Homemade Ocean Sensory Play – Bin Idea For Toddlers

Homemade Ocean Sensory Play – Bin Idea For Toddlers

I haven’t shared this on the blog before, but my son has a slight speech delay. This is one of the many reasons I’ve been working on busy bag ideas, as well as toddler friendly crafts. Anything I can do to help get those words out – I’m doing.

Besides the busy bag ideas I have shared on the blog, I really want to concentrate on sharing ideas for sensory bin play. I have read & heard that it really helps young kids on their speech. You basically put some items together in a plastic bin {possibly with a theme} and have them search & name the items they find. Not only does it help with speech – it can also help with fine motor skills.

Recently I made an ocean sensory play bin and it was a big hit with Lil Man. I found almost all the items at my local Dollar Tree, so it only cost me a few dollars. {Plus I can reuse several of the items for future bins!}

Keep scrolling for the FULL how-to for this ocean themed sensory bin below!

Happy crafting it up, my friends! Don’t forget – if you recreate our ocean bin idea, come share pictures on our Facebook page to see! #gluedtomycrafts

MORE TODDLER FRIENDLY IDEAS ON GLUED TO MY CRAFTS: Spaghetti Sensory Bin Idea {Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs} and Deck of Cards Match Game – Busy Bag Idea

Ocean Sensory Bin Craft Supplies:
* Large Plastic Bin {I found a nice dish tub at the Dollar Tree}
* Decorative Rocks
* Shredded Blue Paper {the water}
* Plastic Fish/Sealife
* Plastic Tongs/Shovels

If your child is super young, please keep in mind to not use choking hazards in your sensory play bin.

Directions:
* Place your rocks/sealife/plastic fish down in the empty plastic tub.
* Cover items with blue shredded paper. This is the WATER of the craft.
* Hand over the tongs/shovels to your child and have them search through the bin. Name each thing as they pull them out. Describe/ask questions about what they find.
* That’s it! Let them play until they are bored and then store away!

I’ll be sharing more sensory bin ideas in the near future on Glued To My Crafts – so stay tuned! Till then, be sure to check out the “Busy Bag Ideas” I have shared on the blog already!

Updated 6/17/2015

You can easily take this idea and change it up for a outdoor themed sensory bin. Just change up the color of the shredded paper {green} and add plastic bugs, frogs & flowers! Perfect for keeping those exploring toddlers busy!