Our All About Sensory Bins Guide below is your best resource for getting started with sensory bins. Whether you are making a sensory bin for your home or a classroom, there are a few things to know. Learn about the benefits of sensory bins, what you can use in a sensory bin, and how to make a great sensory bin for toddlers and preschoolers. Sensory bins or sensory boxes for kids are much easier to make than you think!
PinEasy Sensory Play for Kids
Over the past few years, we have learned a lot about sensory play and, specifically, sensory bins or sensory boxes. I am so excited to share our best sensory bin ideas with you below.
You will also want to check out our Ultimate Sensory Activities Guide, which includes more fun sensory play activities, including sensory bottles, sensory recipes, slime, and more.
These ideas comes from what I have learned from making sensory bins over the last few years. We began using sensory bins long before I understood why my son enjoyed them so much!
Sensory bins can also be part of a discovery table setup. You can see one here with our dinosaur discovery table, farm theme sensory table, and fall leaves discovery table.
I am confident that once you know all about sensory bins, you will create a new sensory bin each week. Learning about sensory bins and making sensory bins will open up a whole new world of sensory play for you and your kids!
PinWhat is a Sensory Bin?
NOTE: We no longer support using Water Beads for sensory bin filler. They are unsafe and should not be used for play with small children.
To make your own sensory bin, you must know what one is! The simplest definition is that it is a hands-on tactile experience for kids in a contained area such as a storage container.
A sensory bin or sensory box is a simple container filled with a preferred filler in quantity. Our favorite fillers include craft sand, birdseed, colored rice, and water!
The container should be large enough to let your child explore without spilling the filler out. A sensory bin can be easily switched for a unique or novel experience whenever you want!
What Age Should You Start Sensory Bins?
The most common ages for sensory bins are older toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners. However, you must be very aware of the filler you choose and the habits of the kiddos you use it with. Heavy supervision is required for kiddos who may want to sample the filler (edible or non-edible).
Adult supervision is very important for safely using sensory bins with young kids!
However, this age group is also perfect for fully enjoying the tactile experience of scooping, pouring, sifting, dumping, and feeling! Note the benefits of using sensory bins below.
As kiddos get older, you can easily add a learning component to the sensory bin, such as our butterfly life cycle sensory bin below. Younger kiddos will enjoy exploring the materials.
Why Use Sensory Bins?
Are sensory bins worth it? Yes, they are worth it. The more basic you keep the sensory bin, the better off you are. Remember, you create a tactile experience for your kids, not a Pinterest image. While we have fantastic pictures of sensory bins, they only stay that way for a minute!
Sensory bins are awesome hands-on tools for children to learn about their world and senses! Sensory play may calm a child, focus a child, and engage a child. Read about the many benefits below.
Here’s what children can learn from sensory bins:
- Practical Life Skills ~ Sensory bins let a child explore, discover and create play using practical life skills (dumping, filling, scooping) and learn valuable play skills.
- Play Skills {emotional development} ~ For both social play and independent play, sensory bins allow children to play cooperatively or side by side. My son has had many positive experiences with other children over a bin of rice!
- Language Development ~ Sensory bins increase language development by experiencing all there is to see and do with their hands, which leads to great conversations and opportunities to model language.
- Understanding 5 Senses ~Many sensory play bins include a few senses! The five senses are touch, sight, sound, taste, and smell. Children can experience several at a time with a sensory bin. Imagine a bin of brightly colored rainbow rice: touch the loose grains against the skin, see the vivid colors as they mix together, and hear the sound of sprinkling over a plastic container or shaken in a plastic egg! Did you add a scent like vanilla or lavender? Please do not taste uncooked rice, but there are plenty of sensory play options that you use edible ingredients like our worms in magic mud!
What Should Be in a Sensory Bin?
It’s as easy as 1-2-3-4! Start with a container of your choosing, and prepare to fill it! Additional items on hand include themed books, games, and puzzles.
1. Container
First, choose a large bin or box for your sensory tub. I like clear storage containers the best, preferably 25 QT size with measurements of 24″ long, 15″ wide, and 6″ deep. Use what you have if you don’t have these exact measurements! We have used all sorts of sizes, but at least 3″ deep is preferable. See more tips on choosing a sensory bin below.
