As the crisp air and vibrant colours of autumn and winter descend upon us, it's the perfect time to engage children in a sensory play experience that connects them with nature and the outdooors.
With just a few simple and easy ideas and activities you can create an interactive and educational activity that fosters creativity, exploration, and appreciation for the changing seasons. In this blog post, we'll guide you on our favourite ideas for how to set up an afternoon of sensory play using the Castle & Cubby Sensory Play table
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Collecting Nature's Play Products
Take your little adventurers on a nature walk to collect an assortment of leaves and seeds. Encourage them to gather items of different colours, shapes, and textures, embracing the beauty and diversity of autumn. Make it a fun and engaging experience by turning it into a scavenger hunt or a leaf and seed identification challenge.
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Setting up the Exploration Table
Prepare the Caste & Cubby exploration table by placing it in a spacious and well-lit area. The table's dividers are perfect for sorting the collected treasures into distinct categories, providing an opportunity to explore patterns, shapes, and sizes. Arrange the leaves and seeds in separate compartments, creating an inviting display that encourages curiosity and tactile exploration.
What is a Sensory Play Table?
A Sensory Play Table is a table purpose built for play that focuses on collecting, sorting, testing, and appreciation of nature's play gifts and a range of materials that engage the senses. A Sensory Play table helps educators to facilitate messy, loose parts & nature play so it should be robust, able to withstand the outdoors and easy to clean up!
Setting Up Your Sensory Play Table for Play!
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Collecting Nature's Play Products
Take your little adventurers on a nature walk to collect an assortment of leaves and seeds. Encourage them to gather items of different colours, shapes, and textures, embracing the beauty and diversity of nature. Make it a fun and engaging experience by turning it into a scavenger hunt or a leaf and seed identification challenge.
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Setting up the Sensory Table
Prepare the Caste & Cubby Sensory Play Table by placing it in a spacious, protected and well-lit area. The table's dividers are perfect for sorting the collected treasures into distinct categories, providing an opportunity to explore patterns, shapes, and sizes. Arrange the leaves and seeds in separate compartments, creating an inviting display that encourages curiosity and tactile exploration.
- SENSORY PLAT ACTIVITIES
Leaf Rubbings
Place a few leaves under a sheet of paper and provide crayons or pencils. Encourage the children to rub the paper over the leaves, revealing their intricate patterns. This activity not only enhances fine motor skills but also introduces them to the concept of texture and pattern.
Sorting and Matching
Challenge the kids to sort the leaves and seeds based on their characteristics. They can sort them by colour, size, shape, or texture, fostering cognitive development and critical thinking skills. Encourage them to create patterns or match similar items to further engage their imagination.
Sensory Bins
Fill shallow containers with various sensory materials like dried leaves, seeds, acorns, or pinecones. Allow the children to explore these materials with their hands, feeling the different textures and discovering the unique sensory experiences autumn has to offer.
Artistic Creations
Provide glue, paper, and additional craft materials, and encourage the children to create collages, leaf imprints, or seed mosaics. This artistic element will allow them to express their creativity while incorporating the natural elements they collected.
Leaf Rubbings
Place a few leaves under a sheet of paper and provide crayons or pencils. Encourage the children to rub the paper over the leaves, revealing their intricate patterns. This activity not only enhances fine motor skills but also introduces them to the concept of texture and pattern.
Sorting and Matching
Challenge the kids to sort the leaves and seeds based on their characteristics. They can sort them by colour, size, shape, or texture, fostering cognitive development and critical thinking skills. Encourage them to create patterns or match similar items to further engage their imagination.
Sensory Dividers
Fill shallow containers with various sensory materials like dried leaves, seeds, acorns, or pinecones. Allow the children to explore these materials with their hands, feeling the different textures and discovering the unique sensory experiences autumn has to offer.
Artistic Creations
Provide glue, paper, and additional craft materials, and encourage the children to create collages, leaf imprints, or seed mosaics. This artistic element will allow them to express their creativity while incorporating the natural elements they collected.
- Encouraging Discussion and Learning
Throughout the sensory play afternoon, engage the children in conversations about nature, and the changing environment. Encourage them to describe the sensory experiences they are encountering, fostering language development and scientific understanding. Discuss the lifecycle of plants, the importance of seeds for growth, and the role leaves play in the changing seasons.
Sensory Play Tables Provide Enriching Experiences
An afternoon of sensory play offers a unique and enriching experience for children to connect with nature's wonders. By collecting leaves and seeds of different colours, textures, and types and utilising the Caste & Cubby Sensory Play Table, you can create an engaging environment that stimulates their senses and nurtures their curiosity. Through these activities, children will develop fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, artistic expression, and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of the autumn season. So, embrace the magic of nature and the seasons and embark on this sensory adventure with your little ones!
SHOP DISCOVERY TABLES
SHOP SENSORY PLAY TABLES