NeeDoh Nice Cube: Discovering Hot and Cold
Sensory play with the NeeDoh Nice Cube
Who would have thought that an 'ice cube' could stimulate so many senses?
The Nee-Doh Nice Cube isn't just a fidget. It looks like a small ice cube, feels soft and squishy, but it can do more than just regulate and relax. This cube is perfect for playful sensory exploration—and you can connect with that beautifully with a simple, yet surprisingly rich play activity. 
Discover temperature differences
For this game, you'll need two Nice Cubes or two Teenie Nice Cubes. Place one in the refrigerator and leave the other at room temperature. Want to increase the contrast? Place one on a radiator for a moment. As soon as you offer both cubes together, children immediately experience the effect of temperature on a material.
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Cool vs. warm
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Harder vs. softer feel
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Slower to press or just nice and smooth
Children process these stimuli through their sense of touch and interoception (hot/cold perception). This is how they build new brain connections: the kind of play that truly makes a difference in sensory development. 
Vary for even more surprises
You can expand this game in many ways:
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Choose two different colours: for example blue from the refrigerator and pink at room temperature
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Take two identical colours: the child must then really feel them and not rely on sight
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Go 'contradictory': pink cold and blue warm – wonderfully confusing for the brain, and therefore so educational
Children discover that not all properties are visible. Truly understanding how something feels, looks, or works sometimes requires the use of multiple senses. This strengthens their executive functions , such as flexibility, problem-solving skills, and the ability to adjust expectations.
Why this game is so valuable
The more diverse experiences a child gains through play, the better they learn to ask questions and gather information. These are important skills for making conscious choices later in life. With simple materials like the NeeDoh Nice Cube, you create rich, meaningful play opportunities.
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