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Sensory Table Ideas

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Zen and the Art of the Sand Table!

One day I set up a Sensory Table in my kitchen with potting soil, small toy animals and birdseed. The children played with the animals, created rivers with a pitcher of water and then put on the cover for a couple of days while we were away. What a surprise they had when they came back and found that the seeds had sprouted! They now had a vast grassland for exploring. They created lion hunts, made burrows for rabbits and even found a bare stick outside to create a perch for a Bald Eagle. We used clay as a base to hold it up.

Children love to explore, touch, smell, taste, listen to and observe everything around them. The more ways that they can explore the more that children will learn. Sensory tables are designed to make exploration accessible to children while containing the mess sometimes associated this that exploration.

Set up a sensory table and become amazed that the discoveries that your children will make...

Photo Credit: Goldfish Scooping
Used under creative commons.

Clear Sensory Tables

allow children to observe from the bottom as well as the sides.

Which Kind of Sensory Table is the Best?

A Clear, See-Through Sensory Table

A clear, see-thru sensory table allow children to observe from underneathe.

Sensory Table

Over the years I have tried various types of sensory tables. At first I used a sink. The kids loved to play in the water. They learned to do dishes and wash vegetables. Usually that worked out fine but sometimes they would get so excited that they would fall off the chair or splash water all over the floor.

Next I tried a lasagna pan but I found it too small. A dishpan was better but still not big enough. For a while we used a plastic tub meant for mixing cement. Then one day we were visiting the Boston Children's museum where they had an aquarium for turtles where children could lie down underneath to observe the turtles. The kids were fascinated and I soon joined them. That was when I went on a quest to find a sensory table that allowed us to look from underneath. Finally I found one. We have loved it ever since.

Sensory Tables

allow children to explore using their five senses.

What can a child learn at the Sensory Table?

Sensory Tables help Children learn to Pour and Meaure

Bottles for the Sensory TableWater in the Sensory Table

Photo Credit: Old Bottles for the Sensory Table
Photo Credit: Playing with Water in the Sensory Table
on Flickr, Creative Commons.



One day we filled the sensory table with water, cups, funnels and clear bottles. The children were delighted to fill the bottles and then dump the water back out. After a while we started to talk about the various sizes and shapes of the bottles wondering which ones held the most. Many children are surprised to find that a tall thin bottle may not hold as much as a short fat bottle.

These hands-on experiences are very important for understanding mathematical concept in volume. Those children who have had hands-on experiences readily understand the concepts presented in higher level mathematics.

Sensory Tables

are designed to contain the mess to allow for exploration of materials such as water, rice and sand.

Sensory Tables Prevent Messes

Math Manipulatives

Photo Credit: karo + palmolive + wesson = mess
on Flickr, Creative Commons.



By allowing children to experiment with various liquids in a Sensory Table, the children get the opportunity to see how various liquids combine or repel eachother without making a mess.

The Great Sensory Table Debate!

Why would you want a clear sensory table?



Now it's up to you. Will you put up with just whatever you find around or will you go for the best?

Which style of Senstory Table do you prefer?

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Any kind of sink, pan or bowl will do.

AngelaFaye says:

I have a home daycare of 15 years and I love the commercial see-through sensory tables, but they can be a bit pricey. I use whatever I can find and make it work. I have purchased individual storage containers and even round dish pans from the dollar store, as well as larger containers for group play. I think the clear sensory tables offer children to see objects from different perspectives, but my preference is whichever works to promote exploration, learning and a fun time for children.

AkitaJitsu says:

I pretty much use anything for my son, but we do have a basic split table meant for water & sand that I put random things in - fake snow, pudding, etc.

SnoopyGirl1 says:

I use what I can find, sandbox, wash tubs or the sink! Great lens! 5*

Jimmie says:

For frugality, I'd say any pan or tub.

A large, clear Sensory Table where you can even see from underneath.

susan300 says:

The table looks great, if you have the cash and the space for it. On a budget, I've used clear storage containers.

GonnaFly says:

I love the look of your featured sensory table. I'm sure it would encourage so much learning and creative play. But you would have to have the space for it...

KathyMcGraw says:

I would love to have the best...however I think parents will find ways to make use of what they have depending on their budget. So my answer is both :)

 

Zen and the art of Sandbox Play

Sand in the Sensory Table

Moss on Three Stones in a Zen Garden, Washington Park, Portland, Oregon, USA
Stones in a Zen Garden
Available on Allposters

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What else could you put in your Sensory Table?

Sensory Table beads

Photo Credit: Glass Beads for the Sensory Table
on Flickr, Creative Commons.

