40+ Ideas: Winter Sensory Bin Fun!
Bring the Magic of Winter…Indoors with a Sensory Bin!
Winter sensory bins offer an engaging and interactive way for children to explore and learn about the season.
By creating a winter sensory bin, for your child, you give a unique opportunity to engage in a hands-on learning experience through play.
What is a sensory bin?
A sensory bin is a container filled with materials specifically chosen to stimulate the senses, allowing the child to explore and interact with the items as they choose.
Often people will say these are designed for children five and under, however, I would argue that if you can be creative and make them interesting for an older age, they are very beneficial.
Who can benefit from sensory bin play?
Without knowing what this was when I was in high school, we had a sensory bin as part of our Halloween party.
I cannot remember what was in it, but it was one of the “hits” of the party.
I had two friends who were deaf who came to the party so we did not want all of the “scares” from the haunted house to be audio stimulated.
We live in an audio/visual world.
Specifically catering to other senses with sensory bins helps heighten awareness and curiosity through touch.
Here are other populations sensory bins are said to benefit:
- Preschoolers
- People with sensory sensitivities
- Children who seek sensory input
What are the benefits of sensory play for children?
Research has shown many benefits of sensory play for children.
These include:
- Enhance Cognitive Skills
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Memory Retention
- Processing and Analyzing Information
- Connecting abstract ideas to tangible experiences
What does a sensory bin look like?
My experience is different from all of the examples all over the internet.
I created a sensory bin 22 years ago, without it ever being called this. My son was diagnosed with severe “sensitivity issues.” He had three therapies a week at two years old.
During occupational therapy, they would put sour spray on a sponge attached to a “sucker” type stick and try to get it further in his mouth each time. He did not like the sour or the feel of the sponge.
This therapist recommended that I go to Costco and get the biggest plastic storage container I could. She then instructed me to toss the lid and fill it 1/3 to 1/2 with dry beans. Then I should put different toys and items of interest into it.
Our items included “guys” (this is the term we called action figures or figurines), legos, trucks and cars; there was always something new.
This became our “indoor sandbox.”
At first, my son would only lean over the box and try to grab items without touching the beans. Eventually, he would put is arm in the beans. When my older son actually got in the box and started playing with dinosaurs, legos, and cars, Alec also got in.
After two months, I was able to get him in with just his diaper on. He played in that “indoor sandbox” for a few years. We credit this box to the amazing strides our son had with his sensitivity issues.
Does your sensory bin have to look like this? No, ours was a fairly permanent part of the house, like furniture. We were using it not just for learning and curiosity, but for therapeutic value.
How do I create a winter sensory bin?
1. Determine where it will go.
Many of your decisions will be made for you once you know where the bin will go. For example, if the bin is going to be on top of a table, you will need to have a shallow bin so the child can get in and play.
2. Determine the size.
I needed my son to have a “full body” experience. What kind of experience do you want your child to have? Will you be changing this experience often?
For example, a Winter Sensory Bin, a Valentine’s Day Bin, a Spring Bin, an Easter Bin, etc. Will your child play with objects they can move around with just their hands?
Maybe a cat litter type of box will be better as it is shallow, but a good size to experience the new holiday or season.
3. Determine what you will put in it.
I will have a lot of ideas for you at the end of this article for what types of things can go into a Winter Sensory Bin.
However, the first step is in deciding what kind of “base” material you will use. If it is water you will need a bin that can hold water that also has deep enough sides to prevent “sloshing” out of the bin.
4. Think of all five senses.
This is a sensory bin! You can have a lot of fun creating bins that contain all five senses.
Don’t criticize, I came up with this Winter Sensory bin in 5 minutes for ideas:
Powdered sugar as the base for snow (this sounds kind of like snow to me)
- Jingle bells (sound)
- Cinnamon sticks (smell and tactile)
- Gingerbread “man” figurines (sight and tactile)
- Candy canes (taste and smell)
- Twigs and pine cones (tactile)
- Fuzzy material pieces (tactile)
What are your tips for creating a Winter Sensory Bin?
- Safety: keep everything age appropriate and nothing fragile.
- Snow: snow is the key element for the Winter Bin, think of some creative ways to feel or sense snow.
- Tongs: work on fine motor skills and have some way of grabbing items: tongs, shovel, even tweezers for older children. Model how you want the children to use them.
- Pace: this is a fun way for your child to explore, allow them to find their own rhythm and timing.
- Play: especially the first time, play together and explore the bin. Build and connect according to your child’s curiosity (not the cool stuff you think that is there).
- Switch it Up: You can use the same bin and base, but put in different objects or even themes. My example theme was a kind of Candy land/gingerbread theme. The next one might be a winter forest theme. This maintains interest in the child’s special bin for longer.
I love sensory bins; the one I created in my house was well loved by both of my boys.
A Winter Sensory Bin is an engaging activity that will promote learning through play, this is a win!
