Sensory play with a tasty twist at Diverse Abilities

Ice Cream can be a great sensory or messy play activity to get everyone involved in exploring new textures and experiencing different tastes.

The students at The Beehive, Diverse Abilities activity and therapy centre in Poole, enjoyed some ice cream sensory play as part of a beach themed day recently. The adults supported by Diverse Abilities enjoyed scooping the ice cream out of the tubs, stacking the ice cream on to cones and using their hands to mix up the jelly and ice cream. Most loved the sensation of the cold ice cream with the wobbly, slippery jelly. For those a bit less inclined to get so messy, ice cream was put inside a plastic glove so the change in the ice cream whilst it melted could still be felt, minus the sticky hands.

There was a chance to taste the ice cream as well – with strawberry and salted caramel proving to be firm favourites. The great thing about ice cream, is that even many of those who are unable to eat a lot of solid food, can still have a taste of the ice cream as it melts in the mouth. Just a taste on the lips is a great experience.

As well as the jelly and ice cream, stations were set up to play with beach balls in the water, and to build castles in the sand to replicate a day at the beach.

Chelsey Mills, manager at The Beehive commented; “It’s always great fun when we do messy play, and ice cream is always really popular, as it allows us to explore different textures and temperatures as the ice cream melts. It’s an added bonus to be able to have a taste at the end as well.”

The greatest gift is giving and seeing how this is appreciated. For 2022 we have supported 4 charities and if you would like to know more on these, and maybe even give a donation for the festive season – Diverse Abilities, Forest Holme Hospice, Purbeck Youth & Community Fund, Jurassic Coast Trust.