sensory tray

Lilac Flower Sensory Trays

June 9, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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It is safe to say that our city is a late bloomer when it comes to plants popping up in spring. So when large, showy lilac blooms finally appear, I am more than ready to enjoy them. With these lilac flower sensory trays, their magnificent beauty and fragrant aroma are celebrated.

Before using natural materials with early learners, the first thing I do is check if the items I would like to introduce are poisonous or toxic. I was super excited to find that no lilac parts contain chemicals or toxins that are harmful to people or animals. This makes them safe for sensory tray play.

And when washed, lilac flowers are edible, with flavors that vary from grass-like, lilac, or no flavor at all.

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Lilac Flower Tuff Tray

As is often featured on this blog, this lilac flower sensory tray is easy-peasy to set up. You can use supplies commonly at your fingertips. Gather the following for the tray:

metal bowls
tablespoons
children’s scissors
containers with water
lilac foliage and sprigs in purple, lavender, and white
a bouquet of lilacs

Lilac flowers are the stars of this aromatic sensory play invitation.

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Set up stations in a tuff tray or sensory tub. For each station, include a metal bowl, lilac sprigs, a container with water, a pair of children’s scissors, and a large spoon. Place a bouquet of lilacs in the center for added visual appeal.

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Lilac flowers are the stars of this aromatic tuff tray play invitation.

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Invite little learners to explore. They will be thoroughly engrossed in cutting lilacs, pouring water, and making delicious “lilac soup.”

Oh-so-fun lilac flower sensory play in a tuff tray.

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Note: Lilacs come in a range of purple, pink, and white colors. The Spruce website features an array of gorgeous colors in a blog post titled “14 Beautiful Types Of Lilac.”

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Pop-Up Lilac Flower Mud Kitchen

How to set up a pop-up mud kitchen in minutes. A nature-based sensory activity your little learners will love.

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Another easy way to celebrate lilacs is to offer them in a pop-up mud kitchen:

Set a crate and small wire shelves in a sensory table or tray.

With a black felt pen, draw four stove burners on a section of cardboard.

Set the cardboard “stove top” on the crate.

Add metal pots, bowls, muffin tins, and spoons to the table/tray. Include a selection of smooth stones and tiny wood slices.

This DIY mud kitchen is a must-try. Aromatic lilac flowers accentuate the nature-based play invitation.

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Your little charges will love investigating this sensory invitation too!

Note: Both lilac flower sensory trays can be offered indoors or outdoors. And a current in-season flower can be used instead of lilacs.

Set up this "do it yourself" mud kitchen in minutes! Use it indoors or outdoors.

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Related: Flower Theme Activities

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Flower Planting Sensory Play

May 10, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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One of the best things to do in spring is to visit greenhouses, pick flowers, and then plant them in gardens and pots. Little learners can experience this indoors in flower planting sensory play activities.

A few easy-to-gather supplies are all that is needed for children to engage in spring planting sensory activities. Featured are four sensory tray ideas.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

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Seed Tray Flower Planting

Set up this no-fuss flower planting sensory activity today!

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Seed trays are the perfect size for planting miniature flower figurines.

Supplies To Collect:

small seed starter trays
flower figurines
dried black beans

Set out the seed starter trays, along with a bowl of black beans and flower figurines. Invite little learners to plant flowers in black bean “dirt.”

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Flower Planting Sensory Tray

Miniature flower and butterfly figurines take center stage in this easy-to-set-up flower planting sensory activity.

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The low edge in serving trays makes them ideal for little learners to reach in and explore sensory materials.

Supplies To Collect

small seed starter trays
dessert cups
flower and butterfly figurines
spoons
serving tray

Spread a layer of black beans in an edged serving tray. Set in dessert cups and spoons.

Then place containers with flowers and butterflies next to the tray.

Invite little learners to scoop and pour black beans, plant flowers, and add butterflies to their designs.

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Book-Inspired Construction Zone Tray

A bean-based sensory bin inspired by the storybook "The Digger And the Flower" by Joseph Kuefler.

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This book-inspired sensory tray features an unlikely pairing: a construction vehicle and flower figurines.

Supplies To Collect

picture Book: The Digger And The Flower
black beans
rocks
flower figurines
serving tray

Read the endearing picture book called “The Digger And The Flower” by Joseph Kuefler. It’s a keeper!

Then layer a base of black beans in a serving tray.

Next set in a construction vehicle digger, rocks, and a few flowers.

Afterward, invite students to take turns exploring the tray.

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Rice Bin Flower Planting

Miniature flower figurines take center stage in this easy-to-set-up flower planting rice bin.

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Rice makes an economical sensory base in this bin.

Supplies To Collect:

brown rice
seed starter trays
flower and butterfly figurines
wooden scoops
plastic bin

Spread brown rice in a bin. I feature a food service bin that accommodates two to three children. Add in seed starter trays, flower figurines, and wooden scoops for little learners to use in the bin.

