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You are here: Home / Reduce/Reuse/Recycle / 100 of the best non-food sensory table material ideas

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.

You are going to love this huge free printable list of ideas for your sensory table. This list features non-food fillers and mix-ins for your sensory table or sensory bin. Perfect for preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, or prep. Your kids will love these fun ideas. Some of the ideas will serve as fine motor activities as well. Your children will have so much fun learning with these materials. #preschool #sensorytable

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

You are going to love this huge free printable list of ideas for your sensory table. This list features non-food fillers and mix-ins for your sensory table or sensory bin. Perfect for preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, or prep. Your kids will love these fun ideas. Some of the ideas will serve as fine motor activities as well. Your children will have so much fun learning with these materials. #preschool #sensorytable


FILLERS
MIX-INS
TOOLS



sand
plastic dino fossils
paint brushes

packing peanuts
washers, nuts, bolts
magnetic wands

magnetic letters
small sorting containers
small cookie sheets

small puzzle pieces
plastic mice or bats
training chopsticks

pea gravel
silk flowers w/ short stems
small pots & spoons

kinetic sand
small play dough molds
scoops & small bowls

cut up straws
pipe cleaners
muffin tins

cardboard tubes
shoe strings
hole punches

uncut straws
plastic cheese containers
scissors & sorting containers

plastic coins
piggy banks
plastic tweezers

 

You are going to love this huge free printable list of ideas for your sensory table. This list features non-food fillers and mix-ins for your sensory table or sensory bin. Perfect for preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, or prep. Your kids will love these fun ideas. Some of the ideas will serve as fine motor activities as well. Your children will have so much fun learning with these materials. #preschool #sensorytable


FILLERS
MIX-INS
TOOLS



silk fall leaves
plastic acorns or pumpkins
rakes, tongs, baskets

fake grass
Easter eggs, small chicks
egg cartons, small baskets

scrap paper
scissors
sorting containers

paper shred
Little People
wood blocks

organic potting soil
peat pots and marbles
trowels and spoons

bird seed
plastic gems
buckets and small scoops

plastic apples
pie pans
large spoons

snow (real or fake)
plastic polar animals
buckets, shovels, gloves

gems or vase fillers
plastic treasure chests
rakes, spoons

magnetic numbers
ice cube trays
cups and spoons

 

You are going to love this huge free printable list of ideas for your sensory table. This list features non-food fillers and mix-ins for your sensory table or sensory bin. Perfect for preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, or prep. Your kids will love these fun ideas. Some of the ideas will serve as fine motor activities as well. Your children will have so much fun learning with these materials. #preschool #sensorytable


FILLERS
MIX-INS
TOOLS



cotton balls
plastic snowflakes or erasers
plastic jars and lids

bottle caps
pom-poms
color sorting containers

buttons
pipe cleaners
ice cube trays

toy vegetables
toy pots & pans
spatulas, mixing spoons

straw/hay
farm animals and fences
toy barn

water with icebergs
plastic penguins
tongs

soapy water
baby dolls
sponges/ wash cloths

water
glass beads
small fish nets

water beads
plastic frogs
foam lily pads

aquarium rocks
construction vehicles
small scoops and spoons

 

You are going to love this huge free printable list of ideas for your sensory table. This list features non-food fillers and mix-ins for your sensory table or sensory bin. Perfect for preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, or prep. Your kids will love these fun ideas. Some of the ideas will serve as fine motor activities as well. Your children will have so much fun learning with these materials. #preschool #sensorytable



FILLERS
MIX-INS
TOOLS



craft noodles
feathers
sorting bowls

ABC beads
pipe cleaners
small sorting containers

rubber bands or hair ties
cardboard tubes or bottles
—

Hawaiian leis pulled apart
pom-poms
color containers

sawdust
plastic bugs
bug containers and tongs

large pieces of packing foam
golf tees
small mallets

real flowers and stems
scissors
magnifying glasses

shredded wrapping paper
jingle bells
spoons & small containers

plastic poker chips
containers with slots in lids
tweezers

small foam blocks
shaving cream
paint brushes

 

You are going to love this huge free printable list of ideas for your sensory table. This list features non-food fillers and mix-ins for your sensory table or sensory bin. Perfect for preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, or prep. Your kids will love these fun ideas. Some of the ideas will serve as fine motor activities as well. Your children will have so much fun learning with these materials. #preschool #sensorytable