In crafting a fabulous winter sensory bin for your little one, you’re not just playing—you’re nurturing their cognitive growth, fine motor skills, and creativity while unveiling the magic of the season!
“I can taste the snowflakes! They’re like little bits of frozen magic!”
~Anna, Frozen II
Examples to put in your Winter Sensory Bin (some are mine, some are from ChatGPT)
Sensory Bin Base Fillers
- Fake Snow – Use instant snow powder, cotton balls, shredded white paper to create a snowy base, or my idea and use powdered sugar!
- Epsom Salt or Coarse Sea Salt – Looks like icy snow and adds a fun, gritty texture.
- White Rice – Dyed or plain rice can mimic snow; add a few drops of peppermint oil for a refreshing scent.
- Cotton Wool Balls – Soft and fluffy to represent snow piles.
- Shredded Tissue Paper – White or blue for a snowy, icy effect.
- Pom-Poms – White, silver, and blue pom-poms add soft, wintry texture and mimic snowballs.
- White Cotton Strips – this is a resource you can use again and again. I would head to the fabric store to see all of the great materials they have.
Objects for Fine Motor Play
- Mini Pinecones – These provide a natural element that kids can pick up, bury, and stack.
- Small Snowflake Ornaments – Add sparkle and shimmer, plus they’re lightweight for easy handling.
- Bottle Brush Trees – Small evergreen trees that add a wintry woodland feel.
- Mini Figurines – Tiny animals like polar bears, penguins, or deer make for playful pretend scenarios.
- Jingle Bells – Little bells add a sound element and can be scooped, buried, and shaken.
- Clear and Blue Gems – Flat or round glass gems that look like ice chunks or frozen water.
- Music – you can play some great Christmas or winter music in the background while your child is playing!
Sensory Tools and Scoops
- Ice Cube Trays or Small Molds – Kids can sort and arrange small objects in them like frozen treats.
- Mini Scoops and Spoons – Ideal for digging, scooping, and pouring; try silver spoons for an icy look.
- Tongs or Tweezers – Good for fine motor skills, kids can practice picking up small items with these.
Wintry Smells and Scents
- Cinnamon Sticks – These give a cozy winter scent, plus an interesting texture to explore.
- Dried Orange Slices – Lovely to touch and smell, adding a bit of color to the bin.
- Mint Leaves or Peppermint Essential Oil – Add a fresh, cool scent that matches the winter theme.
- Lavender or Rosemary Twigs – these add a natural smell, although not necessarily winter.
- Pine or Fir Twigs – I like using natural smells, Pine or Fir are great to use.
- Season Scented Candles – Truth, I am not a fan of artificial scents, I think they cause allergies and headaches, however, I would be remiss if I did not include them.
Winter-Themed Visual Elements
- Foam Snowflakes – Lightweight, easy to grab, and great for decoration.
- LED Tea Lights – Use safe, battery-operated tea lights to simulate a glowing winter village effect.
- Silver Tinsel or Garland – Adds sparkle and a frosty shimmer that catches the light.
- Small Blue and White Feathers – They bring a snowy, frosty feel and are soft to the touch.
Textures and Unique Shapes
- Mini Snowball Ornaments – Look for lightweight, plastic ornaments that mimic the shape and feel of snowballs.
- Shaped Gel Beads – Small gel beads in blue or white add an interesting texture.
- Artificial Iced Branches – Thin, decorative branches coated in a frosty layer add texture and a wintery touch.
- Sequins or Glitter Shapes – Star or snowflake-shaped sequins add sparkle and can be fun to “hide” and find.
- Mini Plastic Snowmen – These can be buried, found, or lined up in snow.
- Arctic or Forest Animal Figurines – These can be fun for children who like to create scenarios or play.
Creative Play Items
- Mini Snow Shovel – Adds realism for digging, especially in rice or salt.
- Small Cups or Buckets – To “build” mini snow castles or scoop items up.
- Wooden Peg People – Decorate or paint these in winter attire to add characters to the sensory scene.
Extras for Added Sensory Fun
- Mini Mittens or Scarves (Cut from Felt) – Little bits of cozy fabric to add a soft, warm touch.
- Fake Fur or Velvet – Again, head to the fabric store to supplement the “touch” part of your bin; they have fabulous options.
- Glittery Pine Branches – Fake or real pine branches dusted with a bit of glitter for a sparkly, snowy effect.
- Holiday-Themed Erasers – Snowman, snowflake, or tree-shaped erasers make colorful, fun additions.
- Crinkly Foil or Aluminum Pieces – Can represent “ice” and adds a crinkly sound when handled.
- Little Wooden Snowflakes – Small wood cutouts painted white for kids to pick up and explore.
With so many exciting benefits and limitless fun, a winter sensory bin is an enchanting and educational activity that will create unforgettable memories for your child, making it a must-have for any winter-themed playroom or learning nook!