Sensory play is more than just fun – it's an essential part of supporting children's development, especially for those with additional needs. Many families use sensory bins alongside sensory toys to encourage exploration, communication and learning.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or therapist, these simple activities can be done with household items or enhanced with sensory toys and other tactile resources
What Are Sensory Bins?
A sensory bin is a container filled with materials and objects that children can touch, feel, scoop, pour, and explore. Sensory bins are especially helpful for children with sensory processing differences (SPD), autism, ADHD, or developmental delays, because they allow children to engage at their own comfort level.
Common filler materials include:
- Rice, pasta, or beans
- Sand or kinetic sand
- Water beads or water-based materials
- Shredded paper, felt, or soft fabric
- Foam shapes, sponges, and small toys
DIY Sensory Bin Ideas for All Abilities
1. Nature Explorer Bin 🌿
Fill a bin with leaves, pinecones, rocks, and small toy animals. For children with tactile sensitivities, start with soft leaves or smooth stones. Let children explore textures and practice sorting objects by type.
2. Colour Sorting Bin 🎨
Use coloured rice, beads, or buttons, along with cups, spoons, or scoops. Children can sort by colour, which develops fine motor skills and early math concepts. For children with visual sensitivities, try high-contrast colours or larger items.
3. Water Play Bin 💧
Fill a bin with water and add floating objects or small cups. Bath toys make this experience more interactive. Water play is calming and helps develop hand-eye coordination, and children who seek proprioceptive input often enjoy gentle pouring and splashing.
4. Alphabet & Number Bin 🔤
Combine rice, sand, or pasta with foam letters or numbers. Children can hunt for specific letters or numbers, supporting literacy and numeracy. For children who need extra support, limit the number of letters or provide visual cues for easier recognition.
5. Calming Fidget Bin 🧸
Create a bin with soft, squishy, or textured objects like stress balls, foam shapes, or squishy toys. Children who become overwhelmed can use this bin to self-regulate and practice calm focus. Include a mix of firm and soft items to accommodate different sensory preferences. Creating a calming sensory space can help children get even more benefit from sensory activities. Read our guide to creating a sensory-friendly home.
6. Seasonal or Holiday Bin 🎃❄️
Create themed bins for holidays or seasons. For example, mini pumpkins in autumn or fake snow in winter. These bins help children anticipate and understand seasonal changes, while offering a variety of textures and objects.
Tips for Safe and Effective Sensory Play
- Always supervise young children to prevent choking hazards.
- Use age-appropriate and sensory-friendly items.
- Rotate bin materials to maintain curiosity and engagement.
- Observe and adapt the bin to suit each child’s comfort level.
- Combine DIY items with sensory toys or bath lights for extra tactile variety.
Why Sensory Bins Are Beneficial for Children with Additional Needs
Many families use sensory bins as part of wider autism support strategies. Read our Autism Support Guide to learn how sensory activities can support sensory regulation, communication and development.
- Fine motor development: Scooping, pouring, and grasping strengthens hand muscles.
- Cognitive skills: Sorting, identifying, and experimenting develops problem-solving abilities.
- Emotional regulation: Sensory bins help children self-soothe and manage stress.
- Creativity & imagination: Kids can explore freely, trying new combinations of textures and objects.
- Therapy & learning: Occupational therapists often use sensory bins to build focus, coordination, and social skills.
Additional Tips for Parents and Teachers
- Introduce sensory bins gradually, especially for children sensitive to textures or noise.
- Observe which materials a child enjoys or avoids, and adapt accordingly.
- Encourage verbalization and communication during play (“What does this feel like?” “Can you find the red item?”).
- Use bins for group activities to build social skills and cooperative play.
DIY Sensory Bin FAQs
What is a sensory bin?
A sensory bin is a container filled with materials and objects that children can explore through touch, scooping, pouring and sorting activities.
What can I put in a DIY sensory bin?
Popular sensory bin fillers include rice, pasta, beans, sand, water beads, shredded paper, small toys and natural materials such as leaves and stones.
Are sensory bins good for autism?
Many autistic children enjoy sensory bins because they provide opportunities for sensory exploration, regulation and learning in a controlled environment.
How do sensory bins support child development?
Sensory bins can help develop fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, communication skills, creativity and emotional regulation.
What age are sensory bins suitable for?
Sensory bins can be adapted for different ages, but young children should always be supervised and materials should be chosen appropriately to avoid choking hazards.
Conclusion
DIY sensory bins are versatile, educational, and fun, especially for children with additional needs. They support development across multiple areas, from motor skills to emotional regulation. Start simple with household items, and enhance the experience with sensory toys, bath toys, or stress balls for even more engagement and tactile learning. By creating these bins thoughtfully, you can make playtime a meaningful, supportive, and joyful experience for every child.