Yup. I bought a couple of these from Ikea for $12 bucks each. Nice ones too.
My thought was that I could buy whole spices…stuff that looks like I found it outside (bark, cones and seeds). How satisfying to bash that stuff up and how surprising to get a nose full of amazing smells!
The kids absolutely loved it. I figure I could start a spice-grinding business with K’s providing free, willing labour. I couldn’t believe how much they enjoyed absolutely pulverizing the stuff down to the finest powder. They liked mixing the smells as well.
I didn’t add water this time, but probably will in the future. Messy fun! By the way, the class permanently smells like chai tea now. An added benefit.
Oh…and even though I was patting myself on the back for coming up with a “highly original idea”, turns out it isn’t. Friendly Forest Preschool beat me to it! However, they limit the spice grinding to Christmas baking. I say: Let them grind spices all year round, just for the sheer sensory pleasure of it! A great addition to the kindergarten “5 senses” science outcomes too.
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