This week, the Toddler Bunnies explored with biodegradable packing materials (also known as "packing peanuts" that were left over from a package that was delivered that day. These packing "peanuts" (which do not contain peanuts at all) are made from corn. We started by placing the packing peanuts into a shallow container and allowing the children to explore with them. Soon, a few of the children discovered that they could break the packing peanuts in half, causing them to make a snapping sound.
Next, we offered the children nesting cups and empty plastic tubes (which were empty bubble containers). The children used the cups to scoop and empty the packing peanuts while others tried fitting the materials down the plastic tubes. After that, we added water to the tubes and watched the packing peanuts begin to "melt" in water. When we were ready to dispose of the packing peanuts, we brought them to the sink and ran warm water over them. The children watched the water cause the materials to get smaller, then dissolve.
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| How do packing peanuts feel? |
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| What happens when we put packing peanuts in water? |
