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Sensory Bins for Toddlers
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Mary-Margaret C. profile picture
Mary-Margaret C.
We love a good sensory bin and I try and do a new one monthly to keep things exciting for little. These are some of our favorite ideas.
Sections
9
 
General Sensory Bin Tools
 
Cool Beans
 
Beach Days
 
Rock Painting
 
Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy
 
Feeling Salty

General Sensory Bin Tools

Add these to any sensory bin for all the scooping / sorting fun!

 
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The perfect sized bin for sensory play. Plus it has a secure lid to keep mess contained!
Sterilite Large Clip Box Black
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A must for any sensory bin!
Mainstays 3 Piece Scoop Set Durable Polypropylene Plastic, White
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Scoops for tiny hands!
GoodCook PROfreshionals 6-Piece Plastic Measuring Spoon Set, Multicolor
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Great for motor skills, we use these in almost every sensory bin!
Learning Resources Flex-Grip Tongs - Kids Tongs, Fine Motor Skills, Ages 2+
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Another great tool for motor skills and versatile for all sensory bins
Children's Large Plastic Tweezers, Fine Motor Skills Development Tool for Bean Sorting, Science Experiment & Preschool Learning, Random Color
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The perfect scoop for any bin
Mainstays 1 Cup Large Spout Plastic Measuring Cup, Clear - Walmart.com
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Cool Beans

This is our OG sensory bin and still a favorite! Add a few scoops and your little will have hours of fun with this.

 
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The best sensory filler IMO - easy to clean!
Light Red Kidney Beans - 1lb - Good & Gather: Unsalted
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So many compartments to fill & empty, these are actually the GOAT for keeping little hands busy
Sukuos 7-Day Pill Organizer, Large Moisture-Resistant Cases - Rainbow Colors
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Beach Days

 
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This stuff is so cool! Shapeable, reusable and way less messy than the real stuff
Kinetic Sand 3lbs Beach Sand for Ages 3 and Up
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Love using these vase fillers as “water”
Akasha Superfoods Dusk Blue Glass Loose Gemstone 38 oz 807900683 from search classType VARIANT
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Add another interactive element to your sensory bin with these ocean animals
Ocean Animals Value Pack
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These mini molds are perfect for a sensory bin!
Walmart Lionlar 6 Mini Sand Castle Molds Building Pyramid Sandcastle Beach Kid Play Toy Gift
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A full kinetic sand kit!
Kinetic Sand Deluxe Beach Castle Set with Molds Tools
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Rock Painting

Rocks not linked because you can get them for free outside 😅

 
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When I tell you the HOURS we have spent painting rocks….we are obsessed with these markers, they last so well once painted!
24 Colors Acrylic Paint Markers Dual Tip Fine Tip Brush Tip Pens Stone Wood Calligraphy Canvas Ceramic Metal Glass Rock Painting DIY Crafts Art Suppl
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Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy

 
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Dye yellow with food coloring or ground turmeric, and use as the lemonade “mix”
Great Value Long Grain Enriched Rice, 32 oz
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You'll need some clear cups like this to put the “lemonade” in
G.E.T. Heavy-Duty Shatterproof Stackable Plastic Tumbler ...
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The most important ingredient!
Realistic Fake Lemon Slices Plastic
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Fake ice cubes are the cherry on top to this imaginative play
Plastic Fake Ice Cubes
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Feeling Salty

Fill one spice jar with salt then pour into a ziploc bag, add a few drops of food coloring and knead around with your hands until salt is colored. Pour back into the jar, add the shaker lid and let your little loose!

 
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Base for all the mixing, scooping and shaking
Great Value Plain Salt 26 oz
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*PARENT SUPERVISION NEEDED for this part* for coloring the salt
Great Value Assorted Food Color and Egg Dye, 1.2 oz.
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I got my spice shakers at the dollar store but these ones would be PERFECT, especially with the handle. Some of the other options have twisty lids that little hands couldn't manage independently.
Mainstays Glass Salt and Pepper Spice Shaker Bottle 4 oz
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For filling spice jars
Mainstays 2-Piece Kitchen Funnel Set, White, Plastic
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A sieve can add another layer of fun to this salt bin
Fine Mesh Strainers for Kitchen, Stainless Steel Metal ...
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Buggin' Out

 
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A great assortment of insects for littles to explore
Safari Ltd® TOOBS® Insects | Michaels
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“Dirt" for your bugs!
Great Value Black Beans, 1 lb
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For an up close look at the insects and what makes them unique
WIKCOVER 100MM Large Magnifying Glass Handheld Reading Magnifier for Seniors & Kids
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Bee Ready for Spring

 
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Honeycomb ice cube tray for a bee themed bin
High Quality Ice Tray, Silicone Ice Mold with Sealed Lid, Small Ice Tray, Reusable, Safe Hexagonal Ice Mold Honeycomb Silicone Ice Tray with Dust *
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Taste-safe sensory bin filler
Post Honeycomb Cereal, Honey Flavored Crunchy Breakfast Cereal, 19oz Box
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Additional filler for littles to add sort / pour / count / transfer into ice cube tray
100pcs Bee Flower Resin Craft Cute Mini 3D Bumble Flatback Tiny Ornaments
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You're the Apple of My Eye

 
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Taste-safe sensory bin filler for Fall
Quaker Oats Old Fashioned 100% Whole Grain Oatmeal, 18 oz Canister - Walmart.com
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Scent is a fun addition to a sensory bin!
Great Value Cinnamon Sticks, 0.75 oz
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Faux apples to count
20pcs Mini * Christmas Tree Ornaments - Realistic * Wreath Decor, Durable Plastic * Decor, Party and Festive Accessories, No El
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Acrylic apples to sort / count / scoop
17pcs Vibrant Acrylic * Ornaments in Red, Green & Yellow - Glossy * for Vase Fillers, Wedding Decor, Party Favors, Home & Table Scatterings,
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For “pie making"
4 Pcs Mini Pie Pans, 5 Inch Round Small Pot Pie Plates, Nonstick Carbon Steel Bakeware Set for Baking Pies, Tarts
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