Sensory table ideas

ArcticFox

We have a really big water table (Step2) and we are making a little play area in our unfinished basement, so I wanted to make a sensory table (out of the water table during the fall/winter). 

I don't know what material to use in it - dried corn or beans?  rice?  Etc?  And where would I find that stuff in bulk / at a good price?

I would probably put little things in the material (like coins, little trinkets, etc).

Looking for any suggestions - thanks!

RoxBride

Hmmm, anything food wise like that would make me nervous in an unfinished basement that critters would follow, so I'd be sure to empty it into airtight containers when not in use.

We liked macaroni for sensory play, or rice cripies.

KdgTeacher

::teacher butting in::

For non-food ideas I've used sand (Crayola also sells colored sand), foam packing peanuts, leaves, snow, feathers, soil, different fabric scraps, paper from a shredder, straw, and grass.

Have fun!

3lilbeans

KdgTeacher:

::teacher butting in::

For non-food ideas I've used sand (Crayola also sells colored sand), foam packing peanuts, leaves, snow, feathers, soil, different fabric scraps, paper from a shredder, straw, and grass.

Have fun!

This! You can still hide trinkets & what ever else you were going to put in rice or beans in all the materials listed above.

C.squared

DD likes to play with different kids of beans.  I got an assortment at the grocery store - she likes to sort them by color and size.  At her school, they use corn cobs and rice sometimes - I think they got the cobs at Michaels or some place similar.  I have a few different cups - I think they were meant for the tub, but they have holes on the bottom and let the rice or beans fall through.  She loves them.  She plays with them in our kitchen (it's where her play kitchen is too) and I always put them away in an airtight container when she's done.

ArcticFox

I didn't even think about critters getting into it.. it does have a tight lid though (on the table - it bungees on).  However I suppose it could draw animals.  Love the ideas!

TinyPinkBug

Water with soap, wash clothes and dolls.  Coffee grounds with measuring cups.  Random fall objects like pine cone, pine tree branch, fall maple leaves, sunflower, with some heavey duty magnifying glasses.  They sell them at auto supply stores.  Shredded paper from a paper shredder with tongs and large bowl, maybe toss in some colored shapes make from construction paper.  Corn starch with water.

Read2Me

Here are a collection of awesome sensory tubs that may give you a few ideas:

https://countingcoconuts.blogspot.com/search/label/Sensory Tubs 

Court0026

KateB1984:

DS1's preschool saves all the craft paper scraps and put them in once in a while, with a whole bunch of different scissors. I can't believe how much DS1 enjoys snipping at the scraps.

I love snip strips for this age too.  We also did corn starch and water a lot in my pre-k class.  And snow in the winter!