Easy to Make at Home: 30+ Sensory & Pretend Play Bins for Never-Ending Growth & Learning Experiences
Sensory and pretend play bins are more than just fun. They are an important part of any early childhood growth, development and learning experience.
Young children learn best with a wide variety of sensory experiences where they can touch, feel, interact with, and have the all-important pretend playtime. Providing sensory playtime gives a child the opportunity to learn in purposeful and meaningful ways.
Sensory Playtime Gives Great Learning Experiences
Children learn through their exploration of their world. Play is how they explore and learn and grow.
Through play a child uses all of their senses in order to explore and learn – they use touch, taste, smell, proprioceptive/movement, vision, body awareness, and so on while they play and interact. When a child can see, smell, touch, experience, and even hear something – the learning experience becomes more meaningful and more effective. The use of a variety of sensory bins combined with pretend playtime makes for a wonderful learning time.
Having a variety of sensory input, sensory experience, and sensory sensation, helps to promote the development and maturation of a child’s sensory systems.
Impact of Sensory Processing Deficits
When there is a sensory integration processing deficit, normal development of play and exploratory skills are significantly impacted – for those children, use of sensory boxes and other organized, planned, sensory integration activities can provide specific stimulation and input under more focused conditions.
Using Sensory and Pretend Play Boxes & Bin
Sensory and Pretend Play Boxes and Bins can be kept in a shoe-box, a plastic container with lid, a tackle box, a lunch box, and so on. You can mark each type of box with the child’s name, type of box, place a photo of the child on or in the box if you so choose, or let the child decorate their box.
Sensory and Pretend Play Boxes and Bins can be big and roomy, big enough for one, or for several kids to share, or they can all be converted into a small travel size for any on-the-go needs. You can make several in advance and have a couple handy for trips and travel use.
Tolerance Levels to Sensory Activities
If your child withdraws or becomes overwhelmed with any of the activities or media presented, move on to something else! Your child may only tolerate one or a few of the ideas suggested – remember it’s trial and error and giving your child some control over what they will work with will help in preventing sensory overload.
As with any sensory activity, never force a child to participate. You may need to present an activity numerous times before they will interact, accept, or tolerate the item or activity.
Continue to offer the experiences and activities giving the child some control as to whether or not they will participate.
For some children, just being next to and looking at certain items is a start.
What is the Purpose Behind Using a Sensory or Pretend Play Bin?
Sensory playtime is open-ended, meaning there is no clearly defined outcome of playing with or exploring the materials inside the bin.
Children use their senses and creativity to explore the materials offered in a sensory bin on their own without the expectation of an end product.
To recap, sensory and pretend play bin time is meaningful to young children and provides opportunities for open-ended play.
These bins are not about keeping kids busy. Instead, they provide opportunities for children to be successful, regardless of their language or cognitive abilities.
A child who struggles to express himself with language, may touch play snow for the first time and attempt to communicate how it feels.
When the materials inside sensory and pretend play bins are offered to children without an expectation of a finished product, children use their imaginations and creativity to make sense of the materials in their own way. This experience is often referred to as open-ended exploration.
What are the Educational Aspects of Sensory & Pretend Play Bins?
Providing your child with these bins can support the development of a wide variety of educational / learning skills.
Some of those skill areas include:
· Oral language use and development, sharing thoughts, interaction with others
· Creativity and Imagination come to life
· Fine motor skills, one-handed and manual dexterity coordination skills
· Measurement, math, development of logical thinking and consequences, planning ahead
· Critical thinking skills, planning, sequencing, outcomes, “what if?”
Are Sensory and Pretend Play Bins Messy?
Playing with these bins can be messy, however a little pre-planning will help contain any “mess” that may occur. You may try:
Playing with the bin outside
Keep paper towels and wet-wipes on hand
Keep a small garbage bag or pail nearby
Have a small dustpan and kid-sized broom nearby so your child can help in the clean-up.
Place an old sheet or pad down under the bin
Put the bin inside an empty kiddy pool
Use bins/ boxes with lids that secure the items when you are done using them
SAFETY NOTE
Due to the numerous small items that may be included in the Sensory Bins or pretend play boxes, always supervise for safety. If your child tends to try and eat items or stick small things in their nose or ears, you may choose to ONLY use larger items that are too big to become a choking or safety hazard. Keep your child safe - Don’t let the fun turn hazardous!
