Sensory Bin Exploration: How and Why
Category: Parenting Tips
February 7, 2025
Introduction to Sensory Bins or Sensory Boxes
Why should I make a sensory bin? Sensory bins are a great way for kids to get exposed to new textures, sounds and smells, and work on developmental skills.
How does playing with a sensory bin help my child? Sensory bins provide such a rich experience for young kids! We’ll walk you through all the cognitive, developmental, and social benefits of playing with a sensory bin.
Do I need to buy anything for sensory bins? No! Many household items work great in a sensory bin. Things like dry rice, dry beans and cornmeal are great options. You can also use things you can find outside like leaves, rocks or sand. We’ll show you how to create a sensory bin that provides an engaging experience and is easy to set up and put away.
How to Set Up a Sensory Bin for Kids Ages 1 to 2
Our Parents as Teachers program uses sensory bins or sensory boxes to bring a simple, engaging learning experience to young kids.
What you need:
- Box with a cover, such as a shoe box, plastic container, or even take-out container with lid. Make sure your box is large enough so that the materials don’t spill out.
- Bed sheet or tablecloth
- Sensory materials (ideas: dry rice, dry beans, dry oatmeal, dry pasta, cotton balls, popcorn kernels, shredded paper, cornmeal, leaves)
- Scoopers (ideas: spoons, measuring cups muffin cups, ice cube tray, plastic cups)
- Things to hide (ideas: toy cars, pom poms, corks, lids, bath letters/numbers, lost puzzle piece, really any little items you have around the house!)
Safety tip: This activity includes small objects and must be supervised by an adult at all times. Small objects can be a choking hazard. Make sure your child does not put the materials in their mouth, nose or ears.
Instructions:
Fill the container with dry material, scoopers and toys. You don’t need a lot, even just an inch or two that will cover the items you have will work. If playing inside, use a sheet or tablecloth to make clean up easier! Or if the weather is nice and you’re using biodegradable materials, you can do this outside.
Place the container on the sheet and take off the lid. Then dig in! Watch what your child naturally does first without interfering—follow their lead! You can use something called “sportscasting” where you just verbalize what is happening. “You’re digging in the beans with a spoon.” Or, “You’re trying to scoop the rice, but it keeps spilling.”
Remember: When we do less, children think and learn more.
Once your child has explored the elements of the activity, you can encourage them to do what you’re doing or take turns with certain tools and toys. Since you’ve made a sensory bin with a lid, you can put it away easily and take it out again another day—you don’t have to start from scratch each time!
Upgrading Your Sensory Bin for Kids Ages 3 to 5+
Materials and instructions are the same for older children, but hide small toys or cut-out letters and numbers in the dry material. Let your child feel and find objects in the bin. When they find an item, ask them to name it. Or encourage them to search for a specific item.
As your kiddo gets older, have your child sort the items in the bin by shape, color, type, etc. For example, ask them to find all the letters, or all the red items.
Once your child starts recognizing their name, Mom/Dad, or other words you can write them on slips of paper and hide them in the dry material.
Why We Do This Activity
Although it looks like “just play,” sensory experiences provide developing brains with lots of information! This early exposure helps kids build creativity, exploration, problem-solving skills and so much more. For kids who have sensory needs or aversions, sensory play can help build confidence in a fun, safe environment.
Cognitive Benefits:
- Feeling different textures and hearing different sounds
- Realizing materials have their own unique properties
- Sharing and taking turns
- Sensory play is calming for most children
Motor Development:
- Controlling fine motor use of hands with tools
- Searching by hand develops their sense of touch
Language Skills:
- Help kids label objects and learn words
- Understand instructions (put it in, dump it out)
- Early reading like letter/sound identification
- Beginning letter sounds
After you set up a sensory bin, you’ll have an easy activity to bring out for kids to play with. It’s easy to adapt as your child’s interests change and grow. Plus, you’ll love the bonding experience of watching your child explore new elements and see the world through their eyes!
Watch How We Play with a Sensory Bin and Discuss the Benefits!
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