sensory play

Fall Forest Sensory Bin

November 30, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This fall forest sensory bin is inspired by a tiny mouse that snuck indoors. The unexpected discovery led to the question: “Can mice survive outdoors in the fall as the weather turns colder?” The answer is “yes”!

_______

Although mice will happily seek shelter indoors when the weather cools, they are perfectly capable of surviving outside during the fall and winter months. In the forest, they build nests in sheltered spots such as logs, under tree roots, and underground burrows. They also dig elaborate condo-like tunnels underground, with a pantry, bedroom, living room, and latrine.

_______

In autumn, the quick little rodents get very busy finding nuts, seeds, and berries to store for winter. This involves many trips to and from food sources. Along with growing thicker fur, the focused, energetic activity helps keep them warm.

This leafy sensory bin with soft late fall hues features a bunch of scurrying mice in a forest environment.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

_______

Fall Forest Sensory Bin

The following supplies are in this autumn natural material-filled sensory bin:

mouse figurines
leaves
twigs
pieces of wood and bark
hydrangea flowers
small stones
cardboard tubes
scarecrow figurine
plush pumpkin

_______

The Fall Forest Sensory Bin

The bin for this autumn sensory activity is a generously-sized active world tray.

Large and small leaves make excellent materials for mice to build nests with.

_______

Twigs. wood pieces and bark are readily found in the forest.

Paper rolls represent the tunnels the energetic little critters create to live in and cache food to survive late fall and winter.

_______

Large, light green hydrangea flowers add beauty.

Little mouse figurines scurry around everywhere.

_______

The plush harvest-themed pumpkin is a focal point. Mice happily nibble on the large orange fruits they discover outdoors.

_______

And the small scarecrow figurine with a mouse on its hat adds a touch of cuteness to the bin.

_______

_______

Related: This Snowy Owl Sensory Bin is very popular on the blog. It also features plenty of cute little mouse figurines

_______

More Fall Activities

Colors of Fall Sensory Bin

Fall Leaf Crown Paper Crafts

Fall Pom Pom Tree Craft

Light Table Leaf Exploration

Fall Scissor Skill Activities

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Fall Leaf Salad Spinner Art

Fall Drip Ice Cake

_______

[Read more…]

Colors of Fall Sensory Bin

October 13, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Fall is full of bright and bold hues, and so is this Colors of Fall sensory bin. Brilliant flowers and vibrant, plentiful leaves star in the gorgeous sensory invitation. The autumn sensory bin celebrates the end of our growing season, as the weather is about to become a lot colder, and leaves and flowers will soon dry out.

_______

Supplies in the Fall Sensory Bin

The following are the supplies used in this autumn-themed bin:

fall leaves
flowers
small rocks
twigs
squirt bottles
liquid watercolors
pitchers of water
mortar and pestle sets
eye droppers
bowls and spoons
cups

_______

The Colors of Fall Sensory Bin

As displayed in many of my other sensory invitations, the bin for this fall sensory activity is a large active world tray. It’s great for a group of children to explore together. The activity would work equally well in a smaller bin, with children taking turns to participate.

The many leaves in the octagonal bin come from the trees and plants in my yard. Lots have turned red, orange, yellow, or brown. Others remain green in the fall season.

_______

The flowers are also from my yard, picked just before the freezing nights that end their growing season.

_______

Clear squirt bottles hold water with a little orange, magenta, green, or blue liquid watercolors mixed in.

_______

Paired with the squirt bottles, pitchers filled with water offer many opportunities for color mixing and potion making in bowls and clear cups.

_______

Including eye droppers allows for more fub colored water squirting.

_______

Mortar and pestle sets are always a hit.

_______

Beautiful red and yellow Bergenia leaves are quickly set aside by some participants as treasures to keep.

_______

Magenta-hued water and bright flowers prove to be a highlight of the sensory experience.

_______

After a long time of engaging in sensory bin exploration, the colored water becomes a drawing tool for transient art on nearby pavement.

_______

A rock border adds a finishing touch to a heart-themed transient art creation.

_______

This Colors of Fall sensory bin is an awesome nature-themed activity, and is one of the most economical play-based learning ideas. The natural materials are a free filler. Most of the other supplies are reusable for other sensory play activities and are suitable for dramatic play setups.

What do you think?

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

More Fall Activities

Fall Drip Ice Cake

Fall Pom Pom Tree Craft

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Fall Leaf Salad Spinner Art

Fall Scissor Skills Activities

_______

[Read more…]

Apple Theme Sensory Tray

October 11, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Fall is apple season, and there are so many apple-themed activities to choose from. This simple, super fun apple theme sensory tray with an oatmeal base is one that I’ve wanted to try for a long time. It is sure to be a hit with little learners.

_______

Supplies in the Tray

The following are the supplies in this gorgeous apple sensory tray:

apple-shaped strainers
measuring spoons
apple-shaped acrylic gems
gold apple ornaments
metal tins
apple cookie cutters
pompoms
apple ice cube tray molds
spoons

_______

_______

The Apple Theme Sensory Tray

The base for this eye-catching apple sensory tray is rolled oats. This base fits the theme since it is an ingredient used in tasty fall treats such as apple crisp, apple bread, and apple cookies.

