Introduction to Sensory Play

I have always been intrigued by Sensory Exploration and Sensory Play, but for some reason I never got into it until recently. It's such an easy way to keep the kids entertained while also teaching them (two things I am so very found of!)

Sensory Play allows the children to develop fine motor skills by allowing them to manipulate the objects in front of them. It also helps with concentration. Want some proof? My highly active son spent a half hour straight playing with his sensory bag tonight, which took only seconds for me to create. He was squishing it, checking out the objects in it, and playing with it - until it popped (remember duct tape all around.)

Sensory play also allows problem solving skills and language skills. For example, the sensory bin below is geared towards teaching toddlers all about the letter "B" and was easily assembled using common "B" items that you already have on hand. Such as blocks, a bear, some beads, ect..

Along with letters, sensory play can also teach colors. This is the same idea as the letter bin, it's just with a common color instead of a common letter. This blue would look lovely in a beach or water themed bin. 

So how do you make sensory bins??

Well it's quite easy and most projects can be kept and stored for those rainy days. 

1. The first thing you need to grab is a tray, bag, or bin/container to keep the base in. I have seen many people use Tupperware that they can easily put the top back on and slide under the bed to store. Others prefer to get a dish pan from the dollar store which is cheap and works just the same. I recently got into using zip-lock bags which I purchase from the dollar store. If your going the bag route I do highly recommend getting some good duct tape and taping up the edges of the bag. The first time we explored with the bag we only taped up the top and we ended up popping the side of the bag open - so make sure to go around the edges with some solid tape. Th

Another idea for a bin that is super easy to clean up is the bath tub. What kids doesn't love bath time?  And believe me the creative juices flow when you don't have to worry about the clean up. Growing a Jeweled Rose is one of my favorite blogs and she show readers how she used glow sticks in her sensory bath to make an outer space theme. How cool would it be to walk into a bathroom and see it all lit up like this?!! 

2. Ideas to use as a filler for your container.

The filler can be used from anything, but these are some of the common ones that I see a lot. Please be mindful of choking hazards and the age of the child when deciding which filler to use. 

sand, dirt, beans, rice, jello

leaves, snow, cotton balls, ice cubes

buttons, shells, corn meal, flour, salt, 

water, bubble solution, shredded paper

popcorn kernels, leaves, marbles, plastic eggs,

shaving cream, pasta (cooked or uncooked)

The ideas are honestly endless. Some even take this one as far as to have a theme for the sensory play and to use the filler to match the objects. Some examples of these incorporate holidays, seasons, and landscapes (beach, farm, ect..) 

Ways to play in a sensory bin:

• First and foremost let your child explore the bin without any input from you. This will allow their creativity to shine and will provide some extra time for you to finish the dishes or prep for dinner. This doesn't mean don't interact with them on occasion or when they are calling for it, it simply means let them lead the way. 
• Don't hesitate to give the kids spoons, shovels, strainers, tweezers, cups, and other utensils to help them explore, scoop, dump, and play with.  Remember it's all about learning fun, so learning to scoop the sand up into the dump truck then dumping it back out repetitively is a skill your child is exploring.  
• Get creative with learning concepts and themes. The more creative you are the more creative your kids can be. A great example is to get some artificial (or real) flowers and add them to coffee (get the dirt resemblance??) Have the kids practice planting the flowers in the dirt.  
• Draw or write letters with your fingers in the different textures by making a smooth surface out of the texture on the bottom of the bin. Actually feeling the texture will reinforce shapes and the way letters are formed in the brain.
• Another great idea is to hide various toys and have your child seek them out. This may also help teach concepts by giving direction to your child, things like shallow/deep, top/bottom, left/right. You could say something like "The rock is in the middle, but it is very deep."
• Again let your child lead the way. Who knows they may find a great way to play with the bin that you have not seen. It's amazing how kids brains think in such a different context than the adult brain. 

Another great tip is to put down a beach towel if you are using any sort of water activity. As you get more familiar with building different types of bins you will learn more tips and tricks along the way. And as always the most important thing to do is to have fun. Don't worry about the mess or the clean up and just explore and create. Allow your child to experience all of their senses and the different sights, sounds, and textures that the world has to offer.