TEN Fall Sensory Bin Ideas - Engaging Littles (2024)

Take a peek at these engaging and fun FALL sensory bin ideas for preschoolers!

So why sensory bins?

Well, there are many benefits to playing with sensory bins. Sensory bin play encourages creative thinking, gives opportunities to build fine motor skills, builds language and vocabulary, fosters imagination, can be tied with academic activties, and of course provides our littles with hours of FUN!

Sensory bins don’t need to be hard to create and the beauty is you can whip up a bin for any theme you desire!

Here is my quick and easy go-to recipe for creating sensory bins!

Pick a THEME! This post shares tons of fall sensory bin ideas!
Pick a Bin: How many kids will be playing? This determines your size bin. Some examples include plastic storage tubs, serving trays, cookie pan, big bowl, or dish tub.
Add your BASE FILLER. Check out this post full of sensory bin filler ideas.
Toss in your themed loose parts. Check your local dollar store or big box store for themed items (fall: leaves, pumpkins, apples, foam stickers, fake candy, hay, etc.)
Add tools for play! Think scoops, tongs, bowls, funnels, spoons, etc.

So are you ready to be inspired? Check out these fall sensory bins and create your very own today!

1. Classic Fall Bin

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I’m in love with the natural fall colors of this bin and this simple base filler is perfect for any autumn theme.

Base Filler: Dried Chickpeas

Loose Parts: Fall Gems, Pine Cones, Fake Apples

Suggested Tools: Cupcake Pan, Scoops, Small Cups/Bowls for Sorting

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2. Layered Fall Sensory Bin

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One fun way to set up a sensory bin at first is to layer a few base fillers! Adding a few different fillers provides visual appeal, texture, and color! Yes, they will get mixed but it creates an inviting start.

Check out this gorgeous bean filler bin HERE and read all about how to create your very own.

3. Down on the Farm Sensory Bin

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Have a farm theme sketched down in your lesson plans? This bin is perfect for fall and is loved by all littles! Who’d doesn’t want to sing Old MacDonald Had a Farm and play with this bin?!

Base Filler: Popcorn Kernels & Dried Green Split Peas

Loose Parts: Toy Farm Animals (puzzle pieces), Mini Carrots, Hay, Craft Sticks

Suggested Tools: Funnels, Scoops, Small Cups, Spoons

4.Fall Cloud Dough Tray

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Have you ever made cloud dough? Cloud dough is AMAZING and has the coolest texture. This play tray sensory style bin is super easy to make and smells delicious with the added cinnamon twist! Follow the steps below to make your own cinnamon cloud dough!

CLOUD DOUGH: Measure 6 cups of flour into a bowl. Add 1-2 tablespoons of cinnamon then pour in 3/4 cup of oil. MIX! MIX! MIX! (*Basic ratio is 8 parts flour to 1 part oil*) You want a crumbly texture that can also hold its shape.

Base Filler: Cinnamon Cloud Dough

Loose Parts: Fall Cookie Cutters, Leaves, Pine Cones, Craft Sticks

Suggested Tools: Spoons & Scoops

5. Apple Pie Sensory Bin

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Nothing says fall like apple pie! This fall sensory bin is always a favorite because it totally encourages a pretend play baking shop!

Base Filler: Dried Oats

Loose Parts: Fake Apples, Cinnamon Sticks

6. Fall Apple Foam Sensory Bin

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This foam bin is a favorite of mine! Sure foam seems like a summertime filler only, BUT it really is not! A few fun food dye colors and you can turn this into an autumn dream!

FOAM FILLER: *The basic ratio for foam is two parts water to one part soap.* For this fall bin I made 3 batches. Add 1/2 cup water to a large bowl and 1/4 cup tear free soap. * If adding color drop in a few drops of food dye now. Grab your hand mixer and blend on high for a good 1-2 minutes until foam forms. That’s it! Toss in a bin and play!

Base Filler: Foam

Loose Parts: Fake Apples, Leaves, Pine Cones

Suggested Tools: Scoops, Spoons, Bowls

7. Pumpkin Soup Sensory Bin

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If you have a preschooler who loves water play this pumpkin water sensory bin is sure to grab their attention!

Base Filler: Water with a few drops of orange food dye. Add glitter for a sparkle twist!

