How do you make a simple sensory bin?

Fill the bin or bowl with dry pasta, rice or beans. Add spoons, scoops, toys and whatever else you have on hand into the bin . Play!

What can I use as grass in a sensory bin?

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.

How much rice do I need for a sensory bin?

Rice - you will need 7 cups of rice total if you purchase the same size bin . Of course, you can always use more or less, depending on the size of your bin. Food Coloring - we chose to do pink and purple rice, so those were the colors we needed for the dye as well.

How do you make a rice sensory bin?

It's just food coloring and rice, mixed together, and left to dry. In just minutes, you can create a sensory experience for your child that can be reused for years to come.

What is the 2 1 rule for rice?

What is the ratio of water to rice? For basmati and all kinds of white rice, we recommend a ratio of 1:2 when cooking on the stove. So this would mean for every 1 cup of rice, you add 2 cups of water .

Are dried beans safe for sensory bin?

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!

How do you color pasta for sensory bins?

Keep adding drops of food coloring until you get the color you like! Add the food coloring and vinegar mixture to the resealable bag with the pasta. Seal the bag and mix well by shaking the bag until all of the pasta is covered in the color. Once it's all mixed, place the pasta onto parchment paper so it can dry.

How do you make a sensory Ziplock?

Here's how: Fill a resealable plastic bag with tactile materials like hair gel, pumpkin seeds, shaving cream, or marbles. Reinforce the seal with strong tape, then use painter's or washi tape to secure the edges of the bag to the floor or a table where your baby can play.

How do you make a feely box?

I simply cut two holes in the side of a left over box from our recent move. I made sure to cut them large enough so that Emmy's hands could fit in comfortably and I could also fit a variety of objects in. I covered the holes using construction paper that I cut into a fringe like material.

How do you make homemade sensory toys?

You will need water balloons, water beads and a funnel. Put the water beads inside the water balloons using the funnel. Fill the balloons with water. ... Squish and play with the sensory-laden balloons. After bountiful squishing, put the balloons in a bowl and put the container in the freezer. More items... Mar 25, 2020

How many water beads does it take to fill a sensory bin?

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!

How do you make homemade sensory bags?

All I did was take a tub of clear hair gel (pick these up for cheap at the Dollar Store) and empty it into a freezer bag. Then add whatever sensory items you want – this bag just has an assortment of sequins. Squeeze all of the air out before sealing shut.

How To Make Sensory Bins - Little Bins for Little Hands (2024)

What do you need to do to make sensory bins? Is it hard? Do kids really like sensory bins? DIY sensory bins are a fantastic way to engage and interact with young children. Plus, they can be quick, easy to make yourself, and inexpensive too! Find out everything you need to know to make a sensory bin for easy sensory play today!

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Why We Love Homemade Sensory Bins

Sensory bins were a huge staple in our house for many years. They were a go-to play option that I could change up frequently, create new themes for, and change with the seasons or holidays!

With a few simple steps, you can have a fun sensory bin for little hands to dig into! Let me remind you that sensory bins do not have to be fancy, Pinterest-worthy creations. The oohs and ahhs from your child will be plenty!

I have heard from many people that they feel intimidated by the process when they go to make a sensory bin! I hope to clear that up and show you how to quickly make a sensory bin. Some of our favorite sensory bins are the least thought-out ones!

What do you need to make sensory bins?

You only need a few basic things to make a sensory bin! Everything else will be extra on whether or not you have chosen a theme for your sensory bin.

Some people enjoy making sensory bins to elaborate on a favorite book; we have a few book and sensory bin ideas here.

Others like to make sensory bins for holidays and seasons. Lastly, people make sensory bins purposefully for the sensory experience. There are so many ways to make sensory bins!

Get Your Free Quick Start Sensory Bin Guide

How To Make A Sensory Bin

Now, you can easily make sensory bins for any playtime with these four easy steps below.

The best part of being able to make sensory bins for your child is getting to enjoy them with your child! Make sure to dig your hands into all those tremendous sensory bins. You are the best model for your child! Play, explore, and learn right beside him or her.

STEP 1: Choose a Good Container

We have a few different-sized and shaped options that we have enjoyed! A larger sensory bin is terrific for getting the hands right into the sensory bin filler without worrying about too much mess.

If you have multiple children playing in the same sensory bin, consider 12″ square of space per child (or shoulder width) for adequate room to play both alongside or with each other.

Tips For Choosing A Good Container

A long, under-bed rolling container is perfect for the whole body experience or to fit a large amount of sensory filler. These containers are large but easy to store if you can roll them under the bed. Good for younger children who need more space to minimize mess! {not pictured, but you can see my son playing in one at the bottom of this post}
Larger food storage containers from the dollar store work
Our favorite sensory bin container has always been the Sterilite 25-quart container (bottom), just high enough to contain the filler but not high enough that it hinders play.
We also like the 6 quarts for smaller bins or to take with us.
I do try to buy a few of the same size/style, so our sensory bins stack well.

A good size for one kiddo is approximately 11″x 14 “x 3.5”!

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STEP 2: Choose a Sensory Bin Filler

To make homemade sensory bins, you need sensory bin fillers. We have our favorites! Including rice, salt, and dry beans. Cloud dough and kinetic sand also make fun sensory bin fillers.

STEP 3: Add Fun Tools

One of the best parts of sensory bins is all the filling, dumping, pouring, and transferring that takes place! What a great hands-on way to practice essential skills while enjoying excellent sensory play!

Sensory bins can quickly improve fine motor skills with the tools you choose to include. Make sure to check the dollar store, recycling container, and kitchen drawers for easy items to add when you make sensory bins.

Ladles
Tongs
Funnels
Scoops
Shakers
Squeeze Bottles
Empty Spice Containers
Basters

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STEP 4: Add a Theme (Optional)

If you have chosen a specific theme for your sensory bin, complete it with colors and accessories that relate to that theme.

For example, if you are going with a rainbow theme sensory bin to explore colors…

Choose a container size
Make rainbow colored rice
Find rainbow-colored objects like plastic easter eggs, dollar store linking toys, plastic cups, and spoons in different colors, and look around the house! I grabbed a pinwheel and an old CD!

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DIY Sensory Bins To Make

Now you know how to make a sensory bin, check out these DIY sensory bin ideas below that you can easily put together yourself.

Tropical Summer Sensory Bin
Dinosaur Sensory Bin
Ice Cream Sensory Bin
Icy Ocean Sensory Bin
Spring Sensory Bin
Butterfly Sensory Bin
LEGO Sensory Bin
Penguin Sensory Bin
Space Theme Sensory Bin
Fall Sensory Bins
Halloween Sensory Bin
Halloween Sensory Ideas
Christmas Sensory Bins
Water Sensory Bins

Check Out These Helpful Sensory Bin Resources

There’s so much more to learn about sensory bins and sensory play.

Sensory Bin Ideas and Themes
Best Sensory Bin Fillers
Non Food Sensory Bin Fillers
Rice Sensory Bin Ideas
How To Clean Up A Sensory Bin In A Snap
Sensory Play Recipes You Can Use

Click on the image below or on the link for more fun and easy sensory activities for kids!