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Science Sensory Bins for Hands-on Learning

Science sensory bins for hands-on learning allow kids to explore through their senses and interact with what they are studying. They are a great way to increase interest and engagement.

Hands-on learning is also a great way to increase retention of concepts. Sensory bin are easy to set up but offer a big payoff in terms of interest and interaction.

Science Sensory Bins for Hands-on Learning

Human Body Sensory Bin

Admittedly, this one is a bit gross, but kids love getting their hands in there and exploring the organs and body parts!

Dig for Fossils Sensory Bin

Learn about dinosaurs and fossil excavation with this hands-on activity.

Bee Life Cycle Sensory Bin

Water beads are the filler for this simple yet effective way to help kids learn the bee life cycle.

Life Cycle of a Chicken Sensory Bin

This sensory play idea includes suggestions for expanding the learning as well as free printables for a farm or chicken unit study.

Magnets, Magnets, and More Magnets

Invite your child to discover the world of magnets in this interactive science experience.

Sea Turtle Life Cycle Sensory Bin

Sea turtles are fascinating. Give your child the opportunity to explore in this simple to make sensory tub.

Praying Mantis Life Cycle Sensory Bin

Bring this sensory play station to your home or classroom as kids learn about these interesting insects.

How To Make a Tasty Dino Dig for Toddlers and Preschoolers (STEM Fun!)

Create your own archeological dinosaur dig with this fun sensory treat! Dig like a real scientist through the jello Earth layers to dig up your dinos.

Photo Credit: activelittles.com

Hand Washing Experiment for Kids

Proper hand washing experiment for kids using a sensorial water bin.

Photo Credit: www.thekeeperofthememories.com

Whale Investigation Station for Preschoolers

Learn about whales with this Whale Investigation Station for little kids!

Photo Credit: faithandgoodworks.com

Swamp Sensory Bin

Bring the swamp indoors.

Photo Credit: www.adabofgluewilldo.com

Ocean Sensory Bin Sorting Activity

Practise matching and sorting with this ocean themed sensory activity.

Photo Credit: preschooltoolkit.com

Marble Roll STEAM Activity in the Sensory Bin

Combine sensory and science to explore how a marble rolls through different sensory bin fillers.

Photo Credit: teachingmama.org

Create a pond sensory bin

Explore the possibilities in this pond wildlife habitat small world play activity.

Photo Credit: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

Icy Ocean Sensory Bin And Ice Melt

An icy ocean science activity transforms into a fantastic ocean water sensory bin! Explore the ocean with an under the sea science and sensory play activity!

Using these ideas for science sensory bins, you can expand on a unit study or introduce a new concept to your child or students.

You may also be interested in reading:

Layers of the Earth Science Project

Easy Earthquake Experiment

Easy Outdoor Sensory Activities

May Emotions Printables for Kids

By Sharla Kostelyk

It is not uncommon for students to have mixed feelings about summer break coming up, but this year, that is particularly true. These free printable May emotions worksheets can help them to sort through those feelings. They can also help them to realize that it’s okay to feel all of them.

Most children this year didn’t get the closure of their school year ending the regular way. They may feel disappointed about things such as vacations or summer camps being cancelled. They may worry that summer won’t feel much like summer since they’ve already been home for weeks or months.

I know that some of my kids are struggling with big emotions about not being able to go on our usual summer family camping trip and uncertainty about the upcoming school year.

Simple activities that focus on emotions help kids to learn the vocabulary as well as to get used to talking about their own emotions.

The printable emotions copywork pages help kids practise their printing while at the same time, associating the emotion word with the appropriate facial expression.

The My Feelings Log for this month helps kids put a name to the feelings they are experiencing. This is the first step in learning to manage those feelings. It is so important.

May Emotions Printables for Kids:

May Copywork Emotions Sentences:

Supplies needed:

May Emotions Printable pages (download them here)
pen or pencil OR
plastic sleeve AND dry erase marker

If you want the sheets to be reusable, laminate the pages or slip them in a plastic page protector. Students can then use a dry erase marker to do the tracing and writing themselves. Or they can write directly on the pages with a pen, pencil, marker, or coloured pencils.

