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30+ Super Fun Slime Recipes and Activity Ideas

January 28, 2019 By sensoryplay Leave a Comment

Slime is a wonderful sensory tool. It is squishy, goopy, slimy, sticky and FUN! But, don’t let all of those words scare you.

This sensory material, once mixed properly, doesn’t stick to hands or much else. If the slime does manage to make its way onto couches, carpets, clothes, etc…there’s a tip for that below.

So many fun slime recipes for sensory play with kids. These slime recipes include fun play-based activities and themes that kids love. #sensoryplay #slime #spd #slimerecipes #sensoryrecipes #preschool #teachers

Fun Slime Recipes for Kids

These recipes and activities include fun ways to play with slime for various themes. If you want to give slime as a gift, check out how you can make a slime kit for gifting here.

Among these fun slime games and ways to play, are various recipes including slime with borax, cornstarch slime, edible slime, borax-free slime, and more!

Slime Games, Activities and Recipes!

2 Ingredient Glow in the Dark Slime // Inspiration Laboratories (pictured)

Galaxy Slime // Crayons and Cravings (pictured)

Jack-Jack Incredibles Slime // Really, Are You Serious? (pictured)

Dripping Slime Fine Motor Activity // Parenting From the Heart

Butterbeer Slime Recipe // Megan Get’s Real

How to Make Unicorn Slime // Sixth Bloom

Enchanted Rose Slime // STEAM Powered Family (pictured)

Chicka Chicka Boom Slime // Fun Learning for Kids (pictured)

How to Make Gold Slime // Fun-a-Day (pictured)

Dusty Crophopper Slime // Homeschooling My Kinetic Kids

Edible Frosting Slime // The Tiptoe Fairy

Reindeer Poop Slime // That Kids Craft Site

Hot Chocolate Play Slime // Fantastic Fun and Learning (pictured)

Fizzing Slime Volcano // Little Bins for Little Hands (pictured)

Fluffy Jello Slime Recipe with Mythical Beasts // Views From a Step Stool (pictured)

How to Make Taste-Safe Slime with 3 Natural Ingredients // Mama Instincts

Rock Slime for Boys // Homeschool Hideout

Ocean Slime Recipe // Buggy and Buddy (pictured)

How to Make the Best Fluffy Rainbow Slime // Schooling a Monkey (pictured)

How to Make Slime into a Groovy Pete the Cat Activity // Books and Giggles (pictured)

Winter Slime Recipe (and how to host a slime station) // Blissful Domestication

How to Make Snow Slime // Childhood 101

Fluffy Slime Recipe // The Best Idea for Kids (pictured)

3-Ingredient Moana Ocean Slime // Artsy Fartsy Momma (pictured)

Brown Bear Slime // Preschool Powol Packets (pictured)

Epic Construction Slime // 123 Homeschool 4 Me

How to Make Slime with Two Different Types of Glue // Teach Me Mommy

Edible Slime Recipe Kids Love // Encouraging Moms at Home

Moana Ocean Slime with Contact Solution // Views From a Step Stool (pictured)

Construction Site Slime Sensory Play // Fantastic Fun and Learning (pictured)

Edible Slime with Sweedish Fish // The Simple Parent (pictured)

Valentine’s Day Fluffy Slime // Natural Beach Living

Cornflour Slime // Learn with Play at Home

How to Make Slime with Liquid Starch Algorithm Coding Activity// J Daniel4’s Mom

Trouble-Shooting Slime Play

So many fun slime recipes for sensory play with kids. These slime recipes include fun play-based activities and themes that kids love. #sensoryplay #slime #spd #slimerecipes #sensoryrecipes #preschool #teachers

We’ve gotten quite a few questions in our slime-making days. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when making slime:

  • if you get slime in your carpet, on your clothes, etc, soak in white vinegar and scrub, it comes right out!
  • if your slime is too thick and is breaking, there is most likely too much activator (whether your are using contact solution, borax, etc) try adding more flue and working it in
  • if your slime is sticking to your hands and isn’t shaping into a ball, add more activator (contact lens + baking soda, borax, etc.)
  • if you want your slime stretchier, add more water

Slime is science!

