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Sand Search and Find Sensory Play

While learning about the five senses, I set up a treasure box for the children by pouring sand in a bin. I put in different sized items in the sand for them to search for. Making a sand search and find sensory play bin is easy and it can be kept for future use. We have a larger sensory table but this time I put the sand in a smaller bin. It allowed the sand to be deeper in the bin without having so much sand available, reducing lost sand and mess.  It worked well to take it outdoors too.

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Sand Search and Find Sensory Play

I looked around for small items to use in the Sand Search and Find Sensory Play bin. Items like keys, coins, rocks, shells make an excellent little treasures for children to find.

Sand Search and Find Sensory Play

After I found a handful of items I put them on a tray and took a picture of it. When the children are searching and sifting for items, they can reference the photo.

Sand Search and Find Sensory PlaySand Search and Find Sensory Play

Some put the item on the photo to match them up. Another option is, they can select an item on the photo and search through the sand for it.

Sand Search and Find Sensory Play

When a child finds an item, you can have them identify the shape or color.

Sand Search and Find Sensory Play

My group enjoyed finding the items and then covering them up again.Sand Search and Find Sensory Play

I noticed some had favorite items.

Sand Search and Find Sensory Play

I love the STEAM Stations Mother Goose Time suggests. I’ve created sand sensory bins before obviously, but a search and find bin has been fun for learning about the sense of touch.

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