Smooth, Cool Water Beads

My morning elementary students had a wide variety of reactions to handling these water beads, mostly positive.  We submerged different objects in the beads---plastic letters, foam letters, connecting toys--and the students had to dig out the correct letter or shape to use in our activities.

One student only dared to reach in with his fingertips; the rest of the students seemed to enjoy exploring the cool, smooth beads.  Of course, several students squished them until they popped and one tried to taste them.  Even though the packaging states that they are non-toxic they can be a choking hazard.


You know your fingers want to dive in.

The foam letters don't soak up the moisture from the beads.