Apple Pie Sensory Play aka The Most Adorable Messy Tray
- Itala Hill
- Sep 15
- 3 min read
Looking for a cozy autumn activity that blends play, learning, and just the right amount of mess? This Apple Pie Sensory Play setup brings together pretend play, fine motor skills, and early math practice - all while celebrating apple season. It’s perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and early years, and it can easily be adapted to suit different ages.
This activity encourages creativity, imagination, and hands-on learning, plus it’s a great way to introduce little ones to seasonal traditions.
What you’ll need:
Print Apple Pie Printables (download button below)
A tray or shallow container
Oats (as the sensory base)
Red and green mini pompoms (to represent apples) - I used yellow too for extra quantity
Small trays or bowls (any you already have at home)
Beige felt (for the pastry)
Brown felt or small sticks (for cinnamon sticks)
Scoops, spoons, or tongs (for fine motor practice)
How to Make the Felt Pastry and Cinnamon Sticks
Cinnamon sticks – Cut 3 squares of brown felt (about 6 x 6 cm). Roll each square tightly and secure the end with tape. These will look just like little cinnamon sticks!
Pastry top – Print the pastry template and trace it onto beige felt. Cut out the shapes to create the pie crust.
Lattice top – For an extra fine motor challenge, cut strips of beige felt and practice weaving them to make a criss-cross lattice pie top.
How to Set Up the Sensory Tray
Pour oats into the tray to make a soft, sensory base.
Add the pompoms, felt pastry pieces, and cinnamon sticks.
Place scoops, bowls, and trays around for your child to “bake” their apple pie.
Demonstrate how to assemble a pie, including weaving the felt strips over the top.
Once they’ve explored freely, introduce the Apple Pie Recipe Cards (printable) to guide them through counting, measuring, and following simple steps.
Extend the Play with Learning
Maths practice: Use our Apple Pie Recipe Cards to measure, count, and follow simple instructions.
Fine motor skills: Scooping oats, pinching pompoms, and weaving felt help strengthen little hands.
Pretend play: Children love serving their freshly “baked” pies to family or toys
Sensory exploration – Oats, felt, and pompoms all provide different textures for curious hands.
✨ Tip: Pair this activity with a real apple pie baking session for a memorable day full of sensory exploration and delicious smells! Check out our delicious recipe [here].
Recommended Books to Pair with This Activity 🍏📚
These stories tie beautifully into the themes of apples, pies, and autumn, and make a cozy read-aloud to extend your sensory play:
A New House for Mouse by Petr Horáček – A sweet story featuring apples as part of Mouse’s adventure.
Ten Red Apples by Pat Hutchins – A counting story full of rhythm and rhyme.
Apples, Apples, Apples by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace – A fun and fact-filled look at an apple orchard.
The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall – Follows a tree through the seasons until apples are ready for pie.
Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington – A charming book about growing, harvesting, and baking with apples.
How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman – A playful, travel-filled twist on apple pie making.
In the Garden with Van Gogh by Julie Merberg and Suzanne Bober – Gentle art-inspired board book, perfect for introducing the idea of seasonal changes.
Until next time,
Itala
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