Variety of Sensory Bin & Play Box Experiences
The following list of over 30 different sensory and pretend play bins highlight the tremendous variety that you can easily put together at home, in school, or in the clinic.
In addition to the 30+ bins, there are also easy directions on how to make a:
· Sensory Light Box
· Sensory Feely Bags
· Gelatin Play Bins
Using a bin or box with a lid allows you to stack and save for another day. Very often the items used will be a combination of both sensory and pretend play items – your child will benefit from all the opportunities these bins provide.
The listings give you information on what you may want to include for each specific type of bin, however feel free to be creative and make the bins personal and for individual needs.
Tactile Sensory Integration Bin
Soft squeeze and squish toys
Fabric strips or squares (velvet, fuzzy, fake fur, leather, boas, silk, satin, embossed or textured fabrics, sheepskin, moleskin, washcloth)
Bubble wrap (using different squares of big to little bubbles)
Loofah sponges cut into different sizes and shapes
Sensory brushes, soft dish scrubbies
Lycra body sock or bag (used with supervision)
Tubs of sand, rice, lentils (this would be a separate activity typically in its own container and used with supervision) for hand-play to find hidden objects
Tub containing theraputty, playdough, “gak” or “slime”
“Messy Tub” with shaving cream, finger paints, lotion, glitter glue, paint brushes, wax paper, paper towels, hand wipes
Basin for water play (using warm, tepid water)
Vibrating toys or vibrating toothbrush, vibrating hand massager
Stuffed animals, soft blankets (weighted are great!)
Auditory Sensory Bin
Toys that make sounds, play music
Toys that rattle, pop, make rustling sounds, squeak, beep, ring, etc.
Empty plastic water bottles to squeeze and “crackle”
Musical instruments (bells, xylophone, whistles, tambourine, bongo’s, triangles, kazoo, etc.)
Bubble wrap to squeeze, jump on, roll on, wrap up in
CD’s of a variety of music (relaxation, classical, ocean sounds, animal noises, a variety of calming to arousing music, etc.)
Headphones
Pots and pans (to bang on)
Drum sticks
Plastic cups to pour items back and forth between (small rocks, dry pasta, bottle caps, etc.)
Visual Sensory Bin
Mirror (non-breakable kid safe)
Kaleidoscopes
Calming wall or ceiling projector - be sure to use child-safe products!
Toys that light up, flash, blink
Toys that spin and whirl
String of fairy lights
Drawing with Light activities
Blanket to use light up toys under
Flashlight (visually follow the light, look for specific items in the dark inside the house or outside using the flashlight)
Mobiles, wind socks
Variety of fabric squares of different colors and patterns to match up
Picture books (variety of topics) or colorful child friendly magazines
Paper activities that include coloring in the lines, mazes, dot-to-dot
Search and find specific items in a picture, photograph, in the room
Olfactory and Oral Motor Sensory Bin
Essential Oils (explore a child’s acceptance and personal choice)
Child safe chewables / oral motor chewies
Candles (not burning) to smell
Spices and herbs (use with close supervision and good judgment)
Blindfold (if they will tolerate) for game of identifying smell
Tasting game (is it sweet, sour, spicy, salty, cold, warm, crunchy, chewy, lumpy) where they may try new foods and textures as part of the “game”
Bubbles to blow in different sized and shaped bubble wands
Blow bubbles through a straw
Straws -Try to suck thick shake or yogurt through a straw (short straw, curly straw, wide straw, etc.)
Child-safe scented lotions and sprays
Body Awareness & Proprioceptive Sensory Bin
Weighted items (lap blanket, weighted stuffed toys, soft hand or ankle weights)
Compression vest or clothing
Lycra body sock / sensory bag
Chewy toys / “chew jewelry” / kid-safe chewable items – there are hundreds of items available on line
Squeeze balls / stress balls / racquet balls
Stretchy toys (be sure they are kid-safe!)
