How do you organize sensory bin items?

Keep the base materials separate from the goodies . This saves space and allows you to create new combinations of sensory bins. Use zip top bags to store your themed materials.

What do you put in a construction sensory bin?

various construction trucks and figurines . Filled with black beans + colored chickpeas .

What is the best fillers for sensory bags?

Fill a resealable plastic bag with tactile materials like hair gel, pumpkin seeds, shaving cream, or marbles . Reinforce the seal with strong tape, then use painter's or washi tape to secure the edges of the bag to the floor or a table where your baby can play.

What to use as grass in a sensory bin?

A few spring sensory bin ideas for your base include any materials that mimic grass or the ground like split peas, green-colored or yellow cornmeal, chickpeas, rice, or even decaf coffee grounds ! Once you have your bin and your base, you can begin to build your spring sensory bin with some of these fun themes.

How do you organize toys with many pieces?

Nest containers – Store toys with many pieces all in the same large plastic bin . Sort each toy in smaller plastic bins and nest them inside the larger one. Keep each toy set separate – You will be more likely to keep your small parts together if they are in their own plastic bin.

What is sensory bin activity?

What Is a Sensory Bin? A sensory bin is a shallow container that combines filler material and various small odds and ends . You fill the bin with a filler material such as sand or rice, then add items from around the house such as spoons or measuring cups. Let your child explore the items and have fun playing.

How to dye pasta for sensory bin?

Keep adding drops of food coloring until you get the color you like! Add the food coloring and vinegar mixture to the resealable bag with the pasta. Seal the bag and mix well by shaking the bag until all of the pasta is covered in the color. Once it's all mixed, place the pasta onto parchment paper so it can dry.

How do you make a simple sensory toy?

- Use hair gel and mix with 6 parts warm water and fine glitter if you wish then pour into the bottle. Add plastic toys such as lego bricks. Put the lid on and see if the bricks move. If they don't then empty some of the liquid and add more warm water.

What do you fill sensory bags with?

17 Quick & Easy Sensory Bag FIllers Shaving cream. Dry pasta. Pom poms. Popcorn. Dyed rice. Salt. Drinking straws. Beads. More items... Dec 16, 2019

How many water beads does it take to fill a sensory bin?

I actually prefer 1 tsp of water beads per 1 1/2 cups of water . Otherwise, you end up with too much excess water in the bin! Just fill your bin with the amount of water that you would like to use, sprinkle the water beads throughout, and watch them grow! I think the kids are just as fascinated by this part.

How do you make sensory sea foam?

In a large bowl, combine 1/3 cup water, 1/3 cup dish soap, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and a few drops of food coloring. Using your mixer on high to blend the ingredients together until a foam is created. Put the foam in the plastic bin and repeat process until you have the desired amount.

50 Non-Food Sensory Bin Fillers {Free Printable List} (2024)

We like to use a variety of sensory bin fillers at our house, including both food and non-food items. However, I know there are a lot of people who prefer not to use food in their sensory bins.

So I have compiled 50 non-food sensory bin fillers to try with your kids, including example sensory bin ideas for each single item.

And to make your life even simpler, I've included a free printable list of all 50 sensory bin fillers. That way you can reference it when you want to create a sensory bin of your own. The possibilities are endless!

50 Non-Food Sensory Bin Fillers for Kids

1. Pom poms

Fuzzy, sparkly, small, large...the possibilities are endless, but kids will love the soft texture of pom poms and they're great for scooping and practicing fine motor skills.

Ideas to try:Pom Pom Sensory Bin Ideas|Counting Pom Poms Sensory Bin|Pom Pom Sensory Bin

2. Cotton balls

Another great soft and fuzzy texture for kids to explore. You can also add color or scents to the cotton balls to enhance the sensory experience.

Ideas to try:Music Inspired Sensory Bin|Cloud Theme Sensory Bin| Calming Sensory Box with Cotton Balls|Penguin Sensory Bin

3. Straw or hay

Straw and hay is an interesting and unique texture for kids to explore.

Ideas to try:Colored Hay Sensory Bin|Simple Farm Sensory Play|Scarecrow Sensory Play|Pumpkin Patch Small World

4. Packing peanuts

An awesome sensory bin filler is to reuse all those packing peanuts you might get from parcels. You can also build with them if you add toothpicks or skewers to the mix!

Ideas to try:Packing Peanuts & Pom Poms|Packing Peanuts Sensory Bin|"Snowy" Sensory Bin|Knight Small World Sensory Bin

5. Epsom salts

Another interesting dry texture, epsom salts can also be dyed or scented with essential oils. Epsom salts also make great writing trays for kids to practice handwriting skills!

Ideas to try:|Writing Tray on Light Table|Rainbow Epsom Salts|Calming Epsom Salt Sensory Play

6. Water

What kid doesn't love playing with water? Add some color or some glitter or even some scents to boost the sensory experience.

Ideas to try:20 Water Sensory Soups

7. Shredded paper

Shredded paper is ridiculously fun for kids to play with! Recycling for the win.

Ideas to try:Music Themed Sensory Bin|Easter Sensory Bin|Winter Sensory Bin with Paper Pulp|Life Sized Easter Sensory Bin

8. Grass (fake or real)

Use fresh grass clippings as a base for a farm sensory bin or use the plastic Easter grass for an easy Easter sensory bin filler. Don't feel limited to farm or Easter bins as there are lots of other ways to try grass as a sensory bin filler!

Ideas to try:Fresh Grass Sensory Bin (Farm Theme)|Play With Me Sensory Bin|The Lorax Sensory Bin

9. Leaves (fake or real)

Fall is the perfect time to use leaves as a sensory bin filler since they're so colorful.

Ideas to try:Fall Sensory Bin|Fall Leaves & Pumpkin Sensory Bin|Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf Sensory Bin

10. Water beads

If you haven't tried water beads before, then you should! They're squishy, slimy, bouncy balls of fun. The giant water beads are lots of fun too!