100 of the best non-food sensory table material ideas
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.
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
FILLERS
sand
packing peanuts
magnetic letters
small puzzle pieces
pea gravel
kinetic sand
cardboard tubes
uncut straws
plastic coins
MIX-INS
plastic dino fossils
washers, nuts, bolts
small sorting containers
small playdough molds
pipe cleaners
shoe strings
plastic cheese containers
piggy banks
TOOLS
magnetic wands
small cookie sheets
training chopsticks
small pots & spoons
scoops & small bowls
muffin tins
hole punches
scissors & sorting containers
plastic tweezers
MIX-INS
plastic acorns or pumpkins
Easter eggs, small chicks
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
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
small scoops and spoons
FILLERS
ABC beads
rubber bands or hair ties
sawdust
large pieces of packing foam
real flowers and stems
shredded wrapping paper
plastic poker chips
small foam blocks
MIX-INS
pipe cleaners
cardboard tubes or bottles
pom-poms
golf tees
scissors
containers with slots in lids
shaving cream
TOOLS
sorting bowls
small sorting containers
—
color containers
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
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
novelty erasers
small rubber bands
florist foam
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
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
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
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.
