to try mark making and pattern creation with their feet and enjoy themselves getting messy. Once there is more and more paint on, the plastic starts getting slippery. The kids have to balance themselves and be more mindful of their movements as they continue painting with their feet. 

Finally when finished it’s the dreary bit of cleaning up. We ask the kids to first get in the tub with soap and water and then into the one with just water. Dry their feet and get socks and shoes back on. 

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Tips: 

Remember that not all children are brave the same way. I designed the activity on purpose so that only one child at a time steps on the plastic. This way I had the opportunity to see their reaction and respond to it. Some kids stepped fearlessly on the paint and enjoyed the squishy feeling of the paint spreading under their feet. Others were more hesitant and needed more time to be comfortable. Holding their hand I encouraged them to go ahead and do it slowly at their own pace. It is important that at this stage the child feels safe and has the opportunity to say no and/or to take their time. 

Fuuunnn!!!