Small rubbery bounce pads / wiggle pads
Weighted bean bags (to toss and catch)
Weighted soft balls (Thera-ball or exercise balls – there are a variety of “medicine balls” that are easy to hold in 1 or 2 hands)
Electric toothbrush if they will tolerate, or
Non-vibrating tooth cleaning items for deep pressure and sensory stim in the mouth, chewy tubes, pediatric safe oral motor stim tools, pediatric gum massagers
Massager (manual or electric/battery operated) – small massagers may be less intimidating and more easily accepted
Soft body friendly sponges, loofas, soft flannel pieces of fabric (for body rubs, holding, use during deep pressure activities, massages)
Soft blanket for rolling up in, hiding under, wrapping up in; provide deep pressure and massage through the blanket
Bubble wrap (to squeeze, walk on, pop – vary the size of the bubble wrap to allow experience with different types of pressure and force needed to “pop” the bubbles with their hands, or feet); encourage walking on bare foot
Bag of feathers, textures fabrics, etc., to feel, walk on bare foot, rub on their bodies
Paint brushes and sensory brushes – rub on their body if tolerated and have them tell you where you are touching them for body part identification and self-awareness; can do with their eyes closed if they will tolerate
Bubble solution – have them blow (or you blow) and then have them try to “clap” or “kick” the bubbles to break them, or have them “blow” or “wave” the bubbles to try and keep them in the air
Therapy type putty which will not dry out – use on non-fabric surfaces as this type of putty will sink into fabric and probably will not come out ever
Sheet of carbon-type paper and pens/pencils – for drawing or marking – they will need to push harder on the paper in order to get the design to come out on the carbon paper underneath; If they tend to press too hard, then work so that no marks are left on the carbon paper!
Picture books and story books showing kids in action (running, jumping, sitting, reaching, playing) and have your child try to demonstrate what they are looking at
Rubber discs or small carpet squares to work on walking tip-toe, or walking in hands-and-feet, in a straight line or curved pattern across the floor
Body awareness cards (purchased or you can make) where you show the picture or read off which body part your child needs to point to (head to toe)
What other items would your child love to have in their own body awareness and proprioceptive sensory box?
Sensory Light Box/Bin
The directions for a quick and easy DIY light box provided at end of book
Sensory Sand Play (use one color or a variety to stir, mix, and slide around)
Sensory Sand Foam / Floam
Colored plastic translucent discs
Colored translucent plastic stacking cones
Finger paints (with brushes, sponges, etc)
Plastic translucent parquetry pieces
Colored translucent plastic rings (costume/play bracelets, shower rings, arts/crafts supplies)
Variety of translucent marbles (Be alert for choke hazards)
Translucent floral “rocks” that are used in a vase (can often find at the $$ store in pre-packaged bags of individual colors)
Translucent alphabet letters, numbers, and shapes
Tracing paper – put over a simple design, shapes, lines, letters, etc, that your child can then trace over with a marker, crayon, or their finger
Oil and colored water play (in a flat glass pan/dish placed on top of light table)
Light Table Bubble Timers (you can find on-line)
Magna-Tiles (translucent or glow in the dark)
Translucent plastic cubes and stacking blocks
Sensory Feely Bags (Directions on how to make at home at end of book)
Sensory Gelatin Play (Directions on how to play with gelatin provided at end of book)
Water Beads – Put in a large flat pan/dish with an edge to keep the liquid contained for easy clean up
Variety of craft products (feathers, silk flowers, decorative add-ons like butterflies, pom-poms, and the list is endless!)
Look on-line for kid light table accessories for more media and product ideas!
Check out the $$ store for similar items that may be much less expensive yet still work just great! You never know what you may find at the thrift store and at yard sales as well!
Sensory Rice Seek and Find Bin
2 pounds of rice is a good amount for this type of activity – you can buy the cheapest brand as you are playing with it, not eating it!
NOTE: You can substitute elbow noodles if you choose – slightly different “feel” and texture, but this does work well and any mess is somewhat easier to clean up quickly
Add any of the suggested items from the following filler list to the container and you are ready to go!
