Let’s get all crazy with pom poms. There’s all kinds of things you can do with these colorful little fuzzballs in a sensory bin.
Pom poms are an activity supply we use over and over at home.
Few things are more alluring to a toddler than a bunch of colorful, fuzzy pom pom balls.
As you’re about to see, there are many ways to play with pom poms.
First, let’s explore the most basic way to play. By dumping a bunch of pom poms in a good ol’ 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!
Make a Pom Pom Sensory bin
Pom poms are tons of fun on their own, and if you’ve never tried them with your kids, let them be the star of the sensory bin and allow the kids to just explore.
You’ll hardly have to do anything. Just plop a box of them on the floor and the kids will be drawn in like moths to a flame.
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I love these pom poms because the colors are so vivid and the pom pom ball doesn’t shed.
We typically have the one inch (2.5 cm) size on hand at all times. Because you never know when you’ll have a pom pom emergency.
Today we used a metal tray for our sensory bin. (Lookalike here.)
When They Can’t Resist the Urge to Throw
Our pom poms typically end up getting thrown.
The only warning you get before it happens is: “Make it rain!”
But I’ve been pretty strict about having them be picked up before any more throwing can take place.
No activity is fun if Mom has to spend half a day cleaning it all up.
So be forewarned… pom poms will get tossed around. But they’re so fun to play with, that our kids would rather pick them up than have to ever live without them.
It’s a fine line, but it works for us!
Top 10 Ways to Play with a Pom pom Sensory Bin
Here are 10 ways to play with your pom pom sensory bin.
1. Pom Pom Fill-and-Shake Bottle from Entertain your toddler
Because I’m a coffee addict (but I can stop anytime I want!) we have tons of coffee creamer bottles passing through each month. I finally saved one just so we could fill it with pom poms and shake them back out.
Get it? Fill-and-shake bottle?
See the full post for more fill-and-shake container ideas.
2. Pom pOm Webs from @CintaAndCo
So colorful and fun! Wrap a box lid with yarn and stuff all the pom poms inside. Use tweezers to rescue the pom poms from the web. I can’t wait to try this one!
3. Pom POm color sorting
My three-year-old absolutely loves color sorting. All I have to do is set out the colored bowls and she will start sorting!
4. Pom Pom Water Sensory Bin from Happy Toddler Playtime
Basically, just add water and a couple pitchers to your pom pom sensory bin, and you’re all set!
Mandisa of Happy Toddler Playtime says it’s easy to dry the pom poms out. Just squeeze excess water out, spread on a towel, and a few hours later, they’ll be good as new. This sounds like something the kids might enjoy doing, too!
5. Pom Pom ice cubes from The Paige Diaries
…Oooorrrr you can freeze your pom poms in ice cube trays of water. I love how gorgeous these turned out.
6. Easter Eggs and Pom Poms from Teacher-Mom Adventures
Number the eggs and fill with the same number of pom poms. Such an easy activities and great use of all those cheap plastic eggs!
7. Pom Pom Ramps from Busy Toddler
Cardboard tubes taped to the side of the sensory bin makes awesome ramps! Best part is everything goes straight back into the bin.
Make sure to angle the tubes correctly!
8. Ice Cream Sensory Bin from Learning Resources Blog
This bin uses rice, and extra-large and smaller pom poms for an extra-fun way to play. I love everything going on in this bin, especially those real waffle cones, which I’m sure also smell delicious.
9. Pom Pom Color and Size Sorting from The Madhouse Mummy
Of course, color sorting with pom poms is a given, but have you considered size sorting? Pom poms come in all sizes and colors.
I love the brightly colored measuring spoons included in this colorful pom pom sensory bin. This looks perfect for starting a conversation about different sizes.
10. Pom Pom Whisk and Soup from Entertain Your Toddler
One last way to play with a pom pom sensory bin is with a whisk and tongs.
Pre-fill the whisk with pom poms and use tongs or pincer grasp to pull the pom poms out.
I also added a small pot for the girls to make “pom pom soup” with. It’s a great way to extend the rescue activity with dramatic play!
Your Turn to Entertain Your Toddler with Pom Poms
Which pom pom sensory bin activity will you try?
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!