For an easy indoor play activity, make a spring-themed sensory bin with fresh flowers for a fun nature experience for kids.
This sensory bin is a lovely way to admire the beauty of fresh flowers, work on fine motor skills, and use different senses.
My oldest daughter loves flowers and bright, saturated colors. When she saw a bouquet of rainbow-colored dyed flowers at the grocery stores, she begged and begged for me to buy them.
Lucky for her, my mom was there with us and couldn’t resist her granddaughter’s puppy dog eyes.
I couldn’t really say anything since I used the same tactic to get my mom to buy me a new pair of shoes…
Our Flower Tea Sensory Bin
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Before the flowers wilted, I cut the heads of a few of them (2 of each color) and put them in a sensory bin with some water that I dyed blue with food coloring.
I added the tea set we got the girls for Christmas and a couple utensils from their play kitchen.
I put all this on a large, full-size baking sheet to help contain extra drips.
The girls explored the sensory bin in a number of different ways:
- ripping the petals off the flowers (fine motor)
- identifying the flower colors (sensory)
- filling cups and the tea pot (early math skills: volume)
- scooping individual flowers with the utensils (fine motor)
- pouring “tea” into cups (fine motor and exploring volume)
Lots of fine motor work involved here!
I also loved that this activity was one they could do together and be exploring and learning different things.
Sensory bins work for so many different ages and can be done so many different ways!
Would you like more info on sensory bins or sensory bin ideas? Check out my Ultimate Guide to Sensory Bins.
What We’re learning
As I dive deeper into the world of early childhood play, I’m discovering that learning happens a lot in play.
My youngest, Lia (age 20 months), is showing an interest in colors and counting, so we practiced a lot of that as she played with the flowers and water in the sensory bin.
Elena explored the concept of volume. I noticed her comparing how much water a teacup holds versus a teapot and filling teacups to the brim and also overflowing them.
Mostly though, the girls just had fun playing with the water, and we celebrated the bright colors of the flowers and anticipated springtime.
Fingers crossed spring comes early this year!
Will You Make a Flower Tea Sensory Bin?
Whether you have a garden or store-bought flowers, this cute sensory bin is so easy to make and can teach kids a lot through play.
Let’s celebrate the coming of spring together with a sensory bin of flowers!
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