Looking for fun ways to keep little hands busy and curious minds engaged? A sensory play tray is a fantastic way to encourage creativity, imagination and hands-on learning, all while containing the mess in one place.
Whether you're looking for a rainy day activity or a new sensory experience, these simple play tray ideas are easy to set up using everyday household items.
Why Are Sensory Play Tray Activities Good for Children?
Sensory play encourages children to explore different textures, colours and materials while developing important skills through play.
Some of the benefits include:
- Encourages creativity and imagination
- Develops fine motor skills
- Supports sensory development
- Builds confidence through exploration
- Promotes independent play
- Makes learning fun
🍪 Cookie Making Play Tray
Turn your play tray into a mini bakery! Nothing beats the joy of making, and tasting, your own cookies.
Ingredients:
- 225g butter (soft)
- 200g caster sugar
- 200g light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 375g plain flour
- 1 tsp bicarb
- ½ tsp salt
- 200g choc chips
Steps:
- Wash hands!
- Mix butter and sugars until smooth.
- Add eggs and vanilla, mix well.
- Stir in flour, bicarb, and salt.
- Fold in choc chips.
- Lightly flour your Play Tray and roll dough finger-thick.
- Cut fun shapes with cutters, place on a lined tray, and bake at 180°C for 10–12 mins.
- Cool and enjoy the delicious results!
🌸 Petal Potion Sensory Play
Turn your tray into a magical garden potion that smells and shimmers.
Steps:
- Fill your Play Tray with cold water - just enough to cover the bottom.
- Sprinkle in a few handfuls of flour -sift if possible for smooth water.
- Mix with your hands until the water turns milky white.
- Add paper flowers, real petals, or blooms from an old bouquet.
- For extra sparkle, sprinkle in a little edible glitter and watch the magic happen!
🌊 Under the Sea Sensory Tray
Dive into a sensory ocean experience right at home.
Steps:
- Add 1kg of plain rice to a bag with blue food colouring. Leave for an hour to dry.
- Mix up cereals in one section of your tray to create edible “sand”- different textures add extra sensory fun.
- Pour the dried rice into another section for your sea.
- Add sea-themed toys (fish, shells, boats) and let your little one explore an underwater world!
🎨 Puffy Painting
Bring painting to life with fluffy, colourful foam!
Steps:
- Split shaving foam into bowls.
- Add a few drops of food colouring to each bowl.
- Stir with a paintbrush until colours are vibrant. Add more colouring for darker shades.
- Spread the foam on paper and let your mini artists create puffy, squishy masterpieces!
Inspire Creative Play Every Day
A sensory Play Tray can become almost anything, from a bakery and an ocean to an art studio or magical garden. These simple activities encourage children to explore, create and learn through play while supporting their sensory development and fine motor skills.
With just a few everyday ingredients, you can create hours of imaginative, hands-on fun.
