Okay we are obsessed with water beads at the moment, they're literally our favourite sensory activity. However although they are untoxic they are NOT edible and a choking hazard.
Luckily Indias pebble eating stage has finished but i thought it was a little unfair for me to make a sensory post without a alternative for those babes that just want to ingest everything.
All you need is Tapioca pearls... you know those weird things in the bottom of bubble tea. You can also use food colouring if you want to brighten them up.So the general rule is to boil 10 cups of water for 1 cup of tapioca pearls. Once the water is boiling, add the tapioca. After about one minute they will rise to the top. Gently stir them and then put the lid on and let them sit for about 4 more minutes then drain and rinse them with cold water.Then I divided them up with the gel food colouring and got my little helper to stir them around. You'll want to wait for the food colouring to soak in so lay them out to dry for about a hour.
Tapioca pearls are a little sticky so add some water will really help. These don't have the same texture or feeling as water beads but they are a close second. It's all sensory play at the end of the day - oh poet. Why not try them? Your kids will love them.
Side note:
If you do use food colouring it does wear off slightly in the water and on hands.
These do not last as long as water beads - one use only.
