Buried Bugs Sensory Bin Play!

Bugs, bugs, and more bugs!

A buried bugs sensory bin awaited Liam’s curiosity the other morning.

What do you do when you walk by a shelf of $0.25 Easter grass? You think, that would be great filler for a buried bugs sensory bin. Then you buy four bags of it! You also a pick up the dollar store bugs and capsules that turn into sponge creatures and in this case bugs! Transforming the capsules into sponges is a fun little activity all in itself and then you are left with great little sponges for play!

Simple Set Up Bugs Sensory Bin

Lots of easter grass, all sorts of bugs and, and preschool friendly tongs all go in a bin! I thought this pretty cardboard gift box would make a fun, new bin! See, bins don’t have to be a clear plastic tub. I love looking around the house and seeing how I can re-purpose things we already have! Liam is 3 years old here.

Bugs Sensory Bin Play

Liam was encouraged to dig through the grass and search for bugs to put in the tray. He had a pair of great little tweezers to help him out. Got to get those fine motor skills in too! In general this type of filler is not his favorite but I think it is good to add in for variety and different sensory experiences. He did get very hung up on each strand and didn’t want it hanging over the edge of the box, but I encouraged him to move it around even if it made a bit of a mess. I included both sponge bugs and plastic bugs because I told him when he was done finding bugs he could give them a bug bath! This was very motivating for him to finish the activity!

Simple Set Up Washing Bugs Sensory Bin

A few towels, scrubbing cloth and plastic bowl filled with warm soapy water is an easy hands on play activity for kids! After we found our bugs in the grass, they each needed a bath and a scrub! I had him drop the bugs into the water and let him play and scrub to his hearts delight! He placed each one on the towel to dry after he was finished! We practiced some counting skills too with the bugs!

Sensory bins and sensory play are awesome ways to interact with young children and work on different skills in fun ways!

Two bug sensory play ideas in one!

You might also enjoy our sensory bin play with Butterflies & Beans