Creating a Sensory Wall for Children

In our classroom we have a discovery area where children are invited to explore materials that focus specifically on the senses. We enjoy including resources that support exploration of light and colour (e.g., light table, sensory jars). Many loose parts are also in this area (e.g., stones, shells). The materials are stored on a small wooden shelf so they are easily accessible for children.

The shelf floats in the middle of the room as an anchor for the space. The back was covered in blue felt. We wanted to maximize all areas of this space and because there are many children with sensory needs in the class we decided to turn the felt area into a sensory wall.

The first step was to measure the space and plan out how the materials would fit together. I found this easiest to do on a flat working space. This way I could piece the material together like a puzzle and ensure they were diverse and interesting to explore.

Once I was satisfied with the way it looked I attached each piece to the felt wall using hot glue. I know that over time as children explore the pieces may fall off, but I am hopeful that I will be able to quickly and easily reattach them. I love how the sensory wall is low enough for all children to access. They will be able to sit and explore, or touch it while they walk by. The materials also match the colour scheme and decor in this calming space and do not stand out.

I found myself enjoying the materials and know that the children will too!

Rice Sensory Play

Nothing better on a sunny day than outdoor rice sensory play!

Seasonal Sensory Bin

We invited the children to explore some small seasonal objects in the sensory table. We were curious to see what they would do or create with the new materials. 

The children were very excited and spent much time discussing the characteristics of the objects with each other. 

We heard wonderful descriptors of the materials - shiny, bumpy, smooth, prickly, and glittery. 

The children pretended to wrap presents and give them to each other. 

They even decorated the tiny tree!

So much fun and so great for promoting collaboration and sharing too!

Messy Monster Muck!

I first heard of this monster inspired sensory bin from No Time for Flash Cards and thought we'd give it a try. It only requires four simple materials that we already had in the house.

First, squirt a lot of shaving cream into a bin. 

Next, sprinkle a good size amount of cornstarch into the shaving cream and mix well. Depending on your desired consistency, you may have to add lots. We used an entire box of cornstarch between two bins. Mixing it takes some time and patience and may require a helping hand depending on the age of the children.

We used the suggested materials of googley eyes and pipe cleaners, but you might consider adding other fun stuff like pony beads, feathers, and sequins.

When added to the bin, these materials add another dimension of sensory fun. My three year old was happy just to explore the materials - squishing and squashing the muck through his hands.

The shaving cream/cornstarch mixture is mouldable and my daughter was eager to begin creating little creatures with the materials.

This was a very messy activity but it was easily cleaned as the mixture turns into a powder when dried. I just vacuumed it up!

Valentine's Tactile Table

Mrs. Bombardier invited the children to explore a very appealing Valentine's Day tactile table filled with pink rice, sparkly hearts, measuring scoops, and heart-shaped containers. The children loved it!

Surprise Play Dough

We like to include many different items in our play dough to make it appealing to children and encourage them to use their senses. Sometimes we add scents, other times interesting textures.

What's hidden in this ordinary looking play dough?

Valentine's Day confetti!

It was so much fun to play with and the children were excited to dig into it and see how many little hearts they could find! The confetti also enhanced their play as they used them for embellishments on their cakes and cookies!

Spooky Stew!

We added some spooky ingredients to our water bead sensory table today! The children enjoyed creating creepy recipes that involved spiders, bats, ants, eyeballs, and skulls!  Yuck!

What slimy fun!

Exploring Water Beads

So...fascinated with what we've been seeing on some of our favourite blogs, we decided to give water beads a try today in our tactile table.

Water beads are small, plastic pellets that expand with water and are used in floral arrangements.

Water beads need to soak for about 4 hours in water - as they soak up the water they expand and become much larger. We showed the children the water beads and asked them to predict what would happen when the beads were placed in the water. We had some interesting predictions. 

"They will change colour."

"They will change shape."

"They will turn into something else."

"They will melt."

The children enjoyed playing with the beads as they soaked in the tub.

Once expanded the beads were placed in our sensory table for the children to enjoy. They are so soft, slippery, and squishy and it was interesting to listen to the children describe them to each other  and play with just the beads and no other tools.