10 Easter Sensory Play Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Easter is just around the corner, and if you're looking for screen-free activities to keep little ones busy over the break, sensory play is your best friend. Here are 10 ideas you can set up at home with simple materials and a few themed trays.
1. Easter Bunny Rice Tray
Fill bunny-shaped filling trays with pastel-dyed rice. To colour rice at home: put dry rice in a zip-lock bag with a teaspoon of vinegar and a few drops of food colouring. Shake well and spread on a baking tray to dry overnight.
2. Chick & Egg Counting
Use chick and egg trays for a counting activity. Number each tray 1–5 and ask children to fill them with the matching number of spoonfuls. Simple maths disguised as play.
3. Spring Garden Small World
Set up a Tuff Tray with green-dyed rice as grass, shredded yellow tissue paper as straw, and Easter trays scattered throughout. Add small plastic flowers and insects for a complete spring garden scene.
4. Easter Egg Oat Scooping
Fill Easter egg trays with porridge oats using only spoons and tongs. The oval shapes are trickier to fill neatly than round ones, which makes it a brilliant fine motor challenge.
5. Colour Sorting Eggs
Dye rice in four pastel colours and lay out four egg trays. Children sort each colour into its own egg. This builds colour recognition, concentration, and patience — all while having fun.
6. Sensory Sand Dig
Bury small Easter toys in kinetic sand and let children excavate them into filling trays. Great for imaginative play and grip strength.
7. Water Play Ducklings
Take the play outside with warm water in a Tuff Tray. Our floating bath toys work perfectly for Easter-themed water play. Add scoops and pouring jugs for extra fun.
8. Easter Baking Station
Use play food trays alongside real baking ingredients for a pretend Easter bakery. Children can scoop flour, sugar (oats), and chocolate chips (lentils) into cupcake trays.
9. Story Telling with Trays
Read an Easter story, then use themed trays to retell it. Children fill the trays as each character appears in the story. This builds narrative skills and listening comprehension.
10. Treasure Hunt Tray
Hide small foil-wrapped eggs underneath rice in a large tray. Children dig through the sensory material to find the treasure. The anticipation keeps them focused for ages.
Tips for a Mess-Free Easter
- Lay down a shower curtain or old sheet under your Tuff Tray
- Use a dustpan and brush nearby for quick sweeps
- Dry materials like rice and oats can be reused — store in a zip-lock bag between sessions
- Set up outside if the weather's nice — nature does the cleanup
All of our Easter trays are 3D printed in the UK from eco-friendly PLA plastic. They're lightweight, durable, and designed for little hands.