Sensory activities are a great way to keep kids occupied, and putting together a sensory activity can be as easy as checking your pantry!

Here are some ideas.

Empty coffee cans make great instruments when filled with beans, rice, or popcorn!  So do paper plates.  Decorate two paper plates, fill with beans, rice, and/or popcorn, and staple them together to make tambourines.

Sorting exercise

Pour different varieties of beans, rice, and popcorn into a large bowl or other container.

Have the kids sort them into other bowls. This activity can take a long time — maybe long enough for you to get something done!

Digging

Pour beans, rice, or popcorn in a large box or container. You can bury little toys, and give the kids spoons, shovels, measuring cups/spoons, funnels, colanders, and toy tractors to dig out the buried toys.

Pouring

My kids absolutely love this, and it’s so easy (maybe not the clean-up if you leave them unattended for too long). Fill a small pitcher with your dried goods and have the kids practice pouring them (carefully) into a large bowl without spilling. Then try a smaller bowl, then a cup.  Once mastered, try it with water!

Artwork

Have the kids create art! Make pictures with the different textures and colors. You can even glue them to a canvas.