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Sensory Bin Must Haves
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items Sensory bins are a wonderful way to get kiddos excited about learning. We use them for homeschooling. Anything from science to learning letters! I hope this list helps you put together an easy bin for your kiddos!
Sections
6
Filler
Storage
Printables
Trays
Scoops and Such
Add ins
Filler
This was worth the cost for that beautiful color texture! We loved this paired with our tree nature study printables.
Lundberg Wild Blend Whole Grain, Brown and Wild Rice - 16oz
These make a beautiful green filler that is fun to manipulate and mix!
Dry Green Split Peas - 1LB - Good & Gather
Rice is one of the cheapest and easiest fillers to use!
White Rice : Pasta, Rice & Grains
Chickpeas are a fun addition because they are so round! You can dye them with food coloring, or leave them natural.
Dry Chickpeas Garbanzo Beans - 1lb - Good & Gather
Oats make a wonderful natural filler. How fun would they be in a pie themed sensory bin?!
Dry Oats: Organic, Gluten-Free, Rolled & Instant Options
Dry black beans give a nice background for colorful or white additions. They also look great as seeds! These are a choking and swallow hazard, so use caution and adult supervision.
Dry Black Beans - 1LB - Good & Gather
Perfect for sensory bins! Add some paint for fun colors.
Alphabet Pasta : Pasta, Rice & Grains
Storage
The functionality of these for sensory bins is 5 star. Be gentle when transporting or storing as the plastic can chip or break. The clear view for sensory bins is beautiful!
All Purpose 3 Drawer Storage Clear - Brightroom™
These are perfect for storing filler. They’re plastic, so no worries on kiddos breaking glass or pouring heavy filler into the jars.
Darice 8 oz Plastic Mason Jars with Airtight Screw on Lid - Pack of 12
These are perfect for both storage and play! Just remove the lid, not need to pour. 🫶🏽
32qt Clear Storage Bin with Latches - Brightroom™
Printables
We loved this printable paired with black beans, and dyed chickpeas. Find everything you need in this list!
Autumn Apples Activity Pack: Seek & Find, Handwriting, Story, Sorting, Fall Fun
We loved pairing this nature study with sensory bins for our fall science lessons!
Trees & Leaves Nature Study: Life Cycles Diagrams Taxonomy Classification
These tree and leaf cards are perfect for sorting, matching and hiding in a sensory bin. Add in some found pieces as well for a complete lesson!
Tree and Seed Identification Cards - Taxonomy, Sorting, Matching Activity
This freebie paired perfectly with our apple themed sensory tray! It was a great addition to the printable apple cards we used as well.
FREEBIE | Johnny Appleseed Retelling Sticks | Short Story | Book List
Trays
Can’t you see this being the perfect volcano setup?! Or use it for some type of sorting! 💙💙💙
Coastal 14" Melamine Plastic Dip Bowl and Platter - Threshold™
These are all beautiful wooden sensory trays! Which one will you try first?
Sensory Trays - Barn Owl Kids
This would be perfect for Christmas or to pair with a tree centered nature study!
AuldHome Design Wooden Christmas Tree Trays, Black, 2pc Set, Rustic Farmhouse Holiday Christmas Serving Decorative Platters
This is a great inexpensive option. Dollar Tree also has large platters that work well!
(2 pack) Clear Rectangular Plastic Food Tray, 18", by Way To Celebrate
Scoops and Such
These scoops are perfect for little hands and excellent for fine motor development.
Small Wooden Scoop (Set of 2) - Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia
Any measuring cups will work great, but how fun are these clear ones! I love that kiddos can see what they’re scooping as they play.
6pc Tritan Plastic Measuring Cups Clear - Figmint™: Dishwasher-Safe, Includes 1 Cup to 1/4 Cup
Funnels are always a fun addition to sensory play! These are collapsible and silicone which adds to the sensory fun.
4pc Silicone Collapsible Funnel Set - Figmint™: Multicolored Kitchen & Cooking Funnels, Dishwasher-Safe, 5.59" Height
I love the muted colors of these and they have a nice solid texture. They’ve held up well over the 5 years we’ve had them!
8oz 6pk Plastic Solid Kids' Tumblers - Pillowfort™: Stackable, Dishwasher & Microwave Safe, Ages 3+
Don’t forget about wet sensory bins! This would be a perfect for wet or dry sensory play.
Learning Resources Preschool Science Rainbow Lab
These are perfect in a pie themed bin! This is a set of 4 and they stack nicely. Super durable being made from metal.
Cuisinart 4pc Mini Round Pie Set - CMBM-4RPD: Nonstick Steel Bakeware, Small Pie Tins, Dishwasher-Safe, Even-Heating
Tongs are excellent for developing those little hand muscles while playing with sensory bins. Pair with a larger noodle for ease in picking up and sorting!
9" Stainless Steel Tongs with Silicone Champagne Light Gold - Figmint™: Kitchen Cooking & Salad Utensil
Add ins
If you’re looking to reuse plastic straws, wash them, cut them and throw them in a sensory bin! They make the most beautiful sound when mixed with rice.
Plastic Flexible Straws - 100ct - Dealworthy™
Dry pasta adds a great texture to any sensory bin! It’s fun to have these bigger pieces to grab and sort. These can be dyed using food dye, and rubbing alcohol.
Rotini : Pasta, Rice & Grains
We love the addition of chunky letters to our bins to practice letter names and sounds!
Wooden ABC Puzzle - 27pc - Gigglescape™: Alphabet Peg Toy, Educational for Toddlers, Fine Motor Skills
Dry pasta is a fun chunky addition! These can be dyed using paint or food dye and rubbing alcohol.
Rigatoni - 16oz - Good & Gather™
These are fun with tongs or scoops for color sorting or counting!
400ct Pom-Pom Combo Pack - Mondo Llama™: Multicolor Craft Embellishments, PET & Polypropylene, Ages 6+