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Rice

Rice is one of the most common items to put in a sensory table. It is easy to pour, inexpensive and easy to clean up. Be sure to teach the children how to use a dustpan and broom. I keep mine under the table.2 points

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Instant Potato Flakes and Toy Cars

Instant Mashed Potatoes - Children like to pretend that the cars are driving through the snow. One time we made snow plows by adding bits of cardboard onto the toy trucks.2 points

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Insta-Snow

A See-Thru Sensory Table is the perfect place for exploring Insta-Snow. Children living in warmer climates where it's too warm for snow can get a feel for the texture and properties of snow in a nice contained space.2 points

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Styrofoam Peanuts

Be sure to have a vacuum cleaner available for the bits that tend to stick to everything.1 point

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Tadpoles

Be sure to change the water often with water from the pond that the tadpoles came from and return the tadpoles to the pond every couple of days. The tadpoles are for observation not touching.1 point

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Ice Sculptures

Put a plastic bowl of water in the freezer for a couple of days until it is solid. Children can chip away at the ice to form ice sculptures.1 point

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Orange Pomanders

Give each child an orange and then show them how to push cloves into them all around. When there is no more orange showing hang them in the closet to make the closet smell nice. The cloves will preserve the orange.1 point

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Indian Corn

Children get to break off the corn kernels. Later we soak the kernels in water overnight and then thread them to make necklaces.1 point

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Seashells

Large and small Sea Shells W/Net Bag of various kinds and colors would be lots of fun. You can show children how to hold the larger ones to their ears to listen for the sounds of the sea. This might work well when combined with a sand table where little sand castles could be made and decorated. We have seashells mixed into our sandbox in our back year that the children have found when we visited the beach on vacation.1 point

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Dry Beans

kids love the feel and sound while sloshing there way through multi color beans.1 point

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Sugar and a Paintbrush

Just adding an upside down funnel to make a water fountain creates a Zen-like garden1 point

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Goldfish in Water with Nets

Sensory Table ActivityGoldfish Scooping is a carnival activity for children in Japan

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Dim Lights

Bad Back Chairs A range of office bad back chairs with back support for office posture seating - Bad Back Chairs1 point

Winter Sensory Table Ideas

Ice Fishing
1. Get a piece of the foam insulation cut to fit the top of your sensory table (I cut mine to fit snugly in the top so it rests inside the table
but only on the top) and cut two holes in it about 5 or 6 inches round then
2. Put water and magnetic fish in the table.
3. Place the foam ice on top.

Children use magnetic fishing poles to catch the fish under the ice. They love it!

Deanna from ChildCareLand

Sensory Table Ice Fishing

Ice Fishing in the Sensory Table

1. Get a piece of the foam insulation cut to fit the top of your sensory table (I cut mine to fit snugly in the top so it rests inside the table
but only on the top) and cut two holes in it about 5 or 6 inches round then
2. Put water and magnetic fish in the table.
3. Place the foam ice on top.

Children use magnetic fishing poles h the ice fish. They love it!

This activity is adapted from one suggested by Deanna from ChildCareLand.com By using a see-thru Sensory Table the kids can see how the fish float in the water as well as how they are caught.
Little Fish With Magnets In Tin

Little Fish With Magnets In Tin

Amazon Price: (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Product Description
Wooden magnetic fish in a tin.

See-Thru Sensory Table

See-Thru Sensory Table - School & Play Furniture

See-Thru Sensory Table - School & Play Furniture

Amazon Price: $428.20 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now
List Price:

Product Description
Provides ultimate splash control with clear, tough, nine-inch deep acrylic tub. Matching see-thru acrylic activity cover included. Locking casters. 23" wide x 37" long x 20" high. Baltic Birch frame fits easily through classroom doors. Drain with valve included. Ready-to-Assemble. Lifetime warranty.

Lessons from the Frog Pond

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Frogs and Lily Pads in the Water Table

Frog Pond Sensory Table Activity

Free frog-on-a-lily-pad Clipart

Photo Credit: Frog on Lily Pad
on Free Clipart Now


Young children love playing in the Water Table but did you realize that it is also a learning experience?
1. Create a frog pond by pouring water into the sensory table.
2. Cut lily pad shapes from green craft foam.

What could children learn from this experience in the Sensory Table?

Penmanship: Children develop small motor coordination which will help them with handwriting and penmanship when they are balancing the frogs on the lily pads while trying not to let them dip over and spill into the water.

Math: Practice addition and subtraction facts while adding and subtracting the frogs as they jump on and off the lily pads.

The original idea for this activity comes from Frog Games at Perpetual Preschool.
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Innovative Ways to Use Sensory Tables

The following lenses offer innovative ways to use sensory tables in order to explore topics in various unit studies. In the Lobster Unit Study we put lobsters in the sensory table. When studying woodchucks we used the sensory table to hold beans as we measured the actual weight of a woodchuck. We poured water through sand when exploring the habitat of riverotters. There are amazing ways that you can use a sensory table.
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Do you have a Sensory Table yet?

Have you used a clear Sensory Table?

SEE-THRU SENSORY TABLE



What do your children like to use for exploration in their Sensory Table?