2. Filler
Then you want to choose a sensory bin filler. You will want to add a good amount of the filler as it will make up the bulk of the sensory bin.
Our favorite sensory bin fillers include:
- rice
- dry pasta
- salt
- sand
- birdseed
- water
- aquarium rock
- cloud dough
- homemade kinetic sand
- oobleck
- pom poms and more!
3. Theme Items
Sensory bins are a great hands-on way to make early learning fun. Add letters for an alphabet sensory bin, pair it with a book for literacy, or change up the colors and accessories for seasonal and holiday sensory bins. We have tons of fun theme sensory bin ideas for you!
4. Play Accessories
Next, add a scoop or shovel and container.I save all sorts of things from the kitchen and collect fun containers from the dollar store! Funnels and kitchen tongs are great fun to add too. Often the kitchen drawers hold fun goodies to add.
Free Quick Start Sensory Bin Guide
How to Use a Sensory Bin
There is no wrong way to present a sensory bin! I usually put something together and leave it out for my son as an invitation to explore. Some kidsmay be especially curious and ready to explore, so stand back and enjoy watching! It’s ok to join the fun but don’t direct the play!
A sensory bin is also a great opportunity for independent play. Somekids may be reluctant to start or don’t know how to start and need your help modeling play ideas. Dig in with them to show them how fun exploring can be. Scoop, dump, fill, and pour yourself!
Talk about what you are doing, seeing, and feeling. Ask them questions too! Play cooperatively or individually with your child. You know your child best!
TIP: It can be easy to feel like you should add more things to the sensory bin while your child is playing with it, but try to resist the urge! Too many items can be overwhelming, and you may end up disturbing your kiddo’s play flow if you interrupt them. Sit back and enjoy your coffee and watch them play!
PinThe Best Sensory Bin, Tub, or Sensory Table To Use
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What containers are best for sensory bins?
You want to start with the right sensory bin or tub when creating a sensory bin for kids of all ages. With the right size bin, kids will be at ease playing with the contents, and the mess can be kept to a minimum.
Is a sensory table a good choice?
A more expensive, heavy-duty sensory table, such as this one, allows one or more kids to stand and play comfortably. This was always my son’s favorite sensory bin, and it works just as well for home use as it does in the classroom. Roll it right outside!
If you need a sensory bin set on a table, make sure the sides are not too tall so kids do not feel like they are struggling to reach into it. Aim for a side height of around 3.25 inches. If you can place it on a child-size table, that makes it much better.
Under the bed storage bins also work well for this. Grab a plastic kitchen sink dish pan from the dollar store if you need a quick, cheap alternative!
Unless you have space restrictions, try to pick a size that gives your kids room to play around without continually knocking the contents out of the bin. These more compact sensory bins with lids are a good alternative.
Sensory Bin Tips and Tricks
TIP: Due to various sensory needs, some kids may feel more comfortable standing to engage in the activity. Sitting on the floor or kneeling in front of a sensory bin may also be uncomfortable. My son’s sensory needs made standing the best choice for us.
TIP: When designing a themed sensory bin, consider how many items you put into the bin versus the size of the bin. Too many items may feel overwhelming. If your kid is playing happily with the sensory bin, resist the urge to add just one more thing!
Control the Mess!
TRICK: It’s important for the adult to model the appropriate use of sensory bins and to keep a close eye on young kids who may want to throw the filler and items. Keep a kid-size broom and dustpan handy to help them learn how to clean up spills.
Sensory Bin Ideas That Are Easy To Make
Below you’ll find ideas for various sensory bin themes for older toddlers, preschool, and kindergarten. You can easily switch out the filler with one that works better.
Apple Pie Sensory Bin
You will surely want to dig your hands into this fun apple theme sensory bin! Cloud dough is an awesome and simplesensory play recipethat is quick to whip up. Ourapple pie scented cloud doughis also taste safe!
Apple Sensory Bin
Here is an easy apple sensory bin idea you will want to set up this fall! Easy to make, and great for fine motor practice, counting, and more.
Dinosaur Volcano Sensory Bin
Thedinosaur volcano sensory binprovides an opportunity for kids to learn about dinosaurs, volcanoes, and the natural world in a hands-on way. Not only can kids explore dinosaurs, but they can also dive into facts about volcanoes and observe a simple chemical reaction!
