![[e-mail]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/presentation/v2/images/header/email-15x10.gif){kind=small}
Subscribe
![[search]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/presentation/v1/images/icons/16x12/search-form-icon.gif){kind=icon}
Site Search
While you have your turkey baster out for your Thanksgiving feast, I thought I’d share some fun ways you can use it to do activities with your kids year-round. There’s no need to keep this nifty gadget sitting in a drawer for 364 days of the year!
1. Painting: There are so many ways to paint with turkey basters! Try painting paper with paint like in this activity by No Time for Flashcards. You can also paint paper using colored water like The Imagination Tree
2. Fine Motor Practice/Water Transfer: If you want a great Montessori-inspired activity that will help improve your child’s fine motor skills, try some water transfer practice like Chasing Cheerios This is easy to set up and a great activity to prepare for future writing!! I like how Rockabye Butterfly used colored water and muffin tins for her water transfer setup.
3. Water Play: Turkey basters can be used for so many different water play activities. We’ve used them to help thaw frozen ice treasures, and during bath time to uncover secret messages while practicing letters and colors, too!
4. Cooking with Kids: Turkey basters aren’t just for turkey prep anymore! Try using them to make shaped pancakes like these ABC ones shared by Rookie Mom. Turkey basters also make it easy for kids to help in the kitchen making muffins, cupcakes and pies without making a big mess. Check out these mini pumpkin pies on 4 Growing Boys.
5. Science Experiments: Who doesn’t love playing with baking soda and vinegar? It’s a big hit at our house! We used a turkey baster to help create chemical reactions in our Fizzing Tea Party. Here’s another kids’ science experiment by Hands on as We Grow using colored vinegar and baking soda.
If you don’t already own a turkey baster, check Dollar Tree. I am always a guest for Thanksgiving and have never cooked a turkey in my life, but was able to find some turkey basters there for just a buck each! We have the most fun playing with them!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Genny is a former Wake County Public School System elementary and reading teacher, who is now a stay-at-home mom of two preschoolers in Cary. Read more on her blog In Lieu of Preschool and Facebook page.
Get our newsletter
Follow us on Twitter
Like us on Facebook
Get iPhone app
WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.
This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.