You can vary how you use the Seek and Find Rice Box by
Making a list of what is in the box and then have your child go on a scavenger hunt searching for specific items
Have your child only look for and find items of a specific color
Have your child tell you about how and/or where you would use each item found
Have your child find the items by feel only by blocking their ability to see what’s in the box
Have them find the items that are only on the very bottom of the rice box
Let them “stir” the items up with their hands or a big wooden spoon
Filler Ideas to Include in a Seek and Find Rice Box:
Shower curtain rings (colored, clear, textured, and so on)
Pegs (from pegboards of various sizes and colors)
Clothes pins (wooden and/or plastic ones)
Old pieces of costume jewelry (remove pins and discard sharp edged pieces)
Comb (small, black or colored)
Small parquetry pieces (wooden, plastic, or ceramic)
Domino (one or two)
Plastic spoon
An Alphabet block
Small colorful toys (include little cars, toy people and critters)
Coins (pennies and dimes are smaller and harder to locate in the rice)
Buttons (of different colors and sizes)
Marbles
Paper clips (big colorful ones as well as the silver ones)
Bottle caps
Bobbins (metal or wooden)
Game pieces (from a variety of games) including dice
Rubber bands (different colors)
Big dry pasta (one or two rotini or penne, etc.)
Thimble
Small pieces of ribbon (different colors)
Nuts and bolts
Sequins (little shiny things are fun to find)
Beads (of various sizes)
Tiny colorful “pom-poms” from craft aisle
Small shells and interesting small rocks / pebbles
Small puzzle pieces (shapes, numbers, letters)
A crayon (with or without paper cover)
Key (various sizes)
Piece of twine or yarn
The list goes on!
Pretend Food & Play Dishes Sensory Bin
Plastic food items
Plastic plates, cups, utensils
Dried noodles or rice (for pouring and serving)
Plastic tea set
Velcro food puzzles (pizza for example that come apart into “slices”)
Table cloth or picnic table cover
Picnic Basket
Play food sets (plastic bread, meats, drink cartons, fruit, etc)
Small cookie sheet and cooling rack
Variety of forks, spoons, ladles, cups
Camping Sensory Bin
Blankets to make a fort out of
Small kid-sized pop up tent
Sleeping bag
Flashlight or lantern (LED, battery, Glow-in-the Dark)
Kids campout play set (with plastic fire/logs, s’mores, hotdogs, marshmallows, etc)
Laminated map
Small duffle bag
Books on woodland animals
Post Office / Mail Bin
Cards, sheets of paper, envelopes
Sticker (to use as stamps) Sheets or Rolls
Variety of pens, markers, crayons, colored pencils
Variety of themed stickers, colored sticky dots, etc to decorate mail with
Small box to color, decorate as a “mail box” – cut a slit into box to slide mail in through opening
Post it / sticky notes for making post cards
Plastic post-office play toys and kits
Stamps with kid-safe ink pads to use on “mail”
Small puzzle of the country to “track” the mail
Doctor Visit Bin
Kid play sets for doctor visits (bag, stethoscope, band-aids, blood pressure cuff, syringe, etc)
Box of band-aids of different colors, themes, etc
Roll of ace wrap for sore arm or leg
Athletic sticky wrap for wrapping a finger or toe with
Books on visiting the doctor
Small empty pill bottles and boxes for giving out prescriptions
Coloring books and crayons on doctor visits
Kid play syringes
Stuffed animal for “patients”
White shirt or jacket for the “Dr lab coat”
Magnifying glass to look closer for patient issues
Grocery Store / Shopping Bin
Variety of plastic fruits, vegetables, empty boxes of single-serving cereal
Paper bags for putting groceries in
Play cash register for “ringing up the purchase” with play money
Blank voided checks for paying for food, or old expired credit cards; pens or pencils to “sign” for purchase
Small tins of food (small tuna, cat food, vegetables, etc) for weighted items – uses cans that are not flip top!
