Activities For Kids: More Sensory Bin Ideas

Sensory Bin Fun!

Did you try either of the “Play 2 Ways” sensory bins? We’d love to hear about your experience!

As promised, here are two more “Play 2 Ways” sensory bin ideas.

Bin #3 – “Ice Fishing” Bin

This one is a bit more set up, but always a big hit. And the fishing rods and fish can be kept for next time.

You need:

• Water
• Ice Cubes (can add a drop of food colouring before freezing, for fun)
• Styrofoam (plates, take out dishes) cut out as fish
• A Stick of Some Sort
• Ribbon or String Tied to the Stick
• Magnet Tied to the Ribbon
• Shiny Metal Paper Clips (attached to fish noses)
• Cups

This one is great in the sink or bath. My little guy always ends up ditching the rod and scooping the fish with the cups, but he loves both.

This activity improves hand-eye coordination. It’s also an opportunity to learn about things that float and sink. The teacher in me can’t help but labeling the fish with the letters of my son’s name!

Sensory Bin 3, Take 2 – “Foam Painting” Bin

The change up:

• Water (5 tablespoons)
• Dish Soap (5 tablespoons)
• Food Processor (blend water & dish soap for about 1 minute – the longer you blend, the more foam you get)
• Food Colouring (optional)

You need:

• Paintbrush
• Cups

This is my personal all-time favourite sensory – it’s worth the set-up time. The soap stays foamy for a very long time.

This activity is also great at bath time. You can also use baby soap instead of dish soap with pretty good results.

Sensory Bin #4 – “Rainbow Farm” Bin

You need:

• Froot Loops Cereal
• Farm Animals
• Tractor
• Barn

This is another simple, but classic sensory bin idea. Of course, my Froot Loops don’t stay in their colour coordinated rows for very long!

This is a wonderful activity to introduce colours and the concept of sorting. For example, Sammy’s horse would only eat green Froot Loops.

Sensory Bin 4, Take 2 – “Rainbow Sand” Bin

The change up:

1. Separate the Froot Loops into zip-top bags by colour (This is time consuming, sorry! Great time to put bigger kids to work, though.)
2. Use a rolling pin to crunch the Froot Loops into a fine sand

You need:

• Cups
• Shovels
• Rakes (or Forks)

If you do this in a cardboard box, consider using a glue stick on the sides of the box so the sand can stick and your child can make sand art.

These are only a few of the many, many sensory bin ideas out there. I hope they save you a bit of time and provide your child with lots of fun.

Sensory bins are a wonderful, easy way to help your little one explore his or her world in a fun way.

Do you have any sensory bin ideas to share?