Sensory Experiences.

Sand and water play are often referred to as sensory experiences. They are provided in many programs with preschoolers. Both activities can occur indoors and outdoors. Children find pleasure in these unstructured and fluid materials. Working with sand or water is relaxing and relieves tension. Water and sand play also encourage social interaction as children play side-by-side or with others.

In sensory play, some of the things children learn are size, shape, and volume, creativity, to experiment without fear of mistakes, control, discovery and releasing tension. 

Not all sensory activities will happen at a table. Just laying on the ground, smelling the grass and feeling the sun is a sensory experience. Feel things, see them, smell them, listen to what is around you. 

Some ideas for sensory play are:
ice cubes
flower petals

sand
beads
play dough
water
cotton balls
noodles
paint
colored water
scents
glitter
pom poms
shaving cream
popcorn
gelatin
dirt
gak and goops
water beads
sand paper
sticks
birdseed
essential oils
shredded paper

Related Training:
Sensory Play - 3 hours
Math, Science, and Games with Bubbles - 3.5 Hours
Science in the Early Learning Classroom - 3 hours