Making and playing with slime is a scientific process, keep this in mind if you are getting frustrated with following a recipe and resulting in a slime fail.

Remind kids that they are scientists! They are mixing different ingredients together, and transforming them into something new and fun! Because this is science, and you are mixing materials, this does need to be done under adult supervision.

Enjoy making, and playing with, these fun slime recipes and activities!

Filed Under: Sensory Play Activities, Slime

A Fail-Proof Slime Recipe Plus Awesome Ways to Play

January 27, 2019 By sensoryplay 1 Comment

Confession time: My kids and I love slime.

Yes, I have come into messes and I have even had to scrub slime out of the carpet. But with some ground rules, we have been able to enjoy the non-Newtonian fluid over and over again without any further incident.

Related reading: How to get slime out of carpet plus ground rules for minimizing the mess

Before we get into the best fail-proof slime recipe here are some fun facts!

What is slime?

Like Oobleck, slime is a Non-Newtonian fluid.

What this means is that slime acts differently depending on the stress put on it.

When slime is left on it’s own, it will slowly ooze and drip. If you take it and pull at it quickly, it will rip like a solid. And, if you stretch it slowly, it will almost resemble hot mozzarella cheese on a pizza, able to stretch long distances before breaking.

Not only is this type of play dough an awesome way to teach kids about non-Newtonian physics and engage in the benefits of sensory play, it is also a fascinating way for children to learn about chemical reactions.

This is the chemical reaction that makes slime.

School glue is made up of long flexible molecules called polymers. Borax dissolved in water or contact solution containing boric acid have borate ions. When mixed together the borate ions bind with the polymers in the glue to turn a liquid into more of a soild.

It’s important to note that both Borax and contact solution with boric acid have the same chemical make up needed for slime. If you are concerned about whether to use one or the other, consider this movie from Steve Spangler on the safety of Borax.

The best fail-proof slime recipe

Ready to make some slime? Here is the best fail-proof slime recipe!

Slime recipe – What you need:

  • 1 tsp Borax (if you don’t have access to Borax, use contact solution and baking soda following these steps)
  • 1 cup hot tap water
  • 2-3 tbs. tap water
  • School glue
  • Food colouring (optional)
  • Glitter (optional)

Slime recipe – What to do:

  1. Dissolve Borax in one cup of hot water, mixing the solution until you can’t see white particles.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine glue, 2-3 tbs of tap water, food colouring and glitter if you’re using glitter.
  3. Once the coloured glue is fully mixed, add Borax mixture to glue mixture.
  4. Remove slime from access water and enjoy!

More awesome ways to play with your slime!

After you’ve made our fail proof slime recipe, you may want to try some of these activities.

  1. Dripping slime – hang a colander or cooling rack and set your slime on top. In about 30 minutes, you’ll have dripping slime. Learn more here.
  2. Calm down squish ball – using a funnel and a balloon put slime into a balloon as a DIY stress ball. Learn more here.
  3. Toy impressions – Grab a handful of toys and wait as they slowly sink into the slime. Remove and check out the impressions!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

30+ Fun Playdough Activities Kids Will Love

January 22, 2019 By sensoryplay Leave a Comment

These playdough activities are sure to please kids of any age. From fun playdough recipes, to engaging invitations to play, and printable playdough mats.


There are so many fun playdough activities to do with kids!

From creating your own recipe (there are so many ideas below) or setting up fun playdough activities with store bough dough, you will find something for every child on this list.

These playdough activities are sure to please kids of any age. From fun playdough recipes, to engaging invitations to play, and printable playdough mats. #sensoryplay #sensoryplayforkids #kidsactivities #preschool #spd #sensoryprocessing #playdough #playdoughactivities #parenting

30+ Fun Playdough Activities that Kids Love

Playdough is a wonderful sensory tool. It helps develop fine motor skills, and provides so much satisfying tactile input. Kids can roll and shape it, build with it, and learn with it!

