Children of all ages love sensory play and I find it’s a good way to keep them engaged while learning. This sensory play bin is easy to make and will keep your children happily entertained. I like to bring the bin out during our free play time so they can explore as they like.
What you will need:
Sensory bin, dried beans and/or dried rice and pasta, access to internet and printer, laminating machine, laminating sheets, child friendly tweezers, small cup or scoop
Let’s begin:
Start by finding a nice size bin for your sensory play. If you’re lucky enough to already have a sensory tray in your classroom or at home kudos to you, but you can also use a small plastic tub as well. Something long with short sides would do best so the children can easily reach in and out of the bin.
First I added various types of dried beans and lentils to my tray, you can pick these up fairly cheap at any supermarket or grocery store. I used what I had on hand, supplementing with dried pasta and rice to make sure the bin was filled completely.
Next I went online and did a Google search for Jack and the Beanstalk printable characters. I printed these on to the larger A3 paper and cut them out. After laminating I stuck them in the bin along with a scoop and a pair of child friendly tweezers. And now you’ve got your self a Jack and the Beanstalk themed sensory bin for your kiddos to enjoy. (:
Development Matters:
The child works fine motor skills in the wrist and hands. The child uses a variety of materials to explore the world around them whilst expressing themselves through pretend play.
Editors note:
Always remember to properly monitor children during this sensory play activity as the beans and dried pasta are rather small and some types of beans can be toxic if ingested prior to being boiled.
Preschool Pretenders 