Looking for an easy way to brighten a winter day for your little one – but too cold to go out into the snow? Try these winter sensory bin ideas!
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Here are some of our favorite ways to bring the outdoors in this winter for some awesome winter sensory activities! Add a couple of winter or arctic-themed objects or toys to your sensory bin (small plastic animals, pine cones, snowflake sequins) and you’re all set for some great winter sensory bin ideas!
1 || Cotton batting – Let kids explore this soft snow substitute with their hands by hiding objects inside! No mess cleanup for this winter sensory bin!
2 || Cotton balls – Soft mini snowballs – so much fun! Pull one or two cotton balls out of the bin after the kids are finished exploring and have a snowball race! Who can blow their snowball across the table fastest? Great oral sensory fun!
3 || Clear water beads – Kids love running their hands through these smooth little gems. Add some cups and spoons for scooping and pouring!
4 || Styrofoam packing peanuts – This is another great winter sensory bin idea if you like an easy clean-up. Throw some toothpicks and bamboo skewers into the bin of peanuts and set kids loose to build their own snowball structures!
5 || Styrofoam balls – Similar to the packing peanuts, styrofoam balls are great for building and creating! After the kids have had their fun digging through the styrofoam balls with their hands, have them stack three balls and connect them with toothpicks to make their own snowmen! Glue on pompoms and sequins to decorate!
6 || Clear and white pony beads – Add some fine motor fun to your tactile sensory play! Fill a bin with clear and white beads and silver, shiny pipe cleaners for stringing! Whip up some of these beautiful beaded snowflakes while you’re at it!
7 || Shaving cream – A favorite sensory medium of OTs everywhere! There are tons of ways to play with shaving cream!! Bury wintry toys in it, cover toy cars with it and then wash clean with a spray bottle, cover the table with it and practice writing your name!
8 || Cotton ball sensory bin – This one is perfect for some soft and squishy wintertime fun!
9 || Dry rice – Scoop, dump, pour, stir – you can’t go wrong with this winter sensory bin idea! Also great for playing hide and seek with little toys to get the visual system in on the fun!
10 || Homemade snow – Kids will love helping with this simple recipe! Such a fun tactile exploration activity!
Bonus || Bring real snow inside! – When all else fails, why not just go for the real thing? Throw some snow in your sensory table with sand toys and let the kids go crazy! Add some squeeze bottles and droppers with cups of water for some great fine motor and sensory fun!
Whether you use these ideas in a winter sensory bin, in a winter sensory tray, or in your winter sensory table – you’ve got a sure fire way to bring a little magic to your therapy room or classroom this season!