Playdough Recipes

There are so many fun additions to play dough that you can put in your homemade playdough recipe. Check out some of these below, including, peeps play dough, apple scented play dough, and even a recipe for bubble play dough you can take in the bath!

These playdough activities are sure to please kids of any age. From fun playdough recipes, to engaging invitations to play, and printable playdough mats. #sensoryplay #sensoryplayforkids #kidsactivities #preschool #spd #sensoryprocessing #playdough #playdoughactivities #parenting

Best-Smelling Playdough Recipe // Parenting From the Heart

Muddy Playdough Recipe // Views From a Step Stool (pictured)

Edible Peeps Playdough with Glitter // STEAM Powered Family

Natural Chamomile Playdough Recipe // Natural Beach Living (pictured)

3 Ingredient Homemade Playdough for the Bath // STEAM Powered Family

Taste-Safe Apple Scented Playdough // Crayons and Cravings (pictured)

Edible Marshmallow Playdough // STEAM Powered Family

Glow in the Dark Playdough Recipe // Buggy and Buddy

Lavender Playdough Recipe // The Gingerbread House

Playdough Activities

Kick your play dough up a notch by adding some grass and animals for a jungle theme, or build a snowman, or bake some cupcakes. The options are endless with a dose of imagination and creativity.

These playdough activities are sure to please kids of any age. From fun playdough recipes, to engaging invitations to play, and printable playdough mats. #sensoryplay #sensoryplayforkids #kidsactivities #preschool #spd #sensoryprocessing #playdough #playdoughactivities #parenting

Bug Fossil Investigation In Playdough // Views From a Step Stool

Construction Site Playdough Invitation to Play // Fantastic Fun and Learning (pictured)

Let it Snow Playdough // Parenting From the Heart

Invitation to Create Playdough Pancakes // Simple Fun for Kids (pictured)

10 Apples Up on Top Plaudough Activity // Buggy and Buddy

Pretty Playdough Cupcakes // Artsy Momma (pictured)

These playdough activities are sure to please kids of any age. From fun playdough recipes, to engaging invitations to play, and printable playdough mats. #sensoryplay #sensoryplayforkids #kidsactivities #preschool #spd #sensoryprocessing #playdough #playdoughactivities #parenting

Making Playdough Dinosaur Eggs // Little Fish Blog (pictured)

Playdough Sensory Bag for Babies // Simple Fun for Kids (pictured)

Playdough Stamping // Picklebums

Love Bug Playdough // Picklebums (pictured)

Snowman Playdough Kit // Buggy and Buddy

Playdough Chocolates // Artsy Momma

Mad About Munsch Playdough // Parenting From the Heart

These playdough activities are sure to please kids of any age. From fun playdough recipes, to engaging invitations to play, and printable playdough mats. #sensoryplay #sensoryplayforkids #kidsactivities #preschool #spd #sensoryprocessing #playdough #playdoughactivities #parenting

Playdough Letter Mazes // Teach Me Mommy (pictured)

Ocean Playdough Invitation to Play // My Bored Toddler

X-Ray Playdough: Invitation to Play // Best Toys for Toddlers (pictured)

Squeezing Playdough for Fine Motor Strength // Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

Grassy Playdough // Picklebums (pictured)

Playdough Mats

For a simple setup, print a play dough mat and give children some play dough to play with!

These printables give kids a prompt of a fun way to play with play dough, usually sneaking a bit of learning such as color recognition, counting or letter building in there!

These playdough activities are sure to please kids of any age. From fun playdough recipes, to engaging invitations to play, and printable playdough mats. #sensoryplay #sensoryplayforkids #kidsactivities #preschool #spd #sensoryprocessing #playdough #playdoughactivities #parenting

‘Make 10′ Sloth Playdough Mats // Views From a Step Stool (pictured)

Popcorn Counting Playdough Mats // Simple Fun for Kids

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs Printable Playdough Mats // J Daniel 4’s Mom

Cookie Counting Playdough Mats // Schooling a Monkey

10 Printable Playdough Mats // Kiddy Charts

These playdough activities are sure to please kids of any age. From fun playdough recipes, to engaging invitations to play, and printable playdough mats. #sensoryplay #sensoryplayforkids #kidsactivities #preschool #spd #sensoryprocessing #playdough #playdoughactivities #parenting

Have so much fun with these playdough activities for kids! So many wonderful ideas to choose from.

