Sensory Bin Challenge

Monthly Blog Hop To Encourage Child Led Sensory Play

Simple Sensory Play With Simple Sensory Fillers

Join us for child led play and easy sensory bin making ideas!

This sensory bin challenge is for first time sensory bin makers and seasoned creators of fabulous sensory bins! Have you ever made a sensory bin before? Or have you made a ton? Does your child like sensory play or avoid it? Have you made wonderful themes to find them completely ignored or only played with for a short time? This might be your kind of challenge either way! Let your child be the maker. Read my All About Sensory Bins: 5 Things You Need To Know.

What does child led mean?

Child led is simply the process of following your child’s lead or particular interest without imposing yours onto him or her. Parents often step back, observe and join in by following the path of the child not by changing the path of the child. To often do we spend way more time planning elaborate themes and play ideas that our child may not really need when a simple sensory bin is perfect for simple, uncomplicated play. Quiet observation will yield great results on your part!

What is a sensory bin?

A sensory bin is a basic tool for tactile (touch) sensory processing. Sensory bins are wonderful early learning tools for engaging the senses, gaining attention, and teaching fun skills while playing. They are awesome for language development. Children with sensory processing disorders may find them calming too. These bins are often filled with a basic filler that is pour-able or dump-able but mostly pleasing to the senses of the child. Each child is different! Read more about sensory bins versus small worlds for more detailed information.

Why a child led sensory bin challenge?

I decided on a child led sensory bin challenge to get back to basics. I simply wanted the chance to observe Liam’s interests and his sensory needs and most importantly how he chose to play with a simple sensory bin filler. I asked some wonderful blogging friends to join me in this challenge and leave the sensory bin planning to the kids! Please hop around and visit everyone to see what each child has come up with for child led sensory bin play!

How do I do my own challenge at home?

Find a good-sized bin! I love clear bins from the big box stores. Fill with the monthly filler. That’s it! There’s your sensory bin challenge set up. Leave it out and available. 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. Let them if it’s appropriate and safe. He might ask questions, like what can he 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. You will read that even our child led challenge had some hiccups. Check back each month for an updated list of bloggers!

Monthly Fillers: Join Us On The 30th Of Each Month For New Ideas

A Mommy’s Adventures, Craftulate, Creative World of Varya, FSPDT, Gift of Curiosity, Glittering Muffins, Here Come the Girls, Kids Play Space, Lalymom, Life Over C’s, Life with Moore Babies, Minne-Mama, P is for Preschooler, Preschool Inspirations, School Time Snippets, Still Playing School, Suzy Homeschooler, Teach Beside Me, Teach me Mommy, The Chaos and The Clutter, Squiggles and Bubbles  House Of Burke, and Preschool Powol Packets

April 30th: Rice

May 30th: Dirt or Soil

June 30th: Water Play

we missed this one but here’s a collection of some of our fun water play ideas!

July: Sandbox Sand or Play Sand

August: Flour & Oil (Cloud Dough)

we missed this one too but here’s a fun cloud dough idea to try which really was child led!

September: Corn or Popping Corn

October: A Pumpkin!

November: Cotton Balls

December: Shredded Paper (Make your own or pick up at the dollar store!)

More Great Sensory Resources

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Follow Sarah McClelland’s board Sensory Bins for Kids on Pinterest.