PinDinosaur Sensory Bin
Create a dinosaur sensory bin with moldable sand and your favorite dinosaur toys. This sensory bin is a super fun theme for year-round play! Plus, check out the resources to help you assemble an entire dinosaur theme unit.
Ice Cream Sensory Bin
Various size pompoms, silicone baking cups, plastic ice cream scoops, and fun plastic ice cream cone dishes make for a delightful ice cream theme activity. Omit the beads if they are not practical for your age group!
PinButterfly Sensory Bin
Set up a butterfly sensory bin to learn about the life cycle of a butterfly for a fantastic way to combine hands-on learning and a tactile experience. Different types of dry pasta mimics some of the life stages of a butterfly!
Colored Spaghetti Sensory Bin
What’s more fun than colorful rainbow spaghetti for young kids to dig their hands into! Find out how to make rainbow spaghetti for sensory play that’s taste-safe!
Lemon Scented Sensory Bin
Lemon-scented rice is quick and easy to make and is perfect for Olfactory Sensory Processing Input!
Ice Castle Play
Fill the bin with kinetic sand, add in some trees and construction blocks to make your own “ice castles”.
PinOcean Sensory Bin
Read more about this ocean sensory play idea and grab the free ocean animals coloring book!
Penguin Sensory Bin
Combine sensory play, books, a little math, and animal habitats all rolled into one for a fun activity for toddlers to preschoolers.
Pumpkin Sensory Bin
Grab a few simple supplies and turn a sensory bin into a pumpkin patch young kids will love exploring for fall.
Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin
Kids love to play with rice, and this colorful rainbow rice sensory bin is easy to put together yourself!
Space Theme Sensory Bin
Moon sandis another favorite fillerto play with and make! We could also call this space sand as we added a fun space theme to our play.
Space Sensory Bin
Here is another easy idea for space theme sensory play! This sensory bin uses black aquarium rocks as the filler.
Tropical Summer Sensory Bin
Create a tropical summer sensory bin with play sand and summer theme play items.
Watermelon Rice Sensory Bin
Use our how to dye rice tutorial to make a batch of green and a double batch of red rice! Leave one batch of rice uncolored. Grab a packet of watermelon seeds and a small bowl! You can also add tongs and a small scoop. Super simple and fun. Enjoy a snack of watermelon too!
PinFarm Sensory Bin
Supplies Needed:
- A great book! We chose My Little People Farm.
- Sensory bin filler. We chose rice. See more non food filler ideas here.
- Items that fit with the book. Such as paper or plastic farm animals for a farm book.
- Add a bucket and scoop for simple sensory play.
Simple Sensory Bin Play Ideas
- Sing a song such as Old MacDonald and use the props too!
- Act out the story with the props.
- Count! We counted the farm animals.
- Sort the animals.
- Play hide and seek with the animals.
- Work on animal sounds.
- Feed the animals.
- Enjoy dumping and filling.
PinWater Sensory Bin Ideas
Sponges, colanders, strainers, food basters, and an aquarium net! All of these are fun items to add to a water sensory bin. Try some of these additions:
- Add a few plastic animals to wash and soap bubbles!
- Add plastic Easter eggs to a quick sensory bin.
- Make a letter wash with dollar store letter and number styrofoam puzzles.
- Add cotton balls to water and explore absorption!
PinHow Do You Control the Mess?
Everyone asks about the mess! Toddlers especially can’t resist dumping things. We have had sensory bins in our house for so long that the mess is minimal. The younger the child, the more challenging it will be to teach the proper use of the sensory bin. But with time, patience, and consistency, it will happen.
I treat sensory bins as any other toy in the house. We don’t throw our toys; we respect them. We don’t scatter them around the house just because we feel like it; we use them and put them away. Of course, there are accidents! We still have them, and it’s OK!
We also have a small dustpan and broom handy, and it is great for fine motor work picking up loose beans or other fillers! If a child gets into the habit of throwing for fun, your sensory bin play will be less productive and more frustrating.
READ MORE: Easy Clean-Up Tips For Messy Play
More Sensory Bin Ideas
Ok, time to put together a sensory bin. Check out this list of sensory bin ideas. Click on the links to find out how to set up each one.
