One of my favorite activities to create for my children are Christmas sensory bins. I have partnered with some creative mamas to come up with some unique sensory bin ideas to keep your kids playing all winter long. Sensory activities are great for fine motor skills, creative play, and adding a little magic to the holiday season. Hope that you enjoy and implement some of them this year!
Need holiday shopping inspo? Find my Christmas Gift Guides here!
Sensory Bin Ideas For Kids
Candy Cane Sensory Bin
You will need:
- 2 bags of rice
- peppermint candies
- marshmallows
- candy canes
- other festive winter toys
- chalkboard
- chalk
- tweezer or any other tool to scoop out the manipulatives
To dye your rice you will need a Ziploc bag, a tsp of vinegar, and food coloring of choice. Mix it with the rice in a bag and then pour it out and lay flat on a plate until completely dry.
Starbucks Sensory Bin
You will need:
- coffee beans
- mini marshmallows
- mini candy canes
- spoon and cup
- 2 bins
Find all the details on how to create this fun Christmas sensory bin idea by following @athomewithJanan on Instagram
Nutcracker Sensory Bin
You will need:
- dyed rice
- pearls
- jewels
- painted any toys to match your theme.
- nutcracker and ballerina Christmas ornaments
All the details on how to create this fun Christmas sensory bin idea by following @knead.to.play on Instagram.
Hot Cocoa Sensory Play
You will need:
- ripped up brown wrapping paper for the hot chocolate
- felt balls from amazon for marshmallows (but pom poms or cotton balls would work too!).
Let your kids make orders for you and their toys, pretending to pour the milk, stir the hot cocoa and add marshmallows.
For the full setup of this adorable sensory play idea follow @girlgangandco on Instagram
Calm Down Sensory Globes
You will need:
- DIY snow globes,
- baby oil,
- glitter,
- mini bottle brush trees and
- figurines for the calm down globes, and
- fake snow,
- scoops
- mini ornaments
- bottle brush trees
Instructions on the full set up for these calm down sensory globes follow @tami.omalley on Instagram
Winter Wonderland Sensory Bin
What you’ll need:
- faux snow
- the bells,
- wooden snowflakes,
- disco balls and
- stars
- trees
- cups
Details on how to create a winter wonderland sensory bin for your little one by following @lifeoncrosscutway on Instagram.
If you enjoyed this unique list of Christmas books for kids, try some of my gift guides:
Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Girls
Christmas Gift Ideas for 8 Year Old Girls
Christmas Gift Ideas for 6 Year Old Girls
