Sensory bins are an amazing hands-on activity for toddlers and preschoolers. Not only are they entertaining, but they promote sensory exploration, fine motor skills, imaginative play, and social interaction. This Easter sensory bin took me a few quick minutes to put together but added so much fun to our day.
If you’re thinking no way to sensory bins, they’re full of rice and that mess is something I want nothing to do with…well I’ve got a secret for you…not all sensory bins have to use rice!
Not all sensory bins have to use beans.
Not all sensory bins have to use pasta.
In fact, not all sensory bins have to take hours to curate and set up!
Step Away From Sensory Bin Perfection
Do you love scrolling Pinterest for ideas and see all the cute, bright, perfect looking sensory bins and want them all.
Totally guilty right here!
Listen, if you work with small children, you know that they aren’t going to separate the green rice from the blue stones to make a pond. They’re not going to build a scene and keep all the parts clean. In the end everything will be a jumbled mess and you will probably wonder why the heck you did this.
Save yourself the stress and save those bins for when your littles aren’t quite so little.
Sensory bins for toddlers aren’t so much about the specific items but what they can do with them, and remember, what they can do with them may not be what we think.
Easter Sensory Bin On A Budget
Going back to those amazing curated bins, gosh they’re cute, but they can sure add up in cost. Whether you plan to purchase them or try to recreate them, they’re not always budget friendly.
If cost is what is holding you back, it doesn’t need to.
I bet you have everything you need in your home to make a top-notch sensory bin. In fact I’m sure you do, check out this article on sensory bins on a budget to get you started!
The Anatomy Of A Sensory Bin
This is a topic for a whole other post, but in simplest form, you need:
- A bin
- Filler
- Tools
Picking A Bin
For this activity I used these large bins we were gifted, however you can use any empty bin you have available that your child can easily reach in.
If you’re feeling brave, this set of sensory fun could be placed on a blanket or small tarp. It was a clean activity and with bins the size that I use, someone’s bound to climb in at some point anyways.
Choosing The Best Filler
When deciding on filler, it’s Easter, what better filler than that dang easter grass no one likes.
I found a couple bags of this Easter grass in my holiday bin. I purchased it last year for our Easter pictures and it was a fun filler. This particular bag is more of a paper and really long strands so clean up was a breeze!
No Easter grass? No problem! How about scrap paper you can cut up and crinkle. You could use old newspapers or magazines. Check your recycling bin!
Add In Some Goodies
We could add a fourth section of toys-Knick knacks-theme. This would be any of the fun items you add inside. For an Easter sensory bin eggs were a given. You can find a pack of 12 or so at the Dollar Tree.
I also found those cute carrots at the Dollar Tree.
Probably 90% of my holiday shopping is done at the Dollar Tree.
Picking Your Tools
Finally, we need some tools. I consider anything for grasping, scooping, storing etc. to be a tool.
The tools for this bin were purchased at…you guessed it…the Dollar Tree!
Keep a look out for the large colored tongs (and the large horseshoe shaped magnets!) I don’t see them often but they’re the BEST for these activities!
I also added a set of 4 flowerpots that can be repurposed in our carrot or flower planting sensory bins. As well as some other random scoops.
Don’t forget your littles hands are also a tool!
Are they actually engaged?!
This is the best part…YES!
I get it, you look at some of these bins and wonder how the heck are they going to sit and play with this for even 20 minutes (that’s a long time when you’re one).
The magic with this is there are no expectations, there are no instructions, there is just exploration.
Think of it like when you go to an event and your little gets antsy, and you dig out any random thing you can from the bottom of your purse. They really don’t care much what it is but they’ll probably check it out for a few minutes at least.
Try this out next time you need to make dinner, set the bin close by on the floor and see if it will keep them entertained rather than at your feet (my 1-year-old…).
Adding In Fun For Preschoolers
When my preschool group got back from school, they were curious about what we were up to.
They don’t typically last quite as long with a bin this simple but luckily, we were able to add a little extra for them.
I added in this game with letters where you need to spell the word, and this kept them busy for quite some time. It didn’t necessarily go along with the Easter sensory bin vibe we were going for, but it added an element that they really enjoyed.
Try this out but put the letters in the eggs. Now you’ve got a whole new game of search and find as they practice their letters and spelling at the same time!
If you don’t have an alphabet game like this, be sure to sign up for my flower alphabet card freebie and my newsletter where I send all kinds of fun printables, tips and ideas. Those cards can be printed then added into your filler and used as a matching game with uppercase and lowercase letters. Plus, their flower pictures so Hello Spring!
How To Keep Sensory Play Under Control
I hear all the time about how messy these activities are.
How kids just drop everything.
How items are thrown around, ripped apart, squashed etc etc.
I’m here to tell you, it doesn’t have to be this way!
It’s okay to set clear guidelines when using these bins. Kids want to play with them.
It’s okay to remove someone from the activity if they’re being disruptive or not following your rules.
Be consistent with your rules. Don’t just tell them once and expect that to stick, repetition is a great way to learn!
Set yourself up for success, start simple and work your way up to the crazy messy bins like rice or colored water pouring stations.
Set the children up for success, let them start with simple bins first too. Tell them your rules and remind them of the rules.
Move your bins to the floor. I used to always do our sensory bins at the table, but let me tell you, when rice hits the floor it skatters. It goes EVERYWHERE! Bring your bin to the floor on a towel so you can easily clean up when they’re done.
Above all else, remember that there will be some mess. Messes can be cleaned! Try out the bin in this post for a stress free mess!
I would love to hear about your Easter sensory bins or your rules when playing with them.
