I don’t want to jinx anything, but it looks like spring is here! And by that, I mean it is still 30 degrees out… and there is still snow on the ground (in small patches). BUT. It isn’t below zero, and it isn’t snowing anymore (fingers crossed!).
It seems like even before spring is a thought in our mind, our local stores are stocked and ready. 😀 So when I saw these tiny, adorable little flower pots at our local store, I knew I HAD to make a sensory box with them!
What is a Sensory Bin?
I’ve talked about sensory bins a bit before. Quite simply, a sensory a bin is simply a collection of items presented to stimulate play using a child’s senses.
A sensory bin will often have different elements to engage different senses. Texture, smell, sound, sight… these are all senses a child may use when exploring a sensory activity.
Putting Together a Sensory Box
I found my storage containers as a two pack for pretty cheap at our local Wal-mart. It is nice to have a few on hand, I like to keep a couple of different activities available at one time. I also found the mini flower pots there, and they were under a dollar!
The wooden flowers I’ve had since our wedding. I used them to make all my flower bouquets. That was like, almost 8 years ago now!! I never said I wasn’t a craft supply hoarder. 😀
You will be surprised how many household items can be used and reused in sensory activities!
I am trying to use less, or as little plastic or “disposable” items in our sensory play. That’s why I was so happy to see these flower pots… and happy that I had hung on to the wooden flowers for almost a decade! (Toooottttallllyyyyy worth it- ha!).
Seriously though, yes, some beans get everywhere. Miss almost 2 will play nicely for a bit (or not… depending on her mood). I can tell when she has about had enough- she starts dumping handfuls on the floor. So, we lose a few every time we play, and that’s okay!
We will play a few more days with this arrangement. I think I will pack up the pots and flowers, and add some sort of bug elements for our next bin!
I love that you can reuse, repurpose and change up the items in these bins!
Supplies for a Spring Sensory Bin
- Plastic Storage Container
- Mini Terra Cotta Flower Pots
- Dried Black Beans (I used 4 pounds)
- Wood Flowers
Optional:
More Sensory Activity Ideas:
Magnetic Egg Find
Popsicle Matching