Whip up a batch of homemade playdough, or set up a fun new way to play. Sensory play is full of benefits for kids, and playdough is a wonderful medium. Enjoy!

  • 8 Sensory Table Benefits for Kids
  • Pumpkin Spice Oobleck Recipe for Fall Sensory Play
  • Pot of Gold St. Patrick’s Day Themed Oobleck
  • Spring Flower Sensory Bottle for Toddlers
  • The Best Glitter Slime Recipe – Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day

Filed Under: Playdough

How to get slime out of carpet

January 17, 2019 By sensoryplay 1 Comment

Slime is fun but it can get on everything. Find out how to get slime out of carpet and clothes using simple steps including great ground rules too.

When it comes to slime, it can be a love it or hate it thing.

A couple of years ago, it became all the rage for school-aged kids along with fidget spinners and the floss dance. And with that came hilarious parent commentary about the non-Newtonian fluid running havoc in their homes.

From pictures of it dripping off of countertops to slime-stained carpets, it is clear that slime can be a problem. The good news? Whether you just love it or your kids do, we have some great parent-tested ways to enjoy slime without it being a problem.

Before we get into how to get slime out of carpet, let’s get into some preventative strategies for enjoying slime.

From pictures of it dripping off of countertops to slime-stained carpets, it is clear that slime can be a problem. The good news? Whether you just love it or your kids do, we have some great parent-tested ways to enjoy slime without it being a problem.

How to enjoy slime without it becoming a disaster

Set ground rules.

As a parent, I have come into the kitchen to find dirty mixing bowls, Borax spills and and trails of food colouring. I have also spent an inordinate amount of time with a scrub brush and water getting dried play dough out of our carpet.

Our rules for slime are simple.

  1. The kids have to ask before they make it.
  2. They need to clean up and put away whatever they use.
  3. The slime has to go into an airtight container.
  4. And, if they get any slime on their clothes, they need to tell me right away.
  5. Finally, they have to store their slime in an air-tight container.

Since setting ground rules, we haven’t had an issue. In fact, I haven’t had to clean up anything slime-related since.

How to stop slime from getting on the carpet

The best strategy for getting slime out of carpet is not to have slime on your carpet. In order to prevent carpet spills, slime must always be stored in an airtight container.

slime drips, find out how to get slime out of carpet
Dripping slime

One of the coolest (and most treacherous things) about slime is that it drips. Slime left on a countertop or a coffee table for a certain amount of time will end up on the floor. If it dries, it can be a nightmare to clean up.

The other crucial piece is establishing a rule where slime isn’t allowed near carpet or upholstery.

How to get slime out of carpet

Clean clothing and carpet with slime on it immediately

As soon as slime dries, it becomes so much harder to clean slime.

If slime gets in contact with clothing or carpet, remove any access immediately.

Pick away anything you can get out. Using a scrub brush and water, scrub what remains. If you’re cleaning clothing, launder clothing normally.

When getting slime out of carpet, you may want to add a cleaning solution to the carpet. According to WikiHow, the best cleaning solutions to get slime out of carpet include:

  • rubbing alcohol,
  • goo remover,
  • citrus solvent, or
  • WD-40.

It is best to test solutions on a hidden part of carpet before trying it on the stain.

If it has dried, here is how to get slime out of carpet

  1. Chip away at the dried slime using a knife, credit card, or similar. (We have used scissors on our shag rug too but did so very carefully.)
  2. Then, soak the spot with water and vinegar.
  3. Using a scrub brush clean the spot. You may want to add one of the cleaning solutions above.

If any food colouring gets on your hands while cleaning, put foaming shaving cream on your hands. Wait about 30-60 seconds and then wash thoroughly.

Have you had this problem? How did you get slime out of carpet?

