Sensory Bins are so easy and versatile
If you haven’t made a sensory tub or bin for your child, what’s holding you back?
Check out the beginning of my post here for more information on why you need to make a sensory bin for your toddler!
Sensory bins are easy ways to provide HOURS of easy, open-ended entertainment for your toddler. You can make them feel fresh and new just by changing out a few of the scooping or filling materials. See our color sorting sensory bin here.
Open-ended activities are activities with no real structure. Your kiddo can choose how he wants to play. This is perfect for teaching independent play and for developing imagination.
Looking for an organized guide of fun, easy activities to do with your toddler that also encourages their growth and development?
I’ve created a 3-month activity planner just for busy parents like you! The plan includes 65 detailed, simple, and stress-free activities including: arts and crafts, sensory play, motor skills, and STEM–all using easy-to-find supplies.
Let me help make planning activities for your toddler easy, so you can skip the stress and get straight to the fun!
How We Did It: Setting up the Popcorn Kernel Sensory Bin
I just love these plastic IKEA bins. They are the perfect size for just about everything (measures approx. 15″L x 11″W x 5.5″H) . This particular one happened to fit perfectly inside a wider bin.
For my sensory bin filler, I used a pack of gorgeous ruby red popcorn kernels, two packs of regular old yellow popcorn, and a pack of “white,” which is really a pale yellow color. I have about four pounds of popcorn here.
The bigger your bin, the more contained your mess will be. In theory…
I put in an ice cube tray for Ella to fill and added a rake, measuring cups, and a little shovel.
A few leaves and glittery squashes make the bin feel fall-like. And buttons add a little more texture and color contrast.
Playing with the Popcorn Kernel Sensory Bin
Ella was so excited to try out this sensory bin. She’s been eyeing my decorative pumpkins and squashes for a couple months now. Surprisingly, she hardly touched them as she played. She was more interested in scooping and pouring with the measuring cups and shovel.
After lots of scooping and pouring and feeling the kernels, Ella picked out the buttons and put them into individual compartments in the ice cube tray. And then buried them with more kernels.
It was also fun to drop kernels from above and hear them clatter.
Try our other sensory bin ideas here.
Sensory Play for Baby Too!
I feel a little guilty sometimes when I do more activities with Ella than with Mia. She’s only four months old, so she won’t remember that I originally made this popcorn kernel sensory tub for Ella and not for her…
Before starting this blog, I never would have done anything “fun” like this with my baby.
Now I’ve got ideas and sensory tubs everywhere!
Why should toddlers get all the fun? Baby wants to play too!
While Ella took a nap, Mia and I decided to play. It’s easy for babies to get their feet in the sensory tub and explore.
DO NOT let them grab anything and put it in their mouths!! Feet only 🙂
Mia loved stomping around and hearing the sounds she could make with her feet.
I loved seeing the kernels stuck between her tiny toes.
This sensory play only lasted a few minutes, but we both had a great time playing and learning together!
Disclosure: We, at Entertain Your Toddler, use affiliate links. This simply means that when you buy through our links, we could earn a small commission, which helps make this blog possible. Thank you for your support!
Your Turn!
Supplies
–unpopped popcorn kernels (I used a rainbow mix of ruby red, yellow, and white; about 4 lbs total because we’d already eaten some of it 🙂 )
-large buttons
-fall leaves and pumpkins (optional)
–plastic measuring cups
-small shovel and rake
-ice cube tray
–plastic bin and another large container
Instructions
- Fill the bin you’re using as your sensory bin with the popcorn kernels, buttons, leaves, and pumpkins (if using).
- Place the bin in a larger bin to contain the mess, if desired.
- Set out the measuring cups, shovel, rake, and ice cube tray.
- Invite your toddler to scoop, pour, sort, and bury!
Supervise your little ones at all times when using this sensory bin. Unpopped popcorn kernels are fun to play with, but not at all fun to eat!
Try our other easy sensory bins with your toddler!
Color Sorting Sensory Bin
Spooky Halloween Sensory Bins
If you like this activity, be sure to pin it so others can find it and enjoy it, too!
Looking for an organized guide of fun, easy activities to do with your toddler that also encourages their growth and development?
I’ve created a 3-month activity planner just for busy parents like you! The plan includes 65 detailed, simple, and stress-free activities including: arts and crafts, sensory play, motor skills, and STEM–all using easy-to-find supplies.
Let me help make planning activities for your toddler easy, so you can skip the stress and get straight to the fun!
