20+ Best Sensory Bin Ideas For Kids To Learn From

While you’re at home, these creative sensory bin ideas are the perfect activity to do with the kids! Not only will they be having fun but they’ll be learning and developing their skills at the same time. So whether you’re looking for a simple sorting game or an activity that’s paired with a book… you’ll find the perfect ideas below!

Here are the ones I found:

Color Matching Sensory Bin

Photo credit: Coffee & Spit Up on Instagram

Ready to build this amazing sensory bin with your BEAR hands? I think all of us are having a hard time teaching our kids at home right now. We deserve a break from the books, and so do our kids! A big bin full of different colored bears, cupcake liners in matching colors, and all the time in the world to watch your littlest one sort through all of the different colors. I love this idea!

St Pattys Day Sensory Play

Photo credit: What Shall We Play Today? on Instagram

I don’t know about you, but being stuck inside during St Patricks Day this year felt extremely deflating. Nevertheless, it ain’t over until it’s “clover”! Wait until you see this “St Patrick’s Day exploded everywhere” sensory bin idea perfect for your littlest leprechauns this year!

Related Craft Post: Cardboard Activities For Kids

Counting & Sorting Sensory Activity

Photo credit: Playing Learning Together on Instagram

Have you ever read “The Bad Tempered Lady Bird”? It’s such a good book, and reminds you to never judge a “bug” by its color! If your kids are as into these little polka dotted friends as mine are, then you will love this sensory bin. Great way to practice counting and sorting too!

Ocean Counting Sensory Bin

Photo credit: Playful Cygnets on Instagram

“Seas the day” with this amazingly oceantastic sensory bin! Sea creatures, shapes, numbers, rice… and a pair of fine motor tweezers for your littlest beach bum to get right to work, and straight to fun too!

Rainbow Spaghetti Sensory Play

Photo credit: Two Little Baos on Instagram

Life is all about exploring pasta-billities… Don’t you agree? I mean what more could your little explorer want then rainbow colored spaghetti noodles in a big sensory bin? Such an easy and fun way to work on sorting colors!

Rice Sensory Activity

Photo credit: Sensory Playtime on Instagram

Whale, whale, whale, what do we have here? Another amazing set up for sea-side play, that’s what! Shells, rice, peas and lots of fun creatures to play with and learn about in this one!

Related Craft Post: Ocean Themed Craft Projects

Fine Motor Skills Sensory Activity

Photo credit: Taylor Wyatt on Instagram

“Bear” with me while I try not to rant about how much I LOVE the book brown bear. This sensory bin is full of bearmazing colors, clips, and paints. First, your little one can paint each clip, and then match each clip to each color within the bin. Great way to learn, and a celebratory book reading when he or she finishes. I love this!

Astronaut Sensory Bin

Photo credit: Luna’s Library on Instagram

Absolutely loving this space tray to the moon and back! Learn the planets, dig around in endless space, and read the book to go along this space-tastic sensory bin!

Related Craft Post: Paper Plate Crafts For Kids

Insect Themed Sensory Bin For Toddlers

Photo credit: Sue SyCheah on Instagram

It’s a bug world, at least that’s 100% what my kids think! I don’t know what it is, but they are OBSESSED with bugs right now. And for a scared momma, this is the only way I can think of to teach them. I don’t dare put live bugs in this sensory bin…

Easy Counting Sensory Activity

Photo credit: Little Ones Learn on Instagram

ABC, easy as 1,2,3! This is a quick and easy way to set up a counting sensory bin with your little one. Grab a poster board, make some dots, grab some numbers, and let them count the dots and match the numbers!

Ice Cream Sensory Play

Photo credit: Sensory With Florence on Instagram

I never really knew what the term “You scream I scream we all scream for ice cream” meant until I had kids and let me tell you… The screams are a little MUCH at times. If you’re looking for a way to help your little brain freeze lover learn their colors, this playdough ice cream scooping sensory bin is sure to do the trick!

Gem Dig Sensory Bin

Photo credit: Amy & Ellie on Instagram

Got a “gem” in your life who would enjoy digging out of a sensory bin filled with bright blue and coral sand and topped with little gems to scoop out? This is the perfect project!

Feeling Sensory Play

Photo credit: Love Teach Play on Instagram

The importance of teaching your little one how to be able to describe how THEY feel, as well as to perceive others is crucial in their development and younger years. This sensory bin with faces matched with people will play a huge help in teaching, and it’s an amazing idea!

Mermaid Sand & Rice Sensory Activity

Photo credit: Knead To Play on Instagram

Okay… this mermaid themed sensory bin is so sparkly and glittery I think even I could spend some time playing with it. If you’re looking to stray from a typical doll house and want to channel some senses then you will be all about this one!

Sensory Bin Dinosaur Fossil Dig

Photo credit: Chickadees Wooden Toys on Instagram

This sensory bin is DINO-MITE! Looking for a way better than the “Land Before Time” to teach your little ones all about the oldest creatures on planet earth? Check out this tag teamed duo with a great sensory bin, and a book to go with it!

Related Craft Post: Dinosaur Crafts For Kids

Learning Letters Sensory Play

Photo credit: Loot Tastic on Instagram

Okay it doesn’t get easier, or savier than this sensory bin alphabet and handwriting idea! Combining Dr.Seuss flashcards with a big box of sand to practice each letter in the sand, this will take no time at all but save you TONS of teaching time. I love it!

Birthday Sensory Play

Photo credit: Growing Up Yang on Instagram

Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you! Rainy day on your birthday boy or girl’s special birthday and you’re looking to find something to do before the cake? Or maybe you have an allergy-sensitive little one? Whatever it may be, they will love decorating cupcakes for their day using this bin idea!

Related Craft Post: Popsicle Stick Crafts

Pasta Counting Activity

Photo credit: Little Haus On The Hill on Instagram

Rainbow popsicle counting will melt your teaching blues away this summer! An easy set up, a great way to learn, and the final product looks amazing too. Love it!

Construction Sensory Bin For Kids

Photo credit: Celena Diane on Instagram

It’s demolition derby time! Bulldoze your sand into the correct boxes and watch your sand shapes form into hearts, diamonds, squares, triangles, etc. BOOM!

Summer Sensory Play

Photo credit: Alyse on Instagram

This firefly sensory bin will LIGHT up your life! Get ready to count using this easy set up with pictures of hands holding up different numbers, and fireflies to choose from in different groups. What a bright and fun way to learn!

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Laura

Welcome! I'm Laura, the founder and creative heart of Crazy Laura. After years of honing my skills in crafting, cooking, and decorating, I launched this site to be your trusted resource for creative living. My mission is to provide you with clear, easy-to-follow tutorials and thoughtfully designed printables that empower you to create with confidence.