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Sensory Play for 1 Year Olds

January 16, 2019 By sensoryplay Leave a Comment

Sensory play for 1 year olds includes items that are large enough not to pose a choking hazard, or that are taste-safe.

While sensory play for toddlers does need a bit more attention, there are many options for play so that babies and 1 year olds can reap the benefits of sensory play too.

Sensory play for 1 year olds include activiites such as sensory bags, sensory bottles, sensory bins and edible sensory play.

Activities for Sensory Play for 1 Year Olds

Many of these activities are quite fun for babies and 1 year olds, but the fun doesn’t need to stop there! Older kids will quite enjoy these activities as well.

Sensory Bottles

Sensory play for 1 year olds include activiites such as sensory bags, sensory bottles, sensory bins and edible sensory play.

Sensory bottles are empty containers that encapsulate materials meant to stimulate the senses with movement. They are great for 1 year olds as they are safe and mess-free.

Nebula Calm Down Jar // Views From a Step Stool

Rainbow Sensory Bottle and Music Shaker // Kids Craft Room

Farm Discovery Bottle // Little Worlds

Water Bead Sensory Bottles // Living Montessori Now

Spring Flower Sensory Bottle // Kids Craft Room

 

Sensory Bags

Sensory play for 1 year olds include activiites such as sensory bags, sensory bottles, sensory bins and edible sensory play.

Sensory bags, similar to sensory bottles, contain the materials within a bag. Again, this makes it one of our safe and mess-free sensory activities for 1 year olds that kids of all ages can enjoy.

5 Easy Sensory Bags with Food // The Best Ideas for Kids

Mess-Free Snowflake Sensory Bag // Crafts on Sea

Color Mixing Sensory Bags // Views From a Step Stool

Googly Eye Sensory Bag // Clare’s Little Tots

Easy Nature Sensory Bags // Kiddy Charts

Sensory Bins

Sensory play for 1 year olds include activiites such as sensory bags, sensory bottles, sensory bins and edible sensory play.

These sensory bins for 1 year olds contain large materials that do not pose chocking hazards for little ones, like many other sensory materials and bins can.

Ocean Beach Party Sensory Bin // Mommy’s Bundle

Digging for Dinosaurs Sensory Bin // Mommy Evolution

Edible Garden Sensory Bin // Views From a Step Stool

Flour Bin: An Easy Toddler Activity // Busy Toddler

Let the Ice Melt Sensory Bin // Mommy Evolution

Edible Sensory Play

Sensory play for 1 year olds include activiites such as sensory bags, sensory bottles, sensory bins and edible sensory play.

Edible sensory play is a really fun way for babies and 1 year olds to engage in this kind of fun, hands-on learning. Exploring through taste is a wonderful way to learn! Just because this is taste-safe, doesn’t mean the ingredients are necessarily tasty or encouraged to eat, but it makes sensory play much safer for this age group.

How to Make Oobleck and Why It’s Educational // Sensory Play for Kids

How to Make Edible Finger Paint // Red Ted Art

Taste-Safe Ice Painting // Messy Little Monster

Taste-Safe Tractor Mud Play // Uno Zwei Tutu

Calming Lavender Oobleck Recipe // Sensory Play for Kids

Solid or Liquid Jello Sensory Play // Go Science Girls

Edible Water Bead Sensory Play // Views From a Step Stool

Have so much fun with activities for doing sensory play for 1 year olds. Find a fun sensory bag, bottle, or bin or something edible to squish and get playing!

Sensory play for 1 year olds include activiites such as sensory bags, sensory bottles, sensory bins and edible sensory play.

Filed Under: Sensory Play Activities

20 Oobleck Activities for Sensory Play

January 15, 2019 By sensoryplay Leave a Comment

Oobleck activities are such a fun way to engage in sensory play as it has a squishy, goopy texture but also provides wonderful opportunities for learning. As a non-Newtonian fluid, it has the properties of a liquid and a solid, which has inherently encourages scientific exploration.

