We always have fun making themed sensory bins. Its one of my favourite things to put together and often creates hours of fun for the boys. It’s often the simplest ideas and activities that are the biggest hit in our household.
Set up for this sensory bin was easy peasy:
I coloured some rice with a perfect pumpkin orange (you can click here to find out how)
I had some creepy crawlies lying around the house from last years sensory slime tray
Plastic Storage bin
Some cups/ containers/ plastic tongs to dig with
Turn it into an activity
Usually sensory bins are about open-ended play, exploration and curiosity. With some of the more simple ones I turn them into a task. To encourage fine motor skills, there is nothing better than scooping and pouring. I gave my youngest an empty cup to fill in and encouraged him to pick up the crawlies with the tongs and transfer them to the bowls and jars.
We used it as a scavenger hunt – I hid the bugs in the rice, and to encourage counting, told the boys they had to find : 5 spiders, 3 centipedes, 5 cockroaches (you get the picture.)
Have you ever made sensory tray’s with your children? Whats your favourite “theme” or base to use? Id love to hear your feedback.