What to do with individual sensory bins. 12 fun ideas for preschoolers!
Well here it is... the "new normal" they have been talking about since Corona hit. Some things seem strange and some things seem hard but.... some things I actually like better. Individual sensory bins are one of those things!
I use a "washtub" from the dollar store ( sometimes called a dish bin) about 15" x 13" rectangle. I use white ones but if I was to get more I would get a darker colour. The white ones easily stain.
Here are some ideas on how to use an individual sensory bin. (Where each child gets their own bin and own supplies) This way of having sensory play does cost more because if you want to use a strainer, for example, each child needs one instead of two for the classroom bin. But with classroom bins not being used anymore you can find some fun things to do where each child has their own supplies that don't break the bank.
With my preschoolers we have used the individula sensory bin quite often. Here are some of the activities we have tried:
With my preschoolers, we have used the individual sensory bin quite often. Here are some of the activities we have tried:
Water, Ice, String & Salt
(For this activity I would omit the salt for younger children)
I put 4-5 inches of cold water and several ice cubes into the bin. I gave each child a length of yarn. I also gave them a small side container of salt and some typical water play toys.
The idea is to lift the ice cube with the string. How do you do it? Lay the string on the ice cube, sprinkle with salt, pause a moment as it refreezes then lift .... the salt will "glue" the ice cube to the string.
Handwashing Station
(This can be done many times over!)
With all of our healthy activities we do every day it is important to not forget to teach how to do simple things. We tell our kids to wash their hands but have we taught them how or practiced? This activity can help even the youngest of kids understand how and why to wash their hands.
I printed a handwashing guide off Teachers Pay Teachers and laminated it so it could withstand a sprinkle. I walked the kids through each step of washing their hands from soap to singing the ABCs to scrub long enough then rinsing. I let the kids copy me one time then do it on their own. Afterwards, I posted the chart on the bathroom door as a reminder and I am happy to report several of the kids still sing the ABCs as they wash their hands!
Off-Road Cars
(Simple and fun!)
Kids love cars and they love them, even more, when combines with coarse sand and rocks! I simply added 1/2 sand and 1/2 small rocks and let the kids pick two cars for their sensory bin. We played outdoors which was even more fun. Try out your sensory bins with off-road cars! (you can even add a cup of water for the kids to dump in if you want an "in the rain" experience.)
Make a Raft Float
I provided the kids with twigs, yarn, lengths of straws and a few inches of water in their bins. I gave them the instruction to tie and build a raft and then to try to float it in their bins to see if it floats. (We added a paper man to see if we could keep him dry. We blew him around the bin with a straw.) For younger kids, you could pre-build a raft base and have them add to it before floating it.
Animal Washing Station
(This was so much fun but I won't fool you - it was messy! If you can do it outside that may be better.)
For this activity, I wanted to be really open-ended. I gave the kids two toy animals, a toothbrush a cup with water and a pile of dirt. I told the kids their animals liked to get dirty and it was their job to wash them clean. I gave no further instructions.
At first, there was some tentative dipping the toothbrush in the water and dirt and then one friend decided to dump his cup into the dirt to make mud. I smiled and said nothing. Then more friends decided to make mud! They got their animals dirty and clean over and over it was so very messy but so very fun!
For this activity, I wanted to be really open-ended. I gave the kids two toy animals, a toothbrush a cup with water and a pile of dirt. I told the kids their animals liked to get dirty and it was their job to wash them clean. I gave no further instructions..ver and over it was so very messy but so very fun!
At first, there was some tentative dipping the toothbrush in the water and dirt and then one friend decided to dump his cup into the dirt to make mud. I smiled and said nothing. Then more friends decided to make mud! They got their animals dirty and clean over and over it was so very messy but so very fun!
