Sensory bin ideas make for great play activity for toddlers and up because they encourage learning through exploration, curiosity, problem solving and creativity. Whether it’s edible or messy, there are many options to choose from – 16 creative sensory bins to be exact. This helps in developing their fine motor skills, imaginative play, language development and sensory development.
Parents who work tirelessly to get their kids to learn will find these creative sensory activities engaging and so much fun to make their own sensory bins!
Here Are 16 Creative Sensory Bins You and Your Kids Will Love
1. Scented Rainbow Creative Sensory Bin
Your 1 to 6 year olds will love playing with these scented rainbow beans by Kids Activities Blog! Not only do they smell good, their textures are awesome to touch. Who knew a bucket of dyed beans would make for a great sensory bin for preschoolers?
2. Pond Sensory Bin
In this sensory play, creating a frog pond setup by B-Inspired Mama is a dream for preschoolers eager to play with some creative sensory bins. Some of the things needed to put this together are plastic bowl, ice cube trays, food coloring, plastic frogs and a few more accessories. The only thing that’s missing to match the foam lily pad and toy frogs are probably the sounds to complete the scene!
3. Water Play Sensory Table
Put all those dandelions that pop-up in the spring to use with this water play sensory table by The Pleasantest Thing. Dandelions are gorgeous so using them for this purpose is a no brainer. You can use pom-pom as an alternative.
4. Edible and Creative Sensory Bin
The hardest thing about any kind of play with babies is they want to eat everything. This sensory box by Creative Play House is edible and taste good so no worries in that department!
5. Musical Sensory Shakers
Explore percussion, music, and sound with this music-inspired sensory box by via House of Burke. Not only will your preschoolers be primed as the next Beethoven, this really is the mother load of instruments!
6. Beach-Inspired Sensory Bin
Use Blue Water Beads courtesy of Learning is Messy in making a Beach sensory bin. The actual beach has some lovely sounds, so why not replicate the experience? You can also use sensory sand as an alternative for this sensory bin idea!
7. X-Ray Lightbox Sensory Play
This x-ray light box by The Measured Mom can be all kinds of fun when it comes to learning about skeletons. Now you can literally see through your new sensory bins! All you need are x-ray images, a box, and some lights. Voila!
8. Edible Zoo Sensory Bin
If your kids LOVE zoos and animals, definitely add this edible small zoo by Fantastic Fun and Learning to your list of things to make. Just use food to set up the landscape and some toy animals to boot, and your preschoolers will be giggling! This gives your kiddos so much tactile experience!
9. Sensory Play With Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a great medium for sensory play, especially outside on a sunny day as showcased by Plain Vanilla Mom. When you add water to oatmeal it makes it even more interesting to explore. Try it for yourself! Just expect a little mess.
10. Rainbow Rice Creative Sensory Bin
Create this Patriotic Rainbow Rice by There’s Just One Mommy to celebrate Memorial Day or the 4th of July or to just be patriotic! Just add color to the rice and scoop it to your container!
11. Rainbow Yarn Sensory Tub
Create all sorts of fun with this Rainbow Yarn Sensory Tub by Kids Activities Blog and hide objects in the yarn for more sensory fun! Talk about sensory play and treasure hunting rolled into one!
12. Dinosaur Sensory Land
If your kids LOVE Dinosaurs create this Dinosaur Land by Fantastic Fun and Learning for your preschoolers as a fun sensory play activity. Check out these creative and fun supplies to make this pre-historic wonderland possible!
13. Swamp Sensory Play
Recreate this swamp messy sensory play by The Fairy and the Frog (unavailable) for your preschoolers so you can cultivate their love for dinos. The use of jelly may get messy but it’s all worth it when you see the smiles on their faces!
14. Sensory Corn Husks Silk
Why throw away perfectly good silk from corn husks when you can make this great silk color and shape sensory bin by KZ and Me? Add a little food coloring and let your kids play with it! Everyone wins!
15. Pasta Sensory Play
There are so many ways to use pasta just like this pasta sensory bin by Kids Activities Blog! My personal favorite is adding a little bit of color and sorting the different shapes!
16. Water and Sand Creative Sensory Bin
Here is another Messy sensory bin with sand and water by Two Big Two Little (unavailable). Just like being at the beach but at home. We know how preschoolers eagerly make a run for the beach sand! This time, the beads take the front row. Ready your shovels and some ocean animals to bring more fun!
MORE SENSORY FUN FROM PLAY IDEAS
- Easily make colored rice for sensory bins!
- Fun sensory play with water beads!
- These 25 sensory bottles for toddlers are a great play idea!
- Or check out these fall sensory bin play ideas!
- Don’t forget these 18 activities for sensory play.
- Craft cereals and develop sensory skills!
- Fun ways to craft and create sensory play with beans!
Which one did you like best?