The Chaos and the Clutter

Dig for Fossils Sensory Bin

By

(This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosure policy.)

Kids will love to dig and explore in this dinosaur fossils sensory bin. It’s great for fine motor practise as well as supplementing science learning. It pairs well with a dinosaur unit. Dinosaur Fossil Sensory Bin #science #sensoryplay #sensorybins #sensory #kidsactivitiesThere are a variety of textures for kids to explore in this sensory play activity because of the grittiness of the sand, the smoothness of the glass beads, and the rough dinosaur skulls. This provides great tactile input. The bin also allows for visual and proprioception sensory feedback.

Dig for Fossils Sensory Bin:

Supplies:
  • sand
  • plastic bin with lid
  • dinosaur skull fossils Toob
  • glass beads
  • decorative rocks
  • paint brush
  • tongs, plastic shovel or anything else your child can use to practice fine motor skills and excavate dinosaur skulls with
  • optional: magnifying glass

Dinosaur Skulls TOOBDinosaur Skulls TOOBDinosaur Skulls TOOBGlass BeadsGlass BeadsGlass BeadsNatural SandNatural SandNatural Sand

Directions:
  1. Fill a plastic storage bin about halfway up with sand.
  2. Begin adding the rocks, glass beads and dinosaur skulls to the bin.
  3. Bury them in the sand.
  4. Add a few dinosaur skulls to the top and loosely bury them in the sand.
  5. Place tongs, a paint brush and sand toys in the bin.
  6. Invite your child to explore the sensory bin and excavate the contents.
  7. When playtime is over, replace the lid on the bin and give it a good shake so that the next time your child wants to explore the bin, the contents are buried in the sand again!

Learning opportunities:

If you want to expand the learning, you can set out a few books about dinosaurs and dinosaur fossils. This will allow your child to compare the dino skulls with the pictures in the books and determine which type of dinosaur it is.

You can also put out a book about excavation. Children can learn how archeologists uncover their finds. They can then mimic some of what they’ve learned in the excavation sensory bin.

Kids can dig with their hands or with the shovel or scoops. They can use the paintbrush to carefully brush sand off the fossils. The tongs can be used to examine things more closely. You can also include a magnifying glass for closer inspection of the fossils. Check out these other sensory bins:

Dinosaur Sensory Bin Citrus Sensory Bin Citrus Sensory BinHistory Sensory Bin History Sensory Bin