Here is a collection of tray activities that we used in 2012. Enjoy!
Color Matching (2's and 3's) -
Plexi-glass page holder, turned on its side, felt and clips.
Pushing and pulling golf tees from floral foam, balancing marbles on top. (2's and 3's - 2's without the marbles.)
Using tweezers to remove kernels from Indian Corn. (3's)
Color Sorting (2's and 3's) -
Draw desired colors on butcher paper and find items around the room that are the same colors.
Pushing chenille stems through Styrofoam egg carton cups (2's and 3's).
Sorting dyed pasta by color (2's and 3's).
Picking up marbles and placing them on suction cups (3's).
Sorting straws by size (2's and 3's).
Matching numbered cards to numbered clothespins (3's).
Pushing small pom poms through holes in a toothbrush holder (3's).
Spooning corn kernels into small pumpkins (3's).
Pouring water from small pitcher to cup (3's).
Transferring pony beads with fingers or using a strawberry huller (3's).
Transferring gems into a lipstick holder (3's).
Transferring straw pieces with tongs (3's).
Pushing thin straws into empty water bottles (2's and 3's).
Transferring cotton balls to an ice cube tray using a clothespin (3's).
Transferring pom poms (2's and 3's).
Clipping clothespins around a basket (2's and 3s).
Transferring bears using tongs (1:1 correspondence - 2's and 3's).
Attaching clothespins (2's and 3's).
Color sorting with bug catchers and large pom poms (2's and 3's).
Paint tray, unifix cubes and a strawberry huller (3's).
Transferring bells using a strawberry huller (3's).
Large bells, tongs, and a tray (2's and 3's).



























loved all the ideas you have I work with pre-schoolers I am always looking for new ideas I always have problems with craft Ideas. I love this site.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I appreciate you sharing this.
ReplyDeleteYou have a good variety of tweezers and tongs. Do you have good recommendations for low cost options that work with this age group? I find mixed reviews on amazon, but am looking for good options.
ReplyDeleteI really like Discount School Supply as far as cost. I love Lakeshore (where we bought our blue tweezers), but they can be a bit pricier. Their quality is wonderful, though.
DeleteI also meant to mention that some of the tongs I got from a restaurant supply company. They were from a restaurant that was closing, so I got a whole bunch of them for a couple of dollars. But I know they also sell them brand new at a reasonable cost. You might want to see if you have a restaurant supply store near you.
DeleteI love these tray activities! Thank you for indicating the ages, as I have both ages here this makes selecting an activity quick and easy :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amie! To be honest, I hadn't thought of indicating the ages until a reader asked which ones were best for which age group (sensory table activities). I will make sure to do that more often in my future posts. That's why I appreciate everyone's comments and feedback! :)
DeleteGreat collection of ideas, Sheryl! Lots of fine motor ideas I haven't seen before.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen!
DeleteI love all the activities you are doing...i do many similar ones with my 2.5 yr twins...absolutely loving your space here!Thanks for sharing your inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jodie!
DeleteDo you encourage the children to keep the objects on the tray or incorporate them in their play in other areas?
ReplyDeleteThe threes learn to keep them on the tray. We model how to put the items back after they are finished. With the twos, this can be more of a challenge, as part of their development includes loving to move everything and carry as much as they can, so we don't make a big deal out of it with them.
DeleteSheryl