Sensory bins are a lot of fun for toddlers and preschoolers, but what do you put in them? How do you make a theme for your bin? Well, here are some ideas to get you started with sensory play.
What’s a sensory bin?
A sensory bin is a box or container that holds items your toddler or preschooler (or really any child or adult for that matter) can explore with their senses.
Mostly they revolve around touch but there are also quite a few that you can smell and taste.
Sound is a part of it too because the sound of beans pouring into the bin is nice. It’s like ASMR for kids. (lol) I love the sound of dried macaroni on the plastic.
How do toddlers and preschoolers play with sensory bins?
However they want.
They’re supposed to be exploratory “toys.” They’re open ended so they don’t really have a right way or a wrong way to play.
You can have some sort of objective if you want like find all the toys buried in the bin. But don’t limit your kid to one way to play.
Just leave them alone with it and they’ll figure it out how they want. Some kids will play with a sensory box for hours at a time.
These sensory activities are great for when you need a break from playing because little ones are more likely to play independently when using all of their senses.
Easy and fun sensory bin ideas for toddlers and preschoolers. You can take these ideas and make them your own with substitutions or by adding other things.
1
Washing Dishes Sensory Bin Idea
This is one of my daughter's favorite sensory activities. She loves playing with water and for some reason she likes to do chores. This is an easy way to play dishes without getting the sink and cabinets all wet.
2
Create with Crayons Easy Sensory Bin Idea
Here's a creative sensory bin that you can make with simple household items.
3
Rubber ducky, you're the one! You make sensory bins lots of fun!
4
Ocean Sensory Bin
Photo Credit: fabworkingmomlife.com
There's more than one sensory play with this idea. This ocean bin also involves ice for a little extra fun.
5
Easy Cheerio Sensory Bin
Photo Credit: spitupandsitups.com
Toddlers love to eat Cheerios. Why not let them play with them?
6
Nature Soup
Photo Credit: happilyevermom.com
This is a mess free sensory bin. And she has a really cool explanation about why kids are done with activities so quickly and how to get them to play longer with an activity you set up.
7
Sensory Bin Veggie Garden
Photo Credit: busymommymedia.com
I'm in love with this idea for a sensory bin. The beans are a really nice filler and my 3 year old loves to garden, even if it's just pretend.
8
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Alphabet Sensory Play
Photo Credit: www.naturalbeachliving.com
What child doesn't love Chicka Chicka Boom Boom? I'm pretty sure 50 of the 1000 books before Kindergarten on our sheet are just this book. Here's a fun sensory bin to play with the alphabet!
9
Dinosaur Sensory Bin with Shredded Paper
Photo Credit: busytoddler.com
I think shredded paper is the easiest filler for a sensory bin. (Well, next to water I guess) It's pretty easy to shred paper and find a quick theme based on the toys you have. Here's a dinosaur themed sensory bin.
10
Solar System Sensory Bin
Photo Credit: www.thechaosandtheclutter.com
I love this idea. I've been into space my whole life and my 3-year-old is too. Take some time to talk about the planets as they explore this bin.
11
Bright and Sour Sensory Bin
Photo Credit: www.dayswithgrey.com
Smell is also part of sensory play. And taste. Incorporate both senses with this lemony bin.
12
Edible Rainbow Sensory Bin
Photo Credit: sugarspiceandglitter.com
Here's another taste sensory play idea. You can have your toddler or preschooler sort the cereal by color to practice their sorting and color skills. She has a really nice description of how her kids decided to play with it.
13
Emotions Sensory Bins
Photo Credit: sugarspiceandglitter.com
This is a fantastic idea that I'm going to try this weekend with Toot. Jennifer created 3 different sensory bins for her daughter based on happy, sad, and mad feelings. Really smart. Great sensory activity for dealing with big feelings.
14
Monet Water Lilies Sensory Bin
Photo Credit: playgroundparkbench.com
This is such a creative idea for a sensory bin. I would've never thought of it. Initially I thought the bridge would be hard to make or you'd need something special for it. She just made it out of pipe cleaners and cardstock. I have both of those things on hand already. Definitely trying this one.
15
Construction Sensory Bins
Photo Credit: www.thechaosandtheclutter.com
Construction trucks are one of our favorite things. She watches a lot of Blippi and he talks about all kinds of construction equipment. Here's a fun sensory bin idea for kids who love dump trucks and excavators.
16
Bug Sensory Bin
Photo Credit: www.thebestideasforkids.com
Explore bugs and critters with a magnifying glass. They can also hide in the "dirt."
17
Pirate Treasure Hunt Sensory Bin With Kinetic Sand!
Photo Credit: musthavemom.com
We are currently obsessed with kinetic sand. And pirates. This is a great activity for toddlers and preschoolers. Burying and digging out treasure sounds like fun to me!
What are your favorite sensory bin ideas for kids?
Let me know in the comments below!
We really like dried macaroni, water, and water beads in our sensory play activities. I’d like to try some new fillers and some more themed ideas. We’re definitely going to try some of these bins soon.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in early childhood development and sensory play, I have extensive experience and knowledge in creating and utilizing sensory bins to promote learning and exploration in toddlers and preschoolers. I have worked with children in various settings and have observed firsthand the benefits of sensory play in their cognitive, emotional, and physical development.
Understanding Sensory Bins
Sensory bins are a valuable tool for engaging young children in sensory exploration and learning. These bins are containers filled with various materials that stimulate the senses, including touch, sight, smell, and sometimes even taste and sound. They provide an open-ended and exploratory play experience for toddlers and preschoolers, allowing them to use their imagination and creativity while developing important skills.
Components of Sensory Bins
Touch
- Materials that offer different textures, such as water, sand, rice, beans, or shredded paper, provide tactile stimulation and encourage tactile exploration.
Sight
- Incorporating visually stimulating items like toys, figurines, or themed props into the sensory bins can capture children's attention and spark imaginative play.
Smell and Taste
- Some sensory bins can incorporate scented items or edible materials, providing children with opportunities to explore their sense of smell and, in some cases, taste.
Sound
- Certain sensory bins, such as those containing beans or dried macaroni, can also produce pleasing sounds when manipulated, offering auditory stimulation.
Engaging Activities for Sensory Bins
Exploratory Play
- Sensory bins are designed to be open-ended, allowing children to play and explore in their own way, without strict rules or guidelines.
Theme-Based Play
- Creating themed sensory bins, such as ocean or nature-inspired bins, can enhance children's imaginative play and provide opportunities for learning about different concepts.
Independent Play
- Sensory bins can promote independent play, giving children the chance to engage in self-directed activities and play for extended periods.
Sample Sensory Bin Ideas
- Washing Dishes Sensory Bin: Incorporate water and play dishes to create a sensory bin that mimics the experience of washing dishes without the mess.
- Nature Soup: A mess-free sensory bin that encourages imaginative play and incorporates natural materials.
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Alphabet Sensory Play: A themed sensory bin that introduces alphabet learning through play.
- Solar System Sensory Bin: An educational sensory bin that allows children to explore the concept of space and learn about planets.
These are just a few examples of the many creative and educational sensory bin ideas that can be tailored to suit the interests and developmental needs of young children. Sensory bins provide a rich and engaging play experience that fosters exploration, creativity, and learning in toddlers and preschoolers.
