5 AMAZING SENSORY BINS FOR TODDLERS FOR ENDLESS FUN
Are you ready to embark on an adventure with your little one with these 5 amazing sensory bins for toddlers? Imagine their eyes lighting up with excitement as they explore the wonders of the world through captivating sensory bins.
These simple yet powerful tools have the potential to unleash your toddler’s inner explorer, stimulating their sensory processing and enhancing their attention.
This post was created by Marra Robert, OTD, OTRL and contains affiliate links.
As the number of kids with sensory processing challenges increase, so have the awareness of sensory processing developmental activities. Many of these sensory activities not only support kids with autism or sensory processing disorder but typical developing children as well.
In this article, we’ll guide you through 5 exciting sensory bins for toddlers that will ignite your child’s curiosity and provide endless hours of entertainment.
Hi! My name is Marra and I’m a mama and a pediatric occupational therapist who has years of experience working with children with sensory processing challenges and helping their parents navigate the ups and downs of child development.
One of my favorite activities to do with toddlers whether I am working with a toddler with sensory processing difficulties during an occupational therapy treatment session, or my own typical developing child at home is a sensory bin. They are so much fun and have so many amazing developmental benefits.,
This post is all about 5 amazing sensory bins for toddlers. You will not only learn how to create theses sensory bins but also how engaging in sensory play, young children are able to develop essential skills while having fun.
What is sensory processing?
Sensory processing is our ability to take in information from our environment through our 8 sensory systems, make sense of it, and then choose how best to respond.
You are probably the most familiar with the 5 senses including what we see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. However, in addition to these 5 senses we have 3 additional sensory systems.
Our vestibular sense is our sense of movement and our response to gravity. Our proprioceptive sensory systems is our sense of deep pressure and body awareness. Interoception is our sense of how our bodies are feeling.
If you’d like to learn more about sensory processing and our 8 sensory systems, check out the post linked below.
The power of touch
Touch is one of our most important senses. It is also our largest sensory systems as it is located in our skin. Touch is our sense of safety, affection, and love. Babies and toddlers want to be held and snuggled all of the time because it gives them a sense of safety, security, and love.
The sense of touch can also lead to some anxiety, especially for a child who is having difficulty with sensory processing. We all vary when it comes to what sensory input our bodies need to make us feel safe and calm. Some little ones are sensitive to touching different textures.
IMPORTANT: If you have a little one who is sensitive to a certain texture, never force them to touch it. Remember touch is related to safety and we never want to push a child to do something they don’t feel comfortable doing.
Forcing a child to engage with a texture they are sensitive to whether it is a food or one of these sensory bins for toddlers, will only increase their anxiety and fear and they will become even less engaged in that activity.
We want to help little ones feel confident in themselves and in control of their own bodies. We can support them by creating a safe place, a trusting relationship, and time to warm up to new textures
The benefits of Sensory bins for toddlers
Picture your toddler’s eyes lighting up with excitement as they delve into the fascinating world of sensory bins. These versatile tools are more than just bins filled with materials; they are gateways to exploration and learning. By engaging in sensory play, young children are able to develop essential skills while having fun.
Through the use of sensory bins, toddlers can stimulate their senses and enhance their sensory processing capabilities. As they touch, feel, and manipulate different materials, they are building important connections in their brains.
This hands-on experience allows them to better understand the world around them and develop a deeper sense of curiosity.
Not only do sensory bins provide entertainment, but they also aid in the development of attention and focus. As toddlers explore the contents of a sensory bin, they are required to concentrate on the task at hand.
This focused engagement promotes the development of their ability to concentrate and sustain attention, skills that are crucial for future learning.
In addition to sensory and cognitive development, sensory bins offer a platform for imaginative play. Whether your child is embarking on an ocean adventure or journeying through outer space, sensory bins provide a blank canvas for their creativity to flourish.
Toddlers can immerse themselves in pretend play, creating stories and scenarios that deepen their understanding of the world and allow them to express their thoughts and emotions.
By investing in a few simple materials and using the principles of sensory play, you can unlock your toddler’s inner explorer. The possibilities are endless, and the benefits are significant.
