5 Sensory Bin Add-Ins

Note: The author of this article, Samantha Kilburn, is an elementary education student and not a professional. This article is the result of her learning in class and application to the real-world.

There are many ways to make a sensory bin, and how you do it is entirely up to you! Whether you want to make a fidget board, multisensory bin, glittery masterpiece, or something else, this is the time to get creative and play.

What are the benefits of a sensory bin?

Kids have different sensory needs, some children might like the feeling of a towel and other kids might like silk. Exploring your child’s sensory needs can help you understand how they view the world, and can be beneficial in figuring out what might set them off, especially if they have sensitivities.

Young children (12 to 18 months) are classified as “little scientists” and are set on exploring their worlds. Understanding what your child likes in general is important, and helping them explore their senses is vital.

Here are 5 sensory bin add-ins that you can use in your next bin:

1. Hot glue melts. Take some hot glue and pour it onto cardboard. Make sure an adult handles this task if the child is young. Wait for the glue to dry and it will be perfect for nail tapping.

2. Fidgets. Some fidgets are great for fine motor skills, which is a skill that is necessary to learn as a child. Explore which ones are right for you and your child. Some children like fidgets that make noise and other kids hate them. Examples: fidget spinners, fidget cubes, pop-its.

3. Fabric. Exploring different textures can be helpful in figuring out what types of clothes might make the child uncomfortable. Some ideas to try include: Denim, cotton, silk, towels.

4. Essential oils. For children able to handle smells, essential oils can be helpful in grounding as well as figuring out what scents they like.

5. Slime. Although messy, slime can be a great tool to play with and explore. Just make sure if your child is young that they are not putting it in their mouth, as some chemicals in slime are toxic.

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