Hi, and welcome to Teach and Thrive Learning! I’m so glad you’re here. Today, I want to share one of my favorite activities for kids: sensory play! I’ve seen firsthand how much fun my own kids have with sensory bins, and I’m excited to tell you why they’re so valuable—and how you can make your own on a budget.
Why Sensory Play Matters
If you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, you’ve probably heard about sensory play. It’s more than just fun—it’s a key part of childhood development. Sensory play engages a child’s senses, helping them explore, create, and learn in a hands-on way. It also strengthens brain connections, supports problem-solving, and encourages language development.
But that’s not all! Sensory play also boosts fine motor skills. When kids scoop, pour, pinch, and grab, they’re building the muscles they’ll later use for tasks like writing and tying their shoes. It’s an easy way to sneak in some skill-building while keeping them entertained.
Brain Development in Action
Let me share why I’m so passionate about sensory play. When kids engage with sensory bins, they’re doing so much more than playing. Sensory play stimulates brain development by activating multiple regions of the brain, creating and strengthening neural pathways. This supports cognitive, emotional, and social growth.
Research shows that sensory play helps build the brain’s sensory cortex, which processes tactile input, like the textures of rice or noodles. The prefrontal cortex is engaged when children make decisions about sorting or organizing objects, helping them develop problem-solving and executive functioning skills, such as planning and focusing attention. This kind of engagement supports critical thinking and strengthens memory formation in the hippocampus as children explore new tasks and experiences.
One fascinating area of brain growth linked to sensory play is the development of the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions. By interacting with materials that feel soothing, like smooth rice or squishy beads, children can regulate their emotional responses and manage stress more effectively. This calming effect of sensory play helps children reduce anxiety and promotes emotional resilience.
Additionally, the repetition and focus involved in sensory play can enhance neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize itself. This is particularly important in the early years, when the brain is most malleable. As children manipulate objects, their brains form connections that help them later tackle more complex tasks, like reading, writing, and problem-solving.
Sensory bins don’t just engage individual brain regions—they encourage holistic development. This multi-faceted brain engagement supports overall cognitive development, laying the groundwork for future learning.
Sensory bins also play a role in emotional regulation by engaging the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions. The tactile experience of running fingers through rice or searching for hidden items can reduce the amygdala’s activation, creating a calming effect and helping kids manage stress and anxiety. This type of sensory play also promotes mindfulness by encouraging children to focus on the soothing, repetitive motions, which helps them better understand and regulate their emotional responses. This kind of play promotes mindfulness, allowing children to focus on the task at hand and better understand their own emotional responses.
Additionally, sensory play fosters social skills. When kids share a sensory bin, they learn to cooperate, take turns, and communicate effectively. They may discuss what they’ve found or work together to solve problems, building empathy and teamwork. These interactions lay the foundation for positive social behaviors that will serve them throughout their lives.
Plus, it’s a great way for them to practice mindfulness. Watching my kids focus intently on sorting beads or finding a hidden toy reminds me how calming sensory play can be—even for adults!
How I Make Sensory Bins for My Kids
I’ll be honest: I like to keep things simple and affordable. That’s why my go-to sensory bin fillers are things you probably already have at home or can grab cheaply at the store. Plus, I don’t feel guilty when I change them up to keep the kids interested! Here are some of my favorites:
- Dry noodles (fun colored noodles)
- Dried beans
- Rice
- Lentils
I love how versatile these materials are. You can dye rice and pasta with food coloring to make them colorful, or leave them as-is for a more natural look. Once you have your base, it’s time to add some fun extras! I like to include:
To take it up a notch, I also throw in some tools. My kids love using tweezers, grabbers, and scoops (I save my old protein powder scoopers) to dig through the bin and find hidden treasures. It turns sensory play into a mini scavenger hunt!
Make Your Own Sensory Bin
Ready to give it a try? Here’s how to create a sensory bin in four easy steps:
- Pick a bin with a deep lid: I like these Hefty bins because the lid doubles as another container when my kids are sorting objects. This makes clean up a breeze! They are a bit pricey but worth it in my opinion. Whatever your pick, find something with a deep lid!
- Pick a base: Choose one or two fillers like rice, noodles, or beans.
- I like rice, lima bean, black bean, lentils, spiral pasta, and bowtie pasta.
- Here are some fun dyed noodles in a ton of shapes for some extra flair!
- Add extras: Toss in small toys, buttons, or other treasures.
- Our favorite are little erasers, rubber rings, foam shapes, lacing beads, little animals (use these for inspiration for one of your bins), pom-poms in various sizes, and toy cars (my kids like these construction ones and fill them with rice).
- Include tools: Add scoops, tongs, or spoons to make it interactive.
- We love these tongs, grabbers, mini shovels, and cups.
That’s it! You can tailor your bin to a theme (like animals, seasons, or colors) or keep it open-ended for free play. I had themes at first, but my kids had other plans! I do keep the base different though so the kids stay engaged with various textures.
Sensory Play on a Budget
I know how quickly the cost of activities can add up, so I’m all about finding budget-friendly options. Check your pantry for fillers or visit your local dollar store for small items and tools. You’d be surprised at what you can repurpose for sensory play!
If you’re looking for ready-to-go options, I’ve linked some of my favorite affordable items on Amazon.
- Add this set to a bin of rice and you’re ready to play!
- Kinetic Sand – the slicer that comes with this set makes such a satisfying crunch and sound!
- Themed Sensory Bin – this seller has 7 themes: construction, ocean, dinosaur, outerspace, ice cream, beach, and bake shop
- Sand and Water Table
- Mermaid Sensory Bin
- Play Sink with Running Water
Why I Love Sensory Bins
For me, sensory play is a win-win. My kids get to explore, learn, and have fun, while I love knowing that they’re building important skills. Plus, sensory bins are a great way to keep kids entertained on rainy days or when you need a quick activity. Being Wisconsin residents, half of our play is indoors! In the summer, we add a lot of this same type of play to the kiddie pool in the yard or our sandbox.
I hope this inspires you to try sensory play with your kids! Let me know how it goes or share your favorite sensory bin ideas in the comments. Thanks for visiting Teach and Thrive Learning—I can’t wait to hear from you!
Thanks for reading! For more sensory play ideas, DIY activities, and budget-friendly tips, follow me on Instagram, check out my creations on Etsy, and find even more inspiration on Pinterest. Let’s stay connected, subscribe below!
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