10 DIY Summer Sensory Bins for Toddlers That Busy Moms & Kids Will LOVE Leave a comment
Summer is the season of sunshine, splashy fun, and sensory play—and let me tell you, DIY sensory bins are my go-to hack for surviving hot summer afternoons with toddlers. As a busy mom of three (yes, still changing diapers!), I’m all about activities that are easy, budget-friendly, colorful, and toddler-approved. That’s why I’ve rounded up 10 summer-inspired sensory bins that take minutes to prep, keep your little ones engaged for hours, and spark tons of giggles and learning.
Plus, I’ve included Amazon affiliate links for products we personally love in our home—so if you’re looking to stock up, you’ll find everything right here.
(Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases—thank you for supporting my blog!)
Let’s dive into the sensory bin fun! 🌞👶🎨
💦 1. Under-the-Sea Water Bin
Transform a plastic tub into an ocean adventure! Fill with water, blue food coloring, and toss in toy fish, sea animals, and even seaweed (use green ribbon or fake grass).
🛒 What You’ll Need:
🎉 Why Moms Love It: Mess stays contained outside, and the water play cools them down while they learn about marine life.
🌈 Kid-Approved Fun: Scoop, pour, squish, splash = sensory magic!
🌽 2. Farm Fun Bin
Pour in dry corn kernels, add in tiny tractors, animal figurines, and mini hay bales (or shredded paper).
🛒 Try This:
🎉 Mom Tip: Keep corn in a zip bag after and reuse for weeks.
🌈 Why It’s a Hit: Toddlers LOVE pretending to moo and cluck as they scoop and drive tractors.
🏖️ 3. Mini Beach Vacation Bin
Make beach vibes at home using kinetic sand, mini beach toys, and umbrella drink stirrers.
🛒 Must-Haves:
🎉 Sensory Bonus: Kinetic sand doesn’t dry out, and toddlers get the sandy experience without a whole beach bag.
🌈 Extra Fun: Bury seashells or plastic coins for a treasure hunt.
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🍉 4. Fruity Ice Bin
Perfect for HOT days—freeze slices of fruit in ice cubes and let toddlers “rescue” them with warm water and droppers.
🛒 Sensory Tools to Grab:
🎉 Mom Win: Edible and safe, plus encourages fine motor play!
🌈 Tip: Add lemon or orange scent for an aromatherapy bonus.
🌈 5. Rainbow Pasta Bin
Dye pasta in all colors of the rainbow and let your toddler scoop, sort, and feel their way to a sensory masterpiece.
🛒 Grab These Supplies:
- Rainbow Pasta or DIY Pasta Coloring Kit
- Mini Silicone Cups for Sorting
- Toddler-Safe Spoons & Scoopers
🎉 Why We Love It: Great for color recognition, sorting, and sensory stimulation!
🌈 Crafty Twist: Let kids glue some on paper afterward for a rainbow craft!
🐝 6. Bug Hunt Bin
Add faux grass, mini bugs, and plastic flowers. Let kids search for bugs using tweezers.
🛒 Add to Cart:
🎉 Moms Say: It’s a perfect mix of outdoor pretend play and fine motor work!
🌈 Keep It Fresh: Swap bugs for butterflies or garden items weekly.
🍦 7. Ice Cream Shop Bin
Use cotton balls as “scoops,” cupcake liners for cones, and pastel puff balls as toppings!
🛒 Fun Supplies:
🎉 Why Moms Love It: No melting, no mess, just pretend fun!
🌈 Add a Craft: Let kids create their dream cone with paper and glue.
🪁 8. Windy Weather Bin
Use feathers, tissue paper, pinwheels, and ribbons. Encourage toddlers to blow or wave materials to mimic wind.
🛒 Get These:
🎉 Fun & Educational: Talk about wind, movement, and seasons.
🌈 Perfect for Calm Play: Great for toddlers who need a slower sensory activity.
🦋 9. Butterfly Garden Bin
Use dry rice dyed in pastel colors, add mini butterflies, plastic flowers, and scoops.
🛒 Essentials:
🎉 Why It’s a Hit: Soothing colors and textures = calm toddler focus time.
🌈 Sensory Plus: Use lavender essential oil drops for relaxing vibes.
🎒 ✏️10. Back-to-School Sensory Bin
Celebrate the excitement of a new school year with a sensory bin themed around school supplies! Fill your bin with colorful alphabet beads, magnetic letters, foam numbers, pencil erasers, and crinkle paper in school colors.
🛒 Amazon Finds to Make It Extra Fun:
- Magnetic Letters & Numbers
- Rainbow Alphabet Beads
- Mini Erasers in Fun Shapes
- Shredded Crinkle Paper (primary colors)
🎉 Why Moms Love It: It sneaks in early literacy and counting practice, keeps kids entertained while you prep school lunches or label supplies, and builds excitement about heading back to school.
🌈 Kid-Approved Bonus: Kids love digging for letters to spell their name, stringing beads on pipe cleaners, or just running their hands through the colorful textures.
📦 Budget Tip: Use leftover party confetti, broken crayons, or even scraps from last year’s school supplies to make it totally FREE!
🎨 BONUS Colorful Craft Item Must-Haves (for ALL bins!)
These crafty tools are my ride-or-die sensory bin add-ins:
🌟 Why Kids Go Crazy for Them: Bright, touchable, and fun—plus they get to build, squish, or spray them!
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Sensory Bins Are a Summer Win for Moms & Toddlers
Whether you’re juggling a baby on your hip or trying to prep dinner in peace, summer sensory bins are a total mom hack. They’re fun, educational, easy to prep, and give kids the sensory stimulation they crave (without screen time!).
You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect setup. Just a bin, a theme, and a dash of creativity. Add a popsicle for snack time and boom—summer magic. 🌞👩👧👦💖
