Five Senses Snack Tray

It's senses week, and we're kicking it off with a snack your little one explores with their whole body. The Five Senses Snack Tray has one little section for each sense: something colorful to look at, something crunchy to listen to, something to smell, something to touch and something to taste. They go section by section and name the sense they're using.

What you need

A muffin tin, ice cube tray or divided plate, plus:

• See: a rainbow of small fruit, like strawberries, orange segments and blueberries

• Hear: crunchy crackers or rice cakes

• Smell: orange or clementine segments (peel one in front of them)

• Touch: something with an interesting feel, like a kiwi half (fuzzy outside, smooth inside) or a soft banana slice

• Taste: a small spoonful of yogurt for dipping

How to make it

1. Fill the tray. Put one food in each section. Let your child help place them.

2. Look first. "Use your eyes. What colors do you see?"

3. Listen. Take a bite of a cracker next to each other's ears. "Can you hear the crunch?"

4. Smell. Peel an orange together and take a big sniff.

5. Touch and taste. Feel the kiwi skin, then dip fruit in yogurt and taste. Ask, "Is it sweet? Is it soft? Is it cold?"

Why we love it

Little kids learn with all five senses at once. This tray slows things down so they notice each one: sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. It also gives them new words to describe food, like crunchy, fuzzy, juicy and tangy, which builds language along with curiosity.

Make it your own

• Count to 4: Put four pieces in each section. It's Number 4 day!

• Blindfold game: For older kids, close eyes and guess a food by smell or touch.

• Letter D swap: Save a spot for a date or a slice of dragon fruit to preview tomorrow's letter.

A quick safety note: For kids under 4, halve or flatten blueberries, cut strawberries small and remove orange seeds. Always have your child sit while eating. Skip anything your family avoids.

Shop these items

Everything mentioned in this post, in one place. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

• Kids art trays

• Shop everything for Week 4: My Senses

• Starter supplies: the basics we use most weeks

• See every week in our Amazon storefront

More for this week: see all our Five Senses activities, Letter D activities and Number 4 activities.

Every child is different. Please use your own judgment about what's safe and right for your family. Always supervise children during activities and while eating, and adjust foods for allergies, dietary needs and your child's age and chewing ability. Sprocket & Sprout shares these ideas for fun and learning only. We are not responsible for any injury, allergic reaction, damage or mess that may result from trying them. This post may contain affiliate links; if you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.