What is a sensory bin?

Sensory bins are a great way for children to explore and play in a hands-on way that engages their senses of taste, touch, smell, hearing, and sight.

Sensory bins or sensory tables can be as intricate or simple as you’d like. No matter what, the main focus should be setting up a space for your child so they can add on a crucial and fun experience to their online montessori preschool experience. Read on for 7 great sensory activities for toddlers!

7 Sensory Table Ideas

1. Water beads
   Water beads can engage your child’s senses of sight and touch. Water beads are inexpensive, and can be found easily online or in-store! Fill a bin up with water, and add your desired amount of beads. Leave this out overnight, and in the morning, your child will be able to play with this sensory activity for toddlers during their virtual montessori preschool classes!
   
2. Kinetic sand
   Kinetic sand is a sensory table idea that engages your child’s senses of sight, touch, and even sound! Kinetic sand is another inexpensive material that can be bought in many craft stores, as well as online. For this sensory activity for toddlers, try having your child pick up some sand and drop it down into the bin to hear what kind of sounds it makes. You can also add plastic spoons or scoopers so they have something other than their hands to dig into it with!
   
3. Water A water bin can as a sensory table idea can engage your child’s senses of sight, touch, sound and even smell! All that is required is a bin filled with water, and the opportunities are endless! While engaging in this sensory activity for toddlers, you (or your little one) can add in their favorite bubble bath to create a foaming experience that smells good. You can also add in some of your child’s favorite bath time toys.
   
4. Rice
   Rice is a pantry staple that doubles as a fun sensory table idea when put into a sensory bin! Rice can be dyed to become colorful, and can also be scooped with spoons or scoopers, just like kinetic sand. While your child shouldn’t eat uncooked rice, saving some rice on the side and cooking it later (perhaps as another kind of sensory activity for toddlers), can also allow your child to engage their sense of taste while touching the rice, seeing the rice, and hearing what sounds it makes during their online Montessori preschool playtime.
   
5. Packing peanuts
   Packing peanuts come in many packages when we order things online. Instead of throwing them out, reuse them as a creative sensory table idea! Packing peanuts are soft and crunchy when squeezed, making them a dream for the senses of touch and sound.
   
6. Plastic grass
   Plastic grass can be found at most party stores, and is a unique way to engage your child’s sense of touch and sight. Plastic grass is colorful and vibrant, and has a unique texture to touch. Adding in small plastic animals or plastic eggs can add a fun surprise to discover while your little one is playing with this sensory activity for toddlers.
   
7. Shaving cream
   Many people have shaving cream on hand already, and a little can go a long way when it comes to creating a sensory bin experience! Adding baking soda to the shaving cream can also create homemade snow for an additional sensory activity for toddlers!

Final reminders

Remember to put down a blanket or mat below the sensory bin to catch any spills that might happen. Also, make sure to remind your child to keep their materials in the sensory bin, because that’s what it’s for! The possibilities are endless when it comes to what to add to a sensory bin, but these are some great starting places for sensory table ideas that will ensure your child gets the most out of their online Montessori preschool experience!

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