I’ve read a lot about sensory bins and how little ones learn so much through sensory exploration. SO I made a sensory bin for my preschooler. He LOVES it! I did it for the educational aspect. If I had only known…it kept my 3yo occupied for an hour. That’s right, I said a whole HOUR. It’s the closet thing to real magic that I’ve ever heard of.
I filled a plastic bin with dry rice, plastic measuring cups, utensils, and some tiny wooden blocks. I spent less than $5.00 at the dollar store on the contents and a vinyl tablecloth to contain any mess. It was great watching him explore: sifting, pouring, and inspecting each item. We talked about how the rice felt, concepts like bigger & smaller, inside & outside, and full & empty. It seems so simple but it’s really a great learning opportunity. It went over so well, I plan to do another and fill it with seasonal items.
This looks like a fun sensory bin! I do therapy with kids under three, and they love the one sensory bin that I have. I really should make more for as much as they love it.
I have been messing with rice, beans and macaroni with my lil one…I need a BIN! Thank you! Stopping by from the Hip Homeschool Hop. Blessings!
As a preschool teacher, we used to have rice bins, sand bins, water bins…kids love them!!
Stopping by from the Hip Homeschool Hop!!
I hadn’t thought of using a bin. I set up a baby gate and let the kids play with measuring cups and un-popped popcorn. They love driving their hands through the kernels. And yes, it does keep them entertained for a long time. 🙂
That is truly an awesome idea! Thanks for joining in the Hip Homeschool Hop!
I’m seriously going to have to try this out!
Love this idea! I’m going to give it a try with my preschooler.
we’ve done a mixture of beans & macaroni (can be sorted too), with measuring cups, spoons. I pour it into a box (same proportions as your bin) and put it on the ‘splat mat’. For storage the beans, etc go back in the gallon ziplock, which goes in the box.
~Julie 🙂
oh & use an egg carton for sorting (etc).
~Julie 🙂