8 EASY SENSORY TABLE FILLERS
Since we get asked very often what are the activities that you can make for your little ones for the sensory table, we have compiled 8 different sensory activities (based on how easy they are to re-use and how much the kids enjoyed them). We have also included recipes and links if it was something we purchased. Please do leave a comment if you have any questions or something seems unclear! Enjoy! 😊
1. RAINBOW RICE
This is an easy-to-make and re-use activity that all children love! To make rainbow rice, simply place uncooked rice in different zip lock bags and add a few drops of food colors with a teaspoon of vinegar and shake to spread the color! Once the color is evenly spread out, place the rice on a tray and leave to dry. That's it! Add the rice into one of the sensory bins with a few tools and you're done. Easy-peasy!
2. SAND & WATER PLAY
This is also a super-easy to set-up activity. You can use bread crumbs if you don't have any sand (or if your child still puts things in their mouth 🙈) and place water in the other box with a few drops of blue food colors.
3. MUD-BATH
Kids love playing with this (moms not so much because of the huge mess it comes along with 🙈) To make edible mud, simply mix a cup of cocoa powder with a cup of flour and add water (until you reach the desired consistency). In the other box, fill up with water and soap. Give your children small animals and place them in the mud, along with something to scrub them with and ask them to clean them up! Lots of fun for the kids. Disclaimer: it WILL get messy so be prepared!
4. WATERBEADS
Fourth on the list and definitely a favorite is waterbeads! These little squishy balls are super fun for children to play with (they can sort them by color, practice scooping and transferring into different containers, or just squish them!). These are available on Amazon and are fairly cheap. Don't be shocked if they come as tiny balls! You need to place them in water in order for them to grow. You can find them on this link: https://www.amazon.eg/-/en/3000pcs-Crystal-Colorful-Paintball-multicolor/dp/B097LLXWVQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=water+beads&qid=1643534593&sr=8-1
Disclaimer: Please do not use waterbeads if your child still puts things in their mouth. They are very dangerous if swallowed!
5. BEANS OR COLORED CEREAL
Colored cereal and any type of beans is a great option for sensory play! You will most likely find these lying in your pantry (maybe even expired 😂) and children can play with them by sorting (either by color or by type in small containers or bowls in the other box).
6. FLOWER/NATURE FILLED SOUP
If you have a garden, or live in a place where you can walk outside with your kids, this activity is beautiful opportunity to get some outdoor time and gather some natural ingredients for pretend nature soup! I usually ask my children to pick up any fallen leaves or flowers and collect them in a basket. Then, just fill up a box with some water and food colors and place your dry ingredients in the other box. And then just let them cook up some pretend soup!
7. FOAMY SOAP PLAY
If you have a blender at home, this is super easy to make and a great option for kids who love water and foam! Simply blend two tablespoons of soap (can be dish soap, or any other soap) with 1/4 a cup of water and add a few drops of food colors in several batches (depending on how many colors you want), and place it all in one of the trays. Give your child spoons, cups, little pots and pans and let their imagination go wild!
8. POM-POMS AND WATER
Pompoms are one of the simple and mess-free options to use with the sensory table (that's if you don't use water of course 😂). Children can scoop them, transfer them or even sort their colors in other small containers. Adding water always of course makes it more fun for the kiddos, then they can make pom-pom soup!
