Spiralin’ Seas Waterpark

Product Description

Sensory 3

Skills

• There are three different colors of balls that can be used to introduce color identification. 
• Visual tracking can be developed as children watch the balls slowly spin on the Ferris wheel or descend down the tower. Visual tracking is a pre-literacy skill.
• As children stabilize their bodies with one hand and activate the Ferris wheel, pour water into the funnel or place balls in the spiral tracker, they are naturally incorporating bilateral coordination into play.

Play Ideas

• For added visual interest, add several drops of food coloring into the water. Have the child agitate the water to mix.
• Experiment with water temperature by adding warm water or ice cubes into the water table.
• Add a couple drops of an extract, such as peppermint to the water to include the olfactory system in play.

Adaptation Ideas

• If children are hyper sensitive to tactile play, use the water table without water.
• For children who are hyper sensitive to tactile play, provide long-handled spoons to move the water and scoop balls without touching the water with their skin.

Physical 3

Skills

• The table is a good height to encourage cruising by holding on the edges and walking.
• As children stabilize their bodies with one hand and activate the Ferris wheel, pour water into the funnel or place balls in the spiral tracker, they are naturally incorporating bilateral coordination into play.
• The action of scooping and dumping water increases wrist rotation and movement.

Play Ideas

• Use hands to create a whirlpool in the water to move objects around. This helps children use large arm and core muscles.
• Step back and throw the balls into the middle spiral tracker. The top has a wide rim to aim for. This helps children work on grasp, release and eye-hand coordination.
• Have children hold onto the side of the water table with their strong hand and activate the different areas with their weaker hand. This keeps their strong hand busy while strengthening their weak side. 

Adaptation Ideas

• Enlarge the Ferris wheel crank by cutting a slit in a tennis or racquet ball and placing it on the crank.
• Remove the Ferris wheel and funnel to help children cruise uninterrupted around the water table.

Social/Emotional 4

Skills

• Cooperative play can encourage turn taking, sharing and social skills.
• Play is based on exploration and discovery allowing kids to build confidence while learning.
• Spiralin' Seas Waterpark encourages pretend play, which promotes self-awareness.

Play Ideas

• Have kids wear bathing suits during play to lessen inhibitions or frustations of getting clothes wet. 
• Limit the number of kids playing at the table to encourage turn taking and also help with over stimulating children.