Are you looking for sensory table ideas for your preschool or pre-k classroom? Then you’re in the right place! The sensory table is a very popular place in most early childhood classrooms.
Many young children enjoy sensory play because it engages their senses and offers excellent opportunities for hands-on learning. When they use more than one of their senses (see, smell, hear, touch, and taste) together, they’ll learn more because more information is retained in the brain.
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Toddler & Preschool Sensory Table Ideas
Sensory tables and sensory bins offer so many opportunities for learning, and toddlers and preschoolers love them too! Here are some of the most common questions teachers have about using sensory tables in the preschool classroom.
Sensory play provides opportunities for your little learners to engage in open-ended thinking, develop oral language and fine motor skills, collaborate, and even problem solve!
What is a Sensory Table?
Sensory tables aren’t just for fun, they can also provide engaging learning experiences for young children.
There’s no need to reinvent the wheel and spend valuable time searching for themed sensory ideas every Sunday night, here are some of our favorite sensory table ideas below.
Where Can You Get a Sensory Table?
There are a number of online retailers that sell sensory tables designed specifically for classroom use. Our favorite model is below:
IKEA Flisat Sensory Play Table
I found this table in the children’s department at IKEA (Flisat). It’s the perfect size for four preschool children and it was very affordable at only $50 USD compared to teacher supply stores.
Can I make my own DIY Sensory Table?
You can definitely make a homemade sensory table using PVC. This bin cost less than $20 to make and was very quick and easy.
First, I purchased a Sterlite tub from a big box store. Then I purchased PVC pipe from my local home improvement store, this pipe is located in the plumbing department. I also had to purchase a PVC cutting tool, connecting pieces, and PVC glue.
Once I had gathered all my materials, it was just a matter of measuring the plastic tub, cutting the pipe, and using the connecting pieces and glue to assemble the table.
Want a complete guide for sensory bins? Get the Sensory Bin Essentials Guide here.
What size is best for a sensory table in a preschool classroom?
The size of the room plays an important role in deciding how big of a sensory table to use for your space. How many kids can play at the table?
If you are responsible for purchasing your own filler then you will want a table size that is more economical for you. If you are given a budget to use for the filler, then the sky’s the limit with your table size as long as it fits in your preschool room.
I found the Ikea Flisat table was able to allow four kids to play at the sensory table with two on each side and it contained the play well and allowed for two different sensory bin fillers to be in the two containers.
Where’s the best place for our sensory play center in our preschool classroom?
If you have an area in your preschool room for wet or messy play that has tiles or linoleum flooring then that is where you want to place your sensory table.
If your room is entirely carpeted, you’ll want to take precautions to keep your carpets clean. But I do believe the benefits of sensory play far outweigh keeping your carpets in a pristine condition.
Can we put our preschool sensory table outdoors?
Ideally, if you have an outdoor space, you can go ahead and take your sensory table outdoors so that you don’t have to worry about cleaning up afterwards.
Check out all our sensory bin theme ideas or get our free Sensory Bin Essentials guide.
What materials do you put in a sensory table?
There are many different materials you can use to fill your sensory bins and sensory tables. I have compiled a list of my favorite sensory bin fillers and some non-food sensory bin fillers.
Here are some great examples and fun ways to fill your sensory bins and tables:
Rainbow Rice – Use liquid watercolors to make various hues of rice. For additional fun, add some plastic gold coins.
Water Beads – Water beads provide fun exploration and are a calming sensory experience. Use scoops or measuring cups for pouring the beads through funnels.
Kinetic Sand – Kinetic sand is easily moldable and holds together but then will “move” and break down. But it does not scatter like regular play sand. It is great fun to use in a sensory bin…and makes a great backdrop for dinosaur play, too.
Moon Sand – Moon sand is another fun homemade sand adaptation for your sensory bin. This sand holds its structure when molded. Add astronauts and stars for a “spacey” exploration.
Alphabet Sensory Bin – Hide magnet letters in colored rice, sand, shredded paper, or whatever filler you choose. A fun mixture of sensory play and literacy play.
Instant-Snow – For winter play, add Insta-Snow to your sensory bin along with your favorite sensory bin tools. If you have real snow outside your classroom, scoop some of that into your sensory bin.
Pasta – Color different shapes of pasta for sensory bin exploration and even a little sorting fun.
What tools can you add to your sensory bin?
Besides the good old plastic spoons and cups, here’s a list of sensory tools that your preschoolers will enjoy playing with.
More Sensory Table Ideas
