If your kid is anything like mine, this red, white, and blue patriotic sensory bin will keep them entertained for countless days and hours. I love everything patriotic, especially the Fourth of July so creating and making this Fourth of July sensory bin was so much fun for me! I enjoy seeing my toddler play in it daily. I’m shocked that she’s still playing in it as my sensory bins don’t usually entertain her for more than five minutes!
I’m actually really excited for the Fourth this year because my kid is three and she will finally be able to stay up and hold sparklers and be able to participate without needing to be in bed early, before the sun sets. I just love seeing her excited and happy and I know that this Fourth will be so much fun and so memorable for our little family.
How to make a Fourth of July Patriotic Sensory Bin
First, pour even amounts of white rice into two freezer bags. In each freezer bag, add one teaspoon vinegar (can also use rubbing alcohol) and about 30 drops of red food coloring. Repeat the process for the blue food coloring. Use your hands to move the rice around to evenly coat it all with the food coloring. Pour it out to dry overnight on foil-lined baking sheets. You can also add essential oils that fit your sensory theme, or to simply enhance the child’s sensory experience.
Pour the dried red rice into the left third portion of your sensory bin. Add white rice in the center, and pour the blue rice on the right, forming the colors: red, white, and blue. You may need to use your hands to shove all the rice to one side. Add spoons, measuring cups, pom poms, or patriotic cups or toys.
I always go to Dollar Tree up the street for everything sensory bin! The cups and hat that you see in my sensory bin came from Dollar Tree. I had the pom poms, the bin, and the rice. I love buying all kid’s crafts at Dollar Tree.
Are Sensory Bins Good for Toddlers?
Yes, absolutely! Toddlers love them and it gives them the chance to play in a small area, usually with a theme, but not necessarily. When they play with the sensory bin materials, they use their fine motor skills to learn and explore. The best items to include in sensory bins are measuring cups, cups, spoons, bowls, etc. It’s a lot of fun to create them with a specific theme in mind.
I think I’ve created at least 30 sensory bins so far, and I keep making them. If you want a taste of some of them, check out the links below. I’ve created numerous sensory bins for every holiday and season, including: Christmas, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, winter, spring, summer, and fall.
Sensory play is critical in toddlers’ development and sensory bins are child-driven, which means that the child gets to lead the playing process. When a child plays in a sensory bin, they use all their senses to learn about the world around them. They’re watching the rice, observing the way it moves, listening to the sound it makes when it falls, and feeling every item in the sensory bin. If you use essential oils that are taste safe (if you still have littles that like to stick everything in their mouths), you will be teaching your kids to learn through smell, which is a fun twist to a sensory bin experience.
Allowing kids to play in a sensory bin teaches them life skills as they learn to pour and scoop while playing. Letting children learn about how to accurately pour items, through trial and error, teaches them life skills that they need in order to be independent in life.
The Best Fine Motor Activity
This is a fantastic fine motor skills exercise for toddlers and preschoolers, even older kids, as they have to use the small muscles in their hands and fingers to squeeze the pom poms to pick them up. They also have to use their hands to scoop and pour the rice, which is beneficial for their development.
More easy kid’s crafts you’ll love!
Simple Fourth of July Kid’s Crafts
Paper Plate American Flag Kid’s Craft
Easy Kid’s DIY Father’s Day Gifts or Summer Crafts
Seven Easy Father’s Day Cards—Easy Kid’s DIY Crafts
Clay Bowls—Easy Mother’s/Father’s Day Keepsake Gifts
DIY Homemade Mother’s/Father’s Day Gift—Handprint-Potted Cactus
Clay Handprint Bowls—Easy Mother’s/Father’s Day Keepsake Gift
Final Thoughts
Finally, if you make this Patriotic Sensory Bin, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this kid’s activity a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this sensory bin and always try my best to respond to all comments.
If you do make this Fourth of July Patriotic Sensory Bin, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your sensory bin photos!
Fourth of July Patriotic Sensory Bin
Equipment
Materials
- 2 freezer bags with zip tops
- storage bin or box
- white rice
- vinegar
- food coloring
- patriotic cups, pom poms, and a patriotic hat can use any type of cups, scoopers, jumbo tweezers, bowls, kid-safe toys, etc.
Instructions
- Pour even amounts of white rice into two freezer bags. In each freezer bag, add 1 teaspoon vinegar (can also use rubbing alcohol) and about 30 drops of red food coloring. Repeat for the blue food coloring. Use your hands to move the rice around to evenly coat it all with the food coloring. Pour it out to dry overnight on foil-lined baking sheets. Feel free to add essential oils for more of a sensory experience.
- Pour the red rice into the left third of your sensory bin. Add white rice in the center, and pour the blue rice on the right, forming the colors: red, white, and blue. Add spoons, measuring cups, or patriotic cups or toys.
- If you make this craft, don't forget to leave a rating and comment!
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