How to Create an Awesome Dinosaur Sensory Bin
Create a fun dinosaur sensory bin using kinetic sand and dried black beans! Perfect for sparking imagination and keeping kids entertained.
This post may contain affiliate links and I could earn a small commission at no cost to you. However, I will never recommend anything that I do not believe in or use myself. You can read more about my disclosure policy here.
Dinosaurs and sensory play—what could be more fun? Imagine your child digging through kinetic sand, uncovering dinosaur figures, and sifting through dried black beans to find hidden prehistoric fossils. It’s an adventure waiting to happen, all in one simple bin.
This isn’t just another activity to keep them busy. A dinosaur-themed sensory bin is pure fun, sparking their imagination while they get to feel like real-life paleontologists. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll transform an ordinary afternoon into an exciting, hands-on dino excavation.
Best of all, it’s easy to set up, and the mess is totally manageable (promise!).
What Are Sensory Bins?
Sensory bins are one of those parenting gems that feel like a win-win—they’re simple to set up, budget-friendly, and pack a ton of learning potential. But what exactly are they?
A sensory bin is essentially a container filled with materials that are designed to stimulate your child’s senses, especially touch, sight, and sometimes even sound or smell. Think of it as a hands-on, mini world where kids can dig, explore, and engage their imagination.
The base can be anything from kinetic sand, dyed rice, dyed pasta, black beans, or dyed chickpeas. Add in some objects, toys, or themed items, and you’ve got yourself an open-ended play activity that keeps little hands and minds busy.
The beauty of sensory bins is their versatility. You can tailor them to your child’s interests, the season, or even an educational theme—like letters, numbers, or nature. In our case, we’re taking that timeless fascination with dinosaurs and turning it into a dino-tastic sensory adventure!
Related: Sensory Bin Supplies: What You Need To Have
How to Create a Dinosaur Sensory Bin
What You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to create this prehistoric sensory wonderland. You can easily find these items online or even repurpose toys you already have at home:
- Sensory bin (or any container big enough for your child to play in). These are my favorite options: a sensory bin with lid for a smaller setup, or a larger sensory table for more expansive play.
- Kinetic sand (about 3-4 cups, depending on your bin size)
- Dried black beans (2-3 cups)
- Shovels, scoops, or small digging tools (to let your child “excavate” like a real paleontologist)
- Plastic dinosaur figurines (variety of sizes)
- Rocks or pebbles (to create some texture)
- Mini trees or foliage (for a jungle vibe)
- Letters
Pro Tip: This sensory bin uses kinetic sand as the filler. But if you don’t have kinetic sand or want to switch it up, other fillers like dyed rice, dyed chickpeas, cloud dough or even playdough work great too! You can buy these materials, or if you’re feeling crafty, you can make your own.
Be sure to check out our blog post about essential sensory bin supplies to have on hand, making it easy to set-up multiple different sensory bins in seconds!
Instructions
Step 1: Choose Your Bin
Start by picking a container to use as your bin. A plastic bin or large sensory table works great because they give your little ones enough space to dig around but not so much room that things spill everywhere.
Step 2: Layer Your Base
Pour in the kinetic sand as your first layer. Then, add the beans to the side or on top of the kinetic sand. The beans create a nice contrast with the sand and give the bin a rocky, earthy feel—perfect for a dinosaur habitat! The sand will act as the soft “dirt” for your child to dig in.
Step 3: Add the Dinosaurs and Extras
Now for the fun part—decorate the bin with the plastic dinosaurs, rocks, trees, and any other themed accessories you have. I buried most of the dinosaur figurines, rocks and some letters (to practice letter and word recognition) in the sand to make it even more interactive. Your child will love “discovering” them.
Step 4: Provide Tools for Exploration
Set out some tweezers, small shovels or scoops so your child can dig up the dinosaurs and beans. This step really adds to the sensory experience and encourages problem-solving as they figure out how to “excavate” the buried dinos.
Step 5: Play!
Once everything is set up, let your little one dive into their prehistoric adventure. They’ll be able to dig, scoop, and explore their mini dino world, sparking creativity and building essential skills all at once.
Creative Play Ideas for the Dinosaur Sensory Bin
1. Dinosaur Excavation
Hide dinosaur figurines in the sand, and let children use tweezers, scoops or brushes to excavate them, mimicking the work of real paleontologists. This activity promotes fine motor skills and patience.
2. Dino Sorting
Provide dinosaurs, rocks, or any other themed accessories in different shapes, sizes, and textures, encouraging children to sort and categorize them. This activity enhances cognitive skills, including pattern recognition and classification.
3. Jurassic Adventures
Encourage imaginative play by creating a dinosaur habitat within the sensory bin. Children can build landscapes, nests, caves, even a volcano using the kinetic sand and rocks.
4. Fossil Discovery
Press dinosaur figurines into the sand to create fossil impressions. This activity introduces the concept of fossils and allows children to make their own discoveries.
5. Dino Science
Use magnifying glasses to examine the details of the dinosaur toys. This exploration not only stimulates curiosity but also develops observation and critical thinking skills.
6. Dino Egg Hatch
Place a small dinosaur figurine inside an egg-shaped container or use a real eggshell. Encourage kids to “hatch” the egg by gently cracking it open. This activity adds an element of surprise and excitement to the sensory play.
7. Sensory Play
Let children freely explore the texture of kinetic sand, beans, and the dinosaur creatures using their hands, promoting sensory exploration and tactile awareness.
Safety When Playing with Sensory Bins
Sensory bins are amazing, but it’s always good to keep a few safety tips in mind:
- Supervise younger kids. If you have toddlers or babies playing with the bin, always keep an eye on them to make sure they’re not putting any small objects in their mouths. Choking hazards are a real concern, so be mindful of the size of the objects you include.
- Watch out for sharp or fragile items. Avoid anything that could potentially break or shatter in the bin. Stick to soft or flexible items like plastic figures, pom-poms, and silicone or plastic scoops.
- Keep it clean. Sensory bins can get messy! Lay down a sheet or tablecloth underneath to catch any runaway sand or small pieces. This makes cleanup a breeze.
Final Thoughts
By immersing children in this dinosaur themed sensory bin, you’re not only providing an engaging and enjoyable play experience but also nurturing cognitive, fine motor, and imaginative skills.
The hands-on adventure with kinetic sand, dinosaur figurines, and various tools transforms learning into a captivating journey through time, where young explorers can uncover the wonders of the prehistoric world, one dinosaur at a time.
