water beads

[greanan]

ordered water beads which arrived today, they are growing in a tub of water of just now ready for tomorrow. Are they able to be kept and used again or will I need to use new ones each time we want to play with them? also any ideas of what other materials to put with them would be fab :)

[jo.jo76]

ordered water beads which arrived today, they are growing in a tub of water of just now ready for tomorrow. Are they able to be kept and used again or will I need to use new ones each time we want to play with them? also any ideas of what other materials to put with them would be fab :)

I do new ones each time as they tend to go mouldy when I've tried to keep them, plus they get broken too. Mine enjoy comparing how they've grown anyway.

[hectors house]

I haven't ever used them for children but did use them for daughter's wedding - I would have thought you could have used them for 2 or 3 days before you needed to replace them - but hopefully someone else who uses them regularly will reply soon.

[greanan]

i was kinda thinking they might go mouldy.. we'll see how we get on lol!!

[MessybutHappy]

The ones I grew on 18 Feb (I know because I posted here!) have been in the play table ever since....they finally got squished today by over excited seven year old boys!!

Part of me was sad, but a bigger part is excited 'cos the next ones are....blue!!!

[JumpingJacks]

ordered water beads which arrived today, they are growing in a tub of water of just now ready for tomorrow. Are they able to be kept and used again or will I need to use new ones each time we want to play with them? also any ideas of what other materials to put with them would be fab :)

Mine have lasted a week so far, out of wated 3 days and shrinking. We used them for painting with today , same as marble painting and kids loved it. I think I am going to do a sensory bottle with some too.
Matching colour games and pots.
And target games with pots are all on the list for us to try!

[MessybutHappy]

Mine have lasted a week so far, out of wated 3 days and shrinking. We used them for painting with today , same as marble painting and kids loved it. I think I am going to do a sensory bottle with some too.
Matching colour games and pots.
And target games with pots are all on the list for us to try!

Ooh, please tell more about the "marble like" painting? I'm intrigued, how do you do it?

[jo.jo76]

Marble painting! Really not considered that at all, did it work well?

[CLL]

I have yet to use mine, I did not know they were robust. Can babies play with them when they are big or are they toxic? Baby is 11 months, can he play with them or do I keep them for the older ones? Cheers!

[JumpingJacks]

Ooh, please tell more about the "marble like" painting? I'm intrigued, how do you do it?

Yep the worked well although paint had to be a bit thicker as the beads are still slippery and wet. Paper on a tray, various pots of paint for the kids to dip the beads in and then roll around on the tray...simple. we are planning to do it outside on a large scale too with tubes etc in the tuff spot

[JumpingJacks]

I have yet to use mine, I did not know they were robust. Can babies play with them when they are big or are they toxic? Baby is 11 months, can he play with them or do I keep them for the older ones? Cheers!

They arent toxic (well mine weren't) I'd say it depends on your baby. Close supervision and risk assesment and you'll be fine. I've used them with babies last year at my messy play sessions

[cherry]

I've kept mine in water for well over a month now, how about putting some in Gloop

[jo.jo76]

I have yet to use mine, I did not know they were robust. Can babies play with them when they are big or are they toxic? Baby is 11 months, can he play with them or do I keep them for the older ones? Cheers!

It really depends on baby. Used them last year with all my little ones but since my new one started in January I can only use them when she is not here as she eats EVERYTHING!!!!

[Nicola Carlyle]

What are water beads? Sound great. Has anyone got any pictures?

[Ripeberry]

I went on a training course a few weeks ago run by a LA worker who organised all the training herself and the water beads CAN BE USED AGAIN. When you have finished with them, put them on some kitchen roll and in a warm place such as the airing cupboard and they will shrink back down to their original size. Then just put them in water again. :thumbsup:

[greanan]

Didnt realise once they'd grown I'd need to keep them in water?! I've just tipped out the water and put them in a tub ready for tomorrow. Wonder if they'll be tiny by morning??

[littlemiss60561]

What are water beads? Sound great. Has anyone got any pictures?

they are diddy seed like sized things that when in water grow to about the size of a marble. stay wet and can be used or keeping fresh flowers etc.
they are great. very bouncy too! mine have been playing for hours with them.
i got mine on ebay 2 packs for 99p and free delivery too! we had lots and have so many left still.

ideas.... mine filled playdough cutters to make shapes and in the water tray made a soup lol

[jo.jo76]

Didnt realise once they'd grown I'd need to keep them in water?! I've just tipped out the water and put them in a tub ready for tomorrow. Wonder if they'll be tiny by morning??

They will have shrunk a little I expect but just add more water to them and they'll grow again. They do keep better in water

[JumpingJacks]

What are water beads? Sound great. Has anyone got any pictures?

Here's our water bead sensory tray :)

7160

[sarahmc]

I have just bought some after the good reviews on here. Very excited. Clap- clap!

[Nicola Carlyle]

Wow these look fab. I am off to eBay some and guess what we will be doing next week lol. Thanks. x

[catlyn]

some pics of our water beads

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l98/lmcg123cat/DSCF2922_zps0f6976fd.jpg (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/lmcg123cat/media/DSCF2922_zps0f6976fd.jpg.html)

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l98/lmcg123cat/DSCF2921_zps682656ae.jpg (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/lmcg123cat/media/DSCF2921_zps682656ae.jpg.html)

[Boris]

Last time we had them I fished out the broken ones and put the rest in a shallow tray on the windowsill. It has taken 3 weeks but they are now back to their original size. They are a bit sticky and hairy though haha! Think they will be ok when they are re-hydrated. We'll see.

[Twinkling Stars]

Mine are currently growing in some water. Excited to use them. Marble painting sounds like a great idea! :-)

[nikkiv]

There's a seller on eBay at the moment think its 12 packs for £3 for a two week period just about to Orr mine :)

[mrs robbie williams]

Just ordered 10 pks multi colours for 2.50 free delivery :)

[tashaleee]

Just ordered 10 pks multi colours for 2.50 free delivery :)

Have you got a link for where you ordered them from please?

[mrs robbie williams]

How do I do a link on phone? Xx

[cherry]

These are the ones I bought from Amazon

'Aqua Crystal' Expanding Water Storing Gel Bead Crystals - MIXED- 10g bag: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005H165S8/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[hectors house]

The wonderful world of water bead play | Teach Preschool (http://www.teachpreschool.org/2012/05/the-wonderful-world-of-water-beads/)

This thread looks interesting - different ways to play with them

[kp0781]

Love this!!! Off to eBay:-)

[snortlet]

love this idea! cant wait to try it out

[sarahmc]

Mine arrived today. I am so excited.

[Nicola Carlyle]

Well mine arrived today as well. They should be ready at 10.30am tomorrow. I can't stop looking at them and having a play with them. I'm such a kid lol. Thank you for this AMAZING idea. X

[Rubybubbles]

Ohh haven't done water beads for ages due to baby who eats everything but much better now, may order more thanks x