Using a mirrored surface for sensory play is a fun and exciting way for toddlers and preschoolers to explore and examine small items in a way that they haven’t before.
You can see all of our mirror play activities here.
Earlier this week, I did something I’ve been wanting to do for a while now. We enjoyed some sensory play on a mirror, and it was very, VERY cool.
On this day, the hooligans were merely investigating a variety of natural items with tongs and tweezers, but placing the materials on top of a mirror added an entirely new perspective to a rather ordinary type of activity.
The Mirror:
The mirror that we used is one that normally hangs in the dress up area of our craft-room. It”s slightly smaller than the average full-length mirror, and it has a wooden frame around it. I simply set the mirror on the second-hand coffee-table that we use as a craft and activity table. It probably goes without saying, but just to be safe, I feel the need to say: be sure to place your mirror on a table or flat surface that completely supports it. You don’t want your child leaning or stepping on it and shattering the glass.
The Activity:
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Suggested Materials:
I provided the hooligans with a tray full of natural items:
- coffee beans (they were stale, and headed for the compost bin)
- dyed pasta (recipe here)
- buttons
- polished stones
- natural beach rocks
- seashells
- corn kernels (we’ve been playing with these for a year now)
I had all of the items arranged in a wooden “Lazy Susan” and I provided an assortment of tools for the hooligans to examine them with: tweezers, tongs, scoops, wooden bowls and a magnifying glass.
The hooligans began by sprinkling and scattering handfuls of the goodies across the mirror just as I expected them to do.
But what happened next was not so ordinary. They noticed something; they noticed that the sky was underneath them!
And then they noticed the clouds, and that the reflection changed as the clouds moved across the sky.
And later when I moved the table underneath the tree, the littlest one said “ohhh, leaves!” when she looked down into the mirror.
I can’t describe how strange it was to look down only to find yourself looking up into the branches and leaves of our massive maple tree. I’ve definitely never looked at the tree in quite the same way before. It literally gave us a new perspective.
And of course, they noticed themselves. They got a real charge out of seeing themselves and each other looking back at them from their play surface. 
The frame around the mirror contained all of the objects on the mirror, and they seemed to know this, and they pushed and plowed all of the goodies around the table, knowing that they wouldn’t spill off the edges.
And the sound of the pasta, stones, buttons and kernels clattering around on the glass was wonderful.
I hope you’ll try this one. It’s one of those things that you have to experience first-hand to really appreciate. Don’t worry if you don’t have a full-length mirror. Any picture frame type mirror will do. Even a hand mirror would provide your child with an interesting surface to play on! 
More Ways to Use a Mirror for Preschool Activities:
Painting on a Mirrored Surface
Exploring Shaving Cream on a Mirror
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Jackie is a mom, wife, home daycare provider, and the creative spirit behind Happy Hooligans. She specializes in kids’ crafts and activities, easy recipes, and parenting. She began blogging in 2011, and today, Happy Hooligans inspires more than 2 million parents, caregivers and Early Years Professionals all over the globe.
Alanna
Did it scratch the mirror at all?
happyhooligans
No, Alanna, it didn’t, but to be safe, you probably shouldn’t use a mirror that you care a great deal about just in case. Ours was a thrift shop find.
Amy @ The Connection We Share
This is so cool! I’ve never thought to use mirrors as a table for sensory activities. I have a piece of plexi glass laying around, I’m going to start using it!!!
happyhooligans
That’s a great start, Amy! I’ve often thought that plexi-glass would be a great surface for playing on.
Karen Schravemade
What an awesome idea! Those photos are gorgeous!
happyhooligans
Thank you, Karen! This was truly one of the most beautiful sensory activities we’ve ever done here. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post.
getmovingfitness2013
This is wonderful and I would love for you to share at my sensory play pin party this weekhttp://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/ultimate-sensory-pinning-play-party-6/
TheBoyandMe
Oh wow. Seriously! I’ve got all of those things, I’ve got a sectioned bowl, I’ve got a mirror but I have never thought of using a mirror for sensory play. I think I’ll be doing this over the weekend, thanks so much.
Nipping over from the Outdoor Play Party.
happyhooligans
I would love to hear how it goes over at your house! Drop me a line, and let me know if you enjoy it as much as we did!
Melodie Weeks
Very cool idea! I’m sure most of you realize this safety issue, but I thought I should share. Safety mirror glass would be best. Here in Oregon, USA our child care license department would have a fit if they saw a provider using a standard house mirror for a children’s activity. We are required to use children’s safety glass mirrors/non-shatter in our playrooms. Always something, sorry to be a downer. As soon as I can get a non shatter mirror I will hop on this idea, Thanks for sharing it!
Kierna
Love this idea! The reflections of the sky & trees are gorgeous. Cheers for linking up.
Lauren
Wow, what a neat idea to use a mirror for play! Thank you for sharing at our Pinning for Play link party!