Fun Ways to Play with Oobleck

Oobleck is quick and easy to make at home by mixing cornstarch and water (see full oobleck recipe here) and can be colored with food coloring or liquid watercolors for an added bit of fun.

Below are some fun ways to play with oobleck so that kids can explore this material over and over again!

A list of oobleck activities for sensory play with kids. From glow in the dark oobleck to fun crafts with oobleck, there is something for everyone.

Oobleck Activities for Kids

Oobleck is so simple to make, but can be ‘upgraded’ to create fun thematic setups for kids. Check out the list below for fun ways to play with oobleck, including making it glow in the dark, taking it outside for paint on the sidewalk, or making it fluffy!

A list of oobleck activities for sensory play with kids. From glow in the dark oobleck to fun crafts with oobleck, there is something for everyone.

Oobleck Drip Painting on the Sidewalk // Views From a Step Stool

Lavender Oobleck Recipe // Sensory Play for Kids

Dinosaur Small World // Messy Little Monster

Fluffy Oobleck Slime Recipe // Fantastic Fun and Learning

How to Make Oobleck Out of Potatoes // STEAM Powered Family

Frozen Oobleck Sensory Play // Messy Little Monster

Bartholomew and the Oobleck STEM Activity // STEAM Powered Family

Magic Color Changing Oobleck Science Experiment  // STEAM Powered Family

Creative Painting with Oobleck // Twitchetts

Glow in the Dark Oobleck // Schooling a Monkey

Frozen Oobleck // Inspiration Laboratories

Glowing Oobleck // Inspiration Laboratories

How to Make Oobleck with Baby Powder // STEAM Powered Family

Gingerbread Oobleck // My Bored Toddler

Oobleck and Leaves // Happy Toddler Playtime

Rainbow Oobleck // Busy Toddler

Watermelon Oobleck // Gift of Curiosity

Marbled Oobleck: Science, Art and Sensory Play // Little Bins for Little Hands

Easy Sensory Activity: Blocks and Gak // Busy Toddler

Rainbow Oobleck and Pig Play // Fun Littles

Earth Day Goop // Little Bins for Little Hands

We hope you find a fun way to play on this list of obbleck activities for kids!

Don’t forget to check out the recipe for oobleck on our sensory play recipes page!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: kids activities, oobleck, preschool, sensory play

Sensory Play Activities

January 11, 2019 By sensoryplay Leave a Comment

Sensory Play Activities

A collection of sensory play activities for kids, including oobleck, slime, sensory bins and more.

30+ Fun Playdough Activities Kids Will Love

30+ Fun Playdough Activities Kids Will Love

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Lavender Oobleck Recipe: The Perfect Calm Down Activity for Kids

Lavender Oobleck Recipe: The Perfect Calm Down Activity for Kids

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Shamrock Slime

Shamrock Slime

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30+ Super Fun Slime Recipes and Activity Ideas

30+ Super Fun Slime Recipes and Activity Ideas

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Sensory Play for 1 Year Olds

Sensory Play for 1 Year Olds

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Flower Sensory Bottle for Toddlers

Flower Sensory Bottle for Toddlers

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Digging for Gold Edible Sensory Play for Kids

Digging for Gold Edible Sensory Play for Kids

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20 Oobleck Activities for Sensory Play

20 Oobleck Activities for Sensory Play

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Pink and Red Colored Rice Sensory Bin

Pink and Red Colored Rice Sensory Bin

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Pumpkin Spice Oobleck Recipe 

Pumpkin Spice Oobleck Recipe 

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The Best Glitter Slime Recipe

The Best Glitter Slime Recipe

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Fail-Proof Valentine's Day Clear Slime

Fail-Proof Valentine's Day Clear Slime

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Filed Under: Resource

Sensory Play Recipes

January 11, 2019 By sensoryplay Leave a Comment

There are so many sensory play materials that can be made at home! This decreases the cost of many of these materials and can be fun to make with the kids.

Sensory play recipes for materials such as oobleck, play dough, cloud dough, slime and more. Great to make at home or in the classroom.

