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Hey besties 🙂 Today, I’m sharing the simplest DIY sensory activity for toddlers that keeps my youngest engaged for hours! With a lively 4.5-year-old and an adventurous 1.5-year-old, keeping them entertained is always at the top of my to-do list. And let me tell you, sensory play is one of my all-time favorite ways to do this!
Sensory play isn’t just fun—it’s a crucial part of early childhood development. Through engaging their senses, toddlers learn about the world around them, develop essential skills, and unleash their creativity.
You don’t need fancy toys or materials to create sensory activities for your kids. There are endless possibilities right in your own home, waiting to be discovered! From everyday items in the kitchen to odds and ends from around the house, the options are limitless. Because why spend money if you don’t have to, right?
But before we dive in, if you’re new to Montessori parenting and sensory play, check out my posts on “How to Curate a Montessori Prepared Environment” and “Introducing Montessori Activities: Everything You Need to Know.”
Magnetic Cookie Sheet Sensory Activity
Materials I Used
Setting Up
Simply grab a baking sheet and gather some magnets in a container/bowl, placing it to the right of the baking sheet.
You can use any kind of magnets, such as letters, animals, shapes, etc. As well as different sizes, colors and strengths of magnets to make it more interesting.
Ways to Play
- stick the magnets to the baking sheet and move them around
- make words, sentences, or messages with alphabet magnets
- make scenes, stories, or patterns with the animals or shapes
- experiment with different forces and effects of the magnets, such as attraction, repulsion, or polarity
- compare and contrast the different magnets by their size, color, shape, or strength
Developmental Benefits
Get ready to do a little happy dance, momma, because this sensory play activity isn’t just fun—it’s packed with developmental benefits for little ones! Here’s what your toddler is gaining with each sensory-filled moment:
Sensory Skills
they will be stimulating their senses of touch, sight, and hearing by exploring the different magnets and the baking sheet
Fine Motor Skills
strengthening their hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and grip by sticking, moving, and removing the magnets from baking sheet
Cognitive Skills
strengthening their hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and grip by sticking, moving, and removing the magnets from baking sheet
Language Skills
expanding their vocabulary, communication, and comprehension by naming, describing, and talking about the magnets and baking sheet. They will also be practicing their literacy skills by using alphabet magnets
Creative Skills
expressing their imagination, curiosity, and originality by creating art, messages, or stories with the magnets
So, there you have it, mama! I hope you were enjoyed this easy, Magnetic Cookie Sheet sensory activity or were inspired to come up with your own sensory play activities using things you already have at home! If you are looking for more easy sensory play activity ideas using things at home, you might also like this Muffin Pan Sensory Exploration sensory activity!
💬 Did this post give you some fresh ideas for sensory play? Or maybe you’ve got some tried-and-true activities of your own to share? Either way, I’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment below and let’s keep the conversation going 🙂
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!
Magnetic Baking Sheet Sensory Activity
Ingredients
- baking sheet
- magnets assorted colors, shapes, sizes, etc
Instructions
- Simply grab a baking sheet and gather some magnets in a container/bowl, placing it to the right of the baking sheet.
Notes
- stick the magnets to the baking sheet and move them around
- make words, sentences, or messages with alphabet magnets
- make scenes, stories, or patterns with the animals or shapes
- experiment with different forces and effects of the magnets, such as attraction, repulsion, or polarity
- compare and contrast the different magnets by their size, color, shape, or strength
- Sensory Skills: they will be stimulating their senses of touch, sight, and hearing by exploring the different magnets and the baking sheet
- Fine Motor Skills: strengthening their hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and grip by sticking, moving, and removing the magnets from baking sheet
- Cognitive Skills: strengthening their hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and grip by sticking, moving, and removing the magnets from baking sheet
- Language Skills: expanding their vocabulary, communication, and comprehension by naming, describing, and talking about the magnets and baking sheet. They will also be practicing their literacy skills by using alphabet magnets
- Creative Skills: expressing their imagination, curiosity, and originality by creating art, messages, or stories with the magnets
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