Small note pads for making out /giving a receipt and for making a shopping list
Small collapsible cardboard shelf for stacking items
Small basket for carrying items “through the store”
Flower Shop Bin
Variety of plastic and silk flowers, fronds, foliage
Plastic vases or buckets to arrange flowers in
Small index cards to “write out / draw out” a message to go with the flowers
Variety of ribbons, trim, yarn to tie bouquets with
Colored tissue paper /wrapping paper to wrap flowers in
Coloring books of flowers, crayons, markers
Garden and Farmer’s Market Bin
Variety of plastic play vegetables and fruits
Small brown bags or baskets for “shopping”
Small sticky notes for “pricing” and tags for sale
Plastic buckets / containers for stacking items for sale
Kid-safe wipes for cleaning off veggies/ fruits
Seller’s Apron
Farmer’s hat / gardeners hat
Play-dough/ Play-clay Bin
Variety of colored play-dough / play-clay in tubs, or containers
Variety of play-dough “tools” (roller, smasher, crank-it, presser, etc)
Small cups, containers, boxes, measuring cups
Rolling pin
Potato smasher
Plastic style grater
Plastic type cutting board to work on for easy clean up
Sheet or blanket if playing on the floor
Variety of “doo-dad’s” for hiding in the play dough
Present Wrapping Station
Squares and small flat piece of wrapping paper
Squares (about 12” x 12”) of cut-up brown paper bags
Sheets of colored construction paper
Square pieces of variety of fabrics for wrapping with
Roll of tape (clear, colored, themed)
Child-safe scissors
Variety of small empty or weighted boxes (examples: bandaid box, mac & cheese box, small individual sized cereal boxes, empty soup package, empty small cartons from any number of products you have on hand)
Bag of bows
Strips of ribbon and strips of lace
Kid friendly markers and crayons
Stickers for decoration
Small index cards or stick-on name tags for presents
Puppet Center
Variety of finger and hand puppets (can find online, or you can make simple ones from socks and gloves)
Small open box for a “stage”
Decorative yarn, lace, ribbons
Stuffed animals or dolls as an audience
Mask or bandana for those who want to “hide their mouth” so the puppets can “talk” without anyone seeing it is you speaking
Small toys, cars, play items for puppets to interact with
Vet Care Clinic
Variety of “pets” (stuffed and/or plastic dogs, cats, birds)
Plastic vet play items (stethoscope, syringe, bandages, wet wipes, bandaids)
Cotton balls
Pet brush
Stickers
Pet toys
“Good Boy” or “Good Girl” stickers
Bands of ribbons or lace strips to make “collars”
Small fuzzy blankets to make “sick beds”
Small empty pill bottles and boxes for pet medicine
Artist Studio Bin
Load the bin up with white paper, colored papers, spiral bound art drawing books, construction paper
Crayons, kid-safe markers, pens, colored pencils
Kid safe stamping ink and stampers
Kid safe scissors
Small pieces of fabrics (colors, texture), ribbons, lace, leather, etc for mixed media work
Kid safe glue or glue sticks
Sequins, glitter, variety of buttons, plastic discs, etc (watch for choking hazards and age appropriateness)
Small frames to put their work in
Water soluble finger paints or acrylic paints
Variety of painting brushes, sponges, combs
Picture stands (the small wooden ones you can find at the dollar store) to place their framed work in so that it sits on a table or counter
Picture art books
Painters shirt (a big loose shirt to wear that is ok to get all painted up)
Sorting Bin
A variety of similar items to “sort”
Ideas may be red toys, toy cars, spoons and forks, colored buttons, different types of clothes pins, different textured squares of fabrics, costume jewelry bracelets, socks, different strips of lace or yarn colors
Have 5 to 10 of each item for sorting
Silverware tray and other containers to sort items in to
Coins (beware of choking hazards)
Construction blocks (sort by length, color, etc)
Variety of plastic play foods (sort by color, type of fruit or food, etc)
Pegs (variety of sizes, shapes, color)
Farm Visit Bin
Play farm set (barn and animals)
Variety of plastic farm animals (cows, horses, chickens, roosters, pigs, dogs, cats)
Variety of play farm equipment (tractors, back-hoe, truck, ATV, mower)
Plastic hay bales, corn, variety of other plastic vegetables and grains
Buckets, pails, containers (small play size)
Plastic play feeding and watering troughs
Plastic fencing and other construction logs/building blocks
Picture books of farms and farm animals, tractors, etc
Construction Site Bin
Variety of building and construction items (Lincoln type logs, pick-up sticks, construction blocks, building blocks, pegs, plastic and cardboard building bricks)
