One of my favourite things to up-cycle are squeeze pouch caps. They are colourful and round and the perfect size for toddler and preschooler hands. As long as your little one has stopped putting things in her mouth, these little gems are a perfect play and learning resource.

My current collection of caps. Adding to it every day!
In this activity, I paired them with water to make a super easy, no prep sensory bin activity for my three year old.
Here’s what’ll you need to get started:
Supplies
(This post contains affiliate links).
- Squeeze pouch caps
- 41 Qt, Clear Sensory Bin (Large)
- 15 Qt Clear Sensory Bin (Smaller)
- Water
- Play Kitchen Utensils, Pot, Pans, and Cups
- Slotted Spoon
Colourful Bowls
- Towel or bath mat
Set Up:
Grab all of your supplies. Set the sensory bins on the towel. Fill it up with an inch or two of water. Add the caps and play kitchen utensils and you are done!

Don’t make the mistake I did and forget to put down a towel or bathmat first! Otherwise there will be water everywhere!
Pretend Play
Almost immediately the pretend play began. Honestly, this was a bigger hit that I could have possibly imagined.

And yes she got completely soaked but she was very happy!
My daughter is really into playing restaurant and waiter right now and so she took to the role of soup kitchen owner immediately. Severing up hot pea soup and more to all her customers.

If you are wondering…yes I was her customer! We had tons of fun!
Each Colour a Food
Each colour cap was assigned a food. Red was apples, orange was oranges, yellow was either bananas or lemon, green was peas, blue was blue berries, purple was eggplant or grapes and pink was strawberries!

Adding some apple sauce to the soup!
She used the cups, bowls and slotted spoon to scoop, dip and pour!
She used the cutlery to test out her different creations before she served them up to her customers.

Yum, tastes good!
Testing the temperature to ensure that she didn’t burn any tongues!
HUGE Hit
This was a gigantic hit with my preschooler. I attempted to put it away in the evening before bedtime and she told me to leave it out so that she could play with it again tomorrow.

Testing her blue berry, grape, apple and pea juice! Yum!
This just gives me more incentive to save those caps. There are so many fun ways to play with them. And I guarantee if I had added play food to the sensory bin she would not have played for as long as she did or enjoy it as much.
Its because she had to use her imagination that made this activity such a hit!
Other Activities using Squeeze Pouch Caps
Looking for other ways to use your squeeze pouch caps? Check out these other great activities:
- Squeeze Pouch Lid Puzzle
- Cap Twist-off Board
- Phonics Boards
- Mirror Play
- Tubes and Caps
- Caps in the Bath
WILL YOU TRY CAPS KITCHEN AT YOUR HOUSE WITH YOUR TODDLER OR PRESCHOOLER? SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE!
Purchase your supplies now on Amazon.com.
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Sarah Fitts-Romig
I wanted to see the stone activity and it wouldn’t take me there, otherwise cool stuff.
Mandisa Watts
Thank you! And I fixed the link. It should take you to the Stone Washing post now!
Mandisa Watts
Thanks. I fixed the stone washing link. It should take you to the correct activity now.
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Angela Milnes
Wow, this is so cute and I’m sure my daughter would love this too. Glad that you share this
MyVeteranWoman
How fun! My kids loved playing with stuff like this when they were this age!
Mandisa Watts
Thank you! Simple toys are always best right! Let them use their imagination!
Jiya B
Wow such a cute activity it is. Caps Kitchen I am sure the darling in the picture had a lovely time.
Mandisa Watts
Thank you. She did!
Harassedmom (@laurakim123)
This is SO clever!! I have been throwing these caps away but now I am going to start collecting them!
Mandisa Watts
Thank you!
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