When you realize how engrossed child becomes in sensory play and how much it benefits your child while also allowing you some space to breathe, you will want to have one at-the-ready 24/7/365. We have so many amazing sensory bin ideas, we’ve got you covered to do just that! As soon as apple picking looms on the horizon wherever you live, put together this simple Apple Pie Sensory Bin.
Sensory bins are, indeed, the most quintessential sensory feedback play to give your child interesting and dynamic experiences with texture, touch, and grounding. Once your kiddos are all done with this one, switch it up and keep the sensory play going.
How to Make an Apple Pie Sensory Bin
Supplies
- Oats – I bought mine from the grocery store, but you could also buy them at a bulk store or on Amazon.
- Red and Bright Green Pom Poms – I ordered mine in a bulk package from Amazon, but your local craft store will also have them.
- Cinnamon Sticks – Find these in the spice section of your grocery store.
- Brown and Tan Felt – This is easy to find at a craft store or you can sometimes find it at a dollar store.
- Silicone Muffin Cups
- Child-Safe Tongs or Scoops
Setting Up the Sensory Bin
- Put the oats in the bottom first.
- Strew the other materials out on top.
To prepare for apple pie sensory play, read a book or watch a video about making apple pie. Talk about the different parts of a pie (crust, apples, seasoning, etc.) and how a pie is made.
Introduce the sensory bin by showing your child each of the different parts and placing it in his/her hand. Talk about the texture — how does it feel in your hand and how does it make you feel? If any of the textures are unpleasant for your child, you can remove those items and try re-introducing them later.
Allow free play with the apple pie sensory bin in any way that works for you. It could be for fifteen minutes first thing in the morning while you get your coffee. Or it could be an hour in the evening while you make dinner. It could even be in the afternoon while younger siblings are taking a nap or just whenever it fits into your day. There is no set amount of time so you can set limits or let your child play for as long as they like.
For extra sensory fun, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract, apple extract, or maple extract and stir it into the oats before you add the other ingredients. Alternatively, you could stir in a small amount (a few drops) or Fall scented essential oils.
More Ways to Play with Your Apple Pie Sensory Bin
Practice math skills. Adding. Subtracting. Fractions. All kinds of skills can be practiced in hands on ways using the various parts of the pie.
Practice language skills. As your child to describe the pieces of the sensory bin. The textures, the colors, the smells, the feelings it evokes; these are all things your child can describe in words. You can also have your child talk you through how to make a pie and the parts of a pie, etc.
Practice following instructions. Make up recipes for your child to follow. Like this. “Add five green apples, four red apples, a scoop of oats, and two cinnamon sticks. Top with the crust. You made a pie!” Then try a different “recipe.”
Encourage use of the tongs, scoops, spoons, etc. to give your child practice in hand-eye coordination, muscle development, and fine motor skills.
Sort the pom poms into the two different colors using the tongs.
Extend the Apple Pie Sensory Bin with other activities related to an apple pie theme. Go pick apples. Make apple pie and/or apple sauce together. Read books about apples and pie. Do apple experiments and make apple art.
Fantastic Apple and Pie Books To Read
Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington
Amelia Plants and Apple Tree by Elena Magidson
How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman
Amelia Bedelia’s First Apple Pie by Herman Parish
Apple Pie Tired by Beth Charles
Pie In the Sky by Louis Ehlert. This one is about cherry pie, but it is an excellent apple pie adjacent read.
We have even more beautiful apple books to read on our post about Taste Safe Apple Pie Sensory Bin fun. It’s a completely different sensory bin with the same theme so you can keep going!
Why Use Sensory Bins
Sensory bins have a way of distracting kids from big emotions, helping them calm down, self-regulate, and focus on something new. The tactile experience can help sensory averse kids become more used to a variety of textures and smells. It also provides much needed sensory play for overall vagus nerve health and sensory integration. Besides all of the sensory benefits, these bins also provide fine motor skill and large motor skill work (playing with tongs and scoops or standing over the bin both use different muscle groups), hand-eye coordination, visual perceptual skills, and more. Read more about the importance of sensory play for all children here.
This sensory experience inspired by the unique world of Beetlejuice would also be a great addition to your classroom or party. It’s made with simple items that can often be purchased at a dollar store such as the Dollar Tree.
This activity is great for preschools, Kindergarten classrooms, or home. You can easily adapt the questions you ask for older and younger kids. Learning opportunities:
