Sensory Table
Color Mixing
Children mixed primary-colored water to make secondary colors. The bucket in the middle was for dumping the water when finished, or to start over.
Mixing Goop
Children mixed cornstarch with colored water to make "goop".
Bubbles
Children added liquid soap to water with medicine droppers and blew bubbles with a straw.
Pouring
Children poured water into different sized containers.
Pouring
Children poured sand into different sized containers. (I use dustless Jurassic Sand.)
Ice Rainbows
Children explored crushed ice and colored water by adding drops of colored water to a cup of ice.
Transferring (Left to Right)
Children used a spoon to move cocoa from the bowl on the left to the right. The cocoa gives off a nice scent. Cinnamon and other spices can also be used.
Creative Exploration (Lizards)
Children used Jurassic sand with Tree Blocks, river rocks, and plastic lizards for creative play.
Creative Exploration (Turtles)
Children used water with river rocks, aquarium grass, and plastic turtles for creative play.
Creative Exploration (Spiders)
Children used Jurassic sand with Tree Blocks and plastic spiders for creative play. The plastic spiders are spider rings with the ring part cut off.
Exploring Volume with Rice
Children used dry rice and colored jewels with measuring cups, funnels, and different sizes and shapes of clear glass containers.
Exploring Volume with Water
Children used water and colored jewels with measuring cups, funnels, and different sizes and shapes of clear glass containers.
Insta-Snow
Insta-Snow is a superabsorbant polymer. I let my kids watch as I make it so they can see the powder absorb the water. I bought mine at Hobby Lobby, but you can also get it from Steve Spangler. Since my kids don't get the opportunity to see or touch real snow, they like to just run their fingers through it and play with it. You could also use it with measuring cups and containers of different sizes, or with small plastic polar animals.
Marbles and Melon Scoops
Children use the melon scoops to pick up marbles and put them in the ice cube tray.
Boats (Exploring Density)
Children start with a ball of clay, which sinks in the water. They form the clay into a boat that will float. After they have made a boat that floats, they add small bear counters to see how many can sit in the boat without it sinking. Note: Only use oil-based, non-hardening modeling clay for this activity. Do not use play dough or earthenware clays.
Resources
Insta-Snow:
Jurassic Sand:
