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New Ideas for Sensory Tables in ECE – Preschool, Kindergarten
By Teachers.Net Community
The question, posted on the Preschool Chatboard:
What are some things you put in the sensory table? I would love some new ideas!
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Karen M. contributed these ideas for sensory tables, including a recipe for Clean Mud.
colored rice/rice
potting soil
beans
feed corn
oats
wheat
plastic straws
package peanuts
Easter grass
scrap paper to cut with scissors
ribbon
salt
shredded paper
hay
buttons
wood shavings
pebbles/gravel/rocks
feathers
coffee grounds
a block of ice in water
snow
a block of ice with cups of salt water and eye droppers
a block of clear gelatin, cups of food coloring and long nose
eye droppers/pipettes
water and baby oil
soapy water
water and cornstarch
You can add interest to any medium by adding thematic materials to your sensory table. If you’re learning about dinosaurs, for example, add some small plastic dinosaurs to the sand table.
I also think by varying the kinds of tools you offer children encourage them to be creative. Different types of scoops, colanders, sand wheels, measuring cups, sifters, etc.
Recipe for Clean Mud:
1 bar Dove Soap, grated with a cheese grater
1 roll white toilet paper
warm water (warm enough to melt soap)
1. Tear up TP into small pieces. Kids can help you with this.
2. Put into water table and add soap. Mix.
3. Pour in water in small amounts while mixing the TP and soap
together.
4. Enough water has been added when the mixture is the
consistency of thick cool whip.
5. Clean Mud can be saved in a clean airtight container. If it
seems a little dry, just add a little warm water and mix.
An anonymous poster offered these suggestions:
cornmeal, sand, sawdust, coffee ground mixture, instant snow,
beans, pipe cleaners, leaves, sod and scissors, gemstones,
shaving creme.
“reva” posted:
Right now I have dirt with garden tools, pots, and artificial
flowers.
