Using store cupboard staples such as red, green and brown lentils, rice and pearl barley to make collages adds an extra sensory dimension to your play – and is a good way to use up any leftover packets just past their eat-by-dates. Try and provide a mixture of shapes and colours and place them in little pots on your creation station.

The basic principle is: glue, sprinkle, dry. You can keep to one colour per section or mix it up a little.

You can freestyle on your glue and maybe make some repeating patterns – or draw out a design for your collage. Filling in outlines of letters and number allows children to feel the shape of the characters and makes a good addition to a sensory alphabet chart.

For more ideas, try making rangoli patterns with your children or try creating some art with spices with this idea shared with our Play Academy by My Kids Make.

happily shared with the resource centre and creative Friday and  upcycled awesome and kids get crafty and Made by Little Hands Monday and the Learning Laboratory and  Tot school and making Monday marvelous Craft Schooling Sunday