Toy dump truck, back-hoe, tracker, 18-wheeler, crane, etc
Flat play box to fill with play sand
Tarp to play on
Container of dried noodles and/or rice
Containers to scoop and pour with
Pet Shop Bin
Variety of stuffed “pets” (cats, dogs, mice, birds, snakes, fish, etc)
Little sticky notes for pet names, price, info about pet
Small brush / comb to brush the pets
Fabric squares for bedding
Ribbons and bows for pets to wear
Little bowls for “food” and “water”
Stick-it note for pet shop owner’s name tag
Dinosaur Dig Bin
Variety of plastic or rubbery dinosaurs
Playdough or play sand to bury dinosaurs’ in
Small plastic shovel, digging tools, bucket
Fresh clay or bread/pizza dough to bury dinosaurs in- let dry – then break open
Magnifying glass
Pith Helmet, scarf, glasses, vest to play “dinosaur hunter”
Picture books on dinosaurs
Blanket or plastic tarp to sit and work on
Sandy Beach Bin
Clean play sand (made specifically for kids to play with)
Shells (different sizes and shapes of real shells if possible)
Cup for pouring
Strainer
Beach blanket
Plastic beach bucket with plastic scooper
Sun Glasses (for play use)
Flip-flops
Sun Hats
A pretty fold up umbrella
Plastic beach critters (fish, birds, crabs – small enough to hide in the sand)
Option to use a kiddie pool (a blow up one to store in bin) to pour the sand from the bin in to
Baby Care Bin
Little dolls and stuffed animals
Cloth napkins or teeny tiny diapers
Soft kid sized brush and comb
Small soft washcloth
Pack of wet wipes
Small blankets
Small doll clothes and bonnets, shoes
Little picture book of babies (people and animal babies)
Pizza Party Pretend Play Bin
Play Pizza party sets
Spatula and serving tools
Hot pads / pot holders
Small cookie sheet or pizza pan
Serving plates (plastic play kind)
Napkins
Apron
Chef hat
Checkered scarf
Sticky notes for taking orders and for receipts, markers / pens
Table cloth
Small red/white checkered paper party plates
Fix-It Bin
This bin can contain a multiple of different items that need “fixing”
You can use a play set – little mechanic playset
A variety of nuts & bolts (they do sell plastic and plastic coated ones) to put together
Pounding box (with hammer and pegs)
Transformer type toys to take apart / put together
Car/truck toys that can be taken apart and put back together (google “take apart toys)
Kid drilling action play sets
Kid tool set
Tool belt
Hard hat
Work gloves
Building blocks and construction build it play sets
Fire Station Pretend Play Bin
Toy fire trucks
Fire station play set
Dalmatian toy
Fire hat
Vest
Badge for fire chief
Play houses with people / pets to “save”
Play fire extinguisher and hose
Flashlight
911 stickers
Walkie Talkies
Plastic bucket
Boots
Cylindrical foam lengths (for a pretend hose)
Ice Cream Shop Play Bin
Ice cream shop play sets
Bowls and containers
Colored putty / playdough
Ice cream scoopers
Colorful table cloth
Colorful small foam balls (for scoops of ice cream)
Plastic ice cream cones
Apron
Poster of ice cream for sale
Play money and cash register
Plastic containers with Ice cream names/ picture pasted on
Space Station Pretend Play Bin
Moon rocks (a variety of different shaped and sizes of rocks)
Thin silver thermal blanket (the foil looking kind)
Space station play set
Magnifying glass
Gloves for exploring and rock handling
Play tool kit for fixing space ship
Empty 2-liter plastic bottles wrapped in duct tape as oxygen tanks
Silver dryer vent hose
Mobile of the planets
Glow in the dark stars and planets
Back pack
Posters of planets, galaxies
Lab coat
Bake-It Bin
Plastic / Play rolling pin, bake sheet
Cookie cutters
Play size mixing spoon, measuring cup, bowl, tray, and spatula
Small muffin pan
Plastic play muffins, cookies, desserts, breads
Chef hat
Apron
Plastic containers with lids
Alphabet and Numbers Bin
Plastic and rubbery Alphabets and numbers
Plastic discs of all sizes (to use as the dot on the i, j, and when putting letters together to make words that need a “dot”)
Alphabet tracing sheets
Alphabet copy sheets
Pencil/pen/marker
Dry noodles, rice, play sand, or shredded paper to hide the letters and numbers in (change it up for different sensory experiences)
Illustrated alphabet and numbers books
Enough letters and numbers so they can sort and match them all out
Small containers to put specific letters (like for their name, or specific colors) in
Scoopers to hunt for the items
Tongs to try and pick up the items
The Show Must Go On Bin
A variety of items that can be used to put on a play, a musical, a dance recital, a movie and so on.
