We made our very first sensory bin this week! While studying “the zoo”, I thought that “ZOO” would be a perfect theme for a sensory bin. I perused the internet (don’t you just love google?) for ideas, and found this lovely bin by Nurturing Naters for inspiration.
ZOO THEMED SENSORY BIN
We used:
- Sterlite 15 qt container (16 1/2″ x 13″ x 6 5/8″)
- Birdseed – about 4.5lbs of Wild Harvest Universal blend birdseed (sold in 3lb bags)
- Animals & Trees: Wild Toob (JoAnn) & Creatures of the World Jungle 25 piece Jungle Playset (Walmart)
- Party Favor Frogs – 8 pack (Walmart)
- Aspen Wood – Chartreuse (JoAnn), for grass
- Small Bird’s nest (JoAnn)
- Akasha Decor Stones “Countryside” (Walmart)
- Gems – teal mix (Walmart)
- Akasha Gems – green leaves (Walmart)
- Round Cardboard container, lid removed (JoAnn)
- Small black plastic container
- Small square glass bowl (JoAnn)
I don’t know why I haven’t tried this idea sooner. Dee had sooo much fun. And who knew this would be such an educational activity?! Once I explained to her that the glass bowl with the teal stones was water, the bowl with the green leaf stones and “grass” was the jungle, and the third bowl was the African safari, she immediately began sorting her animals into habitats, asking me “Where does this live?” if she wasn’t sure. She also had fun burying the animals and digging them back up, and naming them all.
I think the thing that surprised me the most though was how much the other (older children) enjoyed playing with the sensory bin. I knew Dee would like it, but before long, her 6, 8, and 9-year-old siblings joined in as well, and have asked to play with it several times since.
About Janne
