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Winter Sensory Bin Ideas: Fun Activities and Christmas Book Pairings for Kids

A collage of colorful winter sensory bins for kids, featuring snowflakes, cotton balls, reindeer, books, and craft supplies, with Winter Sensory Bin Ideas in bold white letters at the center.

As the snow falls and the holiday spirit fills the air, there’s no better time to cozy up with a good book and dive into hands-on sensory adventures. We’ve curated a delightful collection of winter and Christmas-themed sensory bin ideas that pair perfectly with some of our favorite story time reads.

Whether you’re looking to spark creativity, encourage exploration, or simply add a little extra magic to your holiday season, this roundup has something for everyone. From snowy wonderlands to Santa’s workshop, each idea is designed to bring stories to life and create unforgettable moments of learning and play.

So grab a cup of cocoa, gather your little ones, and let’s make this winter a season to remember – one sensory bin and story at a time!

Please ensure all materials are age-appropriate and that activities are conducted under adult supervision. These ideas are not edible and are not suitable for children who may put items in their mouths.

A sensory bin filled with shredded white paper, small candy cane decorations, tongs, and a spoon, plus the book Ten Little Candy Canes on top—perfect for Activities For Kids To Do At Home. @GLUETOMYCRAFTS is written at the bottom.

PIPE CLEANER CANDY CANE HUNT SENSORY BIN IDEA

TEN LITTLE CANDY CANES – AFFILIATE LINK

A divided tray holds green silicone cups, sparkly pom-poms, fake snowflakes, striped paper straws with bows, tinsel picks, and white playdough in the center—perfect for creative winter sensory bins. @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS is labeled at the bottom.

MAKE MOON DOUGH AND USE IT TO “BAKE” UP CHRISTMAS CUPCAKES

A tray of food and candy arranged like winter sensory bins, inviting hands-on exploration and festive fun.

HOT CHOCOLATE BAR – USE POM POMS AND VARIOUS ELEMENTS

A Christmas-themed craft setup with the book Chicka Chicka Ho Ho Ho, felt tree shapes, colorful ribbons, pom-poms, letter cutouts, gingerbread figures, and ornaments—perfect for winter sensory bins. @gluedtomycrafts.

CHICKA CHICKA HO HO HO BOOK – AFFILIATE LINK

A wooden tray with cone holders, paper cones with crumpled tissue as ice cream, a book titled Dragons Can’t Eat Snow Cones, a spoon, colorful tissue balls—perfect for winter sensory bins—blue snowflakes, and the handle @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS.

SCRUNCH UP COLORFUL TISSUE PAPER TO MAKE A SNOW CONE PLAY TABLE

DRAGONS CAN’T EAT SNOW CONES – AFFILIATE LINK

A tabletop craft setup with felt reindeer cutouts, pom-poms, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, a muffin tin of supplies, snowflake decorations, the book Ten Little Reindeer, and a label @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS—perfect inspiration for winter sensory bins.

TEN LITTLE REINDEER – AFFILIATE LINK

A holiday-themed craft setup featuring small monkey dolls, sheep figures, festive decorations, a “Five Little Monkeys Looking for Santa” book, crafting supplies, and winter sensory bins—all arranged neatly on a wooden surface. @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS.

FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS LOOKING FOR SANTA BOOK – AFFILIATE LINK

FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS FINGER PUPPETS – AFFILIATE LINK

A winter sensory bin filled with toy dinosaurs, small Santa hats, Christmas-themed items, and a holiday book titled Santa Claws. Dinosaurs are surrounded by trees, presents, and gingerbread figures on a festive tray.

MAKE A DINOSAUR CHRISTMAS SCENE WITH RED KINETIC SAND AND PLASTIC DINOSAURS

SANTA CLAWS BOOK – AFFILIATE LINK

A vibrant winter sensory bin featuring colorful pom-poms, shredded green paper, candy canes, felt letters, a plush yellow star, and the book Chicka Chicka Ho Ho Ho. Includes wooden tools and an @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS label.

CHICKA CHICKA HO HO HO BOOK – AFFILIATE LINK

A winter sensory bin featuring felt snowflakes, colorful pom-poms, the books Ten Shiny Snowflakes and Little Snowflake, plus a green tree-shaped dish with more pom-poms. @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS is written at the bottom.

USE LARGE FELT SNOWFLAKE CUTOUTS AND POM POMS FOR THIS WINTER TABLE IDEA

A Pete the Cat plush toy in winter pajamas lies in a winter sensory bin filled with white pom-pom “snowballs,” next to a “Pete the Cat: Snow Daze” book and a small purple shovel. Text reads “@GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS.”.

PETE THE CAT SNOW DAZE – AFFILIATE LINK

A winter sensory bin filled with fake snowballs, red rubber ducks, plastic scoopers, a wooden ornament, and the book Mingo the Flamingo is shown on a tabletop. The Instagram handle @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS is at the bottom.

