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Sensory bins are a fantastic way to encourage hands on learning and exploration with your child! We kinda love them around here!
What is a Sensory Bin?
A sensory bin is a large tub or container that is filled with some sort of “filler” material and various objects that are intentionally picked out to stimulate different senses.Â
Typically sensory bins work to challenge six different senses:
- Tactile (touch)
- Auditory (sound)
- Visual (sight)
- Olfactory (smell)
- Proprioceptive (Pressure)
- Gustatory (taste)
What Can You Put in a Sensory Bin?
When it comes to filling sensory bins the skies the limit! I have thrown together two cheat sheets to help you when picking out your sensory bin fillers!
How to Create Materials for Your Sensory Bins
Below you will find all the tutorials we have shared on site on how to dye and create various materials.
Our Favorite Sensory Bin Tools
The affiliate links below lead to our favorite products we use when creating a sensory bin or tray.
- Fine Motor Tools
- Large Plastic Bin
- Sensory Tray
- Toobs
- Food Dye
- Storage Bin – this is the perfect size for storing smaller materials like manipulatives
How to Create an Intentional Sensory Bin
Before throwing items into a sensory bin for your kids to play with consider the following:
- What is your child passionate about?Â
- What skills does your child need to work on?
- Does your child have any sensory aversions? If yes then slowly introduce any materials they may be reluctant to explore.
These three questions will help you shape what items to include in your sensory bin to engage your child and help them learn while they play!
Sensory Bin Ideas

Rainbow Alphabet Match Sensory Bin


Investigating Sunflowers Fine Motor Activity

Hatching Fizzy Dinosaur Eggs

Make Your Own Dinosaur Fossil Dig Kit

Dinosaur Small World Imaginative Play for Kids

Frozen Ocean Animal Rescue Kids Activity

Sand and Water Ocean Themed Sensory Bin

Ocean Pollution Clean Up Science Activity

Simple Garden Sensory Bin for Kids

5 Little Pumpkins Sensory Bin

Blue Sensory Bin

Pokémon Icy Sensory Bin

Alphabet Beads Soap Foam

ABC Excavation Sensory Bin

Fizzy Fine Motor ABC’s

Red Fish, Blue Fish Sensory Science Bin

Letter Recognition Snow Search

Moon Excavation! Construction Sensory Bin with Exploding Frozen Stars

Bug Bin: A Simple Slimy Sensory Bin

ABC Car Wash Sensory Bin

Farm Sensory Math Game: Tilling for Numbers

Foam Block Building Sensory Bin

Shaving Cream and Water Beads Sensory Bin

Frozen Water Bead Sensory Bin

Letter Factory Mixed Up Letters Game!

Exploding Dinosaur Mud!

Excavating Dinosaurs from Ice!

Love Potion Number 9: Sensory Science Experiment

Marine Life Sensory Bin- A Bubbly Small World!
More Ultimate Sensory Guides You May Enjoy!
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