Copywork Sentences Instructions for the child:

Read the sentence.
Fill in the outline.
Trace the dotted words.
Write the sentence on the lines provided.
Discuss the various emotions.

These worksheets can be a jumping off point for a discussion about various emotions. You can further expand this activity by having your child describe a time when they have felt that emotion. They can also come up with a story describing why the bee might be experiencing that particular feeling.

May My Feelings Log:

Supplies needed:

printed Feelings Log (download those here)
scissors
glue stick
markers, pencil crayons (coloured pencils), or crayons
pen or pencil

My Feelings Log Instructions for the child:

Choose one icon each day to colour, cut, and paste to your log.
At the end of the month, you can look back and see the various emotions you felt.
Discuss your feelings with a parent or trusted adult.

The bee emotion visuals help kids better identify and work through their own feelings in a way that feels less vulnerable because it’s a cute bee face. Once you know HOW they are feeling that day, you can help them dig into the WHY behind those feelings.

After identifying the feeling, you can work together on strategies for better managing that emotion.

Simply enter your email in the box below to download the May Emotions Printable Worksheets. Print them off to use them with your child at home or with your students.

You may also be interested in reading:

Spider Emotions Matching Game

Outdoor Sensory Activities at Home

Where to Find Free Homeschool Printables

Mermaid Tail Sensory Bottle

By Sharla Kostelyk

My girls sometime wish they were mermaids. They all love the water. They even have those full sized mermaid tails that really work! So it’s really no surprise that they love this Mermaid Tail Sensory Bottle.The glitter falls slowly through the glue and water mixture, creating a calm down effect. This sensory bottle also provides tactile, proprioceptive, and visual sensory feedback for kids.

Mermaid Tail Sensory Bottle:

Supplies needed:

empty plastic water bottle (I prefer to use the sensory bottles from craft stores or the Voss brand)
Elmer’s Clear School Glue
warm water
teal and purple glitter
mermaid tail toys
small coloured gems
optional: Superglue or hot glue to seal

Directions:

Pour clear glue to about the halfway point in the empty water bottle.
Fill with warm water almost to the top, replace the lid, and shake well to combine.
Add glitter, a few gems, and the mermaid tail toys into the glue mixture.
Seal the jar and shake well. If the glitter or confetti does not move easily, add more warm water. If the glitter or confetti moves too quickly, add additional glue.
Replace the lid. If you are going to be using with young children, Superglue or use hot glue to secure the lid which will avoid spills and keep this play activity safer.

As with all our sensory activities, adult supervision should always be used. Even if you have glued the lid in place, kids can sometimes get it off and the contents have small parts that could potentially be a choking hazard.

Are you looking for more easy sensory play ideas? Join us for a five day email series on Sensory Activities and Solutions and get a free sample of our Sensory Play Recipes eBook.

Check out these other easy to make sensory bottles:

Pretty Princess Sensory Bottle

Sky Sensory Bottle

Rainbow Rainfall Sensory Bottle

Easy Outdoor Sensory Activities at Home

By Sharla Kostelyk

We’ve been stuck inside only able to do indoor sensory activities but now it’s finally warmed up enough to spend some time outside. That means we can finally add these easy outdoor sensory activities to our days. We are so looking forward to getting some fresh air.The kids have already begun exploring in the trees and enjoying the sunshine. It has done wonders for their mood now that they aren’t as cooped up anymore.

Easy Outdoor Sensory Activities at Home

Outdoor Sensory Scavenger Hunt for Kids

Frozen Treasure Find

This is one of my favourite activities as it keeps the kids busy for hours.

Scented Bubbles: Calming Lavender Bubble Recipe

There are so many fun ways to play with bubbles and this is a great homemade recipe to use.

5 Trampoline Games

Playing on a trampoline is good for kids' moods and health. These trampoline games are great fun.

Bug Action Cards for Kids

These bug action cards give kids ideas for practising their gross motor skills while getting fresh air.

