In this BLOG post I will show you how to make this fun and festive sensory bin.
Head to our Instagram page to see more ways to learn & play at home or in the classroom! We love to see you play & share the joy of hands-on crafts & activities at home. Be sure to tag @aplayfilledlife on Instagram or Facebook if you try any of our ideas!!
XO Gina
Before little hands hold a pencil, they should scoop & squish & dump & pour! The more opportunities they have to explore with sensory play, the stronger their fine motor skills will be. The stronger their fine motor skills, the easier it will be for them to learn how to feed themselves, zipper their coat, button their shirt or hold a pencil properly!
Sensory play is fun, engaging and works on SO many skills, all through play. The best part...you can reuse these bins over and over and over!!!
Dying sensory bases is amazing but if you don't have the capacity for that, its OK! I promise. You do not have to dye anything. If you want to, find out the details HERE!
If you don't, grab a bag of white rice OR these split peas.
Split peas are green. They are soft and small and soothing. They are flat on one side and round on another. They can push, scoop, dump or pour them and they make an amazing sound when they hit your sensory bin or bowl.
They lend themselves perfectly for Christmas, St. Patrick's Day, Spring or for any kiddo who likes the color green!!
Add in your favorite scoops or bowls. Add in additional items based on your kiddos interests.
Do they like trucks? Toss those in!
Do they like dinos? Great, stomp them through the green "forest!"
Do they like farm animals? Well this bin is perfect for walking them through and feeding them.
That is the beauty of sensory play: there is NO wrong way to play!
There are so many learning opportunities here, in addition to the fine motor skills and language opportunities associated with sensory play.
There are opportunities to work on:
Color identification
Language and vocabulary
Measurement
Problem solving
Turn taking
Cause/effect
Balance & Coordination
Motor skills (fine and gross)
Imaginative play
Creativity
Sensory play can also be a tool for self-regulation. Scooping and dumping can be very calming for some. It can also be a safe way to release BIG emotions, for others. Even adults can reap the benefits of sensory play.
Sensory play can also be an excellent way to increase independent play with toddlers and children. I also often use sensory play as a way to connect with my four children. Since I enjoy it as well, it's a great bonding experience for us and a way that I can give them some quality attention in a way that supports us all.
Store it in an airtight container (Ziploc bag or Tupperware with a lid) when not in use. I have sensory bases that have lasted YEARS.
Small items are choking hazards. Always monitor young children during sensory play. You get to decide what is safe & manageable in your home.
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