Celebrate Sinterklaas with this easy to make sensory tray.

A Sinterklaas sensory tray is perfect for celebrating the holiday as it engages multiple senses, enhancing the overall festive experience. The various textures and materials in the tray, such as the kruidnoten (referred to as ginger nuts or spiced nuts) and the traditional Sinterklaas symbols, provide tactile stimulation.

Additionally incorporating book play in a sensory tray makes the Sinterklaas experience more educational and immersive. Including a book about Sinterklaas and stories associated with the celebration adds a literary element to the sensory exploration. It not only enhances children’s understanding of the cultural significance but also promotes language development and storytelling skills.

I surprised the boys with a Sinterklaas sensory tray along with the book, Sinterklaas zakt door zijn paard. It tells a story about Sinterklaas’ horse, Amerigo. He became too fat that he cannot carry both Sint and Piet Pedro anymore. Pedro suggested that Amerigo needs to go on a diet, but there are a lot of temptations.

How to create a Sinterklaas sensory tray:

Materials needed:

• Round wooden tray
• Grafix Sinterklaas foam stickers
• Kruidnoten (gingerbread nuts)

For the colored rice:

• Food coloring; red and yellow
• 1 cup of rice
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• Container with lid or ziplock bag
• Paper towel

Instructions:

For the colored rice:

• Fill the ziplock with a cup of rice.
• Pour the vinegar.
• Pour a few drops of the red food coloring.
• Close the ziplock.
• Mix and spread the food coloring with the rice.
• Add more drops until you reach your desired hue.
• Pour the colored rice evenly on the paper towel and let dry.
• Do the same to the yellow rice.

How to set up:

• Mix the red and yellow rice in the tray.
• Add the stickers on top.
• Add some of the kruidnoten.
• Prepare spoons and bowls on the side.
• Read the book.
• Invite kids to play.

PIN ME FOR LATER