Water Tray Exploration - Invitation to Play

Water Tray Exploration is a calming, open-ended sensory invitation designed to encourage children to investigate water through pouring, splashing, floating, sinking, tipping and movement. Children are supported to explore cause and effect, mathematical concepts, problem solving and language naturally through hands-on play and repetition.

Inside this beautiful digital PDF download you will receive:

• A full invitation to play overview• Water tray set-up inspiration and guidance• Adult role and interaction prompts• Ideas for floating, sinking, pouring, tipping and transporting water• Differentiation and progression guidance from 9 months to 5 years• Inclusion and adaptation support• EYFS links naturally embedded throughout• Rich vocabulary prompts linked to water exploration• Printable vocabulary cards including float, sink, tip, drip, stream, spill, bubble and measure• Support for communication, problem solving, sensory exploration, coordination and confidence building

This resource forms part of our wider Water, Movement & Sensory Exploration Curriculum Framework and has been designed for real early years environments including childminders, nurseries and home educators wanting meaningful sensory play that is calm, engaging and easy to adapt.

Digital download only.Individual licence for single setting use only.

Please tag The Early Years Edit on social media when sharing your invitations to play — we absolutely love seeing your set-ups and how children engage with the resources in real settings. 🩵