WHO SAYS FLAMINGOS ARE ONLY FOR SUMMER – USE POM POMS AND FLAMINGO DUCKIES FOR THIS BIN IDEA

MINGO THE FLAMINGO BOOK – AFFILIATE LINK

A sensory bin filled with shredded paper, farm animal cutouts, barns, a tractor, a pumpkin, and two children’s books—A Simple Christmas on the Farm and Barn in Winter—perfect for winter sensory bins. @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS label is visible.

SNOWY FARM BIN IDEA USING WOOD CUTOUTS AND CRINKLE PAPER

A childrens book called The Snow Thief is displayed in a tray with winter sensory bins items—cotton balls, fake autumn leaves, a squirrel puppet, plastic snowflake, and craft tools. The handle @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS is visible at the bottom.

SNOWY SQUIRREL PLAY – USE POM POMS, PLASTIC LEAVES AND TONGS

THE SNOW THIEF BOOK – AFFILIATE LINK

A holiday craft setup with wooden tree and star shapes decorated with small red, green, and white pom-poms. Felt snowflakes, gold stars, and containers holding more craft materials make this perfect for winter sensory bins.

GRAB LARGE WOOD CUTOUTS AND DECORATE WITH POM POMS AND RIBBON

A flat lay of a woodland-themed craft setup featuring a plush bear, faux snowballs, pinecones, wooden sticks, paper snowflakes, and the children’s book “Bear Snores On.” Perfect inspiration for winter sensory bins, with supplies arranged neatly on a wooden tray.

MAKE A COZY CAVE FOR BEAR – USE LEAVES, STICKS AND POM POMS

BEAR SNORES ON – AFFILIATE LINK

A craft board featuring felt snowmen, buttons, mini snowmen, candy, snowflakes, and the book Snowmen at Christmas surrounded by stars—perfect inspiration for winter sensory bins. The username @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS is at the bottom.

SNOWMEN AT CHRISTMAS BOOK – AFFILIATE LINK

A Christmas-themed craft setup features felt Christmas trees, pom-poms, snowflake decorations, a “Peekaboo Christmas” book, “Christmas Colors” tin, and winter sensory bins on a black tray with three white bowls of crafting supplies. @GLUETOMYCRAFTS is written at the bottom.

USE FELT CHRISTMAS TREE CUTOUTS AND POM POMS FOR THIS QUICK STORY TIME TABLE

A black tray displays blue felt snowflakes, red, green, and white pom-poms, a snowflake ornament, a felt Christmas tree filled with pom-poms, a caterpillar toy, and the children’s book First Winter—perfect for winter sensory bins.

USE FELT SNOWFLAKE CUTOUTS AND POM POMS FOR THIS QUICK WINTER THEMED STORY TIME TABLE

A flat lay of candy cane crafts: red and white striped pipe cleaners shaped like hearts, bowls of beads ready for winter sensory bins, a children’s book called Little Candy Canes, and a @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS label.

BUILD A BEADED CANDY CANE PLAY IDEA

TEN LITTLE CANDY CANES – AFFILIATE LINK

Festive flatlay featuring candy cane trays filled with red and white pom-poms, mini gingerbread men, plastic candy canes—perfect for winter sensory bins—a blue snowflake clip, the “Ten Little Candy Canes” book, and @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS handle.

POM POM BUILDING CANDY CANE ACTIVITY

TEN LITTLE CANDY CANES – AFFILIATE LINK

A winter-themed craft scene with a penguin, yeti, and seal on fake snow, snowflakes, and cotton balls—perfect inspiration for winter sensory bins. Argo cornstarch and Suave dry shampoo sit behind them. @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS is at the bottom.

MAKE MOON DOUGH AND USE IT TO MAKE AN ARTIC SCENE

Paper cutouts of Peanuts characters and a Christmas tree are arranged on white felt with pom-pom “snow,” creating a scene reminiscent of winter sensory bins. A “Charlie Brown Christmas” book sits in the background, with “@GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS” at the bottom.

CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS BOOK – AFFILIATE LINK

Assorted hot cocoa bar craft supplies on a wooden surface, perfect for winter sensory bins—includes paper cups, candy canes, paper gingerbread men, marshmallow shapes, sign cutouts, a snowflake, and an elf doll in a Hot Cocoa outfit.

HOT CHOCOLATE BAR – use craft felt cut up into small squares

A winter sensory bin filled with cotton balls, toy scoop, tongs, a plush pigeon in a red sleigh, and a card that says "Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!" featuring a cartoon pigeon in a holiday hat.

DON’T LET PIGEON DRIVE THE SLEIGH – USE POM POMS AND A METAL SLEIGH DON’T LET

PIGEON DRIVE THE SLEIGH – AFFILIATE LINK

A festive winter sensory bins tray with a wooden train set, fake snow, tiny presents, bells, candies, mini gingerbread men, ornaments, and The Polar Express book arranged on a wooden board. @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS.

