What is a Sensory Tray?
A sensory try or bin is a container filled with materials that appeal to a child’s visual, auditory and kinaesthetic senses. It is a hands-on tool that helps a child stimulate their various senses in a creative way. When a child is upset or anxious the materials can provide a distraction that is also fun.
Tips for Making a Sensory Tray
- Firstly you need to choose a bin or tray. I suggest using a large plastic container with a lid so it can be easily stored and transported. However a plastic bin or tub or tray can be used.
- Choose your fillers
- Add some tools for exploration such as scoops, shovels, small containers, spoons, cups
- You may want to theme your bin: i.e. Christmas, underwater, autumn, yellow.
- Fillers need to be chosen that are age appropriate and not choking risks
Fillers
Rice shredded paper cereal jelly slime buttons pasta confetti sticks salt
Rose petals fabric scraps play dough sequins rocks aquarium sand
Streamers lentils pipe cleaners shells material scraps pop sticks
Sand dried beans lego ribbon marbles flower petals
Straws pine cones magnets pegs play jewellery beads
Small toys gravel oats popcorn jigsaw pieces
Our ‘Serenity Bin’ which is pictured can include:
- Pink rice
- Rose petals
- Pink beads
- Pink sequins
For more great ideas see our E book Making a Calm Down Kit