Like many loose parts, corn cobs are easily sourced in some places and hard to find in others. Once plopped into an early learning environment, kids will find a wide range of things to do with them. For example, they’ll likely be hauled, dumped, sorted, arranged, tossed, rolled, buried, and broken. All those verbs mean action, and in early learning, action means learning.

Cobs are best as loose parts when they are dried out. If you can’t source already dry cobs, you can collect fresh ones from everyone you know who eats corn on the cob and then dry them yourself. It’s simple. Place them outside in a dry location away from rain and with a fair amount of sun and breeze. Rotate them every week or so until they’re dried out. Speed things up a bit by placing them on baking racks, so air can circulate below them as well as above. This process is a STEM activity with which curious kids can assist.

Corn Cobs

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