sensory bins for toddlers (2024)

If you're looking for sensory bins for toddlers then you've found the right spot. Sensory bins are a great toddler activity and are easier to set up than you might think!

I love setting up sensory bins for toddlers and babies and there are so many different ways you can approach this. You can have simple toddler sensory bins or get quite complex and creative!

Sensory Bins for Toddlers and Babies

Sensory bins are a great form of sensory play for babies and toddlers and they are also a great way to keep them entertained. If you have never made a sensory bin before, you might like to start with our Simple Sensory Bin Ideas first.

If you're ready to jump into some more sensory bin ideas, we've found over 60 great sensory play activities that yourbabies and toddlers will love. If you're planning on making your own sensory bins, there's a few items that are handy to have at home. You can find all of my favorite toddler sensory play items HERE.

If you're keen to get started with toddler sensory bins, but find some of these a bit overwhelming, you might like to join our 10 Day Simple Sensory Bin Challenge.

In this challenge, we use simple and inexpensive items to create fun and engaging sensory bins. They won't win any Pinterest awards but they WILL entertain your toddler. You can sign up for the challenge (it's free!) HERE.

Here are more than 60 of our favorite toddler sensory bin ideas!

These sensory bin ideas are taken from our Facebook group, where our creative members have shared some of their own sensory bin setups.

Kinetic Sand Sensory Bin

This sensory bin was shared by Laura who used store bought kinetic sand (Amazon sells it HERE), small toys that she already had and sand castle molds like the ones from this set.

Farm Sensory Bin

Jennifer made a farm sensory bin using food items and farm figurines (I like THIS farm set)

Simple Rice Sensory Bin

Paola shared this simple toddler sensory bin made out of rice - so much fun to be had with plain rice and some simple scoops and toys (I always recommend these scoops).

Farm Sensory Bin using Oats

Megha made her toddler a farm themed sensory bin using a bag of oats and some cow and horse toys she already had. Simple!

Hot Cocoa Sensory Bin for Toddlers

What a wonderful idea for a Winter themed toddler sensory bin. This sensory bin was shared by Jenna and use coco pops and white pom poms.

Fruit Loop Scooping Sensory Bin

Megan shared this simple toddler sensory bin with us - fruit loops and scoops (get the scoops HERE).

Crushed Cheerio Sensory Bin

Rachel shared her truck sensory bin with us - she used crushed up cheerios as the sand - great idea!

Ice Skating Sensory Bin / Tray

I love this idea from Danielle - freeze ice cubes and make your toy animals ice skate! Great for a hot day!

Even More Toddler Sensory Bin Ideas

Easy Rice Sensory Bin

Farm Animal - Simple Fun for Kids

Sunflower Sensory Bin - Life Over C's

Pour & Scoop - Laughing Kids Learn

Easy Water Sensory Bin

Color Sorting Fish - Teaching 2 and 3 year olds

Frozen Under the Sea - Natural Beach Living

Paw Patrol Sensory Play - The Gingerbread House

Colored Pasta Sensory Play

Ice Cream Sensory Bin - Fantastic Fun and Learning

Shark Sensory Water Play - Mommy's Bundle

Airplane Sensory Bin - School Time Snippets

Taste Safe Insects Sensory Play

Color Changing Water Play

Fairy Mud - Laughing Kids Learn

Winter Sensory Bin

Scooping Blocks Water Play

Galaxy & Space - 3 Princesses and 1 Dude

Lady Bird Sensory Bin - Clare's Little Tots

Nature Sensory Play - How Wee Learn

Ocean Sensory Water Play - Frogs and Fairies

Jell O Sensory Play - In the Kids Kitchen

If you enjoyed these sensory bins for toddlers and babies then...

Some posts you may enjoy are ourSensory Bottles for Babies and Toddlers

250 Sensory Play Ideas for Toddlers

If you loved this post why not PIN IT!You can also follow us on Pinterest HERE.

FAQs

Are sensory bins good for toddlers? ›

Sensory bins support your child's development in several ways: Improve fine motor skills. Digging, pouring, stirring, and scooping can strengthen your child's hand muscles and improve their fine motor skills.

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What are the learning outcomes of sensory bins? ›

A sensory bin aids math skills development as children play with different filler materials. For example, they can practice counting by adding things like marbles to a bin. They can also learn about sorting and volume by separating similarly shaped objects and filling or emptying a sensory bin.

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What age should you start sensory bins? ›

At the toddler stage, from ages 2 to 3, kids are typically ready to engage with more toys. A great place to start are sensory bins—literally, a bin or box filled with various materials meant to stimulate the senses.

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What are the learning outcomes for sensory play for toddlers? ›

Supporting brain development, enhancing memory, complex tasks and problem solving. Developing fine motor skills through tactile play (useful when children want to hold a pen or use scissors for example). Supporting language development, communication and social skills. Enhancing memory and observational skills.

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Will toddler outgrow sensory issues? ›

Sometimes they resolve on their own, but even when they're severe and continue for many years, sensory processing issues do improve. Often, this improvement can be enhanced by skills learned in occupational therapy or by providing the child with environmental accommodations.

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Does my 2 year old have sensory issues? ›

Signs of sensory processing disorder include sudden mood swings and strange behavior. Kids with sensory issues might avoid bright lights or loud noises, run around crashing into things, throw tantrums, or appear clumsy.

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Why do kids need sensory bins? ›

Sensory bins provide children with the opportunity to explore and learn through hands-on tactile play that engages their senses. These bins encourage and support various types of development and are great activities to have in your home. Sensory bins can be themed for holidays, seasons and academic skills.

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How does sensory help with learning? ›

Sensory play encourages learning through exploration, curiosity, problem solving and creativity. It helps to build nerve connections in the brain and encourages the development of language and motor skills.

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Are sensory bins good for 3 year olds? ›

Children learn so much during unstructured free play – problem solving, emotional regulation, imitation, social skills, language, fine motor skills, the list is endless. So giving them new experiences in the form of a sensory bin will help them develop and hone so many new skills, all while having a blast!

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How long should you do baby sensory for? ›

All babies can benefit from early sensory stimulation and each activity has been researched and developed to be appropriate for newborns through to 13 months.

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Are sensory bins good for autism? ›

Sensory bins are growing in popularity—and for good reason! Parents are realizing sensory play is crucial toward enhancing child development. Sensory play is great for neurotypical children and children with sensory processing disorder and autism.

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What are the outcomes of sensory activity? ›

They can support language development, cognitive growth, fine motor skills, and problem-solving skills. Doing sensory play activities really helps to enhance a child's memory. They are great for calming a child who may be anxious or frustrated at something.

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How does sensory toys help children's development? ›

Sensory toys help to stimulate a baby's developing senses and can improve their overall development. For example, toys with different textures can help a baby explore and develop their sense of touch, while toys with bright colours and contrasting patterns can help stimulate their visual development.

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How does sensory input impact a child's Behaviour? ›

If a child has difficulties with sensory processing they might: Show heightened reactivity to sound, touch or movement. Be under-reactive to certain sensations (e.g. not noticing their name being called, being touched, high pain threshold). Appear lethargic/disinterested; appearing to mostly be in their 'own world'.