How to Use a Sensory Tray

Learn how to easily set up and use a sensory tray to provide engaging tactile experiences.

Using a sensory tray is a simple way to offer a child a rich opportunity for exploration and play. Much like a sensory bin, a sensory tray serves as a contained space for various materials that stimulate the senses.

Here's how you can effectively use a sensory tray:

Setting Up Your Sensory Tray

The process involves choosing a container, adding a base material, and including interesting objects for interaction. Based on how a sensory bin is used, a sensory tray follows a similar approach.

1. Choose Your Tray: Select a shallow container or tray. This could be a baking tray, a plastic storage tray lid, or a designated sensory tray. The key is that it's shallow enough for easy access but contains the materials.
2. Add Filler Material: You need to fill the bin [or tray] with a filler material such as sand or rice, as suggested for a sensory bin. Other examples include dried beans, pasta, water beads, pom-poms, shredded paper, or even natural items like leaves or pebbles. The filler provides the primary tactile experience.
3. Include Interesting Items: Next, add items from around the house such as spoons or measuring cups. Think about adding objects of different shapes, sizes, and textures. Small toys, scoops, funnels, cookie cutters, small containers, or even natural items like pinecones or smooth stones work well.
4. Present for Exploration: Let your child explore the items and have fun playing. Place the tray in an accessible area, perhaps on a table or the floor, and allow your child to freely interact with the materials using their hands or the provided tools.

What to Include

Choosing the right filler and items is key to creating an engaging sensory experience.

• Filler Examples:

  • Rice (dyed or natural)
  • Dry Beans or Lentils
  • Pasta (various shapes)
  • Sand (play sand or kinetic sand)
  • Water Beads
  • Shredded Paper or Crinkled Paper
  • Cotton Balls or Pom-poms
  • Natural materials like dried leaves, acorns, or pebbles (ensure they are safe and clean)

• Item Examples:

  • Scooping Tools: Spoons, measuring cups, small shovels, scoops
  • Pouring Tools: Small cups, funnels, containers
  • Transfer Tools: Tongs, tweezers, small bowls
  • Manipulative Objects: Small toys (cars, animals), blocks, cookie cutters, bottle caps, craft supplies (pipe cleaners, beads), natural items (stones, twigs)

Tips for Using Your Sensory Tray

• Set Boundaries: Establish simple rules, like keeping materials in the tray, to manage potential mess.
• Supervise: Always supervise children during sensory play, especially with small items that could be a choking hazard.
• Rotate Materials: Change the filler and items regularly to keep the experience fresh and introduce new textures and concepts.
• Follow Their Lead: Allow your child to explore the materials in their own way. There's no "right" way to play with a sensory tray.
• Extend Learning: Talk about what they are doing, the textures they feel, the sounds they hear, and the actions they are performing (scooping, pouring, sorting).

Using a sensory tray provides valuable opportunities for developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, cognitive skills (like problem-solving and sorting), and language development through play. It's a versatile tool that can be adapted to various themes and learning objectives.