Halloween is here! It’s time to make a Halloween sensory bin that your kids will love! Scroll down for 13 spectacularly spooky sensory bin ideas for Halloween.
But first, What is a sensory bin?
A sensory bin is a container filled with different objects that encourage children to use any or all of their five senses.
Sensory bins provide cheap, open-ended play for your little one, right in the comfort of your own home!
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!
Why should I make a sensory bin?
- Sensory bins can help calm a toddler, focus his attention, and help him develop fine motor skills, language skills, play skills, social skills, and more!
- They are quick to make and easy to change up with different themes.
- It’s great for rainy days and times you’re stuck indoors.
- You already have most of the supplies in your house.
- Plus, it will keep your toddler entertained for hours!
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How do I make a sensory bin?
- Start with a big, shallow bin or bucket. The larger your container, the less potential for mess. 😉
- Add a large amount of filler. These can be edible or not, such as popcorn, or dyed to fit your theme. Make sure to supervise your toddler during any sensory bin activity.
- Add objects of contrasting textures. These are your themed items. Little plastic toys, objects from nature, colorful toys, etc.
- Include items for scooping and pouring. You may need to grab a set of measuring cups and spoons from the dollar store or raid the Target dollar spot.
13 Spooky Halloween Sensory Bins for Kids
1. Colored Spaghetti Sensory Bin
Cook up a double batch of spaghetti and use food coloring to dye it orange. Toss it in your bin along with spooky spiders, bats, skeletons, ghosts, and other Halloween toys. Top it off with a spider web and your kids will be screaming… for more!
2. Black Bean and Red Lentil Sensory Bin
Fill your bin with dried black beans, red lentils, and an assortment of creepy crawlies, such as stretchy earthworms, icky spiders, and squishy eyeballs. Add some little cauldrons and pumpkin buckets for the perfect spooky sensory bin.
3. Witchy Water Bead Sensory Bin
This bin uses water beads, which are usually found in the floral section of most stores, or on Amazon. They expand with water and have a slippery, slimy feel, which is perfect for this witches’ potion sensory bin. Googly eyes, plastic spiders, and bats up the ick factor.
4. Tri-Color Beans and Rice Sensory Bin
Uncooked plain white rice gets a makeover with orange coloring and is combined with black beans for this tri-color sensory bin. Continue the color theme by adding white, orange, and black pom poms, pipe cleaners, and sequins.
5. Halloween Fine Motor Sensory Bin
Purple rice is the perfect backdrop for colorful Halloween toys and small items from around the house. We also used fine motor tools and colored bowls to enhance our fine motor play. See the tutorial to make purple rice here.
6. Icky Edible Eyeball Sensory Bin
Plastic eggs make the perfect mold to make Jello eyeballs. Use a raisin for the center of the eye. The best part is squishing the eyeballs. SPLAT!
7. Black and White Skeleton Sensory Bin
Mix up black beans and white beans. Add little pumpkin buckets and a bunch of mini skeletons. Voila! A creepy Halloween sensory bin your toddler will love!
8. Purple Rice, Spiders, and Cauldrons Sensory Bin
What’s a witch’s favorite color? Purple. Dye some rice and mix it up in your biggest cauldron.
9. Pumpkin Moon Sand Sensory Bin
Photo credit: Parenting Chaos
This Halloween sensory bin requires a bit of flour, oil, and pumpkin puree to make taste-safe moon sand. Whip a batch of this sand up and add cookie cutters for a unique sensory experience.
10. Green Goblin Guts Sensory Bin
Photo credit: Growing a Jeweled Rose
Make your own goblin guts* by cooking up some spaghetti, coating it with oil, and adding green food coloring to it. Hide little treasures under the guts for your little goblins to find.
*No goblins were harmed in the making of this sensory bin.
11. Chilled Paper Pulp Sensory Bin
Blend water and orange shredded paper to make this messy, slimy paper pulp for a Halloween bin. Add plastic spiders and some colanders or strainers. Stick the whole mess in the fridge for a chilly effect that is sure to send tingles down your little one’s spine!
12. Soap Foam Sensory Bin
Photo credit: Views from a Step Stool
A little warm water, dish soap, cornstarch, and purple food coloring thrown into a blender will make a foamy witch’s brew your toddler won’t be able to keep her hands off of!
13. Spooky Aquarium Gravel Sensory Bin
Snag a pack of black and purple aquarium gravel the next time you pass the pet section at your local store. Round up your favorite spooky Halloween items to complete this sensory bin.
Happy Halloween!
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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!