POLAR EXPRESS PLAY TABLE – USE A TRAIN SET, FAKE SNOW AND MINI ELEMENTS

POLAR EXPRESS BOOK – AFFILIATE LINK

A tabletop filled with Christmas craft supplies, including gift tags, small ornaments, decorative bows, mini boxes, felt flowers, pencils, and a plush elf doll—perfect inspiration for winter sensory bins. Text reads @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS.

SANTA PACKING STATION – USE LITTLE BOXES AND BOWS

A tray with Christmas tree crafts, colorful plastic shapes, felt tree cutouts, and three Christmas-themed children’s books—perfect for inspiring winter sensory bins. The username @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS is displayed at the bottom.

CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATING – USE FELT TREE SHAPES AND PLASTIC TILES

A children’s book titled Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter is displayed in a bin with fake snow, felt pine trees, a crocheted reindeer with a red scarf, and the handle @gluedtomycrafts—perfect inspiration for winter sensory bins.

HELLO WINTER PLAY BIN – USE FAKE SNOW, FELT TREES AND A STUFFED REINDEER

GOODBYE AUTUMN, HELLO WINTER BOOK – AFFILIATE LINK

This winter sensory bin features cotton balls, felt trees, mini Christmas stocking decorations, festive bottle brush trees, a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Snowy Hide & Seek book, and a plush caterpillar toy.

HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SNOWY SCENE – ADD A SMALL SLEIGH, STOCKINGS AND TREES

SNOWY HIDE AND SEEK BOOK – AFFILIATE LINK

A wooden Christmas tree tray is filled with blue sensory sand, toy sharks, gingerbread figures, and mini stars. Surrounding this winter sensory bin are holiday decorations, small presents, and the “Santa Jaws” children’s book.

SANTA JAWS – USE BLUE KINETIC SAND AND PLASTIC SHARK TOYS

SANTA JAWS BOOK – AFFILIATE LINK

A sensory bin with faux autumn leaves, pine branches, wood slices, cotton balls, brown pipe cleaners, a gray mouse plush, and the book “A Mischief of Mice”—perfect inspiration for winter sensory bins. Text @GLUETOMYCRAFTS is at the bottom.

A MISCHIELF OF MICE – FAKE SNOW, PLASTIC LEAVES AND MOUSE PLUSHIE

A red cardinal plush toy sits in a faux bird nest with artificial leaves, pine branches, and white pom-poms, surrounded by shredded white filler—perfect for adding charm to winter sensory bins. @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS is labeled at the bottom.

BUILD A SNOWY BIRD NEST – USE DECORATIVE LEAVES, PIPE CLEANERS, STICKS AND A LARGE BOWL

A winter sensory bin with fake snow, leaves, eggs, a small plush owl, pine branches, and the book Little Owls Snow. This cozy setup sits on a wood floor with a @GLUETOMYCRAFTS label at the bottom. Perfect for exploring winter sensory bins!.

A SNOWY OWL NEST – USE FAKE SNOW, PLASTIC LEAVES, WOOD PIECES AND MORE!

LITTLE OWL’S SNOW BOOK – AFFILIATE LINK

A flat lay features a blue snowflake craft with colorful plastic gems, two winter-themed books, a tree-shaped container of gems, white decorative snowflakes, winter sensory bins inspiration, and the text @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS at the bottom.

SNOWFLAKE DECORATING TABLE – USE FELT CUTOUTS AND PLASTIC TILES

TEN WAYS TO HEAR SNOW BOOK – AFFILIATE LINK

A black tray displays a snowflake design made from craft sticks, colorful pom poms, and plastic shapes—perfect inspiration for winter sensory bins. Nearby are a snowflake book, containers of craft supplies, felt snowflakes, and a tag reading @GLUETOMYCRAFTS.

LITTLE SNOWFLAKE PLAY TABLE – USE POPSICLE STICKS AND POM POMS

A festive winter sensory bin setup featuring popcorn-themed cups, candy canes, gingerbread figures, pom-poms, and Christmas decorations in red, white, and yellow. Includes a cheerful @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS sign for extra holiday fun.

CHRISTMAS POPCORN STATION – USE POM POMS AND CANDY CANES

A tray holds craft supplies—pom-poms, felt squares, popsicle sticks, gold stars, and pipe cleaners. Perfect for winter sensory bins, these are arranged in a snowflake pattern on black. Two glittery snowflakes decorate the corners. @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS is at the bottom.

SNOWFLAKE PLAY TABLE – USE POPSICLE STICKS, PIPE CLEANERS AND COTTON BALLS

Please ensure all materials are age-appropriate and that activities are conducted under adult supervision. These ideas are not edible and are not suitable for children who may put items in their mouths.