Introduction
Preschoolers love engaging in sensory play activities that stimulate their imagination and creativity. The IKEA Flisat table is a versatile option for creating themed setups that provide a sensory-rich experience for little ones. In this blog post, we will explore a Thanksgiving-themed sensory play setup using the Flisat table. From printable play kit decor to three different sensory bin fillers, get ready to inspire your preschooler's senses this Thanksgiving!
Printable Play Kit Decor
To enhance the Thanksgiving sensory play setup, consider incorporating a range of printable play kit decor items. These include:
1. Pennant Flag: Hang colorful pennant flags above the table to set the festive atmosphere.
2. Pie Cut Outs: Print out various pie cutouts in different flavors and shapes, allowing your preschoolers to engage in a pretend pie-making experience.
3. Thanksgiving Dinner: Create play mats that depict a Thanksgiving dinner table, complete with plates, utensils, and delicious food items. Preschoolers can arrange the play food on the mats to build their own Thanksgiving feast.
4. Turkey: Utilize a turkey printout as part of a build-a-turkey sensory bin, allowing kids to decorate the turkey's feathers with small squares of fall-colored tissue paper.
5. Pie Making Kit: Include printable pie-making kits, complete with pie crusts and filling options, offering a unique sensory play experience.
6. "What I'm Thankful For" Activity: Promote gratitude by designing printable sheets where preschoolers can draw or write about what they are thankful for. Display these sheets as part of the sensory setup.
7. Matching Awning: Create a matching awning that adds a touch of flair to the Flisat table, elevating the visual appeal of the sensory play setup.
Three Different Sensory Bin Fillers
Now, let's dive into the three exciting sensory bin fillers that perfectly complement our Thanksgiving-themed setup:
1. Thanksgiving Dinner Bin:
Fill one section of the Flisat table with a mixture of white beans, green chickpeas, and playdoh to simulate the texture of mashed potatoes. For an added element of fun, create lotion corn starch playdoh that resembles creamy mashed potatoes. Use the Thanksgiving dinner play mat as a base and add “foods” to the plate. Allowing preschoolers to construct a plateful of mashed potatoes alongside other play food items.
Stuffing/dressing: White cannelini beans
Cranberry sauce: Kidney beans
Peas: Green chickpeas or dried green peas
Mashed potatoes: White playdoh
Pumpkin pie: Orange chickpeas, or orange lentils
Cloud Playdoh Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup of cornstarch
1/2 cup of white lotion (unscented)
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, add the cornstarch.
2. Gradually pour in the white lotion into the bowl with the cornstarch.
3. Using a spatula or your hands, mix the ingredients together until they are well combined. The mixture will resemble a crumbly texture.
4. Once the mixture starts to come together, knead it with your hands until you achieve a smooth and pliable dough consistency. The dough should be soft to the touch and moldable without being sticky.
5. If the mixture is too dry, add a small amount of lotion and continue kneading until the desired consistency is reached. If it's too sticky, add more cornstarch gradually until it becomes workable.
6. Optional: Add a drop or two of food coloring to the dough and knead it in to create colorful variations.
7. The cloud playdoh is now ready to be enjoyed! Shape it, mold it, and let your imagination soar!
Note: This cloud playdoh recipe is meant for sensory play and does not contain any harmful ingredients. It is not intended to be ingested.
2. Build-a-Turkey Bin:
In another section of the Flisat table, introduce a build-a-turkey sensory bin. Begin by printing out a turkey image and cutting it out. Provide small squares of fall-colored tissue paper and wooden skewers. Preschoolers can use the skewers to poke the tissue paper squares into the turkey's feathers, creating a vibrant and textured turkey masterpiece. I made starter holes in the turkey by using a nail. I also laminated it for durability!
3. Build-a-Pie Sensory Bin:
For the final sensory bin, offer the option of a build-a-pie experience. This can be approached in two ways: using the printable pie cutouts or using playdoh. If using the cutouts, preschoolers can assemble pies by matching the different pie crusts and fillings. Alternatively, using playdoh allows them to sculpt their own pie masterpieces, exploring various shapes and textures.
4. WHAT i’M THANKFUL FOR:
For more advanced learners, try out the “What I’m Thankful For…” activity. You can laminate this worksheet and use it again each year. Or you and print it out and write on it to capture memories of what they were thankful for each year. Sofie melted my heart when she wrote “Mom” and added some flowers. It’s a great way to introduce the concept of gratefulness and to focus on appreciation for what we have.
By incorporating these three sensory bin fillers into your Thanksgiving-themed setup, you will provide your little ones with endless opportunities for tactile exploration and imaginative play.