So go ahead, dive into the magical world of sensory bins with your little one, and watch as they discover, learn, and grow through the power of exploration.,
Sensory bin or sensory table
The first step in building a magical sensory bin is to decide what it will be in. There are a few options. I really like to use this storage bin because it has a top and you can easily put the lid on and put in someplace out of the reach of the child.
This type of bin might be the most convenient option for those of you who have little ones who will require supervision. Remember to keep safety your number one priority and that most sensory bins have some choking hazards.
This doesn’t mean little one’s can’t enjoy the benefits of a Christmas sensory bin. It just means they need to be supervised during play. This bin makes that possible.
I used this bin during my treatment sessions because it is easily portable and was easy to clean and re use for a different type of sensory bin.
I’m obsessed with this sensory table. I absolutely think it’s a great option if your child loves playing in sensory bins all year round. Plus it can also be a desk and if you flip the top over it’s a chalk board.
In the end the size and shape of the container you use for your magical Christmas sensory bin really doesn’t matter. You can choose whatever works best for you and your child.
5 amazing sensory bins for toddlers
1. Sensory bins for toddlerss: mardi graw beads
I know Mardi Gras Beads might have been the last thing you would of thought about when thinking about sensory bins for toddlers but they are truly the best! I love them!
So I would recommend cutting all of the necklaces one time so they are a long string of beads and place them all in the sensory bin together. That way you get rid of the potential choking hazard.
These are amazing because toddlers love them, this will keep their attention for a while and I assure you, a sensory bin will with Mardi Gras Beads will be the easiest one to clean up.
Not only will your toddler love the texture of the beads as they play with all of them together, they will receive auditory sensory input as well.
2. Sensory bins for toddlers: Dino Dig in Kenetic sand
The Dinosaur Dig sensory bin for toddlers that is a perfect combination of learning and play, providing an immersive experience that will ignite your little one’s curiosity.
To create this sensory bin, start with a large plastic container or tray. Fill it with a base of sand or kinetic sand, giving it a realistic feel and texture. Add in a variety of small toy dinosaurs, burying them partially or completely in the sand. You can also include dinosaur bones, rocks, and small shovels or brushes for excavation tools.
As your toddler dives into the Dinosaur Dig sensory bin, encourage them to use their imagination and explore the different textures and shapes. They can dig, scoop, and brush away the sand to uncover the hidden treasures beneath. This kind of play not only engages their senses but also improves their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
3. Sensory bins for toddlers: Pasta
Yes! Dried noodles can make an amazing sensory bin for toddlers. I listed penne above because, well, it’s my favorite type of pasta so it is always in my pantry.
I also love having toddlers practice stringing the penne to make necklaces which is a great fine motor and bilateral coordination task.
You might not think of dried pasts as a sensory experience, but toss a box of penne in a sensory bin and let me know what you think. You can also add different types of dried noodles for a variety of textures for you little one to explore.
4. sensory bins for toddlers: Water play
Toddlers love water play and this is a great option for sensory bins for toddlers! I don’t know why but I couldn’t believe how much my toddler loved playing in water this summer. It kept her attention for so long and it was so calming and regulating for her.
You can either fill a bin up with water for them or check out the amazing water table I listed above. You can add cups and bowls to practice scooping and pouring and bath toys are always fun to have in there too.
5. Sensory bins for toddlers: cooking and baking
Cooking and baking are not only really fun activities to do with toddlers, but they offer a wide range of benefits to their sensory processing skills.
Cooking and baking provide toddlers with a rich sensory experience with so many opportunities to explore different textures as well as to learn about the food they eat and the process of preparing it.
This activity is especially beneficial if your toddler is going through a picky eating phase. They can interact and touch food without the added pressure and expectation of eating it.
There you have it, 5 amazing sensory bins for toddlers for endless fun. Incorporating these exciting sensory bins into your toddler’s playtime is a surefire way to ignite their curiosity, improve their sensory processing skills, and enhance their attention span.
Each bin idea showcased in this article offers a unique and immersive experience that will captivate your little one’s imagination. By engaging all of their senses, these sensory bins become the gateway to exploration and learning, allowing your toddler to embark on thrilling adventures right at home.