  • AngelDey Jul 21, 2011 @ 11:20 pm | delete
    I've never even heard of a sensory table before now. This is very cool! Thanks for sharing.
  • Donnette Jul 2, 2011 @ 12:22 pm | delete
    This is an absolutely stunning lens, as all of yours are. Thank you for sharing your magical ideas wit us.
  • AkitaJitsu Oct 24, 2010 @ 3:14 pm | delete
    Great lens! I found this lens while looking for some new ideas for things to play with at our sensory table - got some great ideas - especially the potting soil that turned into a jungle!
  • CCGAL Sep 18, 2010 @ 12:27 pm | delete
    While a clear sensory table would no doubt be a delight to have, I can't help remembering that the gentleman who raised his daughter to be a genius did so with nothing but what he could find in the library and by interacting with her verbally at every opportunity. No gadget, however wonderful, can replace that one on one interaction between a caring, committed adult and a child. Loved learning about the sensory table, though. I would think that it would be beneficial not just to small children, but anyone with a brain injury needing to rewire those neural pathways, and the elderly with certain forms of dementia, as well. Fascinating lens!
  • GonnaFly Sep 16, 2010 @ 6:06 pm | delete
    Another excellent lens! You certainly have so many great ideas. Thanks for sharing.
  • vallain May 11, 2010 @ 11:39 am | delete
    Maybe this is what Mom had in mind when she gave us an old pan and a spoon to play with in the dirt yard.
  • SnoopyGirl1 Apr 29, 2010 @ 2:30 pm | delete
    Just our sandbox outside. I would sure love one of those clear ones though! They look like loads of fun!
  • ClaudeKinney Apr 28, 2010 @ 8:06 am | delete
    Hey, I discovered your lens while searching on squidoo, your article looks extremely important for me. I'll add a backlink and bookmark your web page. Keep up the good job!

    Raccoon Eyes
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  • KathyMcGraw Apr 18, 2010 @ 2:48 pm | delete
    I am amazed at all these wonderful ideas. Wish I had known about them when my kids were growing up, but we did variations on many of them. That Sensory Table sure has a lot of great activities a child could do, making it well worth the investment...especially if you have more than one child.
  • SpellOutloud Jan 17, 2010 @ 2:52 pm | delete
    We don't have a table, but we do occasionally use sensory bottles or I Spy bottles. I wrote a lens on it and am lensrolling this. I'm also going to feature this in my toddler workbox lens.
  • Evelyn_Saenz Jan 17, 2010 @ 3:31 pm | delete
    We call them Wonder Bottles. Children love to turn them around and around to see what's inside.
  • Jimmie Jan 11, 2010 @ 10:39 pm | delete
    I love the idea of sensory tables. I understand the reasoning behind using food products, but on the other hand, I do have some resistance to using food for play instead of for eating. Something to consider.
  • Evelyn_Saenz Jan 11, 2010 @ 11:11 pm | delete
    Sometimes we use food but often we use leaves, dirt, buttons or beads. There is an endless variety of substances to use in sensory tables. I agree that food should be respected and used for eating.
  • sukkran Jan 10, 2010 @ 7:50 am | delete
    one more wonderfully created lens from evelyn. your 'list of lenses' is a clear sensory table for me. i am learning from it. thank you evelyn.
  • Evelyn_Saenz Jan 10, 2010 @ 9:19 am | delete
    Thank you for coming to explore the Sensory Table with me.
  • oztoo Jan 10, 2010 @ 1:53 am | delete
    Evelyn you are such a wonderful and creative teacher. Love this idea of a sesory table. Perhaps my grandchildren will benefit.
  • Evelyn_Saenz Jan 10, 2010 @ 6:41 am | delete
    What a wonderful idea. I'm sure your grandchildren will love having a sensory table.
  • SoyCandleLover-Maker Jan 9, 2010 @ 10:28 pm | delete
    No, but wish I had know about this when my kids were younger. Although I think I might have fought real hard to wait for my turn. :D Fabulous ideas in a wonderful format. Congrats on the blessing as it is well deserved.
  • poutine Jan 9, 2010 @ 2:42 pm | delete
    You sound like such a good teacher. I wish my sons could have known you when they were little.
  • Evelyn_Saenz Jan 9, 2010 @ 4:51 pm | delete
    Having you for their mother, I am sure that I would have been delighted to have taught them.
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About the Author of this Sensory Table Lens

Find out what else I'm up to when up to when I'm not playing in the sensory table with my children.
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Sensory Table Experiences in the Kingdom

Sensory Tables on Wizzley

Floral Marbles for the Sensory TaboeFill the sensory table with glimmering, smooth and cool Floral Marbles.

Photo Credit: Multi colored Florist Marbles
Available on Amazon



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Evelyn_Saenz

My passion is teaching and finding ways to teach children in fun, hands-on, creative ways. The unit studies I make on Squidoo reflect my view that learning... more »

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