10 Sensory Bin Setups for Sensory Tables - Sand
When I shared this reel of my invitation to play sensory bins, I got a lot of comments asking what’s inside, and people asking if I could create a list of suggested items to put in the boxes!
So, let’s break the bundle down, box by box, and take a peek inside!
Most of what I purchased for these bins were toys I already had, or were things I found at the dollar store or thrift store. However, I know you’re busy and it might be a lot easier to grab what you need with the click of a button, so I’ve included links.
***As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made using these links, so if you do use them, thank you for supporting my small business!***
I purchased my containers from Dollarama Canada, but they are almost identical to these Sterilite clip containers. I use two different types of sensory tables. My indoor table is the Flisat table from Ikea. My outdoor table is a Step 2 water table, which I often take the accessories off.
So, in no particular order, here are my 10 invitation to play sensory bin set ups made using my invitation to play printables.
1. Construction Themed Sensory Bin
2. Ice Cream Summer Themed Sensory Bin
3. Mud Pie Themed Sensory Bin
4. Rock Themed Sensory Bin
5. Treasure Hunt Themed Sensory Bin
6. Sand Castle Themed Sensory Bin
7. Letter Hunt Themed Sensory Bin Set Up
8. Seashell Themed Sensory Bin Set Up
9. Dinosaur Dig Sensory Bin (Fossils)
10. Build a Sand Potato Sensory Bin
Construction Themed Sensory Bin Set Up
1. Cat Construction Vehicles Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
2. Wooden People Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
3. Rocks
4. Loose Parts
5. Printables (including road signs)
*I used Cat construction vehicles (found at Dollarama Canada 2022), rocks, and my printable road signs.
Ice Cream Summer Themed Sensory Bin Set Up
1. Super Cute Ice Cream Bowls Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
2. Colorful Ice Cream Cones Shop US 🇺🇸
3. Ice Cream Scoops Shop US 🇺🇸
3. Printables
*I purchased my ice cream scoops and cones from Dollarama Canada (summer 2023).
Mud Pie Themed Sensory Bin Set Up
1. Melissa and Doug Pots and Pans Set Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
2. Learning Resources Muffin Tray Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
3. Printables
*I used everything listed above, and some plastic toy utensils I had.
Rock Themed Sensory Bin Set Up
1. Round sand sifters Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
2. Sand sifter shovels Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
3. National Geographic Gemstones Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
4. Printables
*I used sand sifters I found at the thrift store. I don’t like buying my sand toys from the dollar store because they are usually made with thiner plastic and crack easily, but the thrift store is a great place to look for high quality sand toys!
Treasure Hunt Themed Sensory Bin Set Up
1. Treasure chest Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
2. Rings Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
3. Necklaces Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦 (none affordable)
4. Gold coins Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦 (none affordable)
5. Sand toys Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
6. Printables
*I used coins, necklaces, jewels, rings, jems, pearls, seashells and sequins I found at Dollarama Canada. I found the treasure chest at the thrift store, but they also sell slightly smaller ones at Dollar tree in the candy section.
I’ve also seen DIY treasure chests online made by painting diaper wipe boxes and tissue boxes with metallic gold paint.
Letter Hunt Themed Sensory Bin Set Up
1. Magnetic Wands Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
2. Magnetic Letters Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
3. Sand toys Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
6. Printables
Seashell Themed Sensory Bin Set Up
1. Acrylic Sea shells Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
2. Natural Sea shells Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
3. Sand toys Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
4. Printables
I used a bag of natural seashells from Dollartree. In a small group, if you are able to supervise closely, I would advise using natural shells. In my opinion it’s more educational for children to observe the real thing. HOWEVER, in larger groups (like the classrooms I work in), it may be better to use acrylic seashells.
*Some natural seashells can be fragile and sharp when broken. Supervise closely.
Dinosaur Dig Sensory Bin (Fossils)
1. Dinosaur Fossil Toys Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
2. Paintbrushes Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
3. Magnifying glasses Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
4. Printables
For this activity we hid a combination of “fossils” in our sand. We used the fossil toys listed above, laminated these free printable fossils, and made our own by pressing toy dinosaurs into salt dough (grab the recipe here).
One of my favorite things about this dinosaur dig sensory bin activity is how easy and affordable it is to set up. You don’t really need to buy anything unless you want to add more to the experience. You can simply print off the free fossils and hide them in sand. If you work in a school you likely already have access to paintbrushes and some sand to sprinkle on top of your fossils. Students will love finding the free printable fossils just as much as the toys (at least mine did)!
Build a Sand Potato Sensory Bin Set up
1. Potato Head Toy Shop US 🇺🇸 | Shop Canada 🇨🇦
2. Printables
This set up is so simple. All you really need is this toy (which most schools already have) and some sand. Children will have so much fun, and they’ll get a great gross motor and fine motor workout as they sculpt their potatoes.
That brings us to the end of the linked materials you could use to set up my 10 invitation to play sensory bin set ups! Again, these toys and materials aren’t necessary, and are just listed here for those who were asking for the links. Don’t forget to check out my invitation to play printables and core boards to help transform your sensory play area into a whole new experience for your students and children.
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