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Author: Jen Sherwin
Categories: Preschool, Math, Arts and Crafts

It's a place designed for squishing, sifting, sorting, digging, and pouring, where children can get messy, have fun and play freely. It's a sensory table. And almost every preschool has one.

To duplicate this learning opportunity at home, place a large, shallow plastic tub (the kind meant for storage under beds work great!) on an existing table, hard-surface floor or outside on the ground. Spread a large bath towel underneath to catch any overflow. Keep rags, a handheld brush and a small dustpan nearby so your child can clean up as independently as possible. Add whatever equipment your child enjoys; sand toys and kitchen utensils are great, but even plain old plastic cups can be fun.

The following are some great fillers with which to begin:

  • Water

             Add soap to wash plastic dolls or dishes

            Add food coloring to experiment with color mixing

            Add assorted items to experiment with floating and sinking

            Add small plastic or rubber fish and a handheld net

  • Food

            Jell-O, noodles, dry instant mashed potatoes, cornmeal (makes a great sand substitute)

  • Easter grass with plastic insects and butterflies (Keep a reference book nearby to look up the bugs)
  • Grains

            Birdseed, rice, cereal, oatmeal

  • Office extras

            Shredded paper, foam packing peanuts, colored paper clips

  • Assorted leaves, twigs, grass, and magnifying glasses 
  • Household items

            Cotton balls, buttons