Around the World: Sensory Play

While a lot of our themed learning about different countries and cultures involves directed activities and projects, I like to continue to provide independent play opportunities as well. Our play area is set up to include theme-related materials that encourage building, dramatic play, and even sensory play. When it comes to world travel themed sensory play, the options are endless! Sensory bins or tables can be set up using materials related to a country's climate/terrain, a popular food, or even colors of the flag. Here are a few of our favorites so far, including a recipe to make your own Rainbow Pasta!

Sand is a great sensory material for learning about desert terrains. We used kinetic sand in connection with our learning about the deserts in Mexico. It was a less-messy option than loose sand for a quick set-up/quick clean-up evening play activity.

Color-themed sensory bins can be made from a variety of materials and small parts. This red, white and blue sensory table was the great creation of our local Mommy & Me Playgroup (and actually was part of a Post Office/Community Helpers theme). It would be a great way to incorporate a United States theme, or a France theme, United Kingdom theme or any number of other countries that have these colors in their flag. You could adjust your colors to match the flag of any country. This particular bin has white bubble wrap, blue shredded plastic and red tissue paper. In addition to the color, a variety of textures were also explored and enjoyed!

There are so many special foods eaten around the world. We try to introduce at least some of them in our kitchen activities, but with a selective eater in the house, sometimes more exposure is achieved through sensory play! Black beans were a great sensory material to learn about Mexico. They are a fabulous filler for a sensory bin and also make for a great transfer practice material.

Rice is a huge staple in many Asian countries and will likely fill our sensory bin with a variety of play opportunities as we travel in that direction next week.


Pasta is another major staple to many world cuisines. It can be great for sensory play both cooked and uncooked. Uncooked pasta is definitely a longer-lasting sensory play material than its cooked counterpart. It is a great filler for a sensory bin or table. It can also be used for stringing, craft projects, even sticking in clay, playdough or floral foam for a great fine motor activity. The variety of shapes and textures of pasta are exciting enough to stand alone. Adding color definitely adds a new element of fun to explore. You can easily (and inexpensively) dye pasta at home with materials you likely already have on hand.

Make Your Own Rainbow Pasta

You Will Need:

• Uncooked pasta in your favorite shape 
• food coloring
• ziplock bags
• water

Directions: Decide how many colors you'd like to make. You will need about half a cup of pasta for each color, although you can adjust to dye more or less. Separate portions of pasta into the appropriate number of ziplock bags, one per color. If you prefer, you can use plastic containers for a less disposable alternative. To be a bit more earth-friendly, you could also re-use ziplock bags for future dying activities if you happen to make your own rainbow sensory materials more often. In each bag, you will need about 10 drops of food coloring in your color of choice and 1 teaspoon of water. Seal and shake your bag. Once color is sufficiently spread, lay your pasta to dry on a nonstick surface. I used a disposable foil pan. You could also use foil sheets or wax paper. Allow it to dry overnight or until color is set permanently. Enjoy the beautiful results for play, crafting, gluing or stringing. Rainbow pasta can be stored and used over the long term in a ziplock bag or container.

Happy, Hands-on Playing!