There this phase in certain children’s lives that is called “the construction vehicle phase”. Others may know it as “the dinosaur phase”, “the shark phase”, “the fairy phase” or “the farm animal phase”. Oh, there are many phases and us parents live gloriously through them all. We read the same stories a billion times and give in to toddler sized hoarding. While at times it does our head in, it’s also terribly cute. Have a look below at how we improvised (another) construction sensory play tray and how my eldest and youngest are enjoying it together. <Mama heart melting.>
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Setting up a Construction Sensory Play Invitation
Setting up a construction sensory play invitation is the simplest thing ever. So many sensory bin fillers are extremely suitable for diggers and dump trucks to lift and move around.
For this construction sensory play tray, I used muesli that somehow got ‘compromised’, don’t ask. You can just as easily use chickpeas, rice, rocks, sand and even play dough. (Have a look our stone quarry small world here.)
For a simple set up as this one, here’s what you’ll need:
- a construction vehicle set
- a big enough sturdy tray
(or bin)
- some kind of sensory bin filler
- perhaps a book about construction vehicles for added fun and play inspiration (we’ve got The Little Yellow Digger
and Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site
)
(or bin)
and 
)Feel free to improvise, it’s all about having fun.
Sensory Play and Child Development
Sensory small world play is a great way to provide children with different theme’s, textures and play materials that stimulate healthy development. A simple invitation to play on a tray allows children to practice language and math skills but also experiment with and work through emotions and social situations. (You can read more about small world play and benefits to child development here.)
Aside from the whole learning side of things, sensory play is simply fun. Children at that age can be real sensory seekers and contained sensory play gives them the opportunity to do just that.
And while you’re at it, don’t forget to play a little bit too!
Ann*
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