How to make common sensory materials:

Play dough

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1/4 cup salt
  • 1 tbsp cream of tartar
  • 1/2 cup water

Oobleck

  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups cornstarch
A list of oobleck activities for sensory play with kids. From glow in the dark oobleck to fun crafts with oobleck, there is something for everyone.

Moon Sand

  • 8 cups flour
  • 1 cup oil

Colored Rice

  • dry rice
  • 1 tbsp vinegar
  • food coloring

Slime

  • 1 bottle glue
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 1/2 tbsp contact lens solution
  • 1/4 cup water (optional – will make for a stretchier slime)

Filed Under: Uncategorized

What is Sensory Play?

January 11, 2019 By sensoryplay Leave a Comment

Sensory play is full of terms that can seem like a foreign language. This is your go-to resource for many of the terms in sensory play that you will come across on this site.

Sensory play is full of activities that encourage touch, taste, smell, sound and hearing; and includes activities that stimulate movement and balance.

A resource for sensory play terms and benefits. Understand why sensory play is great for children and how to apply it at home or in the classroom.

Why is sensory play important?

Sensory play is important for many reasons:

  • children use their 5 senses to explore the world around them
  • it is a natural way for babies and children to learn
  • it encourages scientific exploration and investigation
  • builds neural pathways in the brain
  • supports language development
  • builds gross and fine motor skills
  • involves problem solving and critical thinking
  • calms stress and anxiety
  • and more!

Set up a sensory table in your classroom or your home to reap all of these benefits of sensory play. See 8 sensory table benefits here.

A resource for sensory play terms and benefits. Understand why sensory play is great for children and how to apply it at home or in the classroom.

What are some common sensory play terms?

Materials:

Oobleck: This is a non-Newtonian fluid, meaning it mimics the substance of a liquid and a solid. Made of cornstarch and water. See recipe here.

Play dough: A modeling compound similar to clay, but easy to use for kids. Can be purchase in stores, or make at home. See recipe here.

Slime: A gooey, squishy substance made by mixing water and sodium borate. It has a thick, glue-like texture and can make at home. See recipe here.

Water beads: Water absorbing polymers that absorb water and expand exponentially. Grow the beads, then dehydrate to use again. Fun for scooping and pouring.

Goop: Another name for oobleck as shown above, which is made of cornstarch and water.

Soap Foam: A thick, foamy, soapy mixture to blend and turn into stiff peaks of bubbly foam. Great for outdoor play. See recipe here.

Moon Sand: A sand that is squishy and sticks together, which makes it more moldable and shapable than traditional sand. See recipe here.

Cloud Dough: Similar to mood sand, a combination of flour and oil that is shapable and moldable as well.

Colored Rice: Dry, uncooked rice that has been dyed and colored with paint or food coloring.

Activities:

Sensory Bin: A bin or container that is filled with materials that are specifically chosen to stimulate the senses. Typically include a sensory base with some thematic tools and toys.

Sensory Bottle: A bottle that to secure and contain contents inside. When moved or shaken, the contents typically move about the bottle, stimulating the senses. A great sensory tool for babies.

Sensory Bag: Similar to a sensory bottle, where the contents are contained within a plastic bag, allowing for squishing and exploring the contents while secured. A great sensory tool for babies.

Messy Play: Play that encourages hands-on exploration and creativity. It allows children to play in an unrestricted way, encouraging imagination and exploration. Children can learn to think messy by playing messy.

Mess-Free Sensory Play: This is play that contains the materials inside a container, such as a sensory bottle or sensory bag, so that choking hazards and large messes are avoided. This is great sensory play for babies as well.

Sensory Table: A designated space where children are encouraged to explore the materials presented to them with all of their senses.

  • 8 Sensory Table Benefits for Kids
  • Pumpkin Spice Oobleck Recipe for Fall Sensory Play
  • Pot of Gold St. Patrick’s Day Themed Oobleck
  • Spring Flower Sensory Bottle for Toddlers
  • The Best Glitter Slime Recipe – Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day

Filed Under: Resource Tagged With: kids activities, sensory activities, sensory play

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