The BEST St. Patrick’s Day Jello Sensory Bin

Create the BEST St. Patrick’s Day sensory bin using Jello! Keep your kids entertained with creative play ideas and St. Patrick’s Day magic!

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, and if you’re anything like me, you’re always on the hunt for new, creative ways to make the holiday even more memorable for your little ones.

Well, let me introduce you to the ultimate activity that combines messy play, sensory exploration, and loads of festive fun – a St. Patrick’s Day Jello Sensory Bin!

Sensory bins are an amazing hands-on experience for kids of all ages, and trust me, they’ll be talking about it long after the Jello has been cleaned up!

Why Seasonal Activities Are Awesome

Holiday-themed activities have a special kind of magic, especially for little ones. These sensory bins let your kids dive into the seasonal fun, create lasting memories, and get a feel for the holiday spirit.

The best part? You can soak up all the St. Patrick’s Day excitement right at home!

How To Create The Best St. Patrick’s Day Jello Sensory Bin

What You’ll Need

Getting started with a St. Patrick’s Day Jello Sensory Bin is easy. I linked what I used from Amazon, but most of the items you’ll need can also be picked up on a budget from the Target Dollar Spot or your local Dollar Store. Here’s what you’ll want to gather:

• Jell-O: Stick with classic St. Patrick’s Day colors like green (I used 2 boxes for our bin). Want to skip the sugar? Clear gelatin with food coloring works just as well and is less sticky! Be sure to check out our blog post Jello Blocks for Sensory Play for our gelatin recipe and step-by-step instructions.
• Plastic St. Patrick’s Day trinkets: Think shamrocks, plastic coins, and rainbows.
• Silicone Cupcake Liners, Mason Jars, or Small Bowls: Perfect for scooping, pouring, and creating “potions.”
• Scoops and Funnel or Tongs and Tweezers: These will not only help keep the mess slightly under control but also encourage fine motor skills. These sensory tools are my favorite!
• Sensory Bin (or any container big enough for your child to play in).

Take a look at our list of essential sensory bin supplies to have on hand, making it easy to set up multiple different sensory bins in seconds!

How To Set It Up

1. Prepare the Jello

The night before you plan to do the activity, prepare your Jello. Follow the instructions on the package, but if you want the Jello to be a bit firmer for easier digging, reduce the amount of water slightly.

If you’re using unflavored gelatin, feel free to add a few drops of green food coloring to give it that St. Patrick’s Day look.

2. Add St. Patrick’s Toys

While the Jello is still liquid, drop in all your St. Patrick’s trinkets (make sure to wash the toys with warm, soapy water beforehand). Some toys will sink to the bottom while others float on top—perfect for a fun sensory dig! Let the Jello set overnight in the fridge, giving it plenty of time to firm up.

3. Add Scoops, Tweezers, Bowls, and Jars

Add in some scoops, tweezers, bowls, and jars to give the kids even more ways to play! They can scoop up the Jello and transfer the St. Patrick’s Day toys between containers, all while working on those fine motor skills in a fun and engaging way.

4. Time to Play!

When the kids gather around the bin, give them a few minutes to explore with their eyes first. Some children might be hesitant at first – the cold, squishy Jello might seem a little “yucky” to them. And that’s totally fine!

Let them ease into the sensory experience at their own pace. Give them tongs or tweezers to start picking out a shamrock or two, or encourage them to dip their fingers into the gooey mess to find those hidden treasures.

It didn’t take long for my kids to dig in and get their hands messy!

Creative Play Ideas for Your St. Patrick’s Day Jello Sensory Bin

Once the kids have dived into the St. Patrick’s Day Jello sensory bin, you can keep the fun going by encouraging some creative play! Here are a few simple ideas that will turn their squishy, festive sensory experience into even more imaginative adventures:

1. Treasure Hunt

This is a great one for little adventurers! Bury the St. Patrick’s Day trinkets deep inside the Jello and challenge the kids to go on a treasure hunt to find the gold coins, shamrocks, or rainbows. Use tweezers, tongs, or scoops to “rescue” each toy from the sticky, gooey Jello.

2. Leprechaun Potion-Making

Let your kids pretend they’re leprechauns creating magical potions! Provide small containers, like mini pots, bowls, or jars, and encourage them to scoop up the Jello. They can mix ingredients like gold coins, rainbows, and shamrocks into their concoctions and make up festive spells to go along with it.

3. Lucky Soup Kitchen

Turn the sensory bin into a lucky soup-making station where the kids can “cook” up different recipes like “shamrock stew” or “golden rainbow brew.” Provide spoons, ladles, and jars or mini bowls so they can stir up different combinations of Jello and other St. Patrick’s Day toys.

Top Tips for St. Patrick’s Day Jello Sensory Fun

Let them explore at their own pace: When introducing something messy like Jello, it’s important not to rush the kids into playing if they’re unsure at first. Some kids might feel a bit uncomfortable with the slimy texture, especially if they have sensory sensitivities or sensory processing disorder. Give them some time to get familiar with the bin and maybe even start with tools like scoops or tweezers before using their hands. Once they’re ready, they’ll be diving in and having a blast!

Add new toys gradually: As the kids start to lose interest, you can introduce new elements like a set of toy syringes, eye droppers, or scoops that they can use while digging through the bin. Trust me, this will revive their excitement and keep the fun going for longer. Plus, it allows them to shift gears in their play, keeping things fresh and engaging!

Embrace the mess: Okay, I won’t lie – this is going to get messy! But hey, that’s all part of the fun. The Jello might end up on their clothes, the floor, or even in their hair. And that’s okay! I always set our Jello bin up in a space where mess is welcome – like outside or on a large tray indoors. If you can, place a tablecloth or a play mat underneath to catch any spills.

Get Ready for Festive Fun!

If you’re looking for a low-prep, high-fun St. Patrick’s Day activity that the kids will absolutely love, give a St. Patrick’s Day Jello Sensory Bin a try. Whether you’re setting it up for a festive party, a classroom, or just a fun afternoon at home, you can’t go wrong with this combination of messy sensory exploration and holiday magic.

So gather up your supplies, whip up some Jello, and let the sensory fun begin. And don’t forget to let them get messy!