Nature Sensory Bottle

As kids explore outside, they can collect items to create their own unique sensory bottle.

Nature Inspired Spring Sensory Soup

Pour, dump, scoop, and stir with this sensory soup.

Nature Weaving

Nature meets art in this sensory rich weaving project.

Ghost Hands Campfire Fun

Ewwww! This is so sticky and messy, but kids completely love it!

Edible Freezie Painting

Even toddlers can participate in creating art with this taste-safe "paint".

Cotton Ball Painting

Big movements and lots of interaction is required for this cool art activity.

Calming Lavender Sensory Bin

There are only a few simple supplies needed to make this calming sensory bin for kids.

Photo Scavenger Hunt

Older kids will enjoy exploring outdoors in a photo scavenger hunt.

Bubble Wrap Body Slam Painting

Bubble wrap body slam painting is as hilarious to watch as it is to do. Great proprioceptive sensory input too!

Shaving Cream Polka-Dot Sidewalk Painting

Shaving cream painting is a neat alternative to sidewalk chalk.

Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder

Use your empty toilet paper rolls to create a bird feeder. Then watch as the birds come to eat.

Simple Summer Sensory Activity

This is so easy to set up, but the best ideas usually are. My kids always love this game.

Photo Credit: www.steampoweredfamily.com

Flower Oobleck

Summer, sensory, and science combine for this ooey-gooey gorgeous flower oobleck.

Photo Credit: happilyevermom.com

Nature Soup

A mess free nature sensory bin for toddlers and siblings to do together. Gather materials outside, freeze them, and make a nature soup that will help kids cool down on a hot day as they mix their nature soup together!

Photo Credit: teachingmama.org

Sensory Walk

Exploring the sense of touch with the toes in a sensory walk!

Photo Credit: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

Nature Sensory Bin Outdoor Explore and Discover

Create a real nature theme sensory bin to explore the senses! Go on a nature hunt and collect materials to build an outdoor sensory bin. Make sure to talk with your kiddo about all the smells, textures, and items found in nature.

Photo Credit: frugalfun4boys.com

How to Make a PVC Pipe Sand and Water Table

Make your own sand or water table using PVC pipes. There are so many play opportunities with this.

Photo Credit: handsonaswegrow.com

DIY Mud Kitchen in One Weekend

Make your own outdoor mud kitchen for messy exploration.

Photo Credit: happyhooligans.ca

Outdoor Sensory Play - exploring herbs

Make some "homemade" sensory soup using weeds or herbs from the garden.

Photo Credit: www.notimeforflashcards.com

Mud Soup

Pretend play doesn't have to be complicated. How about some good old fashioned mud soup?

Not all activities have to be planned out. There are other things that can be done more spontaneously in the yard.

Other easy ideas for outdoor sensory activities you can do at home:

make mud pies
water balloons or an old fashioned water fight
obstacle course – Use anything you have on hand such as hula hoops, slides, wood, pallets, tunnels, pool noodles, chairs, and tires.
jump rope
relay races
sprinkler, kiddie pool, or Slip ‘n’ Slide
tag
yard work – Great for proprioception and for teaching good work ethic! Think raking, mowing (for kids who are old enough), picking rocks, and carrying firewood or bricks.
dig in the sandbox
gardening – digging, planting, pulling weeds, and picking are all great tactile sensory input.
bike rides
hikes or nature walks
family campfire
tree climbing
interval circuit – set up exercise stations in the yard with signs like “10 Jumping Jacks”, “1 Run Around the Yard”, “10 Supermans” (my kids loved this activity!)

Of course as with all sensory activities, adult supervision should be used.

In case the weather doesn’t cooperate, you can find a great list of indoor sensory activities for home here.

Praying Mantis Life Cycle Sensory Bin

By Sharla Kostelyk

I find that my kids are always fascinated to learn about different life cycles. One of the ways I like to help them reinforce that learning is through sensory play. This Praying Mantis Life Cycle Sensory Bin allows kids to explore through their senses and imaginations. Kids can see how the cycle from soft egg case to hard egg to nymph (young) to adult. The more they learn about this fascinating insect, the more their interest will be piqued.