Chopstick Pick-Up
After the messy Animal Washing Station, this sensory bin activity was good clean fun! I simply filled the bins halfway full, floated plastic bottle caps in the water and plastic bread tags. I gave each child two chopsticks and told them to practice trying to get the items out of the bin with the chopsticks. Once they had the hang of it we did some "races". I put all the items back and Said "Ready, Set, Go!" and counted to twenty out loud. Once I was done we counted how many items they each got out. We played several times and then I simply let them play in the water, try to sink the caps and stir with the chopsticks.
Frozen Fish Rescue
(Hint: Prerinse your rocks to make sure the colour does not bleed out. We had a couple of blue hands when we did this activity)
I put a small layer of fish rocks at the bottom of the bins. I added some plastic fish, plants and some shells. I froze plastic fish into ice cube containers. I simply added the frozen fish to the bin, gave the kids a plastic fork and a squeeze bottle of tepid water. I told them it was their job to rescue the frozen fish! I had to show a few friends how to spray the ice cubes with the squeeze bottle then they were off! I did learn I needed to provide them with a towel to dry their hands as their hands would get cold playing with the ice.
Once the fish were rescued I added a bit of water and let them water play with their fish in the bins.
Ice Person Hockey
For this activity, I froze just the feet of our small dollhouse people in ice cubes. I drew with a dry erase marker two goals and a center circle in their bins. I gave them each a person and showed them how to slide it around their bin. I added a marble and they played "hockey" with their ice person. Before COVID I would par them up so they could play hockey together but this time they had to score on themselves.
Ping Pong Painting
Our theme was Sports Week so although I have done this activity with marbles I thought I would try ping pong balls. It worked quite well but since marbles are heavier you would get more designs on your paper with marbles.
I added a sheet of construction paper to the bin, dabbed paint around and gave each kid a ping pong ball to roll around and make designs with. They made some great pictures!
Build A Boat Challenge
(I don't know about you but my kids love challenges! They love races and they love to try new ideas. This activity hits all of those points)
I simply gave each child a bin of water, sheets of tin foil and some feathers. I challenged them to try to build a boat that would really float. It took a few do-overs but most of the kids were able to mould and shape the tin foil into a boat-like shape that floated.
Build a Dam Challenge
This activity lasted longer than I had initially had thought it would. I could not believe how it held their attention. I simply gave them an empty bin, tin foil, plastic wrap, twigs and rocks. I told them to try to build a dam in the center of the bin that would hold water on one side and not leak over to the other side. After a little brainstorming they were off! They built a variety if structures and when they were ready I asked them which side they wanted me to pour the water in and then I added water. Most dams leaked a little but I was pleased with the building concepts the kids were exploring.
This activity lasted longer than I had initially had thought it would. I could not believe how it held their attention. I simply gave them an empty bin, tin foil, plastic wrap, twigs and rocks. I told them to try to build a dam in the center of the bin that would hold water on one side and not leak over to the other side. After a little brainstorming, they were off! They built a variety of structures and when they were ready I asked them which side they wanted me to pour the water in and then I added water. Most dams leaked a little but I was pleased with the building concepts the kids were exploring.
Potion Lab
After all the water activities it was time for some messy fun again. Our theme was Mad Science so I wanted to give the kids a chance to explore some science concepts on their own.
I simply provided them and empty bin, an eyedropper, a school and a spoon and two small cups. I gave them a variety of ingredients like a lemon slice, vinegar, baking soda, spices, soap and cornstarch. I told them to make their own experiment.
Once they got started they got quite excited about it. At first, they were a little unsure of what to do. Once reactions of their potions started happening they really got into it. It was a bit messy but completely worth it!
As you can see individual sensory bins can be for more than water and bubbles. (although don't get me wrong, my kids love water and bubbles!) Try using your bins in different ways depending on the interests and ages of your kids.
This is one "new normal" change I think I will keep even if things loosen up. It is so much more satisfying for the kids to have their own bin and be able to all participants at the same time.
Cheers! Have fun with your sensory bins!