_______

The round cake pan, loaf pan, apple coolie cutters, and measuring cups encourage dessert baking activities.

Sparkling gold apple ornaments and apple-shaped acrylic gems add a major dose of glam and are baking ingredients along with the rolled oats.

_______

Bright green, yellow, red, and pink pompoms in various sizes are additional “apples”.

Apple ice cube tray molds encourage sorting activities.

_______

And apple-shaped strainers add interest to the bin.

_______

All supplies are set in a large, deep green active world tray, suitable for four to six children to explore. The accessories work equally well in a smaller bin if two to three children are participating in the sensory activity.

_______

Have you tried an apple theme sensory tray? Share in a comment below.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

_______

More Apple Theme Activities

Apple Playdough Tray

Watercolor Apples With Markers

Apple Print Art and Activities

Apple Toothpick Sculptures

Apple Fruit Stand

Apple Theme Activities

Scented Playdough Recipe and Activities

_______

[Read more…]

Three Dinosaur Sensory Bins

September 7, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Dinosaurs are an oh so popular topic among young children, and they absolutely LOVE sensory bins. This post combines the two interests. featuring three dinosaur sensory bins that are bound to captivate your little learners. A bonus is that the activities are super simple and quick to set up.

_______

Children adore anything dinosaur, so I try to include dinosaur activities in my yearly rotation of themes. It’s not hard to do, as there are thousands of activities to choose from.

Sensory activities are also a favorite of children and offer a host of benefits. They provide multi-sensory learning through play experiences.

_______

Dinosaur Rice Bin

_______

The sensory bin for this first activity is a white kitchen bus tub, which accommodates two or three children at a time. If you’ve seen some of my other sensory blog posts, you’ll know that this is one of my favorite choices for bins. An under-the-bed storage tub also works fantastically. It is slightly bigger in size and accommodates more children.

Rice is an economical sensory base and is reusable. Brown rice is the base for this first sensory bin.

Other supplies in the bin include:

large and small dinosaur figurines
glow in the dark dinosaur skeletons
dinosaur skull figurines
marbles
fillable eggs

Exploring rice is a calming activity, and children love to pour it, bury items in it, and create shaker musical instruments using it as a filler.

_______

In addition to adding rice to the fillable eggs, children eagerly hide smaller dinosaurs and marbles in them.

Larger dinosaur figurines, dinosaur skulls, and glow-in-the-dark dinosaurs contribute to the theme and add excitement to the bin.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

_______

Dinosaur Egg Rice Bin

This second dinosaur sensory bin is simpler and features a few variations.

_______

White glutinous rice is the base. Its bright white color helps the accessories stand out.

An edged, square metal serving tray is the bin. It is smaller in size than a kitchen bus tub, accommodating one to two children at a time.

_______

Fillable eggs with dinosaur spikes were the inspiration for this bin, and are a feature supply.

Various sizes of rocks are natural materials in the bin.

_______

Dinosaur Noodle Bin

_______

This third sensory invitation is similar to the one above. The only difference is that the base in the bin is thin, yellow noodles. The bright, cut uncooked noodles add a pop of color and novel texture to the bin.

_______

Benefits of the Dinosaur Sensory Bins

Sensory bin invitations are non-threatening, open-ended activities for children to participate in. There is no right or wrong way to explore them, and that means zero pressure to meet certain standards.

The rice in the first two bins is relaxing for children to touch, sift, and pour. This helps children regulate their emotions.

As children add little dinosaur figurines and marbles to the fillable eggs, they gain hand-eye coordination and fine motor control.

Children take delight in making shaker musical instruments by adding rice to the eggs. This includes a musical component.

When two or more children play in the same bin, they practice sharing and turn-taking. Their discussions during the play enhance social development.

The sensory invitations have a collection of unique accessories that are new to the children. This encourages the little learners to be creative and use their imagination.

_______

More Sensory Activities

Flower Planting Sensory Play

Flower Potion Sensory Tray

Airplane Rice Sensory Bin

Cozy Gingerbread Sensory Bin

Plaid-themed Christmas Rice Bin

Chinese New Year Chickpea Bin

Easter Bunny Lentil Sensory Bin

_______

[Read more…]

Castle Theme Light Table Activity

August 25, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

A light table is one of my favorite classroom centers, as it adds a glowing ambience to the room. It’s a goal of mine to add one or more light table activities to every theme. A set of bubble bottles inspired a castle theme light table activity.

_______

Castle Light Table Supplies

_______

The following supplies are in this royal-themed light table set up:

castle-themed bubble bottles
metallic pompoms
metallic bead necklace strips
gold jingle bells
cube-shaped reusable ice cubes
interlocking necklace connectors
acrylic crystal ice rocks
ombre erasers
clear egg tray
clear bowls, trays, plates, and serving scoops

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

_______

The Castle Theme Light Table Activity

A variety of interesting loose parts that complement the castle theme are featured in this light table play invitation.

A jewel-toned set of empty transparent bubble containers is the highlight. I was excited to spot the bubble containers while on a routine shopping trip one afternoon.