Praying Mantis Life Cycle Sensory Bin:

Supplies needed:

kinetic sand (you can use regular sand if you prefer)
decorative foam balls in green (I found these at the Dollar Store)
Praying Mantis Life Cycle Pack
magnifying glass
rocks
various leaves (real or plastic)
plastic bin
optional: scoops, spoons, or tongs

Directions:

Place kinetic sand and foam balls in a plastic tub.
Add rocks, leaves, a magnifying glass, and the figures from the Praying Mantis pack.
If you want, you can also add some scoops or tongs.
Invite your child to play.

This hands-on activity is a great way for kids to get up close and personal with this type of insect. The way it is set up mimics the habitat for some types of praying mantis.

This activity can be used for science at home or in a preschool or classroom. In addition to learning, students will also be getting visual, tactile, and proprioceptive sensory input as they play.

You can use this sensory bin as part of a unit study on insects or on the praying mantis.

Kids can research their questions such as:

What does a praying mantis eat?
How long does a praying mantis live?
Where do praying mantis live?

Ways to expand the learning:

Read books about insects or about the praying mantis in particular.
If you live in an area where there are praying mantis, you could catch one and place it in a bug habitat to observe before releasing it.
Write a report complete with pictures about the praying mantis.
Print off the Praying Mantis Life Cycle puzzle. Cut out the pieces and assemble.

Praying Mantis 4 Piece Life Cycle Figures The Life Cycle of a Praying Mantis Mini Praying Mantis Finger Puppet Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. BugWatch How to Draw Insects Manuelo, the Playing Mantis Praying Mantises (Animal Cannibals)

Learn more about the praying mantis:

National Geographic

Interesting Facts about the Praying Mantises (great pictures here!)

Nature’s Perfect Predator (Praying Mantis video)

Download your free printable Praying Mantis Life Cycle puzzle to go along with this science activity.

You may also be interested in checking out these Life Cycle Sensory Bins:

Bee Life Cycle Sensory Bin

Chicken Life Cycle Sensory Bin

Sea Turtle Life Cycle Sensory Bin

Simple Science: Earthquake Experiment

By Sharla Kostelyk

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In the past few weeks, we’ve been learning about the Earth’s layers (you can see how to make a Layers of the Earth model here), tectonic plates, volcanoes, and earthquakes. For the teaching on earthquakes, I wanted to give the kids a hands-on activity that would help them remember what they learned.This earthquake experiment is simple and requires very few items to create. This can easily be done at home and chances are, you already have the items you’ll need.

Earthquake Experiment:

Supplies needed:

metal cookie sheet
wooden blocks
Lego bricks

Directions:

First, have the students construct a tower on the cookie sheet using the wooden blocks.
Have two of the kids sit on either side of the cookie sheet and shake it as if there were an earthquake. Not surprisingly, when we did this, the tower crumbled with very little shaking and the blocks fell.

The metal cookie tray is meant to represent a tectonic plate and the shaking represents the shifting that happens with an earthquake.

Directions Part Two:

Next, work together to construct a tower with interlocking Lego blocks. Our kids, are always excited when Lego and school collide! Made it approximately the same height and shape as the wooden block tower. For us, it took much longer of course to make the Lego brick tower, which led to a discussion about how sometimes doing things the right way takes more time.
Set the new tower on the cookie sheet and have two kids sit on either side (in order for the experiment to be as scientific as possible, we wanted to use the same people so that they could attempt to create the same earthquake force). At first, they recreated the same shaking they had the first time and the tower stayed intact.
Simulate a larger, more powerful earthquake. When we did this, they became more and more forceful with the shaking, eventually lifting the tray up and banging it up and down as well as side to side before they were able to knock the tower over and dislodge a few of the bricks.

This simple earthquake experiment is an easy way to demonstrate to kids why buildings in earthquake-prone areas need to be built differently to withstand the fallout of the quakes.