Loose Parts: Small Pumpkins, Fall Gems, Fake Leaves

Suggest Tools: Whisks, Cups

8. Halloween Sensory Bin

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How about a fun filled HALLOWEEN themed bin? This bright orange rice bin filled with Halloween goodies is definitely one to add to your fall line up.

You can read all about this Halloween Bin with the steps for how to make it HERE!

9. Monster Noodles

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Now this is a COOL sensory bin! Have you ever used cooked spaghetti noodles in your sensory play. The cold, slimy texture is so fun and is a must for Halloween play.

Check out this post to read more about this bin and watch the how-to video below!

10. Thanksgiving Turkey Bin

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This autumn Thanksgiving Turkey Bin is packed with feathers, turkeys, and fall colored rice! I love the toilet paper roll turkeys in this bin because it shows that when creating sensory bins use what you have and get creative!

Base Filler: Dyed Rice (How to Dye Rice Video)

Loose Parts: Toilet Paper Rolls, Feathers, Pipe Cleaners

Suggested Tools: Funnels, Measuring Cups

Woah! So many fall themed sensory bin ideas to be inspired by and choose from! Do you have a favorite?

Be sure to save and pin this post so that you can come back whenever you want all autumn long. I’d love to know if you create your own fall bin! Give me a tag over on IG @engaging_littles so I can see.

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TEN Fall Sensory Bin Ideas - Engaging Littles (2024)

FAQs

What is sensory bin activity? ›

What Is a Sensory Bin? A sensory bin is a shallow container that combines filler material and various small odds and ends. You fill the bin with a filler material such as sand or rice, then add items from around the house such as spoons or measuring cups. Let your child explore the items and have fun playing.

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What are sensory bases? ›

Products such as sensory beads, weighted sand, or pellets are great to use as a base. Sensory bins typically include objects of various textures, shapes, and colors to provide more tactile and visual stimulation. These bins are a great tool for sensory play and development.

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How do you use a sensory box in the classroom? ›

Choose a base such as rice, and then add pom poms and feathers for different textures. You could also throw in some classroom manipulatives, small toys, etc. Even better is with liquid watercolor or acrylic paint, you can change the color of many sensory bin fillers, making them easy to reuse.

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What are the 5 sensory play? ›

Understanding the five senses – sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound – helps children make sense of the world around them. By engaging in activities that explore these senses, toddlers can enhance their observation skills, descriptive language, problem-solving abilities, and overall sensory awareness.

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How do you make a sensory Ziplock? ›

Here's how: Fill a resealable plastic bag with tactile materials like hair gel, pumpkin seeds, shaving cream, or marbles. Reinforce the seal with strong tape, then use painter's or washi tape to secure the edges of the bag to the floor or a table where your baby can play.

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What are the rules for the sensory bins? ›

Use visual supports to help your learners remember the rules for the sensory bins (use hands only, put on lid when finished, complete seek and find, raise hand if you need help, keep the materials in the box.) Use a visual timer to help your students transition when the time comes.

What beans to use for sensory bin? ›

Black beans are fantastic for many different sensory bin themes. The black color is versatile and makes objects stand out. Constructive Playthings has a tremendous sensory table that is deep enough to keep the beans inside while playing.

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Can kids play with coffee grounds? ›

Coffee grounds (make sure they're decaf!) are another fun way to create a sensory bin base. From black sand to volcanic ash, this dark sensory material will keep your kids engaged all day!

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How do you organize sensory bin items? ›

I often pick a base color for my bins so I keep the colored items sorted this way and an get to them easily for bins or even other activities regarding colors. In the white drawers, I keep extra random supplies for the bins and for other Tot Tray activities.

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What is in a sensory kit? ›

Here are items you can put in it: Earbuds, folding headphones, or earplugs to help make noise less overwhelming. Sticky notes to put over sensors for automatic flushing toilets and hand dryers. A small bottle of hand lotion to soothe your child's need for touch.

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What's the point of sensory bins? ›

Sensory bins provide children with the opportunity to explore and learn through hands-on tactile play that engages their senses. These bins encourage and support various types of development and are great activities to have in your home. Sensory bins can be themed for holidays, seasons and academic skills.

What is the objective of a sensory bin? ›

Essentially, a sensory bin is a container filled with materials specifically chosen to stimulate the senses, allowing the child to explore and interact with the items as they choose. Sensory play is a great way to expose your child to a variety of textures, facilitate communication, and actively engage with your child.

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Why do people use sensory bins? ›

What are the rules for the sensory bin? ›

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