wide assortment of play

Activity Tables

There are several types of activity tables, It's important to remember that the most basic tables have the most potential for creative play and sensory experiences.

An activity table needs to be

• large enough for several children to play in at one time
• should have a cover so the table can be "closed" during other activities
• should be sturdy enough to not tip or spill if children attempt to climb on it.
• The activity table should also be deep enough to hold enough material for children to play in happily.
  
  Once you have your activity table set up, deciding what materials to use in the table is fairly simple like :

1. Sand and water are two of the most common activity table fillers. Sand can be damp or dry, plain or colored. Provide toys for scooping and pouring the sand
2. small toys to play with such as trucks, animals, or seashells. Water can also be kept clear or tinted with food coloring. Children enjoy scooping and pouring water, but will also have fun "washing" play dishes or baby dolls.
3. Dry rice makes a good activity table filler for scooping, pouring, and pretending to cook. So do dry beans, flour, corn meal, and confetti.

A mixture of corn starch and water


The activity table can also be used for something most children aren't allowed to do--playing in the mud! Add a bag of potting soil to the table, give the children cups of water to pour onto the dirt, and let them make mud.
The activity table allows teachers to let children explore and learn
Other materials can be kept in the table for several days at a time, but to keep the children
With a little effort every few days, an activity table is an excellent daycare resource providing a wide assortment of play and learning opportunities.