Book Week / Story Small-World Tray
Story Small-World Tray
Younger children build a small-world tray based on a favourite book using sand, figurines and natural items, then play out the story.
How to run it
- Choose a book with a clear setting.
- Fill trays with sand or other base materials.
- Add figurines and natural items.
- Children create the story setting.
- Act out the story using the tray.
You will need
- trays
- sand
- figurines
- natural items
Make it easier or harderProvide a pre-made tray for younger children; others can design their own story scene.
SafetyKeep small figurines away from children who mouth objects.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 5, Outcome 4Children retell stories through sensory and imaginative play.
Fits these theme days
More like this
Art Through the Ages · Time Travellers Day · Dinosaur Day +2
Ochre-Style Cave Painting
Children paint animals and patterns on scrunched brown paper with earthy colours, exploring how early people around the world recorded life in pictures.
At the Building Site · Sensory Day · Messy Play Day +2Grey Concrete Playdough Site
Younger children squash, dig and scoop grey playdough with toy diggers, creating a pretend construction site.
Beach Day · Summer Holidays · Under the Sea +2Sand Sculpture Contest
Children sculpt animals, cars or creatures from damp sand, exploring texture and design in a creative outdoor contest.
Before School Calm Start · Book Week · Big Kids Club +1Quiet Homework Corner
A quiet corner with desks and books gives older children a calm space to read or finish homework with an educator nearby.