I’m in love with water beads and think they’re about as much fun for adults as they are for kids! Today, I want to share some fun fall activities using water beads.
Update: Water beads have been found to be dangerous for children, so I now recommend using tapioca pearls instead. They can be colored with food coloring to make the color you’d like. They’re totally non-toxic and edible, and they don’t cause life-threatening obstructions if swallowed.
Fall Activities with Water Beads from Around the Blogosphere
Fall Leaf and Color Theme
Fall Painting with Water Beads from 3 Dinosaurs
Fun with Water Beads (orange water beads) from What’s Fun Today?
Apple Theme
Apple Counting and Math with Water Beads from 3 Dinosaurs
Apples Water Bead Play from Little Bins for Little Hands
Fire Safety Theme (for Fire Prevention Month in October)
Firefighter Graphing Game from my fire safety post at PreK + K Sharing
Native American Theme (for Native American Day, which is celebrated the 4th Friday in September in California and instead of Columbus Day in South Dakota, or for Thanksgiving)
Native American Small World and Drum Craft from Crayon Box Chronicles
Halloween Theme (Halloween Water Bead Activities and Activities That Would Be Perfect for Halloween)
Orange and Black Water Bead Play from Le Baby Bakery
Black Light Water Bead and Black Light Water Play from Caution! Twins at Play
Glow Water and Water Beads from Learn Play Imagine
Sensory Table – Water Beads in the Dark from Familylicious
Halloween Sensory Bin from Sugar Aunts
Sensory Bin: Skeletons and Spiders from Little Tiger Growing Up
Halloween Themed Sensory Bin from Beansprouts Preschool Blog
Monster Sensory Tub from I Can Teach My Child
Creepy Crawly Water Beads from Messy Kids
Creepy Crawly Water Beads Sensory Bead Play from Little Bins for Little Hands
Water Bead Fun with Creatures from The Chocolate Muffin Tree
Gel Beads: Fun Party Ideas
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Cassie says
I love this round up! Water beads are so much fun!
Deb says
Thanks, Cassie! I love what you did with water beads. 🙂
eliane says
the water beads are safe? where you find?
Deb says
Thanks for your comment, Eliane. I wouldn’t recommend water beads for children who might try to eat them, but they’re very popular for preschoolers otherwise. You could always do a Google search on the safety of water beads to see if you feel comfortable using them with your children.
I’ve heard of most parents and teachers getting water beads from Amazon or from the floral department of a craft store like Michaels. I hope that helps. 🙂
Allison says
Thank you for including our glowing water beads!
Deb says
My pleasure, Allison … they’re awesome! 🙂
Heather says
Hi Deb! Thank you so much for including our Native American Small World! Such a fun post!
Deb says
Thanks, Heather! And my pleasure … such an amazing idea. 🙂
Pinkoddy says
We have never had any waterbeads and they look like such good fun – thank you for the roundup
Deb says
Thanks! Water beads definitely are fun. 🙂
Natalie says
You have so many great water bead ideas. We should get ours out again for some sensory play! Thanks for sharing with Afterschool!
Deb says
Thanks, Natalie! I LOVE water beads myself … I always have fun putting together a post with anything water-bead related. 🙂
Carrie says
A wonderful round-up as always!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Deb says
Thanks, Carrie! I had a great time researching fall water bead activities. 🙂
Anna says
Water beads are a new discovery at our house – definitely a favorite! Thanks for sharing at After School.
Deb says
Thanks, Anna! I first experimented with water beads about a year ago … and fell in love with them even though I don’t have kids at home any longer. 🙂
Jill says
These are some fun water bead activities. I really like the activities with the glow in the dark one. Thank you for sharing and for linking up this week to the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop.
Deb says
Thanks, Jill! The glow-in-the-dark water beads are amazing, aren’t they?! 🙂
Sarah Martin says
I’m curious if anyone has found a way to clean the beads? After many children playing repeatedly with them I’ve wondered how to avoid passing germs.
ChristyM says
My four year old was helpings “shop” for activities at Mom’s Library and she came straight to this.