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Note: Eaten raw, black beans and rice are toxic. Supervision is important when offering these activities. If your little charges are prone to sticking things in their mouths, consider using an edible sensory base.

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These four flower planting sensory play invitations take only minutes to set up. With slight variations in supplies, the flower and butterfly figurines can be explored in new ways.

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Related: Carrot Paint Prints

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Rainbow Sensory Tray

May 5, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

There are so many rainbow images and activities posted online in March, and most are associated with leprechauns and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. But I’m introducing this rainbow sensory tray (with a container for “gold)” in May since the colorful arcs will be a common sight in the sky in the coming months.

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This rainbow sensory tray makes a perfect spring activity. It is designed for a light table but works on a regular one too.

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Rainbows and a stash of gold have other meanings than those suggested in the leprechaun legends we are familiar with. For instance, a rainbow represents an effort-filled journey towards a goal. The journey itself is meaningful and beautiful, just like a rainbow. The resulting accomplishment is the “pot of gold.” Completing post-secondary education, learning to drive a car, or buying a home are examples of worthy goals.

The colors in a rainbow can represent character qualities helpful in achieving goals in life:

Vibrant red represents strength and energy.
Luscious orange signifies optimism and spontaneity.
Bright yellow oozes creativity.
Green stands for peacefulness and balance.
Tranquil blue suggests honesty and reliability.

And other than coins or a difficult goal achieved, a ”pot of gold” may signify a great friend, a home with a loving family, or valuable skills and insights learned.

And so…a rainbow and pot of gold sensory activity is appropriate any time of the year!

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Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Colorful transparent reusable ice cubes are the "stars" of this cheery rainbow sensory tray designed for a light table.

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For this cheery sensory tray, gather the following supplies:

a clear rectangular serving tray
transparent reusable ice cubes in a variety of colors
gold acrylic pebble gems
large clear, flat acrylic gems
a small, clear container and a large spoon

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Setting Up The Rainbow Sensory Tray

Transparent gems and star-shaped reusable ice cubes are the highlights of this rainbow sensory tray.

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This sensory tray can be set up in minutes:

First, arrange the ice cubes in a rainbow design on a clear rectangular tray.
Next, add clear rock-shaped gems to be clouds at the rainbow ends.
Then sprinkle in gold gems to represent coins.
Lastly, add the clear container and a large spoon for scooping.

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The tray is designed to be offered on a light table or lightbox. But it would work fine as a play invitation on a regular table too.

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Do you want to learn how rainbows form in the sky? Click here for a simple explanation:

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Ladybug Sensory Tray

April 24, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This ladybug sensory tray is filled with flowers. It is a great example of how an easy-to-set-up activity can provide so much enjoyment to children, and also have educational outcomes.

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Ladybugs And Flowers

Did you know that ladybugs (also known as lady beetles or ladybird beetles) and flowers go hand in hand? This is because the spotted, well-loved bugs are attracted to the nectar (a source of protein,) and pollen (a carbohydrate energy source) in flowers.

And as they travel from flower to flower, ladybugs transport pollen, fertilizing blooms as they go.

Some flower varieties ladybugs especially love are:

marigolds
nasturtium
cosmos
yarrow
sunflowers
zinnias
sweet alyssum
scented geraniums

Ladybugs are also helpful in a flower patch because their main food source is tiny, green, pesky aphids. These pests suck nutrient-rich juices from plant parts and multiply quickly.

An adult ladybug can munch on up to fifty aphids a day. They eat other bugs as well as flower pollen and nectar to supplement their diet.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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The Ladybug Sensory Tray

A color-filled ladybug and flower sensory tray. Facts about ladybugs and blooms included.

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This tray is effortless to set up, and your little learners will be eager to explore it.

For the base, I feature a large, square serving tray. It’s easy for little ones to reach in and reorganize the pieces.

Craft punched paper flowers are arranged in the tray, along with artificial plant leaves and a few smooth rocks.

As my ladybug figurines are buried in a large bin, I use craft foam ladybugs in two different sizes. The light, oversized bugs add interest to the tray.

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If flowers are plentiful in your area, you can add real ones to your bin. The tray below features a few kinds of sunflowers.

For an alternative to ladybug figurines, painted rock bugs are an inexpensive choice.

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Do you love ladybugs or need some around to combat aphids? Why not plant flowers that they are attracted to in your flower patch or container garden.

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Related: Ladybug Wand Craft

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Jelly Bean Theme

April 16, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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A few weeks ago, I set out to make an Easter display that would work for a wall art tree. I thought of incorporating the “Jelly Bean Prayer,” and wondered if there was such a thing as a jelly bean tree. To my delight, an online search revealed a variety of references to “jelly bean tree,” and provided inspiration for other activities. So in addition to changing up the display, I came up with this fun and tasty Jelly Bean Theme. The post includes free printables and a few facts about the colorful candy.

