Toddlers and preschoolers simply can’t resist a sensory table. This urge to play and explore is so very deeply ingrained in all children and any gorgeous invitation will appeal to that part of them. While we all love well thought out and beautifully set up sensory bins or small worlds, the truth is is that for kids, simple is often best. This little farm sensory play tray was a spur of the moment kind of thing and my toddler played, scooped and poured, hid and sought until there was no rice left. Bless.

Have a look at the details below.

How to set up a simple farm sensory play tray?

It really is as simple as it looks. Here’s what you’ll need.

• a tray, any tray will do (we have an Ikea one that you can leave on the stand or take out to put on the table AND it’s metal so great for playing with magnets like Magformers or Magna Tiles – just saying!)
• a little bowl (another Ikea one, yes I go there often!)
• brightly coloured measuring spoons
• little plastic measuring cup
• mini silicone cupcake molds
• Playmobil farm animals (or this Safari Ltd Farm Babies TOOB would be perfect too)
• rice

Feel free to change things up. Kids won’t mind a different theme or a different type of sensory bin filler, it’s all about playing and exploring!

Sensory Play for the Win!

You may have noticed a lot of sensory play focused posts lately. It’s all because baby Fox is now 2 years old and has that perfect age to really enjoy sensory play and simple sensory small worlds.

Kids that age are exploring the world around them at a rapid pace and I think it’s an amazing window of opportunity to provide experiences that appeal to all the senses.

But there is more!

Aside from the sensory input these little ones crave (sensory seeking age!) sensory bins and sensory small worlds also lend themselves well to language development, numeracy, spacial awareness, world knowledge and so much more. All of that in a simple activity on a tray. Yes, indeed!

Keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be an elaborate invitation to play, simple set ups are more than enough, especially for toddlers. It’s also a good idea to leave the tray or bin out for about a week so kids can come and go. They don’t have long attention spans, but they’ll revisit often and build on their previous play.

Most importantly though: have fun!

There is a LOT of inspiration on this website if you’re looking for some ideas. To help you find something specific, you can go to the tag cloud on the right of the screen on desktop and see if there is a theme that matches your interest like farm, ocean or dinosaurs. You can also look through all sensory play activities or our list of toddler play ideas/ preschool play ideas or have a look at all of the small worlds we created.

I’m certain you’ll find something that tickles your imagination. For any other ideas, feel free to get in touch!

Ann*

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