Eeeeewwwwww!
That’s what my youngest daughter said.
Yessssss!
And that’s what my oldest daughter said when I asked if they wanted to play with this wiggly worm sensory bin.
Their responses didn’t surprise me. For years my oldest has delighted in catching worms and bugs of all kinds while my youngest is happy to observe from a comfortable distance. But that didn’t stop them both from enjoying this messy play activity. Use it at home just for fun or include it as part of a spring, underground, or W is for worms theme.
Don’t miss the video tutorial included at the end of this article, so you can see the fun in action!
To prepare the sensory bin you’ll need to make goop. We made ours by combining 3 parts corn starch and 1 part unsweetened cocoa powder in a mixing bowl. After gently combining it we added water in about 3 tbsp increments and stirred. At first it will be hard clumpy. Keep adding water and stirring. When the goop slowly glides off the spoon you’ve got the right consistency.
Next we poured the goop into a shallow baking pan. We added plastic worms from the fishing section at our local retail store and some pebbles. Then it was playtime!
Kids love to see the goop slide off the worms and then off their own hands. It’s a wonderful sensory experience.
This one’s definitely messy so plan for cleanup ahead of time by placing a large bin of water nearby. And you can even have the kids wash off all the materials in the water bin. They’ll have fun with it!
After cleanup time, keep the sensory play going with a worm play dough invitation or our much less messy worm counting sensory bin with free printable number cubes.
See the wiggly worm sensory bin in action!
Get a full week of playful worm theme ideas!
If your kids are fascinated by worms, extend this activity into a full week of learning and play. Save time and get right to the playful learning with our printable lesson plan sets. Each set includes over 30 playful learning activities related to the theme, and we’ve provided different versions for home preschool families and classroom teachers so all activities are geared directly toward your needs.
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Home Preschool Worm Theme Lesson Plans
Preschool Classroom Worm Theme Lesson Plans
Jody
Is this goop something you can make ahead and it will hold? 🙂
Shaunna Evans
Yes, you can make it ahead of time. I’d store it in an airtight container until ready for use. It may need a good stir or a little extra water if it seems to harden up while sitting.
Jennifer
I remember my dad had those worms when I was growing up and I would always pull them apart!! The had the funkiest smell.
Shaunna Evans
Haha! They do have a strange smell 🙂
Heather
Oh my! This is so fantastic! Can’t wait to try with the kids. ?
Shaunna Evans
Thanks, Heather!