Construction Sensory Bin Play for Kids

Sensory Bins are amazing! They bring so much hands-on and creative play to life for children. I enjoyed setting up huge invitations to play in the water table of my preschool class but you can do it on a much smaller scale at home in a plastic container for one or two children to enjoy. Today OneMommy from There's Just One Mommy is sharing a fun Construction Themed Sensory Bin that is sure to be a hit with the dirt and digging lover(s) in your life. Here's OneMommy.......

If you have a little boy in your life, chances are he like cars (or trucks), and there's a good chance he likes a little dirt, too! Why not put the two together for the ultimate little boy sensory bin? We created our construction truck sensory bin so there is always a chance to play in the dirt, no matter what the weather. (Plus, it keeps my preschooler from digging in my flower bed, too!)

 

Before starting construction, I searched the recyclables bin. I found a small cocoa can and removed the bottom. This would become our tunnel later. I also found a couple plastic lids. I decided the larger of the two would become a pond and cut the smaller one to become a bridge, which I hot glued across the top.

 

My little helper decided his bridge shouldn't advertise margarine, so I hot glued some felt across the top before adding our pond to the construction site. I found a large, shallow storage container to use for the sensory bin. We started off by putting a few shovels of dirt in the bottom. When I couldn't get the dirt to stick to the top of our tunnel, my husband suggested we make a few cardboard retaining walls.

 

The retaining walls held the dirt in place perfectly! Some gravel from the driveway, a few small plants, miniature construction signs, and a few cut up drinking straws acting like pipes, and the construction zone was ready for business!

   

 The workers couldn't wait to get started building.

 

 The best part of the sensory bin is that it is easily stored in the garage, ready for the next play session.  Looking for some other sensory fun? Check out our Sunshine Sensory Rice!    

OneMommy can be found at There's Just One Mommy, where she blogs about life as a SAHM to her 4 year-old son and 5 year-old daughter. She writes about the funny things kids say/do, simple kid crafts, learning activities, and more. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.