Water & Wonder Go Hand in Hand

After doing an interview with Tom Bedard and taking several of his classes I saw that my sensory experiences were getting stale.  Kids were not engaging with the sensory table and when they were, the play was not always positive. Tom Bedard sparked my inner child and these photos are some of the ideas he ignited in me.

I went to the local Fleet Farm and purchased a variety of plastic tubing, and funnels.  I added an old sprinkler and took a milk crate and ran the tubes through the crate. The result is this contraption.  I anchored the tubing with duct tape to help keep it from slipping out but it can easily be rearranged when it becomes necessary to change it up again.  Some parts are loose so they are able to be moved at any time as the children desire to try new things. 

I often add food coloring or liquid watercolor paint to the water so it is easy to watch it progress through the tubing. It is fun to watch the children guess where the water will come out and track it through the tubing to see if they are right. 

Basic science is explored as hypothesis are made about what will happen and where the water will travel. Self help skills increase as water is transferred from bucket to funnels. Balance, persistence and spacial concepts develop as children move around each other.  Language development is on going as well as literacy.  Gross motor and fine motor skills are honed as children play. The learning that takes places is intensive. I encourage you to just sit back and watch.


We have used it inside in the sensory table and on hot days we take it outside and find a way to set it up.  My goal is to some day create one on the playground fence that can always invite creative play and water our gardens too.


If you are inspired by these pictures check out Tom Bedard's Blog: Sand and Water Tables and his Facebook page: Sand And Water Tables