- Valentine Sensory Bin
- Easter Sensory Bin
- LEGO Sensory Bin
- Spring Sensory Bin
- Spring Garden Sensory Bin
- Fall Sensory Bins
- Earl The Squirrel: Book and Bin
- Halloween Sensory Bin
- Halloween Sensory Ideas
- Christmas Sensory Bins
More Helpful Sensory Bin Resources
- How To Color Rice For Sensory Bin
- How To Make Hot Cocoa Sensory Bin
- How To Make Snow For Sensory Bin
- How To Make Sensory Bin Mud
Click on the image below or on the link for more fun and easy sensory activities for kids!
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introduction as a Sensory Play Expert
As a sensory play enthusiast and expert, I have spent several years exploring and creating sensory bins for children. I have gained extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in the field, which has allowed me to understand the benefits of sensory play and how to create engaging sensory bins for toddlers and preschoolers. Throughout my journey, I have learned about various sensory bin fillers, age-appropriate materials, and the importance of providing a safe and controlled environment for sensory play.
Concepts covered in the article:
The article "All About Sensory Bins Guide" provides a comprehensive overview of sensory bins, including their definition, age suitability, benefits, and tips for creating and using them effectively. Here are the main concepts covered in the article:
1. What is a Sensory Bin? A sensory bin is a hands-on tactile experience for children, typically contained in a storage container. It involves filling the container with a preferred filler, such as craft sand, birdseed, colored rice, or water. The container should be large enough to allow exploration without spilling the filler.
2. What Age Should You Start Sensory Bins? Sensory bins are most commonly used by older toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners. However, close supervision is required, especially with children who may try to sample the filler. As children get older, sensory bins can be used to incorporate learning components, such as themed bins or activities related to specific topics.
3. Why Use Sensory Bins? Sensory bins provide numerous benefits for children, including the development of practical life skills, play skills, language development, and an understanding of the five senses. Sensory play can help calm, focus, and engage children, allowing them to learn about their world and senses in a hands-on manner.
4. What Should Be in a Sensory Bin? To create a sensory bin, you need a container, a sensory bin filler, theme items related to the topic, and play accessories such as scoops or containers. The container should be large enough, while the filler can be materials like rice, sand, birdseed, or other sensory-friendly substances. Theme items and accessories can be tailored to the specific sensory bin activity.
5. How to Use a Sensory Bin There is no wrong way to present a sensory bin. You can set it up as an invitation to explore and allow children to engage independently or play cooperatively with others. It is important to model appropriate use and engage in conversations with children about what they are doing, seeing, and feeling.
6. The Best Sensory Bin, Tub, or Sensory Table To Use Choosing the right container for your sensory bin is essential. Clear storage containers are often preferred, but other options include sensory tables, bins with lids, or child-size tables. The size and height of the container should be suitable for the age and needs of the children using it.
7. Sensory Bin Tips and Tricks Some tips and tricks for sensory bins include considering the number of items in the bin, avoiding overwhelming children with too many items, and modeling appropriate use and cleanup. It is also important to supervise young children closely to ensure their safety and prevent excessive mess.
8. Sensory Bin Ideas That Are Easy To Make The article provides various sensory bin ideas for different themes, such as apple pie, dinosaurs, ice cream, butterflies, colored spaghetti, and more. Each idea includes suggested fillers and materials to create an engaging sensory experience related to the theme.
9. How Do You Control the Mess? Controlling the mess in sensory play is a common concern. The article offers suggestions for teaching children proper use of sensory bins, providing a small dustpan and broom for cleanup, and establishing rules for respecting and caring for the sensory materials.
10. More Sensory Bin Ideas The article concludes with additional sensory bin ideas, including Valentine's Day, Easter, LEGO, spring, fall, Halloween, and Christmas-themed sensory bins. Each idea is linked to a separate resource with instructions on how to set up the specific sensory bin.
11. More Helpful Sensory Bin Resources The article provides links to additional resources, such as tutorials on coloring rice for sensory bins, making hot cocoa or snow sensory bins, and creating sensory bin mud. These resources offer further ideas and inspiration for sensory play activities.
By covering these concepts, the article aims to provide a comprehensive guide for individuals interested in getting started with sensory bins and exploring the benefits and possibilities of sensory play for young children.
