Looking for a new sensory bin idea to try with your kids? This lavender sensory bin combines scent, color, and texture to engage the senses! It’s a fantastic way to explore calming sensory play while building fine motor skills and encouraging imaginative play.
Calming Lavender Sensory Bin
This sensory bin explores olfactory (smell) and tactile (touch) senses. Lavender is known for its calming properties, making this bin an excellent choice for helping kids wind down or self-regulate. Plus, scooping and pouring the rice helps strengthen hand muscles and coordination.
💡Make sure to look through our Sensory Bin Guide here for more tips, tricks, and printables!
Supplies Needed
- Uncooked white rice
- Purple food coloring
- Ziploc bag
- Lavender essential oil (3 drops)
- Fresh or artificial lavender flowers
- Sensory bin or plastic container
- Optional: Small bumblebee figurines or toys
- Optional: scoops, cups, funnels, tongs
How to Make a Lavender Scented Sensory Bin
Color the Rice
Add rice and a few drops of purple food coloring to a Ziploc bag. Seal the bag and shake until the rice is evenly coated.
Dry the Rice
Spread the rice on a baking sheet and bake at 220°F for about 20 minutes. Let it cool completely.
💡 Alternatively, you can let the rice dry on the counter for several hours! Spread it on a baking sheet or parchment paper.
Add Scent
Once the rice is cool, add 2–3 drops of lavender essential oil and stir to combine.
Assemble the Bin
Pour the scented purple rice into a large sensory bin. Add lavender flowers and your small toys or tools.
Play and Explore
Encourage your child to scoop, pour, and explore with their hands. For added fine motor work, use tongs or small containers.
Tips and Variations
- Switch up the theme! Add letter beads for alphabet practice or mini garden tools for a pretend-play lavender garden.
- Add a small lavender plant to a garden for a gardening theme week, and watch it grow!
- Don’t have fresh lavender? Artificial flowers or even laminated images of lavender work well, too.
- Make it educational. Talk about how lavender grows or tie in a bee pollination theme.
- Grab the free Rice Sensory Bin Guide below.
Check Out These Helpful Sensory Bin Resources
There’s so much more to learn about sensory bins and sensory play.
More Sensory Bin Themes
- Tropical Summer Sensory Bin
- Dinosaur Sensory Bin
- Ice Cream Sensory Bin
- Ocean Sensory Bin
- Spring Sensory Bin
- Butterfly Sensory Bin
Printable Preschool Bundle Theme Pack
Get ready to explore this year with our Preschool STEM Bundle! There are 20+ fun preschool themes to get you started. This is an ” I can explore” series. You’ll find even more sensory bin ideas!
Each unit contains approximately 15 activities, with instructions and templates as needed. Hands-on activities are provided to keep it fun and exciting. This includes sensory bins, experiments, games, and more! Easy supplies keep it low cost, and book suggestions add to the learning time.
