Why Do We Love Sensory Bins?

What is a sensory bin?

A sensory bin is a container with a filler material such as sand, beans, or rice that also includes various other odds and ends. A sensory bin can have a theme and include things like dinosaurs or seasonal items or it can be left open ended with items such as spoons, cups, cookie cutters, etc.

So what are they for?

• Sensory Exploration: A sensory bin can be catered to explore any or all of the senses (touch, smell, hearing, vision, deep pressure/body awareness, and even taste!). If your child craves a lot of messy play, sensory bins can be an excellent, contained way to help them meet these needs. If your child is easily upset by wet, sandy or sticky textures, sensory bins are a great play-based way to introduce them in a low-stress environment. If you are worried about your child consuming the items in the bin, try taste safe or edible options like graham crackers crushed into sand, a bin full of marshmallows or cooked noodles. You can even add scents to your play with small amounts of spices or essential oils. Try including items that may make different noises in the bin (or try talking to your child about the way the items sound or look if you pour them.

• Fine Motor skills: Sensory bins are great for learning new skills like pouring, stirring, using a pincer grasp (pointer and thumb), scooping, and general hand strength. Try including tools in the sensory bins like spoons, scoops, large tweezers, funnels, bubble tongs, ice trays, and cups/bowls!

• Learning: Sensory bins can be a great way to introduce concepts like colors, shapes, hard/soft, big/small, as well as letters and numbers. Try putting the pieces of a puzzle in the sensory bin and have your child dig them out and match them back into the puzzle!

• Calming/regulation: Tactile input can be extremely regulating to the sensory system! Sensory bins can offer soothing input while giving children a bit of time to soothe when on the brink of a meltdown. Try using sensory bins as an after school activity to promote winding down or during non-preferred tasks like getting tangled hair brushed!

• Language development: Sensory bins provide countless things to talk with your child about. Talk to your child about what you see, what you are doing, how much fun you are having. Try labeling textures, shapes, colors, tools, etc! 

• Social Play: Sensory bins are a great way to practice early cooperative play. Try making a simple game where you take turns doing something in the bin or try working together to reach a goal like building a sand castle. This is a great opportunity for your child to show off their new skills and learn to ask for help when needed.