Importance of gratefulness
Instilling a sense of gratefulness in toddlers is an essential building block for their emotional and social development. As parents and caregivers, we have the incredible opportunity to nurture this virtue in our little ones, enabling them to lead happier and more fulfilling lives. And what better time to introduce this concept than during a Thanksgiving-themed sensory play activity?
Gratefulness goes beyond simply saying "thank you." It involves cultivating an appreciation for the blessings and joys that surround us every day. Research shows that grateful children exhibit higher levels of happiness, empathy, and overall life satisfaction. So, how can we foster gratefulness in our toddlers? Here are a few practical tips:
1. Model Grateful Behavior: Children learn by observation, so let them witness your gratitude. Express appreciation for the little things, like a beautiful sunset or a kind gesture. Acknowledge and thank others for their help or gestures of kindness. Your actions will serve as a blueprint for their own gratefulness.
2. Make Gratitude Part of Daily Life: Create simple rituals to encourage gratefulness. For instance, during mealtime, ask your toddler what they are thankful for that day. Make it a habit to reflect on positive moments before bedtime. These small interactions will help them recognize and appreciate the good in their lives.
3. Engage in Sensory Play: Sensory play activities, like the Thanksgiving-themed one you have planned, can become powerful teaching tools. Provide opportunities for your toddler to explore textures, colors, and aromas associated with gratitude, such as feeling the softness of a toy turkey feather, smelling the aroma of a homemade pie, or touching grains of colored rice symbolizing blessings. Use these experiences to initiate discussions on the importance of being thankful.
4. Read Gratitude-Related Books: Storytime can be a wonderful way to introduce gratitude concepts. Choose books that highlight the value of appreciating what we have. Discuss the stories with your child and encourage them to share their own thoughts and feelings.
5. Practice Thankfulness, Not Just on Thanksgiving: While Thanksgiving is a perfect occasion to focus on gratitude, it's crucial to make it a year-round practice. Encourage your toddler to express thanks beyond this holiday by helping others, sending thank-you notes, or engaging in acts of kindness.
Thanksgiving Vocabulary words for preschoolers
1. Turkey - A large bird that is traditionally eaten on Thanksgiving.
2. Pilgrim - A person who traveled on the Mayflower ship and settled in America.
3. Native American - A member of the indigenous people of America.
4. Harvest - The gathering of crops or food at the end of the growing season.
5. Cornucopia - A symbol of abundance usually in the shape of a horn.
6. Feast - A large and delicious meal enjoyed with family and friends.
7. Gratitude - The feeling of being thankful and appreciative.
8. Pumpkin - A large orange fruit often used for carving and cooking during Thanksgiving.
9. Family - A group of people who are related to each other and share a bond of love.
10. Acorn - A small nut produced by oak trees.
11. Pilgrim Hat - A traditional hat worn by the Pilgrims on Thanksgiving.
12. Dinner - The main meal of the day, often shared with family and friends.
13. Mayflower - The ship that brought the Pilgrims to America.
14. Cranberry - A small, tart red fruit often used in sauces and desserts for Thanksgiving.
15. Stuffing - A mixture of bread, vegetables, and seasonings that is stuffed inside the turkey.
16. Simmer - To cook something gently on low heat.
17. Maple Syrup - A sweet syrup made from the sap of maple trees.
18. Settlers - People who establish homes and communities in a new land.
19. Apple Pie - A sweet pie made with apples and a flaky crust, often enjoyed on Thanksgiving.
20. Pilgrim Shoes - Traditional shoes worn by the Pilgrims.
21. Blessings - Things that are considered to be given by God or a source of happiness.
22. Gobble - The sound a turkey makes.
23. Harvest Moon - The full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox.
24. Thankful - Feeling or expressing gratitude or appreciation.
25. Parade - A procession of people celebrating an event, often done on Thanksgiving.
By combining the magic of sensory play with intentional lessons on gratefulness, we offer toddlers a solid foundation for becoming grateful individuals. As they grow, our young ones will carry this virtue into their relationships, careers, and overall outlook on life. Let gratefulness be the gift we give our children, enriching their lives and shaping a brighter future for them and those around them.
The IKEA Flisat table serves as an excellent platform for creating engaging and interactive sensory play experiences for preschoolers. By incorporating printable play kit decor and diversified sensory bin fillers, you can easily design a Thanksgiving-themed setup that captures the spirit of the holiday while fostering sensory development in young minds. So, roll up your sleeves and start gathering your materials – it's time to immerse your preschoolers in a Thanksgiving sensory adventure they won't forget!
