Slimy sensory tray – gooey, sticky, smelly explorations

What you need 

• Liquids that are safe for your toddler to explore, such as baby shampoo, conditioner or bubble bath  
• A tray or washing up bowl  
• Dry items to explore, like a sponge or flannel  

What to try 

• Create a sensory tray or bowl for your toddler to explore with their hands and feet. 
• If your toddler likes to get messy, pop liquids such as baby shampoo, conditioner or bubble bath into a tray and place it on the floor.   
• Invite your toddler to feel the liquids using their hands and feet. 
• Add dry items into the wet sensory play too – squeezing gooey fabric can feel fantastic. 

Make sure that any liquids you use are safe for your toddler’s skin. 

For both wet and dry play, you should stay with your toddler while they play as they might still explore using their mouths. 

Good to know 

Your toddler might be happy to play in their nappy, but if they prefer to wear clothes while getting a bit mucky with gooey liquids, just put them in something that’s easy to wash afterwards. 

Some toddlers can find this type of activity a little overwhelming. If your toddler is unsure about a sensory tray, letting them play with different textures at bath and shower time is just as good for exploration.