Summer in California lasts more than just June and July but during that time the Library we worked at would host what I liked to call Sensory Play Dates. We brought out the big ideas during summer and created multiple stations and activities for children to play with. The Stay at Home Librarians were super lucky to have a garden attached to the children's section. If you are able to utilize a garden, backyard, or park, try these stations out.
Each Play and Learn (our sensory play date) we used our garden and community room. We had about 15 stations and at the height of this we once had almost 300 people in total. It was craziness, but fun.
Not only did we have a bubble machine on at all times during the event but we made bubbles too. We set out bubble wands and let the toddlers explore different ways of blowing bubbles and which wands created what bubbles.
Who would have thought that tape could be a sensory activity? We had all these colorful tapes that didn't have the greatest adhesive so we stuck them on a table and let the toddlers peel them off.
Not only did they have to use their fingers to pick and pull the tape off but also think of which color tapes were on the top of the others. This little one in the picture above spent most of their time at this table picking and pulling. Mom was astonished at how simple this was and planned on continuing this practice at home.
Another simple and cheap sensory station is placing dried spaghetti in some play-doh and letting toddlers stack cereal. By using their fingers they have to pick up and then thread the cereal. These kiddos staked them so high it became more fun to watch them tip over. This station is so reasonable we were able to do this for both summer events which had over 250 people each time. Way easy to do.
Water beads are super easy and effective station but this time we added in different sizes and different tools for them to scoop up and dump. You can also put in water pipes from a place like Lakeshore. Be careful when you let them scoop and dump. This past time a little one was dumping them on the grass which made the grass very slippery. The smile on his face was pure joy so.... worth it.
This last station was a big hit among the parents. I must have sent the Amazon link to at least six parents during this summer. These tractors have seen four of our sensory events (each with over 200 people in them). So, they stand up. Just add in some kinetic sand.
Last, but truly the highlight of the summer is our Kiddie Car Wash. By placing three easy-ups half way standing in a row, cut up some plastic table clothes and hang up pool noodles, you can have the best time ever. For us, we are very lucky to have water access right in our garden. We were able to run a hose to the canopies and ziptie it upside down for the water effects. The elementary school across the street let us borrow some trikes and away we went.
Are you interested in more sensory stations planned for large groups? Let us know.
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