Easy to Sanitize Sensory Bins! - The Inspired Treehouse (2024)

An integral part of our in-person playgroups at our non-profit, The Treehouse, is the sensory bin. Each week, we create a unique sensory play experience that welcomes kids into the space at the start of their playgroup. This sensory bin provides an opportunity for socialization, peer cooperation, self-regulation, conflict resolution and the obvious fine and sensory motor skill building.

Typically, we stock a large plastic container with the usual sensory bin fillers (rice and beans are favorites). Then, we add in props that make sense for the theme of the week. For instance, if the theme is Spiders, we might fill the container with black beans and add in plastic spiders, tiny erasers, and maybe some tongs and tweezers to “capture” them. We always have some cups for pouring and transferring to maximize bilateral coordination practice and ice cube trays are also a common element for kids to fill or categorize their findings.

Want to help kids learn more about their sensory systems? Check out this Five Senses Lapbook for Preschool!

The pandemic required us to think a little differently about sensory bins. This type of hands-on play activity is problematic, considering the potential for many little hands to touch the materials throughout a day. Even now, with the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic behind us, we want to make sure that we’re not spreading germs during sensory play.

How can we ensure the health and safety of our kids and staff by reducing germs being spread between groups? Don’t worry. We’re on it!

Here are some of our best ideas for sensory bin fillers that will help you as you head back into your clinic or the schools this fall. All of us will have to be extra cautious for the foreseeable future.

This list contains items that are either quickly sanitized between sessions or items that can be thrown away between sessions and replaced very easily and cost effectively.

Marbles

Stones

Beads (add different shapes and sizes)

Puzzle Pieces and Puzzle Boards

Squigz

MagnaTiles

Wood Blocks

Plastic Toys/Animals/Bugs/Action Figures

Legos

Unifix Cubes

Letter or number magnets/manipulatives

Buttons

Cooking utensils and water

Nuts, bolts, and washers (add string to see if kids can thread the hardware on to make bracelets)

*Many of these options can be combined with water to add even more novelty and interest! Check out this post for one idea!

Shredded Paper or Easter basket grass

Soapy Water

Pasta

Leaves (provide paper and glue so kids can create their own leaf masterpieces)

Sticks (add rubber bands and/or yarn to see what kids can create)

Flowers (add scissors and glue so kids can cut up petals to create colorful mosaics)

Cotton Balls

Shaving Cream

Ice

Acorns and pinecones

For more ways to combine different sensory bin fillers and more ideas for fun and unique sensory bin add-ons – check out this post!

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