Sensory Tables are all about Learning!

A low-to-the-floor dry sensory table is used with various materials such as sand, rice, beans, grains, and cornmeal. Children can use tools such as spoons and shovels, trucks, cars, containers, funnels, measuring cups and even their hands with the dry ingredients. 

Dry table ideas:
pasta, beans, rice, sand, bird seed, beads, ribbon, leaves, sticks, dirt, pompoms, popcorn, flowers, oats, cereals, yarn, shredded paper, charms, coins, glitter, flour, tissue paper, poly-fill, straw or hay, foam or packing peanuts, buttons

For a different sensory experience, a waist-high wet sensory table can be filled with plain or colored water, bubbles, cornstarch and water, ice or snow, shaving cream, or whipped soap flakes. Again, children can use spoons and shovels, funnels, toy cars, and measuring cups in their play. 

Wet table ideas:
water, ice, water beads, melon insides, pudding, shaving cream, gel, baking soda and vinegar, finger paints, playdough, whipped cream, mashed potato flakes with water

Combine ingredients to keep kids interested. Use different textures, hot or cold, sinking or floating, plastic animals and bugs, toy cars, etc. Food coloring can be used too for coloring rice, pasta, water, shaving cream, and so on.

Obviously, any items you use in your table should be developmentally appropriate and used with supervision, but remember, this is an open activity where kids don't need instruction. They will learn through play and exploration. Let them explore and use their brain!