Sensory Baby Play: Carrot Shaving Sensory Salad

The other day, I was peeling organic carrots to make for Kingston's dinner. The shavings were all neatly piled into a bowl, and I couldn't help but run my hands through them. K was on the kitchen floor pulling at my pants and whining to be picked up, entertained, or given some carrots. He was in desperate need of an activity. So, I transferred the carrot shavings to a glass dish, added some lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, and peppers from Kingston's Green Toys Sandwich Shop and a baby spoon and fork. 

When I set it on the floor, K went straight for the objects that he knew best, the play food. He is constantly gnawing on these sandwich stacker pieces, so I wasn't surprised when he gave each of them a chew. 

Then he went for the carrot. At first, he picked up each tiny shaving individually. This sensory bin quickly turned into an amazing fine motor skill activity. He used his pincer grasp to pick up each piece, and I watched as he twirled each strand in between his fingers. 

Then he picked up the utensils and examined those while he continued to collect more carrot pieces. He was making the most adorable faces like he was both extremely interested and terribly disgusted in what he was exploring! I explained to him that he was touching carrot. He has eaten carrots before and painted with carrots, but this was a completely different texture and medium. 

He started grabbing clumps and squishing them in his hands. He was very focused on exploring the carrot. I told him that carrots are orange. 

Then he took out bunches of carrot and threw them all over the floor. 

What he did next was classic Kingston. He is always trying to pick up the dish and throw it across the room. Every time I pick a dish, I think, "Oh this dish is so very heavy. My wee little munchkin could never pick this up." And low and behold, each and every time, he wants to he-man the dish. This time I just let him go for it. He picked it up, flipped it over, and it came crashing down. What did he do? He cried. My poor sweet boy cried. I put the dish up on the counter for the time being and let him explore the remnants. 

He munched on a tomato for a bit. Yum, yum, yum!

Then, he went for what was left on the floor. He threw it around, swished it all over the floor, and picked up big clumps to drop. He thought this was so much fun! 

Then, of course, he wanted to put his precious toesies in it. Perfect photo opp! 

I love the concept of playing with something that would generally be thrown out. I would love to do a series someday on exploring compost items. Kingston had a ton of impromptu fun, and I got rewarded for having to peel those darn carrots! 

If you are interested in having more fun with food waste, check out Kz and Me's Corn Silk Sensory Bin!