FILLERS
MIX-INS
TOOLS



yarn
scissors
plastic basket for weaving

sticks
large pieces of Styrofoam
mallets

large puff-balls
cardboard cones
ice cream scoops

feathers
toy birds & craft store nests
magnifying glasses

Epsom salts
plastic polar bears
glow sticks

toy cars
bars of soap and water
spray bottle and toothbrushes

balls of foil
toy rockets
glow bracelets

cotton salon coil
scissors
market baskets for weaving

clothespin clips
pieces of felts
oven rack

pieces of bubble wrap
jingle bells
small boxes

 

You are going to love this huge free printable list of ideas for your sensory table. This list features non-food fillers and mix-ins for your sensory table or sensory bin. Perfect for preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, or prep. Your kids will love these fun ideas. Some of the ideas will serve as fine motor activities as well. Your children will have so much fun learning with these materials. #preschool #sensorytable


FILLERS
MIX-INS
TOOLS



a large cardboard box
rolls of masking tape
markers

magazines/scholastic flyers
scissors
blank books & glue

small sponges
novelty erasers
small tongs

small wooden blocks
small rubber bands
small laminated words/letters

pine branches
florist foam
scissors

mud (are you brave?)
plastic worms
plastic spoons, tweezers

fabric strips
baby wipes containers
—

legos
lego base plates
color sorting containers

shells
pearl beads
egg cartons

tinsel
small ornaments
muffin tins & spoons

 

You are going to love this huge free printable list of ideas for your sensory table. This list features non-food fillers and mix-ins for your sensory table or sensory bin. Perfect for preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, or prep. Your kids will love these fun ideas. Some of the ideas will serve as fine motor activities as well. Your children will have so much fun learning with these materials. #preschool #sensorytable


FILLERS
MIX-INS
TOOLS



plastic beads
wood skewers stuck in clay
small applesauce containers

multiple sizes craft sticks
play dough or clay
little people

Spanish moss
river rocks
small plastic animals

curling ribbons
river rocks
small plastic animals

wood discs
small blocks
woodland animals

marbles
puff balls
sorting spoons & bowls

cut up pool noodles
marbles
tongs

empty thread spools
small wood blocks
pipe cleaners

crepe paper streamers
paper towel tubes
tape and scissors

mulch
tractors & wagons
spoons or small scoops

 

You are going to love this huge free printable list of ideas for your sensory table. This list features non-food fillers and mix-ins for your sensory table or sensory bin. Perfect for preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, or prep. Your kids will love these fun ideas. Some of the ideas will serve as fine motor activities as well. Your children will have so much fun learning with these materials. #preschool #sensorytable


FILLERS
MIX-INS
TOOLS



raffia
wooden fences
zoo animal

grass seed
buckets & empty bottles
funnels & spoons

scrap paper
stickers
staplers

strips of cellophane
small plastic containers
LED tea lights

foam die cut shapes
mini clothespin clips
small applesauce containers

Styrofoam balls
colored toothpicks
toilet paper tubes

scrapbook paper scraps
—
hole punches

rubber mulch
dump trucks
small scoops

sensory pellets
novelty erasers
round scoopers, buckets

colorful tissue squares
puff balls
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

 

You are going to love this huge free printable list of ideas for your sensory table. This list features non-food fillers and mix-ins for your sensory table or sensory bin. Perfect for preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, or prep. Your kids will love these fun ideas. Some of the ideas will serve as fine motor activities as well. Your children will have so much fun learning with these materials. #preschool #sensorytable

 

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How to Paint with Feathers: 5 Fun & Easy Ideas
The Best Gingerbread Books for Preschool

Comments

  1. Connie says

    September 7, 2019 at 2:25 am

    Thank you for the great ideas. Their so easy and simple to put together.

  2. Jill Walker says

    April 27, 2019 at 4:41 pm

    Thank you so much for this extensive list of ideas, it is so helpful when I can’t seem to come up with anything.

  3. Ann says

    February 11, 2019 at 10:44 am

    I loved it so many ideas.

  4. Kelly says

    July 18, 2018 at 4:48 am

    This is amazing and so very helpful. Thank you

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