We did the hard work for you Pals! An ENTIRE WEEK of sensory play ideas for your little ones. Read on to get inspired and play along with us on our Instagram @glopals!
7 Days of Sensory Play
written by: Brittney LeighAnn Dowell
Monday - Pom-Pom Rescue & Color Match
No blue Mondays here, Pals...give us all the colors! Start your week with this low-prep, rainbow filled activity that strengthens fine motor and matching skills - with Free color flash cards available for download below!
Supplies:
- container
- color flash card printable
- pom-poms
- colorful yarn
- tweezers or other picker-uppers
Directions & Play Prompt:
Wrap colorful yarn around the container and tape it to the bottom. Fill the container with an assortment of pom-poms. Give your child tweezers, or let them use their fingers to “rescue” the pom-poms and match them to their corresponding color card. Don't forget to play some upbeat music to get the Monday party started!
Tuesday - Alphabet Soup
A delicious way to spend a Tuesday...figuratively speaking, of course! Let your kiddo be the culinary genius and create a soup pleasing to the eye and nutritious for the brain...mwa - chefs kiss!
Supplies:
- large bowl
- water safe alphabet letters (we used foam letters and resin letters by Chars Jars)
- pompoms
- glitter
- sequins
- recycled containers with lids
- ladle
- bowls
Directions & Play Prompt:
Let your little chef measure, pour, and mix their "ingredients" into the big pot of soup! Add water and food coloring to the recycled containers. Sing the alphabet song and practice spelling simple words as your child stirs and serves their delectable soup...bon appetite, Pals!
Wednesday - Rainbow Rice Number Trace
You may have been told not to play with your food...but this is an exception to the rule, Pals! This colorful rainbow rice recipe is the perfect invitation to play! Make the mid-week magical with number tracing fun! Free downloads below.
Supplies:
- printable number flash cards
- rainbow rice (printable recipe card download above)
- container
- number manipulatives (optional) - resin,foam,wood
Directions & Play Prompt:
Prompt educational play by placing number cards around the rice bin. Let your child have fun exploring the texture of the rice while they trace the number cards. Who knew playing with your food could be so educational?!
Thursday - Colander Art Sculpture
Let your little Artist create their best masterpiece yet! Pipe cleaners and buttons make this everyday kitchen tool funky and fun!
Supplies:
- colander
- buttons
- pipe cleaners
Directions & Play Prompt:
With the colander turned upside down, thread pipe cleaners throught the colander holes and twist into place to create “tree-like” structures. Get funky! Create curly cues by twisting pipe cleaners around pencils and bend pipe cleaners for quirky zig zags. Thread buttons onto the pipe cleaners to create colorful sculptures or goofy hats for all your pals!
Friday - Ocean Life Exploration Bin
It's Fri-YAY and time to dive into this ocean inspired sensory exploration bin!
Supplies:
- container
- sand
- shells
- gems
- water beads
- ocean creatures
Directions & Play Prompt:
Let your child explore the textures of the sand and water, while searching for sea creatures and sea shells. Check out some books about ocean life from your local library, and read aloud for a fun day at the "sensory bin" beach.
Saturday - Sweet Shoppe
Shaving cream and glitter make the sweetest confections! (just don't eat them pals...)
Supplies:
- shaving cream
- food coloring
- whisk
- spoons
- silicone baking cups
- pom-poms
- glitter
- sequins
Directions & Play Prompt:
Set multiple bowls out with shaving cream and whisk in food coloring. Set out an array of decorating items - glitter, sequins, pom-poms etc. Let your kiddo fill baking cups and decorate their creations. Make a menu complete with drawings and prices, then give your shoppe a fancy name and open up for business! Ooh La la!
Sunday - Let's Glo Fishing, Pals
Popsicle sticks and pipe cleaners transform into a fishing pole to catch the cutest little glo fish!
Supplies:
- Glo Pals Light-Up Cubes
- pipe cleaners
- wooden popsicle sticks
- container filled with water
Directions & Play Prompt:
Wrap pipe cleaners around popsicle sticks to create fishing poles, and thread pipe cleaners through your Glo Pal light-up cubes to form into loops resembling fish tails. Have fun with family and friends and see who can catch the most glowing fish!
Show us how you play!
Did you enjoy this post, Pals? Play along with us on our Instagram @glopals and show us how you did 7 days of Sensory Play!
