This page includes affiliate links. If you click one of them I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to youβlearn more about what that means for me and for you here.
Hi fellow scrunchy mamas! Today, I’m super excited to share with you an easy sensory play activity for toddlers that will keep your little ones engaged and learning, using just items you probably already have lying around your home. Sensory play is not only fun but also incredibly beneficial for your child’s development, and I can’t wait to dive into it with you!
What is Sensory Play?
Sensory play involves activities that stimulate your child’s sensesβsight, touch, smell, taste, and hearingβallowing them to explore and discover the world around them through play. It’s a cornerstone of Montessori parenting, emphasizing hands-on learning and independence, which perfectly aligns with our laid-back, scrunchy motherhood approach.
Muffin Pan Sensory Exploration
Now, let’s make a list of the materials you’ll need for this easy, DIY Muffin Pan sensory play activity:
BTW, you do NOT have to use the same fillers that I did. You can use whatever you have lying around, such as rubber bands, cotton balls, buttons, beads, monkey string, feathers, stickers, spoons, cups, bowls, etc. The more variety, the better! Just make sure they are safe and appropriate for your toddler!
Setting Up Activity
If you’re new to the Montessori approach, I recommend starting with my post “How to Curate a Montessori Prepared Environment” to lay the foundation. Then, learn how to set up and introduce Montessori activities to get the most out of sensory exploration. Once you’ve got that covered, you’ll be all set to dive into this easy sensory play activity.
- Fill each muffin cup with a different (or same, doesn’t really matter) material. You can mix and match the colors and textures or organize by color/texture like I did (again, doesn’t matter).
- Place the tools and/or jars next to the muffin tin and invite your toddler to play. If they aren’t very familiar with activities like this, you can demonstrate for them ways to play, then let them take over.
I personally think that having them sorted when you set up the activity for your toddler just makes it more appealing to them, and less overstimulating.
Ways to Explore & Play
Using Tools
Encourage your toddler to use tongs, scoopers, and child-safe scissors to pick up and transfer materials between cups or jars. This activity builds fine motor skills and adds a fun challenge to playtime.
Color Identification
Practice identifying and naming colors as your child explores the materials. This simple activity supports language development and expands their vocabulary.
Sorting
Invite your little one to sort the materials by color, shape, size, or texture. Sorting promotes cognitive development as they categorize and organize items based on different attributes.
Free Play
Watch as your toddler discovers new ways to play with the materials on their own. From building structures to creating imaginative stories, their creativity knows no bounds!
Counting & Comparing
Engage in counting, comparing, or measuring the materials together. This hands-on approach introduces mathematical concepts in an interactive way, setting the stage for future learning.
& more!
Supporting Developmental Skills
Not only is sensory play incredibly fun, but it also supports crucial developmental skills in toddlers.
By incorporating this multi-faceted sensory play activity into your child’s routine, you’re providing them with a rich and engaging learning experience that supports their holistic development
As they engage with different textures and materials, they’re refining their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Sorting and categorizing items helps with cognitive development and problem-solving, while exploring cause and effect builds their understanding of the world around them.
Sensory Skills
By engaging with a variety of textures, shapes, and colors, this activity stimulates your child’s senses of touch, sight, and even hearing (and who knows, maybe even their sense of smell if they’re feeling adventurous!). As they explore the different materials, they’re honing their ability to perceive and understand the world around them.
Fine Motor Skills
Using tools like tongs and scoopers to manipulate the materials strengthens your child’s hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and grip. These small movements are essential for tasks like writing, drawing, and self-care activities.
Cognitive Skills
This activity provides ample opportunities for your child to engage in cognitive challenges such as sorting, counting, comparing, and creating with the materials. By organizing items by color, shape, or size, they’re enhancing their memory, attention, logic, and problem-solving skills.
Language Skills
As your child explores the sensory materials, encourage them to describe what they see, feel, and experience. Naming and describing the materials not only expands their vocabulary but also strengthens their communication and comprehension skills. Engaging in conversation about the activity fosters meaningful interactions and connection.
