How To Make A DIY Kinetic Sand Ocean Sensory Bin

Create this Ocean Sensory Bin using homemade kinetic sand, mini ocean creatures, and sea-themed treasures! The perfect small world sensory play activity for kids who love to explore, scoop, and dive into underwater adventures!

If you’re looking for a hands-on sensory adventure that brings the magic of the ocean to life, this Ocean Sensory Bin is just what you need! It’s a fun and engaging activity for toddlers, preschoolers, and even older kids who love sea creatures and sandy shores.

We use homemade kinetic sand as the base and ocean-themed items like mini sea animals, seashells, rocks, and pretend ocean treasures to create an exciting small world sensory play setup that sparks curiosity and imaginative play!

Why This Ocean Sensory Bin Is A Must-Try

If you’ve never made kinetic sand before, you’re in for a treat! It’s soft, fluffy, and silky to the touch, but still holds its shape when pressed. It’s perfect for little hands to dig, scoop, and mold into undersea scenes.

To make the ocean floor feel realistic, we used a teal blue kinetic sand and added plastic ocean animals, sea glass gems, small rocks, and mini buckets. These materials encourage your child to create their own little seaside world full of adventure, discovery, and pretend play.

Kids will love burying treasure, scooping sand into buckets, and diving into their own magical ocean zone!

How To Create An Ocean Sensory Bin

What You’ll Need

You could buy Kinetic Sand or make your own (it’s so easy!). If you’re worried about younger kids putting it in their mouths, you might want to try making our Taste-Safe Kinetic Sand Recipe which uses food-grade ingredients. Here’s everything you’ll need to make a batch of Kinetic Sand:

• 2 cups Play Sand (we used light blue play sand but any color works!)
• 1 1/2 cups Cornstarch
• 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil

Extras for the ocean sensory bin:

• Mini Sea Creatures (crabs, dolphins, whales, fish, turtles, etc.)
• Ocean Cookie Cutters
• Mini Beach Buckets
• Wooden Loose Parts, Rocks, or other ocean-themed trinkets
• Silicone Cupcake Liners or Small Bowls
• Scoops and Funnel, Tongs and Tweezers, Spoons, or cookie cutters
• Sensory Bin (or any container big enough for your child to play in).

Kinetic Sand Instructions

1. Mix Dry Indredients

Add 2.5 cups of fine play sand and 1.5 cups of cornstarch into a mixing bowl. Stir well to evenly distribute everything.

3. Add Oil

Slowly mix in the 1/2 cup oil.

3. Mix It All Together

Use your hands to knead the mixture until it’s fully combined and has a soft, moldable texture. If it’s too dry, add a tiny bit more oil. If it’s too wet, sprinkle in a little more cornstarch.

4. Optional Extras

If you’re feeling fancy, now’s the time to add a few drops of essential oils for a lovely scent or a sprinkle of glitter for some sparkle. Just make sure it’s safe for kids and won’t irritate sensitive skin.

How to Set Up Your Ocean Sensory Bin

1. Fill the Bin

Start by adding your homemade kinetic sand to your large container or sensory bin. Spread it out evenly across the base to create the perfect ocean floor. This is your child’s sea base, ready to be explored!

2. Add Ocean Items

Next, place your ocean-themed treasures into the sand. Add plastic sea creatures, rocks, and mini buckets. Sea glass, gems, and small seashells add fun textures and a beachy vibe.

3. Add Scoops and Tongs

To make the bin even more interactive, toss in some cookie cutters, scoops, tongs, and bowls to give your child even more ways to interact with the bin. These tools promote fine motor development as kids scoop, dig, and collect sea creatures and hidden treasures.

4. Let Them Play

Now that your ocean world is set up, let the fun begin! Watch as your child explores the sea floor, rescues sea creatures, buries treasures, and creates their own underwater stories.

Creative Play Ideas For Your Ocean Sensory Bin

You’ll be amazed by how long your child stays engaged with this ocean sensory adventure. Don’t be surprised if your little one spends a solid 20 minutes just running their fingers through the sand. It’s that satisfying! Want to take it up a notch? Here are a few ideas:

1. Ocean Storytime

Pair the bin with a book like Commotion in the Ocean, The Rainbow Fish, or Mister Seahorse. After reading, encourage your child to act out scenes or create new underwater tales using the bin.

2. Sea Treasure Hunt

Hide mini gems, shells, or coins in the sand and challenge your child to find them using scoops or tweezers. It’s a fun surprise element that keeps them engaged!

3. Free Play

Sometimes the best moments come from unstructured exploration. Let the imagination flow! Ask open-ended questions like “What’s happening under the sea?” or “Where are the fish going today?” to spark conversation and creative storytelling.

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.

Why We Love This Ocean Sensory Bin

This kinetic sand ocean sensory bin is a hit for kids of all ages. It’s easy to make and endlessly versatile for creative play. Plus, it’s an affordable way to bring a little extra fun to your Summer Sensory Activities.

So grab your ingredients, mix up a batch of kinetic sand, and dive into some magical under-the-sea sensory play! Don’t forget to share your ocean bin creations in the comments. I’d love to see them!!