It is that time! The school year is ending and vacations are beginning. However, before you head off on your vacation momma, I want to warn you! If you are taking littles to the beach for the first time you need to try out an ocean sensory bin.
I know that might sound unnecessary. Your to-do list is already full and you have packing to do, but let me tell you why it is worth the 15 minutes.
We decided to take our son to the beach for the first time when he was 2. I of course thought it was going to be a dream come true and so peaceful (it’s ok to laugh). The reality of it was that he was TERRIFIED of the sand.
I would have never thought that sand would be what I needed to worry about, but there I was doing everything in my power to prevent sand from touching my son at all cost.
On your beach vacation this year, I want a better reality for you. If you’re taking littles for the first time I want to give you a fighting chance and I wish I knew enough to do the same for myself.
Try an ocean sensory bin before you go and get your little ones adjusted to the new textures they will encounter. If you have a baby or young toddler try the safe to eat option. My son is now 5 and has no problem playing in the sand, but he still really enjoyed this ocean sensory bin for some outdoor water fun.
Read on to learn about the benefits of sensory bins, what age is best, and how to make an ocean sensory bin, with a safe to eat option.
See the How-to Here
What Are Sensory Bins Good For
There are numerous benefits to sensory bins! Personally, my favorite benefit is the ability to introduce new textures to prepare for new encounters. My son can be anxious when it comes to new experiences, so sensory bins provide us a way to limit anxiety by introducing new things in a safe environment.
Lumiere Children’s Therapy also states these as benefits
Sensory exploration: Sensory bins may incorporate a variety of senses: touch, sight, sounds, taste, and smell for children to learn and explore.
Play skills: Sensory bins are a great opportunity for children to learn cooperative play. Bins may be used in class, group therapy sessions, or at home with friends to encourage socialization and conversation. Children can learn how to share, communicate, and participate in exploratory play with others.
Language development: Sensory bins may be filled with a variety of items to increase language development. The bins can provide opportunities to discuss hidden objects.
Fine motor skills: Children can improve fine motor skills through scooping, grasping, stirring, and pouring with a variety of tools. Tools may include shovels, spoons, tongs, measuring cups, etc.
Cognitive task: Create a learning experience with a sensory box filled with objects. Encourage your children to sort and categorize items by color, shape, and size. Play I-spy with the sensory bin and have your children search for hidden items. Create a counting game by counting the amount of items in the bin.
What Age Are Sensory Bins For
Good news, just about any age! They are most definitely a toddler favorite but can be used for older children as well. Those older children may not need the introduction to textures any longer, but you can modify them for learning. For example, not long ago we practiced our sight words by hiding them in sand.
Now, for the babies and young toddlers. As with anything you do you are going to want to closely supervise. Opt for edible ingredients because a very important part of their learning is through taste, so you can bet it will end up in their mouth. Use your momma judgment when deciding if your little one is ready for a sensory bin.
Here are some edible options that make for great sensory bins:
Cooked Spaghetti
Rice
Cheerios
Rice Krispies
Water
Flour
Jell-O
Oobleck
Whipped Cream
Pudding
How Do You Make an Ocean Sensory Bin?
Supplies
Shallow container (We used some extra foil pans we had. Under-the-bed containers work great as well)
Sand (We used Kinetic Sand. Play Sand is also a great option)
Shells (We always bring some home from vacation)
Water
Blue food coloring (Not a must. Pro-Tip don’t let your 5-year-old add in the food coloring. He added way too much. You only need a few drops)
Ocean animals
Sand Toys (We didn’t have any but it would be great to have a shovel or sandcastle to play with)
How to
Place your sand in one-half of your container. Add shells in the middle to separate the sand. Slowly add in the water, then a few drops of blue food coloring, and stir. Add some sand toys and animals and your good to go!
Safe to Eat Ocean Sensory Bin
Supplies
Two small shallow containers (We used some extra foil pans we had)
Cheerios (Or your kiddos favorite tan-colored snack)
Water
Ocean animals
Sand Toys (We didn’t have any but it would be great to have a shovel or sandcastle to play with)
How to
This option is great for beginners and little ones. Having two different containers allows for a slower introduction to the different textures.
Finely crush the Cheerios until they are sand-like. Add the Cheerios to one container and throw in some sand toys. Fill the other container with water and some ocean animals.
Let your little one experience the different containers separately and then slowly add some water to the Cheerios.
I See an Enjoyable Beach Vacation in Your Future
Now you have a quick and super-easy way to introduce your little one to the beach before making the long trip. I am confident that your experience will be much better than mine when it comes to sand fear.
I hope you also use these ocean sensory bins just for a fun and easy activity to do at home. Don’t be scared to modify them and use them as a learning experience for the older kiddos.
If you are looking for more activities you can do with your kids at home, you will find 115 ideas here! You can also find more ways to make the terrible two’s not so terrible here.
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