Inexpensive Sensory Bin Ideas for Toddlers
Sensory bins are a big hit for toddlers and allow them to explore all of the benefits of sensory play. They're very inexpensive and there are hundreds of different ways to set them up. The holiday-themed bins are my favorite. My toddlers will sit and play with the sensory bins for a minimum of 30 minutes and often times a little over an hour.
Disclaimer: sensory play is messy. We use our dining room, our kitchen floor, or outside for the messier sensory play.
I'll try to link everything I can.
Containers:
So to set up themed sensory bins, you'll need containers, preferably with latching lids. All of my containers are from Dollar Tree. They are a dollar literally, have latching lids, and come in a variety of colors. I have had maybe one or two break but for the most part, they do their job well. Target also has some inexpensive plastic shoe containers that would work great for this.
Fillers:
Disclaimer: you know your child best. If they are still putting things in their mouth, proceed with caution in what you use. My 3-year-old does fine with this compared to my 18-month-old. My 18-month-old will get a couple of warnings, she'll either stop putting stuff in her mouth or we end sensory play.
Things we like to use as fillers:
dirt
water
dry lentils
shredded paper
dry pasta
dry beans
rocks
rice
Objects:
I bought a variety of small animal figurines off of Amazon to create different themed bins and for animal recognition.
measuring cups
spoons
small cups
droppers
tongs
*these items you already have or can grab at Dollar Tree
We love to pair books with our sensory bins. We are currently reading Little Blue Truck. Little Blue Truck got stuck in the mud, so we created a mud sensory bin with cars in it. It was very messy but we played with it outside. Once we were done, he had a car wash to clean up the mud.
I have a Book Talk section with a variety of children's book talks and books we like to read and use with sensory play.
We can usually get a solid 2 weeks out of a sensory bin before my toddler gets bored and we switch it up.
This is just a very basic starter post for those interested in sensory bins. They can be as inexpensive or as expensive as you want. My kids seem to do just fine with the simple sensory play.
Do you use sensory bins at home? What kind of sensory themes have you come up with?
love & light,
Jalesa