Sensory bins are a great activity for toddlers. They’re easy to customize based on your child’s interests and what you happen to have on hand. They’re also engrossing, so little minds and hands are hard at play.
And as they play, they’re learning, they’re growing, and maybe, just maybe they’re forgetting all about you and million different things they NEED you to do for them right. now. Mommy.
I know it’s been a while since we’ve done a sensory bin.
What’s been happening here lately is lots of water play, and we’ve been reusing previous sensory bins (construction rock quarry is the most requested one lately) so there’s been no need for a totally brand new one (another great thing about sensory bins… fillers are typically reusable!).
Also, I’ve been in lazy mom mode and not really wanting to concoct some crazy (and probably totally awesome) new sensory bin.
So I put on my thinking cap and surveyed the pantry.
Water, obviously is always the easiest option, but not really special. Dyed rice from this sensory activity, while conveniently already made and stored away, has been played with a ton and I’m wondering, how many nasty germs are hiding in that bag of rice? 😳
Maybe it’s time to toss that…
Hmm… what else could we use… oh look, a giant bag of oats… how about oatmeal?
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 to Make an Oatmeal Farm Sensory Tray
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As with all sensory bins, this is your typical dump and play situation.
In a bin, play tray, or large bowl, dump enough dry oatmeal to cover the bottom of the container.
We used old-fashioned rolled oats. They’re bigger and flakier than the quick-cooking variety. Bigger is always better, right?
Add some cute animals and popsicle sticks.
Play.
How We Played with the OatMeal Sensory Bin
Elena used the popsicle sticks to stir the oatmeal and to make little pens for the animals.
Wooden Animals Farm Set | Wooden Animals Safari Set
I put our sensory play tray (which is really just a decorative metal tray from Hobby Lobby) on top of a larger play tray to create a larger play surface and catch some of the flying oatmeal.
Here’s a metal tray similar to mine. And a shopping link for the actual larger play tray we used, which is really just the lid of this box.
You could also use a smaller bin inside a big bin (like an underbed storage bin). Or even just a shallow bowl on top of a rimmed baking sheet.
Elena also fed the animals oatmeal and used the animals like little snowplows to move the oatmeal around.
Mint Green Tray (actually the lid to this box)
She also “made it rain” oatmeal (not my favorite) and got some in her hair.
I’m embarrassed to mention that I stepped out of the room for a bit (when nature calls, you answer before nature gets mad and unleashes havoc), and when I returned, half the oatmeal was gone from the tray.
It didn’t disappear.
I knew exactly where it was.
All. over. the. floor.
So, fellow parents, please supervise unless you have your kids so well-trained, they won’t make a mess.
(If this is you, please come over to my house and teach me your ways.)
Your Turn to Make an Oatmeal Farm Sensory Bin
Do you really need a print out for this one? How about a little numbered list? Is that good enough? Lazy mom has now turned into lazy blogger. 🤦🏻♀️
- Pour a few cups of oatmeal into a sensory bin or sensory tray. Just enough to cover the bottom.
- Add toy animals and popsicle sticks.
- Play and supervise.
Have fun, you crazy cats.
More Sensory Bin Ideas
- Cookie Cloud Dough
- Color Sorting Sensory Bin
- Peppermint Jingle Bells (Dyed Rice) Sensory Bin
- Construction Rock Quarry Sensory Bin
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!
