Thursday, July 04, 2019

Kinetic Sand Potato Heads Sensory Activity

This blog uses affiliate links. Basically, I make a small commission when you use these links, at no additional cost to you.

Create your free account for the Hyperlexia Hub today!


Looking for Mr. Potato Head activities for toddlers and preschoolers? Try this simple kinetic sand potato head idea that works on fine motor skills and imaginative play.

This kinetic sand Mr. Potato Head activity is simple sensory play at its finest. 

It all started when three year old K declared, "I want to play with kinetic sand." 

While I was grabbing our sensory container for the kinetic sand, I was thinking of what I could pair with it this time. 

Then I stepped on some random limb of Mr. Potato Head. Poor, poor, Mr. Potato Head...

So yes, this genius idea born from toy clutter on the floor.

Best way to play with kinetic sand is to add Mr. Potato head pieces with this simple potato head activity for toddlers and preschoolers

Simple Mr. Potato Head Activity for Toddlers & Preschoolers - Using Kinetic Sand!

Here's what you'll need for this activity:

I helped K form big and little balls of kinetic sand for the bodies, but otherwise these creations are all his. It was such a fun mix of fine motor play, sensory play, and imaginative play.

Mr. potato head activity with kinetic sand

How to Use Kinetic Sand to Teach Body Parts & Language

This sensory activity was also a great way to discuss body parts and build vocabulary and language skills. When your child is playing, you can say things like, "I like that you're adding ears! Ears go on the side of the head."

Fun way to play with kinetic sand using potato head pieces

You can also describe things like "Oh I see you are putting the hat on his head. Great idea!" Phrases like this make use of prepositions in addition to teaching vocabulary.

Fun way to play with kinetic sand using potato head pieces

And you can explain how to form the body by compacting the kinetic sand or forming it into a ball and then adding it to the shoes. You can use all sorts of awesome verbs and adjectives like hard, squeeze, squish, roll, pat, squish, mold, etc.

Kinetic sand sensory activity for preschoolers and toddlers

Kinetic Sand Creations Using Potato Head Pieces

Here are a couple of K's kinetic sand potato head creations. First up, "the baby."

Kinetic sand potato head activity for kids

And this gorgeous creature is none other than me aka "mommy." He carefully cradled my kinetic sand body from one end of the sensory bin container to the other, chattering away about mommy related things.

Kinetic sand potato head activity for kids

Then somehow from there he moved to "making smoothies" with the kinetic sand. He talked about adding "some sprinkles" and "little bit of cocoa powder." I tell you, this kid is going to be a chef when he grows up! He loves everything about food and cooking.

Other Kinetic Sand Activities You'll Love

Kinetic Sand & Cups Activity

Kinetic Sand LEGO Stamping

Kinetic Sand Spiders

This kinetic sand potato head activity for kids is brilliant! It's a great way for toddlers and preschool kids to work on fine motor skills and get creative.