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5 Dry Sensory Bases You Already Have in Your Pantry (And How to Theme Them!)
- Little Sprouts
- Mar 22
- 3 min read
Sensory play is such a brilliant way to engage little ones, build fine motor skills, and encourage creativity. The best part? You probably already have plenty of sensory bases hiding in your pantry. Dry sensory play is low mess, versatile, and easy to set up, making it a go-to for busy parents and educators.
Let’s explore five dry sensory bases that are pantry staples, along with a few simple ideas to create engaging themed setups for your little one.
1. Rice
Rice is a classic sensory base for a reason. It’s affordable, easy to dye, and has a great texture for little hands. You can use plain white rice or colour it with a few drops of food colouring and vinegar.
Theme Ideas:
Under the Sea: Add blue-dyed rice, seashells, and plastic sea creatures.
Rainbow Fun: Use multiple colours of rice and let kids layer them in clear containers.
Farmyard Adventure: Brown rice as "dirt" with small farm animals and hay.
Props to Add: Scoops, spoons, small cups, and animal figurines.
2. Lentils
Lentils come in so many vibrant colours - red, green, brown, and yellow - making them a great sensory base. They’re also a bit heavier than rice, adding a different sensory experience.
Theme Ideas:
Autumn Leaves: Use red and yellow lentils with leaf cutouts and small twigs.
Space Exploration: Black lentils as "space dust" with foil stars and little astronauts.
Garden Patch: Green lentils as "grass" with mini flower pots and fake flowers.
Bee Theme: Mix yellow and black lentils in stripes, add some felt bees, pots and scoops.
Props to Add: Toy shovels, flower pots, tiny rakes, and scoops.
3. Pasta
Whether it’s spirals, shells, or macaroni, pasta offers great versatility. You can dye pasta with food colouring and vinegar just like rice or leave it natural for a rustic feel.
Theme Ideas:
Dinosaur Dig: Shell pasta as "fossils" mixed with sand-coloured pasta.
Bug Hunt: Green-dyed pasta as "grass" with plastic insects scattered around.
Construction Site: Spiral pasta as gravel with toy diggers and trucks.
Props to Add: Tweezers, diggers, small containers, and plastic insects.
4. Oats
Oats are wonderfully tactile and have a soft, soothing feel. They’re great for little hands to scoop, pour, and sift through.
Theme Ideas:
Baking Station: Add measuring cups, spoons, and silicone cupcake liners.
Woodland Wonderland: Mix in twigs, small pinecones, and wooden animals.
Snowy Scene: Use white oats and add cotton balls and small animal figurines.
Props to Add: Wooden spoons, small bowls, muffin trays, and cookie cutters.
5. Dry Chickpeas
Dry chickpeas are a fantastic sensory base with a different texture and feel from other pantry staples. They’re heavier and offer a satisfying crunch, making them ideal for sensory exploration.
Theme Ideas:
Desert Adventure: Use chickpeas as sand, and add small animal figurines like camels or snakes.
Treasure Hunt: Mix chickpeas with small beads or buttons, and let your little one find "treasure" hidden inside.
Galexy Fun: Colour the chickpeas in blue and purple, add some astronauts and space props. You can even wrap these in foil and add an extra layer of surprise and fun!
Props to Add: Scoops, small bowls, toy animals, and small containers for hiding treasures.
Tips for Dry Sensory Play Success:
Containment is Key: Use a large, shallow bin or tray to keep the mess manageable.
Add Scents: Try mixing in spices or dried herbs to make it a multi-sensory experience.
Rotate Themes: Change the theme every few weeks to keep things exciting.
Store and Reuse: Keep sensory bases in airtight containers to reuse for future setups.
Dry sensory play is such a simple yet powerful way to spark creativity and develop fine motor skills. Plus, the ingredients are already in your pantry, so why not give it a go?
What’s your favourite sensory base to use? Let me know in the comments, and tag me in your creations on Instagram @littlesproutsearlyeducation - I’d love to see how your little one gets involved! 💚
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