8 SPRING SENSORY TABLE IDEAS FOR BLOOMINGPLAYTIME FUN
After the long winter months full of cold and gray weather, how excited are we for springtime? The blooming flowers, singing birds, warmer weather, and longer days all feel so refreshing! Not only does it feel like the world is waking from its hibernation, but it’s also a fantastic time to introduce some new sensory play ideas!
Spring-themed sensory tables offer endless possibilities that keep things exciting for little ones and offer tons of developmental benefits. Think fine motor skills, language building, creativity, and so much more. Incorporating spring elements can make sensory activities all the more fun and inviting.
That’s why today, I’m sharing spring sensory table ideas that are easy to set up and packed with tons of seasonal charm. Ready for some springtime fun? Let’s dive in!
8 Spring Sensory Table Ideas for Blooming Playtime Fun
Before we discuss all of the spring-inspired sensory activities, let’s take a quick moment to explain sensory tables! This will help you better understand just how powerful tools they are when it comes to sensory play. I’ll walk you through the basics, and then we’ll jump into the good stuff. Whether you have toddlers, preschoolers, or a mixed-age group, there’s an activity here for everyone!
What Is A Sensory Table? What Is A Sensory Bin?
If you’re new here, you may ask, “What is sensory play and how is it beneficial to incorporate into playtime?” There are endless sensory activities you can introduce to little ones, but today, we’re talking specifically about sensory tables.
A sensory table is a hands-on play station that encourages sensory exploration and supports the development of key motor skills think of it like sensory bins on legs! While a spring sensory bin is just as fun, it’s designed for individual use, while sensory tables offer fun for multiple children at a time.
Sensory tables offer an exciting and developmentally enriching way to add a fun twist to traditional playtime! Now, let’s look at some ideas for what to put in a sensory table or bin for springtime.
What To Put In A Sensory Table For Spring
Fresh flowers
Soil/potting mix
Water (depending on the activity)
Tapioca pearls in springtime colors
Birdseed
Easter eggs (full of little surprises!)
Small pebbles or stones
Twigs, sticks, or pinecones
Mint leaves
How To Make A Sensory Bin For Spring
Flower Garden Sensory Table: Use soil or play mud, plastic bugs, flowers, and gardening tools. Kids can “plant” the flowers to make their own garden! Bonus: add a spray bottle so they can “water” their flowers.
Mini Pond Sensory Table: Add some water and blue taste-safe tapioca pearls. Toss in lily pads, plastic fish and frogs, and real or faux flowers. Your little ones can explore the pond while you teach them about different animals and habitats!
Bird’s Nest Sensory Table: Use crinkle-cut paper to make a “bird’s nest.” Place small baby birds throughout the bin and decorate with fuzzy worms, feathers, and plastic eggs. This activity is great for fine motor skills and imaginative play!
Egg Hunt Sensory Table: Hide plastic eggs in green-colored noodles for a fun Easter hunt. Add baskets so your child can collect the eggs as they go!
Rainbow Rice Sensory Table: Fill your table with rainbow colored rice and hide spring-themed treasures inside! Kids will love the texture and sound as they sort through the rice to find their prizes.
Bug Hunt Sensory Table: Layer play mud and colored pasta and hide plastic bugs, butterflies, and fuzzy worms throughout the table. Let your kids search for each item! To make it more interactive, add magnifying glasses and insect cages (or this snack box set if you have one!).
Veggie Garden Sensory Table: Use play mud and plastic veggies and have your little one create their own vegetable garden! It’s an excellent opportunity to enhance fine motor skills while teaching them about different foods.
Picnic Sensory Table: Have your little ones create their “perfect picnic plate”! Use colored rice or noodles for the grass, place a plate on top, and hide plastic food throughout the bin for your child to find.
There’s no better way to celebrate springtime with your kids than with spring sensory tables!
With springtime comes plenty of opportunities to teach your kids about different bugs, foods, weather transitions, and so much more. Sensory tables allow you to teach them about the season in fun, engaging, and hands-on ways how exciting! And, with all the different ways you can personalize sensory tables, they’re a great play idea for any age group! Don’t forget to check out my Spring Activity Pack for even more seasonal fun.
For more fun and imaginative independent play, pre-order our new book, Playful by Design! It’s a guide to transforming your home into a place of creativity and connection, igniting kids’ imagination, and fostering independence.
Check out the Mothercould blog for more engaging sensory play recipes! And, for more in-depth tutorials, helpful cleaning tips, and exciting activity packs, download the Mothercould in Your Pocket resource.