Here is a simple science center set-up that is inexpensive (or free) and quick. This activity is an exploration of the sense of touch and can be used with a unit on the Five Senses.
If you saw the Nature Touch Boxes I posted last year, this is the same idea with a slight twist: these are Texture Touch Boxes.
You will need to collect about six empty cube-shaped tissue boxes. Save empty ones as you use them up at school or ask parents to send them from home. These tissue boxes will be used as “feely” boxes. Children will reach into the box, touch the item, and see if they can find the texture that matches what they feel.
To prepare, you will need to print out the Question Mark Cards (file below) and attach them to the boxes. Or, just attach an index card to the side of the box and draw your own question mark. Choose six texture items, and put one item in each box. You will need two of each texture to place one in the box and one on the table. For example, two pieces of sandpaper, two pieces of cotton, etc.
The children will:
- Touch each item on the table first.
- Reach into a box, feel an item, and guess which item on the table feels the same.
- Pull the item out of the box to see if they were correct.
- Repeat with each item.
In the pictures shown, I used these texture items:
- sandpaper
- craft foam
- Velcro
- cotton pad
- burlap
- double sided tape (stuck to the bottom of the box, so they feel one sticky side)
Other textures to include:
- felt
- velvet
- faux fur
- plastic canvas
- lace
- sponge
- satin ribbon
- grosgrain ribbon
- corrugated cardboard
- feather
Many of these items could be found at home, at school, or ask parents or friends to send to you. You’ll only need scrap pieces, so you should be able to get these for free. You can also purchase textured foam sheets that could be used for this activity.
What other items would you include in your texture boxes? Please share them in the comments below!
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These are delightful. A useful extension for kinders might be to have a response card or dry erase board where children can draw or write about what each texture reminded them of.
Thanks for the continually excellent ideas, molly
I can’t wait to create the texture touch boxes with my pre-k class! Also I plan to create the grocery store in the dramatic play area as well. Thanks for all the great ideas.
bfoley—– Looks great, can’t wait to do. Thanks for all your great ideas.:-)
Thank you so much. Thus is a wonderful idea.
I love this idea and I know the children will indeed find it fun! I did a similar activity but I used one large box covered with fabric. They loved it.
I love this idea. I will get busy creating for my two year olds.
Jeanette
Thanks for sharing such great ideas! Just having a list of things to get cuts down so much on the time to make it. LUV it.
You could also put a pattern block or attribute block in each one. When trying to guess the correct block, the children would use language to describe the characteristics of the shapes. It could also be used to introduce literature…put an item connected to the story in the box that students try to identify.
Great idea! Can’t wait to try it with my little ones.
I love this idea!!! We could also them with the other four senses, for instance we could place inside the boxes objects for them to smell such as a rose, liquid soap, lemon, a perfum, etc…,so the Kids,with their eyes covered, guess what the objects are. We may also place objects they can hear.
I can’t wait to do these boxes. Thanks a lot for sharing your great ideas!!!
Karen
I love your ideas and all the wonderful discussions you encourage. I was part of the book study this summer and have misplaced my certificate. Is there anyway I can get another copy. Thanks!!!
Hi Mary, You can get the certificate from Vanessa’s site here. You’ll need to scroll down towards the bottom: http://www.pre-kpages.com/rewards-in-the-classroom/
hi, first sorry for my english grammar, i´m from Peru and i love this idea so much, i would like to ask you, after this activitie what do you do? any worksheet maybe? thanks
I don’t do any worksheets. This is an activity I have in my science center, so it’s something the kids can choose to do during free choice centers.
Thank you very much for your great ideas.I will implement it right away.I think it is very easy to do and the idea of children being able to explore , investigate and reach their own conclusions is priceless.I