Ruth Anne
Really love this idea. And the photos are gorgeous too! Thank you so much for sharing. Visiting from Simple Things Sunday
Bonnie Sanders
Very creative! I love the idea of playing with art and reflections.
Crystal
What a fabulous idea! I never would have thought of this. So much fun. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Debs
Gorgeous Jackie! Must take a mirror outside!
Heather
I bet if this activity was done inside it wouldn’t have been quite as engaging. The reflections of the moving clouds and rustling leaves really sounded like it added so much to the experience!
happyhooligans
You’re right in that the sky and the trees definitely added a very enchanting quality to this activity, Heather.
Christy
What a great idea! Amazing how so often it’s the simplest things that the kids enjoy the most…
Lisa
I have really enjoyed looking around your blog tonight, new subscriber! I have three little ones of my own, and while I do not plan to start a full on daycare, I also take care of my neighbors children as well – so I love getting new & fun ideas!
happyhooligans
Oh, perfect, Lisa! We’ll keep you stocked up with plenty of ideas to keep your little ones (and your neighbour’s) having a great old time! So glad you’re following along with us now! Welcome!
Angela
What a great idea! Pinned this! I’ll be doing it with my kids for one of our preschool activites!
happyhooligans
Thanks for pinning, Angela! I hope your hooligans love this one as much as we did!
Molly
Love this site! I work full time, 12hrs shifts, and am off twice a week. I always felt too busy to think of how to do all of the fun things daycare gets to do with my toddler, but these ideas make it easy to do simple things that make our time together so special! Today we did the paint with marbles activity and it evolved into finger paint on different surfaces, paper and old sheets and grass, so fun! That morphed into an awesome bath party! Thanks for the ideas, I look forward to trying this one soon 🙂
happyhooligans
Molly, your comment just made my night! That’s exactly why I blog about the things we do here! To pass all the stuff that works here with MY hooligans on to Moms like yourself, to try with YOUR hooligans! I’m so happy you’re enjoying our ideas! It sounds like you had a super time with the marbles-finger-painting-bath festivities! Don’t you love it when an activity takes on a life of its own?
Anna@The Measured Mom
Using it outside — what a great idea! The sky and other reflections are beautiful. I just need to get my hands on an old mirror… Thanks for sharing at After School!
Heather
That photo is enchanting- for me!
Missy
What a neat idea! I’ve pinned it to my Sensory Experiences board on Pinterest. Thank you for sharing!
I found your post through the After School Link-up.
Clarissa Hooper
What a beautiful way to have sensory play! Great idea!
Tara from The Magnolia Barn
Such a wonderful, creative idea.
Theresa-Capri + 3
I love this! The picture with the sky reflected in the mirror is beautiful! You were chosen as one of the five posts pinned to the Artsy Play Wednesday board. Thank you for sharing this wonderful post.
happyhooligans
Thank you, Theresa! How exciting! This activity was as beautiful in real life as it was in the photos It was such an amazing play experience.
Hannah @ Making Boys Men
I love this idea, we’ve never played with mirrors as I’ve always assumed you might need a special type, but now I will keep an eye out in the charity shop. Loving the sky and leaves reflections, im off to pin this and will feature it in tomorrow’s Outdoor Play Party
happyhooligans
Thanks so much, Hannah! This really has been a popular post! And it’s as pretty in real life as it is in the photos. When you’re looking for a mirror in the thrift shops, keep your eyes open for one that has a frame around it, like mine does. It makes it much easier for handling, and it contains all of the items that you’re playing with.
Cassi
It sounds enchanting and I can just imagine the soft taps and clinks of the items on the mirror being so soothing. I’ll be featuring this on The Crafty Crow soon!
happyhooligans
Yes! Exactly, Cassie! The clacking and soft clattering really added to the whole sensory experience! I’m so happy to know that you’ll be sharing this post! I’m thrilled that a larger audience will get to see it, and hopefully be inspired to try it! Thank you! 🙂
thequiverfull
Loved this so much! I have sent it to a teacher friend! I can’t wait to get into a classroom and try it out! That is the down side of Relief teaching! I might set it up for my friend’s children in the meantime! Glad I found you!
Sue
jan
Great idea, I have a class of pmld pupils in early years that I teach for messy play, tgey are going to love this. Thanks xxx
Clasina
I once did this in a slightly different way.with the children in my class. Every child hold a mirrortile in his hand and looked at it. They formed a row and the first one had no mirror but lead the way so that everyone was safe. They walk through the wood in an row while looking on down to the mirror that reflected the sky and the threecrowns. And they where very confused and thrilled by this experience. Very nice to do it yourself.
Clasina(Holland)
Sharon
We have been using a tuff spot and child friendly mirror this term but have not taken it outside. Wow! I am going to try this when we are back.
Laneic Lavalle
This looks AMAZING and such a great opportunity for kids to explore, especially outside. It would be cool to do it outside in different weather too. A cloudy day, sunny day, etc.