The Sensory Table Materials List That Will Make Your Life Easier
Do you sometimes have a difficult time thinking of new materials to add to your sensory table or sensory bin? Here is a huge list of sensory table materials to help you out.
Sometimes I’m trying to keep track of a million things in my brain and it’s hard for me to think of new ideas. Do you ever have a hard time thinking about new ideas for your sensory table? I made a huge list to help you out.
The lists below include filler ideas, additional items that you can mix in with the fillers, as well as ideas for tools and containers to use with the materials. If you mix and match the columns, the possibilities are endless.
Wouldn’t it be cool if I knew how to create a sensory table spinner and you could just spin up some combinations? Maybe one day I’ll figure that out. Until then, I have some lists below.
If you prefer a printable copy of the material ideas list, I have one of those for you at the bottom of the page.
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.
Sensory Materials
[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]rice[/one-third-first] [one-third]washers, nuts, bolts[/one-third] [one-third]magnetic wands[/one-third]
[one-third-first]dried beans[/one-third-first] [one-third]magnetic letters[/one-third] [one-third]small sorting containers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]black beans[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic bats or mice[/one-third] [one-third]training chopsticks[/one-third]
[one-third-first]split peas[/one-third-first] [one-third]silk flowers with short stems[/one-third] [one-third]small pots and spoons[/one-third]
[one-third-first]lentils[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic coins[/one-third] [one-third]piggy banks[/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]feed corn[/one-third-first] [one-third]toy tractors and wagons[/one-third] [one-third]small scoops and funnels[/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]popcorn (unpopped)[/one-third-first] [one-third]cardboard tubes[/one-third] [one-third]scoops and small bowls[/one-third]
[one-third-first]FILLERS[/one-third-first] [one-third]MIX-INS[/one-third] [one-third]TOOLS[/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]water beads[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic frogs[/one-third] [one-third]foam lily pads[/one-third]
[one-third-first]water[/one-third-first] [one-third]pool noodle slices[/one-third] [one-third]water pitchers and cups[/one-third]
[one-third-first]soapy water[/one-third-first] [one-third]baby dolls[/one-third] [one-third]sponges and wash cloths[/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]straw/hay[/one-third-first] [one-third]farm animals and fences[/one-third] [one-third]toy barn[/one-third]
[one-third-first]dry pasta[/one-third-first] [one-third]toy vegetables[/one-third] [one-third]toy pots & pans, spatulas[/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]bottle caps[/one-third-first] [one-third]pom-poms[/one-third] [one-third]color sorting containers[/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]
*Make icebergs by freezing large containers of water.
[one-third-first]FILLERS[/one-third-first] [one-third]MIX-INS[/one-third] [one-third]TOOLS[/one-third]
[one-third-first]bird seed[/one-third-first] [one-third]birds[/one-third] [one-third]buckets and small scoops[/one-third]
[one-third-first]oatmeal[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic apples[/one-third] [one-third]pie pans and large spoons[/one-third]
[one-third-first]snow (real if you have it)[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic polar animals[/one-third] [one-third]buckets, shovels, gloves[/one-third]
[one-third-first]corn meal[/one-third-first] [one-third]gems or vase fillers[/one-third] [one-third]rakes, scoops, strainers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]mixed dried beans[/one-third-first] [one-third]magnetic numbers[/one-third] [one-third]cups, spoons, ice cube trays[/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]Easter 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]torn paper[/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 or spoons[/one-third]
[one-third-first]FILLERS[/one-third-first] [one-third]MIX-INS[/one-third] [one-third]TOOLS[/one-third]
[one-third-first]oiled cooked spaghetti[/one-third-first] [one-third]x[/one-third] [one-third]tongs and bowls[/one-third]
[one-third-first]beads[/one-third-first] [one-third]ABC beads & 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]x[/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 tongs[/one-third]
[one-third-first]baking soda[/one-third-first] [one-third]small containers of vinegar[/one-third] [one-third]eye droppers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]fresh herb 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]plastic containers/lids[/one-third]
[one-third-first]plastic poker chips[/one-third-first] [one-third]containers with slots in the lids[/one-third] [one-third]plastic tweezers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]shaving cream[/one-third-first] [one-third]foam blocks[/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]oven rack (for weaving)[/one-third]
[one-third-first]sticks[/one-third-first] [one-third]large piece of Styrofoam[/one-third] [one-third]pieces of yarn or ribbon[/one-third]
[one-third-first]pom-poms[/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 & nests[/one-third] [one-third]magnifying glasses[/one-third]
[one-third-first]salt[/one-third-first] [one-third]plastic polar bears[/one-third] [one-third]applesauce containers[/one-third]
[one-third-first]toy cars[/one-third-first] [one-third]bar of soap[/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 sticks[/one-third]
[one-third-first]pumpkins[/one-third-first] [one-third]golf tees[/one-third] [one-third]small hammers/mallets[/one-third]
[one-third-first]clothespin clips[/one-third-first] [one-third]pieces of felt[/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]large cardboard box[/one-third-first] [one-third]rolls of masking tape[/one-third] [one-third]markers[/one-third]
Download the Sensory Table Materials List
Well, I hope that these sparked a few ideas. My personal favorites are the oiled spaghetti, water beads, and lentils….so much fun. What are your favorite sensory table materials? Would you like a printable copy of the materials listed in this article? Just click on the link below to get it.
Do you prefer to not use any food items in your sensory table or bin? I also have a list of non-food ideas for your sensory table.
