Our Playful Learning Journey
8 Easy Ideas for Sensory Play Trays
Updated: Sep 12, 2021
Easy ideas for some sensory play inspiration
Here you will find ideas for 8 play trays using a range of sensory bases. The small figurines/ objects added into the trays are only ideas. You can use whatever you have handy at home to make your tray interesting. We reuse our sensory bases and just add in new items to create new interest in playing again
SENSORY PLAY TRAY 1
Fine Motor Workout
- Lentils
- Bowls
- Coloured wooden balls
- Scoops

SENSORY PLAY TRAY 2
Garden Play
- Kinetic sand
- Flowers (could use real ones)
- Little pots (we used Grapat mates)

SENSORY PLAY TRAY 3
Scoopy Fun
-Kinetic sand
-Scoopy tweezers
-Animals
-Container or bowls

SENSORY PLAY TRAY 4
Beautiful Loose Parts
- Coloured chick peas
- Loose parts - We used Grapat mandala pieces
- Scoops
- Bowls

SENSORY PLAY TRAY 5
Orange Calming Tray
- Sand
- Loose parts (We used Grapat Mandala cones and rings)

SENSORY PLAY TRAY 6
Learning Letters
- Coloured chick peas
- Letter tiles (Q Toys brand)
- Jewels (Grimms large jewels)

SENSORY PLAY TRAY 7
Scoop and Fill
- Chickpeas
- Containers - we used Grapat Lola tubes
- Ice cube tray - this was from Kmart
-Grapat Mandala Eggs
- Flower Toob
- Scoops

SENSORY PLAY TRAY 8
Fill A Bucket
-Pom poms
-Container or small bucket
-Tweezers
-Optional - Fill a Bucket book

That was 8 different sensory trays using a range of bases - chickpeas, kinetic sand, lentils, and pom poms. We store our sensory bases in containers and bags in a large basket so they are easily switched over when needed.
I hope that you found some inspiration for some fun sensory play today.
Any questions - ask in the comments below.
*Please note - small parts can be a choking hazard. The above activities are recommended for ages 3+ Please ensure your child is supervised while playing.
Until next time ... have fun playing!