Scarfs, vests, coats, ribbons, lace, hats, gloves, kid-safe face paints, shoes, stockings, leggings, bright and colorful clothing and strips of fabric, sun-glasses, kid-safe mirror, feather boa, sequined and sparkly articles of clothing, Halloween costumes, small play musical instruments, old play brochures, old movie tickets, and so on – make it a treasure box of pretend play fun!
Let The Ideas Flow!
There is no limit to the type, kind, theme for bins you can come up with! Some other ideas you may want to work around could include:
· Hobbies (that you and your child may be interested in)
· Scrapbook bin (photo’s, paper, little books to make memory books from)
· Vacation bin (collection of items from a trip or vacation to sort through and remember)
· Small portable game bin (there are so many hand held portable games you can find at the dollar store, toy store, yard sale, that would be like a treasure chest of fun for your child!)
· Trip to Grandma’s bin (include small items they may see during a visit to their grandparent’s house – items to wear, sort through, smell, etc)
· Teacher bin – let them pretend to be the teacher of their own class
· What other ideas for sensory pretend play bins can you think of?
How to Make A Sensory Light Bin at Home
1. Line the inside of the tub with aluminum foil for good light reflection
2. Line the underside of the lid with 2-3 sheets of white tissue paper and use clear tape to keep it in place; The tissue paper helps diffuse the light and disperses it more evenly across the top of your light box, as well as “hiding” the light source below; use clear tape as masking tape may leave distracting spots where the light does not shine through the paper
3. Place the push-on LED puck lights around the bottom of the tub – you can use some double stick tape underneath each one to help hold in place. Depending on the size of your box you want good light coverage so you may want to use 6 to 10 LED puck lights. If you’d rather, you could use a string of LED holiday lights laid out around the bottom of the tub – you will either choose lights with a battery pack or cut a hole in the bottom side of your light box to run the cord through. Put the lid on, and you are ready to Play! The plastic lid makes for easier clean up, and if one becomes damaged, it is fairly easy to buy just the lid itself as a replacement.
4. Gather up the items your child will be using and let them enjoy this new play experience.
Line inside of tub / box with aluminum foil to increase light reflection
LED Puck Lights spread around box bottom. Use double sided tape to stick light to foil at the bottom of the tub. Spread around for good light coverage. Use 6 - 10 LED Puck lights depending on the size of the tub used
White tissue paper taped to underside of tub lid - If you do not want to use LED Puck lights, you can use String of white fairy type or LED lights with cord run through hole cut in side of the tub
Make Your Own Sensory Feely Bags
Colored Oil and Water Sensory Feely Bag
These are fairly easy to make, and easy to make a wide variety of sensory feely bags. For children who are not happy or comfortable touching squishy, gooey, or messy items, using sensory feely bags are a great CLEAN way for your child to experience sensory play without the full sensory impact.
With sensory feely bags you can place different objects in each bag – ideas include plastic or rubbery animals, building snap blocks, cotton balls, cut up sponges, glitter, buttons, unpopped popcorn, dried lentils or beans, dry noodles of various shapes and sizes, small craft pom-poms, and so on
Game Piece Discs, Buttons, Gel, Sensory Feely Bag
What you will need:
Plastic sealable lunch size, quart size, gallon size bags (buy good quality ones!)
A4 Laminator pouches if you choose to go that route (you will need an iron for this process) – you will need to find these in a craft store or order online
Super Glue to seal the bags (for non-laminated ones)
Sealing masking tape, duck tape, or fabric masking tape
Finger Paint Sensory Feely Bag
Liquid to put in the bags can include:
o Oils (olive or safflower)
o Hair Gel
o Food colors
o Gelatin mix with water
o Honey
o Food thickeners
o Syrup
o Oil and colored water mixture
You can make a bag for each of the following items, or make a “collage feely bag” and combine several items in one bag.
