Cleaning the Dusty Musties Sensory Station

Cleaning the Dusty Musties Sensory Station

Earlier in the month we had some dusty toys I pulled out from under the kids’ beds that I told the kids to stay away from so I could clean them. Ada made the connection with the ‘dusty musties’ from a Doc McStuffins episode about a dusty bear that had to be cleaned as the dust caused Doc’s brother to be allergenic. At that point I gave the washable toys a quick rinse and set up a simple soapy water bin for her. A bit later we bought and had the Melissa and Doug Seaside Sidekicks Cupcake set delivered through Amazon. The next day after we got home from an outing and I left the kids alone for a few minutes Ada ended up setting up a ‘snack’ for herself and Zoey. The snack consisted of filling the cupcakes liners and toy plates with small toy dinosaurs and water. I set it aside to clean up later and forgot about it when I went on to figure out an actual snack for them. After I put Zoey down for a nap I took the soapy bubbles sensory bin idea I had from before, simplified it so it had less bubbles, and added other stations so Ada could do a Doc McStuffins inspired ‘dusty musty’ clean up sensory station. Later on I included the Melissa and Doug Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set (I might as well let those get washed too).

Cleaning the Dusty Musties

Materials I used

  • Water-proof toys that you can say have ‘dusty musties’ and need cleaning. Depending on what your child likes this can be vehicles, sand toys, bath toys, or regular sensory bin toys including measuring cups or pouring cups. It can even include their rinsed off plastic dishes if you want a head start on the dishes that night… joking… kind of.
  • Specifically since Ada added water to them already I used a small plastic jars of dinosaurs I bought for $3 from Target and a Melissa and Doug Seaside Sidekicks Cupcake and Baking Set. I also had a set of four appetizer plates I bought in the Dollar section of Target for their kitchen set.
  • Two bins for the soapy and plain water
  • Dishsoap for soapy water. If you want a more intense soapy bubble you can check out my previous post where I used a blender (or standmixer) to make the bubbles.
  • Kitchen towel to set the wet toys and/or to dry the toys
  • (Optional) A place to put the finished toys when they’re done.

I started out by laying out the toys that have the ‘dusty musties’ on one side of the table. That was followed by a bin with soapy water (dish soap and water) and a washcloth, then a bin with plain water, and then finally a kitchen towel to set the toys on. If you want you could give them a second towel to dry their toys with but by the time I thought of that Ada had a system and waited a bit before accepting the second towel.

Setting up the sensory station to wash the 'dusty musties' from our toys.
Setting up the sensory station to wash the ‘dusty musties’ from our toys.
On the one side I laid out the toys to be washed.
On the one side I laid out the toys to be washed.
Then a bin of soapy water.
Then a bin of soapy water.
A bin of clean water to rinse them off.
A bin of clean water to rinse them off.
And then a kitchen towel to set them on and optionally dry them off with.
And then a kitchen towel to set them on and optionally dry them off with.

And then let them play! This is perfect if you need a chance to clean the kitchen, prepare supper, or you just need a break. With younger kids I recommend being nearby because of the water.

Getting right to it!
Getting right to it!
I gave her a dishcloth and you can always give an extra kitchen towel.
I gave her a dishcloth and you can always give an extra kitchen towel.

While she was playing I opened the other Amazon box that was delivered so I was easily able to extend the play by adding the baking set to the toys with the ‘dusty musties’. If you notice them getting bored with it you could further extend the play with more toys that you may happen to find or you can change out the water if it needs to be warmer, more bubbly, or less bubbly.

See how they play as the 'wash' the 'dusty musties' from the toys.
See how they play as the ‘wash’ the ‘dusty musties’ from the toys.

I tried to move the bins around to help Ada get to what she wanted but she had a system going on so I took a step back and laid out a second towel for if she wanted it later.

You can even throw in extra non-breakable supplies from the kitchen if you'd like.
You can even throw in extra non-breakable supplies from the kitchen if you’d like.
The turtles from either set ended up stacked and watching the activity... but not the other animals.
The turtles from either set ended up stacked and watching the activity… but not the other animals.

At the end she was looking for a place to put her partially dried toys so I gave her an Amazon box to use.

And when you're done you can get them to put them all away... or in a temporary box while the still wet ones dry.
And when you’re done you can get them to put them all away… or in a temporary box while the still wet ones dry.

This can be as complicated or as simple as you want. The first time we came up with the ‘dusty musties’ I was trying to get lunch or supper on the table and she kept asking to clean the toys. I gave her a single bin, bowl full of soapy water, and a washcloth then and it kept her busy until the meal was ready.

If you want it simpler you could contain it to a single sensory bin and, optionally, keep the soap in a bowl inside it.
If you want it simpler you could contain it to a single sensory bin and, optionally, keep the soap in a bowl inside it.

I hope this simple idea helps you out when you’re looking for something for your kids to do. I love how it works for so many ages and interests. If you’re not into Doc McStuffins you’re cleaning the toys while if you love the show the activity is brand new because you’re doctoring your toys. I’d love to hear from you through the comments below, on my Facebook page, or through Instagram. I hope you have a great day.




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