I Spy!

Making an I Spy bottle is easy and inexpensive, and lends itself to so many activities.

All you need is...

• clean, dry plastic bottle
• rice
• lima beans

With a Sharpie, write letters on the beans. Put beans and rice inside the bottle and seal the bottle (I use glue to insure I don't have beans and rice in places I don't want it).

Use your new I Spy bottle for the following literacy fun with your kiddo!

• For every letter found, say the associated sound
• Write each letter as it is found
• Cut a picture out of a magazine that has the same beginning sound as the letter that is found
• Cut a letter out of a magazine for each letter that is found
• Find the letters in your name, Check them off as they are found
• Find something in the room that starts with the letter that is found
• Say the ABC's up to the letter that is found

Variations:

• Use plastic alphabet beads instead of writing letters on beans
• Write letters on pebbles instead of beans
• Use numbers
• Use numbers and letters
• Use both upper and lowercase letters
• Let the kiddos make their own, have them write their own letters on the beans. Giant lima beans work well for this, Provide spoons and funnels so they can scope in their own rice.
• Add other items (sparkles, rocks, jewels, etc)

Spy on!