If you are looking for simple ways to keep your kids engaged this summer, sensory bins are a wonderful place to start. They are easy to put together, fun to customize, and full of opportunities for hands-on play. From scooping and pouring to digging and pretending, sensory bins can help children stay busy while exploring textures, practicing fine motor skills, and using their imaginations.
To create a sensory bin, all you need is a container and a few simple materials. You can use a small bin for one child, a larger container for siblings, or even a sensory table if you want a standing play option. The best part is that these activities are flexible, so you can easily adjust them based on your child’s age, interests, and the supplies you already have at home.
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1. Day at the Beach
Materials:
Crushed graham crackers (for sand) or play sand
Blue gelatin or water tinted with blue food coloring
Small rocks or seashells
Plastic sea creatures
Digging tools such as spoons, small shovels, or small rakes
Activity: Combine the materials in the bin, then let children dig in the sand, build sandcastles, and search the water for animals.
2. Car Wash
Materials:
Two bins or containers
Bin 1: Chocolate pudding for mud and plastic cars
Bin 2: Water, dish soap, and sponges
Set up and activity ideas: Fill one bin with pudding mud and the other with soapy water. Children can drive the cars through the mud and then wash them clean in the water bin.
Alternate option: Instead of cars, you could use small farm animals or little people figures that play in the mud and then get a bath in the water.
3. Dinosaur Dig
Materials:
Sand/Dirt
Rocks
Plastic dinosaurs hidden in the dirt
Digging Utensils
Dinosaur Bones
Set up and activity ideas: After combining the materials in the bin, children can dig for dinosaur bones and dinosaurs using digging tools. They can also hide the dinosaurs again and repeat the activity.
4. Ice Cream Parlor
Materials:
Kinetic Sand or you can make your own if feeling creative
Plastic play ice cream cones
Cupcake liners
Sprinkles
Ice cream scoops
Bowls
Set up and activity ideas: After combining the materials in the bin, children can pretend to make ice cream cones and sundaes, decorating them with sprinkles. This activity supports imaginative play.
5. Ice Painting
Materials:
Ice cubes
Squeeze or spray bottles
Paint
Activity: Fill the squeeze or spray bottles halfway with paint and the rest with water. Choose as many paint colors as you like, then let children spray the paint over the ice.
6. Watermelon
Materials:
Cut up slices of watermelon
Scoops, spoons, etc.
Set up and activity ideas: Add a small amount of liquid and a little ice to the bottom of the bin. Place the watermelon pieces in the bin and let children scoop, dump, and explore the texture.
7. Ocean
Materials:
Water
Blue/Green Food Coloring
Artificial seaweed
Sea creature figurines
Set up and activity ideas: Pour water into a large container and use food coloring to tint it blue or green. Add the textured materials and sea creature figurines so children can explore an ocean-themed sensory experience.
8. Construction Site
Materials:
Sand
Rocks
Dirt
Construction equipment toys
Cones, Gates, and other construction materials
Construction workers
Small shovels, rakes, and other tools
Set up and activity ideas: Place sand, rocks, and dirt in the bin. Then add construction vehicles along with cones, gates, and other construction-themed items for children to dig and build with.
9. Bugs
Materials:
Dirt
Twigs
Grass
Small Rocks
Toy bug figurines
Magnifying glass or toy microscope
Set up and activity ideas: Place all the materials in the bin. Hide the bugs and other creatures, then encourage children to use a magnifying glass to search for and observe them.
10. Mud Kitchen
Materials:
Dirt
Water
Toy kitchen accessories
Toy food
Set up and activity ideas: Place dirt in the container and mix in water until it reaches the consistency of mud you want. Add toy kitchen utensils, toy food, and toy plates, then encourage children to create their own muddy recipes.
Shop These Supplies
If you’re planning to try a few of these sensory bins, it can be helpful to keep a handful of some basic supplies on hand. Such as a good sensory bin, tray, or table, scoops and shovels, and kinetic sand can go a long way. A lot of these items can be reused for different themes, which makes setting up new activities so much easier (and a little less chaotic).
Safety and Tips for Parents
Choose materials that are appropriate for your child’s age. Always supervise play, especially when using small items that could be a choking hazard. If you are using food-based materials, keep in mind any allergies or sensitivities before setting up the bin. It is also a good idea to place a towel, tray, or washable mat underneath for easier cleanup. For younger children, start with fewer materials and simpler setups so the activity doesn’t feel overwhelming for the kids, but fun!
