While my kids are getting older they still really love to make Sensory Bins. We call them fun finds most of the time now because they think “Sensory” makes them feel young, personally, I'd love to feel young! Anyway, they get wild hair and make these and spend hours playing. I get to enjoy hours of laughs and memories. This St. Patrick's Day Sensory Bin was a real hit! We have more great St. Patrick's Day Crafts for kids as well!
St. Patrick’s Day Sensory Bin Activity
What is a Sensory Bin?
A sensory bin is a plastic tub of any size that is filled with items that stimulate a child’s sense of touch. Often, a bin will start with dried rice or beans as the base then themed items will be added that can be found or manipulated with spoons, cups, or hands.
Related: St. Patrick’s Day Sensory Bottle
What Tools Can I Add to a Sensory Bin?
Along with rice or beans, spoons, cups, funnels, a small colander, scoops, tweezers, or tongs can be fun additions. Different-sized cups, smaller containers, or ice cube trays are helpful to practice pouring and sorting.
What Can I Add to a Sensory Bin for St. Patrick's Day?
Think green! You can dye some rice or navy beans yellow and green and add gold-colored plastic coins to dig for. If you can find some tiny pots, you can create pots of gold that kids can sort the gold coins into. Green or yellow legos can be another great addition.
Shamrock-shaped toys, green dice, gold and green plastic bead necklaces, pennies, green plastic letters, small dinosaurs, or other small green toys can be festive and fun. Try adding a small container in the middle with some tweezers to transfer small items into the container.
Add a rainbow! Use colorful pipe cleaners and add some white beads as clouds that can be strung on them. You can also add colorful, different-sized craft poms. You can also cook spaghetti and dye the strands in different colors or add colorful marshmallows.
There isn’t a wrong answer for what to add to your sensory bin!
Related: Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System Activity – Sensory Bin
Why Use Sensory Bins
Not only do sensory bins promote exploration and independent play, but they encourage hand-eye coordination, sorting, counting, and measuring. Whether playing alone or with others, sensory bins also tend to naturally involve oral language. Kids might talk to each other, asking for items or cooperation, but if working alone, kids will often narrate their movements.
What you need for St. Patrick's Day Sensory Bin Activity
Water
Related: 16 Easy and Fun St Patrick’s Day Crafts and Decor Ideas
How to set up St. Patrick's Day Sensory Bin Activity
Pour water beads into the sensory bin.
Add enough water to cover them.
Allow time for the beads to grow to full size. Add more water if necessary.
Related: 41 St Patricks Day Dessert Recipes For Kids
Drain the water beads with a colander.
Pour the water beads into the sensory bin.
Add the cauldrons, gold coins, and scoop to the bin.
Have the child play with the contents of the bin. Scoop water beads into cauldrons. Add coins to cauldrons. Count the coins, hide the coins, etc!
Related: St. Patrick’s Day Recipes to Make This Year
St. Patrick’s Day Sensory Bin Activity
Do you have kiddos that love sensory bins, or want to try one out for the first time? This St. Patrick's day Sensory Bin is so fun!
Materials
- 2-4 tsp. green water beads
- Water
- Black Cauldrons
- Gold Coins
- Sensory Bin
- Scoop
Tools
Instructions
- Pour water beads into the sensory bin.
- Add enough water to cover them.
- Allow time for the beads to grow to full size. Add more water if necessary.
- Drain the water beads with a colander.
- Pour the water beads into the sensory bin.
- Add the cauldrons, gold coins, and scoop to the bin.
- Have the child play with the contents of the bin. Scoop water beads into cauldrons. Add coins to cauldrons. Count the coins, hide the coins, etc!
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Creating a St. Patrick's Day sensory bin can be an exciting and fun way for children to explore the world of senses and learn about different cultures. You can use items from your own home or purchase craft supplies at any store or online. Seeing the reactions on the faces of your children as they dive into their new sensory adventure is something that you won't soon forget!
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