Ultimate List of Sensory Bin Fillers From A to Z | Mommy Evolution (2024)

FAQs

How do you fill a sensory bin? ›

Keep the base materials separate from the goodies. This saves space and allows you to create new combinations of sensory bins. Use zip top bags to store your themed materials.

Sensory bins promote language development.

Toddlers and preschoolers can learn about basic concepts such as full/empty, up/down, above/below, or same/different while they are pouring, sorting, and moving the objects in the sensory bin.

What Is a Sensory Bin? A sensory bin is a shallow container that combines filler material and various small odds and ends. You fill the bin with a filler material such as sand or rice, then add items from around the house such as spoons or measuring cups. Let your child explore the items and have fun playing.

I actually prefer 1 tsp of water beads per 1 1/2 cups of water. Otherwise, you end up with too much excess water in the bin! Just fill your bin with the amount of water that you would like to use, sprinkle the water beads throughout, and watch them grow!

Nest containers – Store toys with many pieces all in the same large plastic bin. Sort each toy in smaller plastic bins and nest them inside the larger one. Keep each toy set separate – You will be more likely to keep your small parts together if they are in their own plastic bin.

Sensory bin play activities are one way to promote motor skills development. For example, playing with mud, play dough, or rice in a sensory bin helps develop fine motor skills. Also, moving from one sensory bin station to another helps develop motor skills since children mostly explore through hands-on activities.

Essentially, a sensory bin is a container filled with materials specifically chosen to stimulate the senses, allowing the child to explore and interact with the items as they choose. Sensory play is a great way to expose your child to a variety of textures, facilitate communication, and actively engage with your child.

Sensory bins can boost your child's motor skills. Additionally, adding toy tools such as shovels, spoons, and tweezers can help develop coordination as well. Actions like scooping, digging, and pouring toys and materials will all help improve motor skills. Sensory bins can be a great tool to help your child learn!

Sensory bins are great resources for the growth and development of children with autism. These play bins provide excellent sensory, calming, and exploration opportunities. They can be filled with various toys and materials to help kids explore their senses and develop their social, motor, and educational skills.

What beans are best for sensory bins? ›

Dried chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a great replacement for sensory bin beans. They're hard and circular. They have a light tan color that can replicate sand or desert landscapes.

Sensory bins can be themed for holidays, seasons and academic skills. Sensory bins stimulate multiple senses at the same time, including touch, sight, sound and smell. You can place small objects in a container of dry rice, pasta, beans or water.

These foundational benefits will serve your children well into adulthood. However, the sensory materials used within the bins can either be helpful or harmful for children. For example, sensory bin beans are unsafe because raw or undercooked beans are toxic, while the benefits of rice sensory play are numerous!

On many forums and groups, practitioners use dried rice in play which is plain or coloured. We have been advised that we remove rice from our provision for all ages as it is not suitable for any child to play with due to the potential risks it can present.

A few spring sensory bin ideas for your base include any materials that mimic grass or the ground like split peas, green-colored or yellow cornmeal, chickpeas, rice, or even decaf coffee grounds! Once you have your bin and your base, you can begin to build your spring sensory bin with some of these fun themes.