Christmas Sensory Bin and Ways to Extend Learning

I love putting together a new sensory bin for the kids. Last week the kids started exploring our new Christmas sensory bin. Watching them as they dig into it the first time is always so much fun. I am always intrigued by the different ways the kids utilize the elements of the bin.

GET A FULL WEEK OF CHRISTMAS THEME ACTIVITIES IN OUR PRINTABLE PRESCHOOL CHRISTMAS LESSON PLANS.

Big Buddy usually lines up all of the items when he first plays with a new sensory bin.

Lovey usually looks for things that make sounds or have a scent.

Tinker looks for things to gather. She quickly recognized these sparkly stars and spent a long time collecting all of them one-by-one to bring and show me. I love her sweet baby talk, “Tar, Mommy, Tar!”

Why play with sensory bins?

If you haven’t used sensory bins yet or if you are not sure why you would, The Outlaw Mom gives a good, brief description of sensory bins and their benefits.

Our Christmas Sensory Bin

The bin is full of small pieces that remind us of Christmas. Some of the items include:

• Leaves and flowers from fake poinsettia plants as the base
• Different size jingle bells
• A basket, a bag, and a small stocking
• Star-shaped battery operated tea lights
• Small gift boxes
• Pine cones-some natural, some covered with glitter in various colors
• Stars in various colors
• Ribbon of various lengths and colors
• Small plastic tree ornaments in various finishes
• Small plastic containers with scented cotton balls (cinnamon, vanilla, peppermint)

Ways We Will Extend the Use of Our Sensory Bin

Starting this bin a few weeks before Christmas will give us many opportunities to use it in different ways.

Exploring: This first week I will simply leave the bin out for the kids to explore on their own. This self-directed learning and sensory exploration is the primary focus of sensory bins.  The kids will feel the different textures, smell the scents, and observe the objects. During this time I will also watch to see what they are naturally doing with the objects so I can decide which activities we might do next.

In the next week or so once I see that the kids are done freely exploring the bin, I will start using some of these options for extending its use. These are more adult-directed than free exploration, but they will allow us to focus on specific skills.

Language Development:

• Name objects in the bin for Tinker (20 months) and ask her to locate them.  As she is able, ask her to pick up an object and name it.
• Name the colors of objects in the bin.
• Play “I Spy” with Lovey (3 years) by describing an object using its physical description (color, shape, size, texture).
• Smell the scented items. Talk about what those scents remind you of.
• Make up a story using some of the items in the sensory bin.

Counting:

• Choose a kind of object. Find all of those items in the sensory bin. Count how many in all.
• Choose two different kinds of objects. Find all of those items in the sensory bin. Count how many of each. Then compare the two numbers (more, less, the same).
• Roll a number cube (with either dots, numbers, or number words). Find that many objects.
• Roll a number cube. Decide what number is one more than the number rolled. Then find that many objects.
• Roll a number cube. Decide what number is one less than the number rolled. Then find that many objects.

Sorting: Sort objects from the bin by:

• Color
• Shape
• Size
• Texture

Patterning

• Select some of the objects and make a pattern.
• If your child is just beginning patterning, make a pattern for the child. Then ask him or her to copy it or extend the pattern.

More Resources for Christmas Sensory Bins

Christmas Sensory Bin from 1+1+1=1

Winter/Christmas Sensory Bin from Play Create Explore

Christmas Sensory Tub from The Imagination Tree

Christmas Sensory Bin from H is for Homeschooling

Christmas Sensory Tub from Nuturing Naters

Are you making a Christmas sensory bin? What will be in it?

GET A FULL SET OF CHRISTMAS THEME ACTIVITIES

The 169-page Christmas Lesson Plan Set includes hands-on activities and these additional printables:

1) Beginning Letters Gift Sorting Game (in color and b/w)

2) Reindeer Math Mats (2 versions in color and b/w)

3) My Christmas Senses Activity Book Making Pieces

4) 0-35 Christmas Number Cards (2 versions in color and b/w)

5) Christmas Counting Syllables Sorting Game (in color and b/w)

6) Christmas Picture-Word Cards (in color and b/w)

7) Ornament Play Dough Mats

8) Candy Cane Play Dough Writing Task Cards (shapes, uppercase letters, lowercase letters, number 0-20)

9) Christmas Light Patterns Activity Pieces (in color and b/w)

Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Hands-On Holidays eBook-Get even more inspiration for your advent calendar. 

Less stress, more connecting this holiday season? Yes, PLEASE!

From the arrival of fall to Halloween to Thanksgiving and Christmas, the last four months of the year can be a wonderful opportunity for making family memories and spending time together, but they can also be stressful as we try to collect ideas, recipes, and activities to try together.

Stephanie Morgan, founder of Modern Parents Messy Kids, a site that’s been voted Best Craft Blog in Parents Magazine and one of babble.com’s Top 50 Craft Mom Blogs, recently released a new eBook to help us have a little less stress and more time to connect with family this year.

Stephanie’s goal is to make it easier on all of us to enjoy the holidays with our kids. Hands-On Holidays is 100 pages full of her family’s very favorite ways to connect as a family over the holiday season. I love the convenience of having so many ideas in one place, and most of them are simple enough for even my toddler to participate in.

The book includes picture book suggestions, DIY decor, activities, and treats. Bonus sections also offer even more ideas to enjoy. Click here to view more details.