They're bumpy! They're smooth! Shells, urchins, sand dollars ... they all make superb sensory exploration baskets for babies and toddlers. I keep a basket of shells on our nature shelf and pull it out often for Lachlan. Lately, I've also been encouraging Finn to incorporate them into his creative play - suggesting their usefulness as tea cups and boats, for example.

The newest shell-stravaganza is thanks to a glue gun and a few magnets. We have a new magnetized chalkboard, which I made from sheet metal painted with chalkboard spray paint. I found the weathered blue trim on our property, cut it to size, and nailed everything directly to the wall. Quite a simple project as projects go. I also magnetized some rocks, corks, and popsicle sticks while I was at it. Finn seemed especially taken with the corks.

We found our urchins here. Lachlan can't get enough of their bumpy radness.

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