Creative Skills
This sensory play activity invites your child to unleash their creativity and imagination. Whether they’re making art, creating patterns, or weaving stories with the materials, they’re expressing their unique perspective and originality. This open-ended exploration nurtures a sense of curiosity and wonder, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
Let me share a quick anecdote about my own little ones enjoying this sensory play activity.
My 1.5-year-old, Jasper, was captivated by the colorful objects and feeling the different textures, while my 4-year-old, Miles, loved using the tongs to pick up and sort the items. Seeing their joy and curiosity always reminds me of why I love incorporating sensory play into our daily routineβit’s a beautiful blend of learning and fun!
I hope you’re feeling inspired to try this easy sensory play activity with your toddler. Remember, you don’t need fancy toys or equipmentβjust a few household items and a sprinkle of imagination. And if you are looking for more DIY sensory play activities for your toddlers, you might also like this Magnetic Cookie Sheet sensory activity!
π¬ If you give it a go, I’d love to hear about your experience and the different fillers, tools, and ways your little one engaged with this activity in the comments below!
P.S. If you are feeling inspired and want to try some more sensory bin ideas, I curated a list of my favorite Montessori sensory play materials, activities, and toys for you all on my Amazon Storefront!
Muffin Pan Sensory Exploration Activity
Ingredients
Materials
- muffin pan
- pom poms
- pipe cleaners
- yarn
- mini chenille microfiber clothes
- foam blocks
Tools
- wooden tongs
- mini wooden scoopers
- plastic scissor scoopers
- glass jars
Instructions
- Fill each muffin cup with a differentΒ (or same, doesnβt really matter)Β material. You can mix and match the colors and textures or organize by color/texture like I didΒ (again, doesnβt matter).
- Place the tools and/or jars next to the muffin tin and invite your toddler to play. If they arenβt very familiar with activities like this, you can demonstrate for them ways to play, then let them take over.
Notes
- Using Tools:Β Encourage your toddler to use tongs, scoopers, and child-safe scissors to pick up and transfer materials between cups or jars. This activity builds fine motor skills and adds a fun challenge to playtime.
- Color Identification:Β Practice identifying and naming colors as your child explores the materials. This simple activity supports language development and expands their vocabulary.
- Sorting:Invite your little one to sort the materials by color, shape, size, or texture. Sorting promotes cognitive development as they categorize and organize items based on different attributes.
- Free Play:Β Watch as your toddler discovers new ways to play with the materials on their own. From building structures to creating imaginative stories, their creativity knows no bounds!
- Counting and Comparing: Engage in counting, comparing, or measuring the materials together. This hands-on approach introduces mathematical concepts in an interactive way, setting the stage for future learning.
- Sensory Skills:Β By engaging with a variety of textures, shapes, and colors, this activity stimulates your child’s senses of touch, sight, and even hearing (and who knows, maybe even their sense of smell if they’re feeling adventurous!). As they explore the different materials, they’re honing their ability to perceive and understand the world around them.
- Fine Motor Skills: Using tools like tongs and scoopers to manipulate the materials strengthens your child’s hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and grip. These small movements are essential for tasks like writing, drawing, and self-care activities.
- Cognitive Skills:Β This activity provides ample opportunities for your child to engage in cognitive challenges such as sorting, counting, comparing, and creating with the materials. By organizing items by color, shape, or size, they’re enhancing their memory, attention, logic, and problem-solving skills.
- Language Skills:Β As your child explores the sensory materials, encourage them to describe what they see, feel, and experience. Naming and describing the materials not only expands their vocabulary but also strengthens their communication and comprehension skills. Engaging in conversation about the activity fosters meaningful interactions and connection.
- Creative Skills:Β This sensory play activity invites your child to unleash their creativity and imagination. Whether they’re making art, creating patterns, or weaving stories with the materials, they’re expressing their unique perspective and originality. This open-ended exploration nurtures a sense of curiosity and wonder, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
Discover more from oxmxl
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
Leave a Reply