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10 Jelly Bean Facts

Jelly beans are bite-sized candies with hard, crunchy shells and soft, chewy centers.
These sweet candies are associated with Easter in Canada and the United States.
Part of the appeal is their egg shape and tiny size. This makes them terrific Easter egg fillers.
There are eight basic colors and flavors, which often have a fruity taste.
Over time, jelly beans were created in many different color schemes, often matching seasonal celebrations.
Jelly beans became popular in the 1960s.
The most common order for eating the candies is: red, purple, green, yellow, and black.
Jelly beans are used as an art medium, and there are mosaic art pieces made with them.
President Ronald Reagan liked them a lot, so artist Peter Rocha made a jelly bean portrait of the president.
There is a National Jelly Bean Day (in the US) on April 22.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Jelly Bean Theme Activities

There are a number of easy, educational jellybean activities to do at home or school.

Tasting Jelly Beans

Give participants jelly beans in the colors red, purple, green, yellow, and black. Chart the order each child eats the jellybeans.

What order would you eat these jelly beans in? Try this candy tasting activity and record the results.

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Incorporate language and math sequencing by describing color and taste, and using words such as first, next, and last.

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Jelly Bean Sorting

Invite children to sort jelly beans by color. This flower-shaped paint palette is perfect for individual color sorting.

A flower-shaped paint palette makes the perfect tray to sort jelly beans by color.

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Candies On Display

Jelly beans look attractive stored in mason jars. The filled jars could be part of a tablescape display or food table.

Store jelly beans in jars for a tablescape or food table display. Have a "Guess The Number Of Jelly Beans In The Jar" contest.

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How Many Jelly Beans Are In The Jar?

Fill a jar with jelly beans, and have participants guess the number of candies in the jar. Then count the jellybeans together. For early learners, a baby food jar or small bottle would be a good size to use.

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Cupcake Liner Easter Party Favors

Add pipe cleaner handles to sturdy Easter-themed cupcake liners. Fill the liners with Easter-colored jelly beans and hand them out as Easter basket party favors. Or fill plastic Easter eggs with jelly beans.

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Jelly Bean Prayer Wall Display

Over-sized paper jelly beans for a "Jelly Bean Prayer" tree display. Download the free printable for art, book-making, and display opportunities.

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Download this free template for a Jelly Bean Prayer tree display. I used it to cut out large jelly beans from different colors of cardstock paper. Then I wrote a line of the prayer on each one and added them to a tree theme wall display.

Download this oversized jelly bean template for art, book-making, and display use.

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Jelly Bean PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Jelly Bean Art

Use this same printable for children to paint or color and cut out gigantic paper jelly beans.

Or have children dictate or write a page for a jelly bean storybook, and then decorate the background.

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J Is For Jelly Bean Craft

Invite children to glue jelly beans onto a paper letter J. How fun!

"J Is For Jelly Beans" in this tasty craft. Reinforce the letter J sound with this fun and easy activity.

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Jelly Bean Tree Craft

Print copies of this tree template on white cardstock paper. Set them on an art table along with white glue and jelly beans. Invite children to glue jelly beans on the tree.

This could also be a transient art activity offered in a tray.

How fun! Decorate a tree template with jelly beans. Glue the tasty candies on for a finished project. Free tree printable available.

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Jelly Bean Artists

There are artists who work with jelly beans as a medium, or as a subject in their art. Who knew?

Peter Rocha and Kristen Cummings are two notable jelly bean artists. Their creations can be viewed on the Jelly Belly Company’s “The Jelly Belly Bean Art Gallery” web page. Their candy art can also be viewed on my Pinterest Board Jelly Bean Kids Activities/Jelly Bean Artists.

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Storybooks Incorporating Jelly Beans

The flavorful candies make an entertaining subject for storybooks. Here are a few books incorporating jelly beans:

Arthur’s Jelly Beans by Marc Brown

Arthur and his friends participate in a “Spring Fling” party, which includes a jelly bean hunt of course!

Jellybean Mouse by Philip Roy

Happy the mouse isn’t excited to go on a laundromat errand but discovers a jellybean machine once there. The day’s adventure becomes just the excitement the spunky mouse is seeking.

The Jellybeans And The Big Dance by Laura Numeroff and Nate Evans

A group of girls with different interests meet at a dance studio, and slowly become friends. They eventually discover that just as jellybeans come in different flavors but go well together, they get along great. They decide to call themselves “The Jellybeans.”

There are three more books in this friendship and team-building series:

The Jellybeans and the Big Book Bonanza
The Jellybeans and the Big Camp Kickoff
The Jellybeans and the Big Art Adventure

Jelly Bean Tree by Toni Yuli

This story isn’t about jelly beans, but the main character, a giraffe, is called Jelly Bean. It’s reason enough to include the colorfully illustrated, endearing story in the theme.

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