2 activities

Sensory Bin Ideas and Fillers

A sensory bin is a container, a filler and a set of tools. Getting those three right is the difference between forty minutes of play and four.

Rotate the theme rather than replacing the bin. The same rice with different hidden objects feels entirely new to a three-year-old.

Browse by age

Number of activities suitable for each age. Many activities suit several ages, so these overlap.

sensory-play

A scoop-and-pour rice bin in six bright colours for simple, open-ended sensory play at home.

45 minIndoor or outdoorSome mess

sensory-play

Letters buried in a rice bin, matched to a written chart as they surface.

35 minIndoorSome mess

Free download

Twenty printable activity cards for ages 2–8, sorted by time and mess level. One email, no spam, unsubscribe any time.

What is the best sensory bin filler?+

Dyed rice for durability, dried beans for sound, oats for taste-safety and cooked pasta for anything involving a child under two.

How do I stop it going everywhere?+

Set the bin inside a larger empty tub or on a flat sheet. A physical boundary beats a rule every time.