When I think of spring a few things that come to mind are flowers, soft green grass and ponds with baby ducks swimming around. Take children on an adventure as they walk through the season with this Spring Sensory Walk.
Sensory activities are a great way for children to exploring using several of their senses. This sensory activity is a bit different because instead of using their hands to explore and play, they use their feet!
I have done several sensory walks with my kindergarten classes over the years and these walks are always a favorite with my students. They love taking their socks off and walking through each of the bins. It’s always very exciting.
For this sensory path, children will walk through spring and explore the different feelings on their feet. From cool pond water to fluffy cotton batting, just like sheep’s wool.
For more sensory walk and tray ideas, check out Play Learn Inspires 20 Best Sensory Tray Ideas filled with endless ideas for hands-on play.
For another sensory bin perfect for spring, check out the Best Spring Sensory Bin for Kids for children to play with and explore using their hands. There is also a twist of math incorporated into the bin as children are challenged to find ten items and place them into a ten frame.
Spring Sensory Walk Materials
When I create sensory paths, I try to use materials that I already have on hand, however, if you want to do the same spring sensory walk that I created, you will need:
- 5 or More Bins
- Water
- Rubber Ducks
- Foam Leaves
- Blue Food Coloring or Paint
- Flowers
- Green Shredded Paper
- Grass Mat
- Cotton Batting
These materials will fill five bins for children to walk through. If you have other ideas, or materials, for more sensory experiences, you can add as many bins as you want.
Spring Sensory Walk Bin #1
To set up the bins, start by putting the materials into each bin so that at least the bottom is filled. The more materials you can add, the better, without them overflowing when children step into it.
The first bin is filled with cotton batting. This is to replicate the feel of sheep wool. I sprinkled some small pastel foam balls on the top. Kids will love stepping into this soft and fluffy bin.
Spring Sensory Walk Bin #2
The second bin is really simple with just a piece of a grass mat on the bottom of the bin. Although it is a simple bin, my students loved the feel of it on their feet.
As children walk through each bin, encourage them to describe what they feel.
Hands-On Play Activity
The third bin is filled with shredded paper. This bin is meant to feel like fluffy grass again, but it’s mainly just a fun sensory bin. It can however, get quite messy and spread from bin to bin.
You can switch this bin into the second position on the walk because the shredded paper is easier to pick up off the grass sheet, but it’s up to you what order you do.
Encourage children to swish their toes through
Spring Sensory Walk Bin #4
The fourth bin includes lot of colorful flowers. I used fake flowers that I had leftover from another activity, but use any that you have access to. If dandelions are easily available, they can also be used in place of fake flowers.
Make sure that they aren’t any sharp pieces on any of the flowers that children may step on.
Preschool Activity
The final bin was the favorite for many of my students. The bin is filled with everything you would find in a cool spring pond. There are leaves, little ducklings and cool blue water.
I used a few drops of blue paint to make the water stand out and then added the leaves and ducks.
This bin is best placed in the final position of the sensory walk. Children’s feet will be wet, so I often place another bin, with just a towel after this pond bin. If you place this bin earlier, the water will spread into the other bins and can wreck the other materials in the bins.
If you are looking to add more bins, or substitute a few of the materials, a few extra ideas are listed below.
- Soil
- Real Grass
- Small Pebbles
- Soft Moss
- Wood Chips
- Feathers
- Straw
- Jelly Beans
Whatever you choose, your children will love the experience and it’s a great way to celebrate spring!
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