Rainbow Salt Tray Sensory Writing Activities for Preschool

A Rainbow Salt Tray is a fun way to include pre-writing activities into your child’s day. Children can use these sensory writing trays with sandpaper letters, sight words, to draw pictures, write their name, and even create shapes and patterns. Sensory writing activities keep children engaged and learning in a fun hands on way.

Montessori Salt Tray

Rainbow Salt Tray Sensory Writing Activities for Preschool

This Montessori salt tray is easy to put together and it’s perfect for your spring shelves.

My younger children have always loved using salt and sand trays as well as any other sensory activity they could get their hands in. That’s why I was so excited to share this fun rainbow activity. Bells loves everything rainbow, so this writing tray was a huge success.

What you will need to make your Rainbow Salt Tray is in this picture below.

Sensory writing activities

6 Sheets Colored Paper—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple
1 Container Salt
Sheet Pan or Tray
Scissors
Tape

Start by cutting one strip of each color paper, making sure they are all the same size. The size will depend on your tray or pan size. You want the strips to fill up the entire tray, so make sure to cut the strips the correct size.

Next, tape the paper strips together on the back sides so they stay in place on the pan.

Put the paper on the tray and pour salt over it, making sure to cover the entire tray in a thin coat. You can also use rice, or colored sand if you prefer those over salt.

Salt tray writing activity for preschoolers

Start by showing your child how to write letters in the salt tray using their pointer finger.

To practice writing you can also provide a paintbrush, stick, chopsticks, feather or something similar for them to use to write with.

Place the letter or word they want to draw in front of them and have them trace it in the salt or sand. Your child can use their finger to write words, numbers, or draw pictures in the salt.

Multi-Sensory Activities for Preschoolers

Salt Writing

Salt Trays are easy to put together all you need is Salt and a tray, but adding glitter, or colored paper on the bottom makes it even more exciting.

Make sure to use a tray or dish with at least 1/2 inch sides so it doesn’t make a mess and the salt stays in the area.

This rainbow salt tray is great for kids to have fun and learn at the same time!

Younger children can practice writing letters and numbers in their salt tray. You can also let your children use their imagination and draw pictures in the sand or salt to get used to the feeling.

Benefits of A Sensory Writing Tray

Creativity
Multi-Sensory activities help children retain more
Strengthen fine motor skills
Pre-writing skills
Hand-Eye Coordination

Writing is an important life skill, and by giving your child fun activities that support fine motor development, they will be well on their way to learning and growing their skills.