November brings cool days, colourful leaves, and an array of natural materials perfect for sensory play with toddlers. Sensory activity trays are a fantastic way to help tots explore different textures, smells, and colors while learning about the season. ForestTots has compiled a list of ten fun, tried and tested sensory activity tray ideas to try with your toddler in the UK this month of November.
1. Leafy Treasure Hunt Tray
Collect an assortment of fallen leaves in various shapes and colours. Place them in a shallow tray with small hidden objects like acorns or tiny toy animals. Encourage your toddler to “hunt” for treasures in the leaves, enhancing fine motor skills and sensory awareness.
2. Pinecone and Pom-Pom Play
Pinecones are abundant in November, making them a perfect addition to sensory trays. Mix them with soft pom-poms in autumnal colours like orange, yellow, and brown. Toddlers can practice matching or sorting by colour, feeling the contrast between the rough pinecones and soft pom-poms.
3. Scented Herb Tray
Bring in the scents of autumn by adding herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme to a sensory
tray. Your child can explore different smells, textures, and even the shapes of these herbs. Consider adding a wooden mortar and pestle for them to crush the herbs, releasing more aroma and enhancing sensory exploration.
4. Muddy Puddle Fun
Recreate a muddy forest floor by combining potting soil and a bit of water for a safe “mud” texture. Add small natural elements like twigs, small stones, and leaves. Let your child explore with small plastic animals, creating their own woodland adventure in the tray.
5. Corn Kernel Pouring Tray
Dried corn kernels are a fun, tactile material that makes a great filler for sensory trays. Include small cups and scoops, letting your toddler practice pouring and transferring, which helps develop hand-eye coordination and motor control.
6. Rock and Stick Maze
Create a miniature maze or pattern in the tray using smooth stones and sticks. Your toddler can rearrange the sticks and stones or try navigating a small toy animal through the “maze.” This helps with spatial awareness and problem-solving skills.
7. Mini-Pumpkin Patch
Set up a mini pumpkin patch with a few small gourds and pumpkins. Let your child explore the bumpy textures and different shapes, adding a magnifying glass for close inspection. Include a little shovel or spoon for them to “plant” their pumpkins in the tray.
8. Acorn Counting and Sorting Tray
Gather acorns of different sizes and shapes, and place them in the tray with small cups. Your toddler can sort the acorns by size, color, or texture, learning counting and sorting skills. Use scoops or tweezers to add a challenge for older toddlers.
9. Feathers and Seed Trays
Include feathers in autumn colours along with birdseed. Tots can feel the softness of feathers, arrange them, or explore how they interact with birdseed. This tray can also prompt a conversation about birds and nature, teaching them about wildlife in a playful way.
10. Apple Cinnamon Sensory Tray
Chop apples into small pieces and sprinkle cinnamon on top for a fragrant, seasonal sensory experience. Let your tot explore with their fingers, spoons, or scoops. Not only does it smell delicious, but it also introduces the idea of autumn flavours.
Using natural, November-inspired items for sensory trays allows tots to connect with the season while engaging their senses. Nature-themed trays are simple, affordable, and can be made with items right from your local park or garden. Try these ideas with your toddler to create memorable, educational, and fun experiences that celebrate autumn.
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