Guide To Sensory Bin Supplies You Need To Have
Discover the essential sensory bin supplies to have on hand, making it easy to set-up multiple different sensory bins in seconds!
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Sensory bins are all the rage for a reason—they’re fun and provide incredible learning opportunities for kids. Whether you’re looking for a quick independent play activity or want to engage your child in hands-on learning, having the right sensory bin supplies on hand is a game changer.
The best part? Sensory bins are incredibly easy to set up. With the right supplies, you can whip up more than 15 different sensory bins that will keep your kids entertained for up to an hour! Keep reading for a breakdown of everything you need to start building your own sensory bin kit.
What Is a Sensory Bin?
A sensory bin is essentially a container filled with materials that are designed to stimulate your child’s senses. Whether it’s scooping, pouring, or simply feeling different textures, sensory bins provide endless opportunities for exploration, learning, and creativity.
Beyond being fun, sensory bins are also fantastic for development. They help kids improve fine motor skills, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and even language development. Plus, they provide much-needed independent playtime for those moments when you just need a break!
The best part of building a sensory bin kit? Once you have the basics, you can pull together a fun, educational activity in under a minute. Store your supplies in one place, and when the moment strikes, grab your bin and let the sensory fun begin!
With these essential supplies and creative ideas, you’re well on your way to becoming a sensory play pro!
Must-Have Supplies
Setting up a sensory bin takes about 30 seconds if you’ve got the right supplies. All you need is a sensory bin, a base material, and a few tools and toys to create an activity.
Here’s a list of sensory bin supplies you need to have that will allow you to create a variety of sensory bins with minimal effort. With just these simple supplies, you can create many different sensory bins that your child will love!
1. The Bin
The bin you choose will be the foundation of your sensory setup. I recommend using a medium sized bin with lid. It’s the perfect size, easy to store, and can be used as storage to keep everything contained (as much as possible!). Bonus points if you use the same bin for storing your sensory tools and supplies when you’re done!
2. The Bases (Fillers)
Sensory bases are the materials that go inside your bin. These will be the substance your child manipulates and explores. You might be surprised how long kids can stay entertained with just a tub of rice or beans! Here are some of the best options for sensory bin bases:
- Dried beans: They come in so many colors and sizes!
- Pom-pom balls: Soft and lightweight, perfect for little hands.
- Kinetic sand: Moldable and magical—kids love it!
- Shredded paper: Great for digging and hiding objects.
- Popcorn Kernels: Perfect for scooping, pouring, and feeling those fun little kernels.
Taste-Safe Bases (for younger kids or kids that are still in the “everything in the mouth” phase):
- Dry rice
- Corn meal
- Dry oatmeal
Pro tip: After using your sensory base, pour it into a resealable bag for easy storage. These bases can last for years with proper care!
3. The Tools
The tools you add to your sensory bin are what make the experience interactive. Think of them as the equipment that helps your child explore the sensory base. Here’s what you’ll want to keep in your sensory kit:
- Scoops: Perfect for scooping, pouring, and measuring.
- Funnels: Ideal for pouring fun!
- Tongs and Tweezers: These tools help build fine motor skills while keeping kids entertained.
- Silicone Bowls: Great for sorting and organizing materials in the bin.
- Construction Trucks: Diggers, dump trucks, and bulldozers can add a whole new level of imaginative play.
- Sorting Toys: Great for sorting and organizing activities in the bin.
Easy Sensory Bin Ideas to Get You Started
Now that you know the basics, it’s time to get creative! Here are easy sensory bin activities you can whip up in seconds using the supplies listed above. These activities are perfect for children of all ages, helping them develop crucial skills while having a blast!
1. Spell Your Name Bin: Use letter beads or blocks and have your child search through the base to spell their name.
2. Shaving Cream and LEGO: Dig through fluffy shaving cream to find hidden LEGO pieces.
3. Construction Zone Play: Add construction vehicles to kinetic sand for digging and building.
4. Pouring Station: Give your child funnels and cups and let them pour rice or sand from one container to another.
5. Farm Sensory Bin: Use toy farm animals and a base like popcorn kernels to create a farm-themed sensory world.
6. Dinosaur Sensory Bin: Hide small dinosaur toys in kinetic sand and let your child go on a fossil hunt!
7. Rainbow Rice Alphabet Hunt: Hide letters in a rice bin and have your child find and identify them.
8. Painting Ice Cubes: Fill a sensory bin with ice cubes and let your child “paint” them using watercolor paints and brushes.
DIY Homemade Bases (Fillers)
Looking for even more inspiration? Try these DIY recipes and make your own sensory bins fillers designed to engage your child’s senses while promoting important developmental skills.
1. Play Dough: Soft, squishy, and easy to mold, homemade playdough is perfect for sensory exploration and fine motor development, plus it’s customizable with fun colors and scents.
2. Kinetic Sand: With its unique, moldable texture, kinetic sand offers a calming sensory experience while sparking creativity and imaginative play.
3. Colored Pasta: Bright and colorful, dyed pasta adds a fun visual and tactile element to sensory bins, helping with color recognition and hand-eye coordination during play.
4. Dyed Rainbow Rice: Lightweight and satisfying to pour, dyed rice creates a rainbow of textures and colors for kids to explore, enhancing their sensory play experience.
5. Cloud Dough: Soft and crumbly, cloud dough combines the best of sensory play with a unique, dough-like texture that kids love squeezing, molding, and crushing.
6. Slime: Stretchy and gooey, homemade slime offers a satisfying tactile experience that helps kids explore different textures while promoting sensory regulation and creativity.
7. Colorful Bubble Foam: A vibrant and squishy activity where kids can play, scoop, and explore bubbly foam in different colors for a delightful sensory experience.
Let the Sensory Fun Begin!
By keeping a few basic supplies on hand, you’ll always be ready to set up a quick, educational activity that your child will love!
Plus, sensory bins are a great way to sneak in some much-needed quiet time for yourself! So go ahead, gather your supplies, and let the sensory play begin.
