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Dirt Sensory Bin For Child Led Play

This dirt sensory bin challenge is for first time sensory bin makers and seasoned creators of fabulous sensory bins! Have you ever made a sensory bin with plain old dirt before? Put together a simple dirt bin for outdoor fun this spring.

HOW TO SET UP A SIMPLE DIRT SENSORY BIN

Dirt Sensory Bin Challenge Activity

CHILD LED PLAY WITH SENSORY BINS

There are so many benefits to sensory bins. For us, the most important part is getting into it and really feeling the materials offered. The sense of touch is powerful, alerting or calming! That’s why sand is so good for sensory play.

Click here to learn more about sensory bins

Let your kids explore independently if it’s appropriate and safe. They might ask questions, like what can they do with it. Try to answer with your own question rather than give suggestions.

Now, if your child needs help, offer simple suggestions or open-ended suggestions and try to step back as long as possible.

Stepping back and letting your child take the lead is not always easy or comfortable. I try to seize every opportunity I can to step back and watch him play (if he allows it). I have to think quickly and remember to guide instead of instruct whenever possible.

What I found is several levels of play that evolved from the simple invitation to play with dirt. Check out our afternoon of play and read our story below to see what simple child led play looks like in different families! The boys had a great time with their masterpiece and played well cooperatively!

Set out your own invitation to play with a dirt sensory bin and join us!

Check out these other fun sensory bin ideas…

  • Green Colored Rice Sensory Bin
  • Sand Sensory Bin
  • Spring Sensory Bin
  • Pond Sensory Bin
  • Nature Sensory Bin
  • Butterfly Sensory Bin
dirt sensory bin challenge digging

Click here to get your free nature STEM activities pack!

Nature STEM Cards

How do I set up a dirt sensory bin at home?

Find a good-sized bin! I love clear bins from the big box stores. Fill it! That’s it! There’s your sensory bin challenge set up. You can also see how we did this with rice and also with colored craft sand.

Then leave it out and available for your child to play with. See what your child chooses to do with it. Maybe your child will ignore it for a bit or casually find a truck or shovel.

We were so excited to be at a good friend’s house to take our challenge! Her raised dirt bed is half garden / half play. How lucky are we for this awesome opportunity!

Watch the story unfold as two children enjoy sensory play their way!

dirt sensory bin challenge water

I think my son especially enjoys the size of this “sensory bin”! It is dig-able, climb-able, and just plain huge. It can be a whole body experience. For a boy who craves gross motor proprioceptive sensory input (heavy work), this huge sensory bin is wonderful and fully engaging!

Water is a must add to any dirt sensory bin. After many trips to the hose, the boys had ponds and moats going everywhere. They chose the toys, the play and the fun! So simple play and two moms stepping out of the way to let them explore and experiment.

You may also like: Water Activities For Preschoolers

dirt sensory bin challenge play

 

Simple Dirt Sensory Bin for Play and Learning! 

Click on the image below or on the link for more easy nature activities for kids.

Outdoor Nature Science Activities for Kids. Practical outdoor science ideas for kids.

 

Previous Post: « Butterfly Sensory Bin
Next Post: Nature Sensory Bottles »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Blayne

    May 30, 2014 at 12:10 pm

    Oh how fun!! The hugeness of this sensory bin just added to the awesomeness!

  2. Carla

    May 30, 2014 at 3:40 pm

    Oooh! Your “bin” was huge!! I love it! What a great “play date” too!

  3. Victoria

    June 3, 2014 at 4:44 am

    I absolutely love your last picture-sensory bins really are an awesome way to encourage social development! 🙂

  4. Amber Rae

    June 4, 2014 at 6:52 pm

    So much fun!! My son loves the dirt. I’ve tried filling our plastic pool with potting soil to let him play in but the soil was full of sticks and rocks. Do you what kind of dirt your friend has in there???

  5. Marianela

    June 8, 2016 at 5:17 am

    This looks like a lot of fun =) It’s great that you let your kids discover their inner creativity through dirt. It teaches them to respect other living things . Mother Dirt knows best =)

Trackbacks

  1. Playing in the Mud Activities for Children | The Jenny Evolution says:
    December 27, 2017 at 4:39 pm

    […] dirt sensory bin challenge is for first time sensory bin makers and seasoned creators of fabulous sensory […]

  2. Ideas for Playing in the Mud: Springtime Fun for Preschoolers says:
    April 9, 2018 at 5:00 am

    […] love the idea of setting up a huge dirt sensory bin in a raised garden bed. This one is half garden-half sensory bin so kids can dig and get messy while […]

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