Buttons and Beads Hair Gel Sensory Feely Bag
Items to put in the bags can include:
o Buttons
o Sequins
o Glitter
o Small plastic or rubbery animals
o Foam alphabet letters and numbers
o Googly Eyes
o Cotton balls
o Cut up sponges
o Wooden game pieces
o Small dominos
o Beads and bobbles
o Small construction and building blocks
o Plastic or rubbery fish
o Wooden or plastic hearts
o Plastic leaves or flower tops
o Water beads
o Shells (smooth edges)
o Larger seeds (watermelon, pumpkin, unpopped corn)
o Magnetic bingo chips with bingo “wand”
o Squirt in a dollop of finger paint
o Squirt in several different colors of finger paint to mix up
o Theme bags for the different holidays (Easter, 4TH of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, and so on)
Halloween Themed Sensory Feely Bag
General Directions
1. You can make TRAVEL bags by using smaller snack and sandwich size
2. Use larger quart and gallon size for more active play!
3. Fill each bag with the items you are using (don’t overfill - the items need room to move around)
4. Pour in the liquid for that bag (oil, gel, honey, thickener, etc)
5. Do not overfill as there needs to be room for squishing and poking, and movement of the objects in the bag
6. Push out any “extra” air to flatten as you close the bag and seal
7. Seal (glue and tape) the bags well and let the glue dry well
8. You can “double” up the bag by putting the filled bag into another bag for extra protection and durability
9. You can put the masking tape, printed fabric tape, or duct tape around the sealed side or around all 4 sides for extra protection, besides giving it a cool look
10. If making an oil and water sensory feely bag, color the water and add ¼ cup to ½ cup of oil depending on the size of the bag – sort of shake and mix it up – the water and oil will not mix but will make some cool formations to move around by little hands
Magnetic Bingo Wand Sensory Feely Bag
Make Gelatin A Fun Sensory Taste-Testing Experience
Encourage touching, holding, and carrying different items wherever you go and promote active participation – take small steps forward; it’s important to encourage but let the child do what they can tolerate.
Never force a child to touch or feel something they find overstimulating or distressful. Work with what is tolerated and try to expand from there. Begin with less challenging textures and work up towards new and more challenging textures (from firm and dry to wet and sloppy/messy). Give control on what they will touch, if they will only look at, and for how long to your child. Let them stop when ready – not when you feel it is time to stop.
The variety of activities and ideas provided here are by no means the only things you can try - personalize, adjust, and modify to fit your lifestyle, and your child’s needs and abilities. Use the suggestions given as a “springboard” to coming up with more ideas you can try. Giving your child variety, exposure, change, and experience are ALL growth and learning opportunities. Stay Calm, Have Fun, and Keep Supporting Your Child!
1. Mix up some gelatin (one color, or a variety) and when it is cooled but not set, let your child drop in small plastic or rubbery toys
2. Once the gelatin sets, have your child dig in to remove all of the items; have them use a spoon or fork if they cannot tolerate touching the gelatin - Play “find the treasure” with the set gelatin
3. Since it is edible encourage your child to lick their fingers or even take small bites
4. Try different colors and flavors
Gelatin in fruit slices
5. Try dropping in some small cut-up pieces of fruit or vegetables instead of non-edible items and see if they may take a taste as they pull them out of the gelatin
6. Use molds, small cups or containers, construction blocks, etc to pour gelatin in to form shapes, different sized pieces
7. Drop gelatin chunks into a small basin of water for water play - let your child break them up by squeezing, poking, squishing the pieces in the water bath
Sensory water play with gelatin chunks
8. Pour gelatin into a shallow layer onto a rimmed cookie sheet or large rectangular baking dish - once set, let your child use cookie cutters to make shapes; Fun to cut, pull out, and then eat!
9. Let your child use utensils if they do not want to touch the gelatin; let them cut the blocks up into slices or cubes with supervision; let them try and cut them up using safety scissors if they will (use of 2 hands and touching!)
10. Supervise for choking hazards at all times!
11. If you keep for any reason, refrigerate and then only keep for a day or two
Use the suggestions given as a “springboard” to coming up with more ideas you can try.
Giving your child variety, exposure, change, and experience are ALL growth and learning opportunities.
Stay Calm, Have Fun, and Keep Supporting Your Child!
