The mystery box as an activity is found in many science centers. This idea is just another twist to learning to identify things by touch. It goes one step further by adding a communicationdimension to the find and feel "touch-feely" box. What to do- Build a touch box such as the one suggested here. (see illustration) The box should have 2 openings so that two children may work together. Attach old socks over the openings so hands can slipinto the box and not be seen.
- Place 2 sets of items in the box. Also place a set in sight of the two participants.
- Have a child reach in and describe one of the objects in the box by touch. The child can look at the visible objects, using the sense of sight to help support his or her touch descriptions.
- As one child describes the object, the other child is to find that object in the box by using the sense of touch. Both of them pull out their shapes. Do they match? How are they similar and/ordifferent? Look at any incorrect shapes, review the characteristics described, and put them back. Try again.
- The fun of this touch game is obvious. Hands touching and sharing secret shapes are wonderful. The verbal exchange can serve to teach descriptive attributes and touch words with instant reviewsby the teacher and a self correcting mode built into the game.
Things you will need- three matching sets of various objects such as nuts, feathers, pinecones, sticks, leaves, shells, and rocks
Want to do more?Choose more touch words: hard-soft, warm-cold, smooth-rough. Make up many mystery boxes and have the children match boxes containing like objects. For young children, place an object on top of thebox and have them reach inside to find the match. | 
