Welcome to Incy Wincy Babies online – where the Incinerator Gallery comes to you.

This month our Barking Spider Visual Theatre artist Laura invites you to join in this creative activity from the comfort and safety of your own home.

Please take a photo or video of your artwork and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or our Facebook Group Incinerator Gallery Incy Wincy Babies.

Use the hashtag #IncineratorGallery so everyone can share just as we do during the program at Incinerator Gallery.

Autumn Leaves: Sensory bags

This month the theme of our play is investigating colour, texture, shape, life cycles and the environment through autumn leaves.

To create your sensory bags you will need autumn leaves, some plastic zip lock bags, oil, food dye and water. Laura recommends using silicone or compostable bags.

In the video Laura is using plastic zip lock bags that are washed and reused. However here are some more sustainable options if you’re looking to cut down on single use plastic. Remember if you do use soft plastics they can be dropped off at your local REDcycle when you are finished with them.

Go for a walk around your neighbourhood to collect some autumn leaves. Laura encourages you to point out the different colours. Talk about how the leaves vary in shape, texture and size.

Then focus on how the leaves feel to touch and crunch. Are they brittle or smooth and soft? Are the leaves bright orange, red, yellow or muted browns or green? Are they large or small? How do the leaves differ in their shape? Can you see any leaves at the base of the tree? Have you noticed the way the breeze blows the leaves through the air?

Once you and your baby or toddler have investigated the leaves, decide how you would like to arrange them in the zip lock bags. In the video Laura chose to arrange then by colour. You could also sort them by size, texture or shape. Add some water, oil and food colouring into the bags. Press the zip locks closed. Then enjoy exploring the leaves through the plastic bag.

As always, there are no right and wrong ways to explore. So have fun and enjoy this creative way to explore autumn leaves!