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
[one-third-first]FILLERS[/one-third-first] [one-third]MIX-INS[/one-third] [one-third]TOOLS[/one-third]
[one-third-first]sand[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic dino fossils[/one-third] [one-third]paint brushes[/one-third]
[one-third-first]packing peanuts[/one-third-first] [one-third]washers, nuts, bolts[/one-third] [one-third]magnetic wands[/one-third]
[one-third-first]magnetic letters[/one-third-first] [one-third]small sorting containers[/one-third] [one-third]small cookie sheets[/one-third]
[one-third-first]small puzzle pieces[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic mice or bats[/one-third] [one-third]training chopsticks[/one-third]
[one-third-first]pea gravel[/one-third-first] [one-third]silk flowers w/ short stems[/one-third] [one-third]small pots & spoons[/one-third]
[one-third-first]kinetic sand[/one-third-first] [one-third]small play dough molds[/one-third] [one-third]scoops & small bowls[/one-third]
[one-third-first]cut up straws[/one-third-first] [one-third]pipe cleaners[/one-third] [one-third]muffin tins[/one-third]
[one-third-first]cardboard tubes[/one-third-first] [one-third]shoe strings[/one-third] [one-third]hole punches[/one-third]
[one-third-first]uncut straws[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic cheese containers[/one-third] [one-third]scissors & sorting containers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]plastic coins[/one-third-first] [one-third]piggy banks[/one-third] [one-third]plastic tweezers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]FILLERS[/one-third-first] [one-third]MIX-INS[/one-third] [one-third]TOOLS[/one-third]
[one-third-first]silk fall leaves[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic acorns or pumpkins[/one-third] [one-third]rakes, tongs, baskets[/one-third]
[one-third-first]fake grass[/one-third-first] [one-third]Easter eggs, small chicks[/one-third] [one-third]egg cartons, small baskets[/one-third]
[one-third-first]scrap paper[/one-third-first] [one-third]scissors[/one-third] [one-third]sorting containers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]paper shred[/one-third-first] [one-third]Little People[/one-third] [one-third]wood blocks[/one-third]
[one-third-first]organic potting soil[/one-third-first] [one-third]peat pots and marbles[/one-third] [one-third]trowels and spoons[/one-third]
[one-third-first]bird seed[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic gems[/one-third] [one-third]buckets and small scoops[/one-third]
[one-third-first]plastic apples[/one-third-first] [one-third]pie pans[/one-third] [one-third]large spoons[/one-third]
[one-third-first]snow (real or fake)[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic polar animals[/one-third] [one-third]buckets, shovels, gloves[/one-third]
[one-third-first]gems or vase fillers[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic treasure chests[/one-third] [one-third]rakes, spoons[/one-third]
[one-third-first]magnetic numbers[/one-third-first] [one-third]ice cube trays[/one-third] [one-third]cups and spoons[/one-third]
[one-third-first]FILLERS[/one-third-first] [one-third]MIX-INS[/one-third] [one-third]TOOLS[/one-third]
[one-third-first]cotton balls[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic snowflakes or erasers[/one-third] [one-third]plastic jars and lids[/one-third]
[one-third-first]bottle caps[/one-third-first] [one-third]pom-poms[/one-third] [one-third]color sorting containers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]buttons[/one-third-first] [one-third]pipe cleaners[/one-third] [one-third]ice cube trays[/one-third]
[one-third-first]toy vegetables[/one-third-first] [one-third]toy pots & pans[/one-third] [one-third]spatulas, mixing spoons[/one-third]
[one-third-first]straw/hay[/one-third-first] [one-third]farm animals and fences[/one-third] [one-third]toy barn[/one-third]
[one-third-first]water with icebergs[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic penguins[/one-third] [one-third]tongs[/one-third]
[one-third-first]soapy water[/one-third-first] [one-third]baby dolls[/one-third] [one-third]sponges/ wash cloths[/one-third]
[one-third-first]water[/one-third-first] [one-third]glass beads[/one-third] [one-third]small fish nets[/one-third]
[one-third-first]water beads[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic frogs[/one-third] [one-third]foam lily pads[/one-third]
[one-third-first]aquarium rocks[/one-third-first] [one-third]construction vehicles[/one-third] [one-third]small scoops and spoons[/one-third]
[one-third-first]FILLERS[/one-third-first] [one-third]MIX-INS[/one-third] [one-third]TOOLS[/one-third]
[one-third-first]craft noodles[/one-third-first] [one-third]feathers[/one-third] [one-third]sorting bowls[/one-third]
[one-third-first]ABC beads[/one-third-first] [one-third]pipe cleaners[/one-third] [one-third]small sorting containers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]rubber bands or hair ties[/one-third-first] [one-third]cardboard tubes or bottles[/one-third] [one-third]–[/one-third]
[one-third-first]Hawaiian leis pulled apart[/one-third-first] [one-third]pom-poms[/one-third] [one-third]color containers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]sawdust[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic bugs[/one-third] [one-third]bug containers and tongs[/one-third]
[one-third-first]large pieces of packing foam[/one-third-first] [one-third]golf tees[/one-third] [one-third]small mallets[/one-third]
[one-third-first]real flowers and stems[/one-third-first] [one-third]scissors[/one-third] [one-third]magnifying glasses[/one-third]
[one-third-first]shredded wrapping paper[/one-third-first] [one-third]jingle bells[/one-third] [one-third]spoons & small containers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]plastic poker chips[/one-third-first] [one-third]containers with slots in lids[/one-third] [one-third]tweezers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]small foam blocks[/one-third-first] [one-third]shaving cream[/one-third] [one-third]paint brushes[/one-third]
