I love making sensory bins and incorporating manipulatives that not only support a child’s sensory exploration but that also helps to build their language, fine motor skills and imaginative play. You can use just about ANYTHING to create your sensory bins – I think that’s what I love most about them.

Note: None of the links posted here are sponsored in any way, I’ve just shared some of my go-to’s to create fabulous sensory bins!

Sensory Bin Components:

Sensory bins are made up of a few basic components.

1. The BIN: You can use just about anything from an aluminum foil tray to an under the bed storage container to a sensory bin table for the actual bin. I used these Sterilite bins most recently and also love this IKEA FLISAT table and storage bins!

2. The FILLER or BASE: The filler or base can be made of dry or wet ingredients.
   • Dry ingredients generally are a good place to start especially for those kiddos that are more sensitive to certain textures. Examples include:
     • Uncooked rice, beans or lentils
     • Kinetic Sand
     • Cereal (ex. cheerios or oatmeal)
     • Wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows
     • Cotton balls
     • Rocks/Pebbles
   • Wet Ingredients: Keep a towel or napkin nearby for clean-up and as a tool for your kiddo if they are not as comfortable with getting their hands wet or dirty. Examples include:
     • Water
     • Water beads
     • Shaving cream
     • Pudding or Jello
     • Cooked Pasta/Noodles

3. The Manipulatives: The manipulatives can vary and is optional. They are the additional small objects you can hide or place in your bins. You can use toys or objects that your child is interested or is motivated by. These objects also provide many opportunities to build your child’s language and vocabulary. Examples include:
   • Blocks
   • Letters
   • Gems
   • Toy animals
   • Toy cars
4. The Tools: In addition to the various manipulatives you can add to your bin, tools can help support your childs fine motor skills and may also provide a great opportunity to work on self-care skills such as using utensils! Examples include:
   • Tongs
   • Tweezers
   • Funnels
   • Spray bottles
   • Measuring spoons and/or scoops

Considerations for younger children

Children as young as one-year old can benefit from sensory play. Some ideas to create sensory bins for younger kiddos include:

• Using edible substances as your base. For example, you can use cereal or oatmeal to create the base of your sensory bins. You can even grind up old cereal to create a safe “sand” like texture. Other fillers you could use include:
  • Water
  • Oatmeal
  • Pudding
  • Yogurt
  • Jello
• For the manipulatives use larger objects such as cut-up pool noodles, scoops, spoons and cups.

How to make your own coloured rice!

Creating your own rainbow rice is incredibly easy and quick to do!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of rice
• 8-10 drops of food colouring
• 1/4 tsp – 1/2 tsp of vinegar per cup of rice – enough to make the rice a bit wet

Directions:

• Put the ingredients in a ziploc bag or container
• Shake, shake and shake some more to cover all the rice.
• Let it dry on paper towel or styrofoam plates overnight

Prepare your child.

• Prepare your child for this holiday season looking a bit different. If there are traditions that you are used to as a family that your child is looking forward to, prepare them ahead of time for the changes they may experience. Talk to them about what to expect or create a social narrative that walks them through what the holidays may look like. Little Autism Learners has created this great social narrative that may be helpful!
• You can also plan some fun activities together to look forward to, such as making Christmas cookies, playing in the snow, watching a favourite Christmas movie or a game that you all love to play.
• Many picky eaters find surprises or the unexpected difficult to manage as they prefer control and knowing what to expect. If possible, plan your holiday meal together or have your child pick one or two items they would like to try.
• You can also have your child join in the meal prep – when children are a part of the process this can often lead to more willingness and comfort around the foods.
  • Watch Youtube videos about how to cook different dishes that you can make together.
  • Taking your child to the grocery store may not be possible with COVID-19 but you can make a grocery list together by cutting out items from a flyer or use online grocery shopping to “fill your cart”
  • Plan in advance! Do your shopping, cutting and choose some make-ahead meal items so you have time to involve your child in the meal prep. The last thing you need is to feel rushed or frustrated when trying to create a positive experience around meals with your child.

Prepare the environment.

• As much as possible, maintain consistency. If you have regular mealtimes or routines before and after meals, do your best to continue with this structure. Children do best when they know what the plan is and with routines that are most familiar to them.
• Use familiar place settings, cutlery and seating areas to limit the change around holiday meals.
• Be mindful of your child’s sensory needs. If they are sensitive to textures, use soft fabrics or let them wear their comfiest clothing to the dinner table. If they need movement to regulate or deep pressure, schedule a bit of extra time to engage in these regulation activities prior to holiday festivities.

Prepare yourself.

• Reduce your expectations – this doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t present new foods during your holiday meals, it means that if your child doesn’t eat the mashed potatoes or cranberry sauce, it’s okay. This year, more than ever, the holidays is about being together as a family and making the most of this time.
• This year, it may just be you and your immediate family, what this gives you is more control of what food is served. So… if what you and your family needs is pizza or chicken nuggets for your holiday meals – go with that! Create your own traditions and serve what will work best for you and your family to have a positive and memorable holiday meal.

About the Author:

Fatima Hussain is a co-founder and Occupational Therapist at Sa.Haa.Ra: Speech and Occupational Therapy located in Calgary, Alberta. She has experience working with individuals of all abilities across the lifespan from early intervention to supporting seniors in long-term care centres. You can reach her at fatima@sahaaratherapy.com for more questions or inquiries for services or support.

Sahaara speech and occupational therapy services is a digital platform to provide culturally relevant content to support individuals of all abilities. We hope to enable people to reach their maximum potential through individualized resources and strategies that are functional and easy to incorporate into their daily lives.

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