Lisa, from Ireland, sent in this scoop and pour activity idea. Let’s take a look at it…

What did you do?

Get a piece of cardboard that will fit across a container that you have at home.
Using as many funnels as you wish, draw around the outline in pencil.
Cut along the pencil marking and place the funnel into the hole.
I like to tape the funnel from underneath but this is optional.
Put rice in the container along with some scoops or spoons and that’s it!

This activity is amazing for children who love sensory play. It’s right up there with water play for my little man. He gets lost in it and it’s so cute watching him look into the funnel really quickly to see where the rice is going!
I like to tape the funnels underneath as I find if I just sit them into the holes I cut out they can fall into the container during the activity.

Do you have any other projects planned?

I am going to be posting a lot of activities around developing speech and language and also around developing fine motor skills in young children and children with additional needs.

Tell the Housebound With Kids community a bit about yourself…

Hi! I’m Lisa. I’m from Ireland. I’m mum to a 2-year-old boy, Tommy. I’ve been working as a primary school teacher for 16 years and have spent the last 4 years working in an Autism Specific Class. I have a Bachelor of Education Degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Support and Special Educational Needs. I am currently doing my Master in Educational Leadership and Management.

How are you finding being housebound so far?

I have loved every minute of being at home with Tommy. His Dad has been away for the last 5 months with the army so there are times when it’s been extremely busy and lonely. Overall though I see it as a special time. One where I am so grateful that I got to spend with Tommy without any of the external pressures that being a working mom brings. It was a unique time and I loved getting off the ‘hamster wheel’, slowing right down, living simply and just being at home with my little man.

Do you have any tips for other parents?

I try to plan ahead. I get a couple of activities ready for the following morning before I go to bed as it’s just too manic to try pull something together when there’s an active toddler who is into everything waiting on you! If I see that the weather is going to be rainy and wet the following day I think what I will do the next day based on that and have it ready. Likewise, if it’s going to be nice I have something in my head that we can do outdoors.

Has this website and community helped you?

I love how it’s so user friendly. It’s so easy to navigate which is so helpful when you are short on time when looking for ideas. I think anything, where people come together to help each other, is always a good thing- it’s a lovely reminder that there is still so much kindness in the world.