Sensory Bins for Hands-On Homeschooling

Multisensory activities are an effective way for kids to learn. All children need some time for creativity and hands-on learning on a daily basis. Sensory bins can be a great way to achieve those purposes.

A basic guide to using sensory bins for hands-on learning | homeschooling with sensory bins | how to use sensory bins | how to make sensory bins

What is a Sensory Bin?

A short definition is: a box or container of some sort with a filler material (sand, beads, rice, etc.) and objects/toys that usually center around a theme. (You can read about some of our favorite things to include in sensory bins below in this post. )

The kids can dig in, discover, scoop, pour, and use their imaginations while playing and learning. The theme can go along with a unit study, a favorite book, a season, favorite toys, or anything to engage your child’s interests.

Wikki Stix are another fun thing to include for sensory play. Check out this post on wikki stix ideas for more details about how to use them.

You can teach almost any subject in a hands-on way with sensory bins, even letter sounds for instance.

This book covers the basics if you’d like to read more: Sensory Bins: the What, the How, and the Why

Don’t be afraid to make your own sensory bins for your homeschool. It works great with delight-directed learning because you can really choose any theme and make a sensory bin to go along with it. When we were doing an ocean study, we made this ocean-themed sensory bin with dollar store supplies. The bins don’t have to be fancy to be well-loved and useful.

There are tons of great DIY sensory bin ideas here:

20 Sensory Bins Girls Will Love

20+ sensory bins for girls. Adorable themes, including ponies, flowers, princesses, and more! Perfect for hands-on homeschooling. heartandsoulhomeschooling.com

If you’re not convinced that you need sensory bins in your homeschool, you need to read this:

5 Reasons Every Homeschool Should Use Sensory Bins

Using sensory bins throughout your homeschool classroom will be a great way to help get your kids the hands-on education they need. It gives them an easy outlet to use their hands while learning, and allows them the sensory opportunity that many children need to truly understand concepts.

{Read more about Learning Styles in this post.}

So if you’re ready to get started making your own sensory bins now, check out this great list of the best supplies to use in your sensory bins. You may even have some of these things around the house already!

Sensory Bin Supplies | DIY Sensory Bins | The best supplies for sensory bins | Sensory bins for fine motor skills, for special needs like autism, and for homeschool unit studies.

Basic Supplies for Sensory Bins

Rubbermaid Storage Container

We have used all of these sensory bin supplies at one time or another. They’re excellent for building fine motor skills in little ones, sensory play for those with special needs like autism, and complementary learning for homeschool unit studies.

Do you use sensory bins in your homeschool?

Save

Author
Recent Posts

Follow on

Sara

Author/Speaker/Consultant at Heart and Soul Homeschooling

Sara is a homeschool mom to 3 creative girls. She holds a degree in Social Work specializing in early childhood development, which led to her interest in individualized educational options like homeschooling. She believes that learning should be a lifelong adventure, not just a checklist to get through. She is a writer, avid reader, introvert (INFJ), and dreamer of dreams.