Magical Math Play: Glittery Water Addition with a Sensory Twist
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Looking for a fun, hands-on way to sneak in some math practice? This glittery water setup turned out to be one of our favorite ways to play and learn—and it’s as simple as it is magical.
Today, we took our number practice outside and added a little sparkle (literally!) to our math routine. I filled a large shallow bin with water and added a dash of edible navy blue glitter for that extra wow factor. The result? Shimmery, inviting water that instantly drew in my 6-year-olds.
Then came the stars of the show: transparent letters and numbers. I tossed in a handful of numbers and handed my twins some tongs. Their mission? Use the tongs to fish out two or more numbers and add them together!
Not only were they practicing addition, they were also:
Strengthening fine motor skills
Engaging in sensory play
Working cooperatively
Building confidence with numbers
Math doesn’t have to be paper-and-pencil work—it can be sparkly, hands-on, and full of excitement. I loved watching them eagerly dive (well, with tongs!) into the bin, proudly shouting out their number sentences: “3 plus 6 is 9!” “4 and 2 make 6!”
This activity was low prep, high engagement, and gave me that sweet moment where learning and play truly collided.
Want to Try It? Here’s What You’ll Need:
Water
Edible glitter (we used navy blue)
Plastic numbers (we used translucent ones for a fun visual effect)
You can extend the activity by asking them to:
Write the equations on a whiteboard
Use larger numbers or try subtraction
Time themselves for a math race!
📣 BONUS TIP: Add in letters for a mix of literacy play, too!