This was the second year I’ve hosted Thanksgiving in our house. Last year it was just my in-laws. This year my mom was able to join us from Colorado, so I really wanted everything to be perfect. So I planned out the day so I could focus on the cooking, while setting up fun activities for Annie with my mom and husband. Everybody wins. We started the day watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Then we pulled out this fun sensory bin that I put together the day before.
What is a Sensory Bin?
A sensory bin is an interactive toy for kids to explore and engage their senses. They are containers with a basic filler and goodies added throughout that will peak the curiosity of your kids. You can add in scoops or spoons or funnels depending on the filler or let kids explore with just their hands. The point is to encourage the use of multiple senses at the same time.
Why are Sensory Bins Important
They support exploration by incorporating objects that stimulate the sense of touch, sound, sight and smell. They can be academically focused or themed. Either way they encourage socialization through cooperation and communication. Sensory bins are also good for cognitive and language development by providing opportunities for kids to use their imaginations, touch and sort objects as well as talk about the contents.
Holiday Themed Bin
At first, Annie thought it was fun to pull out the pumpkins, gourds, and pine cones. She would take them out one by one, show it to us and then put it on the floor next to her. Each one has a different texture and colors. I think her favorite were the pine cones. It was an interesting sorting project for her, but it didn’t stop there.
Eventually she got a little deeper into the bin where she started to find some special prizes we had hidden in there for her. We hid two Thanksgiving books, a Frozen Play Pack from the target dollar section, and a small deck of cards that came in a kids meal.
With each new find she immersed herself a little deeper into the bin, eventually even sitting in the bin tossing up all of the leaves. By the end the living room looked like a tree had shed all of its leaves in the middle of the floor. It was really fun watching her explore the bin and play with all of the contents.
Add on the sense of taste as well with this toddler approved mocktail.
Sensory Bin Ingredients
- 22x18x6 Storage Box
- 500 Piece Artificial Maple Leaves
- 56 Piece Thanksgiving Decorations
- Taylor the Thankful Turkey book
- 10 Fat Turkeys book
- Frozen Play Pack
- Small Deck of Cards
It went over so well. I’m already brainstorming how to make something like this for Christmas. Toddler approved and recommended for easy indoor fall fun!
