IKEA Hack: Playful learning with the Montessori sensory table

By consciously experiencing their senses through sensory play, children are encouraged in many areas of their development. With a sensory table, you can support your child in this in a simple way. We have summarised everything you need to know about sensory tables and give you tips for your own sensory table.

What is a sensory table?

A sensory table is a real playground wonder in a small format! You can fill the recessed boxes with a wide variety of materials - from fluffy modelling clay to crackling natural materials. This invites your child to explore with all their senses: feel, see, hear, smell - and of course be amazed! Free exploration often leads to concentrated play in which little discoverers explore their world with curiosity and creativity.

The importance of the senses in Montessori education

The experience of the senses plays a major role in Montessori education. According to Maria Montessori, children want to intensively train their senses and movements. Using so-called sensory material, they learn to understand their environment more easily, perceive it more consciously and categorise it better. True to the motto "Help me to do it myself", children can immerse themselves in the materials with the sensory table, immerse themselves in them and satisfy their natural need to explore their senses. A sensory table should not be a substitute for experiencing the senses in the child's environment and in nature, but a sensory table can be a simple extension of this in everyday life.

The IKEA FLISAT table as a sensory table

The IKEA FLISAT table* is perfect as a sensory table. This is because the children's table already has two integrated boxes* that are embedded in the table top. So you already have a ready-made sensory table without having to put your manual skills to the test. The IKEA FLISAT table is also at the right height for your little one so that they can stand comfortably and explore their senses. The boxes can be closed again after playing thanks to the lightweight table top, so that the sensory materials are well sealed.

2-in-1 sensory table and play table

Using adhesive foils that are customised to fit the IKEA FLISAT*, you can turn your sensory table into a play or painting table at the same time. The open table with its boxes serves as a sensory table. If you close the boxes with the glued table top, our creative motifs create a play or painting table.

DIY ice cream parlour in the FLISAT sensory table

A sensory table can be played with again and again - depending on the season, interests or imagination. Especially in summer, our DIY ice cream parlour provides lots of fun: with colourful adhesive foils and a few simple materials, the IKEA FLISAT table can be transformed into a colourful children's ice cream parlour in no time at all. And the best thing? The ice cream flavours are made from homemade cloud dough, which not only feels wonderfully fluffy, but is also very easy to make yourself.

To the DIY

Further ideas for the FLISAT

The IKEA TROFAST shelf as a sensory table

The IKEA TROFAST* can also be ideally converted into a sensory table. What many people don't realise is that the shelf also has a lot to offer upside down. To do this, turn the TROFAST shelf upside down. The base of the TROFAST now serves as a SPIELWIESE with a frame. In the next step, place a TROFAST box* on the shelf. The framed area and the box can then be filled with various materials.

Don't worry, you don't have to do without the storage function of the shelf by turning the TROFAST upside down. You can still store several TROFAST boxes and their contents on the shelf. The TROFAST is a real eye-catcher, especially with additionalFront panellingin the Limmaland design. Whether BLUMIG, DINO or TIERIG, there is a suitable motif for every child's room.

Further ideas for the TROFAST

Which materials are suitable for sensory boxes?

The possibilities are huge! Just have a look at what you have at home: dry pasta, rice or flour make for exciting structures. Or go on a treasure hunt in nature together - with rustling leaves, moss or small branches. Important: The younger your little one is, the larger the materials should be - and please only allow them to play under supervision. We have put together a list of ideas for sensory boxes to help you make your choice:

Cooking and baking ingredients such as rice, lentils, pasta, oatmeal, flour, nutshells
From nature: sticks, grasses, moss, shells, earth, snow, water, stones
Magic sand
Shaving or hair foam
Cloud modelling clay
Feathers
Scraps of paper
Things made of fabric, such as pompoms
Water beads
Marbles
Lego bricks
Buttons
Corks
Different coloured ribbons

The DIY mud kitchen as a sensory table

Does your little one prefer to play with real sand and likes to mess around? Then the mud kitchen is perfect for you. With just a few simple steps, IKEA KNAGGLIG crates and TROFAST boxes can be transformed into a wonderful mud kitchen in no time at all - a kind of sandpit with a lid. Perfect for stirring, mixing and "cooking". With the custom-fit foils from Limmaland for the TROFAST lids, you can transform the boxes into a magical kitchen, barbecue or construction site.

To the DIY mud kitchen