Inside Play

I don't know about you, but living in the Midwest in the middle of winter can start to feel... well, a bit boring and very cooped up! Times that feeling times 5 for kids!! A great way to keep activities rolling along and give the kids something to do, as well as learn, is to create yourself a sensory table! If you've been in a preschool or kindergarten classroom you probably know what this looks like. If not, it's pretty simple to recreate in your own home. Get yourself any type of sturdy box, rubber maid tub, big bowls even, or the bathtub if you have to! Little kids pools work well too. My favorite thing to use... one of those skinny, narrow, and low tubs with an easy to store lid or our blow up kiddie pool. You can find them at most Walmarts, Targets, or even Menard's. Once you've established a sensory table area just fill it up. Sensory tables are a great way for kids to experience hands on learning!! You can always add measuring cups, little kids scissors, bowls, water toys, fish (yes, a goldfish can be VERY fun in water!), wash clothes (wash baby dolls or pumpkins or veggies from the garden), shovels, buckets, watering can, gloves, little cars, etc.

Here's a list of ideas to use in your new table...

cotton balls
snow (from outside or fake snow)
water
vegetables
rice
balls
dirt
sand
shaving cream
scrap pieces of wrapping paper
different textured fabrics
jello
easter grass
easter eggs
ribbons & bows
popped popcorn with bags and scoops
cooked spaghetti with a touch of oil (some red and some blue)
potting soil and flower pots
add straw to your water table (for an experiment in texture changes)
leaves and acorns
rocks
feathers
packing peanuts
dry pasta (color it for bright colors!)
corn cobs (have kids pick kernels off)
pudding
Bubble bath soap with water


Any other good things you've used for sensory activities??? Pass them on!