If you live in a cold climate like we do here in Salt Lake County, you may be on the search for a plethora of indoor kid activities. This Water-My-Garden Sensory Bin is darling and is the perfect easy DIY sensory bin for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, even older kids! I saw a local mom friend post about it a while back. Her two toddlers loved it so I figured my girl would enjoy it too (and boy did she love every moment of play!). I initially made this on a snowy cold day when we were overly excited about springtime and all things sunny and flowery. It’s the perfect indoor toddler activity especially when it’s a frigid winter day and all you can dream of is springtime.
I love the idea of using black beans as pretend “dirt.” Place some dollar store fake flowers, with chopped stems (using wire cutters), inside the sensory bin. Teach the kids to water the flowers so that they grow and continue to flourish. You can even go buy some flower and vegetable seeds to show the kids so that they can plant real flower or vegetable seeds. If you have any gardening books geared towards kids, place them in the sensory bin too for an enhanced sensory experience. Toddlers love planting seeds and watching them grow so this is one popular indoor preschool and daycare toddler activities!
You can use the shovel to dig holes for new seeds, and can even toss in some sunflower seeds or other vegetable, fruit, or flower seeds. This is a wonderful opportunity for kids to learn about gardening as they will learn how to dig holes, plant the seeds, and water until flowers start to pop up and grow above the bean “dirt” layer.
To make a Water-My-Garden Sensory Bin, you’ll need a storage box or bin, dry black beans, artificial flowers, wire cutters, a plastic watering can or pot to water with (ours came in a sand pail kit from Costco), a toy shovel and or trowel, and a pair of handy scoopers and jumbo tweezers.
Why is sensory play important?
Sensory play is instrumental in a toddler’s curious, rapidly growing brain. The black beans allow a child to use multiple senses while playing—hence the “sensory” experience of playing in the bin. As the beans move through a kid’s hands, they listen to the sound of each bean, they notice the weight of the bean in the sound, while touching the beans and feeling their smooth and cool texture—visually observing everything that’s going on. It may seem like a lot for a growing young kid to take in, and it is, but it’s also a fun and terrific experience for a toddler.
Sensory bins provide a calming activity for a kid, particularly for an anxious kid. Lumiere’s article mentions that sensory play may help to calm, focus, and engage a child. It also suggests that sensory bins enhance language development as the bins are filled with a vast array of items which help to increase language development. Kids can work on improving their fine motor skills while playing as they scoop and grasp to pick up small objects.
Benefits of sensory play
The article also reports that sensory bins provide cognitive tasks for toddlers. Instruct your child to sort and organize objects. Don’t forget to hide a few items in the sensory base so that the kids can find the hidden items.
Sensory bins are fantastic for problem-solving and discovering and their growing brains need to learn and discover new things daily. They’re perfect for toddlers and preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school kids! Homeschools and daycare facilities commonly use them too. Wish they had sensory bins when I was growing up as I believe I would have truly enjoyed them! Undoubtedly, sensory bins are trending and popular today amongst toddlers and preschoolers.
Items needed to make a Water-My-Garden Sensory Bin
Box or bin. You’ll need a storage bin or box to house your sensory bin.
Black beans. Buy bags of black beans as the foundation or sensory bin base.
Fake flowers. I bought artificial flowers at Dollar Tree, but you can find them at Walmart, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and here.
Wire cutters. You’ll need a pair of wire cutters to chop the stems from the artificial flowers. We like this pair of wire cutters best.
Plastic watering can. You can find a plastic watering can in any summer kid’s beach kit or here.
Plastic toy shovel and trowel. Fill your DIY sensory bin with toy shovels and trowels and let the kids get ready to sow their seeds.
Handy scoopers and jumbo tweezers. We like these handy scoopers and jumbo tweezers best. This gives tiny hands the chance to practice fine motor skills as they open and close their hands.
How to make the best Water-My-Garden Sensory Bin
STEP 1: Pour dry black beans in a bin or box.
STEP 2: Use wire cutters to cut the stems from the flowers.
STEP 3: Place the artificial flowers, watering pot, shovel and trough, and handy scoopers and jumbo tweezers in the bin and arrange for an invitation to play.
STEP 4: If you make this, don’t forget to give this craft a rating and comment!
Final Thoughts
Finally, if you make this DIY Water-My-Garden Sensory Bin, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this craft a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this recipe and always try my best to respond to all comments.
If you do make this kid’s craft, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your craft photos!
Water-My-Garden Sensory Bin
Equipment
Materials
Instructions
- Pour dry black beans into a bin or box.
- Use wire cutters to cut the stems from the flowers.
- Place the flowers, watering pot, shovel and trough, and handy scoopers and jumbo tweezers in the bin and arrange for an invitation to play.
- If you make this, don’t forget to give this craft a rating and comment!
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