Whether your child is learning letters or simple words, an ocean sensory writing tray is an engaging, tactile learning activity that kids love. It’s quick and easy to make, and our free printable is only a click away.
What is an ocean sensory writing tray?
When kids learn a new concept, such as remembering letter names or reading beginning words, we want to make it hands-on and joyful.
Learning letter names could be boring…or it could be marvelously fun.
An ocean sensory writing tray takes a relatively bland concept and makes it colorful, sensory-rich, and something kids will LOVE to do.
It only takes minutes to be made and can be kept for years of learning and play.
Related: Writing trays are fun year-round, and we have a Fall writing tray (with a free printable) for you, too!
How an Ocean Sensory Writing Tray Supports Different Learning Styles
You might be familiar with the concept of different “types of learners.”
- Some people do well visualizing new information (visual learners).
- Some people do well interacting with new information (kinesthetic learners).
- Others learn best by listening to new information (auditory learners).
Do you identify with one of the above? I am certainly a combination of the three above (and there are even more learning styles!)
An activity like the ocean sensory writing tray connects visual, kinesthetic, and auditory learning, making it a fantastic tool for kids who all learn differently.
Check out some of our other favorite activities for various learners:
Materials
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- Free letter printable – comes with uppercase and lowercase pastel seashells
- Salt – you could also use sand
- Shallow tray
- Coloring – ex: liquid watercolors or food coloring
- Jar with lid or zippered plastic bag
How do you make a sensory writing tray?
Step 1: Make the colored salt
Add about 1-2 cups of salt into a jar or zippered plastic bag with a small amount of coloring.
Shake until thoroughly combined.
Spread into a shallow container.
For a more detailed guide on making colored salt, check out this blog post.
Step 2: Print and cut out the letter cards
We print either on copy paper or cardstock.
Sometimes, we laminate these, too.
Step 3: Start writing letters
Invite your child to pick one letter at a time and to write it in the colored salt.
After each letter, shake the tray or run your hand along the top of the salt to make it smooth again.
Other fun ways to use the writing tray
Picking up individual letters and writing them is fun on its own, but we have even more ideas for using the materials.
- Scavenger hunt: hide the letter cards around a room, and as your child finds them, they go to the tray to write them one at a time
- Phonics fun: say the sound of a letter and invite your child to find the card in their collection, then write in the salt
- Painting letters: instead of using your finger to write the letters in the salt, switch it up with various-sized paintbrushes
- Sight word practice: if your child is a beginning reader, write some of their practice words on cards and invite them to write them in the salt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any that can safely use the materials.
Absolutely! Letters from puzzles, books, flash cards, beads, and blocks work great, too.
When the salt is still wet, there’s a chance it could stain (though the color is so diluted that it’s unlikely). If you wait until the salt is dry and you do this activity with dry hands, it shouldn’t stain.
I love this idea.
Am I missing where the letter printables are in this article?
Hello! They are under “Materials” 🙂