Quick and Easy Sensory Bins

Sensory bins are a wonderful addition to any homeschool. For young children, they can offer hours of play and engagement. For children with special needs, they can often provide the needed sensory input to calm and refocus the brain.

With just a little preparation, you can have ready-to-use sensory bins that will engage your children for hours. Simply prepare storage containers with cups and bowls and spoons or molds. Then, fill baggies with items of different sizes and textures.

Watch the video below for some of our favorite sensory bins. If you have our Homeschool Preschool/Kindergarten Planner, grab a pen to jot down your favorites! Then, read on for a couple more engaging sensory experiences.

Did you write down some good ideas?

Another sensory bin you may want to try involves ice and salt. To prepare, freeze small toys and water in ice cube trays. Then, prepare a tray with a bowl of water, a tablespoon of salt, a paint brush, and the frozen toy ice cubes. Let the kids engage with the water and salt to see how they affect the ice. This one offers lots of opportunity for discovery and play.

Another one of our favorites includes the Avalanche Fruit Stand Game. Although we've never actually played the game, the kids have enjoyed sorting, pouring, and playing with the different pieces of fruit time and time again.

How do you use sensory bins in your homeschool? Which will you try next?

Track your favorite preschool/kindergarten ideas in your very own Bucket Planner! Click below for all the details.