Sensory Sorting Tray by Texture
Set out mixed materials — cotton balls, pebbles, pasta, pom poms — and sort them by texture into labeled compartments. Touch, feel, then sort.
What You'll Need
- 1Cotton balls
- 2Smooth pebbles
- 3Dried pasta
- 4Pom poms
- 5Wooden beads
- 6Foam pieces
- 7Muffin tin or sorting tray
- 8Labels or picture cards
What You'll Need
Cotton balls, smooth pebbles, dried pasta, pom poms, wooden beads, foam pieces
A muffin tin or sorting tray
Labels or picture cards for texture categories
How to Play
Mix all the objects together in a big bowl.
Set out a muffin tin with compartments labeled by texture: soft, hard, rough, smooth, bumpy, squishy.
Invite your child to pick up one item, feel it carefully, and decide where it goes.
Talk through each choice: "Does that pebble feel rough or smooth? Where should it go?"
Some items may surprise them — dried pasta can feel both rough and hard.
When everything is sorted, review together. Celebrate the tricky ones.
Ask: "Did any items belong to two categories? That's because texture is complicated!"
Tips
This activity builds two skills at once: tactile discrimination (feeling differences) and classification (organizing by attribute).
Use texture vocabulary: rough, smooth, bumpy, squishy, hard, soft, scratchy, silky. These words expand descriptive language.
Make it harder by blindfolding your child and asking them to sort by touch alone.
For younger preschoolers, simplify to just two categories: soft and hard.
This is a great activity for two kids to do together — they can debate where items belong, which builds communication skills.
Age Adaptation Tips
Preschoolers can follow multi-step instructions. Ask open-ended questions and encourage them to predict what will happen next.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 15 min, with 5 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: cotton balls, smooth pebbles, dried pasta, pom poms, wooden beads, and 3 more items.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 3-5 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
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