Some classrooms have a designated area for sensory play, which is fine. However, don’t think that is your only option. Mix things up by choosing a different size sensory bin in a different area. 
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The bin can be larger or smaller, clear or colored, depending on what you are going for. Often, water sensory bins are clear to allow the children to see the water from the outside. Larger bins are used for sensory experiences that are intended for more than one child. These factors should be taken into consideration when selecting a bin. 

Every sensory bin needs some tools to go with it to add purpose and direction to the activity. ​ Colored rice is great, but children will lose interest quickly if that is the only material in the bin. Dig around in the kitchen and craft area to find tools that children can use to manipulate the base material in the sensory bin. 

There are countless other items that can be added to sensory bins to enhance learning, such as small plastic animals, cars, or dolls. I encourage you to be mindful of the objects you place in each bin. You will want to be sure that the items you are adding are not random, but rather add purpose and significance to the experience.    

Choose a Theme!

• Fall
• Football
• Christmas
• Summer
• Ocean
• Bugs
• a Book
• Farm
• ​Alphabet

Choose a Bin!

• Large tub
• Small tub
• Bowl
• Large bottle
• Small bottle
• Basket   
• Tray
• Pool

Choose a Base!

• Colored rice
• Pom poms
• Coins
• Water
• Ice
• Birdseeds
• Shaving cream  
• Straw
• Leaves

Choose the Tools!

• Tongs
• Trucks
• Chopsticks
• Cookie cutters
• Cups
• Rocks 
• Scoop
• Funnel
• Magnifying glass

Non-Food Items

Food Items

• Pom poms
• Cotton balls
• Straw/hay
• Packing peanuts
• Epson salts
• Water
• Shredded paper
• Grass
• Leaves
• Water beads
• Sand
• Kinetic sand
• Aquarium gravel
• Rocks
• Glass stones
• Buttons
• Ice
• Coins
• Shaving cream
• Playdough
• Feathers
• Dirt
• Snow
• Mud
• Birdseeds
• Rubber bands
• Loom bands

• Tinsel
• Ribbon
• Raffia
• Flower petals
• Flowers
• Beads
• Foam bits
• Corks
• Seashells
• Aloe Vera gel
• Straws
• Tissue paper
• Cotton batting
• Crepe paper
• Scarves
• Balls
• Legos
• Sticks
• Wool
• Yarn
• Jingle bells
• Clothespins
• Paper towel rolls
• Sandpaper 
• Dice
• Sponges
• Soap foam
• Fabric scraps
  
• Soap shavings

• Rice (cooked, colored, dried)
• Pasta (cooked, colored, dried) 
• Beans (cooked, colored, dried)
• Cereal
• Corn (dried, cooked, cob)
• Cornmeal
• Flour
• Barley
• Popcorn (dried or cooked)
• Pie
• Pie filling
• Berries (dried or fresh)
• Jell-O
• Coffee beans
• Salt
• Sprinkles
• Peas
• Oatmeal
• Squash
• Fruits/Vegetables
• Seeds
• Marshmallows
• Dough
• Whipped cream
• Seeds
• Potato flakes
• Graham crackers
• Cinnamon sticks
• Oil
  
• Soda water

Non-Food Sensory Bin Ideas