100 of the best non-food sensory table material ideas

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Are you looking for non-food sensory table filler ideas?  In a past article, I listed many ideas for sensory table fillers, but many teachers prefer to not add food to the sensory bin.  Now, here is a list of non-food ideas for your sensory bin or table.

non-food sensory table

Food items such as rice, pasta, and beans can provide an inexpensive and wonderful sensory experience kids, but some teachers prefer to leave food out of the sensory bin.  Don’t worry….. if you or your school prefer to use non-food fillers in the sensory table there are MANY materials that you can use.

There are affiliate links at the end of this post.  Remember to use caution when selecting sensory table materials for your kids.  Some of these materials may not be appropriate for kids under 3 without close supervision

Lots and Lots of Ideas for your Sensory Table!

Below are 80 ideas for fillers, plus I included ideas for mix-ins and tools.  Mix and match the columns or add a few of your favorite materials and the combinations can be endless.  If you would like a printable copy of the list below, click on the link below:

Non-Food Sensory Table Materials Idea List

non-food sensory table ideas

FILLERS


sand

packing peanuts

magnetic letters

small puzzle pieces

pea gravel

kinetic sand

cut-up straws

cardboard tubes

uncut straws

plastic coins

MIX-INS


plastic dino fossils

washers, nuts, bolts

small sorting containers

plastic mice or bats

silk flowers w/ short stems

small playdough molds

pipe cleaners

shoe strings

plastic cheese containers

piggy banks

TOOLS


paintbrushes

magnetic wands

small cookie sheets

training chopsticks

small pots & spoons

scoops & small bowls

muffin tins

hole punches

scissors & sorting containers

plastic tweezers

non-food sensory table

FILLERS


silk fall leaves

fake grass

scrap paper

paper shred

organic potting soil

birdseed

plastic apples

snow (real or fake)

gems or vase fillers

magnetic numbers

MIX-INS


plastic acorns or pumpkins

Easter eggs, small chicks

scissors

Little People

peat pots and marbles

plastic gems

pie pans

plastic polar animals

plastic treasure chests

ice cube trays

TOOLS


tongs

egg cartons, small baskets

sorting containers

wood blocks

trowels and spoons

buckets and small scoops

large spoons

buckets, shovels, gloves

rakes, spoons

cups and spoons

FILLERS


cotton balls

bottle caps

buttons

toy vegetables

straw/hay

water with icebergs

soapy water

water

water beads

aquarium rocks

MIX-INS


plastic snowflakes or erasers

pom-poms

pipe cleaners

toy pots & pans

farm animals and fences

plastic penguins

baby dolls

glass beads

plastic frogs

construction vehicles

TOOLS


plastic jars and lids

color sorting containers

ice cube trays

spatulas, mixing spoons

toy barn

sponges/ washcloths

small fishnets

tongs

foam lily pads

small scoops and spoons

non-food sensory table filler ideas

FILLERS


craft noodles

ABC beads

rubber bands or hair ties

Hawaiian leis pulled apart

sawdust

large pieces of packing foam

real flowers and stems

shredded wrapping paper

plastic poker chips

small foam blocks

MIX-INS


feathers

pipe cleaners

cardboard tubes or bottles

pom-poms

plastic bugs

golf tees

scissors

jingle bells

containers with slots in lids

shaving cream

TOOLS


sorting bowls

small sorting containers

color containers

bug containers and tongs

small mallets

magnifying glasses

spoons & small containers

tweezers

paintbrushes

FILLERS


yarn

sticks

large puff-balls

feathers

salt

toy cars

balls of foil

cotton salon coil

clothespin clips

pieces of bubble wrap

MIX-INS


scissors

large pieces of Styrofoam

cardboard cones

toy birds & craft store nests

plastic polar bears

bars of soap and water

toy rockets

scissors

pieces of felts

jingle bells

TOOLS


plastic basket for weaving

mallets

ice cream scoops

magnifying glasses

glow sticks

spray bottle & toothbrushes

glow bracelets

market baskets for weaving

oven rack

small boxes

FILLERS


a large cardboard box

magazines/scholastic flyers

small sponges

small wooden blocks

pine branches

mud (are you brave?)

fabric strips

legos

shells

tinsel

MIX-INS


rolls of masking tape

scissors

novelty erasers

small rubber bands

florist foam

plastic worms

baby wipes containers

lego base plates

pearl beads

small ornaments

TOOLS


markers

blank books & glue

small tongs

small laminated letters

scissors

plastic spoons, tweezers

color sorting containers

egg cartons

muffin tins & spoons

FILLERS


plastic beads

multiple sizes craft sticks

Spanish moss

curling ribbons

wood discs

marbles

cut up pool noodles

empty thread spools

crepe paper streamers

mulch

MIX-INS


wood skewers stuck in clay

playdough or clay

river rocks

river rocks

small blocks

puff balls

marbles

small wood blocks

paper towel tubes

tractors & wagons

TOOLS


small applesauce containers

little people

small plastic animals

small plastic animals

woodland animals

sorting spoons & bowls

tongs

pipe cleaners

tape and scissors

spoons or small scoops

non-food sensory tables materials for preschoolers

FILLERS


raffia

grass seed

scrap paper

strips of cellophane

foam die-cut shapes

Styrofoam balls

scrapbook paper scraps

rubber mulch

sensory pellets

colorful tissue squares

MIX-INS


wooden fences

buckets & empty bottles

stickers

small plastic containers

mini clothespin clips

colored toothpicks

dump trucks

novelty erasers

puff balls

TOOLS


zoo animal

funnels & spoons

staplers

LED tea lights

small applesauce containers

toilet paper tubes

hole punches

small scoops

round scoopers, buckets

colorful sorting bowls

Printable Non-Food Sensory Table Filler List

Do you want a printable version of this list for your reference?  All you have to do is click the link below:

Non-Food Sensory Table Filler List

Do you have a favorite non-food sensory table filler?  Please share it in the comments below to help out the community.

Below are some items from Amazon that can be used for your sensory table.  The links below are affiliate links. If you happen to purchase something from link, there will be no additional cost to you, but a small portion of your purchase will be used towards the cost of maintaining this website.  I appreciate your support.

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