Play in the sand and water tables

The sand and water tables are another sensory experience that kids love and need. They are messy creatures and it takes a while to practice using these areas correctly. In the sand table, we start out using larger, easier to clean (off the floor) materials and gradually make our way to sand by the end of the year.

First, we put a variety of packing peanuts and colorful craft foam pieces and explain not to break them into pieces. We also discuss not to put them in their mouth, but that since they are not food, if they fall on the floor it is okay to pick them up and put them back in the sand table. We have scoops, shovels, funnels, rakes, spoons, and small toys to hide. We picked red toys initially, just so they will start to notice particular colors in isolation, but will change them in another week or so.

The water table gets changed up periodically by adding colored toys and sometimes by adding color to the water. We have spoons, funnels, measuring cups, as well as several size clear hoses in the water table to explore with. We recently found a water mill that everyone is enjoying! Every so often, the water table gets turned into a baby bathtub which always seems to be a big hit with girls and boys!

Pretend play doesn't just happen in house area. I am always surprised and delighted to hear all the pretend play happening in these areas. On my birthday this past week, everyone who went in the sand table made me a birthday cake:)