[one-third-first]FILLERS[/one-third-first] [one-third]MIX-INS[/one-third] [one-third]TOOLS[/one-third]
[one-third-first]yarn[/one-third-first] [one-third]scissors[/one-third] [one-third]plastic basket for weaving[/one-third]
[one-third-first]sticks[/one-third-first] [one-third]large pieces of Styrofoam[/one-third] [one-third]mallets[/one-third]
[one-third-first]large puff-balls[/one-third-first] [one-third]cardboard cones[/one-third] [one-third]ice cream scoops[/one-third]
[one-third-first]feathers[/one-third-first] [one-third]toy birds & craft store nests[/one-third] [one-third]magnifying glasses[/one-third]
[one-third-first]Epsom salts[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic polar bears[/one-third] [one-third]glow sticks[/one-third]
[one-third-first]toy cars[/one-third-first] [one-third]bars of soap and water[/one-third] [one-third]spray bottle and toothbrushes[/one-third]
[one-third-first]balls of foil[/one-third-first] [one-third]toy rockets[/one-third] [one-third]glow bracelets[/one-third]
[one-third-first]cotton salon coil[/one-third-first] [one-third]scissors[/one-third] [one-third]market baskets for weaving[/one-third]
[one-third-first]clothespin clips[/one-third-first] [one-third]pieces of felts[/one-third] [one-third]oven rack[/one-third]
[one-third-first]pieces of bubble wrap[/one-third-first] [one-third]jingle bells[/one-third] [one-third]small boxes[/one-third]
[one-third-first]FILLERS[/one-third-first] [one-third]MIX-INS[/one-third] [one-third]TOOLS[/one-third]
[one-third-first]a large cardboard box[/one-third-first] [one-third]rolls of masking tape[/one-third] [one-third]markers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]magazines/scholastic flyers[/one-third-first] [one-third]scissors[/one-third] [one-third]blank books & glue[/one-third]
[one-third-first]small sponges[/one-third-first] [one-third]novelty erasers[/one-third] [one-third]small tongs[/one-third]
[one-third-first]small wooden blocks[/one-third-first] [one-third]small rubber bands[/one-third] [one-third]small laminated words/letters[/one-third]
[one-third-first]pine branches[/one-third-first] [one-third]florist foam[/one-third] [one-third]scissors[/one-third]
[one-third-first]mud (are you brave?)[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic worms[/one-third] [one-third]plastic spoons, tweezers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]fabric strips[/one-third-first] [one-third]baby wipes containers[/one-third] [one-third] — [/one-third]
[one-third-first]legos[/one-third-first] [one-third]lego base plates[/one-third] [one-third]color sorting containers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]shells[/one-third-first] [one-third]pearl beads[/one-third] [one-third]egg cartons[/one-third]
[one-third-first]tinsel[/one-third-first] [one-third]small ornaments[/one-third] [one-third]muffin tins & spoons[/one-third]
[one-third-first]FILLERS[/one-third-first] [one-third]MIX-INS[/one-third] [one-third]TOOLS[/one-third]
[one-third-first]plastic beads[/one-third-first] [one-third]wood skewers stuck in clay[/one-third] [one-third]small applesauce containers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]multiple sizes craft sticks[/one-third-first] [one-third]play dough or clay[/one-third] [one-third]little people[/one-third]
[one-third-first]Spanish moss[/one-third-first] [one-third]river rocks[/one-third] [one-third]small plastic animals[/one-third]
[one-third-first]curling ribbons[/one-third-first] [one-third]river rocks[/one-third] [one-third]small plastic animals[/one-third]
[one-third-first]wood discs[/one-third-first] [one-third]small blocks[/one-third] [one-third]woodland animals[/one-third]
[one-third-first]marbles[/one-third-first] [one-third]puff balls[/one-third] [one-third]sorting spoons & bowls[/one-third]
[one-third-first]cut up pool noodles[/one-third-first] [one-third]marbles[/one-third] [one-third]tongs[/one-third]
[one-third-first]empty thread spools[/one-third-first] [one-third]small wood blocks[/one-third] [one-third]pipe cleaners[/one-third]
[one-third-first]crepe paper streamers[/one-third-first] [one-third]paper towel tubes[/one-third] [one-third]tape and scissors[/one-third]
[one-third-first]mulch[/one-third-first] [one-third]tractors & wagons[/one-third] [one-third]spoons or small scoops[/one-third]
[one-third-first]FILLERS[/one-third-first] [one-third]MIX-INS[/one-third] [one-third]TOOLS[/one-third]
[one-third-first]raffia[/one-third-first] [one-third]wooden fences[/one-third] [one-third]zoo animal[/one-third]
[one-third-first]grass seed[/one-third-first] [one-third]buckets & empty bottles[/one-third] [one-third]funnels & spoons[/one-third]
[one-third-first]scrap paper[/one-third-first] [one-third]stickers[/one-third] [one-third]staplers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]strips of cellophane[/one-third-first] [one-third]small plastic containers[/one-third] [one-third]LED tea lights[/one-third]
[one-third-first]foam die cut shapes[/one-third-first] [one-third]mini clothespin clips[/one-third] [one-third]small applesauce containers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]Styrofoam balls[/one-third-first] [one-third]colored toothpicks[/one-third] [one-third]toilet paper tubes[/one-third]
[one-third-first]scrapbook paper scraps[/one-third-first] [one-third]–[/one-third] [one-third]hole punches[/one-third]
[one-third-first]rubber mulch[/one-third-first] [one-third]dump trucks[/one-third] [one-third]small scoops[/one-third]
[one-third-first]sensory pellets[/one-third-first] [one-third]novelty erasers[/one-third] [one-third]round scoopers, buckets[/one-third]
[one-third-first]colorful tissue squares[/one-third-first] [one-third]puff balls[/one-third] [one-third]colorful sorting bowls[/one-third]
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
