Inside this post I share a quick to put together Halloween sensory bin. Sensory play doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.
How to make a Halloween Sensory Bin?
Sensory bins can be so simple! For this Halloween sensory bin, all you need are plastic eyeballs, water, and a few tools for kids to explore. It only takes a minute or two to set up and it’s very inexpensive.
Sensory bins attract toddlers and preschoolers like honey attracts bees! If you haven’t tried one yet, a water sensory bin (like this one) is a great way to start.
Are sensory bins worth it?
If you appreciate getting a moment of peace while your kids are engaged in an activity, YES sensory bins are worth it!
Sensory bins also help kids work on so many skills!
Sensory bins help kids…
- build fine motor skills
- build their vocabulary
- explore cause and effect
- problem solve
- work together (if there is more than one person)
- PLAY (and more!)
Here are a few other skills the NAEYC mentions that kids build when they do water play.
RELATED: Need more ideas for helping kids build their fine motor skills? Check out Fine Motor Magic: 52 Weeks of Simple Fine Motor Activities.
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Supplies Needed
How to set up this Halloween Sensory Bin
- Find a large under bed storage container and bring it outside (or somewhere kids can play)
- Fill the storage container up with water about halfway
- Add some food coloring and mix it around (we used green)
- Add in your plastic eyeballs!
- Place jumbo droppers and colanders nearby for kids to use.
Pro Tip: Stick a vinyl tablecloth under the storage bin if you’re using this inside or somewhere where you want to contain the mess a bit and give kids a designated play space. We used ours on grass, so a tablecloth was unnecessary for this bin.
How to play with this activity
- Set out the activity in your yard or kitchen along with the tools and then just leave it there and see what happens.
- Sensory play is a type of PLAY, which means it works best when it’s child led and child directed. Don’t tell kids how to play with the sensory bin (other than enforcing the rules, like keep the water in the bin).
- As kids begin to play with the bin, go and sit along with them and play too. Use the jumbo droppers to suck up and squirt water. See what happens when you squirt the eyeballs. Next use the colander to pick up the eyeballs and explore it. Have fun playing next to your child without being engaging or fun. Just explore the tools and model one way to use them. Most likely your child will take your ideas, try them, and then come up with their own!
- Step back and watch how play unfolds. Maybe your kids might want to add other tools? Maybe they won’t like the ones you added and will have a better idea. Let them take the lead.
RELATED: Need more easy Halloween ideas? I’ve got 31 awesome Halloween activities curated for you to use!
More Halloween Sensory Play Ideas
Here are a few other Halloween sensory activities we love:
Witches Brew Halloween Water Play
Do you have more favorites? Tell us about them in the comments.
